This is the weekly recap of everything in the automotive industry that you should care about without all the fluff. We also throw in our opinion, just because we can. This week:
A good friend of mine has a very unique Jeep called CJ-8, or Scrambler. The Scrambler is an extended wheelbase CJ-7 with a pickup-like 2-passenger cab, a bed, and the spare tire mounted on the roll-bar as opposed to the tailgate. Since its takeover from AMC, Chrysler has not done much with the Wrangler configuration, with the exception of the extended wheel-base TJ, known as LJ. It was not until the introduction of the current generation Wrangler, known as JK, that Chrysler started paying special attention it. … Continue Reading
When we think of the Jeep brand, the first thing that comes to mind is the iconic Wrangler. Think a little more and the image of the boxy Cherokee appears. When the first models rolled off the Toledo Assembly Plant in 1984 no one expected the little Cherokee to set a trend for small SUVs which are so popular now days. Today we will look at two Cherokees, an early ’86 model and one of the last “Classic” models from 2001.
It is time for the CarGuyDad news! A weekly (or whenever I get around to it) news update that features this week’s most exciting automotive stories. This week we have details on new vehicles from Ford and Jeep and pricing details on the Mustang and the new sporty Lexus hybrid, the CT200h.
Today in our weekly (or whenever I get around to it) news update, we look at a happy Mazda, plan a tour of a GM factory, fail to understand MPG ratings of electric cars, and check out the updated Chrysler 300. Also, the Internet has voted and the results are in…
Auto Show Season is underway and while Boston is not on the major auto show circuit such as New York or Los Angeles, it was still fun to attend. There were no major unvailings, no scantily-dressed models, and no concept cars. There was however a ton of cars that anyone can buy, some upcoming models, and a some interesting people. I did not have a chance to see everything at the show, but here are some highlights of what I did get to see. … Continue Reading
This is a new weekly (or whenever I get around to it) segment which will briefly outline some of the week’s most important and exciting stories which relate to dad-stuff, car-stuff and kid-stuff. It’s been an interesting week with plenty of exciting stories and here are some of the top headlines from Saab, Chrysler, and car seat maker Graco. … Continue Reading
Back in the ’70s and ’80s, scores of models sported big, black air vents carved into their C-pillars, rear quarter panels and occasionally their tail lights, blowing cabin air into the atmosphere.
“Flow-through ventilation” was something to brag about in owner’s manuals and dealer brochures.
But look around now: The visible cabin vent has nearly vanished from the automotive landscape. Like key slots on passenger doors, they disappeared slowly, almost imperceptibly. … Continue Reading
My first independently purchased vehicle was an ’84 Jeep CJ-7. I loved it. One day I met a pretty girl who was driving a Jeep Wrangler. I loved her. Fast forward few years, several cars, and one baby later; no more Jeeps, just a slightly-boring but superbly good MDX performing its daily grind as a comfortable family transporter. On-and-off we’ve been talking about the new 4-door Wrangler Unlimited and how cool it would be to have one, but would it be as comfortable? What about gas mileage? How is the highway ride? And safety? The basic question is: Could a Jeep Wrangler make a good family vehicle? … Continue Reading
My buddy Andy, with whom I went off-roading last year, has moved to California for school. His trip west in the Jeep CJ-8 was quite adventurous, but unfortunately all the pictures from it went missing.
Now that Andy has settled in and got the Scrambler back in the proper working order, he went on an off-road snow run. To us normal people that means driving 4WD vehicles with big tires on what essentially are hiking trails. Below pictures are telling a story; from the meeting point, up through the mountains, until they get caught in a storm. At that point they concluded that beer and burgers are more fun. Enjoy.
At some point everyone wanted one. If you happened to own one, chances are good that you really did not use it to its full potential. That whole Jeep thing; some say you won’t understand, I say you just may. … Continue Reading
Let me start by saying that I really appreciate most cars. With each car I drive, I try to put all prejudices aside and enjoy it for what it is. I am not the Dalai Lama of cars, but you get the idea.
And now, like a complete hypocrite to the above, I say this: … Continue Reading
This is the first of three articles on Rally Racing. I intend to cover car set-ups, driver training, different classes, and whatever else I may come upon. This part will show a built of an Open Class rally car, which is …
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 …
While you may have already read a thing or two about BMW’s new compression ignition offerings, you may not have heard all the details, and you may have some questions. I sure did, and I did my best to answer them …
French cars; some say they’re ugly, some say they’re beautiful, all agree that they’re unreliable. However, there is something about them that makes you want to look. These pictures were taken in March of 2007, my wife’s and mine last trip …
Do you think your ’02 Chevy Tahoe with 170k miles is at the end of its life? Try driving a ’55 Suburban that you inherited from you father. This is a gallery of car pictures from Cuba, where the only way …
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