2019 Toyota Tundra 4X4 Limited Double Cab – All Photos by Randy Stern

Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and remembering wonderful times in your life. There is a sense of joy when the company and the atmosphere is right.

This year, I did not spend Thanksgiving with family or friends. I spent it with something that gives me joy and provided me with good tidings and wonderful memories.

This Thanksgiving, I spent it with a pickup truck.

At this point, I should tell you a story. Since I began this part of my career trajectory, I never thought that a pickup truck would bring out a happy disposition to my soul. I love performance cars – true. Some better than others. However, there is nothing like a full-sized, half-ton pickup truck…and, on occasion, heavy duty ones…that makes this suburban-born-and-bred, middle-aged, Jewish, gay, and single (again) man a very gleeful fella.

I said it once – and I’ll say it again – though I am not as well versed on pickup trucks as some of my colleagues. I have never towed and pulled a full load in the box to determine whether an engine stands up to its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. I do not use a truck for work or on a farm. I am the least likely demographic to own one.

However, I love trucks. I love working with them. I love driving them.

Having a pickup truck for Thanksgiving and to work with during the several days afterwards is a reason to skip Black Friday. Continue reading →

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE – All Photos by Randy Stern

A Victory & Reseda review of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

For those of us who want the Toyota Corolla to not only be a global bestseller but a damn good compact car – it appears we are in for a treat.

At this point, it’s not worth quoting the number of Corollas sold worldwide since 1966. It’s probably at around or beyond 45 million by the time you’re reading this. This year marks the introduction of a twelfth-generation model. So far, the reception of the new Corolla has been very positive.

The strategy for the world debut of the twelfth-gen Corolla was quite interesting. You see, North American models have mostly been sedans, with some coupes, wagons, and hatchbacks thrown in for measure throughout out the decades. The wide selection of Corollas helped keep it in our conscious, whether it is back in Japan, across the USA, deep into Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia – and everywhere else in-between.

For this generation, Toyota chose the Hatchback – known as the Auris in many markets worldwide – as the initial body style for the new Corolla. This includes the USA and Canada.

Continue reading →