Jim Bray, CFP Automotive Editor

New Sedan Ups Mazda’s “6 Appeal”

It's the Mazda6 , which the company says is all new from stem to stern and top to bottom – and which surely looks and feels that way. In fact, so far as its looks are concerned, I think this is one of the best-looking sedans on the road today, sporty and modern and lovely to behold. And that's saying something; I thought the previous 6 was one of the nicest styling jobs around, yet park it next to the fresh 6 and the previous generation looks positively frumpy.

New Year’s Resolution

The price of full, 1080p compliant TV's are falling rapidly, making them more affordable and attractive all the time. But with 720p screens even more affordable, do you really need the extra pixels to enjoy HD at home?

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S – Power Player

What would you do if you had 550 horses at your beck and call? I don't know what you'd do, but I drooled. I mean, such power! And to come wrapped in the 2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, the top line model of Porsche's great SUV, well, for what more could anyone ask?

Casablanca Hits Blu-ray with Ultimate Collector’s Edition

It has been called the greatest movie ever made, and it's definitely on many people's lists of desert island discs. And now, Casablanca has been re-introduced to the world in what Warner Brothers calls an Ultimate Collector's Edition, on both Blu-ray and DVD.

Call of Duty: World at War – the “Greatest Generation’s” Finest Hours?

Activision's Call of Duty is back, with a look at World War II that'll so wind you up it may take a couple of stiff shots to wind you down after playing.

Suzuki Vitara a Grand SUV

Suzuki's new Grand Vitara could be the perfect SUV for many consumers looking for a vehicle in the "cute ute" class.

Clickfree Takes the Hassle from Data Backup

Do you back up your data religiously? I didn't either for a while, but losing everything on your computer is a powerful incentive to starting backup up your data on a regular basis. It was in about 1982 that I learned the importance the hard way. My partners and I had computerized our chain of video stores with a Radio Shack PC we'd upgraded to a massive 64K of RAM and two 5.25 inch floppy disk drives. Then, advances in technology let us buy a massive four megabyte hard disk drive on which to store our data, one of the most valuable pieces of which was a custom-built point of purchase program. That hard drive alone cost us four grand (and was about the size of the entire PC I use today) and we were proud to the point of smugness about it.

Innovative Headphones a Life Saver?

Can your life be saved by headphones? Can an inexpensive and simple gadget keep your garage secure? To answer these burning questions I'm sure people have been asking since time immemorial, I turned my gadget-loving sights on a couple of interesting devices that do decidedly different jobs: the Audio Bone headphones and the Garage One garage door closer. One is an ear opening experience, while the other offers closure to angst-filled garage owners. An Audio Bone to Pick…

Looking for a Minivan?

It may not be the most glamorous segment of the car biz, but minivans are still popular items with people who need the room and flexibility. And in this niche, the Honda Odyssey is a fine entry, one of if not the best available. I took a 2008 Odyssey for a week near the end of its life, the last writer to get it before retirement (the van, not me, alas). And as it turns out, when I was finished with it, it truly was ready for the automotive equivalent of the old folks home which, if it were actually to exist (and other than the difference in brand name), should by all rights be called "the old Volks home". I'll tell you about that later.

VW Jetta Diesel – TDI, not TD-ous

In a time of unstable gasoline prices, one might think a hybrid is the best way to go. But there's a proven alternative that offers the gas mileage you want without requiring a hybrid's premium price. It's the diesel, an engine that has been around forever but which has also been dumped upon nearly forever for such things as emissions and noise. But today's diesel can be different from days gone by, if Volkswagen's "clean diesel" technology is any indication.

Lincoln MKS – Sedan in Sync

Lincoln's new full size sedan is packed with all kinds of nifty features and offers good performance. But is it enough to bring in new customers to the famous brand?

Porsche Introduces a 911 for Chocoholics

Who would have thought that painting a car brown would cause it to become an object of lust?

Lexus Unleashes a Beast

It's a lean, mean driving machine, yet it comes from a company whose name is more associated with luxury than sports.

Spinspotter – Your Browser’s Built-in BS Detector

What does it say about people's perception of the news media that a company believes it can profit from a product that calls out the media on your behalf?

Bluetooth Devices Connect People on the Go

Though it's named after an ancient Viking king, Bluetooth technology is a decidedly modern way for devices to reach out and touch each other. And that's helping road warriors stay in touch – or get their work done – nearly anywhere.

Saab 93 Aero – Euro Fighter

While the name Saab is also associated with cool jet fighters such as the Gripen, when it comes to the Saab 9-3 Aero sedan, the Swedish manufacturer's automotive offerings are far more down to earth.

Epson Front Projector Manna for Movie Fans

Though Epson may be thought of traditionally as a maker of computer peripherals such as printers and scanners, the company has built a credible name for itself in the home theater market as well.

Ford Flexes its Marketing Muscles with New Crossover

It's big, it's boxy, it's flexible! It's the new Flex, Ford's latest entry into the increasingly crowded crossover market

Government, Business, Threatens Drivers’ Freedom

If you think Big Brother was watching you before, get ready for a couple of technological tricks aimed at drivers that could drag us even closer to the type of slavery promised by the Left.

HDMI Switchers Enhance Home Theater Flexibility

The HDMI interface has come into play in the home theater world over the past couple of years, marketed as the best way to connect your audio and video components in the age of high definition.