First Drive: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX

[svgallery name=”2011_Subaru_WRX_sedan_hirez”] The widebody of sports compacts Updated WRX styling goes straight to its hips By John LeBlanc CALABOGIE, ONT.—The Impreza WRX and WRX STI are the kinds of cars automakers build when the times are good. Low-volume cars that build a brand’s image, are fun to drive, and (hallelujah!) have nothing to do with […]

First Drive: 2011 Subaru WRX STI

[svgallery name=”2011_Subaru_WRX_STI_hirez”] By John LeBlanc CALABOGIE MOTORSPORTS PARK, Ont.—Although the big news for Subaru’s performance flagship WRX STI is the return of a four-door sedan to the former hatchback-only lineup, the more important news for driving enthusiasts is the return of the STI as a pure performance machine, and reduced pricing that makes it an […]

Top 10s: New Hot Hatches

[svgallery name=”Top 10 Hot Hatches”] By John LeBlanc Driving enthusiasts are well aware of the Hot Hatch Formula. Made popular during the first Oil Crisis in the early 1970s, which saw the neutering of the American muscle car and the near-extinction of the V8 engine, the idea of adding a bit of performance to a […]

Comparo: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour/Subaru Outback/Toyota Venza

[svgallery name=”2010_Car_Crossovers_hirez”] Crossover confusion Are the new Accord Crosstour, Venza, and redesigned Outback cars or crossovers? By John LeBlanc Just as new-car buyers were getting used to the idea that crossovers were car-based sport-utility vehicles, automakers have started morphing vehicles from the opposite end of the evolution cycle — turning some of their cars into […]

Used: Top 5 towing vehicles for under $20,000

[svgallery name=”Top 5 Used Tow Vehicles”] By John LeBlanc In preparation for the warm-weather recreation season, the need to haul a boat or camper trailer may have you looking for a new-to-you tow vehicle. So here, in ascending order of preference, is my choice of the top five, up-to-10-years-old, $20,000-and under, pre-owned, tow vehicles:

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