Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
A mid-size entry level luxury car, the Cadillac CTS was introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the Catera. Five years, later it’s become the manufacturer’s first success story in recent market campaign to sell vehicles to younger buyers. The CTS, in fact, is credited with rekindling the popularity of the Cadillac, whose sales dipped heavily in the 1990s in favor or Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.
Read moreNearly 700,000 Nissan vehicles manufactured since 2002 are being recalled because of a potential engine-stalling problem. The Nissan Altima and Sentra models manufactured in 2002 and in 2005- 2006 have a sensor that could overheat and prompt an interruption of the sensor’s signal. If the problem occurs, the engine could stop running without warning when the car is driven at low speeds. Jeannine Ginivan, a Nissan Motor Co. spokeswoman, said Monday there have been no reports of crashes or injuries corresponding to the issue. More than 650,000 of the recalled vehicles are in the United States, with the remainder in
Read moreThis is the ultimate cute car, which is why there aren’t many men tooling around in a Volkswagen Beetle convertible. While most women feel perfectly at home in this adorable vehicle, the majority of men liken it to driving a mini-van.
Read moreAs the oldest and best-selling vehicle in the Saturn stable, the Vue has found a solid, well-deserved niche in the compact Sport Utility Market. But Saturn couldn’t leave well enough alone.
Read moreSince its debut in 2003, the Honda Element has frequently been described with two succinct comments: “It’s ugly” and “It’s a box with four wheels.” There’s no disputing the Element has among the most conspicuous appearances on the road. But good looks (or lack of good looks) are subjective.
Read moreApproaching three decades since his death, Steve McQueen remains the “King of Cool,” most notably when it involves cars, motorcycles and high speeds. The latest homage to McQueen will occur Nov. 16-25 when Ford Motor Company introduces a special edition Mustang to honor the 1968 vehicle McQueen drove in the movie Bullitt.
Read moreThe Mercury Mariner and its nearly identical siblings, the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, are grouped in the popular and competitive small sport utility vehicle class. The Honda Element and CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn Vue and Subaru Forester are in the same category, and all have attractive attributes.
Read moreDid Roberto Clemente drive a Chevy? When the World Series between the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox begins tonight, advertisers will have spent considerable time and money to be part of baseball’s finest week.
Read moreThe daily procession of automobiles, trucks, motorhomes and bicycles in the Tour de France has reached its saturation point. Hundreds of officials’ cars, team vehicles, media cars and photographers’ motorcycles depart each stage of the race in a grand and often frantic ceremony more elaborate than the departure of the cyclists.
Read moreForget about more horsepower, gadgetry, weird names and odd-colored paint. If one of the automobile manufacturers wants to immediately catapult its sales, hire Charlize Theron.
Read moreFor the second time in two weeks, the country’s auto industry is facing a strike. While negotiations continued, the United Auto Workers (UAW) set a Wednesday morning deadline to agree on a new contract or 49,000 hourly workers for Chrysler could strike. What the pending strike means for the auto industry at large is hard to know. But it what is known is that tactics used both the company management and the UAW is growing old. Management gives its side of the equation to the media and the workers’ representatives follow with their thoughts. Or the scenario works in reverse.
Read moreOne reason I decided to attend the Tour of Missouri bicycle race in mid-September had little to do with cycling other than it’s a form of transportation. My real reason for going was simply the continuation of my now nearly 25-year enjoyment of travel. I had never been to the state before. But I had negotiated, as the author of The Weekly Driver auto review column, to test drive a 2008 Mercury Mariner for a week.
Read moreNissan redesigned the Altima sedan last year and it received a good share of praise from buyers who liked its new sportier approach and improved comfort. With the 2008 Altima coupe, the improvements continue with more design changes.
Read moreIf you happened to be a Ford salesperson during the 1990s, chances are the Explorer was your cash cow. It didn’t take a lot of persuading to get car shoppers driving off the lot with a new one. This popular sport utility vehicle was so revered it was even outselling Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys.
Read moreI was recently driving on Interstate 5 about an hour south of Sacramento. The traffic flow was smooth and fast, and my cruise control was set slightly above 75 mph. A vehicle in the lane to my right moved ahead, the driver singled, adeptly moved into my lane and steadily advanced. My car, however, a 2007 Volvo S80, suddenly slowed.
Read moreLike other hilly Central California roads, the drive to Pacheco Pass is not drastically steep, nor is it very high at 1,300 feet of elevation. But the 14-mile stretch of state highway 152 in Santa Clara County is also challenging.
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