Tag: images

2016 Ford F-150 Supercrew 4x4 Lariat - Just Try Bare Hand Crushing This Pickup - Review

Say HOWDY PARDN'R to the bold new 3-Bar grille 2016 Ford F-150. America's most popular half-ton was re-designed in 2015. .<br> <br> Prices begin at under $25K and can exceed $60K in Platinum trim. Our Supercrew Lariat 4x4 short box pegged at a hefty $54K.<br>
* * * * * * * * * * * * (NOTE: This review has been UPDATED with CORRECTIONS since original publication.) Last year, Ford re-designed its 35 year strong top-selling F-150 half-ton pick-up truck around an aluminum body. Apparently, the mostly [Chevrolet] “Bow Tie Fans” who heckled “Isn’t that what soda pop cans... Read more »
By George Straton,
June 20, 2016 at 10:31 am • 

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab 4x4 - Beefier Taco For Border Runs - Quick Review

This year the newly re-designed sales champ of mid-size pickup trucks has become bigger and brawnier than ever. <br> <br> Starting price for 2016 Tacoma SR5 4x2 = $25K. This loaded "Blazing Blue Pearl" Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 Double Cab lists for $38,995.<br>
* * * * * * * * * * * * It’s…BACK. Now it’s…BIGGER And a bit BADDER. “Drive…He Said” is speaking of everybody’s Go-To mountain goat when a full-size half-ton pickup truck is too much. WHAT: All-new 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab 4×4 – a.k.a. “TACO” Remake of the most off-roaded... Read more »
By George Straton,
June 10, 2016 at 8:01 am • 

2016 Honda Accord Coupe V6 - Save the Double Door Part Deux - Quick Review

2016 Honda Accord Coupe digs its heels in on the 2-door front-wheel drive mid-size coupe.<br> <br> Starting at $23,875 for a 4-cylinder manual version, this top trim V6 Touring automatic runs $34,225.<br> <br> This year's more dapper duds are underpinned by: Thinner, wider wing-themed grille flanked by tweezed headlamps trimmed in LEDs and black mesh lower fascia with thin strip LEDs contained in simulated cooling duct corners. All very Acura-esque.<br>
* * * * * * * * * * * * When the local supermarket announces it’s axing the only affordable house-branded alternative to pricey Ben & Jerry’s pistachio ice cream panic sets in. Yet few lamented the passing of  the Nissan Altima Coupe and Toyota Solara. “Drive…He Said” thinks maybe those brands didn’t... Read more »
By George Straton,
April 22, 2016 at 1:11 pm • 
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2015 Kia Forte Koup SX - Aperture & Letter Omissions Keep Breed Alive - Quick Review

2015 Kia Forte Koup SX 1.6T is a "Juiced-Up" version of the well-received Forte compact family sedan...Minus two doors. Keeping the breed alive.<br> <br> The base EX variant is sensibly priced from $18,590, while our 201 hp SX tester ran $25,485<br>
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Until recently “affordable enthusiastic driving” was the domain of high-style, but lower utility, two-door coupes. Then, “Drive…He Said” discovered some enthusiastic four-doors out there, picking the sleek  2014 Kia Forte EX  automatic as tops... Read more »
By George Straton,
December 29, 2015 at 2:20 pm • 

2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude - Snazzy Ford-er - Video Review

"Altitude Edition" is the name given to the "Plushest" 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. <br> <br>The 5 occupant convertible off -road SUV, with leather seating is priced from $36,395. This Firecracker Red clearcoat model fitted with HDD navigation: $41,715.<br>
There’s some hubbub that near the end of 2016 the world will see Fiat Chrysler’s Italian influence on the Jeep Wrangler. After all, the current JK platform, dates back to 2006, when German Daimler-Benz had a hand in Jeep. Expected exterior styling changes are likely to be evolutionary, dual solid axles will soldier on, and... Read more »
By George Straton,
December 4, 2015 at 1:35 pm • 

2016 Lexus RX 350, RX 450h - Carolina Finer - First Drive Review

All-new 2016 Lexus RX 350 nestled in the woods outside Raleigh, North Carolina. It's the 4th edition of the most popular luxury crossover utility vehicle sold in the United States. Assembled in Ontario, Canada, the new RX is priced starting from $41,900 for front-drive versions; $43,300 for all-wheel drive iterations.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – It’s been just 4 years since a refresh of Lexus’ “ChiChi” RX Cross-Over Ute. Last week “Drive…He Said” sampled the new 4th generation  2016 Lexus RX 350 and 450h. The operations base: the sumptuous Umstead... Read more »
By George Straton,
November 10, 2015 at 2:45 pm • 
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2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI - HOTness To Take Home - Review, Video

Re-designed 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI = "Hot Hatchness" any enthusiast driver would want to have a long-term relationship with.<br> <br> Starting price for romance with the new GTI: $24,875<br>
* * * * * * * * * * * * Relationships with “HOT-ness”, memorable though they may be, aren’t always KEEPERS. Exception: “Drive…He Said’s”  relationship with the re-designed 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI . Hot Hatch Bodacious : Take an iconic, if slightly prosaic, small family hatchback. ADD: √ Chiseled lower air-dam, √ Roof... Read more »
By George Straton,
September 4, 2015 at 4:31 pm • 

2016 Scion iA and 2016 Scion iM - Sons of Toyota Lose Quirkiness, Keep Value - First Drive Review

"Son of Toyota" Renaissance:<br> <br> (TOP) All-new 2016 Scion iA subcompact family car, built off Mazda2 bones & muscle, priced loaded at $15,700.<br> <br> (BOTTOM) New for 2016 Scion iM sporty compact hatchback. Scion rebadged its European-market Toyota Auris, with familiar U.S. spec Corolla guts, pricing a loaded iM at $18,460 <br>.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – “Drive…He Said” just returned from a Scion Automobiles media preview in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a first chance for seat time in the all-new 2016 Scion iA and 2016 Scion iM automobiles.... Read more »
By George Straton,
August 6, 2015 at 1:40 pm • 

2015 BMW X5 xDrive35i - Coin Lob Into Fountain of Sports Active Ute - Review

2015 BMW X5 xDrive35i: Rejuvenated Luxury Sports Activity Vehicle with "Ute-fullness." <br> <br> Base price has risen to $55,100. Previously optional Technology and Convenience packages are now standard for a net savings of $3300. Price of this well-optioned Mineral White Metallic tester: $70,975 <br>
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Timeline, Fountain of Active Youth/ Utility: CIRCA 1999: “The Artist Formerly Formerly Known As Prince” prophesized it.  The “Little Blue Pill” [aka Sidenfil, or Viagra]” and the first luxury Sports Activity Vehicle, the... Read more »
By George Straton,
April 20, 2015 at 11:57 am • 
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2015 GMC Canyon SLE Crewcab 4x4 - City Folk Pickup Pandering - Highlights Review

See how the all-new $39,090 2015 GMC Canyon 4WD SLE Crewcab, with 5'-foot 2"-inch shortbox, fits into 20'-foot two-vehicle house garage<br> <br> It also clears most urban public parking structures too.<br> <br> Canyon SL Extended Cab with 6'-foot 2"-inch long box prices start at $21,800.<br>
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – By trotting out their all-new Colorado/ Canyon mid-sizers this past fall, Chevrolet/ GMC assured City Folk at least 7/10ths of what Country Folk get in their half-ton pickups trucks. WHAT: “Drive…He Said”  sampled... Read more »
By George Straton,
April 3, 2015 at 2:58 pm •