Cars

Episode 18, California Automobile Museum curator Carly Starr

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:21 — 43.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreCarly Starr is the curator of the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. She has incredible knowledge of the cars and trucks in the unheralded museum as well as its diverse outreach programs throughout the year. The museum, located at 2200 Front St., opened in May 1987. It has more than 150 classic cars, race cars, trucks and rotating displays of different generations of vehicles from various regional clubs. The California Automobile Museum is also unique among car museums. It selectively buys and sells vintage cars and trucks. During a recent visit to the museum, co-host Bruce Aldrich and I visited the museum, chatted with

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2018 Audi A5: Refines entry level luxury coupe

The Audi A5 joined the German carmaker’s lineup in 1997, replacing the Audi 80. But for 2018, the Audi A5 is a new generation. And its design and features further designate the car’s position in the entry-level luxury coupe segment as an oxymoron. Equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 252 horsepower and advance with a seven-speed transmission, the new Audi A5 advances smoothly and quickly. But there’s a brief turbo lag. The A5’s power is evidenced by its acceleration in the 0-60 miles per hour standard in 5.0 seconds. The all-wheel-drive system is impressive while cornering, particularly at higher speeds. The A5’s stability and braking are reassuring. Manual transmissions are nearing dinosaur status, but the Audi A5 is

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2017 Kia Forte5: Unheralded hatchback shines tough segment

The 2017 Kia Forte5 is the hatchback trim of its more well-known sedan sibling. It’s reminiscent of the short-lived, defunct Volkswagen station wagon squareback that debuted in the late 1960s and ceased production six years later. The VW squareback was underpowered and quirky, but more than 350,000 were manufactured before its demise in 1974. Loyal followers liked the sizable cargo area, drivability, and versatility. The VW’s motto was, “Is it a small sedan that’s a station wagon or a station wagon that’s a sedan?” While similar is concept — a wagon-style cargo area in a sedan, the 2017 Kia Forte5 is far superior to its distant relative with a different name. But like the rest of its current family, it

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2018 Acura TLX: Improved sedan still an underdog

The 2018 Acura TLX is the fifth year of the performance-oriented midsize luxury sedan. It’s matched against segment leaders from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and it was upgraded this year to further find its way as the competition intensifies. Unveiled in April and available at dealers in the Bay Area three months ago, the TLX has restyled wheels and a revised grille, front fascia and fenders. Technology has also advanced with new infotainment features, including Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Acura, the upscale marque of Honda, has long used three-letter titles acronyms in its lineup. It’s uncertain if the some of the names represent a style or are hopeful, important-sounding marketing phrases. The TLX (Touring Luxury Sedan) replaced the

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The Weekly Driver Newsletter, Volume 1, #2: Technology overload

The term technology overload is new to the automotive world. In recent years, manufacturers have gone to great lengths to provide more gadgets in their vehicles to beat the other guy. The competition is fierce, but what does it all mean? Do drivers need all this stuff? Many of the safety improvements, side detection mirrors, traffic monitoring, backup cameras, are beneficial. But over-sensitive bells and buzzers that engage seemingly at random? David Lyon, a former General Motors designer, speaking at the 2015 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, stressed the need for an industry “features intervention.” Likewise in 2015, J.D. Power, the global market research company, detailed the issue in its first Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience Report.

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2017 Volkswagen Passat: Versatile like a blue blazer

Among the manufacturer’s most enduring models, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat extends the eighth generation of the midsize sedan to its sixth year. The Passat, German for “trade wind,” is an elder automotive statesman well into its fourth decade. There’s little flash or overt technology, but the mainstream VW has plenty of appeal via its reserved, classy presentation. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in S, R-Line, SE and Premium trims, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat is front-wheel drive and offered with two engines. My test vehicle was the SE trim with a 1.8-liter turbo-charged, four-cylinder configuration with 170 horsepower and a dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a 3.6-liter V6 with 280 horsepower available on the SE and Premium trims. As

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2017 Hyundai Veloster: sporty look, lackluster ride

The Hyundai Veloster was introduced seven years ago as the South Korean manufacturer’s first coupe. A year later, a turbo-changed edition debuted. The 2017 edition is the continuation of the first generation of the odd-looking compact with sporty ambitions. A modernized version of the Hyundai Tiburon (discontinued in 2008), the Veloster has an asymmetrical door configuration. There’s a large door on the driver’s side and two smaller doors on the passenger’s side. The rear passenger door opens with a high-positioned, flush handle that’s easy to miss but convenient to use. Key Takeaways Final year of the first-generation Veloster: Hyundai’s asymmetric three-door hatch has been on sale since 2011, a modernized successor to the Tiburon that was discontinued in 2008. 201-hp

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Cars3: The future is now, but has Paul Newman returned?

The release of Cars3 is less than four months away, but the marketing of the third film in the increasingly popular series has begun in earnest. The movie was announced months ago, but the trailer for the film debuted appropriately during the recent telecast of the Dayton 500. The theme is the future. It’s not about future cars, but the future of Lightning McQueen. The movies’ main character is trying to make a comeback after a crash and while up against a slew of new, young talent. Plenty of rumors think the main voice in the trailer is Paul Newman’s. The iconic actor and race car driver the films have emulated, died in 2008. Modern technology is certainly capable of

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Consumer Reports: Best New Cars of 2017

Consumer Reports picks lots of best lists. Arguably the most popular list is the publication’s annual best car list. For 2017, like in previous years, the Consumer Reports’ list of best new cars, was selected because the vehicles are outstanding all-around performers — reliable, safe and satisfying. According to Consumer Reports, “That means they have scored high in our stringent track tests and extensive owner surveys. They have won our admiration, and we recommend them with confidence.” Here’s the synopsis breakdown of the Consumer Reports’ criteria breakdown, followed by the list best new car list for 2017. Cars with hyperlinks have been reviewed by TheWeeklyDriver.com via their 2017 models or in a recent year. Overall Score: A consolidation of findings

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2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric greenest of green cars

The unheralded Hyundai Ioniq, the new midsize sedan with the unusual name, has the smallest environmental footprint among 2017 vehicles, according to American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The 20th annual environmental ratings, available on greenercars.org, is a comprehensive list of the year’s Greenest, Meanest, Greener Choices, and best-in-class vehicles. “Anyone buying a new car now has plenty of options for making an environmentally smart decision,” said Eric Junga, Transportation Research Analyst at ACEEE. “Whether you are looking to purchase the greenest car available, or the greenest vehicle for your needs such as a minivan, or simply stay away from the bottom of the list, greenercars.org can help you.” The following vehicles comprise the Greenest List for 2017. Each car is given a

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2017 Volkswagen Jetta: enduring sedan holds its own

Now in the seventh year of its sixth generation, the Volkswagen Jetta is approaching its 30th birthday as a little sedan that can. For 2017, the Jetta receives a few upgrades, most in improved technology. New are a rearview camera on all trim levels and driver assistance features on lower trims. There’s also an updated infotainment system with a USB connection to replace the former cable connection. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Jetta hybrid and diesel have been discontinued for 2017, leaving four trims — S, SE, SEL and GLI. The SEL trim, my weekly driver, included many of the lengthy lists of the standard features on the lower trims and added or upgraded many areas. A 1.8-liter turbocharged,

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Ford F-Series trucks, siblings dominate 2016 sales

The number is staggering — 17.4 million new cars and trucks were purchased in the United States in 2016, dominated by sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks. The Ford F-Series again paced the industry surpassing 800,000 in sales and about 250,000 more than the runner-up Chevrolet Silverado. Twelve of the top-20 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2016 were either SUVs or pickup trucks. The reason: a combination of versatility and lowering gas prices. The sale of pickups has increased for years. Only six manufacturers are represented in the marketplace, but the combined sales were more than 2.2 million. The 2016 car market had two surprising results. Compact-car sales fell 6.1 percent in 2016 and midsize vehicle sales fell 11.2

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So long, farewell to these cars after 2016 models

While some cars’ legacies continue for decades, through many generations and fluctuating sales years, other cars have short tenures and disappear as new models quickly in the ever-crowded marketplace. It was no different at the end of 2016. Some highly reviewed cars and some not-so-well reviewed vehicles won’t be available as 2017 models. As such, we say goodbye and farewell to at least 10 vehicles with 2016 as their final years. Will any of them become collectors’ items? Or, will they simply fade into an automotive graveyard somewhere and resurface as “barn finds” decades from now. Either way, here’s a look at 10 cars manufacturers stopped making after their respective 2016 models. Cars listed with hyperlinks were reviewed in at

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2018 Honda Odyssey gets hip

The worldwide debut of the 2018 Honda Odyssey, the fifth generation of the enduring minivan, will be unveiled January 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. According to several automotive sites and the manufacturer, the new Odyssey will be completely redesigned. It will feature: “New powertrain technology, sophisticated styling and showcase a new suite of innovative features, making it the ultimate in family-friendly design and packaging,” according to The Detroit News. The basics of the Odyssey, according to Automotive News, will remain the same. It will be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. It will be built on Honda’s light-truck platform which underpins the Pilot large crossover and the Ridgeline midsize truck. The 2016 Honda Odyssey was

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Cars3 trailer: Big crash shatters film series’ theme

Six years after its predecessor, Cars3, the computer-animated film starring Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson), will be released on June 16, 2017 in 2D 3D and IMAX 3D formats. And, man, will there be a surprise. The third installment in the popular series will have a more serious theme. McQueen is suddenly dispatched from racing after a crash. And to return to to the sport, he needs the assistance of a young race technician, Cruz Ramirez. But she has her own ideas and plans to win. And there’s another twist: Guidance from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet as well as a few other figurative and literal tumultuous racetrack corners to negotiate. The heavy tone from the teaser has garnered

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2017 Hyundai Elantra: New design, best buy compact

In the debut year of its sixth generation, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra maintains the carmaker’s firm position among top economically priced compacts. The newly designed sedan is offered in three trim levels: SE, Eco and Limited. The SE model is standard with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, height-adjustable front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40-split folding rear seatback. There’s also a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio and a CD player. Key Takeaways Sixth-generation compact with three trims: SE, Eco, and Limited. Each targets a different priority — price for SE, fuel economy for Eco, features for Limited. Eco trim returns 35 combined mpg on a 1.4L turbo: The 128-horsepower turbo paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

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