Tag: 2000s
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Reader sighting: Infiniti FX Woody
Your humble host once worked on the Infiniti FX, but we never considered a version with woodgrain on the exterior. Were we missing out? Special thanks go out to reader and friend JN for this truly amazing sighting!
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Recent, yet Rare: Altima SE-R 6MT
The Altima SE-R was one of the best cars Nissan never really launched. It came with an upgraded engine (vs. the regular V6 Altima), drove well, handled well, soundned great, had some cool interior bits and had beautiful forged wheels. Why have you hardly heard of it? It’s because almost nothing was spent to launch…
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We love costume rims
The second generation Infiniti M was a bit of a stopgap. At the time, the brand had launched the last-generation Q45 and was launching the G35, so this filled the mid-luxury segment and fit with the new rear-drive image. It was put together pretty quickly and based on the Japan market Gloria – you know,…
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Small Turbo Mopar, 17 Years Later
Many scoff at the Dodge Neon, but those in the know realize it was a competitive autocross car in the 90s, known for tossable handling and a spritely DOHC I4. The ACR was the ultimate 90s Neon, as no turbocharged version of the first generation was ever available. Dodge corrected that with the SRT-4, which…
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Port-installed Callaway goodness!
This was the first Mazdaspeed vehicle and had a Callaway turbo kit installed at the port of entry. While 170HP doesn’t set the world alight, period reviews indicated this was very nice, very driveable car. The Protege was already known as a great handler, so we believe it. Great things with this car include the…
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Electric Oddity: Gizmo by NEVCO
Here we have yet another attempt to save the planet – or is that save us from ourselves? Regardless, the Gizmo was made and sold by Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Company and is a take on individual, localized-emissions-free transportation. For better or worse, only 30-something were made. We just think it’s cool… In case you wondered,…
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Easily the most interesting HHR.
Generally, the Chevrolet HHR wasn’t a very exciting vehicle. The PT Cruiser arrived well before it, making the HHR a slow follower and a true “me, too” product. It was even penned by the same stylist after GM poached him from Chrysler (sometime after Bob Lutz made the same jump). All that being said, the…
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One of several V8 Foci?
Or is this a singular Focus? It seems there are several, given the dedicated V8 Focus page at Kugel Komponents. A Mustang isn’t original enough for you, but you still want a solid rear axle? Why not spend multiple used Mustangs worth of cash on a V8 Focus and then try to ask too much when selling…
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Baja = Brat II?
What’s not to love about a Subaru Baja Turbo with a manual trans? Freakshow styling that yields limited utility? Check! Two-seater rear bench to removed expected practicality? Check! Detuned STI engine? Check! AWD? Check! It probably sounds like we’re making fun of this beast, but the fact is we love it. What could be more…
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Celebrating failure?
So far, this millennium has been sad for an assortment of brands that had the misfortune of being tangled up with US domestic automakers. GM axed Oldsmobile, Pontiac and short-lived Saturn (poor Geo didn’t make it out of the 90s) Of course, the GM cancer extended to Isuzu back in the 90s and, very recently,…