Written by James Hamel (Continued...) First time new car buyers, are you looking for something that comes fully loaded, is as cheap as a used car or that can carry a lot of your stuff? Well look no further than our final three choices. 2017 Toyota Yaris iA Best Car that comes with Everything and Everyone can still afford it If you are out there looking to buy your first new car then we could see how you might miss this little four door sedan as its unassuming appearance from … [Read more...]
We Pick the Best First New Cars to Buy in 2017 (part one of two)
Written by James Hamel People in the market to buy their first new car are all at different stages in their lives. Some have just gotten their driver’s license; some are going to a university where the parents are hoping their kids will drive home now and then to visit them while still there are others who have always before now bought used cars but this time wanted that “new car smell.” If you want to know, the new- car smell is the odor coming from the toxic glues, dyes and sundry chemical … [Read more...]
2017 Subcompact SUVs: Jeep Renegade Limited vs. Honda HR-V vs. Fiat 500X Trekking
Written by James Hamel It could well be argued, especially looking at the models tested for this 2017 subcompact SUV comparison test, that these are the latest cute-utes that we are told are not aimed at “manly men.” So, does this make these SUV’s “girly?” What century is this? Well, if by “girly” you mean totally off-road capable all while offering slick and enjoyable manual transmissions at various trim levels then we suppose that is true. So, if slipping your CVT … [Read more...]
2017 Luxury Sport Sedans: Nissan Maxima SR vs. Chrysler 300S vs. Acura TLX SH-AWD
Written by James Hamel This is the true story of a comparison test between three luxury sport sedans which take very different paths to achieving their performance goals. For those with petrol in their veins, everyone should know that the aggressively styled 2017 Nissan Maxima is front-wheel drive, the 2017 Chrysler 300S is a rear driver with the only honest to goodness V8 on test here and the 2017 Acura TLX SH-AWD can send power to any slipping wheels even in dry weather conditions. Both the … [Read more...]
Five Great Travel Tech Gifts you can buy Yourself
We have all had this experience at one point or another when we hoped and wished someone would buy us that cool piece of travel tech. But usually unless we drop serious hints those travel tech masterpieces we want will not simply appear at the holiday party or family gift exchange at your Aunt Mathilda’s house that ended with you being the recipient of an intolerably ugly holiday sweater. Maybe it has Rudolph the Reindeer on the front and his nose lights up just to draw more attention to … [Read more...]
The GoGroove Flexsmart X2 is the Perfect Answer for your In-Car Connectivity Needs
Written by James Hamel We understand that most cars and light trucks that are bought and sold each year are used and that many of those do not come equipped with the basic connectivity features that most new car buyers take for granted. For instance, it was not all that long ago that Bluetooth hands-free calling, a USB port to charge your gadgets, an auxiliary input jack and wireless music streaming through your audio system was the stuff of expensive luxury cars which usually made you pay … [Read more...]
2017 Kia Optima Turbo UVO Infotainment System and Full Review
Written by James Hamel Overview (Letter Grade after 8 Categories: A Minus) Kia was once the sorry sad sack bargain basement car brand in the auto universe but nowadays what with it topping quality rankings above the likes of Lexus and Porsche all while giving its latest models a dash of design panache one could never have predicted just a decade ago when a car as stylish as the 2017 Kia Optima would never have been predicted by even the savviest automotive psychic. Back then Kia generally … [Read more...]
Project Mitsubishi Lancer: Transforming your ride with custom Katzkin Leather upholstery
Written by James Hamel Our 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer GT project car may still be a work in progress (with audio and LED lighting upgrades forthcoming) but we can say unequivocally that it underwent its biggest stylistic transformation already at the Southern California headquarters of Katzkin Leather. And if you haven’t heard of this company best known for its truck and Mopar Muscle Car interior transformations you can buy and finance through your local dealer does not sell car seat upholstery … [Read more...]
2017 Nissan Altima and Infotainment System Full Review
Written by James Hamel (Letter Grade after 8 Categories: C +) This is the story of the long time third place selling Japanese family sedan in the United States. Long overshadowed by the iconic Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, Nissan’s Altima has always seemed a bit like the little family sedan that could. It made you like it not because it was a superior product really when compared to its competition but because no matter what the odds, year after year it went into battle chasing the class … [Read more...]
An Apple Watch changed my Life for the Better
By James Hamel If you have ever met me, you may have noticed I have a hand tremor. It's not because I am nervous, drunk or a terrorist (yes, on planes people say crazy stuff). It is an essential tremor (meaning not Parkinsons and not going to kill me) that I have had since adolescence that has worsened as I got older. It is embarrassing in all manner of social situations because I never know what others are thinking about me and also because it can make doing small tasks like hitting the … [Read more...]
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