The Crank: U.S. magazine issues “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk” on 2010 Lexus GX 460

By John LeBlanc For the first time since the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited SUV, the U.S. based Consumer Reports magazine has deemed a new car a “safety risk”: the 2010 GX 460. The Lexus SUV’s electronic stability control program failed to keep the vehicle in line during a severe handling maneuver, allowing it to slide […]

Road Test: 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL 550 4MATIC

[svgallery name=”2009_MB_CL550_hirez”] The Gentlemen’s Express Mercedes’ big—and rare—full-size coupé carries on a vanishing auto genre By John LeBlanc As a two-door, hardtop version of the relatively more ubiquitous Mercedes-Benz S Class full-size luxury sedan, the CL coupe is a rare bird. Mercedes only sells a few every year. Teutonic rivals BMW and Audi don’t have […]

Top Six under $45,000

[svgallery name=”Best_$45k”] By John LeBlanc Do you have $45 big ones burning a hole in your car account? Want a ride that’s well-made, fun-to-drive and a good value? Alphabetically, here are my top half-dozen choices, whether you’re looking for a spots car or a people mover:

2010 New York: Concepts

Conceptually lacking After shows in Detroit, Chicago, and Geneva, the Big Apple shindig had little excitement for those looking for the future of the car By John LeBlanc NEW YORK – Maybe it’s a sign of smaller development budgets in today’s still struggling auto industry. But the word “fresh” is hardly the word to describe […]

The Crank: Is Acura’s new TSX Sport Wagon good enough?

By John LeBlanc We—as in myself and many of The Crank faithful—appreciate a good sports wagon like wine lovers enjoy a good pinot noir. Either as a slightly more practical alternative to a more confining sports sedan, or a more fun-to-drive diversion from the cute-ute herd, sports wagon fans, there are many.

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