On the Scene Reviews | Mother Proof

IndyCar Series is Shockingly Family-Friendly

I recently took my youngest daughter to an IndyCar race in St. Petersburg, Fla. Looking at this world from the outside, it appears to be riddled with machismo and testosterone, so I was surprised to find such warmth and family-friendliness there.

2008 Pontiac G8 Preview

I was in the land of starlets and studs (aka Los Angeles) for the press launch of the 2008 Pontiac G8, so I guess it’s not too surprising that the phrase that kept coming to mind to describe the G8 was borrowed from Paris Hilton: “It’s hot.”

Positive Vibe Leaves Us Feelin' Groovy

Pontiac redesigned the Vibe for 2009, and I got a chance to check it out for a whole day recently. It’s still a small hatchback, but it’s cuter than before and more functional than ever.

How to Lose a Morning to a Flat Tire

Have you ever had one of those mornings when you wonder what you did to upset the karma pool? Well, this was one of those days. The kids were crabby, we were running late, and when I opened the door to the garage I was greeted with a flat tire. I could have called roadside assistance but I decided that all of you MotherProof.com fans would rather see me change the tire, right?

Driver's Edge Instructor Wins Races

The mom-reviewers here at Mother Proof are getting slightly paranoid about our kids coming of age to drive. With car collisions being the No. 1 killer of teens, it’s not an unfounded fear. Without an easy way to cure our tremors, we’re thrilled that Driver’s Edge exists. We’re even more thrilled that the instructors of Driver’s Edge are up-and-coming rock stars of the motorsports world.

Girl Power Alive and Well in Automotive Industry

While hanging out in the Mama Said Café at the Chicago Auto Show, I was approached by two women who work for Mitsubishi. Not abnormal in itself; I was at an auto show, after all. What caught my attention, though, was what they said next: “We work in the Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Ill.”

Live from New York: Day 2

Mother Proof Chief Mom Kristin Varela returns for Day 2 of the 2008 New York Auto Show. Here’s what she saw on the floor today that sparked her interest. Also, be sure to check out the rest of the New York coverage from yesterday.

Mother Proof Live at the New York Auto Show: Day 1

Mother Proof's Chief Mom Kristin Varela spent her day on the floor at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Here are her first reports; check back the rest of the week for more coverage.

2008 Mercedes C63 AMG Preview

Each Mercedes-Benz AMG engine is painstakingly made by a rock star from start to finish. They aren’t rock stars in the vein of Mick Jagger, but there are 50 AMG engine technicians who build each engine individually, and I can attest that they truly are amazing.

Car Shows Mostly Dream in Technicolor

At the Detroit auto show, the Toyota Venza showed up in a metallic tan, as did the Lincoln MKT. I’m excited to hear what the manufacturers come up with as the official names of these browns. Champagne, Opulent Sand, Toasted Sesame and Moonlight Dune come to mind.

2008 Lexus LX 570 Preview

What do you get for $73,800? To put it very simply, a lot. If I were a dreamer — and I am, as it turns out — I would dream about owning the awe-inspiring Lexus LX 570 someday.

2008 Mother Proof Awards

Back by popular demand, here are the 2008 Mother Proof/Spoof Awards. Our team of mom-reviewers has been busy all year, loading child-safety seats, carpoolers, teenagers, groceries and the occasional gaggle of giggly gal friends into all the latest and greatest cars. With all that done, here are our picks for the best family cars of the year.

Warm Up With Us at the Chicago Auto Show

The Mother Proofers arrived in Chicago today in advance of Women’s Day at the Chicago Auto Show. We’ll take up a big space over by Bridgestone tomorrow, Feb. 12, so if you’re anywhere near Chi-town, come in out of the cold to visit our Mama Said Café and talk shop — we’d love to meet you!

Mother Proof Live from Chicago: Day 2

Head Mother Proofer Kristin Varela is again on the floor at the Chicago Auto Show today. Her coverage today begins with the Mazda5. Check back over the next week for videos from her time in Chicago, too.

Mother Proof Live at the Chicago Auto Show: Day 1

It’s Day 1 of the Chicago Auto Show, and mommy guilt is already starting to set in. I haven’t been able to reach my kids by phone since I left home, and also happened to meet a woman who wrote a book aptly titled “Mommy Guilt.”

Video: Learn More about OnStar

OnStar is like everyone’s mom; calling for help, calming us down and fixing a wide range of dilemmas. Check it out in our video from OnStar’s command center, where Chief Mom Kristin Varela talks with Suzanne Johnson of OnStar to learn more about what they do and how they do it.

Ford Verve Concept Could Work For Families

The Verve wasn’t unveiled so much as it arrived at the Ford press conference at Joe Louis Arena, lowered to the stage amid fog machines and colored lights. What was most surprising, though, was that this little four-door doesn’t resemble a Ford at all.

New Car Definitions Leave Us Lost in Translation

Kristin and I got lost twice in Detroit, and the auto show there was just as tricky to navigate. The industry is going in new directions, and many new words are being used in lieu of the old ones.

Alive at 25 a Wake-Up Call for Young Drivers

The drive home from Alive at 25 was filled with an “I love ya man” conversation that is not the norm with my teen. I was happy to hear that my son came away from the class knowing that he needs to (and can be comfortable with) standing up for himself when it comes to driving recklessly.

Live from Detroit: Day 3

Mother Proofers Kristin and Sara are on the floor at the North American International Auto Show for its last day. Here are our reports; check back later today for more coverage. Check back over the next week for videos from our time in Detroit, too.

Live from Detroit: Day 2

Mother Proofers Kristin and Sara are on the floor at the North American International Auto Show today. Here are our first reports; check back later today and tomorrow for more coverage. Check back over the next week for videos from our time in Detroit, too.

Live from Detroit: Mother Proof at the 2008 North American International Auto Show

Mother Proofers Kristin and Sara spent Sunday on the floor at the North American International Auto Show. Here are our first reports; check back Monday and Tuesday for more coverage.

2008 Mistubishi Lancer Evolution Preview

The more I learned about this car, the more I was convinced that it could be a perfectly acceptable mom-mobile. Trust me. It’s got everything you need (speed, speed, and more speed) and more (good old regular features like car seat Latches).

2008 Buick Enclave Preview

The engineers at Buick spent an inordinate amount of time and energy on what they refer to as “quiet tuning” in the Enclave. What that means is that if your mothering coping mechanism while in the car is to avoid your kids incriminating inquisitions by replying, “What? Huh? I can’t hear what you’re saying,” then this car isn’t for you.

First Look at the 2008 Mini Clubman

I love to shock people with the news that I might be in the market to buy a Mini Cooper; their facial muscles contort in the oddest manner. So I was super excited to see how the slightly larger Mini Clubman would compare. Cars.com’s Suburban Dad and I had a little video face-off to compare our initial thoughts.

Bad Auto Show Morning Turns Green

Behind door No. 1 at the L.A. auto show we find hybrid cars, behind No. 2 is diesel and, finally, what’s behind door No. 3 is just plain small. Make your choices, ladies (and gentlemen) — your children’s world will be better off when we commit to one of these options.

All-New Audi A4 Preview

As a single mom with two daughters, I hardly feel the need to buy a huge behemoth of a four-wheel-drive SUV to transport my estrogen-laden clan to and from school. I’d like something strong and feminine, safe and functional, and stylish enough to take out on date night (hah — funny). And, living in Colorado, I simply must have all-wheel drive.

2008 Toyota Land Cruiser Preview

While this big SUV is likely to serve just as a primary grocery-getter and carpool-lane-cruiser, it’s still impressive to know I could probably scale a cart corral in an overcrowded grocery store parking lot in it.

2008 Volvo XC70 Preview

The Volvo XC70 won’t disappoint, assuming you can get over your lust for sleek, feminine metro crossovers and step into a burly Swedish station wagon named Jörgen who’s shouting, “Ya, I’m a station vagon. If you’ve got a problem vith that, send your vussy crossover up za mountain for aquavit!”

2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid Preview

Shrek is that oafish, super-friendly green ogre moviegoers everywhere grew to adore. He’s not fancy, he’s not pretentious, he simply does the right thing and produces good results without complaint. The Tribute Hybrid is much the same.

2008 Mazda CX-9 Preview

I am so average. I'm of average height, average weight, brown hair, brown eyes, B student (OK, C student). Turns out that makes me the target market for the CX-9. Finally, being the average consumer has paid off in spades.

Confessions of a Closet Racecar Driver

I have a secret: Over the past two years in my capacity as a dedicated Mother Proof mom-reviewer, I have learned that I really like to drive cars fast. Just don’t tell my teenager.

A Conversation With Sarah Fisher

Despite my most valiant efforts, I wasn’t able to secure an interview with any of the drivers at the Indy 500. So this time I decided to use a different, shameless tactic: a cute kid to do my dirty work for me. So sue me! Enter 7-year-old Catalin Varela, Mother Proof’s first guest columnist.

2008 Saab 9-3 Preview

In high school, there was a large group of Saab enthusiasts who told me that the word “Saab” was Swedish for “car.” Well, friends, I have been set straight by Peter Johansson, a Saab engineer who is a grandson of one of the original 16 aircraft engineers who founded Saab after World War II. So, mean boys of my youth, how’s that for a highly credible source?

2008 Jeep Liberty Preview

When I was a little girl, I got sucked into the world of Barbie. Imagine my reaction the day my friend Lizzy came over with a new Barbie vehicle. That car had a sliding fabric roof that I longed to port to my mom’s mammoth sedan. Fast forward a couple of decades, and you’ll still find me completely taken in by the Sky Slider roof on the new Jeep Liberty.

2008 Chevy Malibu Preview

One of my pet peeves is not having a place in the car to store my purse. It sits impatiently on the passenger seat, mischievously waiting to launch itself into the air, spilling its contents (including my cell phone) mere seconds before the pediatrician calls. The Chevy Malibu solves this problem and more.

A Sneak Peek at Mercedes' SUVs

The Mercedes ML and GL are an interesting dichotomy, part rugged SUV, part refined driving machine — much like slumming around in matchy-matchy designer sweats all day, then dressing up and rocking out at night.

2008 Volvo C30 Preview

The interior of the new Volvo C30 features a cool etched center control panel reminiscent of the tramp stamp Destiny (my alter-ego) wants to get on her lower back.

Of Muggles and Minivans: 2008 Town & Country Preview

Ford and GM have turned into murderous Lord Voldemorts, morbidly placing their minivan lines on the chopping block. Yet Chrysler is pulling off its own wizardry, gambling on the rise of the minivan as the greatest mode of transportation since the Nimbus 2001.

LEGOland Lets Kids Take the Wheel

The Volvo Jr. Driving School at LEGOland introduces basic concepts of automotive safety to young children. It’s also great fun, and a fantastic way for Volvo to build brand loyalty in super-young children. Is that even legal?

2008 Toyota Highlander Preview

My favorite feature of all — and quite possibly my favorite new feature in any 2008 vehicle — is a second row that converts from a bench seat for three into two captain’s chairs. Duh! Why didn’t someone think of that earlier?

Clean-Diesel Engine on Tap at Chrysler

After attending Chrysler’s “What’s New ‘08” event, I am confident that diesel engines will play a big part in improving fuel economy in the future. I’m not talking about my Daddy’s diesel engine with the glow-plug switch, loud rumble and filthy smoke pouring out the tailpipe. Nope, today’s diesel engine is a much different animal.

Rainy Days at the Indianapolis 500

Upon completion of the race, a very happy Ashley Judd (wife of Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti) was splashing in the puddles, looking more like a soaked puppy than a glamorous movie star. I bet she doesn't feel like a frizzy pickle, and I’m sure her tires are always well-maintained. Biatch. Love her.

Driver's Edge Tour 2007

DriversEdge

Don’t succumb to the paranoia involved in letting your kid drive. One day you won’t let them drive, the next thing you know they’re living in your basement and sneaking off with your Social Security check. Instead, you and your little Marco Andretti or Danica Patrick can attend a Driver’s Edge half-day clinic.

American Le Mans Series

During a visit to the American Le Mans Series, I was invited to ride in an Audi RS 4 during the parade lap before the start of the race. My driver, Allison, has two kids, 5 and 11 years old. Holy cow — professional race mamas! How cool is that?

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