Driving sensations, not just specifications
Let me introduce you to this striking blue 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster. It belongs to Philip, a friendly fellow who is trying to convince me that the Z4 M Roadster is undervalued in the M-car hierarchy. I’ve got a morning with the car, so let’s see if I agree. My drive of the Z4… Continue reading 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster: Right M on the Wrong Road
It’s 7:30 am when I hear the passing drone of a sports car outside my kitchen window. I glance at the street, excited, and see my neighbor Eddie slinking by in his midnight blue 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo. Normally, spotting a car this rare would be the peak of my morning’s excitement, but not… Continue reading 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo: The Final Chapter
I’ve heard it whispered that the BMW X5 M is the way BMW should have built the brand new 2025 (G90) M5, and that the M5 would have been better skipping hybridization and just sticking with a twin-turbo V8. While we’ll never know how this imaginary M5 would have turned out, I do have the… Continue reading 2025 BMW X5 M Competition and M5: Sumo Wrestling
My friend Sage purchased a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor, but he isn't sure he'll keep it. He's had it for six months, and while he likes aspects of the truck, it hasn't thrilled him like he'd hoped. In fact, he's so dissatisfied that he approached his dealer for a trade-in evaluation. I'm here for a… Continue reading 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Fear-Free Canyon Carving
I’m trying hard to figure out who would buy the $51k ($64k as tested) 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport. By its dimensions and capability, the X3 xDrive30i appears to be a practical hauler of young kids and their crud, but when fit with the M Sport options, the SUV transforms into a hard-riding performance… Continue reading 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30i: Someone Skipped Cardio
The car standing in front of me isn’t some unknown exotic, it is the Lucid Air, Lucid’s first-ever production car. I’ve been seeing them around Berkeley for four years, but have yet to get up close and personal with the model. In Berkeley’s sea of Teslas and Subarus, the Air stands out, on account of… Continue reading 2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring: Smooth as Butter, Fast as Stink
“Would you like me to chauffeur you so you can enjoy the executive rear seat?” asks the friendly Mercedes-Maybach S680 chaperone. “No thanks, I’ll drive,” I respond. But on second thought, I may have made the wrong choice, as I’ve just turned down a chance to experience life living like a royal. Ah, dear reader,… Continue reading 2025 Mercedes-Maybach S680 Poses a Tough Question
Have you heard of Lucid? If you’re a car enthusiast, probably yes, as the motoring outlets have extolled the virtues of the Lucid Air sedan. But have you actually seen a Lucid? Maybe not. Even in wealthy EV-friendly San Francisco, they’re uncommon. Now, have you ever driven a Lucid? The odds say no. The company… Continue reading 2026 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring: Don’t Call it a Minivan
I’ve settled into the BMW M5’s extremely comfortable front seat and found its start button only to be startled by theatrical “bbbuuuwhaaahh” power-up noise. The welcome noise gives me a flashback to the THX intro sounds from 2000’s movie theaters. (Yes, the driver is now listening.) The sounds are accompanied by a building glow in… Continue reading 2025 BMW M5: The Splenda Super Sedan
How much is an hour worth to you? Specifically, an hour in a stuffy, 95°F airport rental car office with a dozen impatient customers and your two travel-weary children? My wife would gladly pay an extra €500 ($589) to escape this hour of hell. Frankly, €500 is too much for me—double the cost of our… Continue reading 2024 Mercedes CLA 180d Shooting Brake: More Capable than Compact
Mike's Steering Column 