The Mercedes EQS asks me to check my testosterone at the door. “Relax,” it says, “your presentation to the board is done. Let’s mosey home, and I’ll pamper you with aromatherapy and a massage.” It would offer to pour me a drink, but Level 4 autonomy is still far away in the future… This is… Continue reading Test Drive: 2020 Mercedes EQS 580 is a Calming Conveyance
My inlaws are on their fourth Dodge Durango. They started with a first-generation 2001 Durango and ran it for nearly 200k miles. Their second, third and fourth Durangos were back-to-back leases from the SUV’s third-generation. What started as the truck for a family-of-five and a toy puller is now their empty-nester runabout. I’ve borrowed their… Continue reading Review: 2021 Dodge Durango GT The Big Stick Steps Lightly
Here’s what I’ve been led to believe about the new Chevrolet (C8) Corvette. First, it’s a blue-collar supercar that renders all sporting metal between $60k and $100k obsolete. Second, it’s a ground-up rethink that moves the engine midship, polishes the model’s luxury credentials and brings the fight to Ferrari’s V8s and Lamborghini’s V10s. Finally, it’s… Continue reading Comparison: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 LT2 vs. 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S Yin-Yang Supercars
After a short and troubled stint with a 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG, my brother has punted on his silver-star sedan and picked up a 2018 Audi S4 Premium Plus. The move from Stuttgart's stormy skies to Ingolstadt's greener grass trades one luxury ride for another, and I'm curious to see Audi's take on the sports… Continue reading Review: 2018 Audi S4 is a Quiet Stunner
The Camaro SS 1LE may be the car I should’ve bought. In fact, after failed attempts to buy used AMG GT Ss, 911 GT3s or Evora 400s, I nearly purchased an SS 1LE. It wasn’t really a compromise pick: the SS was the best blend of a kid-friendly, comfortable daily and track-ready sports car. But… Continue reading Review: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE 2SS Drive It Like You Stole It
V6 up front, rear wheels driven and seating for two. Sounds like the makings of a driver's car, right? Well, the curious thing is that even though the Ford Transit 250 cargo van is nearly 20 feet long and over 8 feet tall, it did satisfy my love for driving! The van was a means to an… Continue reading Review: 2020 Ford Transit 250 Delivers the Goods
A nail to the sidewall just ended the life of a Nitto Motivo tire on my AMG GT S’s rear axle. The unpatchable wound forced the purchase of two new rear tires, much earlier than I was expecting. I didn’t love the Nittos, but they were new, and I planned on roasting them with abandon… Continue reading Long Term: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S has New Shoes
We just took our first long trip in our Tesla Model 3, nearly 500 miles and 10 hours to Palm Springs. We were nervous about hauling the whole family across California in our EV, and here’s how it went. The packing went smoothly enough. We are a family of four, with an infant and a… Continue reading Long Term: 2018 Tesla Model 3 is Middling on Range
I'm attending the BMW Performance Driving School at Thermal for a private driving lesson. This isn't my first visit; I took lessons here in 2019 as a contestant for BMW's Ultimate Driver Competition. The experience was a blast, so I'm back for more! During the competition, my weak spot was finding speed out of the… Continue reading The BMW Performance Driving School Deserves More than a Quick Visit
When I splurged and paid an extra $1 per day for the Enterprise "Manager's Special" instead of the cheapest sub-compact rental, I hoped I'd get a Toyota Corolla or a Chevy Malibu for the price of a Chevy Spark. Nope! A 2020 Chevy Spark LT was exactly what the manager pulled out for my rental.… Continue reading Review: 2020 Chevrolet Spark LT is the Essence of Automobile
Mike's Steering Column 