We with interests in automobiles can rarely unilaterally agree on general statements, but one thing we can all concede is that sports cars make no practical sense. This is immediately followed with the conceit “but we don’t care, we still love them.” Style, power, and performance are the things that cause the fuzzy bubbles of joy and excitement to […]
test drives
Number 1 With A Bullet: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST
Unless you’re using a series of numbers and letters for classification, I suspect the most nebulous aspect of car design is giving it a name. Those that go the specific route give us the Quattro and ForTwo, while other succeed in being evocative of the car’s spirit: Viper. Diablo. Raptor. The rest? well ask yourself what was that particular Honda […]
All That Jazz: Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio
Our excitement for the Fiat 500 ending up on our roads was unparalleled. Some pragmatic skeptics couldn’t understand why we’d give a second look to a trumped up Fiat Panda in a period costume, but we payed no attention: the charming Cinquecento was coming to fulfill our weekend-drives-to-Portofino fantasies. The naysayers had their day in the sun when we eventually […]
Still Standing: 2014 Lexus IS Review
I walk out of the garage to the pit lane, splashing through a few puddles. I open the door. I start the engine. “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith begins to play. The car is staged at the end of pit row. Green flag. This is a good day. Making the trip to Rockingham Speedway Race Track in North Carolina doesn’t mean […]
This Is How I Roll: 2013 Volvo S60 T5 AWD
I’ll be completely upfront in saying that my preconceptions of Volvo left me a little underwhelmed when I got the word that one will be dropped off at my doorstep for testing. Volvos to me are the embodiment of Sweden: I look at one and what I see is a vehicle very practical, safe, and sturdy but also cold, banal, […]