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Stories by Jimmy Dinsmore
Commentary: RG3 already a 'fantasy stud'
Welcome to the first Fantasy Geek column. You may know me as the editor of the Wheels section in Saturday’s newspapers, and as passionate as I am about automobiles, I’m just as passionate about fantasy sports. I’ve been doing fantasy sports since the early 1990s. In those days, we didn’t ...
Youth Gone Wild
Generation Y, Millennials, Echo Boomers — they’re all catchy names to describe the young ’uns below those of us in Generation X. I’ve personally never cared for any of these names, or being categorized so broadly, but my tester for the week is making me rethink it all. The 2013 ...
ESCAPE from the norm
Sometimes when you do the same thing over and over for more than a decade, you need an escape. That applies to my tester for the week — the 2013 Ford Escape. The Escape has had the same looks, more or less, since 2001, so an upgrade was very much ...
Suzuki offers rugged versatility in compact SUV
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a compact SUV that has rugged tendencies. That rugged versatility was somewhat surprising to us during our test drive of the 2012 model. As it turns out, there were more surprises to be found. Dave: Here is something you might not expect to find standard ...
Refined ruggedness
There’s something so viscerally attractive about a pickup truck. The combination of rugged resourcefullness with comfort and chrome makes today’s pickup trucks so appealing. My tester for the week certainly fits that mold. The 2013 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 crew cab combines a handsome stature with a utilitarian vibe, with ...
VW Tiguan has inspiring engine, ample luxury, unusual name
There is some mystery surrounding the Volkswagen Tiguan. First, the name. I looked to Google for the meaning behind the name, hoping for something I can use to be clever for my article, and what I found was something Napoleon Dynamite might've dreamed up. The name Tiguan is the combination ...
Mercedes E-series offers power, luxury, performance
The hood ornament is something that has mostly disappeared in car design. I kind of miss them. I think they add a certain flair to a vehicle.So I was happy to see that my tester for the week, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550, had one.That emblematic Mercedes logo roosted proudly on ...
Not your average pony ride
I’ve thrown the word iconic around a little in a couple of my recent reviews (see Corvette and Wrangler reviews). I don’t want to overuse the word, but my tester this week is certainly an American automotive icon. The 2013 Ford Mustang brings with it a certain reputation — a ...
Ford is also offering plug-in electric Focus
Recently, I was able to drive the all-electric Ford Focus and had a chance to sit down and chat with Kevin Layden, director of electrification for Ford.My first impression of the electric Focus was how similar it was to the standard Focus. Quieter, yes, but otherwise, it was just as ...
Ford upgrades Focus with new engine, technology
As much of the attention of the Ford Motor Co. turns toward the 2013 model year, the 2012 model year does offer a nice little gem — the Ford Focus, which I recently tested out. This compact comes in four trim lines, S, SE, SEL and Titanium. My tester was ...
Big looks, big luxury, big ride
Sometimes taking a year off can really pay dividends. It worked for Michael Jordan in 1994. Does it work for the Lexus LX570, my tester for the week? This big, bold SUV skipped model year 2012 to make some much-needed improvements. The luxury full-size SUV enters model year 2013 with ...
Infiniti FX50's offers a luxurious look, drive
Many words came to mind during the week I spent with the Infiniti FX50. Sexy. Luxurious. Trendy. Powerful. This curvaceous crossover represents the good life in many ways. Its styling alone differentiates itself from other sedanlike SUVs on the road. The exterior of the FX50 is modern with a curving, ...
ECOlutionary midsize
What do you think of when you see the letters ECO? Maybe ECOnomical? Or perhaps ECOlogical? For the Chevy brand, Eco is a little bit economical and a little bit ecological. And those three letters make for one impressive car. This newest Eco incarnation is in my tester for the ...
Economical VERSATILITY
“All you ever do is review cars I can’t afford,” say a lot of my co-workers and some of our readers. Well, I say, check out my test drive this week — the 2012 Nissan Versa. It’s universally recognized as one of the most affordable new cars on the market. ...
Coming into FOCUS
As much of the attention of the Ford Motor Company turns toward the 2013 model year, the 2012 model year does offer a nice little gem — the Ford Focus, my tester for the week. This little compact comes in four trim lines, S, SE, SEL and Titanium. My tester ...
Compact luxury niche
Normally, I jump into my car reviews with some catchy remark or observation. But this week, I’m going to tell you something about myself, which will all tie into the review of the 2013 Acura ILX. So please hang with me, and it will all make sense. I’m an auto ...
Platinum-level luxury
In the automotive world, few things epitomize luxury more than the Cadillac Escalade. The Escalade has spawned plenty of competition in the full-size luxury SUV market. With over-the-top luxury, and an equally unmatched frame and engine, the Escalade leads its competition. Enter my tester for the week, the 2013 Escalade ...
Piloting the great American road trip
The road trip is a staple of the American lifestyle. Piling the family into a vehicle and heading toward a lake, mountain or beach is typical. For the parents who have to drive, it can be stressful. And for the passengers who will bicker and ask, "Are we there yet?" ...
Redesigned Audi A6 brings plenty to the table
To be a player in the midsize luxury segment, you have to be bold. You have to present a vehicle that has the looks, luxury and performance that exist throughout this segment.My tester for the week was fresh off a makeover — the 2012 Audi A6. Previous A6 models had ...
AMERICAN ICON TURNS 60
Sixty years is a long time. In the auto industry, it’s an eternity. Very few cars will achieve their diamond anniversary because few ever reach such iconic status. Enter my tester for the week — the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible. I know, I know, I have a great ...
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