By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

For years BMW has supplied “the ultimate driving machine” to people who live for the simple joy of driving. Few have argued with the German company’s braggadocios description of its vehicles. BMW’s road manners have put truth in advertising.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Upscale sport utility vehicles are still on the most wanted end of the automotive spectrum. At least for those with excess disposable income.

But buying a Porsche Cayenne, a Mercedes ML350 or a Cadillac Escalade certainly is not as politically correct as it once was. Getting politically correct may mean making another choice, particularly one that uses less fossil fuel.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Audi’s timing is perfect. That’s because California gas prices are in the $2.50-a-gallon range, and on the East Coast prices are over $2.00 for unleaded regular.

As fuel prices escalate, fluctuate and manipulate, it seems that many vehicles are getting bigger which in itself makes the problem even larger. Look around, the trend has been to make an all-new model larger — and in many cases heavier — than the previous one.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Gaining that wonderful feeling that all is right with the world can be achieved without the benefit of mind-altering substances.

It’s possible to reach this level of nirvana on the open road behind the wheel of an automobile that fits like a glove — a car that has the rare ability to become one with the driver, a vehicle that answers all requests with a “can do” attitude, and it’s affordable.