Test Driven: 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze (ECO and LTZ)
Posted: September 11, 2012 Filed under: Green & Economical, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: Blue, C-Segment, Chevrolet, Comeback, Compact, Cruze, eco, economy, LTZ, Mind over motor, Test Driven, Top Seller, turbo, USA, Winner 1 Comment »
GM has had a spotty history with smaller cars over the past 35 years or so. Its 1970s attempt, the Vega, was plagued with reliability issues stemming from an underdeveloped engine block and corrosion problems. The 1980s were no better, when the Citation (and its X-car brothers) became best remembered for massive recalls and a class-action lawsuit which ruined Chevy’s reputation for reliability (beyond its tarnished state). The Cavalier and Cobalt over the past years have been remembered as cheap transportation with little more than basic frills (although the Cobalt at least went fast with its SS turbo). However, the new Cruze, which has been on the market for a few years now, has quickly become a success, even outselling all of its competitors last month (and not for the first time). I’ve driven a few of them over the past 12 months and would like to share some thoughts. Read the rest of this entry »
Spotted! 1940 Ford Hot Rod, Woodward Ave, MI
Posted: September 11, 2012 Filed under: Hot Rodded, SPOTTED! | Tags: 1940, Ave, Blue, flames, Ford, Hot, MI, Michigan, Mind, motor, Over, Rod, Woodward 1 Comment »
This Beautiful 1940 Ford hot rod was at the Shell station in Royal Oak on one of the Saturday cruise nights this summer. Its beautiful airbrushed flames really made it stand out in the crowd. I’m a sucker for a nice blue, so these flames were really my thing. Enjoy the pics.
Just because we love Zondas, here’s the Tricolore
Posted: August 13, 2012 Filed under: Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE | Tags: Blue, Mind, motor, Over, Pagani, Photo, Tricolore, Zonda 2 Comments »
The Pagani Zonda is my dream car, and the Tricolore is one of the most special Zondas out there. I did not take this gorgeous shot, but props to whoever did (photo is linked).
-Nick
Test Driven: Mercedes Benz C180 Blue Efficiancy Estate
Posted: July 19, 2012 Filed under: Sports and Executive, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 1.8, 2.0, America, Austria, autobahn, Automatic, Benz, Blue, C180, C250, cylinder, Drive, efficiency, engine, Estate, EU, European, four, Germany, limiter, Mercedes, Mind, motor, Over, rear, Rental, review, speed, Trip, turbo, wheel 1 Comment »
Mercedes C180 Bluet Efficiency Estate
My family and I had this Mercedes C180 Estate for two weeks during our recent trip to Germany. Here in America we have the Mercedes C class, but we do not have the wagon version nor the C180 model, so it was cool to try something a bit different. I have driven a few previous generation C classes over the years, however this was my first experience with the current generation, and this car was fitted with many of Mercedes’ newer gizmos and gadgets. So all in all this C180 offered many new things for me as an American driver, including driving in Germany for the first time. Read the rest of this entry »
Volkswagen Type 2 at Radnor Hunt
Posted: September 29, 2011 Filed under: Auto Idolatry, SHOWCASE | Tags: 2011, 21-Window, Blue, Bus, Concours, Immaculate, Radnor Hunt, September 2011, Surfboards, Type 2, Van, Volkswagen, VW Leave a comment »
Everything was indeed accounted for on this immaculate Volkswagen Bus.
Anyone who grew up in the 1960s or 1970s knows what the VW MicroBus is. It won’t win any drag races or autocross events, but its timeless styling and endlessly cool image have kept it relevant since its inception. The Type 2 is considered by some to be one of the first mass-production minivans, predating the venerable Dodge Caravan and its family by over 2 decades. This particular example was present at the 2011 Radnor Hunt Concours in eastern Pennsylvania, and stood out in the best of ways. The blue Mark 1 21-window version was optioned to the roof and one of the best (if not THE best) example I’ve ever seen in my life. More pictures after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
Spotted! Ferrari 512M, Pebble Beach, CA
Posted: September 1, 2011 Filed under: Exotics, SPOTTED! | Tags: 12, 512, 512M, Blue, cylinder, engine, Ferrari, Flat, H12, light, M, Mind, motor, Over, Rare, rossa, spotted, testa, Testarossa, TR Leave a comment »
Ferrari 512M
Spotted this beautiful blue 512M in the parking area around the auction at Pebble Beach. The 512M was the final version of the famous Testarossa, and the immediate predecessor to the 550 Maranello . They are quite rare, something like 500 were built, and it is even more rare to see it in this light blue color. Read the rest of this entry »
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 mk2
Posted: August 16, 2011 Filed under: Auto Idolatry | Tags: 911, 996, Auto, Blue, German, GT3, Hope, Mind, motor, new, Over, PA, Porsche, Rare, RS, show, White 1 Comment »
Porsche 996 GT3 RS
At the New Hope Auto Show this rare beauty was mixed in with the cars in the for sale section. It was a nice opportunity to get some good pictures and admire this very special Porsche. This color combination also happens to be my favorite on this version. I had seen this car once before on the road but didn’t get any pictures, so its nice to have some now.
-Nick Read the rest of this entry »
Test Driven: Chrysler 300 and 300C
Posted: July 21, 2011 Filed under: Sports and Executive, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 3.6L V6, 300, 300C. LX, 5.7L V8, Beige, Blue, Car, Chrysler, Chrysler LLC, Drive, Hemi, LY, Mind over motor, Pentastar, Test Drive 1 Comment »
Chrysler 300 Limited (18″ rims)
Just because you’re the smallest kid in class doesn’t mean you have to be the meek one. Chrysler’s the ultimate example of this idea, and we’ve seen them innovate or direct the car market in different ways since it got its start. In 1934, despite its failure, the Airflow was the first car designed in a wind tunnel for mass production; nowadays, almost every car on the road is tested in one. In 1982, they resurrected the convertible market with the LeBaron–a terrible car in most respects, but it made the market relevant again. And, in 2005, the 300C brought the classic, comfy RWD sedan back to relevance, and they haven’t looked back.
Test Driven: Volkswagen GTI DSG
Posted: June 28, 2011 Filed under: Cheap Fun!, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 2.0TSI, Blue, Car, Drive, Driven, DSG, fun, Hatchback, Hot Hatchback, Impressions, K03, Mind over motor, NJ, Rims, Spirited, Test Drive, Turbocharged, Volkswagen GTI, VW 1 Comment »
GTI (Front)
Hot hatchbacks represent one of the market’s easiest ways to get into a brand-new sporty car without paying an exorbitant price. Although the segment has expanded drastically over the years, Volkswagen is still the company that seems to win every single comparison test. The GTI is the yardstick by which the others are measured, and I decided that I should go and find out why. Read the rest of this entry »
