Driving sensations, not just specifications
I just requested an hour test drive of the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG courtesy of the internet startup dealership SHIFT. I am shopping for a fun runabout for my in-town errands, and the Mercedes AMG's mini-small SUV is actually the closest approximation to a hot hatch that the company offers in America. (Europe gets a… Continue reading Test Drive: 2015 Mercedes GLA 45 AMG
I picked up my 2014 Corvette Stingray rental on a cold and dark night in the far-flung suburbs of Los Angeles. Oodles of glowing reviews for the Corvette over the last few years made me very interested in driving Chevy’s finest. This car had been rented to me by a pair of car-enthusiast brothers, who… Continue reading Review: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Z51
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 test drove the 2016 Subaru WRX STI this afternoon. If you've read any of my other writings, you know that I have a super soft spot for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and that I am hopelessly nostalgic about that car. The media say that the current STI has finally met the Evo X… Continue reading Test Drive: 2016 Subaru WRX STI
I am shopping for a second car, something fun to whip about in the city as I run errands with my baby daughter. While researching my options, I turned to Todd and Paul from the Everyday Driver podcast for vehicle suggestions. Paul provided me with a laundry list of vehicles to test drive, and the… Continue reading Test Drive: 2016 Lexus IS350 F Sport
My local Cadillac dealer is rather persnickety when it comes to giving out test drives. I had dropped by to drive the newly released ATS-V and was required to undergo a full-blown credit check before they'd let me take it around the block. The only other time I've been subjected to such pre-test drive scrutiny… Continue reading Test Drive: 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe
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
Not so long ago, I was sitting by the pool on vacation when BMW's media embargo on the F80 M3 and F82 M4 expired and the internet was flooded with reviews of the new BMWs. With great excitement, I consumed every quality review I could find, trying to determine if the heir to the sports… Continue reading Comparison: 2015 BMW M4 vs. 2011 BMW M3
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
