As social networking grows and our lives are filled with constant status updates, tweets, and texting, the simple joy of driving a car is dying. Many recent statistics show teen interest in driving has steadily dropped and a new smartphone interests them more than a car. Part of the reason is because connecting no longer [...]

Growing up, my parents owned a long line of mostly reliable American sedans, in spite of the reputation of US cars from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. But one thing I never understood was their ability to notice something wrong with a car and then add it to a list of things they planned to [...]

As the winter of 2010-11 pounds most of the country with epic snow and cold conditions it’s reminded me of the often overlooked part of winter driving: our tires. Now I realize there are few automotive topics which seem less exciting, but stay with me. Any time a substantial amount of snow falls, communities come [...]

Each year, we drive over forty new cars. Many of them we have for a week, and some for a few short days. But these are more than your typical test-drives. We put each vehicle through hard driving, we connect our Bluetooth phones, we listen to our iPods, and we put gear in the trunk. [...]

Many states have the option to customize your license plates. Some call these “Vanity Plates”, which is very appropriate. And a growing number use the price paid for this “privilege” as a source of extra tax revenue. So, I’m here to tell you this whole practice should stop.  License plates are like social security numbers, [...]

Just when I think this topic has run its course, there’s another new example of car ownership without logic. While we support drivers making their cars unique, there is a line which can be crossed. In fact, it’s easy to tell when to stop: It’s right about the time when you’ve spent so much time [...]

Does anybody have to know anything anymore? This reminds me of the commercials, “I’m no rodeo clown, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night,” therefore I’m an instant expert, right? As part of GM’s bankruptcy restructuring, Edward Whitacre Jr. has been installed as new chairman. Mr. Whitacre’s impressive business acumen was [...]

Even though gas prices have come back down to earth, the price spike and the rising green movement has us all thinking about alternative energy. Miles Per Gallon is now forever a factor in car sales, and electric motors are getting held up as the Holy Grail. But how pollutant is that good old gas [...]

We want everyone to love their car and make it stand out from the pack. But some folks get carried away and lose all connection with taste or restraint. The most fascinating thing for me is trying to imagine the conversations which lead up to the catastrophically bad result in front of me. When I [...]

Somewhere along the way US drivers have been led to believe that being passed is inexcusable and keeping others behind you is a matter of honor. Seems to me we should teach proper driving etiquette in school and take out calculus. You’ll never need any math you can’t do on a cell phone calculator, but [...]