I have the BMW i3 for an extended three-day test drive. The vehicle I was lent is a “Mega” series model, the most basic i3 available—Giga and Terra series being better equipped—with cloth and synthetic leather and minimal gadgets. For my first two days with the i3, my use of the car was just a… Continue reading Review: 2015 BMW i3
I have a dealership loaner car, a 2015 328i with the M Sport performance package. The M Sport package brings some M inspired gear into the normal range of BMWs. For the 328i, it includes the M Sport suspension for better handling, an M-inspired steering wheel (with similar size and feel to the M4's wheel… Continue reading Review: 2015 BMW 328i M Sport
I expected to be wowed by the power, but the steering impressed me the most. Every so often, in what I presume are moments of boredom, my wife Kay reads my car magazines. From her fleeting explorations of my world, she has learned that the 911 Turbo is the best car in the world, bar… Continue reading Review: 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
The Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S have been a hot discussion topic for enthusiasts ever since their launch. Priced around $25k new, these Japanese twins are the most compelling entry-level RWD sports cars today. Lauded for providing a pure driving experience, I'd been searching for my chance to drive an FR-S or BRZ for quite… Continue reading Review: 2014 Subaru BRZ
I have a chance to drive a 2015 BMW 328i (F30 chassis) loaner car while my E90 M3 is in the shop. A note in the car indicates that this vehicle is optioned up to the grand price of $42,000; that's quite a lot of money for an entry-level BMW. With just 72 miles on… Continue reading Review: 2015 BMW 328i
My BCFF (Best Car Friend Forever) and I have been discussing the 2009 Porsche Cayman (987.2) at length because it is said to have the most reliable and robust engine of any first generation (987) Cayman. 2009 was a mid-run refresh for the Cayman. While the Cayman S moved up to a new direct-injection engine… Continue reading Review: 2009 Porsche Cayman
My car buddy Sage is a serial car purchaser; he’s always got one vehicle on the market while searching for his next automotive fling. Thus, when I learned that he just added a 2000 Porsche Boxster to his stable, I knew I needed to drive his first-generation 1991 Mazda Miata (NA) before it was sold… Continue reading Review: 1991 Mazda Miata (NA)
The Ford Focus ST was a media sweetheart when released, winning comparison tests against the Mazda Mazdaspeed3 and VW GTI. Given all the accolades, I've been curious to see how this affordable one-car-to-conquer-all (by which I mean one car which can handle both daily duties and sporting drives) would feel from behind the wheel. When… Continue reading Review: 2013 Ford Focus ST
(I took a spring break trip to Germany in 2013, with the goal of driving a BMW on the autobahn and circling the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Sadly, my day at The Ring was snowed out, but I did drive nearly 2000 km on beautiful derestricted autobahns. What follows are the automotive excerpts from my travel journal.)… Continue reading Review: 2013 BMW 320d xDrive
Today I took a 2010 Nissan GT-R tuned to ~550 hp on a 5 hour/250 mile journey to find the best road in Pennsylvania. As I usually do when looking for good roads, I started out by loading Google and searching “best road PA”. Pennsylvania State Route 125 was the top named result and within… Continue reading Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R
Mike's Steering Column 