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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Petrichor
Posts by Petrichor
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![I’ve yet to miss a connecting flight or appointment at my destination, but this was cutting it close. Thunderstorm cells rolling over Denver were wreaking havoc on air traffic, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250613_070214.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Rental Review—2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible: Strangely Smitten")
Rental Review—2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible: Strangely Smitten
Posted on June 25, 2025 | 57 CommentsI’ve yet to miss a connecting flight or appointment at my destination, but this was cutting it close. Thunderstorm cells rolling over Denver were wreaking havoc on air traffic, […] -
![I’ve long been skeptical of the Ford Expedition. Since its launch thirty years ago as a thinly-veiled F-150 wagon, it struck me as a crass way for image-conscious North Americans […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20250113_123430.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Rental Car Review: 2022 Ford Expedition Limited–Ford Excess-pedition")
Rental Car Review: 2022 Ford Expedition Limited–Ford Excess-pedition
Posted on January 20, 2025 | 38 CommentsI’ve long been skeptical of the Ford Expedition. Since its launch thirty years ago as a thinly-veiled F-150 wagon, it struck me as a crass way for image-conscious North Americans […] -
![The Malibu. Chevy’s long-running evocation of California sunshine and coastal elitist prestige to sell a mainstream sedan to Norman and Irma in the hardworking heartlands. That’s not meant to […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241226_091806.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Rental Car Review: 2023 Chevrolet Malibu LT–Kyler")
Rental Car Review: 2023 Chevrolet Malibu LT–Kyler
Posted on January 6, 2025 | 79 CommentsThe Malibu. Chevy’s long-running evocation of California sunshine and coastal elitist prestige to sell a mainstream sedan to Norman and Irma in the hardworking heartlands. That’s not meant to […] -
![I saw my first Lexus TX in the wild not long ago and I was a bit conflicted about it. It’s a massive crossover clearly on a transverse-engine FWD […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/601aa78c050742a287d7d6da2ce8c7ab.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Editorial: Lexus in 2025 – They Aren’t Not What They Used To Be")
Curbside Editorial: Lexus in 2025 – They Aren’t Not What They Used To Be
Posted on November 21, 2024 | 53 CommentsI saw my first Lexus TX in the wild not long ago and I was a bit conflicted about it. It’s a massive crossover clearly on a transverse-engine FWD […] -
![The streets of Venice are quiet at 6AM, which is a blessed relief from the daytime hell-swarm of tourists stuffing gelato cups and Coke cans into the crevices of St. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dianteira-do-jeep-compass-limited-td350-2022.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Rental Car Review: 2023 Jeep Compass Italian spec–The Big Mac of Venice")
Rental Car Review: 2023 Jeep Compass Italian spec–The Big Mac of Venice
Posted on July 23, 2024 | 20 CommentsThe streets of Venice are quiet at 6AM, which is a blessed relief from the daytime hell-swarm of tourists stuffing gelato cups and Coke cans into the crevices of St. […] -
![“You had a bigger smile in the Audi” she says after I run the engine up through its sweet spot and glance over with an expectant look. Lexus extracted […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240422_200922_edited.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping: 2017 Lexus GS350 AWD–The Decision")
Used Car Shopping: 2017 Lexus GS350 AWD–The Decision
Posted on May 17, 2024 | 29 Comments“You had a bigger smile in the Audi” she says after I run the engine up through its sweet spot and glance over with an expectant look. Lexus extracted […] -
![It’s a tense time to be a Toyota truck fan. By the end of next year, every one of the sombrero’s North American market body-on-frame models will have been replaced […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1c8f950f4e334c9dbec7c0fc878164f6.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Shopping: 2024 4Runner and 2025 Land Cruiser–Where Is Toyota Going With This?")
CC Shopping: 2024 4Runner and 2025 Land Cruiser–Where Is Toyota Going With This?
Posted on March 12, 2024 | 41 CommentsIt’s a tense time to be a Toyota truck fan. By the end of next year, every one of the sombrero’s North American market body-on-frame models will have been replaced […] -
![Something has been troubling me about my slow-rolling car search. Although I had narrowed it down to the lovely A5 and GS350, each has a distinct flaw, one that gnaws. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/d52f333a7fab4d35a6582fa964c49e75.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping: 2020 Toyota Avalon XSE – Contradictory Incongruities")
Used Car Shopping: 2020 Toyota Avalon XSE – Contradictory Incongruities
Posted on December 8, 2023 | 35 CommentsSomething has been troubling me about my slow-rolling car search. Although I had narrowed it down to the lovely A5 and GS350, each has a distinct flaw, one that gnaws. […] -
![Big news! The 2025 Camry is here. Yes, hold onto your hats, CCers, it’s practically the dawning of a new age because while geologic history is measured in epochs, the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2025_Toyota-Camry_XSE_001.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Editorial: 2025 Camry Debut – Prepare To Welcome Your Hybrid Overlords")
Curbside Editorial: 2025 Camry Debut – Prepare To Welcome Your Hybrid Overlords
Posted on November 23, 2023 | 59 CommentsBig news! The 2025 Camry is here. Yes, hold onto your hats, CCers, it’s practically the dawning of a new age because while geologic history is measured in epochs, the […] -
![The raven stands before the shiny object, cocks his head, and eyes it, unsure. He was headed elsewhere on necessary errands when the glint caught his eye midflight and he […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231020_182905-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2018 Audi A5 Sportback – Shiny Object")
Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2018 Audi A5 Sportback – Shiny Object
Posted on October 30, 2023 | 57 CommentsThe raven stands before the shiny object, cocks his head, and eyes it, unsure. He was headed elsewhere on necessary errands when the glint caught his eye midflight and he […] -
![Based on their marketing, I interpret GMC as having one job in this world: to give Chevrolet truck buyers an attainable aspirational upgrade without leaving the family. Invest a little […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230731_160844.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Rental Car Review: 2022 GMC Terrain SLT AWD – Brand Dilution?")
Rental Car Review: 2022 GMC Terrain SLT AWD – Brand Dilution?
Posted on August 18, 2023 | 31 CommentsBased on their marketing, I interpret GMC as having one job in this world: to give Chevrolet truck buyers an attainable aspirational upgrade without leaving the family. Invest a little […] -
![Now here’s a machine to catch the eye. I didn’t know something like this was allowed to exist in 2023. It’s striking. It’s unconventional. It’s not a crossover and it’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/c9a20f0ff5cf4ceba6de32caf732c6a1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2020 Kia Stinger GT AWD")
Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2020 Kia Stinger GT AWD
Posted on July 31, 2023 | 28 CommentsNow here’s a machine to catch the eye. I didn’t know something like this was allowed to exist in 2023. It’s striking. It’s unconventional. It’s not a crossover and it’s […] -
![Hyundai/Kia is nothing if not ambitious. Over the last 15 years they’ve managed to wedge themselves into nearly every automotive segment, including some tough ones like the full size luxury […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cee9aafa607049c098e7601add21857d.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2021 Genesis G70")
Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2021 Genesis G70
Posted on July 17, 2023 | 30 CommentsHyundai/Kia is nothing if not ambitious. Over the last 15 years they’ve managed to wedge themselves into nearly every automotive segment, including some tough ones like the full size luxury […] -
![Ten years ago, Lexus released two credible rear wheel drive sports sedans which quickly pinged on the radars of automotive journalists and a quiet subset of enthusiasts, but which struggled […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/5df72b97c75647c7a8ef9d60edd2acc2.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2013-2015 Lexus GS350 AWD")
Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2013-2015 Lexus GS350 AWD
Posted on June 30, 2023 | 24 CommentsTen years ago, Lexus released two credible rear wheel drive sports sedans which quickly pinged on the radars of automotive journalists and a quiet subset of enthusiasts, but which struggled […] -
![Acura seems to be having a moment lately, with big revivals in styling, driving dynamics, and interior design in their latest generation of vehicles. And while they’ve come under some […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Acura-schematic.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec")
Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec
Posted on June 22, 2023 | 31 CommentsAcura seems to be having a moment lately, with big revivals in styling, driving dynamics, and interior design in their latest generation of vehicles. And while they’ve come under some […]
