2005 Dodge Magnum R/T. Still one of my favorite cars.
This past week, Ralph Gilles, the head designer for the Dodge division, announced that the Magnum could be making a comeback. This news makes me very, very happy.
Word in the media is that Porsche is looking to build something to fill the price gap between the $300k 997 GT2 RS and the $870k 918 Spyder coming out in the near future. Many sources are talking about another mid engine sports car, or even quite literally a toned down 918. Just one question, who in the supercar market wants to buy the half assed, toned down version of another car? The answer is nobody. People who spend as much as a house on a car want “the best” and would not settle for having a “poor man’s” model of anything. I have a better idea, and I hope this is actually what Porsche is doing behind closed doors. Continue reading Porsche’s void needs filling→
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.
The first car I drove with my license was a Volvo S60 sedan, so I’ve always had a huge soft spot for it. The R was the ultimate version of the previous-gen S60. While it was supposed to be an M3 competitor, it was more of a fast luxury sedan than anything else. However, it is by no means a bad car to have. Continue reading Secondhand Saint: Volvo S60/V70R (2003-2007)→
Main Street in Motion is a free promotional event put on by GM where anyone can come test drive their cars and some of their competition on a closed course. It is a bit of an automotive traveling circus that travels to cities all over the country. As I said it is completely free, even the refreshments, so all you have to do is sign up online and go to the event to take part. Al and I went to their recent event in Philly, here is what I have to say about it. Continue reading Main Street In Motion, a great experience for anyone to try→
Most people aren’t big fans of the police. In a previous article, I declared that I’m not a member of this group. I respect the police, I leave them alone, and they tend to leave me alone (save for the times I’ve been pulled over). A lot of people are aware that police cars usually have factory modifications to handle the rigors of police work. Some of the mods include more powerful engines, firmer suspension, better brakes, a more durable interior, and disconnected rear switchgear (windows, locks, etc). However, those looking to buy a de-commissioned patrol vehicle should definitely watch out. Continue reading Buying an Ex-Cop Car→
I was really puzzled and taken aback when I first saw the Nissan Murano CrossCab in pictures online, as I’m sure many other people were. I have been giving it some thought since then, and it may actually make some sense. Continue reading Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, what the..?→
This is one I have been waiting to do for a while now, the much hyped Volt from Chevy. I knew of course that the Volt was a new sort of hybrid car and I knew that its design was far superior to that of other hybrids already on sale, like the Prius. However, the way it drove surprised the hell out of me. What I expected was a mushy, slow econobox, what I got was totally different. Continue reading Test Driven: Chevrolet Volt→
This thing is a bruiser, 450hp from a twin turbocharged 4.2L V8 in a standard German luxury sedan with all the bells and whistles. I’ve seen tested 0-60 as low as about 4.3seconds. When the RS6 came out it raised the bar of what a European performance sedan could be with 50 more ponies than the BMW M5 and around 100 more than the Mercedes E55 at the time, and it put that power down tremendously because of its Quattro all wheel drive system. Audi shook things up with the RS6 to be sure. Continue reading Secondhand Saint: Audi RS6→
Pagani Zonda S. other than 4 wheels this car shares nothing with the common cars you see everyday. Just look at those Gatling Gun exhausts and those wing mirrors. mmmmmmm
The purpose of a car is to serve as a form of transportation that can take people and their things hundreds of miles with ease. As a basic rule, the average person needs such transportation to be practical, affordable, and useful in all of their daily personal functions. So what happens when a car is none of these things? What happens when a car becomes more than a bunch of nuts and bolts and is liberated from the chains of mundane reality by the vision of a single man whose passion knows no boundaries? The answer is that the car itself becomes the focus rather than the destination of travel. When not governed by real world concerns a car is free to become a living, breathing work of art, more something to be experienced than a tool to be used. It ventures into the realm of the extraordinary in a world so held down by the lame nature of the masses. Continue reading Pagani, Above The Supercar Standard→
The Subaru Legacy GT, when it was launched, was a very successful car for Subaru back in 2005. A year later, Mazda decided to fire back with a hot-rodded version of their otherwise-milquetoast family sedan–the MazdaSpeed 6.