SIX SPEED BLOG

2017 was good year and I tested a lot of great cars. From the Lexus LC500h, Ford Raptor and its brilliant 10-speed automatic, to some of the more affordable Honda Civic Si and Smart ForTwo. We look back on some of the good and memorable moment of 2017:

SMART FORTWO CABRIO – CAN YOU CHASE YOUR OWN TAIL?

We took a spin, quite literally in the Smart Fortwo Cabrio – a turning circle so tight, it could literally chase its own tail. A car made for the city and won the hearts of many hardcore car enthusiasts. Its quirky styling and flamboyant approach made it an iconic memory for 2017.

DODGE DURANGO R/T – 3-ROWS + HEMI = HELL OF A GOOD TIME

The SUV that quite literally ate our lunch money costing us over $160 in fuel for 7-days. But what we wouldn’t give to have that flaming red interior and romping 5.7-liter V-8 again. With room for the whole family, and rear seat entertainment was an iconic memorable SUV for 2017.

FORD FOCUS RS – 350-HP THRILL RIDE

The hatchback that costs over $40-grand and can do 0-60 in 4.5-seconds. With 350-horsepower, this was one super hatch that caught no one’s attention but the 10ish-year old boy who stuck his tongue out at me. Cheers to you future America!

GENESIS G90 3.3T – LUXURY GERMAN FIGHTER

Genesis, a new brand ready to take charge and make a name for itself and the G90 sedan was a good start. After taking it on a 1,500 mile long road trip, this never tiring luxury sedan kept us happy as the miles moved on. With 0-60 in 5 and half seconds and happily cruises at 155 mph without making a single creak, this was one impressive sedan.

MAZDA CX-5 – SIDE OF SPORT WITH UTILITY

While nothing to extraordinary happened this crossover, it is our numbered one rated article on our website with almost 100,000 views. Its sporty design and premium interior speak louder than our ratings I guess.

VOLVO V90 CROSS COUNTRY T6 – CHASING DINOSAURS

The luxury, lifted wagon that can go anywhere and do anything… even go on a dinosaur hunt in the middle of the California desert. From its turbo/supercharged four-cylinder, luxurious refined interior, and supreme all-wheel drive system, this is one wagon that we wouldn’t finding parked in our garage permanently.

GENESIS G80 SPORT – HOT PURSUIT

With the same performance as the G90, a 3.3-liter twin turbocharged V-6, we found how quickly the new G80 SPORT can get to 160 mph… and how slowly a cop can write up a ticket… after convincing them it’s not a stolen vehicle.  

HONDA CIVIC SI – LITTLE GREEN MONSTER

The car that can quite literally be the most perfect driving car. A crisp 1.5-liter turbocharged engine – an engaging 6-speed manual transmission – sport enhanced seats – 40 miles to the gallon highway – and the ability to corner at high rates of speed without prairie dogging.

FORD RAPTOR – RELEASE THE BEAST

Our perfect garage would be exactly this with the Civic Si. The Raptor to kick ass and romp mud on the weekends and the Civic Si to express a more sensible side to our inferior personality. With a 3.5-liter twin turbocharger EcoBoost engine and over 450-horsepower with its phenomenal 10-speed automatic, the Raptor is an insane beast. All for under $50k

LEXUS LC 500H – THE ECONOMICAL SPORTS CAR

How could we not talk about anticipated car of the year. However, while all sells will generally go towards the 5.0-liter V-8. The Lexus luxury and engineering built into this car is breathtaking.

ALFA ROMEO STELVIO – ROLLER COASTER RIDE FOR ALL AGES

In a cat and mouse chase down the mountain, the only car that I have ever gotten close to overheating and making myself sick to my stomach, yet had to most fun in my life keeping this thing under control. it truly is astonishing the amount of engineering developed into a crossover that can corner over 60 mph without tipping over.

HONDA CIVIC TYPE R – NO CORNER IS A MATCH FOR THIS ANIMAL

Finishing off 2017 the right way with a 306-horsepower front-wheel drive insane machine that carries a Honda badge on the front and a $34,000 price tag. If only sports car could cost this cheap.