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Honda Ridgeline TrailSport – Darlin’ or Disgrace?

Here’s the problem with the Honda Ridgeline: It does a lot of things exceptionally well. But for some reason it does 'em all exceptionally dorky. And that in a nutshell is why so many people can’t take the Honda Ridgeline seriously... but maybe they should. Let me...

VB WRX – Make Your Own STI

The VB Subaru WRX offers a really strong performance value, especially today when value of any kind seems hard to find in the new car market. For instance, at 30-grand, you can get a turbocharged AWD WRX with a manual transmission… with enough room for a bike rack on...

Bronco Sport – Is it Worthy?

Reality is - the Bronco Sport will always live in the full-size Bronco’s shadows. But let’s get that out of our heads for the moment & critique it on its own merit. Because if the Bronco Sport is nothing else, at minimum it's a departure from yet another generic...

Mazda 3 Turbo Sedan – Who does Number 3 work for?

The Mazda 3 Sedan is a strong vehicle that seems to get overlooked. It just doesn’t fit in. Here’s what I mean: The Mazda 3 Sedan doesn’t have the perceived status of something like a 3-series BMW or Audi. But it’s not a basic/generic appliance like a Kia or Nissan...

California Dreamin’… of the Past

There was a time when California was the ultimate playground for car enthusiasts. The canyons & picturesque coastal routes made it a haven for anyone who loved the open road. From the legendary routes along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), to the adrenaline-pumping...

K-Swapped RA1 Honda Odyssey – slam the minivan

This is a 1st generation RA1 Honda Odyssey - radicalized. And here’s the thing about a modified minivan like this. Beneath the sheet metal and all the oddball awesomeness - it’s a totally epic conversation starter. An 'icebreaker' anywhere it travels. See, this Honda...

VW Rabbit Pickup – Nothing Amazing

“It’s nothing amazing, but it looks cool.” That’s how Eric Garrison describes his daily-driven 1981 VW Rabbit pickup (aka Caddy). And you know what? A lot of people don’t realize the full truth & wisdom of that statement. Because the truth is, "nothing amazing,...

BMW 2002 – Family Ties

Old vehicles have a way of capturing moments in time & bottling-up vivid memories & nostalgia. They have a way of transcending their mechanical/utilitarian nature, and becoming sentimental family heirlooms… passed down through generations. Such is the case...

Stand-up Jet Ski – new vs old?

I got into stand-up jet skis 3 years ago. No, I can’t do flips, I’m by no means a pro, and I’m not an OG in this world. But I’ve spent my life around visceral cars (mostly of the 80s & 90s), I’ve run an automotive magazine for 18 years, and I’m very in touch with...

Ford Maverick – You Can be my Wingman Anytime

Ford Maverick understands its mission. The modern truck market has gone off the rails in size & in price. And the Ford Maverick returns as an economical, versatile, usable entry-point back into the truck segment. But there’s MORE to the Maverick than that. Call it...