Isn’t preparation the key to everything? You’ve talked about why drivers should learn to drive a stick shift: you’re more in command, you can avoid up-charges at car rental counters in foreign countries, it makes you a more in-tune driver. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. But then there are the reasons NOT to learn to…
A Quicker Heartbeat and a Bigger Grin: The Hyundai Elantra N and Kona N are Here
I don’t know of any other car that has grin mode, do you? “It’s not about power or RPMs,” says Albert Bierman, president, and head of research and development of Hyundai and Kia Motors, “It’s all about the grin on your face and your heartbeat” when he spoke passionately about the all-new 2022 Hyundai Elantra…
All the Golf You Want and None of What You Don’t: 2022 VW Golf R and VW Golf GTI
If you like to have fun behind the wheel, this is for you. Unlike many people who learned to parallel park in a city, I learned to parallel park in the mountains of North Carolina. I’d been able to skip this skill in driver’s education, but if you want to park a car on the…
2022 Toyota GR 86 First Drive Review: Don’t Let This Sexy Little Sports Car Fool You: It’s Fun, Fast and Affordable
The Toyota GR 86 performs as good as it looks, and it looks really good. Sometimes I like to get behind the wheel and just drive. I turn off the music, open the windows, and listen to the rumble of the engine as it filters into the cabin. It’s “me” time, and taking it in…
5 Reasons You’ll Want To Drive A Manual Transmission
I have always had a fascination with cars. So much so, that while growing up I was completely obsessed with the General Lee from the 70s/80s TV series, The Dukes of Hazzard. I could not wait to sit in front of the television each week to watch the vehicle fly through the air leaving Boss Hoss…
Honda Civic Si Review: What If An Inexpensive Stick Shift Sedan Could Actually Be Fun?
That’s what Honda thought, too. I’m pretty sure anyone who saw me driving the 2020 Honda Civic Si thought I was driving my son’s car or I was having a mid-life crisis. It’s not really the car for a mom from the ‘burbs. (Maybe it’s the sport spoiler on the trunk the gives it away,…
Audi A5 Sportback: Perfect Small Luxury Car for Stylish Working Moms
The Audi A5 Sportback is the perfect small luxury car for stylish moms like me. Almost a year ago, I purchased the Audi A5 Sportback with the Premium Plus Package. I’ve come to love this small luxury 4-door sedan so much so that I’ve named it “Sexy Beast.” It is the perfect luxury car for stylish working…
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Is The Perfect Wet Weather Circuit Car
Learning to handle wet weather driving when living in a rain forest is kind of important. I was invited to the Island Motorsport Circuit to test out their new Wet Weather Training program. I brought the 2020 Mazda MX-5 GT (Miata) to test it out. The program is designed to cover wet weather driving, and…
The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book Can Make Your Holiday Road Trip an Exercise in Perfection
You need a bit of luxe in your life, this year more than ever. Every year, luxury retailer Neiman Marcus curates a select group of Fantasy Gifts, an exclusive group of products and experiences that come with an over-the-top price tag. But for a less pricey investment, the company curates a Christmas Book with a…
Teach Someone to Drive a Stick Shift in 8 Easy Steps
You can do this. And so can she. You learned years ago and for you, driving a stick shift is natural. Friends say enviously, ‘I wish I’d learned to drive a stick.’ But teaching someone to drive can be a harrowing, even friendship-breaking experience. Add in a manual transmission and forget it; you may never…