Porsche 911 Carrera Review

Every time Porsche changes the 911, they take the risk that they'll ruin it (I know, purists will argue they did that when they switched from air to water-cooled engines). What's remarkable is how, every time, they dodge that bullet. It's the greatest high-wire act on earth...with continuous performances for the past 46 years.

If you'd asked me, I'd have told you that the 2008 911 was as good as they'd ever be able to make. I'd have been wrong.

The 2009 immediately announces its superiority. It performs better (even in the "base" Carrera, which I drove for a week recently), the interior is nicer, the electronic aids (Porsche Stability Management, Anti-lock Braking System, Anti-Slip Regulation, Engine Drag Torque Control and Active Brake Differential) all do their jobs with less intrusion on the joy and sport of driving.

And the styling refresher is a resounding success...taking the headlights ever so slightly more vertical evokes memories of the 911s of the 60s, 70s and 80s without being overtly retro.

Looking for excuses not to buy?

How about price? Porsches are insanely expensive, right? Wrong. The 911 Carrera base price is $75,600...there are a lot of far less capable vehicles that cost a lot more.

Gas mileage? Nope. The EPA says 18 city/25 highway.

Well, it can't possibly be environmentally responsible, Mike.

Um...it qualifies for LEV1 (Low Emission Vehicle) status.

Actually, price (and, okay, practicality...the back seats are a cruel joke) is about the only disqualifier that's genuine for most people. But in about five years, this is going to be the best used car purchase you've ever made.

Lexus is250 Review

If your image of Lexus is one of a maker of perfect but boring luxury automobiles, then it's time for a test drive of an is250.

This has been Lexus' sport model for six or seven years now...and while it's been on the receiving end of the "relentless pursuit of perfection", it is still a different kind of Lexus.

The 250 (there's a 350 and the F version as well) looks a little underpowered on paper (204 horsepower from a 2.5 liter V6), but it's by no means slow.

The standard six-speed automatic transmission keeps the EPA mileage numbers up (21 city/29 highway), and it's a complete, well-equipped package at the base price of $32,325.

Lexus loaded up the tester I drove for a week, adding the Luxury Package (adaptive front lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, a perforated leather seat upgrade, wood interior trim, power tilt & telescoping steering wheel, driver and passenger memory seats, illuminated scuff plates, a power rear sunshade and rain-sensing wipers) which puts nearly $3500 worth of options together for $2380, upgrading the audio system to a 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium rig and adding Lexus Pre-Collision Dynamic Radar Cruise (which senses when vehicles slow in front of you and applies the brakes.

Total price: $39,320. Whether you'd rather have a BMW 3-series (or a loaded 1-series) or a Mercedes C-Class is a personal choice...but I'd drive all three.

Dodge Journey R/T Review

The Dodge Journey should be such an easy vehicle to ridicule. So how come I really enjoy driving it?

This is one of those few "answers to questions nobody asked" that leaves me wondering why we weren't asking. The Journey finds that sliver of middle ground between a crossover and a minivan and then steps down a size class.

The result is an efficient mover of people (5) and things (within reason). And, despite some plasticky and unimaginatively designed interior bits, it's pleasant to drive.

The $26,785 base price of the R/T model we tested buys front wheel drive (an AWD model is available), a 3.5-liter high output V6 mated to a six-speed transmission (no doubt responsible for the EPA estimated 16 city/23 highway miles per gallon...which would have been worse with a 5-speed), and just about every option you could ask for. 19 inch wheels are standard on the R/T.

In fact, the tester had just two extras: The Safe & Sound Group (Back-up camera and MyGig hard-disc music system) and a sunroof. With destination charge, the bottom line wound up at $28,900.

Five star crash ratings in all categories except rollover, where four's the max.

It just struck me: It's not a minivan or crossover at all. Dodge has just re-invented the midsize station wagon.

As the Firesign Theatre used to say: Forward, into the past!

Hey, a good idea is a good idea. And the Journey counts.

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