Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
I have a routine when I drive/review cars each week. One step is to ask my friend, Leo Blume, a car lover, what he thinks. We took a drive in the 2008 Buick Lucerne and stopped by his house. He showed me his 1963 Buick. And, boy did he have some things to say. He contributes this review:
Read moreWith interest in sport utility vehicles diminishing with every gasoline price increase, many upscale buyers are looking at luxury sedans as their next purchase. It’s a crowded field with many qualified cars that combine high performance with a stylish look and plenty of extras. Infiniti produces a sedan that fits the qualifications.
Read moreMove over, Bugatti. Welcome, Aston Martin to the top of the car pricelist. The soon-to-be released Aston Martin One-77 (A codename) will assume the title as the world’s most expensive car.
Read moreIt’s likely not the kind publicity General Motors is seeking. But don’t be surprised if there’s a rush in the purchases of the defunct Dodge Spirit. Dodge Spirit? Really?
Read moreThe 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon was recently debuted on the Monterey Peninsula, showcasing a dramatic design that elevates and updates the classic wagon body style. Not unlike many historic Cadillac designs, the new CTS Sport Wagon is an unmistakable and dynamic presence. The car’s intricately cut rear profile injects fashion-forward design into the formerly utilitarian world of wagons.
Read moreFor any car shopper waiting around for the unveiling of last year’s Nissan Murano, the wait never ended. Nissan didn’t produce a 2008 model. Although a surprising circumstance for such a popular vehicle, Nissan felt it wasn’t necessary since a full redesign was coming in 2009. Who could really blame them since there was nothing objectionable about the 2007 Murano?
Read moreJohn Schnatter cares about pizza, but not as much as he enjoys cars, or at least one car — his 1971 Chevy Camaro Z28. And he’s so glad to have his prized possession back after losing track of the car for more than a quarter century, the owner of Papa John’s pizza chain is dishing out free pizzas Wednesday.
Read moreThe German automaker BMW AG, concerned front passenger seat airbags may not deploy, has recalled an estimated 200,000 X3 sport compacts in the United States made between 2004-2006. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported on its web site that small cracks could develop in a seat detection mat and deactivate the front passenger air bags. NHTSA said the air bag warning lamp and the passenger air bag “on-off” light would remain on. The head protection system, however, would not be affected, the government said. According to BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky no injuries or accidents from the reported issue
Read moreNearly 15 years after his retirement from full-time racing, Mario Andretti, at age 68, remains a dominant force. One of only two drivers to win race in the four major motor racing categories — Formula One, IndyCar (USAC), World Sportscar Championships and NASCAR — Andretti was the honored guest last week at the 35th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races and Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca.
Read moreA few friends and I drove around the recent Monterey Auto Week in a 2008 Nissan Rogue. It’s a new sport utility vehicle that offers a lot for a good price point — around $23,000. What the Rogue doesn’t have is a good name. My friends and I had a pretty easy and fun time calling ourselves rogues. And there we were finding our way around Pebble Beach and Laguna Seca and parking next to wondrous machines with well-heeled nameplates like Bentley, Maserati and Ferrari. So why would Nissan call its new SUV Rogue? As a noun, rogue is defined:
Read moreThe 2008 Audi A8 W12 is the German manufacturer’s powerful top-of-the-line sedan. It’s nearly a small apartment considering its spaciousness, powerful sound system, rear-seat refrigerator and solar sunroof. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I take a look and the luxurious Audi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrDQljGPqSc
Read moreAmid overcast skies and cool temperatures, Monterey Auto Week began Monday with the two-day Concours on the Avenue in Carmel with a wondrous selection of varied classic cars — Ferrari to Volkswagen, Ford to Bentley, Fiat to Lamborghini.
Read moreIt’s often simply called Monterey Auto Week. No one organization oversees all of the activities, and it’s possible to attend perhaps only half of the events. The Concours d’Elegance, the grandfather of celebration, has been around for more than 50 years. And it’s still the grand finale to the festivities Sunday, Aug. 17.
Read moreMonterey Auto Week is hard to describe, particularly since it lasts nearly two weeks. And Monterey Auto Week isn’t really an official name, either, because there isn’t an official name to all of the car-related activities on the Monterey Peninsula in August. Nonetheless, the sensory overload of all things automotive continued this week with the second Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue. Porsche and Ferrari were the attractions Monday on Ocean Avenue in Carmel and accompanying side streets. And on Tuesday marques from 1946-1971 were presented. Both days were nirvana for car owners and automotive enthusiasts. But the Tuesday gathering
Read moreIn its elaborate plans to appease consumers’ changing buying choices, General Motors Corporation will invest more than half a billion dollars in its Ohio manufacturing plant. It’s where Chevrolet will assemble the Cruze, its new compact vehicle set to debut in the United States as a 2011 model.
Read moreAfter much anticipation, earlier this year BMW introduced to the United States its 128 series. It’s the German manufacturer’s reasonably priced coupe and convertible, and it couldn’t have been introduced at a better time. From my weekly drive with the 128i convertible and its 3.0-liter, 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine, the car is an unqualified success. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I present another of in the continuing series of new car video reviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ATOAJIy0Wc
Read more