Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Autos

TUESDAY, SEPT. 3, 2013

Stifle driving aggression

You can’t control the anger and aggression of other drivers, but you can and should regulate your own. Statistics show that aggressive driving is the root cause of over half of all motor vehicle accidents, so curbing those tendencies makes sense. The relative anonymity, comfort…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, SEPT. 2, 2013

 (Chrysler)

Chrysler 300: Promise fulfilled

In 2004, the Chrysler 300 landed like a body slam to the midsection of the full-size sedan segment, its brooding, broad-shouldered presence a poke in the eye of convention. The 300’s dark beauty masked an array of shortcomings, though. On the verge of bankruptcy, Chrysler…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, AUG. 26, 2013

Distraction reaches crucial level

The good news is that cell phone use has brought the topic of distracted driving to the forefront. The bad news is that the handy electronic device nearly all of us are addicted to has itself become the main distraction. I’ve written of driving distractions…

Continue reading this post »

THURSDAY, AUG. 22, 2013

 (Tesla Motors / Tesla Motors)

Elon Musk’s 800mph people tube 

If any billionaire entrepreneur besides Elon Musk said he’d like to shoot me through a tube at close to the speed of sound I probably wouldn’t consider it. But Musk has an impressive track record of bringing Jetson-esque pipe dreams to practical (and profitable) realities.…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, AUG. 19, 2013

Can your car be hacked?

In theory, given the proliferation of computer-controlled systems within automobiles, newer cars are subject to hacking. As with tablet, laptop, notebook and desktop computers, unscrupulous evil-doers could wreak havoc with the well-being of you and your vehicle. But they probably won’t. Andy Greenberg, of Forbes…

Continue reading this post »


MONDAY, AUG. 12, 2013

Pedestrians crossing streets

My commentary on pedestrian safety a couple of weeks ago stirred up additional thoughts and questions from readers. Some wondered when and where pedestrians have right of way while crossing streets, and reader G.W. wondered why those afoot often push the limits of that right…

Continue reading this post »

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7, 2013

 (Acura  / Acura)

Acura leaks a titillating teaser  

When an unreleased car reaches a certain level of buzz-worthiness a snippet of its exhaust note can grab headlines. Such a clip emerged late last month from Acura’s top secret lair. The video barely includes five seconds of footage, but offers the Internet masses the…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, AUG. 5, 2013

Asked and answered

Feedback from readers reveals what’s on drivers’ minds. One following note involves a previous column topic and another arises from a local publisher’s remark. B.W. reinforced my assertion that hand signals from drivers who refuse to take the right of way are unwarranted and potentially…

Continue reading this post »

SUNDAY, AUG. 4, 2013

 (Mustang Daily )

2015 Ford Mustang caught on camera

When a flasher wraps himself in an ill-fitting leather overcoat most people aren’t curious to know what he plans on revealing. The same can’t be said for the 2015 Ford Mustang. Spy video shot this month shows the hotly anticipated muscle car being tested on…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, JULY 29, 2013

 (Honda)

2013 Honda Civic: Everyday greatness

In late 2011, Honda debuted the all-new 2012 Civic. The next year, the updated outsold all other compacts in the U.S., and was the country’s second-best-selling car. Apparently, though, Honda has even greater things in mind for the Civic. For 2013, just one year following…

Continue reading this post »


Pedestrians facing danger

As infants begin walking, they quickly learn of things that may impede their success. Slippery floors, loose rugs, misplaced toys, dark rooms, stubbed toes and much more comprise the trials and tribulations a new walker must deal with. But even when efficient footwork becomes second-nature,…

Continue reading this post »

SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013

 (The Telegraph )

Shotgun car used in assassination attempt

Czech pawn shop owner Radovan Krejcir watched as twelve shotgun barrels opened fire on his Mercedes-Benz. The blasts peppered the passenger-side window of his bullet-proof car; an obvious attempt to assassinate the wanted business owner in the doldrums of his daily routine. This is car…

Continue reading this post »


 (Latitude Wheels)

The car with $1 million dollar wheels

Outfitting a car with wheels that are more expensive than the whole vehicle is a classic ghetto-fabulous aesthetic. This month Miami-based Latitude Wheels tweaked the automotive statement to an all new level with a Ferrari 458 Italia intended to serve as their flagship show car.…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Mixed signals

Faithful column followers know that I am not a fan of drivers’ informal signals which are intended to direct traffic according to their wishes and whims. I’m not referring to arm signals designating turns and stopping — those are definitive and legal. Nor do I…

Continue reading this post »

SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2013

 (Lexus)

Lexus IS delivers on its promise

In 2006, Lexus took direct aim at BMW’s 3 Series, with the launch of the IS compact sport sedan. The IS offered a pair of excellent engines, but its cramped interior and lackluster handling limited it to also-ran status, where it has remained. For 2014,…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013

When things go well

I’ll always campaign for drivers to strive for precision while at the wheel, and pointing out common errors is a component of that plea process. Recognizing that we are all subject to driver error is the first requisite for improvement. And hopefully, the mistakes we…

Continue reading this post »

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013

 (Fiat)

Green cars slug it out in Portland

Yesterday, members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) gathered in Portland to drive and rate an assortment of “green cars.” What I learned tooling around downtown Portland: Sustainability is high on the automotive agenda. We drove 17 hybrids, plug-in hybrids, clean diesels and electric…

Continue reading this post »

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013

Tailgating is for sporting events

There are two common forms of tailgating. One is a celebratory gathering occurring on game day at a sporting event — that’s usually a good thing. The other is a practice of following the vehicle ahead at a distance too close to insure accident-avoidance during…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013

Getting things done

I’m uncertain who’s responsible for it, but I thank whoever is. As I made my way through the intersection at 37thand Grand Avenue on the last day of school, I was pleased with the extra margin of safety and order afforded by the relatively new…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2013

Department of redundancy department

I stated last week that good discussions often bear repetition. Even though I may have covered certain driving topics over past years, there are regular readers who’ve missed them and new readers who have not seen them. Besides that, occasional reminders help all drivers, and…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2013

Readers express concerns

Thanks for your email messages. Whether I call them rants, grievances, or concerns, I always enjoy seeing your points of view on driving topics. Here are a few of those recent reader comments. Bicycle commuter B.S. sent a timely note, since the presence of the…

Continue reading this post »

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2013

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Rambling road report

The 40-plus hours spent in my vehicle during a recent round trip to San Diego allowed my thoughts to meander much like the roadway. As with driving near home, topics of thought are often initiated by the behavior of other drivers. Upon return, an email…

Continue reading this post »

Autos

The latest news, reviews and commentary about cars, trucks, and more, automotive technology and car culture