(Dear reader: This piece is my travel journal from my Wild West road trip across California, Nevada, and Utah. I hope you enjoy hearing about my eight days on the road and the memories I made.) Day 1: Climbing Out of California It's a midday start to my road trip. My 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S's… Continue reading Long Term: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S is the UFO in the Wild West
Beep!...Beep!...Beep! Click. Ugh. You turn off your alarm clock and grope around on the bedside table for your glasses and phone. Getting up this early seemed like a good idea yesterday, but your kids woke you up twice overnight, and now you are wishing for more sleep. You roll out of bed and groggily start… Continue reading Long Term: CTS-V, GT S, M3 or Model 3—Choose Your Own Adventure
You would think the owner of a 503 hp AMG GTS would never be late. But unfortunately, I am: the AMG’S 12-month report is arriving three months tardy! You may remember that my AMG GT S experience had a rocky start. When it arrived from Vroom.com, the car had shoddy paintwork on many body panels,… Continue reading Long Term: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S has a Birthday
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
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
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
Mike's Steering Column 