Keeping an Exotic Clean at an Auto Show

Speaking with Dale Courville, the gentleman behind keeping both Ferrari and Maserati polished at this year’s Canadian Auto Show.

Those aren’t dealer cars but shipped direct from the factory,
run through a pop-up wash, then everything is pre-stolen.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

The ending – where he uses his access to turn the bullied kid into the class VIP.

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If you’re in the Southern Ontario region, Dale also has a mobile car wash, and does a ton of the exotics you see around Toronto, as in, your Civic will be in good hands. Here’s his site – PrecisionDetail.ca

And if you’re unfamiliar with going to a detailer, here’s an old column of what to do and say.

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Fake Engine Sounds, it’s Happening

It’s a dichotomy – a quieter engine is a more technologically
advanced and efficient one

But the problem is we consumers still associate noise with power, so automakers are faking it.

Who’s doing it? The list includes BMW, Ford, Lexus, Porsche, Toyota, VW and more.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

My proposed compromise:

So to the automakers – not sure this is your best idea, guys. Buyers aren’t happy, and the lack of information on your sites makes you seem shady.

I propose a compromise: keep adding the fake engine sounds, but also tell the buyer that you did. Then add an FAQ to your website on how to disable it, or better yet, add in an “off” switch.

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Parallel Parking – Me VS Machine

I first tried a self-parking system about 3 years ago, thought it was neat but un-nerving, and I declared it too slow to be helpful.

3 years later – and coincidentally in another Ford Focus – I test the system again.

Test Results – the new system is slick, and now both the speed and quality of its parking is better than a human.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Still, though, I think that if you can’t parallel park, and are too scared to practice and improve, you should get off the road.

Sonar works similar to radar, and here’s how that works.

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

The 2014 Buick Regal, Really

It’s Buick’s all-new 2015 Regal.

They’re trying their guts out to delete the badge’s old-man-stigma, and have fully-refreshed most of their lineup.

The Regal is the family’s bratty youngster.

2014 Buick Regal
2.0 L Turbo
259 hp and 295 lb.-ft.
6-spd automatic / 6-spd manual
Starting at $34,895

Turbo comes standard and I repeat, comes in MANUAL.

The white is the standard Regal, the red is the sports version, the Regal GS.

Different dashes too – top is standard, bottom is GS.

There’s great detail in the interior’s finishings.

Look how the wood trim runs all the way across the dash.

Standard features include:  heated seats and side mirrors,  back up camera and rear pack assist, dual-zone automatic climate control, Cruise control, keyless entry, Bluetooth, SiriusXM and USB, all riding on 18″ aluminum wheels.

A clean, symmetrical interior.

For the longest time in China, if you drove a Buick you had arrived. Not a BMW or Benz… a Buick (the Emperor’s chose to be chauffeured in one is why.)

Top right – that’s a sharp door, and it doesn’t scream old man does it.

I was assigned to its launch in Cincinnati – review for the paper here, and here’s the Regal inside the world’s largest neon sign museum.

1 – it’s almost all large, hard buttons, none of this touch nonsense

2 – USB and power ports are easily accessible (you’d be surprised how often they’re not), cell sits on top

Buick is trying their guts out to re-invent themselves, add the Regal to your “To Test” list and give them a chance because…

… this is a sleeper of a sedan, built in Canada.

 

 

The 2015 Subaru Legacy

It’s Subaru’s fully-refreshed, entry-level sedan.

2015 Subaru Legacy AWD

– 2.5 L 4-cyl. boxer engine
– CVT automatic with standard paddle shifters
– 175 hp and 174 lb.-ft.
– starting at $23,495

Competitors: Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion

Short review – loved it for 3 reasons

1 – it’s available in MANUAL

2 – List of standard features is strong

This is the base model, and includes: heated seats, automatic up/down front windows, rear-view camera, 10-way driver seat, Bluetooth and USB, riding on 17-inch wheels.  But the best standard feature is reason 3…

3 – All-wheel Drive comes standard

Lowest price in the country for an AWD sedan. And if the Legacy’s competitors even offer it, it’s about a $5,000 upgrade.

1 – the base finishings and materials do a good job faking it

2 – the infotainment system is all-new too, replacing the disaster that Subaru’s system once was

3 – good rear seat room, see next paragraph

4 – really into that cell phone pocket

The backseat will easily house to two large humans, and the fabric is cozy.

There’s no heat ducts back there though, maybe the only negative I found on this car.

The engine is a CVT, which like any good Canadian auto journalist I despise.

But Subaru does a better job than most, see: first CVT engine I ever liked.)

Has a great launch, steering is quick, and although the handling is slightly soft it’s supposed to be, it’s a sedan not a sports something #s

(see the steering in action in the photo I used for my column, Solving Crimes using Car Clues)

Subaru seems to get forgotten, but this Legacy is going to start changing that.

Read my detailed review on Autonet.