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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Petrichor
Posts by Petrichor
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![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 | 56 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 | 23 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 […] -
![That damned new-car itch is back. I was hoping it would stay away, but it’s an irritating cyclical visitor that emerges out of nowhere at the 6-7 year mark–like a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-at-06-49-14-1996-BMW-328-Specs-Price-MPG-Reviews-Cars.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2019 BMW 430i Gran Coupe")
Used Car Shopping, Yuppiemobile Edition: 2019 BMW 430i Gran Coupe
Posted on June 15, 2023 | 36 CommentsThat damned new-car itch is back. I was hoping it would stay away, but it’s an irritating cyclical visitor that emerges out of nowhere at the 6-7 year mark–like a […] -
![Well, that figures. Our family road trip has landed me in the midst of the best driving roads I’ve ever seen and my Fiesta ST is seven hundred miles away. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20220617_184139.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "COAL Update & Rental Review: The Prole and the Princeling: Camry Xtra Sporty Edition vs. Audi S5")
COAL Update & Rental Review: The Prole and the Princeling: Camry Xtra Sporty Edition vs. Audi S5
Posted on July 8, 2022 | 22 CommentsWell, that figures. Our family road trip has landed me in the midst of the best driving roads I’ve ever seen and my Fiesta ST is seven hundred miles away. […] -
![Vehicles engineered toward a specific use can be frustrating when they also must be applied as broad-spectrum transportation. Five years and sixty-thousand miles into our 4Runner ownership, I’ve had […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_20190627_152654384.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "COAL Update: I hate you, 4Runner. I love you, 4Runner.")
COAL Update: I hate you, 4Runner. I love you, 4Runner.
Posted on February 14, 2022 | 56 CommentsVehicles engineered toward a specific use can be frustrating when they also must be applied as broad-spectrum transportation. Five years and sixty-thousand miles into our 4Runner ownership, I’ve had […] -
![As we fly through youth toward middle age, and our children grow older and our bodies grow slower and the ceaseless march of time places year after year behind the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_20201104_094015013.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "COAL: 2017 Ford Fiesta ST – Filling the Void")
COAL: 2017 Ford Fiesta ST – Filling the Void
Posted on December 17, 2020 | 41 CommentsAs we fly through youth toward middle age, and our children grow older and our bodies grow slower and the ceaseless march of time places year after year behind the […] -
![Crossovers, you may have noticed, are here for the foreseeable future. Enthusiasts see them as an occupying force and the erasure of driving culture, but the scrimmage line is now […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Title-pic.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Test Drive Review: 2020 RAV4 Hybrid and Mazda CX-5 – The Best Of The New World Order")
Test Drive Review: 2020 RAV4 Hybrid and Mazda CX-5 – The Best Of The New World Order
Posted on August 30, 2020 | 33 CommentsCrossovers, you may have noticed, are here for the foreseeable future. Enthusiasts see them as an occupying force and the erasure of driving culture, but the scrimmage line is now […] -
![I’m not having a good 2020. Most of us aren’t. We’re isolated, disrupted, nervous about finances and health. We’ve been shown just what a fragile illusion our booming economy and […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IMG_20200628_063340731.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "COAL–2013 Toyota RAV4 AWD Limited: Mom, in Memoriam")
COAL–2013 Toyota RAV4 AWD Limited: Mom, in Memoriam
Posted on July 3, 2020 | 51 CommentsI’m not having a good 2020. Most of us aren’t. We’re isolated, disrupted, nervous about finances and health. We’ve been shown just what a fragile illusion our booming economy and […] -
![VW has paved a difficult road for itself in North America. While huge globally, they’ve never pegged this market and have bumbled around with the wrong product mix for years. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DSCN0917-CC.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "COAL: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen – Peak VW")
COAL: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen – Peak VW
Posted on April 10, 2020 | 42 CommentsVW has paved a difficult road for itself in North America. While huge globally, they’ve never pegged this market and have bumbled around with the wrong product mix for years. […] -
![I’m a bit of a contrarian by nature. I’ll propose counterpoints just for the exercise of it, and by default I am skeptical of trends for reasons inexplicable even to […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/94ebc194cb344508aa032fb4fdd03296.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Borrowed Car Review: 2018 Honda Accord EX – Debbie Downer Drives the Best")
Borrowed Car Review: 2018 Honda Accord EX – Debbie Downer Drives the Best
Posted on August 19, 2019 | 101 CommentsI’m a bit of a contrarian by nature. I’ll propose counterpoints just for the exercise of it, and by default I am skeptical of trends for reasons inexplicable even to […]
