There’s no doubt that subcompact and compact SUVs are the vehicle of choice right now for U.S. car buyers, clearly pushing sedans to the curb. While sedans have dropped in popularity, large SUVs are still somewhat coveted due to their towing power, three-row capability and overall safety. The economic hard times that hit the U.S. […]
Travel/Golf/Auto reviews
Mazda Miata convertible still providing thrills
Find a nice isolated country road with lots of twists and turns, and this classic convertible sports car comes to life. Although not the ideal ride for all situations, when it comes to delivering fun, the diminutive Mazda Miata ranks near the top on the list of choices. And that’s high praise for a car […]
Bailey Creek a great golf getaway
One might expect a remotely located golf course near Lake Almanor – roughly 77 miles northeast of Chico – to be on the quiet side during these pandemic times. But that would have been the wrong assumption on this early-afternoon round at Bailey Creek Golf Course. Available tee times were practically nonexistent and the resort […]
CR-V hybrid enhances Honda’s green image
After years of venturing slightly into green automobiles, Honda has made a firm commitment for the future. Honda previously announced that by 2022 it will remove all its vehicles in Europe that rely solely on internal combustion engines. That’s coming from an auto manufacturer that in 2019 had only 7 percent global sales of hybrids. […]
Lexus RC 300 needs better performance
This is a sports car that looks cool and inviting. However, as the old saying goes, looks aren’t everything. The 2020 Lexus RC 300 is an attractive vehicle with some nice angles and curves that definitely create a pleasing eye appeal. But the inherent problem here is the RC 300 delivers disappointing performance that belies […]
Versatile 2020 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV
The Hyundai Ioniq was the first vehicle worldwide to offer three different types of electrified powertrains on the same platform. Four years since its debut, the Ioniq is still trying to carve out a niche among American car buyers. The Ioniq brand is better received in Europe, where sales are just under 32,000 for 2018 […]
Mazda3 sales declining
So, what’s the issue with the Mazda3, formerly a darling among U.S. car buyers? Sales of the once popular compact sedan/hatchback took a dramatic dip in 2019. And this year it will likely be worse. Last year, sales slid to 50,741 (a 21.5 percent decline), by far its lowest sales totals since its inception 16 […]
Toyota C-HR needs more performance
Toyota and its luxury division (Lexus) have manufactured a lot of sport utility vehicles, a sizable list that features SUVs large and small. To Toyota’s credit, most of them are well regarded. And most importantly to the Japanese automaker, the fleet of SUVs does well in terms of sales in the U.S. market. The smallest […]
Serene setting at Lake Almanor Country Club course
When vacationing in scenic Lake Almanor, the focus naturally centers around what can be enjoyed on the eighth largest lake in California (28,257 acres). The list of water activities is immense, and includes boating, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing, wake boarding, tubing, sailing, fishing, and swimming. If looking for something to do on land, […]
Refreshed Ford F-250 truck
This is one heavy-duty pickup. And to make it a little more appealing for truck lovers, Ford has updated the popular F-250 this year. The 2020 Ford F-250 arrived this year with an updated front and rear styling, plus has a new optional off-road package. Oh, we buried the lede – it also offers a […]