Test Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Spark
Posted: September 6, 2012 Filed under: Green & Economical, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 1.2, 2013, 500, Car, Chevrolet, Chevy, Fiat, Fortwo, GM, iQ, Mind, Mini, motor, Nick, Over, Scion, smart, space, Spark, Walker 2 Comments »
The Chevy Spark has had a successful reception around the world since it came out in 2010. Now GM has brought it to the US market in hopes to peak the interest of younger buyers living in urban areas. It is a city car that competes with the Smart Fortwo, Scion iQ, and Fiat 500. The Spark is on the same chassis as the Chevy Sonic, but features notably smaller proportions that allow it to fit in with the city car segment. The Spark I drove was one of the first cars to hit showrooms, and given the buzz around these things right now I wanted to go try it out.
Test Driven: Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Turbo
Posted: May 11, 2012 Filed under: Green & Economical, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 1.4, 1.8, Abarth, back, Chevrolet, Chevy, Compact, Cooper, Drive, Fiat, four, front, General, GM, Hatch, Hot, Inline, LTZ, manual, Mind, Mini, motor, Motors, Over, review, RS, S, SONIC, Test, Transmission, turbo, wheel 1 Comment »
Chevy Sonic LTZ Turbo
The Chevy Sonic comes from a line of shamelessly terrible econo-boxes. The first generation Aveo made car lovers cringe every time they saw one, and the Sonic is its replacement. So, things don’t look good for the Sonic if its family tree is anything to go by, but thankfully it seems the Sonic was adopted. Up front I will tell you that this car is a vast improvement, and tangible evidence of GM’s improvement over the last few years. I had seen the Sonic at a few car shows, and I thought it was pretty cool for what it was, but other than that I never gave it too much consideration. Then I recently started seeing comparison tests in magazines pitting the Sonic against the Fiat 500 Abarth and the Mini Cooper S, which peaked my interest big time. Read the rest of this entry »
BMW and Saab, a match made in Heaven
Posted: February 27, 2012 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK, AUTOMOTIVE INSIGHTS | Tags: 1, 9-3, 9-5, 900, all, automotive, bankrupt, BMW, brand, Buying, combi, Coupe, Drive, Europe, front, German, Market, Mazda, Mind, Mini, motor, Niche, Nick, Over, purchase, rear, rebuild, resurge, Saab, series, Subaru, Swedish, turbo, Viggen, Walker, wheel, Z2 1 Comment »
BMW and Saab
Recently it was reported that BMW had expressed interest in purchasing Saab Automobiles. After hearing this news I found myself constantly pondering the possibilities of this acquisition and how BMW could make Saab work in the market where GM had failed. BMW will of course be in contention with numerous other bidders, however after much thought I see BMW as the most perfect match possible for the Saab brand and its resurgence.
Test Driven: Mini Cooper Coupe
Posted: January 31, 2012 Filed under: Green & Economical, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: Black, BMW, British, Cooper, Coupe, Mind over motor, Mini, NJ, Overpriced, review, Small, Test Driven Leave a comment »
Since my grandpa got his first Mini Cooper in 2002, I’ve always looked at them with an air of respect. Mini has been trying to expand the brand out since 2008 when the Clubman came out, and now, the new Coupe is said to be the most hardcore chassis they put on the market. With all that in mind, I went to a local dealer and tried one out. This new black car was an interesting mix of things, but I stepped out of it at the end of the drive with a lot to think about. Read the rest of this entry »
Test Driven: Mini Countryman S
Posted: July 28, 2011 Filed under: Sports and Executive, TEST DRIVEN | Tags: 182hp, 30, 4, all, All4, big, British, Cooper, Countryman, Crossover, four, Juke, Mind, Mind over motor, Mini, motor, mpg, Nissan, Over, S, seat, Small, SUV, UK 1 Comment »
Mini Countryman S
The Countryman is a big Mini, their entry into the emerging small crossover market. Honestly, for this new segment of SUV hot hatches, the Countryman is pretty much the poster child. I would be very disappointed in Mini if they didn’t have a car in this segment because it seems like it is literally tailor-made for them. All of the haters who say it is too big are comparing it to the Cooper, which is stupid because they don’t take part in the same market segment at all. Read the rest of this entry »
Secondhand Saint: Mini Cooper S (2002-2006)
Posted: July 7, 2011 Filed under: Secondhand Saints | Tags: British, buy, Car, Cars, Cooper, German, JCW, John, Mind over motor, Mini, S, Supercharged, Supercharger, Used, works Leave a comment »
Mini Cooper S
As far as describing what this car is about, there is only one word to say: FUN. Everything about the car’s character will put a constant smile on your face, and that is something many, much faster, cars will fail to do. Read the rest of this entry »
SUV Hot Hatches, Why Not?
Posted: June 28, 2011 Filed under: INDUSTRY TALK | Tags: 4, Car, Countryman, Cross, Crossover, CVT, cylinder, economy, Evoque, Fuel, Gas, GTI, Guzzler, Hatch, Hot, Juke, Land, Luxury, Mind over motor, Mini, Nissan, Over, Range, Rover, S, Small, Sporty, stylish, SUV, SUVs, trendy, turbo, Volkswagen Leave a comment »
Mini Countryman S
There is emerging a new market for a sort of tiny SUV/crossover. There are entrants in both the normal and luxury realm coming out, so clearly manufacturers believe this will be a market segment with some appeal. Read the rest of this entry »
