2013 Ford Taurus, 2 flavors, 1 a cruiser, 1 ZOMG fast bruiser

Posted on May 18, 2012 by frazgo
sho badging

subtle sho badging

I got to drive 2 flavors of the 2013 Taurus back to back the other day at the Ford Goes Further event.  One was the mid-line high volume SEL and the other was the bad boy range topping performance oriented SHO.  Guess which one I enjoyed the best?  Hint: they each have their merits and market.

What you get in both cars is Ford’s flag ship, pinnacle of the fleet.  That translates in to top notch build quality and materials, certainly competitive if not class leading particularly in the pricier SHO.   Continue reading →

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Ford Focus Electric…it stole my heart and may make it to my garage

Posted on May 17, 2012 by frazgo

What a dramatic change from test mule 3 years ago to production vehicle today.  I’ve seriously added it to my short list of want cars.  Want?  Yup, cars that I truly can justify owning but more about that in a bit.

What do you get with the 2012 Focus Electric?  Quite a bit actually.  You get a fully equipped Focus with an electric drive train.  No gas required.  Ever.  It meets California’s tough zero emissions standards for point of operation (yeah…never mind its charge comes from a dirty coal plant out in the desert) but even that can be offset if you opt for the solar home charging kit available through select Ford dealers. Continue reading →

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Still time to enter to win a Fiat 30 Day Test Drive

Posted on May 3, 2012 by admin

I got a voice mail from Tracey at Sierra Fiat of Duarte yesterday.  She’s the nice sales consultant that helped me enter the contest for the 30 Day Test Drive of the Pea Green Fiat 500.  You still have time to enter, contest closes on May 4th with the drawing in May 5th.

There will be a BBQ around 2pm on May 5th when they expect to hold the drawing and announce the contest winner.  You don’t need to be present, but wouldn’t it be fun to be there if you are the winner?

Details HERE.  Sierra Fiat of Duarte 1125 Central Avene, Duarte CA 91010

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Great Drives abound in Sunny So Cal

Posted on April 26, 2012 by frazgo

Dave’s post the other day about a hooning Caddy got me to google searching for more today. I stumbled upon this video of a Suby up on Yerba Buena Road just outside Malibu.  It was one of many roads in that area I had explored just for the fun of it when I first moved to CA and lived in The Valley.  I still use those roads when I head to Malibu and the Coastal Access areas around there instead of the roads more commonly travelled as that is just how I roll.

I love to use roads like that for test driving cars as well.  What are some of your favorite roads here in So Cal?  Share them in the comments. Include a map link to them as well if you can.

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#teendriving is more than a hashtag for this parent

Posted on April 24, 2012 by frazgo

teensdrivesmartlogoOk, maybe this is not entirely related to just sunny So Cal, but to this parent of teen drivers here its a very real worry.  Bridgestone the tire manufacture sponsors the Teens Drive Smart initiative with resources for parents and teens.  Its all about making teen drivers safer drivers and more likely to come home in one piece.  The latter isn’t a snark but this parents real worry every time a young driver leaves the house.

In a press conference today with Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary they announced the results of a recent survey of teen drivers and their habits.  Who knew that teen girls were more likely to engage in distracted driving habits than boys.  Full Survey results HERE.  To combat this problem LaHood and Bridgestone announced the Teen Drivers Smart Video Contest.  With the absolutely amazing talent of the kids here in So Cal, and the resources they have access to I would like to see one of our kids be the winner.  More details after the jump. Continue reading →

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Fabulous Fords Forever

Posted on April 23, 2012 by frazgo

Yowza…what a show 36 car clubs can put together.  Its not an overnight process but takes a full year of planning and effort but wow do they put on a show.  (With a little help and guidance of the Ford Car Club Council for the Western Region).  This is one of the best car shows in sunny So Cal and is a must do in my book.

The show is a nice mix of oldies and contemporary, drivers and trailer queens, restored beauties and mods.  You can’t go wrong with a mix like this show has to share.  After the owner exhibits there are manufacturer exhibits for Ford Racing, Shelby, Saleen, and Roush.  Dare you to get it all in quickly. Continue reading →

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2013 Ford Mustang found on the streets of Buena Park

Posted on April 22, 2012 by frazgo

Well it really wasn’t the streets, it was a semi-private parking lot I cut through on my way to the Fabulous Fords Forever Show.  (That will be its own post when I can get the video done and uploaded).  Imagine my surprise to find not 1 but 2, 2013 Ford Mustangs parked side by side complete with their Michigan dealer plates.  One GT 5.0 and a snazzy convertible presumably a V6 as it didn’t have the “5.0″ side markings.  Even these mid-cycle changes though subtle make for a very sexy car.  Ford will still sell a ton here in sunny So Cal.

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SoCal Cadillac Playtime with J.R. Hildebrand and Tyler McQuarrie

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Dave

Who would have thought we’d ever see a Cadillac do this?? Want.

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Ace Magazine gives comprehensive list of local cruise ins

Posted on April 19, 2012 by frazgo
Ace logo

Ace Magazine Logo

The Ace Magazine has on its web site a pretty comprehensive list of cruise ins.  You know what they are, but for the uninitiated its where you bring your fancy old car and meet up with others to show of your ride.  I can’t attest to how accurate and current the list is, but I can tell you it is comprehensive.  Link HERE.

PS…don’t forget this weekends show “Fabulous Fords Forever” which I will be covering for here.

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Win a 30 day Test drive of a Fiat 500 at Fiat of Duarte

Posted on April 16, 2012 by frazgo

Fiat Logo

We here at SoCalAutoBlog are fans of the Fiat 500…so much so that Dave even bought one.    Sierra Fiat of Duarte is giving away a chance to win a 30 day test drive of the adorable Cinquecento better known as the 500.  I will be trotting down to enter as I’d love to see how the car performs in real life.

Full details on their blog HERE.  Short version is agree to the terms of the contest and fill out an entry form at the dealership studio and you have a chance at winning.

Sierra Fiat of Duarte, 1125 Central Avenue, Duarte CA 91010 MAP HERE. 626-739-5450

 

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