Everyday Driver » REVIEWS

Lexus IS350C

Todd — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:21:34 +0000

In Toyota’s quest for world-domination, the Lexus brand has become a huge badge and reputation for quiet and luxurious transportation. Yet, the IS series also strives to be a car for enthusiasts. Of course, that means competing in the crowded sports sedan segment.

But the IS didn’t offer a convertible version until recently. And it was launched with a marketing campaign suggesting a Lexus for those who love life and live dangerously. So Paul and Todd set out to see if this Lexus can actually live up to its marketing blitz.

This car was a regular viewer request. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the suggestion.

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Todd — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:12:09 +0000

Hyundai has long been the butt of jokes in the US car market. Their cars were known to be cheap in both price and feel. But change is upon us.

Beginning with their aptly named “Genesis” platform, Hyundai has put their Japanese rivals on notice. The Sedan targets the best of Lexus, and this coupe version aims for the Infiniti G37 coupe and Nissan 370z. But Hyundai offers these cars for thousands less than the competition… just like the Toyota and Nissan did years before.

The guys get the chance for a quick review in the most unforgiving place for a sports car, the track. Can this little upstart from Hyundai really offer worthwhile performance for thousands less?

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Subaru STI

Todd — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:56:06 +0000

The Subaru STI and Mitsubishi Evolution remain locked in a battle as heated as Pepsi vs. Coke. So when we had the chance to blast around the track in the STI, we went looking to see if this fire-breathing wagon can instill more love than the EVO X.

This is a quick review with less focus on the interior and more concern with taking a car to its limits. And a car like this will probably visit those limits a few times in the hands of every owner.

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Taurus SHO

Todd — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:11:41 +0000

The original Taurus SHO was introduced 20 years ago. It was a well known and affordable sleeper in the mid-sized sedan market. Now it’s back, with more power and All-Wheel Drive. And it even gets decent gas-mileage.

Paul and Todd take out the SHO to see if this version can hold up the name and reputation. Ford has set out to make American four-door muscle for the whole family. That’s like raising a child to be Jekyll and Hyde.

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Audi A4

Todd — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:03:34 +0000

The sports sedan segment has gotten crowded. And though BMW continues to be the poster child of the small performance four door, nearly every automaker has a competitor. Into this unfriendly arena steps the new, larger, more-powerful, and more gas-frugal Audi A4.

Paul owns the last generation A4, and Todd is a big fan of Audi. But can this new model finish in the top of it’s class? We took it through exclusive neighborhoods, cruising along the coast, and carving up canyons to assess all this A4 has to offer.

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Mitsubishi Evo X

Todd — Fri, 29 May 2009 06:13:25 +0000

The Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru STI remain locked in a Pepsi vs. Coke battle for the best Rally-Car-for-the-Street. The EVO X is Mitsubishi’s latest contender for the crown. The idea is both simple and absurd… stuff nearly 300hp into an economy car and sell it to drooling enthusiasts. But here with the tenth generation (see, that “X” means something), the crazy folks at Mitsubishi also include more computing power than NASA used to get to the moon.

So Paul and Todd went in search of a great road to see if this version is worth the hype.

You might want to bring a helmet. And watch this review LARGER.

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Dodge Challenger SRT8

Todd — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:01:18 +0000

Just when it seemed like gas prices and hybrid fever would finally kill the V8 muscle car, Dodge has decided to give the Mustang some competition. And with the Camaro on the horizon, it seems the 1970s are here again. All these new-generation muscle cars try to combine the best thirty year old designs with modern sensibility and technology. The result is often as mixed up as it sounds.

The guys climb into the big boy of the Challenger line-up, the SRT8. This angry, growling, time machine has an 6.1 liter Hemi engine under the hood. And a Mustang shaped chip on it’s shoulder. With some brief time on streets and track, they try to figure out if “the good old days” were worth bringing back.

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Pontiac Solstice

Todd — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:04:48 +0000

The Solstice is a long overdue surprise from Pontiac. Here’s a great looking car which is also great to drive. A genuine Miata competitor.

And now, with the announcement of Pontiac’s demise, the Solstice has become an endangered species. The good news is the engine will live on in other GM products, so owning one of these cars won’t mean you can’t get parts.

Paul and Todd drove this car a while ago, and remain fans. If you’ve ever considered it, now’s the time.

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Mitsubishi i-Miev

Todd — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:43:03 +0000

The world of Science Fiction has always said the future would be full of bubble shaped electric cars. And now, it may actually come true. At the 2009 New York Auto Show, Mitsubishi announced they do intend to bring their tiny-bulbous “i-Miev” to the States. So while it won’t be in your local dealer for a while, Todd got some time behind the wheel.

While there wasn’t time for a full review, or an argument with Paul, there’s enough here to ponder if a simple electric should be in your future. No one is pretending this is an enthusiast car, but it is transportation.

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Honda S2000

Todd — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:17:39 +0000

Honda isn’t known for fun, sexy, or high performance cars. But there are exceptions to every rule. The S2000 is the often forgotten competitor to the Miata, Z4, or Boxster. And since they’ve been made since 1999, there are a lot of chances to find one in any price range.

Add to that the bombproof reliability of Honda’s VTEC engine and the S2000 promises to be the most dependable fun car around. The guys take this high-strung ragtop for some high-altitude canyon carving to see if it can still thrill after all these years.

There just might be a convertible showdown in our future…

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