In Defense of: The Mazda RX-8
By Michael KareshSeptember 29, 2008 - 3,786 views
A fine-handling car carries on a conversation with the tips of your fingers and the seat of your pants, and not just near the limit of adhesion. Whether the engine's up front, in the middle or out back; whether the powerplant propels the front, rear or both wheels, a true "driver's car" is a master of communication and balance. While many cars have been successfully marketed based on their "ultimate driving," very few are capable of delivering such erudition. Many are downright pigs, offering nothing more than understeer followed by more understeer. As Jonny Lieberman's review indicates, the Mazda RX-8 is not amongst them. It is an under-appreciated gem.
In Defense of: The Mazda RX-8 editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 48 comments 
In Defense of: The Suburban
By Andrew DedererAugust 2, 2008 - 3,720 views
Oil shock version three-point-something is roiling the global economy. SUVs are doing a fair imitation of the dinosaurs in Fantasia. As the U.S. auto industry undergoes a rapid, convulsive, paradigm product shift, I feel a slight pang for T-Rex: the Chevrolet Suburban. I hope this example of the species pulls through. The SUV segment appears to be history, but the Suburban IS history.
In Defense of: The Suburban editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 41 comments
In Defense of… Regular Gas
By Michael MartineckJune 23, 2008 - 1,059 views
A guy says he’s stopped using premium gas in his “premium gas required” car because it’s too damn expensive. It’s a joke, right? He’s saving 30 cents now, only to threaten his warranty and pay thousands in repairs later? “Yes” is the easy answer. But the truth about cars can be a funny thing, especially when you add fuel and flames.
With apologies to the chemists, theoretical physicists and tuners out there, here is an octane apercu: octane rating measures knock resistance. It has nothing to do with energy content. Engine knock (or ping) occurs when fuel detonates before the piston is in the right spot. The temperature and pressure in the cylinder cause the fuel-air mixture to detonate prior to the spark.
In Defense of… Regular Gas editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 49 comments
In Defense of… the Chevrolet Volt. Ish.
By Michael KareshJune 17, 2008 - 189 views
Critics of Chevrolet's upcoming plug-in gas - electric hybrid Volt fail to realize one thing: it doesn't matter if the car isn't perfect. It doesn't even matter if the Volt fails to achieve ANY of its much-hyped metrics: price, range or reliability. It's what happens AFTER GM's Hail Mary is released that counts. If GM can keep plugging-away (so to speak) on the Volt, they could, eventually, offer a genuine competitor to the the all-conquering Toyota Prius. One need only look at the fiddly roof still blighting the once red-hot Pontiac Solstice to know the odds of this happening are not high. Or, alternatively, contemplate GM's new product development history vs. the genesis of the Prius.
In Defense of… the Chevrolet Volt. Ish. editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 58 comments
In Defense of… Saturn
By Andrew DedererMay 13, 2008 - 7,214 views
Does the head of Saturn have photos of important movers and shakers with goats? How else can you explain Saturn’s survival? All that’s left of GM’s “different kind of car company” is the same old spray of red ink. From import fighter to importer of Americanized Opels, Saturn’s been an abject failure for decades. And yet, GM’s has deemed Saturn one of their three “sales channels.” While there are few (non-goat-related) “image” reasons for Saturn to continue, a close look at the numbers shows its defense lies in what can be done, not what people [re]think.
In Defense of… Saturn editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 58 comments
In Defense of… GM’s ADD
By ChrisHaakApril 3, 2008 - 14,042 views
In GM Death Watch 171, Mr. Farago contends that GM suffers from corporate-grade Attention Deficiency Disorder (ADD). He’s probably right. However, some ADD may be a good thing, if not a necessity, in an automobile company’s culture. Any carmaker operating in this period of uncertainty-- recession, 25 percent higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, high fuel prices, CO2 emission concerns, and more-- would be foolish NOT to invest the time and energy into developing as many alternative solutions as possible.
In Defense of… GM’s ADD editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 29 comments
In Defense of: Crappy Handling Cars
By David DruckerDecember 3, 2007 - 24,355 views
Despite this website’s constant ruminations on the handling capabilities of various contemporary automobiles, the truth about cars is this: on any road that isn’t The Tail of the Dragon, you can set the cruise control to 10mph over the limit, put your feet up and just steer. Above that, well, what sets the lowly Camry and its ilk apart from cars whose dynamics get the Serious Drivers’ Seal of Approval is how quickly things start to get dicey. And that’s where the real fun begins.
In Defense of: Crappy Handling Cars editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 56 comments
In Defense of: The Porsche Panamera
By Kevin RE WattsNovember 28, 2007 - 22,828 views
For all intents and purposes, a Porsche sports car is the very definition of luxury; an indication that there's another car in the garage for the daily to and fro. By default, this significantly limits the brand’s potential audience. And no matter how lucrative it may be, no matter how pure the brand’s following, watching competitors reaping the benefit of additional markets is no easy job for an auto exec. In fact, it was only a matter of time before the German automaker bucked against its self-imposed limitations and tried something different.
In Defense of: The Porsche Panamera editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 54 comments
In Defense of: GM’s Hybrid SUVs
By William C MontgomeryNovember 19, 2007 - 27,986 views
Autumn in Texas plays host to a weekly cultural phenomenon known as high school football. Burgeoning grid iron gods burst on to the field of play from inflatable tunnels through mists of smoke and a phalanx of sparkly drill team coeds. A 300-student marching band plays the school fight song while two dozen cheerleaders power tumble across the field to herald the arrival of the young jocks. The stadium fills with ten thousand spectators-– mostly proud parents and rabid students-– who arrived to the game in typical Texas fashion: by truck. It is under the glare of these Friday night lights that I examine the value of GM's new hybrid SUVs.
In Defense of: GM’s Hybrid SUVs editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 86 comments
In Defense of “In Defense of Saab”
By Bell SpringsteenOctober 24, 2007 - 28,879 views
Before I respond to Steven Wade’s article “In Defense of Saab” and the resulting comments, I want to say a few words about the medium of discourse: the automotive blog. A few years ago, when automotive blogs first appeared, I was thrilled that I could comment on objectionable opinions. The ability to lodge instant feedback instantly rendered car magazines an anachronism. Or so I thought. After a month of commenting, I reread my previous posts. I was shocked by what I found. My comments were filled with hearsay evidence, unfounded opinions, attacks on cars I had never owned and a general prevalence of bullshit.
In Defense of “In Defense of Saab” editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | In Defense Of | 71 comments
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