Looking Back: October 2006

October was a busy month with our editorial team blogging about a number of new cars they tested. There was less news about gas prices and more on SUVs along with a healthy dose of car buying news.

Volkswagen wants to improve owner loyalty but it also wants to draw in new buyers who like rock music.

Another one bites the dust: Ford ends production of the Focus wagon.

Fall seems to be the season for new convertibles as we see our first images of the Audi TT Roadster, BMW 3 Series convertible and the Neiman Marcus edition BMW M6 convertible.

GM shows off a motorized bike rack in a European model. We get flooded with traffic from American web surfers who want one of these hideaway gizmos for themselves.

News Flash! Side airbags are found to reduce deaths. Who knew?

Cars.com gets in the Halloween spirit with its Top 10 Scary Cars of all time (from the Car Talk guys). We like cute and cuddly things too, that’s why Cars.com launched its Driving With Pets guide.

We get our first glimpse of the redesigned Mercury Mariner, Chevy HHR Panel, Jay Leno’s EcoJet Concept, Subaru Forester Sport X and XT, Mitsubishi Evolander Concept and even a Volvo Hotrod Concept.

Honda remains the top overall value for new cars.

Hertz offers the Lotus Elise as a rental option in Los Angeles only.

Suburban Dad makes his first appearance on Kicking Tires … and his second.

Our writers drive a ton of new cars including: Toyota RAV4, Audi RS4, S4, S6, S8, Land Rover Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz S550, Dodge Nitro, Ford Shelby GT500 – again, BMW M Coupe and the Nissan Sentra.