Review Your Cars

Introduced in 1989, the Mazda Miata went on to become the bestselling convertible in history. And particularly because of the Miata, the most raced brand in the world. Now recently into the fourth generation, the Mazda MX-5 Miata dropped a couple major things from the previous generation like horsepower and weight.  A surprising 12 horsepower and a shocking 150 pounds trimmed away to a total of 2,324 pounds in an age where weight gain is the norm, including on vehicles much larger and at least one thousand to two thousand pounds heavier. Truly the modern quintessential “driver’s car”, this 2017 Grand Touring model with the 6 speed manual transmission extremely light, very nimble, rear drive, quick enough for many. As stated earlier on social media, it’s not about guys, it’s not about girls, it’s about having fun. Because it’s a convertible and quite small, some call it a girl’s car. But seriously, the complete antithesis of this car, something like a Dodge Charger Daytona, is a tot...

When thinking of a roomy luxury car for a suggested retail price of $45,000 what comes to mind? Think of some legitimate four or five passenger luxury cars, are any of them in that price range? One look at the interior of the Kia Cadenza which was redesigned for the 2017 model year is convincing enough. It’s a luxurious, roomy, front wheel drive sedan with a suite of computer driving aids making for a quiet and comfortable luxury car. This Kia makes a strong case in the segment. This particular loaded Limited SXL model styling is crisp, elegant with a touch of chrome and likely timelessness in the era of the modern sedan. If the name doesn’t carry the panache like Lexus did, the vehicle itself will be considered a gem, if an obscure one right now. Equipped with the white Napa quilted leather seats, one feels guilty wearing old jeans and sitting in it. The dash layout is logical, clean and probably best described as elegant. A cute greeting ditty plays when entering the car, then ...

Chevrolet updated the chassis of the Camaro for 2016 with the new Alpha platform and by all accounts the approximately 250 to 300lb weight reduction was a huge improvement. Despite having a brilliant chassis and three powerful engine choices, the interior and outward visibility hardly improved at all. I wanted to like this car, I really did. It has some really good aspects but overall it’s only good for going in a straight line, not reverse or backing up out of any parking space, on public roads or modified into a track-only car.  You decide if the interior justifies a $29,000 MSRP. The 2017 model is essentially the same. The 335hp V-6 is a great engine, responsive, sounds good and with the quick shifting 8 speed automatic, the car is capable of mid-high 13 second quarter mile ETs. It feels every bit as quick as the numbers suggest. It has no appreciable dead spots and has an excellent pull. The 8 speed auto is finicky on the highway though, downshifting at the slightest provocatio...

Recently Consumer Reports published a piece how premium grade gasoline may not be needed for vehicles due to manufacturer recommendation versus a requirement. The article has several flaws and omits some key factors. One aspect is the testing used two vehicles that had recommendations for premium grade gasoline but not a requirement. The recommendations are usually only for performance, but the testing was lacking in a variety of situations. It was suggested that if the feel and the sound of the engine indicates knocking, it’s a good idea to use gas with higher octane. Feel and sound are not good indicators of knocking or pinging. It is more serious when it is audible but using the human ear as a guide is deeply flawed. A data logger for the knock sensor and reading how the engine fuel mixture reacts is the only way to determine if the octane is causing knock. Knock is detrimental, audible knock is very bad. Consumer Reports claimed the power difference using premium versus regular...

For the first time in the US, the Ferrari Challenge series world championships were held at Daytona International Speedway the weekend of December 4 th . Featuring races, displays, exhibition laps, a show and more.  Ferrari has history at the track and it's a world class venue appropriate for such an event. Although tailored for Ferrari fans, the event was only $10 for the public. Not well attended in superspeedway terms or any other except by owners, it was spectacular for the car and racing enthusiast for multiple reasons. And less crowds meant excellent access, as good as it gets. Shell had a small booth, really the only the third party that was there, showing the advantages of the VPower Nitro+ premium gasoline. Shell has partnered with Ferrari from even before their first road car in 1947 and to this day they are an integral partner with Ferrari. Every Ferrari, Maserati and BMW M use the cleanest gasoline VPower Nitro+ for less deposits, corrosion and wear versus other brands....

The 59 th annual San Francisco Auto show returned this past Saturday, November 19 th through November 27 th at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. Always a bargain to view over 800 vehicles at $10 for adults and children under 12 free. This year expanded further the emphasis on electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Test drives are offered with thirty vehicles by six different manufacturers including Mercedes and Fiat. Multiple special guests are scheduled throughout the week such as local sports mascots, the Raiderettes, radio and television personality Gary Radnich and more. The Auto Salon which featured modified cars, trendsetters in an eclectic collection. It is in the south hall on the upper level. The signage needs to be increased, but it’s worth a visit. Yes, there were the broken-axle appearing stanced cars and plenty of lowered sedans, but there are some gems as well. Photography is a bit of a challenge due to the cars being too close together, but it’s a...

Is big and shiny. The 50th annual Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association features everything you can imagine in an automotive aftermarket and OEM trade show. Everyone is there with all their products and it's overwhelmingly amazing. Walking ten miles a day to see everything is not an exaggeration. The tag line this election years domestic vehicle dominated event is, "We Built This". One wonders if that isn't a coincidence.  Attending as a social media ambassador for Shell, I was extremely fortunate to take part of in this bucket list event. Shell had a huge outdoor tent, stage, walk-in display trailer and vehicles with numerous displays and expert staff on hand full of factoids and cool, useful information. Numerous automotive celebrities were interviewed live on stage as well as Sung Kang unveiling his 1972 Ford Maverick, Project Underdog.  One of the main products promoted is the Shell and Pennzoil synthetic oils with Pure Plus technology. The patented Pure P...

Is headed our way. Eventually internal combustion engine vehicles will be marginalized to the point of being effectively banned and nearly extinct. Just like incremental firearm bans in several states, the restrictions will either outright keep the internal combustion engine vehicles from accessing many areas or other targeted means so that their use and in parallel, sales will diminish and they will become limited access, higher insurance, and less vehicle choices. Coincidentally it seems to follow progressions along political party lines too. Meanwhile China, Russia and India are seemingly gross industrial polluters but Russia and India have adopted European vehicle emission standards. The ever evolving, fossil fuel consuming, emission spewing engine in modern cars in the United States are incredibly clean burning. Whether you call it global warming or climate change, the modern automobile in the US is a tiny contributor to the problem especially as more and more hybrids hit the road...

Oh I’m so in love. I’m writing this right after getting home. First it’s a Ferrrari V-12, that’s usually enough right there. It’s like a regular car though, a traditional one with the engine in front, doors that open out instead of up, rear glass you can see out of, the door sill isn’t too wide so ingress and egress is easy and it’s quick, insanely quick. It’s not a space-shippy, UFO looking oddity and actually, seemingly obtainable because of the natural shape. It has swoops and curves like a beautiful woman lying down (on either her front, back or side). It’s the car a Maserati Grand Turismo wishes it could be. Behold! It’s the Ferrari F12tdf! Now bow down in reverence! The F12tdf is the monster from Maranello named after the Tour de France race Ferrari dominated in the years before the bicyclists, winning ten times from 1951 to 1964 almost all with the 250 GTO, a similar looking car. The F12tdf is a F12 Berlinetta that’s been lightened, more powerful, revised suspension, transmissio...

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering held on Friday, August 18th once again proved itself to be the finest gathering imaginable for cars, food and drink. Held at The Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel Valley, this year it expanded once again and featured another world class gathering of greats. Pictures can barely capture what is seen in person. The Bugatti Chiron, Bentley’s entire display, Pagani with multiple cars, Singer Porsche, the 50th Anniversary of the Lamborghini Miura lined up like a bunch of sexy skittles, 100th anniversary of BMW with a couple of F1s (street and GTR long tail race car) a bunch of Z8s off in the corner, great Ferraris, super cars and much more. Lamborghini introduced the Centario Roadster and also a present was a Miura Homage Aventador and Huracan Spyder. Porsche had a very clean display with the revered 911R as the centerpiece. Ken Okuyama design introduced a stunning one off V12 front engine roadster called Kode57. This is a judged car show, the winner being a ...