“Auto” collection
Explore in-depth vehicle evaluations and automotive technology reviews from a unique family-focused perspective. From testing the latest electric vehicles to practical DIY maintenance guides, these articles provide the essential details needed for modern drivers and tech-savvy parents.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →June 12, 2012
Looking for a First Car for your Teenager? The 2012 Kia Rio SX Might Be A Good One!
Most of the cars that I have reviewed to me seem to be more geared towards the established business person with some disposable income and possibly a family (especially with some of the larger SUVs or crossovers). These cars tend to be more expensive in many ways, from initial cost to the gasoline that they consumer (lower gas mileage). This…
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June 5, 2012
Playing the ECO Game in the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid – Saving the Environment, One Road Trip at a Time
I've reviewed a pretty good handful of automobiles now and there seems to be something common about all of them, they didn't really have that good gas mileage. Some even made me embarrassed to drive down the street in, because I knew that they were gas hogs. So, I must say that I was really happy when Kia asked me…
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May 9, 2012
The 2012 Chrysler 300S Exudes Confidence & Style with some Technology & Performance Thrown In
I have driven a sedan now since 1998. It's a great form factor for a 4-5 person family, especially if your children are younger. As they grow up, sedans might not be a preferred choice, until the kids have flown the nest. But as a second car, a sedan is a definite solid addition to the family fleet of cars.…
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April 16, 2012
The 2012 Infiniti QX56 – A Luxurious SUV with Some Pretty Cool Tech
When I drive my 13 year old car, I realize that it is only (barely) good for getting from point A to point B. There is nothing fun about driving it. It's falling apart, has no performance, and really isn't good for anything other than being a transportation device. New car owners should feel really lucky, especially if they have…
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March 22, 2012
“I Know I’m Going to Get a Speeding Ticket” – Review of the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of doing a parade lap in the Cadillac CTS-V station wagon at Infineon raceway. As I drove around the speedway, I made a mental note to myself - I MUST drive a CTS-V on the streets. My dream came true last week as I was able to spend 5 days behind the…
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February 28, 2012
Review of the 2012 Buick Regal GS – Definitely NOT your Grandpa’s Sedan
For some reason, Buick's seem to have this odd stereotype of being a car that your grandparents cruise around in with the left blinker permanently on. They were lackluster and pretty conservative. The 2012 Buick Regal GS runs over that stereotype in all of its 270 horsepower, 6-speed manual, Brembo brakes, curvy lines glory, making this non-grandfather want to hold…
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January 19, 2012
A Solid, Tech-Filled, All-Around Performer – 2011 Ford Explorer Test Drive
A few months ago, Sony and Ford Motors invited the Cast of Dads out to the East Coast to participate in a variety of events, one of them was driving a 2011 Ford Explorer (note, link is for the 2012 model) from Boston to NYC. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the event, and boy was I jealous. Part…
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January 3, 2012
The “Power” Behind the New 2013 Ford Escape
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Ford folks at a San Francisco 49er game. There I got to see a preview of the new 2013 Ford Escape, which is billed as a "smart utility vehicle." I didn't actually get to test drive it, but I did have a chance to test out a new,…
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December 22, 2011
A Quest for the Holidays – The 2012 Nissan Quest
I sit in a darkened cafe. About a block away, packs of people are streaming into the San Francisco Opera House as part of a holiday tradition that goes back decades. Dressed up with kids in tow, they are off to see the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker. I have seen the Nutcracker ever since I was a small child. It…
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November 28, 2011
A Street Rocket with Class – 2011 Infiniti G37 Journey Coupe with Sport Package
The automobiles that I have been testing over the past few years were very much oriented toward families of 5 or more people (which is how many there are in my family). Typically these are SUVs or Crossovers, and many have 3 rows of seats. Let's face it, if you have a larger family, you need more space, for warm…
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October 25, 2011
How Ford is Saving Teenage Lives, One Person at a Time – “Driving Skills for Life”
I'm scared. In 1 year, I will have a teenager. In 4 years, I will have a teenage driver. And I have two more daughters after that. Just writing the past few sentences has given me a few more grey hairs. While automobile safety has improved dramatically over the past few years, so have distractions. It's a leapfrog race to…
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September 1, 2011
A Day at the Races with Cadillac – Driving the CTS-V Wagon Around the Infineon Raceway
I have been to two auto races in my life, one down in Long Beach (for the Long Beach Grand Prix) and this past weekend one at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA (for the Sonoma Grand Prix). And with each race, I have been really lucky. Down in Long Beach, the buddy who took me managed to get Pit Passes…
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