Mini Has Truly Lost Its Way

2015 Mini Cooper S. Photo courtesy of BMW.

Mini has completely lost its way. You can blame it on BMW management, stupidity, greed, groupthink or whatever else, but the fact of the matter is that the brand has forgotten what made it great. It's not the first time an automaker has done this (cough, cough, Honda) and it's not something Mini can't correct, it's just that I don't see anything changing in the near future. In fact, things seem to be getting worse.

Volvo Starts Construction on First Factory in the USA

Image courtesy of Volvo.

I won't lie, I like Volvo. I've owned a few Volvos in my time and have seriously considered buying more in the near future. The company places a big emphasis on safety, and having been in two wrecks in Volvos, I can personally attest to how good the Swedes are at delivering on that. There are other things that I loved about my Volvos, but that's another post for another time. Today, I'm writing about a big event for the company: its first factory in the United States.

Ten Alternative Fuels for Vehicles

2016 Nissan Leaf charging port. Photo courtesy of Nissan. 

A growing number of drivers don’t like how dependent modern society is on gasoline. The fact is that gasoline use comes with many drawbacks. The prices can be volatile, meaning another gas crises could pop up at just about any time. Gasoline also produces quite a bit of air pollution when it's burned, which in turn triggers a number of other problems that affect everyone. There is also the issue that oil is often obtained from areas of the world where there is much political and social strife, which is why some people want to utilize energy sources that are closer to home.

What Not to do After a Car Accident

Photo courtesy of Volvo

Fortunately for most drivers, car accidents are an occasional thing. Most people don't want to think about getting into an accident because they can be scary, but by not thinking about such a situation they put themselves at risk. You need to know what to avoid doing immediately after an accident on the road, because what you do in the moments after your car is wrecked can follow you for some time afterward. The following items are all things people commonly do, even though some are dangerous or even illegal.

The 2013 SRT Viper: The Snake Strikes Back

2013 SRT Viper - images courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Chrysler took a short hiatus from producing its wonderfully potent Viper sports car, but for the 2013 model year the company brough the Viper back, causing a big wave in the industry. The car was housed under the SRT brand, which caused quite a bit of confusion since the earlier Vipers were Dodges. The changes didn’t stop there, with the Viper being completely redesigned for a more modern high-performance driving experience both on the road and on the track, while thankfully still retaining some of the raw and unbridled aspects of the car.

What to Look for in a Green Car

Lexus CT200h. Photo courtesy of Lexus.

Many car shoppers are looking for a greener car than the one they currently drive. For some it's about feeling like they are making a difference when it comes to the environment, while for others the desire for a green car is about saving money on fuel and other costs related to car ownership. Some car shoppers are concerned about dependence on foreign oil and its socio-political ramifications. There is also the benefit of various government purchasing incentives for certain types of vehicles that draw in buyers. Whatever your personal reason for purchasing a green vehicle, there are certain things you need to look for when evaluating your options.

Horsepower Versus Torque: What’s the Difference?

Jaguar F-Type R Coupe. Image courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover.

Unless you are a big car enthusiast or an engineer, you likely have no idea what the difference is between a vehicle’s horsepower and torque ratings. Sure, you see them listed all the time with a car’s specifications, and you know bigger numbers are better, but just what is the difference between the two ratings?

Did Volkswagen Make Fools of Us All?

2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI. Image courtesy of Volkswagen.

Just the other day, I posted on here a list of reasons to buy a diesel-powered car. Most people in the United States think of trucks when you talk about diesel, but I've repeatedly written about the many advantages of diesel cars, plus recommended them to friends and associates. Now, with the shocking new allegations against Volkswagen, I can't help but feel that the company made fools out of a lot of us.

Charging a Motorcycle Battery

Photo courtesy of BMW

When you leave a motorcycle sitting long enough without turning on the engine, the battery will lose its charge, just like in a car. If you don't want to deal with a dead battery and you aren't riding your motorcycle regularly, like when winter hits, you can still keep it ready to go at a moment's notice by charging the battery periodically.

Why You Should Buy a Diesel Car

2015 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel. Image courtesy of GM.

Diesel cars have gained a bad rap in the United States. When most Americans hear the term “diesel powered” they think of large trucks, machinery or heavy duty pickup trucks with plumes of smoke billowing out of their exhaust pipes. They also automatically assume diesels are slow and hard to find fuel for. Recent trends predict a sudden resurgence of diesel-powered passenger vehicles in the US. In fact, you can easily find a fair amount of pre-owned cars that are diesels.

The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser. Images courtesy of Toyota.

Shopping for used cars can be a frustrating process, which is why I'm beginning to offer some information on different models. If you're in the market for an incredibly capable and luxurious SUV, you can't really go wrong with the Toyota Land Cruiser (assuming it fits into your budget).

How to Make Your Car Last

Image courtesy of General Motors

Cars cost quite a lot of money, not only to buy but also to maintain. By maintaining your car properly, whether you do it through your car dealership, a private shop or at your home, you will save money by avoiding at least some major problems as well as extending the overall life of your car. By enjoying more years without car payments or large mechanical problems, you can stretch your money further. Of course there are some specific ways to accomplish this goal, so read on to find out what they are.

Mercedes As Art

Mercedes-Benz F015 concept. All photos courtesy of Daimler.

Mercedes teamed up with artist Sarah Illenberger to create some one-of-a-kind art. When I first heard about this, I thought it would be another art car project, which I see all the time, and are usually pretty mundane. Instead I was blow away, because the results are something you have to see to believe.

Driving Safely in Fog

2015 Mercedes G-Class. Image courtesy of Daimler.

One of the most dangerous conditions to drive in is fog. Most people don't think about the risks until they are in the middle of a foggy area, and then they panic and do things that actually put them even more at risk. Having your visibility while driving reduced by a considerable amount is certainly concerning, but if you keep your head about you and follow these tips, you should come out of the situation without any problems.

Avoiding Car Fires

Experiencing a car far is something nobody wants to go through. Your vehicle at any given time carries a tank of several gallons of highly combustible fuel, plus other fluids and materials that can be consumed by a fire rather quickly. Getting out of a car that has caught fire without receiving any bodily harm is harder than it might sound, so the best thing to do is take steps to avoid the possibility that your car will catch fire in the first place.

The 2012 Dodge Challenger

Dodge has been heating up the pony car market with its high-performance Challenger coupe. For 2012 the Dodge Challenger features the kind of performance and comfort car buyers have grown to expect from the vehicle. Incorporating even more modern technology, Dodge now offers models with automatic transmissions with steering wheel mounted shift paddles similar to what’s used in many race cars.

The 2012 Nissan GT-R

There’s a reason why the 2012 GT-R is known internally at Nissan as “Godzilla” – it is a monstrous performer both on the road and track. The car offers an aggressive and unique styling that is reminiscent of the old Nissan Skyline models and that will surely make a statement wherever it goes. The best part of the Nissan GT-R is that it offers mind-blowing performance that rivals cars costing two or three times as much.

The 2012 Ford Escape

The 2012 Ford Escape represents the American automaker’s compact crossover, providing a small and maneuverable vehicle that also packs the utility of much larger SUVs. With the proper equipment, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Escape comes with both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive to handle inclement weather or curvy roads.

Preventing Road Rage

For years road rage has been highlighted in the media. When tempers have flared on the road, property has been damaged and people have been seriously injured or even killed. Thanks to an increasing number of individuals carrying phones that can record video, now more than ever we can see the dramatic effects of drivers losing their cool.

Mazda Reclaims the Miata Heritage

Mazda first rocked the world 26 years ago when it introduced the Miata MX-5. The car promised all the fun of a small roadster, without the headaches of the old classics from other manufacturers. Since then, the Miata has become a favorite of many enthusiasts, accumulating a dedicated base of fans. With the 2016 model a new generation of the vehicle launches, and this time around the car gets back to the basics that first made it great.