Mitsubishi Lancer: Great bones, more keep compact Lancer relevant
Good bones, affordable pricing and available all-wheel-drive keep the aging Mitsubishi Lancer relevant.
Autos archive for Jan. 1, 2015
SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 2015
MONDAY, AUG. 10, 2015
Distraction running amok
When I wrote of driver distraction ten years ago, the “playing field” was different. Then, the most prevalent attention grabber for drivers was “rubbernecking” at roadside sightings like disabled vehicles, accidents, or police traffic stops. At that time, cell phones were not even among the…
SUNDAY, AUG. 9, 2015
2015 Lincoln Navigator: EcoBoost to the rescue
Ford reaches into its EcoBoost bag of tricks to freshen the full-size Lincoln Navigator. For 2015, Ford replaces last year’s eight-cylinder engine with a thriftier and more powerful twin-turbocharged six. The new Navigator also receives exterior updates, a redesigned interior and updated cabin technology. A…
Collector Car Corner: The demise of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation
Back in the late 40s and 50s my grandfather bought a series of Studebaker cars: the first being a Land Cruiser (fine car: a 1950, I think) followed by others of increasingly poor quality, but increasingly more radical in design.
THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 2015
Test Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
This week, we get to drive the 2015 Motor Trend Magazine ³Car of the Year,² namely the 2015 Volkswagen Golf that arrived in SportWagen trim.
MONDAY, AUG. 3, 2015
Test Drive : 2015 Volkswagen Jetta
This week, we're driving the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, delivered with its new TDI (Turbo Direct Injection) Diesel under the hood that offers many advantages versus the competition.
On readers' minds
Readers regularly comment on the topics presented here. And those remarks are often the impetus for column content, including: dissecting rules of the road, examining driver behavior, discussing local traffic issues and touting safety reminders. The majority of reader commentary is positive, and it’s encouraging…
SATURDAY, AUG. 1, 2015
Honda Pilot: Third generation is a charm
Like an automotive Dorian Gray, Honda’s midsize Pilot loses years as it ages. The Pilot is fully made-over this year. It’s curvier on the outside and friendlier within. Increased use of high-strength/lightweight steel in the body structure helps produce a weight loss of nearly 300…
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015
Collector Car Corner: Solving a Chevy LS7 454 engine mystery
I bought a 69 Camaro from a guy in Texas with an old Chevy crate engine in it called an LS7 Big Block. He installed the LS7 in the car in the late 1980's and the number stamped on the block is TL02XCH09488093.
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2015
Freeway interchange improvements
I regularly receive reader concerns over the inadequacy of certain Spokane freeway interchanges. Indeed, some of the entrance and exit ramps to and from Interstate 90 here lack safe and efficient flow. Those design shortcomings may be partially blamed on delays and objections taking place…
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2015
Hyundai Tucson: Catching up with the competition — and then some
Hyundai was one of three companies whose U.S. market share grew during the recession. Its fortunes have faltered since, however. Its failing? Too many cars, not enough crossovers. The compact crossover is the industry’s hot number. Segment sales are up 19 percent — mostly at…
Test Drive: 2015 Nissan Juke
This week, we’re driving the 2015 Nissan Juke SL AWD that is classified by the EPA as a small station wagon. Although Nissan originally built the Juke to attract a younger demographic, an expanding number of baby boomers are driving Jukes, and Nissan expects this trend to continue.
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2015
Collector Car Corner: Remembering the Lincoln V-8
My grandfather had a 1952 Lincoln that came with the first ever overhead valve V8 in the Lincoln line. Can you tell me more about this car?
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015
Scion iM and iA: Toyota’s “youth laboratory” scores twice
Hot hatches are happening. Little sedans, not so much. So Scion is confident it will sell more copies of its new iM hatchback than of its also-new sibling, the iA sedan.
Scion iM and iA: Toyota’s “youth laboratory” scores twice
Hot hatches are happening. Little sedans, not so much. So Scion is confident it will sell more copies of its new iM hatchback than of its also-new sibling, the iA sedan.
Another plea to share roads
A couple of months ago, I wrote of the “touchy coexistence” between two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles. The motorized two-wheelers, motorcycles and scooters, sometimes suffer the effects of size-disparity among four-wheeled cars and trucks. More vulnerable, however, are the bicyclists, who have a disadvantage of size…
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015
Collector Car Corner: Atco Dragway Funny Car memories
"I came across your article on “Rare Comet Cyclone GT” recently and noticed that you had seen Dyno Don Nicholson at Atco Dragway in Berlin, New Jersey, in the summer of 1966. I was there also."
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015
Test Drive: 2015 Nissan Murano SL AWD
This week, we’re driving the 2015 Nissan Murano, featuring a new exterior design, way more interior room and the trusty mechanicals that have made it one of Nissan’s most popular vehicles.
MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015
More bus discussion 1
An email from a city bus driver informed me that people in automobiles display some crazy behavior around busses. At the time, he did not specify those antics, but his topic encouraged me to speculate about some of those behaviors in last week’s column. Now,…
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2015
New Honda HR-V brings family virtues to micro-crossover segment
The pint-sized, four-passenger HR-V packages traditional Honda virtues -- rock-solid body structure; firm-but-compliant ride; quiet, comfortable cabin — into a small, efficient footprint.
Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Crosstrek
This week, we’re behind the wheel of the 2015 Subaru Crosstrek, one of the newer all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles that have helped make Subaru a household name. Introduced in 2013 and built to compete with the overabundance of small crossover utility vehicles that are popping up everywhere, XV Crosstrek is actually an alteration of the popular Imprez
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015
Collector Car Corner: One of a kind Granatelli owned ‘Avanti Cadillac’ resurfaces 1
I recently purchased a 1964 Avanti with a 429 V8 Cadillac engine. The exterior color is gold and it has gold Recaro seats. I am led to believe it was owned by Joe Granatelli and am in the process of restoring the car.
Driving with busses
An email from a city bus driver indicated that drivers do “stupid stuff” around busses. G.F. claimed he will compile some of those episodes and eventually forward them to me. He hasn’t sent them yet, but in the meantime, I can speculate on a few.…
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2015
2016 Acura MDX sheds weight, adds tech to remain a premium pick among luxury crossovers
I don’t know about you, but I’d love to drop a few pounds and gain three new gears. I’m pretty sure I’d be nimbler and feel more energetic. I’d be quicker and more efficient. I’d be just as comfortable and no less luxurious. And so...
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015
Test Drive: 2016 Honda HR-V AWD
There’s a new kid in town in the compact Crossover class, namely the 2016 Honda HR-V. Built smack in the middle of siblings sub-compact Fit and ultra-popular CR-V, this new effort from Honda is sure to be a crowd leaser, especially considering its attractive entry price of just $19,995.
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