The Fast Lane Car

Video: 2012 Chevrolet Volt vs Toyota Camry Hybrid 0-60 MPH Mashup Review

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt and the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid represent two family cars that have a similar yet completely different way of saving fuel.

The Volt is both an electric car and a plug-in hybrid in that it can run on both electricity (about 40 miles) and gas.

The Camry is a more traditional hybrid in that cannot go a very long distance on just electricity but it use its electric motor in conjunction with the gas engine to go further on a gallon of gas.

So which is the better family car to own and buy?

Check out this video review below to find out as we compare a two family cars that both cost about 35K (after rebates) in another classic TFLcar Mashup review.

Review: The 2012 Mazda3 brings European flair with Japanese practicality to America

The Mazda3 has long had European flair and is by far the automaker’s best seller in America—thanks to a clever combination of sportiness and practicality.

The compact, front-drive Mazda3 comes as a four-door sedan or four-door hatchback in SV, Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Mazdaspeed trim levels. List prices range from $15,200 for the base sedan to $24,000 for the hot rod Mazdaspeed3.

Japan’s Mazda has been selling cars in volume here since the early 1970s, making Americans aware for the first time of the unique rotary engine, which initially powered  its cars. But the automaker isn’t on lots of shopping lists. To partly help the situation, it has dropped the list price of its improved base sedan model by $600. 

Video: 2012 Ford Focus versus Mazda3 Mashup 0-60 Review

The 2012 Ford Focus and the 2012 Mazda3 are two small cars that both have something special to offer new cars buyers.

The Ford Focus is a new breed of small car that combine European design and small car luxury with great fuel economy while the Mazda3 combines a new engine and transmission with even better fuel economy.

Both cars represent a new trend for small cars: upscale features in a compact package.

Both cars also have 155 HP engine that produce almost the same amount of torque.

Both cars can be had with automatic and manual transmissions.

And both both cars are fun to drive.

So which one of these two small cars is better? Watch the video review below to find out.

Video review: 2012 Mazda 5 vs Nissan Murano Mashup Match-up

The 2012 Mazda 5 is a new age people hauler with enough room for 6 yet it maintains a car like ride and a wagon/van profile with exceptional fuel economy.

It's also reasonably priced and can be fun to drive...especially if you get the manual version. In fact the manual version of the 2012 Mazda 5 is one of the people movers with three rows of seating that can ne manually shifted and purchased in the United States.

The newish Nissan Murano is one of the new breed of very popular all-wheel-drive Crossovers. It's tall, fairly powerful and comes with a CVT transmission to help get better fuel economy.

It also represents the very popular and growing Crossover segment that many Americans have embraced as the new family hauler.

So which one of these cars fits the current American lifestyle better?

Check out this fun first drive video Mashup Match-up review to find out.

Review: Five reasons why grumpy people should buy the 2011 Mazda 2

True story: Nathan (that’s me) was in a bad mood. I was driving a red Mazda 2 about 6 months ago to a BBQ restaurant aiming to pick up an order to go. 

I didn’t want to go as a BIG game was on the tube and I was missing it.

When I pulled into the parking lot there were no paring spaces out front so I zipped over to the side of the restaurant where there was curb-side parking. There was only one, tiny spot. I tore through the parking lot to grab it before anyone else. I was heading straight in to a spot you normally parallel park for. At the very last second, I yanked the E-brake and slid in beautifully. At that moment, I saw a group of stoners wafting out of the restaurant.     

Suddenly, I heard a stoner yell, “Dude! Am I trippin’ balls or did he just do the coolest parking job – like EVER!?”

Review: The 2012 Mazda5 should not be overlooked by many in America

The small-but-versatile Mazda5 minivan is the type of vehicle popular in congested European and Japanese cities, which makes one wonder why it’s overlooked by many in America, which has plenty of congestion.

Styling sells, and the revised styling of the Mazda5—still the only such vehicle in its class—looks sleek. The upgraded interior has a redesigned instrument panel with large climate controls, plenty of cupholders and a decent amount of interior storage areas, However, the glovebox is small and the rear sliding side doors lack storage pockets.

2012 Mazda 2 vs Fiat 500 video review: What's the most fun car for the fewest dollars?

The 2012 Fiat 500 is one of the most fun cars you can buy today. It comes with a 101 horsepower engine and it can also be had with or without a roof as the 500c.

Perhaps just as importantly the Fiat 500 Cinquecento is the first new Fiat to come to American shores after decades of new Fiats in Europe. Fiat's purchase of Chrysler has given the Italian automaker an American dealer network making it possible for Fiat to bring the very tiny 500 to America.

The Mazda 2 is also all about fun with a splash of utility in the mix. It shares a platform with the new Ford Fiesta but the engine and transmission are different as well as the styling. Both the Fiat 500 an the Mazda 2 are priced about the same and both can be had with an automatic and manual transmission.

But which one is more fun when you are on a budget? Check out the video below to find out.

Review: Five reasons why the 2011 Mazda5’s Kung Fu is stronger

I love the 2011 Mazda5 like I love Kung Fu.

It is one of the few martial arts that have something for everyone. Styles were conceived to beat other ones. Combine a few, like crane and tiger styles, and you are unbeatable. Tiger is power – attack – strength and crane is grace – defense – beauty…

Okay, that’s a bit too much of an analogy for this simple mini-minivan to live up to.

Or is it?

The Mazda5 is a unique vehicle. There are some people who can truly appreciate its utilitarian beauty; namely, young families.

Here are five reasons that the Mazda5’s Kung Fu is mighty:

The 2011 Mazda2 is a Loveable Pipsqueak

 

Let me tell you about pain and stupidity. I know of both and am constantly reminded of these failings by my mother. These examples were performed in quick succession while I was testing a 2011 Mazda2.

Pain: I blew my nose into a handkerchief and felt an odd sensation from my right nostril. Rather than gently remove the cloth from my nose, I yanked it away. For some reason, a nose-hair burrowed its way into the handkerchief. The pain involved in plucking a nose-hair out of my face was excruciating.  

Stupidity: Rather than take the pain like a man, I screamed like a baby at an old-school (read: painful) circumcision. “YEOWWWW!” As I yelled, I covered my right eye which began to water.

Now, I’m a shmuck driving a car, covering one eye as I scream.

Then, as an uncontrollable reaction to the plucking of the nose hair, I sneeze repeatedly.  

Oh crap!

Fortunately: As the Mazda2 is such an easy car to maneuver, even with one eye AND sneezing uncontrollably, I managed to slink through traffic and find a safe place to pull over. While I recovered, a passerby made the “Awww” noise as in “Awwww, how cute.” I guarantee it was the Mazda2 and NOT the slob covering his eye and wiping his nose.

Video review: the top three car quirks of the 2011 Mazda RX-8

All cars have four wheels, an engine, or now-a-days electric motor, and of course brakes and a steering wheel.

But what really makes a car unique?

What are the little (but important) details that define the real personality of a new car.

At TFLcar.com we get to drive new cars every week, and after living with a car for seven days we really get to know the ins and outs of a car....you know...its quirks.

Fat guy in a little car: Nathan reviews the 2011 Mazda 2 & pronounces it a fun ride

History may figure out that why a stocky, gluttonous moose like me has such a fondness for small cars. Sure, folks like speedy small cars – but what about the itty-bitty ones that are slow? Can economical, clean, ecologically prudent cars provide fun?

Yes and no.

Review 2010 Mazda3: And just like Goldilocks we find one that's just right

Once upon a time in my driveway were three almost identical cars.

They were similar yet very different versions of the new 2010 Mazda3.

And guess what...I needed to run to the store to buy some more porridge?

 So I grabbed the keys to the first car.

Review 2010 Mazda 6: roomy, sporty, stylish, elegant and boring

If you Google the current reviews of the 2010 Mazda 6 and read them you'll most likely get an impression of the car that would include bullet points such as:

• Roomy
• Sporty
• airy
• Stylish
• Elegant
• and of course roomy

I won't disagree but to that list I would add one more word....boring.

iPhone First Look video 2010 Mazda 6: When 170 horsepower is not enough

When is 170 horsepower not enough?

Many car enthusiasts would say always, but in the Colorado high country the answer to that question can best be demonstrated at 10,000 feet above sea level.

Because at the elevation people and cars begin to starve for oxygen.

Video comparison Mazdaspeed3 vs. GTI: sure fast and furious but which is more fun?

The Mazdaspped3 and the Volkswagen GTI are about as fun and hot as hot hatchbacks get.

Both have what it takes to make you a winner on the road and on the track, but which one is the better car?

And which one is the faster car?