Cars

A few weeks back, I wrote about my snowy adventures in a Nissan Juke. I've got my full review posted, and it's on our SUVs site. Jason Fogelson, who runs said site, and I have been arguing since the Juke's introduction about whether it's a car or an SUV, and while I think it has a lot of car-like features, I've decided to give in on this one -- not that it matters, because as much as I love the Juke, it has some issues that go beyond classification... as you'll read about in my 2013 Nissan Juke review. Want photos? I took a bunch, and you'll find 'em here. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

This is one of those test drives that didn't go as I expected. When I heard that Jag was going to offer a 3.0 liter V6 to replace the 5-liter V8 in the entry-level XJ, I figured this was a good trade-off -- a slower car that gets better fuel economy. That's the way of the world, right? Except it isn't. Somehow I missed the fact that the XJ's V6 is supercharged. So it turns out that the car isn't slower, but it is a lot more fuel efficient. Man, do I love the British! Get the full story in my 2013 Jaguar XJ 3.0 test drive. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

Regular readers know I am a big fan of diesel cars -- and that I am not a particularly big fan of the Volkwagen Jetta. (Well, except for the Jetta GLI.) So what happens when the two meet? Good stuff, my friends, good stuff. Get the story in my 2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI review. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

This spring, the Passat shed one of its parts -- the big plastic tray that sits behind the bumper. But who is to blame, the designers of the car or the guy driving it? Here's the story. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

I don't mean to turn this into the SUVs site or anything, but this is one of those vehicles I've been curious about ever since I saw it at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show. The new RAV4 represents a very different direction for Toyota, at least in terms of styling -- so are we going to see a change in the way their cars drive? Perhaps a new personality to go with the new look? Find out in Jason's 2013 Toyota RAV4 review. (And if you'd like to take a closer look at the new RAV4, I suggest his RAV4 photo gallery.) -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

This week's question is not just a random query: Some time in the last two days, I lost my wallet. This is not a terribly uncommon occurrence, but this time I seem to have lost it rather more thoroughly than usual.

Whenever I lose something, the first place I look is in whatever car I'm driving. If you totaled the value of items that I've left in press cars over the years, it'd probably be enough to buy -- well, a gently used press car, I suppose. So, needless to say, I've become quite adept at searching them. I've found stuff between seats. I've found stuff under the trunk mat nestled next to the spare. Once, in my own car, I found a screwdriver nestled between the hood and the fender. It had been riding around that way for months, and despite opening and closing the hood several times, I never noticed it.

This time, I'm stumped -- my wallet may be well and truly gone*. But I have not given up hope, and hence my question -- where is the strangest place you've lost or found something in a car? Click the "comments" link and tell me, and I'll go look. -- Aaron Gold

* Not a massive tragedy, as I had just cleaned it out and it contained only a debit card (so far unused by anyone other than me, hence the hope I haven't left it somewhere), my driver's license, and a receipt for a lunch that I was hoping very much to expense. Could be worse!

You all remember the ZDX, don't you? It's Acura's answer to the BMW X6 -- which, for the record I liked -- and it's a fairly ridiculous vehicle. But I have to be honest -- and this is from a guy who has been sharply critical of Acura products like the ILX and TL -- I love the ZDX. I drove one a couple of years ago, and as ridiculous as it was, I thought it was the best product Acura had in its lineup. Not terribly practical, mind you, but very, very cool.

It's no surprise that Acura is killing off the ZDX come next year; after all, they've sold about eight. Jason Fogelson, former ZDX detractor, took one for a final tour -- and like me, he really liked the thing. Too little to late, I suppose. Why did Jason change his mind? Find out in his 2013 Acura ZDX test drive. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Jason Fogelson

I think we're starting to see a real change in people's attitudes towards American cars. Here in California, where Japanese and German wheels are the norm, more and more of my friends are expressing a desire to give American cars a try. And you know what? They should -- not just because American cars are getting better and better, but because our trade imbalance is a major economic problem.

So I've decided to add another section to my "What can I get" series -- "I have $X to spend and I want to buy American." You'll see it in future articles in the series and I've added it to the existing ones. So you don't have to go fishing through the articles, here are the direct links:

• I have $15,000 to spend and I want to buy American
• I have $20,000 to spend and I want to buy American
• I have $25,000 to spend and I want to buy American

More budget articles are on the way -- look for the $30,000 article next week. -- Aaron Gold

While I was traipsing around the wilds of Minnesota, I asked Jason Fogelson to check out the 2013 Fusion Energi -- that's the plug-in hybrid version of the Fusion. We've discussed the ups and downs of the car in my 2013 Ford Fusion review, so Jason concentrated on what sets the Fusion Energi apart -- and there's quite a lot. Ready to take a deep dive into the plug-in Fusion? Then check out Jason's 2013 Ford Fusion Energi review. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Jason Fogelson

When I get pulled over -- and in my job, it's sort of an occupational hazard -- I'm usually pretty honest. I won't out-and-out admit wrongdoing, but I won't play the doe-eyed innocent. This usually works -- last few times I've been let go or let off with a lesser ticket. (The incident in the Sportage Turbo pictured above -- 75 in a 55 -- turned into a ticket for "Wasting natural resources," a $50 fine with no points.)

Insurance.com recently surveyed 500 drivers to find the top ten excuses -- sorry, reason -- they give to the police when they are pulled over. Here they are:

1. I couldn't see the sign telling me not to do it: 20.4%
2. I'm lost and unfamiliar with the roads: 15.6%
3. I didn't know it was broken: 12.4%
4. Everyone else was doing it: 6.4%
5. I'm having an emergency situation in my car (i.e. spilled hot drink on lap): 5.4%
6. I missed my turn/exit: 4.8%
7. I had to go to the bathroom: 4.6%
8. I didn't do anything dangerous: 4.2%
9. I was on my way to an emergency (i.e. helping someone who is ill or injured): 4.0%
10. My GPS said it was the right thing to do: 2.2%

Do you have a favorite excuse? What's worked and what hasn't? Leave a comment and tell your tale. -- Aaron Gold