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Monday, June 20, 2011

2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2011

The Miata much since they first introduced it 1989. Sure, it's been through a few redesigns, and like most of us it's gotten bigger and heavier over the past two decades. The last major change came in 2009, when the Miata grafted on the big smiley grille you see on my test car. But the basic format remains the same: Two seats, an open top, and a chassis designed to make the driver feel connected to the road. The Miata is a great choice for amateur racers: Its light weight and rear-wheel-drive setup make it great for entry-level autocrossing, and there are enough aftermarket parts that the Miata can grow with your skill level. But even if you never break the speed limit, it's difficult not to have fun in the Miata.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

2011 Volvo XC90

2011 Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 led the charge as automakers transitioned from traditional body-on-frame SUVs to large car-based crossovers. Nearly a decade later, the XC90 has undergone only minor changes, and while it's still fresh and up-to-date in some areas, it's falling behind the times in others.