19 Minutes from Call to Boost

I drive a lunch box that often breaks down. Like a Monday, while I was swapping cars.

That has to be one of their record times, and I’ve had many opportunities to track times.

During this escapade my editor Joe helped me out, so instead of doing our review at the office, I took him dinner at the Hard Rock.

(the Hard Rock Cafe is one of CAA’s many partners, find the list of all their partners here).

Delicious.

In the auto journalism world, there’s a type of review where you pair up with another writer and go back and forth, discussion format.

That’s what’s happening here.

Specifically, we’re reviewing the all-new Dodge Dart – the smallest car Chrysler has ever built!

We crushed it, our review printed last week, then came the best part…

Flash your CAA card and tada, 10% off dinner.

You should have CAA for your car, even owners with brand new vehicles are not immune. These LifeSide Assistance deals and savings that come with the membership are gravy.

Get LifeSide Assistance too:

Facebook

CAAsco.com

 

Meet Autonet Teammate – Jacques Deshaies

On the Hyundai Santa Fe XL California trip, my driving partner was Autonet.ca teammate Jacques Deshaies.

He’s an auto journalist for 15 years, stars on the TV show “Guide de l’Auto”, and collaborates on both LCN and TVA (shows on a big Quebec TV channel).

I learned a lot about doing this job while driving with him, and my photos for the paper are better than usual (he set them up). Also, I want your time management skills, Jacques ;)

He too loves to go fast, but the difference is he’s way way better at it.

Look at that back wheel.

He has his own race team in the CTCC – Canadian Touring Car Championship, and get this, is sponsored by Mazda Canada.  Good luck this season!

(Note – because the team is all freelancers, we don’t really hang out, so this is a rarity. I’ve now blogged 77% of the team, nice. Meet more of my team here)

 

If You Need a Small Car Test this Versa Note

When I attended the Detroit Auto Show in January, I was at the reveal for this all-new 2014 Nissan Versa Note.

During the presentation, I remember thinking: woah, they’ve squished a lot of features into $13,348.

Features include: hands-free text messaging, park assist and backup camera, NissanConnect with navigation, push start and heated seats.

Best feature.

It’s a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine that produces 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque; that’s enough for a city car.

That fits 4 average-sized auto journalists.

The 2014 all-new Nissan Versa Note arrives in Canada this June.

 

The Anatomy of a Car’s Name

Read it online on Autonet.ca.

Favourite line:

“Trim” is another word for features, finishings and options. To say a vehicle is “fully loaded” is to say the car has the highest trim level.

Piece together a vehicle’s name like this: 

All-new > Year > Root Name > Size > Engine > Trim > Drivetrain 

All-new 2013 Santa Fe XL 3.3L GDI V6 Limited AWD

I used morphology, ha!

Morphology – the identification, analysis and description of the structure of a language’s linguistics units.

Linguistics class paid off.  For the first time. Ever.

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