http://www.byjamesraia.com en-us N/A robert@cfx.org Thu, 15 May 2008 15:08:44 EDT 20 http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/122/1/Toyota-Corolla-2009-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html Its name connotes royalty, but who would have known 40 years ago when it was first sold in the United States that the Toyota Corolla actually deserved such a lofty title?

Corolla means “little crown,” and now in its fifth decade and with more than 33 million sold, there’s no reason to deny it. The Toyota Corolla, a little engine that could, continues to be royalty. ]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Mon, 12 May 2008 19:30:55 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/122/1/Toyota-Corolla-2009-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/121/1/Cyclist-David-Clinger-Marked-For-Success/Page1.html A decade into his professional career, David Clinger is riding for his eighth team. It's a squad that seems like a perfect fit for a cyclist who, like his new squad, has attracted as much attention off the bike as he has while pedaling.

A former teammate of Lance Armstrong, Clinger of Tarzana, Calif., returned from a unique off-season January, 2005 trip to Argentina. Enamored with the lifestyle and philosophy of the Polynesian culture, he had his face and scalp emblazoned with a Maori warrior-like tattoo that took 12 hours to complete.


]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Mon, 05 May 2008 15:02:40 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/121/1/Cyclist-David-Clinger-Marked-For-Success/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/120/1/Suzuki-Grand-Vitara-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html Now ending its first decade in production, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is a strong contender in the compact sport utility vehicle category. Its value pricing, strong warranty, good cabin and cargo space and satisfactory overall driving have prompted more potential buyers to give it appropriate consideration. ]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:43:48 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/120/1/Suzuki-Grand-Vitara-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/119/1/Honda-Fit-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html One friend took out the rear-seat head rest while driving so he could get a better view out the rear window. Another friend ripped through the gears of the automatic transmission to test the car’s sportiness. And a lot of other friends still didn’t recognize The Fit.

The subcompact is in its second year in the United States and eighth worldwide since its debut in 2001 in Asia. By either name, Honda’s entry-level vehicle in 2008 is much the same as it was last year. Which is to say: For about half the average price of the “average” new car in this country, Fit owners benefit from one of the most economical, efficiently constructed and versatile vehicles available.

]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:35:30 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/119/1/Honda-Fit-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/117/1/John-Daly-Booze-No-Biridies-amp-Hypocrisy-On-The-PGA-Tour/Page1.html The most unique moment I’ve ever seen in a golf tournament wasn’t a monster Tiger Woods’ shot or a missed short putt prohibiting a win.

The most unique thing I’ve ever seen was also viewed by millions of others on national television, and it was something you may not want to see again. I know I don’t.
]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:09:42 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/117/1/John-Daly-Booze-No-Biridies-amp-Hypocrisy-On-The-PGA-Tour/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/118/1/Audi-A4-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html Since its debut a decade and a half ago, the Audi A4 has built a reputation as a versatile entry-level luxury car. It’s strong on design, with superb handling and personality.

The Audi 4 offers a lot to different car buyers. Not many vehicles in the same class are offered as a sedan, convertible and wagon, and that’s another strong trait for the vehicle often credited with jettisoning Audi out of its sales slump and image problems in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:19:25 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/118/1/Audi-A4-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/116/1/Acura-MDX-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html I’m driving past gas stations in a 2008 Acura MDX, and as comfortable and secure as I am in one of the nicest sport utility vehicles around, I can’t help but think: Why should anyone buy this car?

And as contradictory as it may sound, it’s not a knock on the MDX. After its redesign last year, Acura improved what was already a shining example of the best of the mid-sized SUVs.
]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:45:45 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/116/1/Acura-MDX-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/16/1/Running-With-Autism-The-Anthony-Crudale-Story/Page1.html Daily summer life begins early in Las Vegas. Just after dawn, construction workers fill industrial size jugs at convenience store water vending machines, and sprinkler systems gushing like high-pressure fire hoses flood city parks.

Shadows quickly move across the backdrop of the red-tinted mountains that surround the valley. Blinding daggers of light reflect off the mirrored-glass windows of hotel-casinos along the gambling strip.

It is 6 a.m. and the city is hot before it is hot. Like other runners, cyclists, mothers pushing baby strollers and retirees on their daily constitutionals, morning is also Anthony Crudale's best time. Most days, he awakens at 4 a.m. and begins his day as his stepfather also prepares for work.

Crudale is not employed. But in recent times, his daily routine has consumed his time. Like others who suffer from the disorder of autism, Crudale is focused to near obsession. He wants to run fast marathons.
]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:34:43 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/16/1/Running-With-Autism-The-Anthony-Crudale-Story/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/115/1/Chevrolet-Malibu-Hybrid-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html It's hard not to see Malibu advertisements. With its keen redesign for 2008, Chevrolet has seemingly put everything it has into the marketing of the car named after the southern California beach city.

The promotion began in earnest during the 2007 World Series and it hasn't waned. Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and that's a hefty task.


]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:16:19 EST http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/115/1/Chevrolet-Malibu-Hybrid-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/114/1/Suzuki-SX4-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html Friends often ask the same question in different ways: “Why don’t you just drive Ferraris or Maseratis all the time?” Or, “If you’re going to drive to Los Angeles and back, you might as well do it in a top-of-the-line BMW or Lexus, right.”

They’re all good choices, likely fun to drive, and in some instances, impractical. Instead, my recent, round-trip trek from Sacramento to Pasadena was accomplished just fine, thank you — in a 2008 Suzuki SX4. ]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:47:36 EST http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/114/1/Suzuki-SX4-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html