Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Specializing in restaurants and travel, her works have appeared in a variety of local, national, and international print and digital outlets. Between searching the world for memorable tastes and the stories behind the plate, she’s on the constant lookout for great people who have fascinating stories about why they love their vehicles.

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Jacqueline Nicosia has a lot on her plate. The mother of two co-owns Toronto’s Ardo and Dova restaurants and Vivi Imports with her husband, Roberto Marotta.

With so much on the go, it might surprise you that Nicosia only bought her own vehicle less than a decade ago. Up until then, she and Marotta shared a two-door Saab. It was only after the birth of their first child in 2013 that the couple decided to get a second set of wheels.

They opted for a Jeep Cherokee, which was a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2012. When the Jeep’s lease ended last year, the couple decided to go with a 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X P400, one of only 50 sold in Ontario. Nicosia tells us why she loves her vehicle.

“We were in a different financial position when we got the Jeep,” said Nicosia. “I did enjoy driving it, but I was ready to move on to a different style of car. The Jeep was a two-wheel drive, and I had a few moments driving in the winter with (my son) Leonardo in the car where my tires spun out a bit on the snow and ice. Getting a four-wheel drive car was at the top of my list.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171112" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/wh-WhyLove-Rover-Back-Sept3-scaled.jpg" alt="2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X P400 " width="2560" height="1707" />

“I test drove about 15 different new and used SUVs. We went to the Land Rover dealership to look at another car and I saw the Defender. We figured we’d take it for a test drive and ended up buying the floor model.

“One of my favorite features about the car is the fact it's a very sturdy drive. It’s important especially with kids in the car. I wanted a car with a bit more power, and this delivered. I wanted something that that was easy to clean up. One really nice thing about the Defender is you can literally open the doors and almost hose the entire thing down. I’m the one who drives the kids from school to their activities, so you can imagine the mess left from boots in the wintertime.

“You also don’t see too many Defenders on the road compared to some of the cars I test drove that are all over the city. I wanted something that looked a little different. I liked that it has a bit of a rugged, bigger, boxier look but is still very elegant. I’m nervous to admit, but it’s true, I wanted something that I felt good to be in.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-171111" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/wh-WhyLove-Rover-Silver-Sept3-scaled.jpg" alt="2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X P400 " width="2560" height="1707" />

“I try to help my kids feel included and want them to care for the car as much as I do because its ours collectively. I don’t know why, but we gave nicknames to the cars. Rob’s car has always been Big Friend. My Jeep was Little Friend. The Defender’s nickname with the kids is Best Friend because it’s our car.”

A CLOSER LOOK: 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X P400

Winter parking

“My favourite thing with having this car in the winter is I've never had a problem finding or getting out of a parking spot,” said Nicosia. “Even if there is a snow mound – especially in Toronto after they plow the street – I don't have a problem getting in or out of a parking spot. The capabilities of the Defender have been huge for me, and I didn’t realize the benefits of that until I had it. I have a feeling it will be very hard to drive a different car after this one.”

Armrest cooler

“My kids and I absolutely love that there’s a centre armrest cooler,” said Nicosia. “It’s probably not something I would have chosen if I had picked my own package, but it came with the car because it was a floor model, which already had all these different features in it. I didn't think I would use it but it’s a nice feature to have. It’s like a mini-fridge and I always have water and Bublys in there. When people get into my car and I ask, ‘Can I offer you a beverage?’”

Space to spare

“I love the size and capacity of the car,” said Nicosia. “It gives us a ton of space for moving stuff around between the restaurants, the importing business, and having two kids and a dog. I can open the back of the Defender when we’re stopped somewhere, and all three of us can sit back there and have a burger in the trunk.”

THE SPECS
<ul>
 	<li>BODY STYLE: SUV</li>
 	<li>DRIVE METHOD: All-wheel drive</li>
 	<li>ENGINE: 3.0L inline-6, 395-hp; 406 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li>FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 13.5/10.8 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li>CARGO VOLUME: 2380 litres</li>
 	<li>PRICE: Starts at $96,000</li>
 	<li>WEBSITE: landrover.ca</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. Email us at wheels@thestar.ca to be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle? Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Why I love my vehicle: This Land Rover isn’t just spacious, it’s this family’s Best Friend

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Noreen Ragbar’s 1977 Datsun 710 is filled with memories. Recently married to her husband, Ron, in the late-1970s, Noreen needed a car to get her job as a parttime nurse at the Guelph General Hospital.

Spotting an ad in the local newspaper, the Guelph Mercury, offering a Datsun lease for $99 down and $99 per month, the couple decided to purchase one with a burnt umber exterior and a white vinyl top.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170983" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Datsun-Hospital-Aug27-scaled.jpg" alt="1977 Datsun 710" width="2560" height="1707" />

The car has been with them ever since, following the couple as they moved from Guelph to Toronto and then Mississauga, and was used to bring their first two children, sons Rygel and Zap, home from the hospital after they were born.

It took the family – including their youngest child, daughter Deneb – on vacations in Northern Ontario and the United States, as well as piano and skating lessons closer to home.

By the 1990s, the Datsun was showing its age. One time the bumper fell off as Noreen was taking the kids to a cricket camp. “I just came out, picked it up, put it in the trunk, and we continued on,” she said. Soon the Datsun was stored away in the family garage and replaced with a newer vehicle.

Thanks to the hard work of her sons and husband, after years of sitting unused, the car was restored for Noreen. The Ragbars tell us why they love their vehicle.

“In 2017, the boys decided with Ron to restore it, but they kept it a secret from me,” said Noreen. “It was badly in need of some bodywork.”

“As far as mom was concerned, it was being towed away and scrapped,” said son Rygel. “She didn’t know we towed it to the auto shop. It took us about six months to restore the vehicle. All the parts that were rusting were replaced. We had to do an oil change, but the motor was still good. All I had to source was a starter for the car which I got from South Africa.

“Our intent was to restore it and keep it for sentimental value,” he said. “It’s the original headlights, white vinyl roof and interior. We reupholstered the seats with something like the original. The radio and all the light still work. The car was originally purchased in orange but a couple years after that my father painted it a light green. So, part of the restoration was bringing it back to the original colour.”

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170981" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Datsun-Noreen-Aug27-scaled.jpg" alt="1977 Datsun" width="2560" height="1707" />

“My eldest son likes to say, ‘Things last when you take care of them,’” said Noreen. “I like to think my car has come full circle. The boys who came home in it as newborns are now driving it proudly and loving all the attention it attracts. This year, the Datsun was accepted to be on display at the Yorkville Exotic Car Show, and some people shared some very emotional memories of their own Datsuns. So, that's the fun part about driving it.” 

A CLOSER LOOK: 1977 Datsun 710

Years of memories

“It’s a special car. It was our first vehicle, and I did so much with the kids in it,” said Noreen. “Bringing them home from the hospital is a very special memory. They didn’t drive the car as teenagers – by then we had other cars – but they’re driving it now as adults. That’s remarkable to me. It was laid up in the garage for more than 20 years and now it’s up and running on the road.”

A head turner

“A lot of people have Datsuns that were performance or sport vehicles,” said Rygel. “But this is a regular family vehicle. It's rare for someone to keep and restore something like this. A lot of people who know this car and appreciate it are shocked when they see it. We never thought it would get so much attention. My brother and I have nice cars, but this car gets the most attention and the most love from people – young and old.”

Staying original

“The beauty of the car is that all the parts are original: the L20B engine, chassis, three-speed fully automatic transmission, exhaust, cooling system, suspension, drum brakes and HVAC,” said Noreen. “It doesn’t have AC. It has one rear view mirror on the driver’s side – that’s how they were made in 1977 – and a set of 165 R13 whitewall tires. Even the Ontario plates are original.”

THE SPECS 
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: Sedan</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: Rear-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: Spark-ignition, four-stroke, 97-hp; 102 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 12-14.4/12-14.4 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: The Ragbars purchased the car for $4,800 in 1978. The restoration cost approximately $20,000</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. Email us at wheels@thestar.ca to be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle? Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

This 1977 Datsun 710 has been with one family through some very important milestones

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Oshawa’s Ted Grisley has always had a penchant for art and history. A librarian assistant with Toronto Public Libraries for the past 35 years, he relies on his 2006 Honda Civic to get to work.

When he doesn’t have to commute to Toronto, Grisley has two classic rides he can choose from. The first is a 1977 Chevrolet Nova that once belonged to his aunt. Grisley, who acquired the car in 2000, actually used it to take his driving license test decades ago.

His other head-turner, once that he has loved since he was a child, is a 1967 Ford Mustang 289 V8 convertible. He bought it from an Ajax-based seller who advertised it on Kijiji in January of 2015. Although he wasn’t looking specifically for a convertible Mustang, nor one painted in a unique colour called Frost Turquoise, Grisley tells us why he loves his vehicle.

“I was looking for a Mustang. I always thought they had a certain cachet to them, and I always liked the horse (logo) on the grill,” said Grisley. “I wasn’t looking for a convertible, but when I stumbled across this car, I fell in love with it. I wasn't crazy about the colour, either. I wanted something more traditional in black or red.

“It grew on me after a time, and it gets me a lot of attention when I'm driving. I think most people see the colour first, and then they see it’s a Mustang. I have the build sheet for the car, and it says that it is  only one of 1,610 cars that has this paint colour.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170828" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Mustang-Back-Aug20-scaled.jpg" alt="1967 Ford Mustang 289 V8 convertible" width="2560" height="1707" />

“The car is mostly original,” he said of the Mustang, which has more than 320,000 kilometres on it. “I’m the eighth owner, and all the previous owners have kept it in good shape. The car is not a show car, but it's in very, very good condition. I don’t drive it in the winter. I have it sprayed every so often with oil underneath and I keep the car as clean as possible.

“It was built at the Dearborn Michigan plant. It has a V8 engine and has a 289 two-barrel carburetor. The engine, as far as I know, is original. It's never been opened. It's got black vinyl bucket seats, a black power top with the glass backlight.

“I have done some upgrades to it. It had manual brakes and I wasn't comfortable with that, so I converted it to power-assisted brakes. I also upgraded to electronic ignition since cars back then didn't have it. I am quite happy with the upgrades. Two years ago, I upgraded the convertible top and put in new carpet because, after 50 years, the black carpet had turned brown.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170829" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Mustang-Engine-Aug20-scaled.jpg" alt="1967 Ford Mustang" width="2560" height="1707" />

“Because of its colour, my car is hired out for people to take engagement pictures, for music videos and films. It’s been in the ‘Queen's Gambit,’” Grisley said. “It was in ‘The Kid in the Hall’ reboot, and I got to be in the background (of a scene). That was a lot of fun. I love films and classic cars, so it’s a wonderful marriage. It’s given me a lot of pleasure and fun.”

A CLOSER LOOK: 1967 Ford Mustang 289 V8 Convertible

A rare ride

“What I really like about it is it’s a rare convertible,” said Grisley. “The colour is certainly an eye catcher, and it gets a lot of attention. People in other classic cars giving me the thumbs up, and often, when I’m driving on the 401, I get people honking. That’s always nice. I take it to show-and-shines to display the car and talk to other owners. If I’m really in a good mood, I might allow people to sit in it.”

Smooth handling

“For an older car it handles well,” he said. “Because there is no fuel injection, it doesn't have fast acceleration, but it has a good, smooth acceleration with a good rumble from the engine. But nothing obnoxious. It is good on the corners.” The Mustang has wire-spoked wheels and tires with white walls.

“You don't see white walls anymore. They’re rare, unless they’re on a classic.”

Conversation starter

“One thing I tell any future classic car owners is that you shouldn't be shy,” Grisley said. “People are going to be drawn to your car. They're going to ask you questions, they're going to ask you about the history of it, and then they're going to tell you about how their great uncle used to have one when they were little.”

THE SPECS
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: 2+2-seater convertible</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: Rear-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: 4.7 L Windsor V8, 200-hp; 282lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 20.3 to 24.4/14 to16.8 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 218 litres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Original 1967 starting price of $2,814 (U.S.)</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Why I love my vehicle: Inside a 1967 Ford Mustang convertible

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Chef Roberto Marotta is known for serving modern Sicilian and Mediterranean fare at his celebrated Toronto restaurants, Ardo and Dova. Growing up in Milazzo, located on the northeast coast of Sicily, his love for food was inspired by his mother’s cooking.

His love of cars – especially silver ones – comes from his father. In addition to his own vehicles, the senior Marotta had a friend who would leave his silver Porsche 911 Carrera with the family for a couple of weeks during the summer. Marotta would go for drives in the sportscar with his father and knew that one day he wanted to own one.

Two years ago, Marotta, who moved from Sicily to Toronto in 2009, learned that his dream car was available. He headed to BMW Toronto and purchased his 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 997. Marotta tells us why he loves his vehicle.

“It’s a very unique car,” said Marotta about the 997. “You don’t see any other cars that looks like a Porsche Carrera. It’s a classic design since 1961. It is more modern looking today, but Porsche has always maintained its shape. I believe the version my father’s friend owned had an air-cooled engine, which is nearly impossible to buy today.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170623" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Porsche-Inside-Aug13-scaled.jpg" alt="2005 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 997" width="2560" height="1707" />

“My car is a 2005 Carrera 997. That was the last year that Porsche maintained, in my opinion, the true characteristic of a Porsche. It was the last model before they got too much into electronics. I love the new Porsches, don’t get me wrong, but the 2005 was the last where there’s less technology involved, and you can feel the rear-wheel drive. My model has the automatic steering wheel-mounted gearbox, and I can change the gear from the steering wheel.”

“I always look forward to driving the car, but not in the winter because it came from Vancouver and has never seen snow. I drive it as much as I can, at least once a week. Every time I drive the car, I discover something new. It’s a unique kind of feeling. It has a very fun sound. The smell inside my car is unique. It might be the leather, but the inside smells nice. It also has this beautiful ceiling that’s made of suede.”

“I use the car. It's not just a good-looking car that I drive through Yorkville. The Porsche has a frunk (a trunk in the front), and sometimes I carry wine in it. I take it to the market. I’ve gone to pick up a suckling pig that was in a clear bag from St. Lawrence Market and I put in the front of the car to drop off at the restaurant. That was an interesting day.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170624" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Porsche-Engine-Aug13-scaled.jpg" alt="2005 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 997" width="2560" height="1707" />

“I don’t plan to ever sell or trade this car for a new one. (My son) Leonardo already says he wants to learn to drive it, and I want him to enjoy it one day. This is a car that would stay with me as long as it can.”

A CLOSER LOOK: 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 997

The sound

“I love the sound,” said Marotta. “The first time my son sat in the car he said, ‘Wow, this sounds like a real car’ when I turned on the engine. You feel it a little bit more in the back than in the driver’s seat. I don’t think other cars give you the same vibe or feeling.”

The engine

“The rear wheel engine is something that I really love,” said Marotta. “I love the way the car drives, the control and the traction from the back wheels.”

SUB: The shifting

“The gear shifting is impressive,” said Marotta. “If you are in fourth gear, you can shift it down to get more torque. It’s meant to be driven aggressively. I always get invited by my friend to bring the car to the racetrack. I would love to, but I prefer enjoying my car the way I do.”

THE SPECS 
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: 2+2-seater fixed-head coupe</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: Rear-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: Water-cooled DOHC 24-valve boxer flat six, 325-hp; 295 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 16.1/8.1 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 135 litres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Originally starting at $69,300 (U.S.)</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

A Porsche stole this Sicilian-born chef’s heart as a child. Now he drives a 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 997 of his own

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As the former publisher of “Time” magazine’s “Style &amp; Design,” Kris Menon said that words, pictures and design are his favourite things. He moved back to the Toronto area 14 years ago from New York City and started Your Brand Integrated Marketing Communications Inc., an award-winning agency.

Menon is a big Audi fan. Over the past two decades he has owned several different models, including the A4, Q5, and SQ5. The Etobicoke resident uses his vehicle to commute to meetings at his office in Liberty Village, and to care for his parents, who live in North York.

His role as a caregiver was one of the factors in his recent decision to purchase a 2021 Audi RS Q8. With the vehicle unavailable in the Toronto area, Menon ordered his vehicle online from Audi Anjou in Montreal. He tells us why he loves his vehicle.

“I’ve loved Audis since I was young. It always had an appeal to me,” said Menon. “I love words, design and art. I collect a lot of Canadian art, especially from the modern Quebec scene. Some of my favorite artists play with different textures, colours and use mixed mediums.

“I always felt that Audi was design focused – their vehicles feel like pieces of art. The pattern Audi used on the front grill is unreal. The sleekness of the side mirrors, the indentations on the panels, it’s very thoughtful. It is something I love looking at.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170489" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Audi-Interior-Aug6-scaled.jpg" alt="2021 Audi RS Q8" width="2560" height="1707" />

“I remember when the R8 (the company’s high-performance coupe) came out in 2006. It was the car of my dreams. I just loved the design,” he said. “My RS Q8 is the closest that I felt to owning an R8. It’s like a R8 in terms of styling, horsepower, speed, and all that kind of stuff. It's incredibly sleek and has all those elements of a beautiful performance sports car, but it also has the practicality of being good in the winter, to transport things in and to take people around – like my parents.

“The vehicle is a great blend of form and function. It is super safe, very intuitive, and yet it’s a piece of art,” said Menon. “Eventually, I think I will switch over to electric – I think we’ll all switch over to electric at some point. I thought the RS Q8 would be the perfect final gas car for me. It's funny, because it really did come down to an Audi e-Tron (an electric vehicle) or this car when I made my decision.”

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170488" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/wh-WhyLove-Audi-Rear-Aug6-scaled.jpg" alt="2021 Audi RS Q8" width="2560" height="1706" />

A CLOSER LOOK: 2021 Audi RS Q8

A sleek look

“I love the design,” Menon said about his RS Q8. “It's much sleeker and is lower to the ground than my previous Audi. I think it’s cooler to drive and much more beautiful to look at. I think it’s because I'm such a fan of the brand, it’s hard to make an unbiased comparison to a lot of the mass-produced stuff that we consume that I find is very formulaic.”

Intuitive design

“There is the design of the cockpit, which, compared to pretty much anything I've ever driven, is very different,” said Manon. “The cockpit is really built for a driver. It’s also built to really allow you to keep focused on the road. It’s got a heads-up display. The touchscreen is very intuitive with the HVAC controls, the heating and the cooling. There are controls on the steering wheel for the radio and you can move to RS Performance mode by just pressing a button on the right side.”

Focus and handling

“I’m sort of a conservative driver and am a big proponent of keeping your focus on the road, so the car gives you all the tools to be really focused and not playing with toys, which I think is the primary responsibility of a driver,” said Menon. “It handles like a sports car. I’ve never driven a SUV like this. It handles like a much smaller car on turns, when it merges on the highway and over long distances.”

THE SPECS 
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: Four-door hatchback</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: All-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: 4.0L turbo Quattro, 591-hp; 590 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 18.1/12.4 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 1699 litres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Starting at $115,595 (U.S.)</li>
 	<li> WEBSITE: <a href="http://www.audi.ca">audi.ca</a></li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Why I Love My Car: This design-conscious Toronto driver sees so much in his Audi to love

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Steve Roberts has many hobbies. In addition to gardening – Scarborough has recognized him for having one of the community’s best gardens – he builds roller skates and tinkers with his vehicles. The 85-year-old also enjoys visiting the region’s many flea markets, estate and yard sales searching for anything automotive related.

Roberts has always bought his vehicles second hand and has a soft spot for orphaned vehicles. He has owned a series of GM models over the years, including a 1954, 1959 and 1965 Chevrolet, and four Buick Park Avenues. To say he is a fan of full-sized luxury cars is an understatement. He currently drives a 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra Special Edition.

He bought the car to replace his 1997 Buick Park Avenue Ultra Supercharged, which he was spending more time fixing than driving. The Special Edition was sold by its original owner and, while it had its fair share of issues, Roberts knew he could fix it. He tells us why he loves his vehicle.

“I could never afford a brand-new car,” Roberts said. “I usually picked up a car that needed a lot of repairs. I’m a mechanic, but I never got my license because I went into printing instead, but there's nothing on a car that I can’t fix or repair. I’ve built motors, transmissions, differentials and the electronics. That’s why I like to stick with one brand.

“The 2005 was the last Park Avenue Buick made (it was discontinued in the U.S.). This one is the Park Avenue Special Edition Ultra, which means it was a limited production model. They only made 300 of them. It has special trim, badging, split bench seats and was only available in one colour combination. It had 17-inch rims instead of the 16-inch on the base model.

“My car has everything that was available except for the floor console – supposedly it was another $3,000 just for that. Last year I found a car that had a floor console (I could take it from),” he said.

“I’ve modified a couple of things. The 1997 had a nicer grill. I had two spare ones for the 1997, so I painted one of them black and put it on the 2005, which makes it look better than with its chrome plated grill. I saved the original grill in case I want to put it back on.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170260" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Buick-Fan-July30-scaled.jpg" alt="2005 Buick Park Avenue" width="2560" height="1707" />

“I’ve been collecting paperwork for the Buick,” said Roberts. “I have the 1997 press package, which comes with all the different brochures that showed the different models, color combinations, interior, etc., and a set of eight-by-ten black and white promo photos of the Park Avenue. I've been shopping around trying to find the same press package for the 2005, but I’m not anticipating that I will find it.

“This is probably the last car I’m going to own,” said Roberts. “I just got lucky. I wasn't even expecting I’d ever find one because it’s a really rare model.”

A CLOSER LOOK: 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra Special Edition

A GM devotee

“I’ve always liked Buicks,” said Roberts. “For a while, I liked European cars, but they were too expensive to fix. A lot of times you couldn’t get parts for them. I went through all sorts of different British vehicles. I only ever had one Chrysler product, and my first Ford had an overhead valve engine that was a lemon, so I never went back to Fords. I only seem to like GMs.”

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170261" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Buick-Engine-July30-scaled.jpg" alt="2005 Buick Park Avenue" width="2560" height="1707" />

Upgraded design

“The 1985 Buick Park Avenue was my first front-wheel-drive car,” said Roberts. “Then I owned a 1993 Park Avenue that was supercharged, and then a supercharged 1997 Park Avenue. The ’97 was the first in its series, and the 2005, which I have now, was the last of that series. Being in the same series, they used the same body, so they both look alike. But they upgraded the horsepower and more toys over the years.”

A quiet ride

“It’s got four-wheel independent suspension,” said Roberts. “It’s also got overdrive transmission. It's quiet. It's powerful. You know, with the supercharger, it goes like a bat out of you-know-what. And it’s relatively cheap on gas. I’ve got to watch it because a couple of times I’ve had it over the speed limit. I pulled out to pass a truck, and just put my foot onto the gas hard, and it shot up to 150 kilometres like nothing.”

THE SPECS
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: Four-door sedan</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: Front-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: 3.8 L V6 Cylinder Engine, 240-hp; 230 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 8.1/11.9 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 540.9 litres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Starting at $40,730 (U.S.) in 2005</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Why I Love My Vehicle: 2005 Buick Park Avenue

wh-WhyLove-Genesis-Main-July23

When Peter Brough and Abby Yew moved from downtown Toronto to the Leslieville area, the couple realized they would need a new car.

Although the couple is working a mix between home and office – Brough co-owns Labour, a small creative communications agency in the Junction, while Yew is the head of marketing at Wattpad, a global storytelling platform – they need a vehicle to take their kids, Beckett, 5, and Leonie, 3, to daycare, and to visit their parents, who live in Kitchener-Waterloo and London.

The family of four had relied on a 2018 Audi A4 wagon, but it didn’t have the cargo space they needed when their daughter was born. When that lease came up, they looked at their options and found the 2021 Genesis GV80 – the South Korean automaker’s first SUV. They tell us why they love their vehicle.

“We've always liked the brand and kept up with them,” said Brough. “My first experience with Genesis was on a trip to (South) Korea with Abby and her parents and seeing it there because they weren’t in North America eight years ago. My dad had the sedan for a few years, which we’ve driven and really liked it. But the real selling feature was probably when Tiger Woods got into an accident in the GV80, and he survived. That was the best safety promo you could have.”

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170154" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Genesis-Family-July23-scaled.jpg" alt="2021 Genesis GV80" width="2560" height="1706" />

“We reviewed and researched online, and when we reached out to Genesis, a sales rep basically came to our house and took us out for a test drive explaining the features as we went,” said Yew. “We kept it in mind, and it checks all the boxes for me in value. It’s very loaded, and I like the esthetics.

“We started with the esthetic before we discovered the features and function of the car. It's sleek, elegant and has a low profile, but it feels powerful at the same time. We got the Cardiff Green, it’s a subtly shifting dark greenish black colour. It’s a bit of a showstopper,” she said.

“I like the aggressive nature of the front – the lines, the lights and the grill – and the size,” said Brough. “We like having a bit more size and aggressiveness on the wheels as well. It’s different and a bit of a shake up for the category where everything sort of been the same for years. We get a lot of people asking about it, because there's a novelty to the brand, and there’s not many on the road. The first comment is that it’s a great looking car.”
“I do have a lot of pride driving the Genesis because I am Korean,” said Yew. “I feel like I’m witnessing a sort of surge of soft cultural influences from Korea. I think there is a definite shift in cultural mindsets about expanding your acceptance or the perception of luxury.”

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-170155" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Genesis-Space-July23-scaled.jpg" alt="2021 Genesis GV80" width="2560" height="1707" />

A CLOSER LOOK: 2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced + AWD

Easy steering

“Abby and I love the drive itself,” said Brough. “It's got a powerful engine, and it drives like a sedan and the feel of the drive has been great.” Yew said the vehicle also strikes a balance between elegance and performance. “It’s very easy steering,” she said.

Perfect size

“We were looking for trunk capacity,” said Yew. “The GV80 has a third row that flips out of the trunk, and that felt handy if we have additional passengers. We were also cognisant of the length of the car. We have a very specific parking space at the back of our house that has probably two to three inches on each side that we can parallel park in. We got this trim level because I really wanted the 360-degree parking camera so I can park this thing.”

Intuitive design

“It’s like the company elevated every feature just a bit more than its competition,” said Yew. “It’s very accommodating and seems to anticipate your next move. I’m delighted by the fact that the seats sort of auto adjusts when you open the door. I think that’s a really smart detail. As I’m approaching the car, it auto unlocks. I can have a million groceries and holding the kids, but I can push a button and the trunk opens.”

THE SPECS
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: Midsize SUV</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: All-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: 3.5L Twin Turbo V-6 Gas, 375-hp; 391 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 12/10 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 2378.6 litres with rear seats down</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Starting at $64,500</li>
 	<li> WEBSITE: <a href="http://www.genesis.com">genesis.com</a></li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Why I Love My Vehicle: 2021 Genesis GV80

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Growing up in Italy, Vito Lotito idolized Elvis Presley. “When I was 13 years old, I remember reading that Elvis had a 1963 Corvette Stingray with split-windows and the Cadillac Eldorado,” he said. “The interview essentially said, ‘I’m the luckiest guy in the world because I drive a Corvette and Cadillac.’ So, I said that one day I'm going to have a ‘CC’ – a Corvette and Cadillac.”

Even after he moved to Toronto, Lotito dreamed of the day he would have that Presley prestige. He would gaze longingly at the souped-up cars driving up and down Yonge Street and was known to frequent Richmond Hill dealership Wilson &amp; Niblett to admire the Corvettes on its lot.

Now retired, the 71-year-old has realized his childhood dream. Besides using a 2018 Cadillac XT5 for his daily drives, he also owns a 2017 Corvette Z06 Callaway.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-169936" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Corvette-Interior-July16-scaled.jpg" alt="2017 Chevrolet Corvette" width="2560" height="1707" />

“Wilson &amp; Niblett is known for having the best Corvettes,” he said. “This Callaway was in the centerpiece display. Oh my gosh, I couldn’t stop staring at it. This is the car of my dreams in performance and everything.” Lotito tells us why he loves his vehicle.

“I knew the Callaway was one of a kind,” said Lotito. “It was made and maintained in the United States.

(Callaway Cars) founder Reeves Callaway used to race cars in his younger days, and he partnered with GM and modified these cars for track enthusiast.

“I was told that only seven of them were sold in Canada, and only two in Ontario. There’s mine, a manual in black, and another there is an automatic in white. When I bought the car, Reeves gave me a call. What a class act.

“I love the North American look. When they had a Corvette like mine displayed in Milan, people apparently took more pictures of the Corvette than the Ferraris and Lamborghinis because it was a rare car. It can reach about 325 kilometres, beating the Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren and also costs less.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-169937" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Corvette-Exterior-July16-scaled.jpg" alt="2017 Chevrolet Corvette" width="2560" height="1707" />

“This car is a beast. It’s so intense and gives me so much adrenaline that I typically can’t drive it two days in a row,” said the Pickering resident. “It takes the juice out of you. I don't drive it fast, but I pay attention to what I’m doing. It has unbelievable performance and can go from zero to 96 kilometres in 2.8 seconds. It has the Z07 performance package which comes with carbon ceramic-matrix brakes that are very expensive. Ceramic brakes are good because they can stop the car on a dime, but one wheel is worth something like $20,000.

A CLOSER LOOK: 2017 Corvette Z06 Callaway

Classic look
“In my opinion, the Z06 Callaway is the Corvette with the best look. The seventh generation Corvettes like mine still have the old North American design with a front engine,” Lotito said. “Every time I go out, people stop me to take pictures and videos of it. I used to attend these car enthusiast shows pre-pandemic that were specifically for Corvettes. I only attended three of them with my Callaway and ended up winning two awards

Track setting

“This car has five settings, and when you switch it to Sport or Track, the car gets stiffer, the exhaust system changes so the pitch is totally different. I say that this car can go from elegant and profound to noisy and profane,” he said. “On the Track setting, the car videotapes the race. I had plans to go to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with friends pre-pandemic to push it on the straight-away. I might still go, but I’m not going to reach 325 clicks. That’s a lot and too dangerous.

Two sets of rims
“One thing about this car that’s unique is that it comes with two sets of rims,” said Lotito. “I have these big Michelin racing slicks on, but if I get caught in a thunderstorm, I’d be sliding all over because there is no grip. That's why they supply you with two rims. You can have a set of tires with the proper treadwear in the event you want to travel somewhere.”

THE SPECS
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: Two-door coupe</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: Rear-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: 6.2-L LT1 V-8, 757-hp; 777 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 15.6/10.6 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 424.75 litres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Starting at $123,360</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Why I Love My Vehicle: A retiree tells us about his 2017 Corvette Z06 Callaway

wh-WhyLove-Acura-Main-July9

Hong Kong-born Raymond Tam has always been surrounded by cars. Growing up in Saskatoon, Sask., Tam spent his childhood helping his father out in his automotive shop. Moving to Toronto as a teenager, Tam studied mechanical engineering but traded in his textbooks to become an automotive technician.

While he works on all types of vehicles at the performance upgrade shop he co-owns, AutoElement Automotive in Markham, he has a soft spot for Hondas, specifically the Acura Integra. Seven years ago, he was able to buy his dream car, a 1992 Integra GS-R.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Acura-Interior-July9-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-169692" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Acura-Interior-July9-scaled.jpg" alt="1992 Acura Integra" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

“When I went to look at the car, it was in pretty good shape,” said Tam. “The seller’s father didn’t really drive the car, and it spent most of its time in the garage, maybe out on nice days or to get groceries. That's why it had 106,000 kilometers on it after 30 years.”

Tam tells us why he loves his vehicle.

“This car is special to me because my dad bought me the 1990 Integra GS – a lower trim version than the GS-R – for my high school graduation,” said Tam. “But I only had it for three years. When we moved to Toronto, the insurance for it was too expensive, so my dad sold it.

“I started driving my mom’s four-door Integra because its insurance was little cheaper. Like everybody else at the time, I did an engine and transmission swap, suspension work and all that stuff. Then one night on the way home I totaled that car.

“The GS-R was only produced for two years, 1992 and 1993. It’s kind of like a black sheep for Honda,” said Tam. “It has a 1.7-litre, DOHC, 4-cylinder VTEC engine that didn’t even exist in Japan, only in North America for those two years. It’s also one of the first cars in North America to get a VTEC engine. For Honda guys (Honda is Acrua’s parent company), VTEC was a big deal back then. Everybody swapped out their car’s engine for a more powerful engine with VTEC in it. That’s why this car is special.”

“When I bought the car back in 2015, these older Hondas weren’t worth a lot, but I’ve put tens of thousands into it,” he said. “I’ve replaced the suspension and exhaust. I’ve quite a few parts stocked up: a subframe, headlights, taillights, suspension parts, alternators, AC compressor and more. I’ve stocked up on whatever I come across that I can afford to buy and have sit in stock. I wanted to keep it as original as possible.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Acura-Tires-July9-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-169693" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Acura-Tires-July9-scaled.jpg" alt="1992 Acura Integra" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

“It feels good driving the Integra. I usually only drive it on the weekends when the weather is nice, and it’s not too hot. Getting into the car brings back memories. Quite a few people ask me if I’d sell a car. I just say, ‘No, it’s not for sale.’ I won’t even consider an offer. I want to keep the car for myself.”

A CLOSER LOOK: 1992 Acura Integra GS-R

An edgy shape

“Not too many cars have a bodyline like this one,” said Tam of his Integra. “I like the shape of this car. It’s really edgy; like really square. It’s got some sharp lines on it with long headlights that just stands out.”

New wheels

While he wants to keep the car as original as possible, he has changed the wheels. “At the time I got the car, wheels were getting really hard to find for it. A lot of cars wheels nowadays have got five bolts, but this car has four bolts. So, I didn't have many choices, but I came across these 16-inch Advan RG2 which I had bought and got shipped up from the States. They were pretty much what I was looking for – white rims on a red car. The contrast really stands out.”

Nostolgia

“The car brings back high school memories,” said Tam. “When I first got into this trade and the auto business, these cars were the kind I worked on. When I work on them, they make me feel young again.”

THE SPECS
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: Three-door Hatchback Coupe</li>
 	<li>DRIVE METHOD: Front wheel drive</li>
 	<li>ENGINE: 1.7-litre four-cylinder VTEC, 160-hp; 117 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> FUEL ECONOMY (CITY/HIGHWAY): 9.8/8.1 litres per 100 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 453 litres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Starting at $16,655 (U.S.) in 1992</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Why I Love My Vehicle: 1992 Integra GS-R is like a drive into the past

wh-WhyLove-Cooper-Quiet-July2

While some people like going big with their vehicles, it’s the opposite for 80-year-old Pete Bursztyn. A fan of compact vehicles, he and his wife have collectively owned a Triumph TR3 and TR4, air-cooled Volkswagen Beetles, a compact Land Rover and a couple Smart cars.

The volunteer porter at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, who is also a retired scientist, was driving a 2014 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive around town. He was enticed to buy the vehicle after seeing it displayed at the Georgian College Auto Show and learning how little it would cost him to charge it compared to buying gas.

But when Mercedes-Benz discontinued sales of its full-electric Smart brand in North America, the couple decided to trade in their car for a 2020 Mini Cooper SE, which they got from Mini Georgian in Barrie. While they didn’t use the car a lot during the pandemic, they are excited to be driving more. Bursztyn tells us why he loves his vehicle.

“Small is beautiful,” said Bursztyn. “My wife and I have always liked small cars. They’re easy to park and they typically use less fuel. I've always been concerned with fuel consumption and its cost. Both of us are much wealthier than when we were young, but we've never stopped this attitude of not wasting stuff.

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Cooper-Colour-July2-scaled.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-169512" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Cooper-Colour-July2-scaled.jpg" alt="2020 Mini Cooper SE" width="2560" height="1526" /></a>

“When we looked at this electric Mini, we immediately fell in love with it. It was so cute. We did a test drive, and it felt like one of my first cars, the 1959 Mini. It’s handling felt like a go-kart. It wasn't very powerful (it is 32-horsepower) nor particularly fast, but you didn't have to slow down at the corners at all. You just turned the steering wheel, and the little fella just went around the corner. This feels exactly like that. There’s a sense of immediacy, like a sports car or my old Triumph TR3.

“The acceleration is electric. It is one-pedal driving, and if you lift your foot off the accelerator, it slows down very markedly. And, of course, instead of wasting energy as heat in the disc brakes, it converts the kinetic energy into stored energy in the battery. I play this game of not touching the break to try to save energy – which is in fashion right now – and I did that with the Smart as well. I don't care that the price of fuel is $2.10 a litre, because I'm not buying any liters.

“I like that it's quiet. Even when I had the sports car, I always made sure it had a very quiet muffler. I wanted to go fast without attracting attention,” said Bursztyn. “It’s very much a driver's car in the sense that it almost anticipates where you want to go. All you need to do is think ‘I’m going to turn left,’ and it's already turning left. It feels like an extension of your body.”

<a href="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Cooper-Charge-July2-scaled.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-169515" src="https://wordpress.wheels.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wh-WhyLove-Cooper-Charge-July2-scaled.jpg" alt="2020 Mini Cooper SE" width="2560" height="1707" /></a>

A CLOSER LOOK: 2020 Mini Cooper SE

Compact car

“I love that it's small,” said Bursztyn. “The Smart was so small; it makes the Mini look like a tubby. It’s quite a bit larger (wider and longer) than the Smart, but it's still a very small car. We always drove the little Smart, and now the Mini around town. We're not bothered that it's got a relatively limited range because we’ve never took it out of town.”

Colour combo

“We bought the demonstrator model that was on the shop floor because we loved the paint job,” said Bursztyn. “It has the paint job that's reserved for the electric model. There are two yellowy-orange mirrors, a yellowy-orange stripe across the front, and a silvery white and black roof. So, we said ‘we'll take that one.’ Because it was the demo model, we got a bit of a discount.”

Fun factor

“I like the handling,” said Bursztyn. “It takes me back to my sports car-owning days. I don't put on the brakes when I go around a corner, I just spin the steering wheel and it goes around the corner – the same with my old Triumph TR3. It feels like when I used to ride a bicycle to work every day in England. I would never slow down going around corners, I just leaned the bicycle around the corner. I don't try to drive so spiritedly when my wife is in the car.”

THE SPECS 
<ul>
 	<li> BODY STYLE: Three-door hatchback</li>
 	<li> DRIVE METHOD: Front-wheel drive</li>
 	<li> ENGINE: Electric, 181-hp; 199 lb.-ft. torque</li>
 	<li> RANGE: 185 kilometres</li>
 	<li> CARGO VOLUME: 962.8 litres</li>
 	<li> PRICE: Starts at $40,990</li>
</ul>
This article was edited for space and clarity. To be featured in Why I Love My Vehicle?, email us at wheels@thestar.ca. Renée S. Suen is a Toronto-based lifestyle writer and photographer. Follow her on Twitter: @rssuen.

Renée Suen

Articles by Renée Suen