Manual Transmission Cars
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2013 Acura ILX 2.4 Review
As Acura came to the US marketplace in 1986, its first two models included the Legend and the Integra. The Integra, based off the Civic’s platform, aimed to provide a more reliable and affordable rival to the BMW 3-Series. However, it was not regarded as a direct rival, but it did achieve success. It garnered Read more
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2012 Dodge Challenger R/T Review
Seeing how the market reacted to the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang in the 1960s, Dodge went to work at developing a rival. In late 1969, the Dodge Challenger and its twin, the Plymouth Barracuda were introduced. Their advantage over the aforementioned Camaro and Mustang was that they both could be ordered in numerous Read more
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2006 Mini Cooper S Review
Post World War II England faced high fuel prices, creating a need for a fuel efficient car. Alec Issigonis, an engineer for Morris (a now defunct British auto manufacturer), tried to come up with an affordable and fuel efficient car that would carry a family of four. The solution was to push the wheels out Read more
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2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR Turbo Review
The original people’s car came to fruition in 1938. With its affordable price and practicality, the Beetle was a success. Its success prolonged the Beetle’s lifespan into the 1970s. By then rally racing had become huge. The rally racing created demand for Volkswagen to build a rally racing version of its Beetle. Volkswagen took a Read more
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2014 Volkswagen CC R-Line Review
The Volkswagen Passat has always been one of Volkswagen’s most successful models. While it may be sensible, Volkswagen felt there was a need for a more exciting alternative to its family sedan. After watching the success of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Volkswagen saw an opportunity to produce a mainstream four door coupe. Volkswagen launched the Passat Read more
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2014 Ford Mustang GT Review
For the review of the Mustang V6 click here. Introduced in April 1964, the Mustang became Ford’s most successful model since the Model T. It is also one of the longest running American nameplates in automotive history. Following the 2005 redesign, the Mustang grew in size and power yet was more influenced by the classic Read more
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2013 Dodge Dart Rallye Review
Despite the current Dart, it was not always a modern compact sedan that was based off an Italian model’s chassis. Rather, in the 1960s, it was a lower priced alternative to the Dodge Charger and Challenger. Then in the 1970s, as the U.S experienced an oil crisis, the Dart became a compact. In 1976, the Read more
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2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review
Disclaimer: This GTI is not stock. Upgrades include K Sport Coil Overs, Boost Piping, Clutch Bleeder Block, 3″ Cat less downpipe, Awe Carbino Intake, and an Audi S3 front mount intercooler. Starting in 1974, the Golf was introduced as a front wheel drive replacement for the Beetle. This generation was sold as the Rabbit in Read more
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2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S Review
Rewind back to 2000 when the Mini Cooper was introduced. With its cheerful and cheeky styling and unbeatable agility, not to mention its BMW sourced drive train, it was a success. Over the years, the Mini lineup has evolved into the Clubman, then the Coupe and the Roadster. The Countryman is one of the two Read more
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2008 Honda Accord EX Review
I grew up in what you might call a Honda family. We had a 1988 Honda Civic DX, 1995 Honda Odyssey LX, and a 2004 Honda Pilot EXL. We kept each of the Hondas for as least 6 years. The 2004 Honda Pilot is still in our family, and it is running strong at 158k Read more
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