All posts by Albert S. Davis

Spotted! Dodge Viper GTS, Randolph, NJ

I was surprised to discover that it ended up in a handicap spot. And he's not a jerk because he's got the sticker.
So I’m walking out of a local bank and I see a fire-engine-red Viper swing into the A&P lot across the street.  I follow it…and it has a handicap sticker sitting in the windshield?  If this guy is handicapped and driving a Viper GTS (which is a challenge even if you’re perfectly healthy), he deserves a medal.  It was a little scratched up, so it certainly didn’t look like it sat in a garage constantly.

Spotted by: Al

Cars 101: Hypermiling

Anyone knows that saving gas saves money.  Of course, those of us who have hybrids are occasionally so obsessed with it that they will do whatever is necessary to keep their MPG up and their costs down.  Here’s a couple of ways to bring up your gas mileage without a lot of extra work. Continue reading Cars 101: Hypermiling

Main Street in Motion: What I think.

Cars lined up for Mainstreet in Motion (in NJ)

In a related article, Nick talked about his experience at Main Street in Motion, an event created by General Motors, in order to show off their lineup and all the improvements they’ve made (or in some cases, not made) over the past years.  It’s worthy to note that, after a quick talk with another patron, that GM used to do these events often, and this was the first time they’d done this in quite some time.  Knowing that, I took some drives and a few observations.  For example, they attempted to get lower-optioned versions of competitor vehicles at any chance they could, with some notable exceptions, which I will get to later.  Also, like Nick said, the entire event was free of charge. Continue reading Main Street in Motion: What I think.

Obscure Auto: Alfa Romeo 164 Pro-Car

Things aren't always what they seem--looks like a 164...goes like hell.

Most, if not all, car nuts know what the 164 was.  When it was introduced, it became the last non-roadster that Alfa sold in the USA.  However, it has a dirty secret hidden under its bodywork, one that turned this unassuming little Italian sedan into a fire-breathing monster.  Only one was ever built, but it survives to this day–the Pro-Car. Continue reading Obscure Auto: Alfa Romeo 164 Pro-Car

Secondhand Saint: Lexus IS300

IS300 (Front)

Back in 2001, Lexus got a lot more serious about competing with the likes of BMW and Audi, by increasing its model range.  The new IS, on sale in Japan for a period of time as the Toyota Altezza, ended up in the United States as the Japanese answer to the BMW 3-Series.  On the surface, it is structurally very similar to the German, with an inline-six at the front, rear-wheel-drive, and sporty personality.  However, these cars are fast becoming something far greater than Lexus imagined a decade ago. Continue reading Secondhand Saint: Lexus IS300

Spotted! 1934 Ford 3-Window Coupe, Whippany, NJ

Very nice hot-rod here. Also hard to tell which year it is.

There was supposed to be a massive car show today at the Birchwood Manor in northern NJ today, but due to the threat of thunderstorms, the officials postponed it to next week.  On my way back home, I spotted this slick lime-green 1934 Ford coupe (complete with some nice flame outlines) about to find out that the car show was cancelled.

 

Spotted by: Al

Test Driven: 2011 Buick Lacrosse Lineup vs. 2011 Acura TL FWD

2011 Buick LaCrosse CXS (18 inch rims).

At Mainstreet in Motion at the Meadowlands at the end of July, I was already somewhat familiar with the LaCrosse, having driven one for two laps around the Buick circuit in Philadelphia.  But, I took the opportunity to drive the rest of the lineup during the event in New Jersey, so here’s a few thoughts on it. Continue reading Test Driven: 2011 Buick Lacrosse Lineup vs. 2011 Acura TL FWD

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid–Not just for environmentalists.

Not too many non-sports cars look good in yellow. This does, though.

So, the Cayenne Hybrid has recently gone on sale.  Some are already saying that it’s heresy, in that it’s not only the Cayenne (which is a Porsche SUV, and such a thing is apparently the Antichrist), but a hybrid as well.  All is not lost, in my opinion, because Porsche lately has been doing many things right, and they’re stepping into the environmental field with the right foot first. Continue reading Porsche Cayenne Hybrid–Not just for environmentalists.

Spotted! Modified Dodge Challenger SRT8, Atlantic City, NJ

The overcast sky really brought this color out. Detonator Yellow is now my new favorite color on the Challenger. This thing sounded MEAN.
Decided to take a quick walk after some gambling in Caesar’s at Atlantic City on Wednesday, and this bright yellow ponycar greets me with an eletrifying “hello.”  It looks quite garish, especially with the yellow painted rims, but it sounded just as mean as it looked with that classic hood scoop, thanks to a custom exhaust.

Spotted by: Al

Secondhand Saint: 1996-2002 BMW Z3, M

The Z3 from Goldeneye. Very cool car, despite not being the quickest thing in the world at the time.

Back in 1994, James Bond’s Goldeneye introduced the entire world to a brand-new way to drive a roadster.  The BMW Z3 had landed, and thanks to the movie placement, it was a hit right from the start.  BMW’s replacement for the offbeat little Z1 roadster hit the market in 1996, and enjoyed various improvements throughout its seven-year lifespan. Continue reading Secondhand Saint: 1996-2002 BMW Z3, M

Cars 101: GPS Navigation.

Jeep with navigation unit installed.

Too often, I see someone who’s purchased a flashy new whip with a navigation system installed in the dashboard, and they don’t know how to use it.  So, here’s some instruction on how to properly operate a typical in-dash navigation unit. Continue reading Cars 101: GPS Navigation.

The Chevy Volt, and what it means.

Shown at Mainstreet in Motion, in NJ. Very easy to drive and has no problem getting up to highway speeds.

A couple of weeks ago, I got to drive the Volt for the first time.  Nick’s already gone into great detail about how it drives, so I will only gloss over that.  However, I believe that it is a massive step forward for not only General Motors, but the entire industry as well.  This is one of the first huge changes in how cars drive and how they move around, and I’m glad to say that GM has done a seriously good job–perhaps it even wipes their record clean from the EV1 fiasco. Continue reading The Chevy Volt, and what it means.