Pointless Comparison: Corvette Grand Sport vs. Porsche 911 Carrera

Every time a new version of the Corette or the 911 comes out, which happens pretty often, every automotive magazine comes out with their big “Corvette versus Carrera!” comparison. To me, and to actual buyers, such comparisons are pointless. I have yet to meet anyone who actually cross-shopped the two cars; you either want a ‘Vette or you want a 911, performance numbers be damned.

That fact could not be more true for the convertible versions of each. These are both street cars and they appeal to potential buyers through style and image, not performance. No track junkie would consider either of those two convertibles, just as none of the convertible buyers would eye the Z06 or the GT3.

The Corvette and the 911 have been around for a very long time. In their own way, both remained true to their roots and evolved since their introductions. Current generations of both are nearing the end of their life cycles which means that soon there will be more pointless Corvette versus Carrera comparisons. Before that happens however, I got one last chance to drive the C6 and 997.2 which allowed me write this pointless comparison. … Continue Reading

Quick Drive: Acura ZDX – Is it everything or nothing?

I own a 2005 Acura TSX. Two years ago I had the chance to drive a 2006 TL for a few days and I loved it. Last year I had a 2009 TL for a weekend and I liked it. This past weekend I had an Acura ZDX, given to me as a loaner car from the dealership while my car was in for service. ZDX, the crossover-wagon-SUV-coupe thing seen above, is Acura’s answer to the question no one asked. The ZDX starts around $45,000, has a 300hp 3.7L V6 engine, trademarked “Super Handling” AWD, SportShift transmission with steering wheel mounted paddles, a hatchback-like hatch, and styling from a different planet. To my industrial designer eyes, if I maybe so kind, the design is awkward – I had zero expectations.

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Quick Drive: 2012 Acura TL

In 2004 a uniquely sculptured third generation Acura TL premiered. Contemporary looks combined with legendary reliability and a fair price made it an instant hit. Even my own mother bought one. When parked next to my E46 BMW, the bimmer looked downright dated and, to add insult to injury was significantly down on power. At the time I said that this TL would have been a nearly perfect automobile had it been rear-wheel-drive.

In 2009 the fourth generation of the TL came out. Acura took a big chance stylistically with it, being the first car in its lineup to feature the infamous “Power Plenum” front end, which became known as the “beak”. The whole car seemed bigger and more massive. Despite the new all-wheel-drive system, increased room and power, the automotive media chastised the TL for its looks. Buyers showed equally little mercy as sales numbers were significantly down from those of the previous car. … Continue Reading

Why Is Everyone Going Crazy About the Chevrolet Volt?

Considering there are a handful of electric cars coming out next year and a hybrid in almost every automaker’s line-up, what makes this car so special?

The key is in the drivetrain. While the Volt comes with a gasoline powered engine, this is no hybrid; the drive-train is fully electric. The internal combustion engine is a battery charger, which extends the estimated 40 electric-only miles to about 360 additional miles, using just nine gallons of gas. This is one of only two cars coming to market that utilize this type of drivetrain. The other car is the Fisker Karma, which will set you back about $87,000, while the Chevy Volt is a palatable $41,000. Both cars are eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit which makes the sticker price sting a little less. … Continue Reading

Quick Look: 2011 Ford Explorer

The last twenty years of Ford’s vehicle lineup history reads like a sports team’s True Hollywood Dearborn Story® (TDS).

In 1991 Ford was about to become a World Champion. The brand had the bases loaded with the top selling Taurus which was about get a facelift, the Mustang which was at its five-point-oh peak, and the Thunderbird SC which offered unique European grand touring sophistication.

Finally, the new 1991 Explorer was at bat and about to hit a grand slam out of the park. In a remarkably short time the Explorer became the vehicle to have. People could not get enough of it, often trading in premium sedans for the sharp looking sport utility vehicle, starting a new craze. It was the best of times. … Continue Reading

Review: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

The story which began in 1976, when Volkswagen introduced the first Golf GTI, is a well known one. Small front-wheel-drive car, peppy engine, improved handling, and bam, a Hot Hatch was born. And that’s good n’ all, but if you are between the ages of twenty-eight and thirty-eight, the ninety’s were the era of the Hot Hatch for you.

Honda was dominating the market with its Civics and Integras. The turbo AWD DSM trio was the powerhouse of the bunch, often running 12’s in street trim – that is when their owners were not busy replacing timing belts, differentials, oil seals, and such. Other cars included the Sentra SE-R, 240SX (cough truck engine cough), few Celicas and an occasional turbo Mazda. … Continue Reading

Built Borrowed Tough: Neighbor’s Ford F-250 XL

When it comes to pickups, brand loyalties can be intense.
There are Ford guys and Chevy guys, Toyota guys and Dodge guys. Even the occasional Nissan guy or International-Harvester guy.
I’m a borrowed guy.
I’ve never owned a pickup of my own, but I’ve never had a problem finding one when I needed one. When I lived near his home, I just borrowed my dad’s truck.
Now that I live several hours away, I turned to a neighbor recently when I needed to haul away the debris from a remodeling project.
I think I found the perfect truck.

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Review: 2010 Toyota Sienna

For most people, myself included, purchasing a minivan equates to throwing in a towel into your game of life.  The minivan has taken up the stigma of station wagons from decades past and it may be the vehicle most responsible for influencing the SUV trend, which gives young parents hopes of freedom they have once known.

For 2010 Toyota strives to change this unfavorable image with the all-new Sienna. It is marketed it with a comedic rap song performed by suburban parents who are clearly living the dream, in hopes that Generation-X will relate and accept the Swagger-Wagon as the family vehicle to have. … Continue Reading

Three Roadsters Not for Every Budget

Looking for a two-passenger sporty convertible? Perhaps something to compliment your Range Rover? Here are three best suggestions ranging in price from a lot to a lot more, surly one will appeal to you senses. … Continue Reading

Quick Drive: 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Despite almost buying a ’99 Boxster, I was never a big fan of the model. I never loved the original’s 996-based looks and its stigma of being a Porsche for people who could not afford a 911 always bothered me.  It grew on me when the first generation Boxster S came out in 2000, but performance-for-dollar it still could not compete with the Honda S2000, a roadster I have always been in love with.

However, everything I thought I knew about the Boxster went out the window when I got to drive a 2011 Boxster Spyder. This is definitely not a cheaper version of the 911, nor is it cheap. Over the years the Boxster has grown up and looks to have firmly established its own identity; confident and mature too. … Continue Reading

Ford versus Chevy, Like Never Before

Like it or not, the world of automobiles is changing. It is a common belief amongst some that the automobile is due for a revolution. Some say that the internal combustion engine is a crude device whose time has come, that it is a pollutant, that it makes us dependent on foreign oil, and that it kills polar bears.

Within the last few years the U.S. Government began a strong push toward electric vehicles and auto manufacturers have complied. Recently I had the opportunity to get a glimpse at our future by checking out the latest electric prototypes from Ford and Chevrolet. … Continue Reading

BMW X6 M – First Street Pictures and Ride

Some time ago I wrote about the new BMW X6-M that I had an opportunity to check out. What I was not allowed to do until now however, was show the pictures I have taken that day and write about the very brief ride I had in the vehicle. … Continue Reading