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
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
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
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
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
Mercedes-AMG models arrive in waves on the used-car market, appearing in large batches precisely three years after the model’s introduction. The phenomenon is no mystery: a new model is introduced, loyal Mercedes customers flock to the dealerships, turn in their old leases, and sign up for new 36-month commitments. Last year, dealerships were swamped with… Continue reading Test Drive: 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT
“We need to run your numbers before you can drive the GT S,” the courteous salesman tells me. I hesitate. “Oh.” Do I trade my personal information for a test drive in the Mercedes-AMG GT S? Yes, yes I do. “Alright, what do you need to know?” I’ve had a crush on Mercedes-AMG’s GT line since I… Continue reading Test Drive: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster starts up with a blat that is sure to wake the neighbors. Its rowdy start-up puts a smile on my face and sets the tone for the fun to come. Here is a car that is equal parts muscle, theater and fun. (I was supposed to be driving a… Continue reading Review: 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster
Mike's Steering Column 