TweetThe track was just a recent memory. Adrenaline is not my friend. It used to be, but it seemed to seep away when I got older. The ride alongs on Road America's wet 14 corners awoke that kernel in my DNA during the first day of the 2013 Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally. Sadly, …
TweetHow do I describe attending the largest of the annual events put on by the media association I belong to? For the first timer, it is perceived to be part-theme park, part-convention and a lot of work mixed in. I just so happen to be that first-timer. The event in question is the Midwest Automotive …
Tweet 2013 Scion xD. All photos by Randy Stern Opposites do attract. At the Twin Cities Auto Show, I partook in the annual Ride and Drive event featuring one brand only – Scion. Not sure why they were selected, since other brands activated similar drive experiences at other auto shows similar to the one in …
Tweet 2014 Kia Cadenza at the North American International Auto Show. Photo by Randy Stern There are premium brands. Then, there are premium cars. What is the difference? Good question. One might argue that it comes down to pedigree, the sales and post-sales experience. Others might argue on the side of snob appeal, enthusiast's chauvinism …
Tweet Photo by Randy Stern As I mentioned in my 2013 Chicago Auto Show piece, two Ride-and-Drive experiences were actually available on both Media and Social Media Preview days. In a city where you are shuttled between hotel, McCormick Place, private affairs and so far, the opportunity to take the wheel of a vehicle is …
Tweet 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Limited. All photos by Randy Stern The life of an automotive writer is not always glamorous. This year alone, I could count on one hand the number of glamorous moments I had in doing this work – make that three fingers. Everything else required plenty of legwork, groveling, a …
When the term "luxury car" is said, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Throughout the 1990s, the SUV craze took hold on the American motoring scene. It began with the perception that if you civilized something that resembled a Jeep, you could make a mint for families who were bored of minivans. After seeing Jeep secure their future through the 1984 Cherokee, every auto manufacturer felt compelled to make one.
TweetIn other to become a fully-fledged automotive enthusiast, you must drive a [fill in the blank]. I am certain there will be many responses as to complete the sentence above. It will probably take an entire post to parse out every possible answer. There will most likely be a good chunk of people that will …
TweetWho says that North Americans do not deserve some of the fruits of global excellence? It took us nearly 30 years for Fiat to return to this market. The leverage was a stake in Chrysler toward enabling distribution and production of its vehicles for our market. The Cinquecento – er, 500 – arrived last year …