Continue reading Spring Rally: Finishing on the track

Spring Rally: Finishing on the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2005 14:31:46 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Spring Rally: GTO and Z51 on the road

Spring Rally: GTO and Z51 on the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2005 13:17:48 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the more talked about vehicles at the rally, besides the Ford GT40, was the Mitsubishi Eclipse. It was orange. Strike that. We were told not to call it orange but Sunset something or other. But man was it orange. In the early going of the morning the Eclipse was out on the track constantly and someone didn't listen to Mitsubishi's plea "not" to trash it on the track. The clutch was certainly feeling the effects of what I called the "yahoo" factor. I was pretty surprised at how some writers totally abused the cars. There was no lack of speed for me and I managed to bring all the cars back in one piece just fine. But you could smell the burning clutches of a number of cars.

Continue reading Spring Rally: Eclipse Rising

Spring Rally: Eclipse Rising originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2005 11:03:08 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Some of the vehicles you couldn't take on the track were still very significant ones. The one that called out to me was the Range Rover Supercharged. It was big, black and, yes, very beautiful. Inside it was upscale all the way. On the road it was the surprise of the two days.

Continue reading Spring Rally: SUV time

Spring Rally: SUV time originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2005 08:59:16 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Spring Rally: Getting on the Track

Spring Rally: Getting on the Track originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2005 23:10:48 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Spring Rally Day 1

Spring Rally Day 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2005 18:01:52 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bill gates and Bill Ford Jr. addressed the Microsoft Global Automotive Summit at Ford's suburban Detroit headquarters (hey where was our invite?). Gates said the end goal of any technology in automobiles is to create a car that avoids crashes. Currently, lane avoidance systems are an early attempt. But more logical for today are computer systems that would aid suppliers, designers and sales. Also if you haven't checked out the Engadget interview with Bill Gates go there now!

Bill Gates and Bill Ford talk tech and cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2005 15:50:48 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While we are chained to our desks at Autoblog's Chicago headquarters, Tom over at Chicago Car News is off visiting the local BMW dealership just for fun. This sounds like a regular thing for Tom. While it might seem like an odd habit, it has led him to the discovery of the new 2006 BMW 3 Series on lots, and it's for sale. Has anyone seen a 3 Series commercial yet? You'd think they might want to get those rolling sometime soon.

BMW 3 Series spotted in Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2005 13:04:45 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the least talked about but most important new models of 2005 has just been given a ballpark figure. The all-new Mitsubishi Eclipse will start around $20,000 for the GS version and $25,000 for the GT version. While the prices are slightly below the current sticker on the outgoing model, it still seems high for a coupe at a company battling uncertainty. Perhaps the price will be loaded with numerous features so there won't be much to add-on. There hasn't been much reported on the new model but we should get a chance to check it out...hmmm...let's see here...this week! Keep an eye out.

Mitsubishi hints at new Eclipse pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2005 08:53:52 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When we first saw stories on the International CXT we didn't think it would be sold in huge numbers or taken as anything more than a celebrity overindulgence. For the most part we were right, but it seems the Boston Globe actually reviewed the thing for a regular column. Unfortunately we don't really hear (or see) much that we haven't before. There are exactly two paragraphs describing the actual driving experience of the CXT. The rest seems to be all about celebs and specs we can get off the International website.

International CXT reviewed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2005 14:51:47 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Newly opened Ferrari Maserati of Silicon Valley in Redwood City isn't just the largest Ferrari Maserati dealership in California. The 10,000 square foot dealership isn't just the biggest dealership in the U.S. either. For a number of reasons the Italian carmaker has put their largest dealership in the world smack dab in the heart of Silicon Valley. The Internet boom may be over, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of tech millionaires in the area eagerly looking for a prestigious ride. Plus, where else will Alex Smith spend that top draft pick bonus money?

Largest Ferrari dealership opens in Silicon Valley originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2005 12:32:11 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Even though Mazda profits for the latest fiscal year were up 35 percent, due to streamlining costs and better exchange rates overseas, things aren't perfect for the company. Analysts (those damn analysts) were expecting even better numbers. The company says they will see net income rise another 20 percent next year with a new Miata, sorry MX-5, Mazda 5 and MazdaSpeed6 all going on sale this year. We're still heavily on the Mazda bandwagon as far as ther products, but have not been impressed with their marketing or advertising. They need to hire the guys doing the new Jetta commercials, quick.

Mazda profits up, still not enough? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Apr 2005 13:51:59 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

BMW crashes into second story of house originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Apr 2005 10:43:58 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea is a trendspotter. He must have been paying attention to Mercedes' decline and is equipping the presidential fleet with new BMWs instead of the former Mercedes. The government is buying five bullet-proof 760 Li BMWs (the longer wheelbase version). There will be 5mm of bullet-proof glass and a stronger frame. This will raise the price of the cars significantly. Some are saying ten times more than the MSRP of $117,300. It really is good to be the president (or king).

South Korean president gets five top of the line BMWs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2005 16:47:09 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rival goes off on Drive! Magazine originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:05:08 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A long time ago I posted about getting my own car, a 1999 Ford Escort ZX2 (yes that's what I've had since my first post-college job), that I wanted to eventually autocross. Well, I finally got around to getting some parts put on the sucker. This morning a friend lent me some garage time and put on a new strut brace for the engine and a much larger rear sway bar (19mm from 13 mm stock) with new polyurethane bushings. I was surprised at how affordable the upgrades were and how great an impact they've had on the small coupe's body lean. Taking sharp turns and twisties is much more enjoyable now, even if the car is nothing compared to most I get to test. Next up is a new set of tires, as much for performance as that my current ones are virtually bald. Hey, it's easy to overlook when you rarely drive your own car.

Continue reading Project ZX2 update

Project ZX2 update originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2005 17:25:40 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Our much attacked reader Stew, has sent in a couple of new pictures of his Honda Ridgeline. We're posting these as a follow-up to his original post and to also show a different color of the truck. The Steel Blue Metallic paint is pretty nice actually but shows off how awful the taillights can look. I also dig the roof rack that wasn't on our test vehicle. We're simply showing off a reader's vehicle that has been much talked about and offers a more appealing color than the silver on our tester. If you comment, try and be constructive.

Continue reading A different hue of Ridgeline

A different hue of Ridgeline originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:44:32 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Automobile Magazine

is the latest to rant and rave about the new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. Of course they can't let the good will fly without taking a jab at ailing Mitsubishi itself. I wonder if Mitsubishi, Mercedes and GM execs should start a support group. Anyway, the Evo is better than ever but just barely. For a publication that named the Evo its car of the year two years ago, I'm surprised Automobile doesn't say more about this latest generation.

More Evo IX raves originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2005 10:31:05 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Oh how the mighty have fallen. No one would have guessed that Merecedes-Benz would be the weakest link over at DaimlerChrysler AG. But there it is mired in customer complaints and aging designs. Chrysler, Daimler's commercial vehicles and the financial services will only keep you afloat for so long (ask Ford). So how does DCX leadership expect to turn things around with Maybach and Smart not selling well and quality issues at Mercedes? "Patience."

The weakest link, Mercedes? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2005 16:53:13 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One thing that helped me reach a number of conclusions about the Ridgeline was the fact that everyone driving other trucks took a look at it. Since I was being eyed often by construction workers, plumbers, lawn guys et al., I took a look at their trucks to see what they could do better than the Rdgeline. The only thing I surmised as a benefit to them was the standard sized bed for additional storage bins. So if Honda made their own I think a lot of these potential buyers might like the added reliability and mileage of the Ridgeline.

Continue reading 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL: In The Autoblog Garage Day 5

2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL: In The Autoblog Garage Day 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2005 15:35:02 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.