Driving sensations, not just specifications
Seventeen years ago, I got my first taste of the Mini Cooper convertible while vacationing in Hawaii. I was staying on Maui, and I had rented a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette from Toy Box car rentals. While reading the fine print of my rental agreement, I saw that the Corvette was forbidden to be driven on… Continue reading 2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible: Hails from the Toy Box
Since BMW reintroduced Mini to the world in 2001, the niche brand has expanded its product line and enlarged its models. Its initial offering was exclusively subcompact hatchbacks, but over the years, the company has added four-doors and SUVs, too. As the lineup grows in size, my perception of Mini changes. I now see the… Continue reading 2025 Mini JCW 2 Door: Hot-Hatch Heaven
We've arrived in Las Vegas, a city of big lights, big jackpots, and big dreams. Yet, when I spot my rental at the airport rental lot, my first thought is “damn, that's big!” That is the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban Premier I've rented for the weekend. Unlike the compact and mid-size crossovers I usually rent, the… Continue reading 2025 Chevrolet Suburban Premier: My Uber XXL
What is a Mercedes GLS? Simply, it is Mercedes’ largest and most luxurious SUV. And, it might also be the most family-friendly vehicle that Mercedes makes. I'm a family man, so let's dig into the 2025 Mercedes GLS 450 4MATIC and see if it is the premium alternative to minivans like the Toyota Sienna. This… Continue reading 2025 Mercedes GLS 450: Show Me the Money
I'm stuffed with peanut butter cookies (thanks, Porsche!) and still floating on the high of driving the world's best luxury vehicles from Maybach and Lucid. Next up is my test drive of the Porsche Cayenne S, a midsize SUV that is downright common in coastal California. How can it possibly excite me after wafting in… Continue reading 2025 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid: The Driver’s Daily
I’m trying hard to figure out who would buy the $51k ($64k as tested) 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport. By its dimensions and capability, the X3 xDrive30i appears to be a practical hauler of young kids and their crud, but when fit with the M Sport options, the SUV transforms into a hard-riding performance… Continue reading 2025 BMW X3 xDrive30i: Someone Skipped Cardio
“Would you like me to chauffeur you so you can enjoy the executive rear seat?” asks the friendly Mercedes-Maybach S680 chaperone. “No thanks, I’ll drive,” I respond. But on second thought, I may have made the wrong choice, as I’ve just turned down a chance to experience life living like a royal. Ah, dear reader,… Continue reading 2025 Mercedes-Maybach S680 Poses a Tough Question
I’ve settled into the BMW M5’s extremely comfortable front seat and found its start button only to be startled by theatrical “bbbuuuwhaaahh” power-up noise. The welcome noise gives me a flashback to the THX intro sounds from 2000’s movie theaters. (Yes, the driver is now listening.) The sounds are accompanied by a building glow in… Continue reading 2025 BMW M5: The Splenda Super Sedan
