This is how NASA - the space agency, not the racing association! - teamed with Baylor University and Shelby American to test driver endurance in the 1964 Daytona Continental. Some famous names are within.
Yes, I know a couple of images are mirrored. I didn't take them..I wasn't there!
Sixty years ago, telemetry gathered by NASA from Shelby racers at Daytona helped answer questions about the limits of human endurance.
Catching up on what I've been driving and writing about lately - my review of the 2023 Toyota USA Prius Prime is live The Truth About Cars
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/reviews/2023-toyota-prius-prime-review-time-for-me-to-fly-44505238
Photo isn't mine - it was too snowy/salty/slushy to take good photos in Ohio the week I was driving.
Unexpectedly drove something different earlier this week - the 2024 Jeep Compass Latitude. Not a press loan vehicle - my kid and I spent the long weekend around Dallas, only to wake up Monday to a canceled flight.
Rented the Jeep from the airport, and drove just under 1100 miles from a frosty DFW to Columbus in about 18 hours. Fuel economy was right around 28mpg for the entire drive where the ambient temp never got above 10 degrees.
Best guess using the build-and-price tool is right around $31k out the door for this rental-spec vehicle, which seems reasonable for a comfortable small family hauler with standard 4WD.
This week, I'm driving the 2024 Toyota USA Prius Prime XSE. No joke, it's one of my favorite cars you can buy right now. Incredible fuel economy is standard for any Prius, but they've finally made it look GOOD. It drives well, it's comfortable...it's just a damned good car.
The Prime part of the Prius means it's a plug-in hybrid, giving around 40 miles of all-electric range perfect for the daily commute. For the weekend roadtrips, fuel economy ends up averaging around 52mpg, giving around 600 miles of bladder-busting range.
This one is painted Guardian Gray, which looks very much like the familiar shade of "Ohio Skies In January."
I thought the Prius Prime was divisible only by one and itself, but that's a Prime Number, not a Prius Prime.
This one has a sticker price of just over $42,000 delivered - loaded up like every media loaner is. You can get into a well-equipped Prius Prime for around $37k, or a non-Prime Prius for around thirty grand.
Here it is - my first published review in 2024. The 2024 Polestar 2 Dual-Motor Performance Pack. Check it out at The Truth About Cars:
Like it or not, electric vehicles are part of our world today. While I shall never tire of the sweet sounds and scents of internal combustion, a number of forces are converging to make it entirely possible that we shall see the end of the traditional gasoline engine as we know it within our foreseea...
Um… wheels sold separately? Additional Dealer Markup gone very wrong?
Here's another recent review from The Truth About Cars - the 2023 BMW M340i sedan. It's not an M3. But it's good enough for most people. Check out the review at the link in my bio.
Forgot to share a review I published recently - the absolutely insane 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition. All-wheel drive, 300hp, and crazy fun. Check out the review Truth About Cars in the link in my bio.
Driving the 2023 Kia Niro this week. It's a funky little hybrid crossovery thing that gets over 50mpg in this hybrid trim - though it's available in a plug-in hybrid and full EV format, too. I dig this gray/green paint - they call it Cityscape Green. Price is $36,435 as seen here.
Been driving the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 this week - this one is the long-range RWD model, which has an expected range of a whopping 361 miles between charges. Stopped today at an EVgo DC Fast Charging station, where I went from 29% to 83% charge in 15 minutes - taking me from 129 to 275 miles of range while I made a quick stop in the store.
We just need more of these fast-charging stations in more accessible locations near major thoroughfares. There are but four places around Columbus - a metro area of around 2 million - where one can get 350kW charging like this.
The car: impressive, even in this relatively mild trim. It even has cloth seats - which I love! Sticker is $46,825 delivered, which all things considered is pretty reasonable.
Been driving the 2023 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury package. It's the Lexus version of the Toyota Sequoia three-row fullsized SUV...but this Ultra Lux trim dumps the back row and puts a pair of plush captain's chairs (at this price, shouldn't they be Admiral's Chairs?) with massaging features and a fold-out ottoman for the right-rear passenger. The ultimate in Lexus chauffeured luxury, I gather. Price as delivered - $131,090. The Nori Green Pearl paint is STUNNING, isn't it?
Just delivered, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid. $38,985 as tested in this Touring trim, but the important number is 44mpg combined.
Oh, and it's made right here in Central Ohio.
Fun cars aren't dead yet! While the crossoverification of most cars continues unchecked, reasonably-affordable, enjoyable cars like this 2023 Hyundai Elantra N are still out there. Check out my review The Truth About Cars for more thoughts.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/reviews/2023-hyundai-elantra-n-review-keeping-the-faith-44501908
Forgot to share it earlier in the week, but I spent last week driving the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. Now, here at Buckeye Roads we hold special appreciation for all things Ohio, but the ever-popular subcompact crossover with legit offroad chops is now built just over yonder in Indiana.
And it's SO good. The car simply does exactly what you ask of it. I took another Crosstrek on a moderately-challenging offroad trail a few weeks ago and it handled it like a champ.
This one is loaded up with all the goodies including a sunroof, and it stickers at $35,030 delivered - but a nicely-equipped entry trim starts around $25k, give or take.
New review is live - the 2023 Toyota Highlander. TL;DR: It's not a minivan.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/reviews/2023-toyota-highlander-review-choices-44501839
New review is up! Spent some time with the 2023 Lexus IS 500. 472hp of rowdy V8 goodness. Check out my review The Truth About Cars
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/reviews/2023-lexus-is-500-review-exactly-what-youd-expect-44501728
Been driving the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle Edition this week…a vehicle which reminds me how much I miss my old minivan. Space and comfort for seven and all their stuff, as well as an invisibility cloak for - ahem - spirited interstate cruising. The plugin hybrid system can manage 32 miles on electric propulsion alone, and 520 miles of bladder busting range once you figure in the realistic 30ish mpg combined. All this for $61,785 delivered.
Last week, we drove the latest 2024 Jeep Wrangler out in Utah. The review is live The Truth About Cars - come check it out!
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/reviews/2024-jeep-wrangler-review-a-refreshing-refresh-44501635
Been driving the wickedly quick 576hp Kia America EV6 GT this week. Took a couple curious neighbors on a brief drive and pressed the green GT button on the wheel to unlock the absurd (I’m hearing 3.2 seconds to sixty) mode. They were properly frightened by the acceleration. Sadly, only a bit over 200 miles of range. Sticker is $62,865 delivered. Wowza.
We’re in southern Utah today to drive the refreshed 2024 Jeep Wrangler where it’s meant to be used.
Driving impressions coming next Thursday the 29th to the pages of The Truth About Cars.
Was not expecting to see this street parked Subaru of America, Inc. Vivio kei-class while wandering near Union Square last week. So funky.
Also this week I’m testing the INFINITI QX80 Sensory edition. Three rows of room and comfort. It’s been around for a while, but spending some time roadtripping this weekend reminded me how good of big SUV it is. This one stickers at $90,885 delivered.
Have to do a better job of showing off what it is I’m driving. This week, it’s the 2023 Ford Bronco Heritage Edition. Has the off-road focused Sasquatch package, and these lovely white painted aluminum wheels wrapped in 35” Goodyears. 2.3 turbo and the 10-speed auto as tested.
No window sticker, but it should run right around $50,640 after delivery.
And if you want to follow along with what I’m driving every week, be sure to check out Buckeye Roads!
I’ve had bald faced jealous people ask me for years about my beard and how I keep it so awesome.
Today, I’m trying a new routine that includes a shower with 75W90 gear oil - with limited slip additives to cut down on chatter. Let’s see how this turns out.
Car spotting in Columbus gives us this rare Infiniti M30 convertible sitting at a Buy Here Pay Here lot on the Hilltop. I could do without the wire wheels, however.
Columbus, OH
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