Finalists for the 2015 European Car of the Year

Holy strudel and baguettes!  It's the 2015 European Car of the Year Finalists!

The latest Hoonigan video! Ken Block takes on L.A. with a Monster of a vintage Mustang!

Just cruising around the net today and I happened across the latest Hoonigan production: Gymkhana Seven.  This time everyone's favourite driving ace, Ken Block, is running a (heavily) modified 1965 Ford Mustang throughout the streets of Los Angeles. 

Lincoln gets a cash injection and my new obsession with the Silverado.

So I’ve been quite the lazy blogger.  I’m hoping I can turn this around soon, but I’ve been pretty busy with a million things going on... also I’ve become addicted to the Panther Forum I’ve joined (grandmarq.net).  I’ve had a good time meeting a bunch of folks online who share my (newly developed) obsession with full-sized 1980’s Fords.  For a primer as to why this has happened, check out my last post.  However, my car world still extends beyond 30 year old blue ovals.  Let’s see what’s caught my eye today...

The Big Blue Boat!

It’s been a long time since the last post.  Things have just seemed really busy the last couple of months and I just haven’t been able to get around to writing.  I have been involved in some car stuff though... I just haven’t been able to write about it.

Unusual and Desirable for Cheap

So you're in the market for a car.  But not your daily driver; you want something fun.  Fun and inexpensive. There are lots of obvious choices out there: Mustangs, Miatas, Corvettes, M3's, etc., etc., etc.  But what about the cars that may not be on your radar?  Today, we are going to try to expand our horizons as we review a few of the cars less purchased. 

Surrounded by Generations of the Chevrolet Camaro

Sometimes in life, regardless of how well we have it or how entrenched in habit we have become, we find ourselves with wandering eyes and a yearning to try new things.  As many of you know, I have always been (and will likely always be) a Mustang man.  The first car I noticed as budding adolescent was the 1967 Mustang G.T.500 in a comic book I read – well before the car was featured in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds and the world went crazy for Eleanor.  If I ever get the privilege of owning one of these classic cars, I will not hesitate to correct with extreme prejudice anyone who dares call my lady “Eleanor”.  So why all of a sudden am I so obsessed with Camaros?

From Hyundai to Tatra: today's slice of the atuomotive world!

Well my initial intention was to do a bit of an in-depth analysis of Fiat-Chrysler's new long-term plan, but so many automotive journalists have already weighed in that I didn't really think it was worth my time.  Probably the most important thing to remember is tat the company that makes your Caravan (which is slated for the chopping block) also makes Ferrari.  Which means, this new Dodge Challenger Hellcat should be AMAZING (although also not long for a world where fossil fuel preservation is a key issue). 

Spotted in the wild: A new CTS Vsport!

Hey there to all of my (likely) few remaining faithful readers!  The play I was in is all over, things are back on track at work and I'm ready to get back to a life of cars... so for now, I'm back from my little hiatus.  There isn't much to this post, other than I was inspired today by a lovely little Cadillac that passed me on the 403 today.

I bought a new car!

So what's the most exciting smell in the world?  Before any of you take this in a terrible direction, I'll just stop you and say it's new car smell.  And that's the very smell I've been enjoying since last Thursday, when I traded in my 2009 Pontiac G5 for a brand new 2014 Kia Optima LX.  Let's get down to brass tacks and go through the process of how I ended up buying Korean. 

2015 Dodge Challenger, Improved... 2015 Dodge Charger, Not So Much

Hello everyone!  Even though it's been a record long time since my last post, I'm not going to start off with excuses.  I will, however, plug the play I'm in that's coming up in the first two weekends of May.  If you're going to be in the Tillsonburg area during that time, come check out Plaza Suite, an old comedy by Neil Simon.  It's three one acts that take place in the same hotel room at the Plaza Hotel.  I play a hip, freewheeling movie producer who's come back to town to hit on his old high school girlfriend.  I know, classy as ever.  But as much as I try, I'll never match the class exhibited in the the new updates Dodge has applied to its two most exciting cars with back seats.

News on the Fiat 500 Abarth, 2015 Escalade, the all-new 2015 Genesis and more!

And we're back!  Sorry about not updating the ol' blog lately.  Life's been a little crazy at home with car repairs, play rehearsals, full time jobs and trying to keep up some sort of fitness regimen.  Also, there really hasn't been much going on the automotive world to inspire me lately.  I mean, who really wants to read more about GM recalls or where Elon Musk is going to put his conceptual Gigafactory?  Me neither.  Luckily, today's automotive news outlets have provided us with some seriously cool/outrageous stuff.  So, without further ado...  

Larz Anderson Museum - A trip back in time

If you're into old cars, I mean really old cars... like some-of-the-first-cars-ever-made old... then you have to make a trip trip to Brookline, Massachusetts and visit the Larz Anderson Auto Museum.  I was there on my recent trip to the north eastern USA and I have to say, it was a pretty amazing place to go see.

The Presidential State Car - Obama's Whip

Just so everyone knows, I was away on vacation for the last week and a half, hence no updates during that time.  But I did gather some material for a few new posts, so the wait will be worth it, I promise!  Today I want to talk about the car used by the President of the United States.  Why?  Because I saw him in Manhattan, that's why! 

Jaguar's awesome new Station Wagon!!

Some mornings are better than others.  Today was a good morning - I got to sleep in, had a good breakfast and found out that Jaguar is making a new station wagon!  Since we all know I a love of awesome wagons, let's take a look at what Jag has to offer in this unduly unappreciated utility segment.

Corvette Museum Sinkhole... an American Sportscar Tragedy

So by now you have all probably heard about the Corvette Museum sinkhole in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  8 Corvette's were harmed, including two cars on loan from General Motors.  It's a dark day, indeed.  If you need to take a moment to reflect on this awful event, I completely understand.  Also, if you want to see cool security footage of the floor collapsing, do read on!

9-Speed Transmission Explained, 25 Years of Miata and More!

Sometimes it's good just to go over what's happening in the automotive world.  Today's post is a bunch of links to some interesting stuff going on right now.  So, without further ado...

Parking Like a Jerk-Face - What to do?

Driving a car can't always be a pleasurable experience.  I know, it's a shock to have to admit it but it's true.  Most of the time though, the things that take away from would-be great car moments are out of our control.  Construction, congestion and bad drivers ruin what would otherwise be an amazing afternoon cruise or pleasant commute to work.  There is also one other frustrating aspect of driving, parking lots.  And the only thing worse than not being able to find a space is discovering that someone else took two.   

North American International Auto Show - My Day In Detroit Part 2: The Classics

As we all know the primary purpose of an auto show is for car makers to exhibit their upcoming models, future design trends and technological innovations.  Basically, they want us to get real excited about buying their latest products so they can make money and keep making cars.  Sounds good to me.

But sometimes, if you've been good, they'll give you extra treats.  Of course, these treats are a little old fashioned compared to their flashy new counterparts.  But sometimes, old favourites can really hit the spot.  Here, in no particular ranking, were the top three classics on display at Detroit this year.

North American International Auto Show - My Day in Detroit Part 1: The Freebies

Sometimes life is a little busy, so I can't get to the blog as often as I like or as soon after doing something awesome that I would like.  For those of you who didn't know, I was in Detroit on Sunday.  If you have to ask why, maybe this isn't the blog for you (just kidding, I will convert you!).  My dad and my uncles have been going to Detroit for the auto show pretty much every year since I was a kid.  Being a car guy, I have occasionally been known to take advantage of this and tag along.  Today I'll address one of the side benefits of going to the auto show - free stuff!

NAIAS Press Release Highlights: Day Two

Well, let's address the elephant in the room:  I'm a day late with this post.  Day two of the 2014 NAIAS press conferences was held yesterday and unfortunately I was too busy with other stuff to write about it.  However, the bulk of the car brand conferences were on day one, so I'm not late on too many highlights.  So no more delays!  Here are the highlights (as judged by me) of yesterday's press conferences! 

NAIAS Press Release Highlights: Day One

Despite its, um, shall we say derelict charm, once a year Detroit is the place to be.  Why you ask?  Surely, you jest!  Why it's the site of the North American International Auto Show, my simple friend!  Right now they are going over a big two day schedule of press conferences where the world's car makers reveal their wares for the upcoming year.  So without further ado, here's a rundown of today's highlights in the order they happened:

Winter Driving Extravaganza - How to Prepare and Cope with the Deep Freeze

Here in Southwestern Ontario we have experienced some serious winter weather, including tons of snow, minus 20+ degree temperatures and all of the resulting complications.  Being hearty Canadians though, we throw on our parkas, lace up our insulated boots, cover as much exposed skin as possible and venture out into these wild winter conditions for work, food and, of course, shoveling.  Luckily, as people, we can bundle up to cope with the severe cold and generally miserable environment the Great White North throws at us from October to April.  But what can we do for our cars?

New Car Review: 2014 Ford Taurus SEL - The best Chevy Sonic money can buy!

Chevrolet Sonic or similar.  Read: Sub-compact basic transportation.  That was the vehicle class waiting for us to pick-up at the airport in St. John’s, Newfoundland for our one week adventure on the rock.  Not surprisingly, I wasn’t terribly excited about the notion of spending seven days cooped up in a tiny econobox with the wife – not to mention having to transport our vast expanse of luggage to our B&B.  However, we were on a budget and this was the most affordable option for us.  Once more in my life the dynamic tag-team of common sense and price won the day against performance and luxury.