Audi
Audi A6 V8 – Another Seductive Sedan
 By Jim Bray  Friday, February 1, 2008

It’s another one hit out of the park for Audi and its A6.

Audi A4 – Sweet Sedan
 By Jim Bray  Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Once again, Audi has made me lust after one of their vehicles.

Earlier this year, I spent a week in an Audi A6 Avant wagon, and was ready to kidnap it and spirit it far, far away where the Audi folks would never find us. 

Cadillac
The 2008 CTS – Cadillac’s Terrific Sedan
 By Jim Bray  Monday, February 18, 2008

Remember when calling something “The Cadillac of (whatever)” really meant something? Those days may be dawning again, if the new Cadillac CTS is any indication.

Chevrolet
Chevrolet Crafts a Winner with New Malibu
 By Jim Bray  Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Its name has been around for decades, but it seems like decades since the Malibu moniker was applied to a really interesting and compelling car. But it has now: Chevy’s Malibu is a car that deserves respect.

Dodge
Dodge Dakota Deigns to Drink Differently
 By Jim Bray  Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Talk about making a fuel of yourself. The Dodge Dakota midsized pickup is a heavy duty beast that for 2008 is capable of driving right past the gas pump – and straight to the ethanol one.

Ford
Ford’s New Taurus is No Bull
 By Jim Bray  Saturday, December 8, 2007

What’s in a name? Well, if you’re Ford it could be a lot.

After the company announced that last year’s Five Hundred would be this year’s Taurus, a name hearkening back to what they undoubtedly thought were better days of the 1980s and 1990s, I had to chuckle. 

Honda
Variations on an Automotive Theme: Honda Civic Hybrid, Acura CSX Type S
 By Jim Bray  Tuesday, April 29, 2008

What’s even better than a garden variety Honda Civic? How about a gas-sipping hybrid or a souped up, luxurious version.

Pilot--ing a Straightforward, Unassuming Honda SUV
 By Jim Bray  Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Though its name may be inspired by the high flying world of aviation, Honda’s Pilot SUV is a decidedly down-to-earth vehicle. And though it may come off as a tad bland, it’s really just a straightforward, no nonsense imagining of the eight passenger SUV niche. 

Jeep
Jeep Rubicon Offers an Off-road Blast from the Past
 By Jim Bray  Sunday, January 20, 2008

Talk about retro!

Lexus
Lexus GS 450h – No Slowpoke Hybrid, this!
 By Jim Bray  Monday, March 31, 2008

Love may not be quite as wonderful the second time around. But it’s still pretty good!

Mazda
Mazda SUV A Tribute To Days Gone By
 By Jim Bray  Thursday, December 13, 2007

Mazda’s Tribute small SUV is one case in which the manufacturer’s famous “zoom zoom” slogan doesn’t quite apply. It’s probably because the vehicle is a victim of time – it’s from a time now past.

Mazda MX-5 Tops Its Own Act!
 By Jim Bray  Monday, November 19, 2007

Mazda’s little bundle of joy was reborn about a year ago, moving beyond the loveable and classic Miata with a new look, new power, and a new, shorter name: just plain MX-5.

At heart, it’s still the joyful little Miata, the two seat roadster that turned the automotive world on its ear by taking everything that was great about affordable, open top motoring as personified by classic MG’s, Healeys and Triumphs and bringing to the mix the legendary Japanese dependability.

Mazda CX-7 Hauls People, Stuff, Butt
 By Jim Bray  Monday, November 19, 2007

Minivans are out, at least if you’re Mazda, and that may not be too bad a thing.

Mazda’s MPG minivan did about as good a job of putting “zoom zoom” into the little bus-like creatures as possible, and the last time I drove one I liked it quite a bit--as a minivan. But the MPG couldn’t hold a candle to the CX-7 which, while it may limit the tallness of objects you can carry compared to the minivan, ups the driving reward ante considerably while being just an all around more modern vehicle.

Mercedes Benz
New “Baby Benz” Blends Luxury, Comfort and Technology
 By Jim Bray  Monday, March 31, 2008

Mercedes-Benz’ C class is the most affordable of the German carmaker’s sedan line, but that doesn’t mean it feels like an entry level vehicle.
It is, after all, a Mercedes. And that means even its lower end cars are upper echelon in the grand scheme of things. So it is with the new C.

Nissan
Is Sporty New Coupe the “Altima-te” Nissan?
 By Jim Bray  Sunday, February 24, 2008

Take a popular mid-sized sedan, weld two doors shut and what do you get?

Pontiac
Catching the Vibe, West Coast Style
 By Jim Bray  Tuesday, April 29, 2008

They called it the “Catch the Vibe” Challenge, and it was definitely challenging.

Porsche
Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Lexus LX 570 – Awesome, Times Two
 By Jim Bray  Monday, March 31, 2008

They’re big, brawny and luxurious – and can go nearly anywhere. But are they any good?

Well of course they are – this is high end stuff!

Porsche Cayenne S – Splendid SUV
 By Jim Bray  Friday, December 7, 2007

Porsche stood the automotive world on its ear a few years ago when it announced it was branching out from sports cars and into the world of SUV’s. Some thought it was a travesty for a sports car company to branch out like this, but the Cayenne has sold well.

Toyota
Reborn 2009 Toyota Corolla Still Screams “Value”
 By Jim Bray  Monday, March 31, 2008

It has an all-new body, more room inside, and many other upgrades, but at heart it’s still a Toyota Corolla. And that should please millions of people.

Hybrid Highlander Flings Gas Pumps Away
 By Jim Bray  Friday, February 1, 2008

Toyota’s revamped 2008 Highlander is a nice “crossover,” kind of like a stretched RAV4. It’s comfortable, well-built and with plenty of features. But it’s also quite big, with three rows of seating available and plenty of room for hauling your stuff.

Volvo
New Volvo Crossover Worth a Look
 By Jim Bray  Sunday, January 20, 2008

Before I give you my impressions of Volvo’s newly-redesigned crossover, I’d like to correct some misinformation I disseminated in my piece on the Mazda Tribute a few weeks ago.  I wrote that it has disc brakes on all four wheels, which isn’t true: it has front discs/rear drums. I apologize for this sloppy reporting – though on the other hand it also helps to make my point that it’s time the Tribute were dragged into the 21st century. 

Car Accessories
Groovy Gadgets for Gearheads
 By Jim Bray  Sunday, January 20, 2008

Horntones. I don’t know if it’s the greatest gadget for the car since the turbocharger – or the worst example of a company chasing profits at the expense of public good. One thing I do know is that it made me laugh so hard when I first discovered it that I just had to share it with you.