Driving sensations, not just specifications
I've got first date jitters as I approach Ramon’s 1996 Porsche (993) 911 Carrera. The car is sitting pretty in velvet red paint and flashing golden BBS jewelry. The coupe’s flared fenders and iconic whale-tail spoiler promise speed and good vibes. As the P Car snobs know, the 993 was the final iteration of 911s… Continue reading 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera: Straddles Modern and Classic
After putting 130k miles on a 2014 BMW X1, my sister and brother-in-law decided it was time for a new car. For its last 20k miles, the X1 hit them with frequent maintenance and breakdowns, so they decided to reset the clock with a low-mileage second-hand SUV. Enter today's 18k-mile BMW X2, which Emily and… Continue reading 2021 BMW X2 M35i: Incognito Hot Hatch
When I reviewed the Kia Sportage LX in 2022, I called it a segment laggard and hoped that Kia would make it competitive. And Kia acted, refreshing the Sportage with a new modern, adventurous design (their adjectives, not mine). In addition to stylish new sheetmetal, the updated Sportage got an astonishingly long list of standard… Continue reading 2026 Kia Sportage LX AWD: Your Ticket to the Cheap Seats
This weekend, it's over the mountain and through the woods to the grandparents’ house we go. Our “horse and sleigh” is a brand-new 2026 GLE 350 4MATIC, loaded with Christmas presents for a holiday reunion. While the mid-size Mercedes SUV is easily up to the task of carrying my loved ones and luggage to grandma… Continue reading 2026 Mercedes GLE 350 4MATIC: Honey, You can do Better
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 2016 Mazda MX-5 and 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S: Shake Rattle ‘N No-Roll
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
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
I highly recommend renting a Jeep Renegade e-HYBRID for a trip to the Italian island of Elba. No, scratch that…I highly recommend any vehicle for a trip to Elba, because Elba is a Mediterranean jewel, and the Jeep Renegade is, well, basic transportation. Sorry, let me explain. This summer, we took our two kids on… Continue reading 2024 Jeep Renegade e-HYBRID: Italian like Pizza Hut
They say beggars can’t be choosers, but I’m going to put that to the test. I’m at my local Mercedes-Benz dealership, with the goal of snagging a new Mercedes to review. “I’d love to try the new GLC if you have one to loan,” I tell my service advisor. He checks what is available. “We’ve… Continue reading 2024 Mercedes GLB 250 4Matic: The Choosy Beggar
Valuable life advice can come at you from unexpected places. For example, I was driving through Oakland and spotted a bumper sticker on a Dodge Charger that said, "F*** around and find out." What sage advice! I applied this helpful nugget to my time with the Mercedes C300, f***ing around to find out why Mercedes offers… Continue reading 2024 Mercedes C300 4MATIC: Smash or Chill?
