Review: 2010 Chevy Camaro RS 2LT

It was finally 4am on a Saturday morning. I have been waiting for this moment for a while: first, I was heading to New Jersey to bid farewell to my best friend who was moving to Atlanta. Second, I have really been looking to driving a sporty car with a proper manual transmission; something I have not done in quite a while. You see, lately I have been submerged in the world of cross-overs, SUVs, premium sedans and economy cars, all vehicles where the manual transmissions have become almost extinct.

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Review: 2009 Toyota Venza

Toyota wants the Venza to be something smaller than a RAV4 but not quite a station wagon, as station wagons are disliked in the United States. Regardless of what its genre is called the Venza is a very functional something, available with two different engines and two driveline configurations, all wrapped in a pretty package. Despite all the bad press Toyota has received lately, the Venza just maybe the shining star amongst otherwise gray appliances we have come to expect from Toyota. … Continue Reading

Driving Jaguar’s new XFR, on the Road and on the Track

I have recently had the opportunity to drive the new Jaguar XFR on the road and on a race track. With the XFR competing directly against the BMW M5, which I have also had the opportunity to drive on the track and on the street, it only made sense to evaluate the XFR while using the M5 as a measuring stick. Due to the large amount of BMW content on this site, some may call me a BMW fanatic, but the truth is that so much of the automotive industry does in fact look to and follow the BMW concept. Below is a look at what makes the M5 unique and what Jaguar is trying to capture with the XFR, does it work? … Continue Reading

Ownership Experience: 2005 Mazda RX-8

I have to admit, I had some pre-conceived notions about Mazda’s current rotary ship.  First there was the media-blitz about them not making the HP figures they were advertised with, then of course there is the big fat question mark of how you can classify this car? With technically 4-doors, is it really a  sports car or a sports sedan?  Perhaps it’s neither, but does it really matter what it is? It’s a Mazda RX-8. It’s fun, it’s quick, and it’s for the vehicularly-focused to fully appreciate, and live with it. … Continue Reading

Car Review: 2009 Dodge Charger

Wait! It’s not what you think. Really. Drive this car for a few days and you may be pleasantly surprised, I was.  Yes, it’s a stripper rental version, so I wasn’t really so much surprised with what it is, but I was surprised with what it could be. … Continue Reading

Car Review: 2008 Volvo S80

I’ve rented this beast from Hertz for one day. I need to travel from downtown Boston to middle of nowhere, Connecticut, roughly 240 miles of city and highway driving. The last Volvo I drove was a late 80′s 240 wagon (245?) which I enjoyed just because it was so different and yet so dorky at the same time. I really did not know what to expect from the vehicle. I do recall sitting in the XC70 at the NYC Auto Show thinking that I really liked the interior. So, will this S80 bring back magic of the 240/5? … Continue Reading

Car Review: 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

When I was about 17, I said to myself “when Toyota comes out with a proper Jeep Wrangler-like vehicle, I’ll be the first one to buy it!”. This was of course in my days of ignorance with respect to older Land Cruisers, 4Runners and such. Anyway, the present question is, would the FJ Cruiser be a good vehicle for me at this point and time in my life? It’s got a lot going for it… and a lot going against it. … Continue Reading