http://www.byjamesraia.com en-us N/A robert@cfx.org Thu, 15 May 2008 20:56:05 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/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/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/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 http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/109/1/Ford-Edge-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html A friend took a good, long look at the interior and exterior of the new Ford Edge, chuckled and said, "Well, for a Ford it's pretty edgy."

True enough. With the 2008 Edge, the often conservative Ford has extended the definition of the term "crossover."
]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:51:40 EST http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/109/1/Ford-Edge-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/108/1/Saab-9-3-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html Beginning its second half-century, Saab remains an attractive niche choice for car buyers seeking alternatives to popular Germany and Japanese offerings.

With the 2008 9-3, the Swedish manufacturer deserves to further improve its positioning in the entry level luxury market. ]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:40:30 EST http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/108/1/Saab-9-3-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/107/1/Mazda-RX-8-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html Sports cars are rarely known for comfort or convenience. But Mazda does a good job of overcoming the stigma with the RX-8. It's a coupe with four doors (sort of) and it's about as comfortable as sports cars get.

Mazda further differentiates itself in the sports car class via its signature rotary engine. It's the system that replaces pistons pumping in cylinders with triangular rotors spinning in oval chambers. My weekly driver was the 2008 Grand Touring model, the most expensive of the three options, which also include the Sport and Touring models.


]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:27:03 EST http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/107/1/Mazda-RX-8-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html