What do you expect out of a Mercedes? Cutting-edge technology wrapped in big badge bling-bling? A rip-snorting V8 pushing a luxury-boat chassis? How about incredible practicality in an unassuming package? Because the latter is what I was surprised—and intrigued—to find in the 2020 Mercedes GLB 250 4Matic. The reason for my surprise is that GLB… Continue reading Review: 2020 Mercedes GLB 250 4Matic is Practically Luxurious
I think I'm twice the fool. I keep finding questionable and head-scratching items about my new-to-me 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S that don't sit well with me. I hate to admit it, but I was pennywise and pound foolish when I purchased this car from Vroom.com. Yes, dear reader, that's buyer's remorse. The would've, should've, could'ves… Continue reading Long Term: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S Elicits Buyer’s Remorse
The 2021 XT4 FWD Premium Luxury is not your grandfather's old Cadillac. But since he's retiring his full-sized luxury sedans and adopting CUVs, it could be his new Cadillac. Cadillac has made strides in its build quality, and it shows the 2021 XT4: This SUV feels solid. Its doors close with a Mercedes-like thunk. The cabin… Continue reading Review: The 2021 Cadillac XT4 is Gramps’ New Caddy
In the mid-2010s, a new wave of Mercedes-AMGs was swelling on the horizon. Mercedes had realized that its AMG brand had mass-market appeal and was ready to spread its high-dollar muscle-magic far and wide. Knowing it had tapped-out the market for its V8 skid machines, Mercedes introduced twin-turbo V6 engines and AWD for a more… Continue reading Test Drive: 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG is Luxury-First Fun
After Vroom.com clawed back my red 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S, I said, "The next one will be for keeps." Little did I know that "the next one" would also be from (still questionable) Vroom.com. It was a black-on-black 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S with 36k miles. At $67k, it was the cheapest in the country, and… Continue reading Long Term: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S
I have friends who say that free beer and pizza tastes worse than suds and pie you buy for yourself. I'm skeptical: free food is delicious! Regardless of who's right, it's true that I lost my taste for BMW ownership once my extended warranty expired and my free lunch at the BMW service center ended.… Continue reading Long Term: 2011 BMW M3
Gloaming. The night’s inky sky starts to wash clear as I summit Hayward’s Pass and Livermore Valley spreads before me. I’ve entered the hour of silhouettes. The gradually lightening sky gives contrast to the world around me. The receding hills draw gentle curves in front of the building indigo. Human-scale is given to the Rorschach… Continue reading Review: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S
The car is beat up. Its headlights have gone hazy, the black paint has lost its gloss, and the interior is ragged, with the door panels and console nicked and peeling. It seems someone loved this car and used it hard. Actually, did they love it at all? I twist the key, and the 2011… Continue reading Test Drive: 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera S vs 2011 BMW M3
Two weeks ago, I theorized the spec of my perfect 981 Cayman. For analog driving fun, I'd take the bigger 3.4L engine from the Cayman S or GTS and the 6-speed manual transmission. For hoonability, I'd want the LSD from the Porsche Torque Vectoring package. Finally, for daily comfort, I'd fit the softer PASM suspension… Continue reading Test Drive: 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS PDK and 6MT
This is the cheapest Porsche 911 GT3 on Autotrader. Its $73k asking price is commensurate to its 85k miles clocked. The price also reflects an off-road excursion that managed to damage three sides of the car in one incident! What did the previous owner do? Spin the car into a tire barrier? With curiosity—and suspicion—I… Continue reading Test Drive: 2007 Porsche 911 GT3
Mike's Steering Column 