And the winner is . . .
Of the considerable number of cars I’ve owned over the past 17 years, only two have been from model year 1983. My 1983 Mercury Capri GS (my first car) and my 1983 BMW 533i (my current car).
This got me thinking about the similarities and differences between these two vehicles.
They […]
Several years back, the Audi 5000 was accused of randomly surging forward at full throttle, even though the brakes were pressed. An episode of CBS’s 60 Minutes in which an Audi 5000 had been rigged to jump forward with nobody inside probably didn’t help matters.
Audi was eventually absolved of any wrongdoings, however. They managed to […]
A lot is made of beta versions of software. These are pre-release versions which are made available to a small audience for the sole purpose of discovering any flaws or usability issues prior to a full-blown public release. I think this practice should spread outside the realm of computers, into the design and testing of […]
Ever since I first heard of the Grassroots Motorsports $1999 challenge back in - you guessed it - 1999, I have been just itching to compete.
The concept behind the event is simple: Just purchase and prepare a car to compete in an autocross, a drag race, and a concours-type car show judging. All […]
Charging headfirst into a heated debate . . .
When maintaining a classic auto, there comes a time when one is faced with the choice between replacing a component with the standard factory replacement or using an “improved” version of the same. For most people, the choice comes down to price, or more specifically value: which […]
My two biggest pet peeves with automotive design are seatbelts that are difficult to buckle and turn signal switches that don’t have an increase in resistance prior to fully engaging.
Seatbelts: One of the items that I use every time I drive my (or any other) car. A properly designed seatbelt should be able […]
Why do some cars just last longer?
I used to think it was 95% due to maintenance practices and 5% due to design. For example, the cars that tend to last longest (think Mercedes and BMW) are also typically more expensive.
Wait a minute! Doesn’t that mean that more money was spent engineering […]
Quick! Name one car made 50 years ago that is considered a classic today.
Not too difficult is it? Much more challenging would be to come up with a 1954 model car which, when driving down today’s roads, does not make heads turn. There may be some, but none that I can think of off the […]
What is it about some cars that stirs the soul? It’s not simply a performance issue.
My 1998 Audi A4 with its 1.8 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine driving all four wheels will drive circles around my 1983 BMW 533i with its 3.2 liter inline six cylinder driving the rear wheels. Everything about the Audi is […]
These are some of the cars I’d like to one day own. Price IS a factor, but these are in no particular order.
1. 1992-1997 BMW 850: These are gorgeous cars and fast to boot.
2. 1979-198? Porsche 928: Think Risky Business.
3. 1979 Pontiac Trans Am: I just can’t get enough.
4. 197? Fiat X1/9: The first […]
