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Car Minded

You Can Now Subscribe to Porsche, But Should You?


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If you can’t afford a Porsche, you probably can’t afford Porsche’s new subscription program, either.

The idea behind Porsche Passport, which launches in Atlanta next month, is to provide subscribers with any model of Porsche they wish at any time they wish. It’s a compelling idea, but the privilege won’t come cheap.

Car subscription models are popping up in select markets around the country. One in San Francisco, for example, is offering cars for $99 per month and between 50 cents and $1 per mile. While those rates include gas, insurance, roadside assistance, and unlimited swaps, it won’t take many miles before the monthly costs exceed the price of simply buying or leasing a vehicle.

Will people pay even more for unlimited access to the Porsche fleet? Continue reading >>>

Tesla Model 3 Delays Could Lead Buyers to Other Automakers


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Freezing air has descended upon my city. Those leisurely mornings of heading out to the car in shorts and a T-shirt have been replaced by scraping windshields free of frost.

I love my electric Nissan Leaf, because I can start and warm it up using an app on my phone while I stay toasty warm inside the house. My Subaru Legacy actually requires me to go outside and start the motor with a key.

This week I needed the Legacy, because my errands required more range than the Leaf could provide. That meant I had to brave the cold, trek outside, and start the Subaru so it would be warm for my family.

When I got back inside, my wife, who was getting ready in the upstairs bathroom, asked why the car was so loud.

“Because it has a gas motor,” I said.

Needless to say, we have become accustomed to driving electric.

We’ve been hoping the next electric car might be a Tesla Model 3, but with production problems pushing back availability of the car, we, like thousands of other drivers, may have to look elsewhere. Continue reading >>>

Has Hyundai Built the First True 3 Series Killer?

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Everyone wants a piece of the BMW 3 Series.

The legendary car has been in the U.S. since the 1970s, but reached its pinnacle in the 1990s, which has propelled the car all way into the 21st century with little competition to worry about.

Notice that I didn’t say with little competition. I said, “little competition to worry about.”

Automakers from Audi to Mercedes-Benz and Lexus to Jaguar have fielded competitors to the mighty 3, but none have outshined the Ultimate Driving Machine.

In test after test, the BMW has reigned supreme over other luxury compact sedans. Now, though, the Germans might have reason to start looking over their figurative shoulders, because there’s a Hyundai in the rear-view. Continue reading >>>

Ford Ushers in the Era of the $100,000 Pickup


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Ford has a history of being a trendsetter in many ways, but the newest precedents being set by the Michigan automaker don’t bode well for buyers of economical pickups and SUVs.

We already know that the Ford Expedition can approach $80,000 when properly configured. Trucks are set to go even higher.

Sure, we’ll always be able to buy a bare-bones F-150 for a rock-bottom price. But when it’s time to buy one with 4-wheel drive, real towing capacity, and modern luxuries, be prepared to dig a little deeper into your wallet.

How high will pickup prices go? They’re about to cross the $100,000 barrier, and we don’t even know if that’ll be the ceiling. Continue reading >>>

Toyota Ups Performance with Gazoo

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If you needed a car for reliable transportation and practical usability, and you didn’t care much for driving dynamics or performance, which brand would you choose?

One of the first to come to mind might be Toyota.

The automaker’s reputation for quality and reliability is legendary. Its design, however, has leaned toward the bland, while performance has been perfectly calibrated to handle any speed limit America could throw at it. Practical, but not exhilarating.

That could change with the introduction of the Gazoo Racing Series. Continue reading >>>