All posts by ndubs77

Jeep Renegade Limited Review: The Italians Have Made A Jeep You’ll Love!

Jeep Renegade Limited Review 1

When you think of Jeep, you think of the iconic Jeep Wrangler. Drawing its heritage all the way back to the army jeeps of World War II, the Wrangler has become the staple off-road vehicle of choice for many.

Many people just love the Wrangler’s unique style, though, without much interest in actually using its vast off-road capabilities. These buyers spell big opportunity for Jeep.

You see, while the Wrangler is quite “cool”, it’s strict off-road focus gives it some pretty serious drawbacks when it comes to everyday on-road driving. Anyone wanting to drive a Wrangler for its style points will have to be willing to sacrifice on fuel economy, practicality, handling, comfort, and security (with open models). Kind of a tough sell.

The big solution for Jeep was to create an all-new model that would take the Wrangler’s DNA and distill it into a more useable package for normal on-road use.

The new Jeep Renegade is that solution. Where the Wrangler is an off-roader first and daily car second, the Renegade is daily car first and an off-roader second.

Jeep Renegade Limited Review 7 Jeep Renegade Limited Review 20

Renegades are selling well, and I do think Jeep may have a home run on their hands here. Honestly, there are more buyers out there who just want a Jeep for the unique style of the brand, rather than to actually go rock crawling in the desert.

My girlfriend, Gab, is a perfect example. She’s all about the Jeep image, and she loves the car’s features, but she’s not all about getting it muddy or traversing the Mojave desert in her spare time.

Gab got this black 2015 Jeep Renegade Limited a little over a month ago, and she’s been letting me drive her around in it. I feel I’ve gotten to know the car pretty well at this point, and now it’s time to share my take on it with you, my dear readers.

So put your boots on and lets get to it! Continue reading Jeep Renegade Limited Review: The Italians Have Made A Jeep You’ll Love!

Porsche Cayman GT4s at Radnor Hunt

Radnor Hunt Porsche Cayman GT4 Yellow

There were not one, but two brand new Porsche Cayman GT4s at Radnor Hunt this year. I checked out the inside of the yellow display model, and it just felt perfect – the shifter, the driving position, I even liked the stiff clutch pedal for a car like this. I look forward to the day I may get to actually drive one because I’ve heard it is sublime.

Now if only Porsche would give it the shorter final drive ratio that everyone says it needs, then it’d be just about perfect!

-Nick Walker

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1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible at Lead East

Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible Lead East 1

What a color combo on this immaculate ’56 Chevy!

Mint green and black two tone is not something you see everyday, and how spectacular it looked on this car. There were other Chevys of the era in attendance at Lead East this year, but this thing stood out for me among the crowd. I was literally drooling over this thing for like 40 minutes (my girlfriend will be happy to confirm).

I always love cars in off-beat and unique colors, but this Bel Air Convertible was also in pristine condition, which helped it draw me in. This is proof that a car does not need to be totally custom to shine at a show like Lead East. With the right options, a factory car can be quite stunning on its own.

Enjoy the gallery of this ‘beaut!

Continue reading 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible at Lead East

Don’t Let The Dieselgate Recall Ruin Your VW TDI Experience

Volkswagen TDI Dieselgate

Volkswagen TDIs are incredible vehicles, despite much of the public sentiment right now, propagated by the whole Dieselgate debacle. 

Disagree? Then try achieving over 50 MPG while cruising at 90mph in any other car… a Pruis will barely even go that fast, let alone be efficient there.

Many Volkswagen TDI owners are very worried about the Dieselgate recall ruining their car’s performance, fuel mileage, and resale value — more so than the possibility of their car killing a few extra birds.

This article is for the informed diesel buyers, and probably not the those who bought their cars based on some vast “green” marketing fantasy. Everyone who knows diesel, knows it’s not the cleanest option, but they also know that its durabiltiy and efficiency makes up for that.

So if you’re starting to feel angry about the bird comment, then I suggest you stop reading here because the rest of this article will only piss you off even more.

For the rest of you, I want to discuss the best course of action for TDI owners who want to keep their diesels running solid after the recall is implemented. And yes, that means running a bit dirty to retain the outstanding performance and fuel economy, which are likely the main reasons you purchased a TDI. I will also discuss my take on what will most likely happen with the value of TDIs in the coming years (utilizing my degree in economics!).

Continue reading Don’t Let The Dieselgate Recall Ruin Your VW TDI Experience

Minty Green Porsche 356 at Radnor Hunt

Radnor Hunt Porsche 356 Green

We caught this lovely mint green Porsche 356 in the special car park at this year’s Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance.

I always love seeing cars in offbeat colors, and the 356 wears this shade of green quite well.

Enjoy!

-Nick

How Would You Have It? 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S (It’s Turbo Time!)

2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S Miami Blue

So the new Porsche 911 Carrera models now come with turbochargers, but Porsche also used the occasion to debut this incredible new color, Miami Blue (so ’80s!).

I wanted to see how the change had affected the real, out-the-door prices, so I figured it’d be good for a price game.

Continue reading How Would You Have It? 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S (It’s Turbo Time!)

Motor Trend Takes Us Around In The Range Rover Sport SVR

This is one of the more entertaining review videos I’ve seen, especially when they race the Range Rover Sport SVR against an Alfa Romeo 4C at the track.

The SVR is quite a machine, there’s no denying that!

-Nick

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2015 RADNOR HUNT CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE: PART 2

Radnor Hunt 2015 Porsche 959 Front

And now we bring you our second round of highlights from the 2015 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance. These were some of the more modern cars on the field, everything from supercars like the Porsche 959 seen above, to a Dodge Charger with a 426 Hemi under the hood. The Radnor Concours was really great this year.

Enjoy the gallery!

Continue reading HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2015 RADNOR HUNT CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE: PART 2

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LEAD EAST 2015: GALLERY 3

Lead East Ford Hot Rod Number 4

More American steel action, here is our 3rd round of highlights from Lead East 2015.

What I love most about all of these custom cars is the level of personality they possess. When a person builds a car into a custom ride, aspects of their personality rub off on the car, bringing the machine that much more to life.

Enjoy the photos!

-Nick

Continue reading HIGHLIGHTS FROM LEAD EAST 2015: GALLERY 3

Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Spotted in Radnor, PA

Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 Radnor Hunt

Among the many awesome cars buzzing around the Radnor Hunt Concours last weekend, this beastly Camaro Z/28 caught my eye as it drove past.

A triumph of GM’s modern engineering, the Camaro Z/28 is a big heavy muscle car that is a helluva lot faster around a race track than it should be. With 305 section tires at all 4 corners, it has grip for days, so much so that it actually embarrassed the mighty Nissan GTR.

Happy Friday!

-Nick

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Highlights from the 2015 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance: Part 1

Radnor Hunt Alfa Romeo 8Cs

We attended the 2015 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance last Sunday, and were stunned by the array of Alfa Romeos and Packards they were featuring this year, among other things. It was a phenomenal show, with awesome cars of all types and tastes present. This is the first highlight gallery, with much more to come.

Enjoy the photos!

-Nick

Continue reading Highlights from the 2015 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance: Part 1

I’m now fiending for a blue on blue Lamborghini Huracan Spyder

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Blue

Bright blue has always been my favorite color on a Lamborghini, in varying shades, over the years. From a turquoise Countach in the 1980s to now this epic blue on blue/black Huracan Spyder. The Huracan has gotten a lot of praise thus far, and I know for my own taste, that losing the roof will only make it better.

So if anyone out there is in the market for a slightly used soul, I’m willing to entertain any offer over $400,000.

-Nick

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Rear Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Top Lambo Huracan Spyder Side