Here’s a first look at the latest Ride of the Week, the 2013 Nissan Quest LE. Minivans get a bad rap. Critics say these vehicles are uninspired and boring, that they’re transportation appliances designed with the sole purpose of moving people. The naysayers recommend car shoppers that want engaging styling and driving dynamics look elsewhere. I disagree. After owning a […]

For those of us who don’t reside on the west coast, Volkswagen Type 2 pickup trucks and panel vans are not too common a sight. Even in the vintage VW haven that is California, passenger buses are generally more common than Type 2 work trucks. But despite their relative rarity, both the panel vans and single-cab and double-cab pickups are […]

To my delight, I’ve been behind the wheel of a wide range of cars over the past six months or so, including everything from rare vintage sports cars to modern econoboxes. Variety being the spice of life, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience these many different automobiles and to share my impressions with readers. Along with others from Atlanta’s […]

J.D. Power’s annual Dependability Survey results show Toyota brands on top in eight of the fourteen categories. The Blue Oval is a big winner too, with vehicles from Ford brands taking three slots. The survey looks at 3-year-old vehicles, so these 2012 rankings reflect 2009 models. Here are the winners by category: Sub-compact Car: Toyota Yaris Compact Car: Toyota Prius […]

Mercedes-Benz announced pricing for 2012 Sprinter models. I’ve driven two different Sprinters extensively in work applications, one a first-gen cab chassis with a utility body, the other a second-gen LWB high-roof van. I can highly recommend the Sprinter for its utility and its comfort, its power and its efficiency. Model MY 2012 MY 2011 Sprinter Cab Chassis* $35,815 $35,465 Sprinter […]

Nissan’s US-built NV full-size van is not selling well. Late last month Autoblog reported that dealers were overstocked with a 205-day supply at the end of September, but Nissan’s decision to market a passenger version of the NV starting next spring may help bring customers in. The NV3500 HD Passenger Van features a 4-row/12-passenger setup with flexible seating arrangements. A […]