2017 Mazda MX-5 RF: ode to roadster joy

In the summer of 1989, Mazda launched a joyous little two-seater, the Miata. The market swooned. And the broader zeitgeist was overwhelmed by a generational outpouring of affection for a tiny, lightweight car that recreated and reinvented the carefree British roadsters of an optimistic and rebuilding post-World War II world. That Miata was a work …

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Video: Kia’s Sedona is a perfect example of what’s right about minivans

Sure, SUVs are all the rage. But I continue to argue that minivans are better all-purpose rigs — by far.

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2017 Kia Sedona: why aren’t minivans like this cool?

The minivan is the automotive equivalent of mom jeans, a fashion statement not even someone as cool as former President Barack Obama – the guy who kite surfs with billionaire Richard Branson in the Caribbean — could pull off without suffering a social media pummeling. And it’s this image that explains why minivan sales today …

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Smart Fortwo cabrio: for a duo and almost nothing else

My tiny, 89-horsepower, $23,135 Smart Fortwo cabriolet tester was a surprise and something of a revelation, though the core issue remains: a car with two bucket seats and only enough cargo room for a handful of grocery bags is practical for only the most niche of niche buyers. But the Fortwo ragtop might be the …

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If you plan to lease, read this first

Thinking about leasing a new vehicle? If it’s an SUV (sport-utility vehicle), a Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4MATIC ($46,149) will be worth $23,230.60 after just under four years (45 months). Monthly payment: $607.46. Minivan? Lease a fully loaded Kia Sedona worth about the same as the GLC ($46,995) will be worth much less after 48 months: $16,181.55. …

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