I often lament that the truck manufacturers try to dazzle journalists with the most luxurious vehicles with the most extensive options, but two weeks ago I got what I had been asking for: a moderate-priced truck with many of the features that sport truck buyers demand, but without a hefty price tag. Granted, it is … Continue reading
Ford unveiled 2013 F-150 in Waco
Since Texas is such a huge truck market, manufacturers sometimes introduce their newest vehicles here. The State Fair of Texas has been the site of a few unveilings, but last week’s introduction of the 2013 F-150 was in Waco and featured a very small guest list and special host. Center stage was … Continue reading
2012 Toyota Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series is May delight
Now that I have given the thumbs up to the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, lets give a shout out for Toyota’s newest Tacoma limited edition. The Tacoma is the best selling mid-size truck in the country, and the innovation and imagination that have gone into this Baja darling make it a … Continue reading
Frontier Pro-4X 4×4: small truck with big performance
Mid-size pickup trucks have become an almost endangered specie, at least in the US. Truck makers like Ford, GM and RAM are trying to drive their business to full-size models. Their logic is that, by discontinuing their mid-size vehicles here and offering full- size models at competitive rates, they can … Continue reading
Escort SmartMirror Live gives radar detector a real boost
I have often said that I won’t recommend a product that I haven’t tested myself, but today I am making an exception. The Escort SmartMirror has received so many accolades that I had to share it with you. (Again, I haven’t tried it, but earlier this year the awards mounted up, … Continue reading
RAM introduces new 1500 for 2013
It’s a rarity for a new truck to be unveiled at the New York Auto Show — usually that honor is reserved for events like the State Fair of Texas. The production scheduling for the 2013 Ram 1500 made it necessary to make the introduction earlier this month at the New York … Continue reading
GM to discontinue Chevy Avalanche
Yesterday, General Motors announced plans to discontinue the Avalanche after the 2013 model year, not with a whisper but a bang. First introduced as a 2002 model in 2001, more than 580,000 have been sold in the intervening years. Credited as being the first crew cab sized vehicle that could … Continue reading
Ft. Worth Pate Swap Meet is third largest auto swap meet in the US
It’s the 40th year for the Pate Swap Meet and for vehicle do-it-yourselfers this is the one-stop shopping destination for parts, and everything that goes with them, including already- restored vehicles and those that can be your project for the next year or decade. Held from Thursday, April 26th through the … Continue reading
2013 Ford Super Duty Platinuim joins luxury ranks
When Ford introduced the F-150 Platinum Edition in 2009, it became an immediate hit with truck buyers who could afford it and didn’t need the power and towing capacity of a Super Duty. This month the company introduced the big brother Platinum Edition to meet those needs, and fill out … Continue reading
Strategic Vision cites F-150, Super Duty, Durango
There are numerous companies that rate trucks for just about anything but one that evaluates some very practical traits is California-based Strategic Vision. (Yes, I know it’s Califoria, but get past it.) They have just released their 2012 evaluations for things like quality, long-term reliability, warranties, fuel economy and standard … Continue reading
