The two cars that we have here today have little in common. One is my 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S, and the other is my friend Sage’s 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Both cars may be on the chopping block soon. I’ve owned the AMG GT S for about five years, and the itch for a… Continue reading Comparison: 2016 Mazda MX-5 and 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S Shake Rattle ‘N No-Roll
(Dear reader: This piece is my travel journal from my Wild West road trip across California, Nevada, and Utah. I hope you enjoy hearing about my eight days on the road and the memories I made.) Day 1: Climbing Out of California It's a midday start to my road trip. My 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S's… Continue reading Long Term: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S is the UFO in the Wild West
I’m about to drive a trusting friend’s immaculate E30 Touring. It’s a drive that I hope will answer a few burning questions. First, I’m eager to know if 1990s BMWs fall in the sweet spot between classic thrills and modern(ish) capabilities. This question stems from my recent drive of a 1963 Porsche 356. It was… Continue reading Comparison: 1994 BMW E30 Touring vs 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon are Beauty and the Beast
I've lived with our 2018 Tesla Model 3 for over five years now, and it is the most practical and reliable car I've had. Yes, it is an electric appliance with just a smidge of soul, but if I need to effortlessly get across town or across the state, the Model 3 is the car I’ll pick… Continue reading Test Drive: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Has Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
There's a lot I love about my 2016 AMG GT S. It buzzes with feedback and excitement, it's an absolute joy to hoon through the corners, and it has exotic curb appeal. But it's not flawless, and I'm curious to see how AMG has remade the AMG GT coupe for 2024. What are the faults… Continue reading Comparison: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 55 is a Massive Improvement over the GT S
Well, that didn’t work as planned. After five years of charging our Tesla Model 3 on a 120-volt socket at home, we installed a Level 2 charger. A few factors drove the move. 1) We’ve loved having the electric Model 3 as our primary car. It’s peppy, quiet and reliable. We can power it with… Continue reading Long Term: 2018 Tesla Model 3 Oops, My Bad!
We are about to do something ridiculous: compare two cars with no reason to go head to head. Though the 1M and CTS-V were contemporaries, they were never competitors. One was a lithe Skunkworks sports car, while the other was a plus-sized ass hauler. It didn’t make any sense to pit the Bimmer against the… Continue reading Comparison: 2011 BMW 1M vs 2014 Cadillac CTS-V is Apples to Oranges
I’ve just crossed three years with my 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S, and frankly, I’m surprised it’s still in my quiver. As sharp and as fast as my black arrow is, it never was a forever car for me. But, I just can’t seem to find anything better for the price. Can you suggest a better… Continue reading Long Term Update: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S is Exotic But Not Precious
Well, this is a surprise. My family from the heart of conservative trucks-and-guns Pennsylvania just took delivery of an EV. A 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E, to be precise. Now I’m wondering, is this a harbinger of red America going green? Not that selling EVs in the heartland should be hard. EVs pair the torque of… Continue reading Review: 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E (vs. Tesla Model 3)
They say familiarity breeds contempt, but that isn’t the case with my CTS-V wagon. The V has been mine for over four years, and I’m still loving it and determined to hold on to it for as long as I can! (Read my other long term CTS-V posts here, here and here.) Yet, my relationship… Continue reading Long Term: 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Isn’t For Sale
Mike's Steering Column 