Every Man's Auto

2014 Audi A8 L TDI

2013-06-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

I recently drove the Audi A8 L TDI. It was an interesting drive. The A8 L is one of the stalwarts of the long wheelbase luxury sedan and this was the diesel version. For a car that is not that far away from six figures, it was quite a machine.

As it should be, right?

Base Price: $83,000
As Driven: $96,145
Engine: 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel, 240hp
Transmission: 8 Speed Shiftable Automatic
Curb Weight: ~ 4,600 lbs.
Wheelbase: 122.9 inches
Rear seat legroom: 42.9 inches
MPG Rating: 24 city/ 36 highway

Here are my thoughts. I really enjoyed this car. Thank you to Molle Audi for lending me this ride.

Thank you for watching.

2013 Volvo C30 R-Design Polestar

2013-06-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

When I think "Volvo," I usually think sensible wagons, CUVs, and SUVs. The C30 is none of those and the R-Design Polestar edition is even farther from sensible. The Polestar is a hot hatchback and I love hot hatchbacks. I don't have a real reason. They're small. I'm big. They're quick. I'm not. You can see how the attraction takes shape. I was recently allowed time with the 2013 Volvo C30 R-Design Polestar. It was a lot of fun.

Base Price: $27,850
As Driven: $37,495
Engine: 2.5L Turbo-charged 5 Cylinder, 250hp
Transmission: 6 Speed Automated Manual
Wheelbase: 103.9 inches
Curb Weight: 3,211 lbs.
MPG Rating: 21 city/ 30 hwy

Enjoy the 2013 Volvo C30 R-Design Polestar. It's not the crazy powerful S60 version, but it's quick, Rebel Blue, and lots of fun! Plus it's such a gorgeous blue. Did I mention how much I like the blue color?

I really like this car. Hear me run at the mouth about it...

Hope you enjoyed it. Follow us on Intsagram & Twitter; @everymansauto. Like us on Facebook too!

Thank you to Hendrick Volvo. Please contact Debbie if you are interested in the C30 Polestar!

2014 Jaguar F-Type V8 S

2013-06-05T10:36:00.001-05:00

We have a new way of presenting our auto reviews and this is the first of this experiment. Video reviews!

They are more of confessionals, than reviews. Just me, the camera, my truck, and my thoughts. Quintessential Internet.

The first video is just exhaust noise, as it should be with a supercharged V8. Enjoy!

The second video is the Video Car Diary. We are going to try and produce more of these. Hopefully, one a week throughout the summer. We'll see how the schedule goes once school starts up again and I have to make money for a living. Something about feeding my kids, I don't know, I wasn't really listening.

Enjoy!

Remember it's the first one. They will get better!

I love the Jaguar F-Type. I don't have $104,000, but I really like this car and hope that those who do have that kind of money, do buy them. The noise is wonderful and the power is ample! Thank you for watching. Please share with your friends. You can share withe your enemies too, but that might be weird.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited

2013-06-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

"No Regrets" is a motto that so many graduating high school seniors are going to try and take into their collegiate years. It’s BS, though. We all have regrets. I don’t always want to admit them, but I have some.

Regret can be a funny thing. Do I regret not staying up late to watch my favorite sports team pull off an amazing come from behind victory? No. I have responsibilities.

Are there other things I might regret? Maybe. I never kissed my high school crush, but I’ve replaced her with the girl of my dreams. I didn’t repel down a 15 ft. wall in Boys Scouts, and I’ve since climbed multiple mountains over 14k feet and really enjoy walking along the edges of tall things.

Do I regret trading in my 2004 Jeep Wrangler?

Articulation- where one wheel is extended and the other is compressed.

Yes.

The ’04 Wrangler was the first brand new car that I purchased by myself. It was a magical, masculine, “do anything” convertible. I owned it while in Florida. I took it off-road, on road, on beach, to the club (yes, I really did!), on dates with college co-eds (I was young!), and just about anywhere I could that looked fun.

I made it to the top without the winch.

The Wrangler & I drove from Florida to New Jersey, New Jersey to Kansas City (in one night), Kansas City to Charlottesville, NC then back to KC, and finished with a trip down to Austin, TX that wasn’t complete till I got back to my place in Florida; a grand total of 6,286 miles. I did it all in a two door, four wheel drive, Jeep Wrangler in less than a month. It was a perfect union.

Except for the fuel consumption…

My ’04 struggled with the mpgs. The 2013 Jeep Wrangler has changed part of that. The mpg rating on the highway for the Wrangler now begins with a 2 (listed at 20 hwy). With my ’04 it used to begin with a 1 and not one that was close to being a 2 either… My 19 gallon tank was being filled twice a week with my daily commute and the trips to see My Lady (She’s my wife now; totally worth it!).

The mpgs were so bad that I traded my Wrangler in a for a Toyota Highlander… Again, I was young. We make mistakes, but I have learned from that mistake.

If my '04 had been a 2013 Wrangler Sport Unlimited, it would have been a very different story for my Jeep. The 2013 is vastly better than the '04.

Base Price: $25,695

As Driven: $32,310

Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V6, 285 hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic

Curb Weight: 4075 lbs.

Wheelbase: 116 in.

MPG Rating: 16 city/21 hwy

Interior:

It is and forever will be a classic Jeep interior; functional, durable, and ready for anything. The style and functionality of the interior is the same. Offer some small comforts, but be ready to do it all in the worst conditions, but just keeping doing what is needed.

The best part of my old Jeep interior was how ready it was to get dirty and how quickly you could get it clean. The ’13 keeps all of the old philosophy and improves on it. The seats were higher quality without raising the price of the interior. The seats in the ’13 are 1000x more comfortable.

Also noticed inside the Wrangler is how much better the longer wheelbase rides. The suspension hasn’t changed much from the coil overs, but the added length helps to smooth out a lot of the rough ride. It’s still a Jeep and is stiff, but much more capable as an on-road passenger vehicle.

The rear seat in the 4 door Wrangler is also very functional. I had both child safety seats installed with ease. The LATCH system was more readily accessed. It was so simple, that I fit the boys’ seats in more securely than normal. Usually there’s about half an inch to an inch of wiggle room with their seats; there was none in the Wrangler. The seats were like stone statues, only cuter since they held my boys.

The power interior is noticeable. The power door locks and windows are a nice feature. 20-something me would think they are posh and “over the top” for a Wrangler, but 30-something me enjoyed the crap out of them.

It rained while I had the Wrangler Sport and I expected the hard top roof to sound like the symphony of corrugated tin getting assaulted by a tropical thunderstorm. I expected it to be loud. I was wrong. The hard top is much better than the old ones. I could hear the rain, but you can hear it in most vehicles. Cars like a Rolls, Jags, and Bentleys are design to have interiors that are devoid of noise. The hard top did not make the interior silent, but it was much quieter than I was expecting from a Jeep; a pleasant surprise.

Exterior:

The 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited looks like a classic Jeep. It’s a classic look since the redesign in 2007 that brought the four door Wranglers.

This Sport came with the modular hard top roof. It’s modular because it can come apart in three different sections. You can remove the single piece above the driver, or the single piece above the front passenger, or both at the same time to create the best sunroof ever. It worked very well for me with the boys in the backseat in the shade and me in the front sun bathing.

There are two pieces up front and then a third large piece covers the rear seat and cargo area. This third piece requires help to take it off. The front pieces are some clasps and one screw, while the back is a little more complicated. More screws and clasps, but it’s a big awkward piece to remove and put back on. If you are planning on buying a Jeep and putting the top up and down often, then I vote soft top. If you plan on keeping it on for a quieter cabin, then the hard top does a good job.

The Wrangler has two tow hooks on the front bumper and one below the back bumper. The hooks are very helpful for getting unstuck while off-road. Plus the front ones look intimidating and will cause more damage to whoever you rear-end than the damage that will occur on your front end; metal > plastic.

A major change I noticed from my ’04 TJ is that the fuel tank has moved. It used to be located at the very rear of the vehicle under the back bumper. This was the first skid plate I installed. It covered the fuel tank on the bottom and all four vertical sides. One of the smartest purchases I’ve ever made. I dropped the whole vehicle on the fuel tank while at Camp Jeep in Charlottesville. The skid plate took all the force, didn’t yield, and we keep rock crawlin’ our way out of the woods.

The ‘13’s fuel tank is now located down the passenger side under the front passenger and rear passenger seats. It is a more difficult place to drop all of the vehicle weight, but it’s still possible. If you plan on any type of off-roading more serious than driving through a grass field at 2 mph, then skid plates are a must. The Wrangler does come with 3mm think steel skid plates on the fuel tank, transfer case, and the automatic transmission oil pan, but you can never be too safe.

Tech:

The technology that I’m the most happy about in the Wrangler is the modular roof system, improved engine power, and better mpg. Those are all technological advances that benefit the modern day Jeep enthusiast.

There are no large satellite navigation screens or multimedia infotainment systems. The Wrangler does have the optional UConnect® and it is a little harder than most systems to setup and use. To sync your phone, you have to look up your phone on a particular webpage on Jeep.com. Then speak the pin number for your particular phone model to the UConnect° system… Needless to say, my phone didn’t get synced.

Performance:

In my old Jeep I’ve hit the governor; twice, allegedly. I was allegedly at 95mph and my ’04 TJ would cut out the acceleration. That is as fast as you could go. As long as you were already doing 75 as you began a nice steady downhill. The front is so un-aerodynamic, that it’s easier to drive a brick wall.

The 2013 has the same overall shape to the front, except the lines are softer around most of the front end.

The best improvement for all of the 2013 Jeep Wranglers happened in 2012. The 3.5L Pentastar V6 is the best engine in a Jeep ever. “Ever,” you ask? Yes, E.V.E.R. This engine destroys the engines of the past. The 3.6L V6 makes 285 horsepower. That’s 80 more than the ‘11 model’s V6 and 92 more than my ’04’s inline six. Don’t forget that the added power comes with slightly better fuel economy as well. Now do you see why it’s the best engine ever in the Wrangler?

I averaged 17.4 on Day 1 and then 19.3, 19.1, 20.7, 22.2, and 21.8 to finish out my week. The last couple of days were more highway miles. I had the cruise control set at 65mph and dominated the slow lane. Doing a little math, I averaged for the week 20.1 mpg. That includes my daily commute that measures 28 miles on combined conditions and my second job commute, which is 73 miles round trip and mostly highway miles.

The off-road capabilities of the Wrangler have only gotten better. The Unlimited version is longer than the standard body style. That means you have a better shot of getting a tire to the place it needs to be to get you enough traction to get out of the mud bog and up the hill. The standard Wrangler body style is a capable machine, but the Unlimited is just better.

This Jeep is outstanding in its field! Did you see what I did there?

Overall, I love the Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited. The longer wheelbase really improves the ride and capability of the Jeep. I would definitely have the 6 speed manual transmission. You might be able to squeak a little better mpg out of it, you get to drive a manual, and you would save the $1,125 that the automatic transmission costs. Plus Hill Start Assist is standard, so you don’t have to worry about uphill starts with the manual.

I miss my Jeep. I don’t have the thirty grand to drop on a four door Unlimited. I can promise that in my fantasy garage there’s one there.

I’m going to go cry myself to sleep now.

I miss my Jeep.

Quick Drive- 2013 Land Rover LR4

2013-05-07T20:36:00.003-05:00

Disclaimer: I’m a Jeep man, but I totally see why the LR4 exists & I like it.

Base Price: $49,100

As Driven: $61,070

Engine: 5.0L V8, 375hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic

Curb Weight: 5,623 lbs.

Wheelbase: 113.6 in

MPG Rating: 12 city/ 17 hwy

This isn’t a full review because I didn’t spend a huge amount of time with the LR4. I’ve got my fingers crossed that I get invited to the next Aristocrat Motors drive down at Kansas Rocks Recreational Area. *crosses fingers*

On & Off Road Performance:

No one can argue with Land Rover’s off-road performance. The LR4 was able to handle the off road course at Aristocrat Motors with ease. The control settings to adjust the ride height and the type of terrain you’re driving on are easy to use and straight forward. It is a couple more steps than other off roaders, but not overly complicated.

1. Use the rotary dial to select the terrain.

2. Push the button to raise the ride height to off road height.

3. Then shift to neutral and select low range if you are going into rock crawl mode. For all other modes you can leave it in high range.

4. Drive where you want to go.

The LR4 can handle itself off road, but once you get back on the road it rides supremely well. It did help that most of the roads we drove on were flat and smooth, but for the few bumps that there were; there was no jostling or jolts felt in the passenger compartment.

Here’s a video of the LR4 driving up and down Aristocrat’s off-road course.

The 2013 Land Rover LR4 is quite a machine. Please swing by Aristocrat Motors or contact Drew Frisbie for a test drive. Make sure it isn’t wet and Drew will let you run up and down the off road course! It’s not that the LR4 couldn’t do it in the wet. It totally could.

The LR4 leaves a lasting impression with a gorgeous interior and a go anywhere attitude. The mileage will slow you down a little bit, but the 375 horsepower more than makes up for it. If you’re looking for style, capability, and some utility; then go drive an LR4.

Hopefully I’ll meet you on the trails!

/Drive & Tuned are back!

2013-05-07T09:33:00.002-05:00

/Drive is a great network on Youtube. They've been away for a bit, but now they're back! They released a trailer of things to come and we already have a new episode of Tuned!

Check out BBi Autosport's "Project Nasty." I'm now shopping for an old 911. I won't pull the trigger on buying one, but shopping none the less.

Check out the rest of /Drive if you haven't yet. Great shows with guys who really love cars. I'm gonna go work on a super secret project that hopefully y'all (I'm allowed to use "y'all" once a post if I please.) will love! Cheers.

2013 Ford Fusion SE EcoBoost

2013-04-27T09:22:00.000-05:00

I was in attendance for the debut of the 2013 Fusion at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last January. I’ve waited over a year to drive this car and it was definitely worth the wait.

Base Price: $23,830

As Driven: $30,975

Engine: 1.6L 4 Cylinder EcoBoost (turbo-charged), 174 hp

Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic with Auto Start-Stop

Curb Weight: 3,427 lbs.

Wheelbase: 112.2 inches

MPG Rating: 23 city/ 36 highway

Interior:

The driver’s area is surrounded by technology. Lots of HD displays and touch sensitive areas on the center console. I like the look, but not the functionality.

The space in the back seat is acceptable. The rear legroom is listed at 38.3 inches, which isn’t the most in the segment. The amount of legroom in the Fusion is two inches more than the Malibu and five inches more than the Accord. The space in the back made sure that my youngest son wasn’t able to kick the back of my seat. I know eventually he will outgrow the space and I’ll be doomed, but I’m still thankful for the space now.

The children LATCH system was set further back into the seat. It frustrated me at first, but I found out that it is one of the easiest setups I’ve used when it comes to getting the kids’ car seats in and out. The ability to latch the hook and the ease I was able to depress the latch to get it back out was quite easy. Normally I end up with at least one banged knuckle and three to five curse words. None of that took place in the Fusion.

I couldn’t get the rear headrests out. The top of the headrest hits the ceiling before the ends would clear the holes to take them out. I’m sure there is a way to get them out, but I became frustrated and didn’t take the time to actually figure it out… My bad.

The trunk is huge. The single stroller fit with ease. The double stroller was a little awkward through the opening, but once it was in, there was more than enough room.

Exterior:

The old Fusion was a good looking car. Today’s Fusion is very good looking, almost gorgeous. It isn’t “Angelina Jolie,” but more of “Eva Mendes;” curves in all the right places and a smile that kills.

I’m not ever getting hired to write about cars or women again…

The backend of Fusion is just as good looking as the front end (we’ll get there, don’t worry). The rear end is rounded with sharp edges. The tail lights add emphasis to the corners with LED lights. I like the back end of the Fusion, but not nearly as much as I like the front.

The front end is all you need to see of the Fusion. This car shares some design language with Aston Martins. If the two were put side by side, there would be no comparison. The Astons are ridiculously gorgeous. The Fusion is very good looking, but they are not in the same league. There are hints of Aston on the front end, and this design is one that Ford has since adapted to the C-Max, Fiesta, Focus, and a less-aggressive looking version on the Taurus.

The lines of the Fusion are distinct. You will not find a better looking sedan for the money in this segment. There is the Camry; snooze. The Accord; yawn. The Malibu with the same style tail lights as when I was a kid in the late 80’s-early 90’s. Only the Charger has some really attractive styling. The Fusion is the best looking. Just look at NASCAR races now. The race cars actually look like the road cars they’re styled after and the Ford is the best looking by far. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday can be a mantra again.

Tech:

Rant first: Please do not take away the analog buttons from the center stack of controls; the media and climate control. I get that My Ford Touch is touch screen and there has been enough negative things said. I can adjust to My Ford Touch, but making all of the analog buttons into touch sensitive areas on the dashboard is infuriating. I would have to press everything, except the power button on the radio (an actual button), multiple times.

There were times when I had to press a button three to five times to get it to finally work. The whole time glancing up and down to make sure I didn’t plow through a turkey (the turkey population is way up this year out here…). Technology for the sake of technology is not progress. Please leave some analog buttons.

Some of the technology was awesome though. All four windows were one touch Auto up/down. I love that. It is a simple feature and adds value to the car for me. I get frustrated when a car has auto down, but not auto up windows. The Fusion has all four auto up/down and it was great!

There is the Active Park Assist (Automatic Parallel Parking), the Rearview camera, the parking sensors, which tell you when you’re about to hit something or if there is a car coming as you back out. All of it was very helpful. I liked all of this. I think that in the next five years, the car will not need me at all to park. Just select the parking space on the monitor and the car will do the rest. You won’t even get to shift or use the accelerator.

My Ford Touch is the same as before. I used the navigation which was pretty straight forward and easy to use. The phone syncing is very simple. Both of my boys (4 and almost 2 years old) loved being a part of all my phone calls as they would holler their "Hello's" from the back seat.

There were times when the My Ford Touch got confused while playing songs from my iPod. I was listening to “J!$z in my Pants” by The Lonely Island. When I switched to another song, the display continued to read “J!$z in my Pants” and did so for the next four songs. The 12 year old in me thought it was hilarious. The adult was underwhelmed. This happened a couple times with different songs and podcasts. It is something that I would expect from any other form of technology and disconnecting the iPod and plugging it back in helped. “Have you turned if off and on again?” Always the first question asked when getting technology help!

Performance:

The SE model had the optional 1.6L 4 cylinder EcoBoost engine. This engine makes 174 horsepower and 184 ft. lbs. of torque at 2,500 rpms. This is why the Fusion felt the most athletic around 3,000 rpms.

There is a trick to getting the best performance out of this car. You had to find the sweet spot for acceleration. If you accelerated the Fusion too quickly or not enough, then the transmission would feel confused and unwilling. If you got it just right, then the Fusion would feel athletic, light, and ready for anything. It’s all about balance.

The mpg numbers have me a little worried. The 1.6L 4 cylinder should be getting some pretty good numbers. The weather was fairly warm and the humidity levels were down, so I thought I’d get some great mileage from this car. I averaged 25.5 mpg over the whole week. That includes city, highway, idle, and the Auto Start-Stop. Ford lists the 1.6L at, using the Auto Start-Stop, 24 city, 37 highway, and 28 combined. Most days I would be around 27 for the morning commute and then back down to 25 for the trip home. I think over 30 is achievable on the highway, but I didn’t take any trips far enough away on the highway to see if that was true.

The chassis and suspension make the Fusion feel “grounded to the ground” to steal a line from a Camry commercial. I took the Fusion up my favorite curvy road and really gave it the business. The Fusion responded well. The torque coming in at 2,500 rpms means that the car is ready to jump with one down shift. This was my favorite time with this car.

The torque from the 1.6L engine is enough. It measures 184 ft. lb. of torque at 2,500 rpms. The torque really helps the Fusion want to go. It seems ready to roll off the line. There is no hint of it being sluggish. When you get higher up the tachometer then the 1.6L gets airy, light, and a little gutless. When you’re whipping the Fusion the transmission shifts around 4,000 rpms, keeping you in the high area of the torque curve. If you put it in S mode the transmissions holds the gears longer, which make the car feel less athletic.

I have history with this car. It’s the first debut at an auto show I’ve ever seen in person. I’m not a major automotive journalist, but I do plan to play one on TV. This car is one of my “firsts.” I rarely forget a first and I will never forget the 2013 Ford Fusion. It looks soooo good.

I built my own Fusion on Ford.com. I picked the same engine; the 1.6L Ecoboost. I also picked the 6 speed manual transmission. I have a feeling I would have to order the manual from the factory, since this is America and only the car nerds want a manual anymore. The 1.6L is the only engine that comes with a manual. I also switched to the 18” Premium Painted Sport Wheels for $650. This package also gets me Eco Cloth seats made from 100% recyclable materials. The hippie in me lives on, for now…

The price for my Fusion was $26,070, which is a lot, but not as expensive as my tester. I didn’t click the package with My Ford Touch… I like Sync, though, and I really like the Fusion. Go drive one!

2014 Maserati Quattroporte Kansas City Launch

2013-04-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

The brand new 2014 Maserati Quattroporte made a stop in Kansas City.

The car is ginormous. The new Quattroportes are six inches longer than the old models. There were two of the brand new Quattroportes in the Aristocrat Motors showroom and they took up a lot of the space. The Gran Turismo Sport and the two Gran Turismo convertibles were pushed to the edges to make room for the Quattroportes. The cars are just that big.

From left to right: Gran Turismo Convertible, Gran Turismo Sport, and Gran Turismo Convertible.

The size of the car means that there is room. Lots of room. The Quattroporte will work in America. We’re big, the roads are big, and the Quattroportes are big. It’s the trifecta of largeness.

There are two options for engines. There is a twin turbo V8 that produces a large amount of horsepower; 523 to be exact. The V8 cars will be rear wheel drive and complete 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. That is as fast as much smaller cars from the fairly recent past. There is also a twin turbo V6 engine that makes 404 horsepower. The V6 car will have optional Q4, which is Maserati’s all-wheel drive system.

Both engines will come with 8 speed automatic transmissions.

The interior is plush and comfortable. There is a Business Man’s Special that only has two seats in the back seat. It might be called the executive edition. I should probably read the brochure. (insert wait time)

It is called the 4 seat configuration. If it’s called something else then the Internet and the Maserati brochure have failed us.

The rear seat has entertainment screens and tray table options. The kids will be entertained and this way you can control your evil minions on the move. “Launch the missiles!”

The exterior of the new car is still very Maserati. The lines around the front fenders and down the side are gorgeous. The rear end is shapely and functional, while the front end is stately and aggressive at the same time.

It will be awhile before production models hit KC. You can’t configure a 2014 on Maserati’s website yet. Trust me, I tried. When the Quattroportes do get here though, look out. They’re big enough to reverse the rotation of the Earth, like Superman but with a mustache, arm hair, and an Italian accent.

Thank you to Aristocrat Motors for allowing me to come by and see the new Quattroportes in person.

2014 Porsche Cayman S

2013-04-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Please read the rest of this with the sound of German-accented English in your ears.

You don’t really have to.

C’est la vie, or whatever the French say… Wait, what?

German, think German.

Base Price: $63,800

As Driven: $83,520

Engine: 3.4L 6 Cylinder, 325 hp

Transmission: 7-Speed PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung)

Wheelbase: 97.4 inches

Curb Weight: 2,910 lbs.

MPG Rating: 20 city/28 highway

I did not spend a lot of time with the Cayman S, but it definitely left an impression. I’ve driven some sporty cars. Some were fast; Audi R8 V10 Spyder. Some were quick; Fiat 500 Abarth. Then there’s the 2014 Cayman S.

This car is great. After my short time with it, the only word I could come up with was, “Wow.” That’s it. No attempt at eloquence. No searching for the perfect twist of phrase or superfluous sentences to describe my feelings or emotions. Just, wow.

Interior:

The interior is Porsche. There are buttons and lots of them. But there are no buttons on the steering wheel. There are two small screens on the steering wheel to tell you when you’ve engaged, Sport, Sport Plus, and Launch Control. The rest of the wheel is free and clear of buttons, knobs, and dials. It’s like Porsche wanted you to use the wheel for steering and to navigate their automobile without distraction.

The key and the ignition are on the left hand side of the steering column. This is unusual to the American market where the rest can be found on the right side. This is one of Porsche’s historical features. Just like how the 911 still has the engine located at the back of the car, the left hand ignition has hung around throughout Porsche’s lineage.

The left hand start comes from Porsche’s days racing Le Mans. The drivers used to have to run to their cars, get in, strap in, start the car, take off, and then race the rest of the competition. By placing the ignition of the other side Porsche was trying to free up milliseconds at the beginning of the race, anything to get the drivers out on the track more quickly. So the left hand ignition has stuck around.

The instrument cluster and gauges were easy to navigate and adjust settings. The navigation does not come up on the console into between the driver and passenger seats. The map displays itself in the right one of the three circles that makes up the gauges. This helps the driver by letting them check the instrument console and not the screen in the middle of the car which is located down out of the sight line.

There is no back seat. The 6 cylinder engine is located in front of the rear axle, behind the front seats, in the middle of the car, and helps with perfect weight distribution.

Exterior:

The exterior of the redesigned 2014 Cayman is gorgeous. From the lip spoiler at the back to the flowing curves of the wheel wells to the aerodynamic stance that look fast while standing still. All of the lines look great. I like the looks of the Cayman more than the 911. I know that’s sacrilege, but it’s true for me. The aggressive front end, the xenon headlamps, the red brake calipers, the mid-engine design, the aggressive exhaust, and the gorgeous curves all add up to inappropriate advances by me towards this car. I really like the look of it.

Tech:

There is some tech in this car, but I didn’t play with it. The infortainment system is functional and fairly straight forward, but there are some that say the whole system is overpriced and useless. It serves a purpose like most features in a modern car, but I don’t NEED it. The upgraded stereo is more of a want than a need.

I did use the hill start assist. It was a steep incline. When I took my foot off the brake, the car was stock still, until I applied the accelerator, then we were back to being rockets.

The fuel economy for the Cayman S is impressive for a sports car. The Cayman using Auto Start Stop technology and “Coasting” technology to help save on fuel usage. “Coasting” means that the engine disconnects from the PDK transmission while not accelerating. This means that the engine is not used to slow down the car, so there is no force acting against the motion of the vehicle other than air resistance.

The Auto Start Stop feature turns off the engine when you come to a stop. This is a feature that works with the manual and the automatic PDK transmissions. To turn the car back on with the manual take your foot off the clutch. When it’s the PDK, you just have to take your foot off the brake. By turning off the engine, you save fuel. Coasting and Auto Start Stop help the Cayman to achieve 20 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. That’s pretty good for a car that bases its whole identity on performance and handling.

Performance:

The performance is the best part of the Cayman S, other than the fact that you would own a Porsche. The Cayman is quick, fairly light, and comes with an optional 7 Speed PDK transmission. I love manuals, but spend the extra cash for one of the greatest automatic transmissions. The PDK’s shifts are measured in milliseconds.

This Cayman had the Sport Chrono package which means you get “Launch Control” and the PDK gets the “motorsport-derived gearshift strategy.” If you do buy this package, promise me that you will launch the car at least once a day, if not more. The Cayman S is not designed to be a garage queen. With the PDK option and the Sport Chrono package (the combined small price of $5,570) the car will do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. The regular manual will do 4.7 seconds if you shift correctly and the PDK without the Sport Chrono will do 4.6 seconds.

The steering was very proficient for getting me around the tight bends and helped me get lined up for the next corner. I know that it is electric power steering, but there were no major differences in the aggressive city driving that I engaged in.

We drove without the Auto Start Stop.

This is a car where the “Sport” and “Sport Plus” buttons actually do something. They tighten the suspension and change shift patterns for the PDK, but all of those things add up to a dynamic street car.

The 3.4L horizontally opposed 6 cylinder aluminum engine makes 325 horsepower near the top of the tachometer. The torque is 272 ft. lb. around half way up the tach. The torque curve is consistent which makes the Cayman S feel very quick to the butt dyno (where you use your butt to tell you how fast and how much torque a car has.).

The Cayman S has a track top speed of 170ish… I’ve never had it on a track, but would love to really let the Cayman fly. It wants to. Just add wings.

Please enjoy the sound of the Cayman S starting and reving.

Overall, I love the Cayman S. If I had $80,000 sitting around, then the Cayman S would be in my garage. There are a lot of cars that I would like to have in my garage, but there is a spot for the Cayman. I would probably buy the 2.7L six cylinder base Cayman over the S. It’s cheaper with 50 less horsepower, but would still be a blast to drive around town.

Thank you to Aristocrat Motors for allowing me to borrow the Cayman. Check out their website for information on all of their brands.

2013 Jaguar XK Touring Convertible

2013-03-30T08:25:00.002-05:00

I drove a Jag.

Can you see the cone? Maybe it's time to have your vision checked?

Jaguar has been known recently for making luxurious, powerful, and refined sedans, but their most iconic models have always been coupes and convertibles.

Jaguar is most known for the E-type. In the 60’s you weren’t somebody, unless you owned an E-type. The car was a huge success at the Geneva Auto Show when it debuted. This was back when the media could take test drives of the new models at the auto shows. The one E-type model at the show was booked so quickly that a Jaguar employee drove through the night to bring a second one.

This is the same model that was owned by the likes of Sinatra and it really doesn’t matter who else. If Sinatra had one, you know it’s cool.

Seeing an E-type now still gets my motor running… They are such beautiful cars and Jag has started to bring the same design lines back to their more recent models.

The latest two door convertible from Jag, the F-type, is coming in June to Kansas City. I’m just happy that there will be F-types in town, just like I’m happy that I know there are multiple Mercedes SLS’s in town.

I never turn down a test drive. Aristocrat invited me to drive some Jags. I assumed it would be the XF, which is their full size sedan that can be had with all-wheel drive and a supercharged V6 engine. I thought that would be a really nice car to drive. I never found out if it was any good.

I drove a Jaguar XK Touring Convertible instead. When I first arrived, this is the car that I was immediately drawn towards. Who wouldn’t be? Only hippies, Prius owners, and people who don’t like good things would not be attracted to this car.

Base Price: $85,000

As Tested: $87,375

Engine: 5.0L V8, 385 horsepower

Transmission: 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

Curb Weight: 3,924 pounds

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches

MPG Rating: 16 city/22 highway

The exterior lines are gorgeous on all of the new Jags, but the XK has the best of the best. Sweeping hips and rounded edges give away to sharp details and a classic feel. The front end looks like it’s built for performance, but in the “I’ve made this as pretty as I can without giving up performance” kind of way.

I could just look at this car for hours. I want to drive it by buildings with reflective windows, so I could just see it more.

The XK is powered by a 5.0L V8 that produces 385 horsepower. 385 doesn’t sound like much in the arms race that is Horsepower Wars. The Internet is full of 1,000 horsepower cars drag racing or running standing miles. Our sense of what is powerful is off. 385 horsepower is more than enough power. The XK is quick and sounds great.

The engine combines with an exhaust note that made me want to lower the convertible roof on a cold day. It is a sexy sound. The overrun pops when you’re just revving the engine. Watch this short clip, it sounds great.

The XK’s ride is comfortable and smooth, but it also felt lively and responsive. In race mode, the XK felt planted. I drove the XK on a short autocross course and was quicker each time through. The salesman, who is more comfortable with the car, set faster times around the course. We did not turn off the traction control or the stability control, which came in handy around the corners. On the tight corners when I went to apply power, the electronic aids would wait a little and then feed in the power. It made me feel safe that I wouldn’t ruin such a gorgeous car.

The interior has four seats, but this is a car for two. This car screams for the open road, long road trips, and even romantic getaways. The cabin design is comforting and relaxed.

The gear shift knob is down on the center console and it's gorgeous.

The driver and front passenger seats have side bolsters if aggressive driving is in the plans. The side bolsters were not as invasive as the Focus ST’s Recaro seats, but they did support me around the tight corners.

The infotainment system in the Jag is of adequate size. I did not spend much time playing with the navigation or the stereo. I set the climate control to 72, turned on my seat heater, and attacked the road.

The road noise with the roof up is astonishing. It’s astonishing because there is so little. I haven’t driven many luxury convertibles. But this is the quietest coupe I’ve driven. That includes convertibles, hard top convertibles, and two door coupes. On the highway the ride of the XK was great, but the feeling inside the cabin was one of peace and tranquility. This is my second favorite part of this car. The exhaust wins.

This is the first time I’ve driven a Jaguar and I’m really glad I made the time. It was a blast to drive. The mpg’s are slightly better than my daily driver too. It’s hard to get worse mpg than a 6.0L V8…

Please go visit Aristocrat Motors if you are even slightly interested in Jaguar’s. Maybe even stop in if you haven’t seen what Jaguar has to offer in the last couple of decades. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. E-mail Drew Frisbie if you have questions. He tried to make me sick on the autocross course, but the electronic aids on the XK kept defeating him.

Thank you for reading.

Now, where did I put my pass to the go kart track? To the track!

2013 Ford C-Max SEL Hybrid

2013-03-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

I really like technology and progress. I generally haven’t regarded hybrids as progress.

Engine: 2.0L 4 cylinder + Electric motor = 183 horsepower

Transmission: 6 Speed CVT

Wheelbase: 104.3 in

Curb Weight: 3,607 lbs.

MPG Rating: 47 city/ 47 hwy

The C-Max is the first hybrid that I have spent a significant amount of time with. My other experiences are an hour with a Prius and 3 laps of a test track in a Focus Electric. I liked the Focus Electric and was underwhelmed with the Prius, but the C-Max has opened my eyes to hybrids! I learned a lot about myself, my driving style, and what it means to be ~~a hybrid driver~~ slow.

Interior:

The C-Max is not a big vehicle. I would call it a compact hatchback, but Ford calls it a wagon. The driver’s seat is comfortable, but the driver’s legs are trapped from either side by the center console and the door; both hard plastic.

There is adjustable interior lighting on the door handles, foot wells, and in the backseat foot wells. My boys didn’t notice that I kept changing the color. Green was the best choice. I like green and it felt appropriate as I was driving a “green” vehicle.

The backseat is spacious enough to fit two full size child seats comfortably. There is not enough room for an adult to sit between the seats though. Not an American adult anyway, maybe a small European lady, but then you have to explain to your wife why you have a small European lady in the back seat. *awkward*

The trunk is spacious. There is a five inch lip that sticks up at the bottom of the rear hatch. It does so because that’s where the battery is located. If you just try to slide in your heavy load (hehe), then it will run into the lip and you and your friend will have to heave it up to finish loading. The good news is that the rear cargo area is not that big so hopefully your load isn’t that heavy. There isn’t any really bad news just that you might have to use a little more muscle, and that’s good for all of us.

Exterior:

It looks great, but from the side it has an old school Prius vibe. The tallest point of the car is located above the front row of seats. Yes, I just compared it to the lackluster styling of the Prius… But there are some redeeming factors.

The grill is exquisite. It is very similar to the Fusion, the Focus, and the updated 2014 Fiesta. I really like this grill and can’t wait to drive the Fusion for a week in April. The grill on the C-Max also as the hints of Aston Martin design like the other Ford models, and I love it.

The wheels on the C-Max seem like they have one thousand spokes. I would prefer five to nine, but the SEL trim line comes with 15 spoke wheels.

The C-Max I drove was silver, not green.

Tech:

This car has a number of different display options. Each has its own emphasis that will help you save the mpgs. The one that I used the most was the graph that showed the mpgs over the last 30 minutes. If all the bar graphs are above the average, then the average is increasing. It gets difficult to keep all of the graphs above the average line because eventually you’re getting really good numbers.

On the instrument cluster you can select a screen that adds or subtracts leaves based on your driving style. If you’re hard on it, you’re also hard on the environment and the leaves float away. If you’re being eco-conscious and gentle, you can create a small forest on the instrument cluster.

The C-Max had the My Ford Touch infotainment system as an option. This system has been much maligned by auto journalist across the board. It’s not that bad. There are other systems that I prefer, like Audi’s, but the My Ford Touch is usable.

The “Sweep the leg, Johnny” trunk package was included on this C-Max. I should find out what the real name of the package is, probably the tech package, but it’s just too much fun to make a Karate Kid reference. I find the leg kick opening useful and convenient. Sometimes tech options are on the vehicle because someone thought of them and the manufacturers says, “We can sell that.” This option is actually handy and useful.

I took the C-Max with me on a school trip. I loaded the back with a number of important Science projects that my kids had spent hours working to prepare. The C-Max fit five in the rear hatch. The kick to open feature was very helpful because we were always approaching the car with our hands full. The kids were underwhelmed, but they’ve only known a world full of technology.

There are three power outlets in the C-Max. There is a 12-Volt outlet on the front console near the buttons that control the rear hatch and another 12-Volt in the center console. The second one is located next to the USB adapter in the console. I used the one in the armrest to power my boys’ after-market DVD players.

There is also an actual electrical outlet on the back of the console in the rear footwell. Ford has been installing these on the last three cars I’ve tested for them. The outlet comes in handy when you’re camera equipment isn’t fully charged on the way to a shoot.

When you turn the C-Max off, a trip summary comes up on the left information screen on the gauge cluster. It tells you the stats from your last drive and the stats for the whole life of the car. It also breaks down how many miles you just completed in EV mode and also what percentage of your regenerative braking was put back onto the battery. Fun stuff.

Performance:

I really like the way the C-Max drives. I had to get used to driving with less of a lead foot. If you apply too much pressure to the accelerator, the car ignores the electric motor and jumps right over to the gas engine. When I was able to exercise some restraint, the electric motor would smoothly accelerate the vehicle up to an average of 30 to 35mph before the gas engine would kick on.

When the gas motor would engage the transition was seamless. The first two times out in the C-Max I didn’t really notice the transition between the two motors. Eventually I could sense the vibrations from the engine and would actually get irritated when it would kick on. I wanted higher mpgs!

I didn’t make many driving friends in town during my time with this car. To stay on the electric motor you have to be light on the accelerator. During rush hour this meant slowly accelerating up to the speed limit. I was a glacier off the line. But my mpg’s improved throughout the week.

The sticker lists the C-Max at 47 city and 47 highway miles per gallon. On the bone-chilling cold days of last week it was difficult and took some very conservative driving to get the C-Max up to 40 in the city. I did take an 80 mile drive averaging 60mph on the highway and I averaged 49.4 mpg over that trip. Not bad, but I still had to hyper-mile the C-Max to get this performance out of it.

Averaging 47 city and 47 highway means that the C-Max has a constant range of 634 total miles on a 13.5 gallon fuel tank. I would be filling up every two weeks instead of once a week. I would also only be purchasing 12 to 13 gallons of fuel instead of the 26 to 28 gallons I usually buy for the Denali. If gas is $3.50 a gallon, then I’m usually spending $98 at the end of each week for a monthly total of $392. Doing the same math for the C-Max, but only filling up twice because of the 600 mile range means the cost of fuel for the C-Max for the same month is only $91 or less than one tank for the V8 Denali.

The hybrid starts at $25,000 which makes my payment almost a reality. To option the C-Max up to the SEL version I tested would make the price closer to $31,210… A base SEL is $28,200 and the Equipment Group 302A package includes the Premium Audio & Navigation Package (My Ford Touch), the Hands-Free Technology Package, Power Liftgate, Rear View Camera, and Keyless Entry/Start/Tailgate for $2,215. Some pricey options.

Too make the C-Max a financially responsible car for my family my payment would have to be less than $301 a month. With a $5,000 trade-in and $1,000 down out of pocket; the payment calculator sets my payment for an SEL (optioned the same as the tester) at $461 for 60 months (5 years…). Even a base C-Max with no options and the same trade-in value & down payment has the payment at still $368 for 5 years. There is no C-Max that would save me money for the first five years. That’s because my Denali is paid off.

I love our planet! I want it to be here at least till we find another one close enough to cultivate for human existence. I would be willing to trade-in my Denali someday, but not yet. I love the C-Max and actually miss it at times. I like paying attention to my driving style and the C-Max really helps you do that. I wanted to keep it in EV mode and off the gas engine. I bet in nicer weather I could really get those mpg numbers up there. If the C-Max makes financial sense for you, then it’s definitely a hybrid to test drive. I really do miss it.

Thank you to Ford for providing the C-Max. It really is a fun and useful hybrid.

Racing Legends Series on BBC

2013-02-03T09:35:00.006-06:00

I love motorsport documentaries. I love Top Gear UK, which is back with new episodes, but I really like the documentaries. Especially the stories of how drivers got into their sports and how they dominated.

The BBC is running a series called, "Racing Legends." They are taking someone of notoriety and pairing them with racing legends. There are three episodes that have aired so far: Sir Patrick Stewart interviews and drives with Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Chris Hoy drives with Colin McRae's father, Jimmy McRae, and James Martin (a chef) drives with Jackie Stewart.

They're all great episodes, but I'm definitely drawn to the Colin McRae episode. I'm really starting to figure out how to get into Rally racing and off-road racing in general. Plus Ken Block makes a guest appearance. Great stuff all around. The Sir Stirling Moss episode also has a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing in it. Each episode is about an hour long. If you're bored and looking to fill time, this is you're answer.

Sir Stirling Moss

Colin McRae
Jackie Stewart

Hope you take the time to watch all three!

George Barris GTO

2013-01-20T10:27:00.001-06:00

The original George Barris Batmobile sold for 4.2 million dollars at Barrett-Jackson on Saturday. 4.2 million. Wow.

I’ve driven a George Barris designed car. It was a “Look at me” orange GTO and, boy, did everyone look at me. This car caused other drivers on the highway to slow down and move around me to get a good look at the whole car.

Price: $90,000 at auction

Engine: 5.7L V8, 350hp

Transmission: 6 speed manual

Wheelbase: 109.8in

MPG rating: 15 city/20 hwy

Barris’ website declares him the “King of Kustomizers.” Sorry, kids, you weren’t the first to misspell words on purpose to be cool or alternative.

Barris and his brother, Sam, began kustomizing cars in the 30’s. They have a long history of taking cars, kustomizing them, and selling them. Eventually Hollywood had them build some cars. Their shop is still located in the LA area today. Sam has passed away, though…

Barris’ name is attached to a number of famous movie cars. The Batmobile is his creation and there are some others, but his website claims a lot of cars that he didn’t design, but made modifications to. He did not design the “General Lee”, but his website lists it as one of his many TV & Movie cars. This practice has not endeared George to many in the car customizing world. Needless to say, the original Batmobile is still iconic.

In 2004 Pontiac (Remember Pontiac?) redesigned the GTO. GM based it off another GM product; a Holden Monaro. Holden’s are what GM sells down under. G’day, mate (How many Aussies did I just offend?). The Monaro is general thought of as a simple, powerful, and fun to drive sideways muscle car. The new GTO was generally regarded as an underwhelming flop. It did have a great powertrain and that’s about it…

The Barris GTO was built in 31 days. The contract to build it was written on a napkin. At least that’s the story that comes up the most when you Google “George Barris GTO.” The design is supposed to be “if the GTO kept evolving.” To me; it’s birdlike with a close cropped hair cut…

My first impression seeing the car is that, “This is not a car for me. It doesn’t have a roof.” There is no roof and there isn’t a frame to the top of the wind shield. Without the frame, the wind shield buffets in the wind. It moves. A lot.

The doors are the next major feature. Vertical Doors, Inc. installed them. They open slightly to the side, but then go vertical. The doors look great, like a Lambo, but functionally they’re a pain in the ass. The unlock button on the key fob opens the driver’s door and the lock button opens the passenger door. There are no door handles. I was in and out of the doors quite a bit while reviewing the car and eventually I was “Dukes of Hazarding” in and out.

I was very careful not to step on the Ostrich leather covered seats. You could see the elastic straps that hold the seat covers in place. It was a very warm day and the A/C still worked perfectly, but the Ostrich radiated heat like an oven. With no roof, the sun came streaming into the interior and you could smell the ostrich burgers simmering.

The orange wheels are also not my cup of tea and make the GTO ride like you’re getting punched in the kidneys by every pot hole. It is not a comfortable ride. The whole car rattles. The tweeters for the stereo were popping out of the doors when you closed them too hard. The interior is sketch (not good).

The best part of this car is that they didn’t touch the powertrain. It’s GM LS power and sounds fantastic. That’s the best part of no roof; the exhaust sound comes straight into the cockpit. Tunnels turn the exhaust into a symphony that sounds like it’s literally in your ear canals. Literally.

I have driven a piece of George Barris’ history. It’s not the piece I would have picked, but it is still a part of car history. He’s modified some other contemporary cars (some Dodge Challengers and a Smart Car), but they don’t amaze like the hot rods from the 30’s-60’s. Personally I wish they would stick to the hot rods and leave the new stuff to the younger customizing shops.

The whole project started when people complained about the GTO’s redesign in 2004. Barris thought he could do a better job. He ruined it. I really hope whoever bought the Batmobile for 4.2 million does not find out that he spent that much money on a piece of s#!&.

Tune in next week. Will the Joker finally finish off the Caped Crusader? Will Robin ever admit to being gay for Batman? Will I ever make a joke that isn’t inappropriate?

Probably not.

*Update: The Batmobile sold for 4.6 million, not 4.2...

2013 Range Rover Launch at Land Rover Merriam

2013-01-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

I was invited to the 2013 Range Rover Launch Party. I cleared my scheduled, arranged for my boys to get picked up, and headed over to Land Rover Merriam.

I was slightly intimidated pulling up to the event in my wife’s 2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4. It’s not that the truck is anything to be ashamed of; it’s that the lot was full of Range Rovers that didn’t have dealer tags. They’d all been purchased or at least leased by the other attendees of the launch.

I heard the words “tax write off” literally two minutes in the door.

I was being silly though because everyone at the launch was delightful. The sales staff at Land Rover Merriam are professional and courteous. The other attendees of the launch were curious and really scoured the 2013 Range Rover for flaws and new features. I like that.

It was stressed by the sales staff that the 2013 Range Rover is 700 pounds lighter than the 2012 model, which will help with fuel economy. The supercharged V8 engine is still making 510 horsepower, which I will always approve.

The keystone side engine vents have been eliminated. The actual vents are in under the hood now, but the location directly in front of the driver and front passenger’s door no longer has vents… They’ve replaced them with accent lines, but it’s just not the same… *sadface*

The front end has been ever so carefully rounded. The overall shape of the SUV hasn’t changed, but the edges have been softened. It will have to grow on me.

I like the new tail lights. There have been a couple of commenters on Instagram and Twitter who referenced the Ford Explorer while looking at the 2013 taillights. I don’t care. I like them, especially the illuminated line down the side.

The rear lift gate is now fully powered, while keeping the top/bottom split that is classic Range Rover. You press the handle to start the automated top portion. Be sure to duck as it goes by and then press a button that looks the same as the button to close the top to open the bottom. Jeremy Clarkson tweeted some pictures of a Top Gear camera guy trying to get into the back of the 2012 and the 2013. There might be less cargo space, but the rear seats do recline seven to nine degrees and none of us have to fit cameramen in the trunk.

The interior is still gorgeous. The front two seats now have massagers installed and can be set to begin 30 minutes after beginning your trip. There is an optional 29 speaker stereo. It sounds like Chingy is in the car with you. Do people still reference Chingy?

The gauges are fully digital. There are no analog gauges anywhere in the Range Rover. It’s almost 2013 on the calendar. Manufacturers should be able to pull this off with no complications. But I remember hearing something about the “Ghosts in the machines.” Not that that will happen in your brand new 2013 Range Rover, but I just wanted to reference Isaac Asimov.

I can’t wait to drive the 2013 Range Rover. It is still the vehicle that I see most often between on the road and the parking lots of professional athletes. There are always a lot of full sized Ford, Chevy, and Dodges, but if the guys want to show off, then they drive a Range Rover.

Here's a quick video of the launch: I'm the white sweater with shaggy hair in the back. :)

2013 Cadillac ATS 4 Luxury

2013-01-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

I’ve been watching ATS commercials on YouTube for eons, or at least three months. The commercials have followed me over to network TV, specifically the NFL playoffs. I’m over the commercials because I want to be able to do everything in those commercials, but I want to be like those guys and get paid to do it.

Base Price: $33,095

As Driven: $46,980

Engine: 3.6L V6, 321hp

Transmission: 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

Curb Weight: 3,629 lbs.

Wheelbase: 109.3 in

MPG Rating: 18 city/26 highway

A V6-powered Cadillac sedan seemed underwhelming. I drove a V6 CTS-4 last year and was less than awed.

The ATS is listed as a compact sedan. Makes sense because the CTS is a regular sedan and the XTS (Grandpa’s car) is a large sedan, so the ATS has to be a compact. This is the most hyped compact sedan I’ve encountered in quite a while.

The ATS handles like a dream. This car was tested and developed at the Nurburgring. Normally that’s the butt of a James May joke, but the ATS whips. It has the same magnetic ride control as the CTS-V and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The ATS destroys corners. I was disappointed when the roads were straight.

The V6 power plant is robust. The 3.6L V6 engine produces 321 horsepower. This is the most athletic naturally aspirated V6 I’ve ever driven. Most V6’s have some power, but are boring and okay on the mpgs. The ATS six cylinder motor is great. You get over 300 horsepower, a great exhaust note, and the feeling that this motor wants to go. I found myself hammering the ATS, not because I wanted to, but that’s when the car felt the most in the sweet spot between handling and speed. Maybe there’s something to developing a car at the Nurburgring.

I can still smell the engine...

The Cue system was easy to use, but the buttons on the center console are touch-sensitive. Car Manufacturers, please don’t take away the analog buttons (Get off my lawn). Having to hit the button and then hammer it a second time to make sure it works is frustrating and dangerous. Taking your eyes off the road to make sure that the button you just pressed worked is unsafe. I liked the Cue system, which was easy to navigate. I didn’t use the Navigation or sync my phone, but overall the system seemed pretty simple and straight forward. I know one ATS owner and he’s pretty content with Cue. Based on my statistical data, Cue is the best infotainment system EVER.

The interior is equipped. The seats are supportive and comfortable. There is a heated steering wheel, which came in handy for the cool windy day. The backseat isn’t large. The rear legroom measurement on the ATS is smaller than the Audi A4 and the BMW 335i, but is .1 inch larger than the Mercedes C350, so there’s that.

The noise that comes out of the V6 is amazing. Most V6’s sound like the usual minivans and Honda Accords; lame. This motor and exhaust sound fantastic and the noise only gets better the more revs you give it. I continually found myself getting into the throttle just to hear more of the exhaust noise. I was driving with the windows down on an unseasonably cool day. This is where the heated steering wheel came in handy. With the windows up in the tranquil cabin; the exhaust note is relegated to just another background noise.

I’ve seen all the ATS ads: from Patagonia to the China cave road to the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo. The cave road looks gnarly, but I really think the ATS could take it. Before driving this car I thought it was a wasted effort on Cadillac’s part. Turns out, that the V6 ATS is actually a fun car to drive.

Race 2 Recovery- US Servicemen

2013-01-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

It begins today. The Dakar Rally begins today. This is an excerpt from the documentary about the whole team. It's a segment on just the US Servicemen involved with Race 2 Recovery.

Good Luck to every one competing in the rally. #staysafe

Race 2 Recovery

2013-01-03T21:18:00.000-06:00

We all have obstacles in our lives. Some seem large, but in actuality are quite small... I've been struggling with some of these in my life recently. Time and financial restrictions have been slowing what I ~~want~~ can do right now. I was having a had time seeing them as small obstacles, but a group of determined, spectacular people have helped give me some perspective.

Race 2 Recovery is a non-profit charity based in the UK. They are taking on the Dakar rally with a team of rookies drivers and navigators.

This rally is the most difficult endurance race in the world. Historically it began as a race from Paris to the capital of Senegal. Props if you already knew that Dakar is the capital of Senegal. This year's race is based in South America. It begins in Lima, Peru then heads to somewhere in Argentina, and finishes in Santiago, Chile. Basically they're racing down the spine of South America through some of the most rugged terrain in the world.

R2R is tackling the Dakar with a team of rookies, but these are some special first timers. A majority of the team members are UK & US serviceman who have been injured; most losing limbs. I have been following them on Facebook and on Twitter. My favorite R2R Twitter follow is @Tom_R2R. He's the first triple amputee to compete in the Dakar and is an all around decent dude. It's amazing what they are doing.

These are men of action. R2R gives them a purpose, drive, and an adrenaline rush. I think most of them would say they're living fuller lives now. This team makes me want to live my life better.

Thank you to all of the R2R drivers, co-drivers, and service personnel. It's an enormous effort and I hope nothing but good things for you on this year's rally.

It all begins on January 5th! Good luck and Godspeed!

R2R is a charity and they have a donate button on their website. If you're in the UK or Europe you can use their site. If you're in the US, you can donate to The Heroes Project, which is linked from Race 2 Recovery.

I included a trailer for a documentary series about R2R's preparations for Dakar that aired in the UK, the promo for this year's Dakar Rally, and the Top Gear segment of Richard Hammond driving a Wildcat, R2R's vehicle of choice. Watch, enjoy, and just be in awe of the human spirit at work/play.

Disclaimer: I posted this myself. No one asked me to do this. I believe in this.

Race 2 Recovery Documentary Series Trailer:

2013 Dakar Rally Promo:
I forgot to mention Unimog's. The flat-faced trucks that sit three across and look like Transformers erupting out of the desert! Those are cool too. Don't forgot the 8x8 Service Vehicles which will be following the racers.

Wildcat:
This is the only decent looking and sounding Bowler Wildcat video I could find. Driving one is on my Bucket List...

Inside Koenigsegg Teaser

2013-01-02T10:01:00.001-06:00

The Drive network on YouTube is a place where I spend a lot of time. The shows are well filmed, edited, and presented. I've talked about the show line up on Drive before. There's Tuned, Big Muscle, Chris Harris on Cars, Shakedown, Road Testament, and more; all are different and wonderful.

There's a new series beginning on January 8th. It is an in depth look behind the scenes at Koenigsegg. The series is hosted by Koenigsegg CEO Christian Von Koenigsegg and will take you throughout the manufacturing process to examine their latest super car, the Agera R. This car holds the world record for 0-300-0 kph. That's from zero to 300 kilometers a hour (or 186mph) and then back to zero. It did it in 21.19 seconds. I heat up burritos longer than that.

Watch the teaser for the series.

If the teaser didn't work, watch this pass of an Agera R (180mph) passing a camera van (40mph). That's 140mph closing speed. Math is fun!
Watch this series. It will be good.

10 Segments in 10 Days: The Supercar

2012-12-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

Supercar: Audi R8 V10 Spyder

Base Price: $127,700

As Driven: $175,000

Engine: 5.2L V10, 525hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Automated Manual

MPG Rating: 13 city/19 hwy

There has to be a supercar on the list. Mainly because it means I have an excuse to go drive a supercar. Audi R8 has been a stalwart of the supercar segment. It is one of the more reliable supercars, which isn’t a normal supercar behavior. Supercars are supposed to be finicky and feel like they’re ready to kill you at any second.

The R8 is comfortable. My back felt fine when I got out and I had room for my entire 6’4” frame. The Quattro all-wheel drive helps the R8 to stick in any corner. The handling mixed with the solid feel of the whole car makes the R8 very comfortable and relaxing; as relaxing as a V10, 525 horsepower car can be. The Germans really have put a lot of R&D into the power plant and performance. The breeze between 70mph to 100mph is allegedly intense. I had perfect weather for my afternoon with the R8 Spyder.

If you’re buying a supercar, you’re probably buying it to scare the pants off yourself and whatever lady friend is in the passenger seat. The R8 is a great car for people who are not used to driving this much power. I love that you could use this as your daily driver. It isn’t my favorite car to make me defecate in my pants, but it is my favorite supercar to drive a lot. Any Shelby Cobra could help with the pants defecation.

Thank you to LMC Truck (www.lmctruck.com) for letting me waste a bunch of premium gas in their R8.

Thank you for making your way through my whole list. Let the discussion begin! Let me hear from you and tell me where you disagree or agree. That’s what a comment section is for!

10 Segments in 10 Days: SUV

2012-12-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

SUV: Audi Q7

Base Price: $46,250

As Driven: $65,000
Engine: 3.0L Supercharged V6, 333hp
Transmission: 8 Speed Shiftable Automatic
MPG Rating: 16 city/22 hwy

The Audi Q7 is my SUV of choice. I like the Q7. It’s fast, fun to drive, feels stuck to the road, and can seat seven. Those first two apply to most of the cars on this list, but only the Odyssey can match the Q7 for passenger space.

The S-line Q7, my favorite Q7, comes with a supercharged V6 that turns out 333 horsepower. The mileage isn’t fantastic, but the fun you can have while driving the Q7 outweighs the cost of gas.

The ride is smooth. While on sketchy Ozark Mountain roads, the Q7 takes everything in stride. I’m not using it as an off-road vehicle because of the low profile tires, but on road it rides great. It defeats pot holes easily.

Another reason for picking the Q7 is that it will probably be the platform for the Lamborghini Urus. Audi and Lamborghini are both owned by Volkswagen and VW allows platform sharing. The Urus is going to be the SUV that will allow Lamborghini to continue to making bat crap crazy cars like the Aventador and the replacement for the Gallardo, hopefully the Sesto Elemento.

If the Q7 ends up being the backbone of the Urus, then that is a compromise I’m willing to make to see more Lambos in the world.

Thank you to Molle Audi (www.molleaudi.com) for letting me borrow yet another vehicle. Check out my YouTube videos of the other Audi’s that I’ve reviewed.

10 Segments in 10 Days: Coupe

2012-12-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

Coupe: Scion FR-S

Base Price: $24,200

As Driven: $25,700, only radio and destination are up charge.

Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder Boxer engine, 200hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Manual

MPG Rating: 22 city/30 hwy

For what you get, the Scion FR-S is the best priced car on this list.

There is always an argument with petrol heads of driving fast cars slow or slow cars fast. The FR-S isn’t fast, but it is a blast to drive. This car has lived up to the hype.

Born out of a partnership of Toyota and Subaru, the FR-S makes drivers feel aggressive and comfortable at the wheel. They’ve combined Subaru’s four cylinder Boxer engine with the knowledge that Toyota has of rear wheel drive coupes. If you’re looking for straight line speed, go get a Mustang GT. If you’re looking for something that will corner, make you laugh like a child, and thrill you; grab an FR-S.

The overall impression of the FR-S is a car that anyone can drive hard. I drive lots of different vehicles, some older, most newer and the FR-S is one of the most fun for the price. This car has the shortest “get to know you” time. It felt right the moment I got in. I was quickly whipping the FR-S through city traffic and searching for the nearest back road. This car is a blast. It isn’t fast, but it can move well in traffic. If you wait a couple more years, there’s bound to be a turbo version.

Thank you to Molle Toyota (www.molletoyota.com) for allowing me to drive the FR-S when it had only been on their lot for a couple days.

10 Segments in 10 Days: Mnivan

2012-12-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

Minivan: Honda Odyssey

Base Price: $28,375

As Driven: $43,825

Engine: 3.5L V6, 248hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic

MPG Rating: 19 city/28 hwy

This is my least favorite segment of the auto industry. I will drive anything before I will purchase a minivan. That wasn’t hyperbole.

The Odyssey, Town & Country, Quest, and Sienna were all considered for the best of the worst. There is no good solution here for petrol heads, but the Honda Odyssey is probably the one with the least self-hate involved.

This minivan handles well and has a solid 3.5L V6 power plant. The Odyseey doesn’t feel sporty, but it also doesn’t feel underpowered. Honda has been known to race Odyssey’s in the One Lap of America competition. None of the other manufacturers do that with their minivans.

While in the Odyssey, the quiet, calm interior was noticeable. There was very little road noise and I didn’t have any kids in it, so there was no screaming as well. I did notice that the overall sound was quieter than I expected, but I’m assuming that’s because every little nook and cranny hadn’t been filled with orange fish-shaped crackers, miscellaneous parts of action figures, circle grain cereal that rhymes with O’s, and raisins. There are always raisins.

The backseats were readily accessible. The keyless remote not only has a lock, unlock, and trunk button, but has two buttons for the sliding rear doors. You can open them while you’re running at the car through the rain with kids in arm. Handy, but not manly.

Since I’m not a supporter of the minivan, this was a hard pick. The Odyssey turned out to be the least objectionable option. That won’t endear me to minivan enthusiasts, but let’s be honest, they are too busy chasing kids to read this.

Thank you to Frank Ancona Honda (www.frankanconahonda.com) for letting me punish myself with a minivan. It almost convinced me that I don’t not like minivans. Almost.

10 Segments in 10 Days: Hatchback

2012-12-03T09:04:00.002-06:00

Hatchback: Volkswagen GTI

Base Price: $23,995

As Driven: $30,595

Engine: 2.0L Turbo-charged 4-cylinder, 200hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Manual

MPG Rating: 21 city/31 hwy

My love of small cars also extends to the GTI. There are few cars, let alone hatchbacks, that can compete with the Volkswagen GTI. It is competitively priced, has a brilliant 6 speed transmission, and is everywhere. The 4 door GTI is on my “WANT” list.

The performance of the GTI hasn’t diminished. The car has gotten heavy over the last couple of generations and VW has tried to alleviate that with their next model, the Mark VII. The original Golf GTI was a light, fast hatchback. Modern safety equipment has caused the newer cars to be heavier and VW is addressing that concern. Supposedly there is even a diesel GTI or a GTD in the works.

The 2012 car makes 200 horsepower out of a 2.0L turbo charged four cylinder engine. It achieves 21 mpg city and 31 highway. You can get the GTI with a 6 speed manual or with an automated manual that has paddle shifters. We can’t be friends if you pick the paddle shifters over the manual. The 6 Speed manual and clutch in this car are just too good. I’ve driven three different generations of the GTI and I fall in love again every time I shift. The transmission puts a smile on my face. There are few things more fun than working through the gears of a well-built transmission and clutch.

The GTI isn’t going to win many drag races, but it is quick. It has FWD and makes sense in the crazy winters of the Midwest. The 4 door version can be a reasonable alternative to some minivans. Some, not all.

The GTI is attainable. The price is mid-20’s to low-30’s for a really optioned-out Autobahn version. It’s hard to find a base priced version. If you make friends with a VW salesperson, I’d bet they’d let you know when one comes into town.

Thank you to Molle Volkswagen (www.mollevwofkansascity.com) for letting me play with their GTI.

*Since this was supposed to go to print, I’ve driven a Ford Focus ST. The base price ST is $23,700. My opinion was has changed. I do reserve that right. More horsepower, great handling, and turbo-blow off noise! Love it!

2013 Ford Escape Titanium

2012-12-02T11:00:00.000-06:00

I’ve driven the 2012 Escape and have suggested it as a great buy as the 2013’s are coming to market. Between the Fusions and Escapes, there are some deals to be had for last year’s models. The redesigned Escape debuted at the LA Auto Show last year. I’ve seen them in person at a couple of auto shows and even drove one for 37.1 seconds on Ford’s test track in Dearborn. It was a time attack and I was supposed to match exactly the lap time of 36.8 seconds. I was slow… I was hoping to be fast.

Base Price: $22,470

As Driven: $34,735

Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder Turbo, 231hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Shiftable Automatic

Wheelbase: 105.9 in.

Curb Weight: 3,598 lbs.

MPG Rating: 21 city/ 28 highway

I just spent a week with the 2013 Escape and I was reasonably impressed. I picked the Mazda CX-5 was my CUV of choice for my 10 Segments in 10 Days, but I hadn’t driven the Escape yet. My advice is to drive them both and see which one will get you the better deal.

Interior:

The interior of the Escape is suave; great materials that don’t feel cheap. The seats are a mixture of leather and cloth. The dash is topped with a durable heavy rubber/plastic that looks rugged and not cheap. The console and instrument panel are covered in shiny graphite-colored plastic. The interior lighting’s color is adjustable through the My Ford Touch entertainment system.

The rear seat isn’t large, but the seats recline and can be moved back & forth to create more cargo room in the trunk. Two car seats fit well in the back. Both of my boys were able to watch their after-market DVD players which strap to the headrests. The 4 year old liked it because the seat back was closer and he could actually touch the buttons on the player.

As a large adult, the backseat is not a place where I want to spend a lot of time. The rear seat room is acceptable, but didn’t blow me away. It works very well for kids, but if your children are about to become blossoming teenagers it’s going to be a much tighter fit.

Overall, I liked the Escape’s interior materials and fabrics. A number of the materials, including the seats, are made from either bio-materials or recycled bottles.

Exterior:

The redesigned styling of the Escape is an upgrade over the box-like shape of the past. The 2013 Escape looks great; the best in the segment. It’s sharp, angular, and rounded in just the right places. It’s aggressive. The most aggressive compared with the Terrain, CR-V, Sportage, and Tucson. I like the looks of the Escape the best. It does look a little car-ish, compared to larger SUV’s, but I think it looks great for a CUV.

The front end looks like it might need to attend a Rage-aholics Anonymous. The shape of the nose and front grille share geometric characteristics with the Focus and Fiesta. There are LED day running lights just under the HID headlamps.

The side of the Escape has a sharp definitive line down the side that attracts the eye. The lines of the side lead you to a curvy, yet still angular and sharp back end.

Tech:

The 2013 is loaded with tech. There is Curve Control, which brakes the appropriate wheel when the car feels you’re travelling too fast to make it around the corner. ABS (Anti-lock brakes), airbags everywhere, and Blind Spot Warning system are just a few of the Escape’s many systems to keep you alive and on the road.

The information center in the instrument cluster is helpful and easy to navigate. It has a digital readout of the cruise speed set, two trip computers and an overall vehicle health check. The graphic I left up the most was the representation of the Intelligent 4WD system, so I could see which tires were pushing and when.

There is ~~Touch Me Ford~~ My Ford Touch. This system works when you spend a lot of time with it, but it can be irritating to new users or ~~stupid~~ non-intelligent users. I am repeatedly frustrated by button sensitivity and always have a longing for analog buttons.
There is Active Park Assist as well. Here's the short video I made using it. It's a very usable system. I took three minutes to master and my sister used it successful on her first try experimenting with it. She was uncomfortable not steering, but trusted the system and achieved her parking space quickly.

“Sweep the leg, Johnny!” I found myself either mumbling this or shouting it every time I used the leg sweep option to open the back of the Escape. I’m completely on-board with this kind of tech. It makes it so much easier to carry a bunch of ~~useless~~ very important items to the car and not drop it all to get the trunk open.

There are multiple options to get the back hatch open. The leg sweep, the button on the center console, and the button on the key fob all open and close the trunk. The trunk itself even has a button on it that allows you to close it. This button also allows you to set the opening height for the vertically challenge among us.

One low tech piece that I wish was still included was hooks along the top of the cargo area for dry-cleaning. If you have kids in the backseat and a double stroller in the back, then the only places for your clothes you just paid to have cleaned and is next to the your kid’s sticky fingers or on top of the stroller. Not a killer flaw, just a quirk.

The reading and dome lights are white LEDs, which are bright, clear, and will last forever. The lights accentuate a comfortable and spacious interior. The HID headlamps really light up the road with a wide spread bright white light.

The stereo in the Escape is noisy, but the good kind. I actually turned the volume all the way up. It didn’t say “11,” but it definitely sounded like it. The Sirius/XM Death Metal that was flowing through the 10 Sony speakers and dual-channel subwoofer was loud. It made me want to like Death Metal. I don’t.

Performance:

The Escape came with the 2.0L Turbo four-cylinder engine. The 2.0L EcoBoost makes 231hp at 5,500 rpms and 270 ft-lbs. at 3,000 rpms. The torque was the first thing I noticed about the driving dynamics of the Escape. After a light would flash green and I’d smoothly apply the accelerator, then the torque and Intelligent 4WD would chime in and my boys would be squealing in the back. Most of the squealing was with glee. Most.

The brakes are great. I stomped them once because that’s what you do in a large SUV. Stomp them, and let the ABS grind you to a halt. Anyway, as a car pulled out in front of me I hammered the brakes and the cabin of the Escape turned into a slow-mo Michael Bay movie. There were things in the car that I didn’t know were there. They were floating by me in the air.

This was the first press car that I couldn’t make the week on one tank of gas. First that tells us that I need to drive the press cars more, but there’s a rule about paying bills and taxes first… I don’t know. I wasn’t really listening. Second, the Escape averages 21 mpg in the city and even with my combined highway and city driving for the week; I had a hard time getting it over 21. Part of the problem is 21 city mpgs.

The other part of the problem is how much fun it is to accelerate the Escape to the speed limit. The Intelligent 4WD and the torque really move this little CUV. It’s solid, firm, and the acceleration is smooth and robust. It will punch you in the kidneys if you’re not paying attention when you mat it. All of those factors add up to okay mpgs. My suggestion is to buy the 1.6L EcoBoost engine that makes 173hp and gets slightly better mpgs for less money (6 grand less base price).

Overall, I really like the Escape. I don’t love it though. There were quirks that I couldn’t get past. The $30,000 price tag and the lack of dry cleaning hangers in the trunk kept frustrating me. The power and feel of acceleration is great for a CUV. I love the way the steering feels. The mileage was acceptable, but not great. The 1.6L EcoBoost could be a better option if you’re looking for economy. The S, SE, and SEL are all competitively priced trim levels of the Escape. I really like the Escape in the bottom three trim levels. The Titanium is up there. Thirty-four grand for a CUV is a lot.

10 Segments in 10 Days: CUV

2012-12-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

CUV: Mazda CX-5

Base Price: $20,695

As Driven: $30,415

Engine: 2.0L 4 cylinder, 155hp

Transmission: 6 Speed Shiftable Automatic

MPG Rating: 25 city/31 hwy

This isn’t my least favorite segment, but it’s a close second. My main objection to the CUV is that this category can feel numb, have paralytic styling, handling that leaves a lot to be desired and so-so fuel economy with underwhelming power. Mazda has tried to correct all of these issues in one car. A mountain of a task, but one they’ve summited well.

The CX-5 comes with SkyActiv Technology. This is Mazda’s engine program that increases the compression ratios, upgrades the fuel injection, uses a specifically designed transmission, and some Hogwart’s tricks to be more efficient and increase horsepower. The 2.0L four cylinder engine produces 155 horsepower and achieves 25 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway.

The CX-5 accelerates nicely. That being said, if you mat the accelerator, then it feels laggy and not fast. Ordinary, everyday driving in this car is smooth and likeable. If you have to do any aggressive driving, it handles well, but the power won’t be able to keep up.

I don’t want to own a CUV, but I can see the appeal of all-wheel drive, seating for five, and cargo capacity. It is a great new family vehicle. It handles well enough that “roll overs” aren’t a concern and has enough room for a double stroller. This is cheaper than most minivans, which could make it a welcome option to a lot of guys who thought they were destined for a box of hate on wheels.

Thank you to Tumminia Mazda (www.tumminiamazda.com) for letting me borrow the award winning CX-5.