The Car Blog

AUBURN HILLS, MI – In a second collaboration between Volkswagen of America, Inc. and First Act, the two will support Operation Happy Note, a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated solely to sending deployed soldiers musical instruments, by donating 250 First Act electric guitars and amps to those service men and women expressing an interest in music.

May 12

Car Buying: Familiarity Breeds Confusion

By Joel

You would think, as an automotive journalist, that it would be easy for me to buy a new car. Well, sorry to dissuade you, but it’s actually tougher.

Apr 06

The Next Big Thing - The Eternal Wait

By Joel

I recently got into a conversation with a co-worker (also a noted contributor to The Car Blog) who asked me if he should wait until the 2008 models came out, or buy a car now. In so many words, I told him if he always held out for bigger incentives, newer models, more powerful engines, etc., that he would be in a constant state of waiting and anticipation forever.

Feb 15

Smart on Steroids: A great idea

By Joel

3 Comments

Chances are, you’ve probably seen this video online. It’s of a modified Smart out-running a Ferrari F430 in the quarter-mile. A company called Smartuki out of the UK actually makes a conversion kit that adapts a GSX-R 1000 engine to fit in the back of the smart. Since the engine sits fairly upright, you do sacrifice some cargo space to put the monster moto-mill in the back, but as you can see if you clicked on the video, the results are well worth it.

Sep 12

Size vs. Speed: What’s More Manly?

By Joel

4 Comments

I recently read a column written by a writer who was a former truck owner and driver. In it, he recounts his recent memories of his big, burly Dodge Ram. Having ostensibly grown up in a more rural area, trucks were a normal part of the culture and way of life for him. But skyrocketing fuel prices forced his hand into buying, of all things, a Hyundai Sonata.

Aug 18

Recollection of a Truck Show Weekend

By Joel

Let me tell you something: there’s no such thing as a one-day truck show.

Aug 08

So how did this minitruckin’ thing happen to a person like Me?

By Joel

1 Comment

I didn’t have friends with minitrucks that have adjustable suspension, smooth body lines, bangin’ sound systems, big stickers, custom paint and custom interiors. Nor did I grow up around those minitrucks that break down and leave their drivers stranded. An acquaintance once asked if I wanted to “hit a switch”: I said no. I was a very precise person, only taking calculated risks while thinking of the consequences. I didn’t like ambiguity or confusion; I liked predictability and stability. This attitude infiltrated all aspects of my life.

Aug 04

Why Wagons Rock

By Joel

In the seven or eight years I’ve been an “official” enthusiast (someone that actually works in the automotive industry or gets paid to be an enthusiast), my career has taken a rather circuitous path. I’ve worked on or around cars, trucks, imports, domestics, in marketing, in journalism, and yes, ate Top Ramen for 6 months as a freelancer. All the cars I’ve owned could be broadly classified as “compacts”: