Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Back in 1990, Lexus only sold the ES250, which was based on the then-current Toyota Camry, and the LS400, its rival to the big four-doors from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac. Had that latter car been a dud, I probably wouldn’t be writing this on this site right now.
Another Wednesday, another look at a Club Lexus member’s cool SC build. Today, we’re taking a peek at forum contributor 95SC3T’s Platinum Metallic 1995 SC300.
You want to get a crossover and see what your neighbor is always bragging about. You also want to shut him up by bringing home one that’s fancier than his, so you’re either going to buy a Lexus NX200t F Sport or a Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC.
Matt Farah from the Smoking Tire is determined to take his LS 400 to over a million miles, and he’s enlisted help from around the country to make it happen. And while pitching in might be fun, it won’t always be easy.
On its website, Lexus states the RC F was “developed to satisfy the most demanding driving enthusiasts.” Apparently, they didn’t know who Chris Harris is when they went to the engineering lab and test track—or did they?
To. The. Penny. That’s how accurate you have to be when keeping track of your expenses for a big project. Forum member mikef has certainly been working on one: his Lexus SC 300.
A few cosmetic tweaks can make the Lexus SC300 luxury coupe look more modern and even more attractive. You people on the forum know that well and do a great job of showing it. GISguy is no exception.