Week of January 14th.

1/14/13

• 2000 Dodge Durango: Firm and very truck like. You can tell this model is sitting on a truck frame.
• 2005 Toyota Sienna: It's nice, but very heavy, you feel every pound of power door and entertainment system.
• 2011 Cadillac CTS4: Great Build. Good Price. If the ATS is built this well Audi should be worried.

1/15/13

• 2000 Ford F-350 V10: Not sure if V10 really adds more to this truck than the big V8 does.
• 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500: Base truck is very trucky.

1/16/13

• 2001 Honda Odyssey: This drives just like a bigger CRV or Element. Build is about on par too.

1/17/13

• 2008 Chevy Impala LT: If you think you want a Camry you may want to look at one of these. By '08 these are just about equal. Chevy moving up, and Toyota moving down.
• 2007 BMW X5 4.8i: The Ultimate Driving Machine......'s Fat Cousin.

1/18/13

• 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser: Drive is OK. Not a lot of power, but it doesn't drive clunky.
• 2004 GMC Envoy SLT V8: A Trailblazer by any other name would drive as averagely. But nice seats. 

Week of December 31st

Well to my surprise there was actually work to do New Years Eve. So that's good.

12/31/12

• 2010 Mazda CX-9 AWD: Great dynamic feel. AWD system is un-obtrusive and really solid. I'm really starting to take a like to this thing. I hate CUV's, but this is fun to drive. If I suddenly discovered I had 3-4 illegitimate children, this is the vehicle I'd buy.
•  2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDi Cup Edition: More visual bark than performance bite. It's just a TDi version of the Jetta GLI with a big goofy front clip. It's still VW nice, but "Cup Edition" Just looks a bit silly.

Looks like the race car, If you squint.....

1/1/13

Office Chair Jousting, Yea, it's a thing!

1/2/13

• 2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 w/20" Rims: Yea, somebody did this, and yea then we bought it. Ride was smoother than I expected, but braking was poor with the big heavy rims.

Luxury?

• 2000 Ford Windstar: Has a very solid feel. Conveys strength and protection. Doesn't necessarily deliver mind you....
• 2008 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE: These cars continue to impress, Great CVT, Great Engine, but steering is a bit light.
• 2007 Dodge Nitro SLT 4x4: Even tighter than it's sibling Jeep. No shoulder or foot room. It's like they designed this thing to not be used.

1/3/13

• 2009 Toyota Venza: Neat styling for a tall wagon CUV. Drives well and has good power. Really feels like it was designed by the group that did the Prius.
• 2003 Honda Pilot: Smart storage layout, doesn't drive too tippy. This doesn't have that fake "Truck-ey" feeling many of these kinds of cars do.
• 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE: Smooth, comfortable, with great interior design and trim. The back light (the rear window) has distortion dead center. 
• 2008 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE: You just don't need the V6 with the Nissan CVT. Save the money.

1/4/13

• 2009 Saturn Outlook: Build quality and design is on par with VW/Audi. You can defiantly tell that the latter saturns were pulled out of the European arm of GM.
• 2007 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro: Engine has nowhere near the pull of the BMW 2.0 Turbo. Chassis is tight and fun to drive, like a sharper VW Passat. Not a whole lot of knee room though. But, I love the hard click of the buttons in the Audi.
• 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser: It drives like a really top heavy Neon, which it is. The Retro interior has a good novelty factor, but overall it kinda looks like it was trying too hard. I will say though, Chryslers cheap interior materials don't seem so bad in the retro style. 

Week of December 17 through the end of the year

It's the holidays, which means lazy car salesmen have given up for the year and I'm lucky if I even get called in for a full day of work. It's OK, I have a new arrangement with my Mortgage company that I can start paying in good intentions.

12/17/12

• 2010 Subaru Forester: Steering is light and drifty on center so don't look away from the road on the freeway. Overall good feel and as usual great low center of gravity like all Subaru.
• 2006 Lexus IS-250 Sedan: Good dynamics, but it just feels too small above the belt line and especially in the foot wells, How big is that transmission?
• 2009 Saturn Outlook XE: Solid CUV feel. Ending Saturn was a bad choice.

12/18/12

• Work? Hah nobody needs cars. 

12/19/12

• 2009 Volkswagen CC Turbo 6spd (long trip): Great powertrain, good turn in, but controls are numb and pedals are skewed too far to the right. Great shiftier feel.

12/20/12

• 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 w/Plow: Plows on the freeway are a pain. Overheating, horrible mileage  and boy do big bumps have new meaning when there's that much weight forward of the front bumper and nothing in the back.

12/21/12

• 2010 Jeep Patriot: Too tight inside, brakes are needlessly stiff. This is just too primitive for its price.
• 2000 Ford F-350 Lariat V10: This isn't a truck, it's a land borne tug boat!
• 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5: This is a really great simple small sedan. Get it as a stick and just drive it.

12/26/12

• 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser: The novelty of these just doesn't seem to wear off. 
• 2006 BMW X5 4.4i: It's big outside, but small inside. Not super great as far as AWD traction goes. Too reliant on the traction control to fake it.

Also just say no to soft touch plastic. Sure it looks nice in the show room, but it just doesn't hold up.

12/27/12

• 2008 Chevy HHR: Great little hatchback. Doesn't try to be "retro" too much. Drives very well. If this is what Chevy needed to to do in order to make a nice 5 door then so be it. WAY better than the PT cruiser was.
• 2009 Kia Borrego V6: A GREAT full size SUV that looks like, but isn't, a crossover. Stylish and comfortable, but not trying to be "Luxury" Kind of like what BMW used to do. If you can't bear to just get a great minivan, this is a good choice. Sadly it was sold here for only one year before being replaced with a CUV. http://www.edmunds.com/kia/borrego/

12/28/12

• 2010 Ford Fusion SE: Fantastic sedan, comfortable, roomy, dynamic, the layout and interior design is top notch for it's class. Soft surfaces wherever your legs/arms rest. Sync controls are logical and smart. The steering wheel especially is well done, with radio/infotainment controls on the right (same hand you reach to the radio with.) and Cruse and dash info controls on the left. Also AUTOSTICK is the RIGHT WAY AROUND!!!! (Forward to Downshift, Back to Upshift, as Racing God intended.) More people need to love sport cloth seats; grabby, warm, and tough! And you don't need to feed them like leather.
• 2009 Kia Borrego V6: Yes sometimes they sell that fast. When they are good,
• 2009 Mazda CX-9: Responsive and well appointed, but still too tall, Autostick is the right way round.
• 2005 Chevy Equinox LT: Sits tall, compromises interior quality to pay for the extra sheet metal, but hey, you aren't driving a wagon right......

Week of November 26th

It's late I Know! I'll explain why later.

11/26/12

• 1998 Ford Mustang V6: Drives so old school. The simplicity is kind of nice.
• 2004 Dodge Ram 1500: I swear they make these tall just for the sake of being tall. 
• 2002 Acura TL 3.2: Nice ride, I'd take this over an Accord. 

11/27/12

• 2009 Chevy Impala SS: This car has way too much engine for its front wheel drive suspension. Overall good build quality, but the seats are unsupportive.
• 2010 Acura RDX Turbo: Great throttle response with the turbo. This CUV has a nice low center of gravity feel to it. 
• 2012 Honda Pilot: Things learned by Honda in the Ridgeline can be felt in this. Overall it feels more sturdy and less like a bloated car than most Large CUV's. Defiantly get this over the up-badged Acura MDX which just feels gaudy.

11/28/12

• 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited: This car is Fantastic! Smooth autostick gearbox, great middle of the road power (not weak but not overpowering the front wheels), Awesome powertrain warranty! Overall fit and finish is on par with new Fords. GIVE THIS A LOOK!
• 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S: The 2.5 S has too much of an option spread, this one had nearly nothing where as previous Altima 2.5 S was really nicely equipped. But still it has a great engine, and a nice smooth CVT.
• 2009 Ford Escape XLT: Comfortable and still un-apologetically truck like, but small truck like. Like a Pony or something.
• 2008 Toyota FJ Cruser: SO FUN! It's almost a Pantomime of a truck. It has all exaggerated "truckey" characteristics and style cues. It just screams "Lets go Play In the Mud!". I mean it has three tiny front wiper blades, why? because why not?

1,2,3, The shifter looks like a marital aid!!!

• 2008 Toyota Solara SE Convertible: Soft and floppy like a Camry which isn't particularly sporty, it's the car that signaled the end of the cool Toyotas like the MR2, Supra, and Celica. None of these problems matter too much though when you put the top down!

Yeup that says 37° F. I'm that stupid.

11/29/12

• 2003 Dodge Neon SXT: Direct, Immediate steering responce. I know it was not the best car in its class, but I understand why it does so well in 24 Hours of LeMons.
• 2007 Nissan Murano S AWD: Older Murano's like this are way more fun. Funky interior, sport setting on the CVT. Weird how it runs in sport mode @ 3500 RPM, but it's dead in the center of the Torque peak. 
• 2005 BMW 545i Sport: Great power and Throttle responce. Sport suspension and seats really make this car special on an already great chassis.

Just watch out for that right front corner, DERP!

• 2007 GMC Yukon: Great Interior, perhaps the Escalade IS Overrated.
• 2004 Toyota 4-Runner: HVAC needed too much time to interpret. Good, low, legs forward seating position. It's the Quintessential Japanese Truck style SUV.
• 2005 Ford Focus: It may look new, but it's still the same as the old '90's Escort deep inside. The new stuff is way better.

11/30/12

• 2011 BMW 335i X-Drive: Astronomical launch with the turbo engine and AWD!
• 2004 Suzuki XL-7: Great little body on frame trucklet. Feels very '80's you can tell not much has been done to modernize the chassis really. Should not have tried to be upscale though, the interior is mismatched to the overall truck. It should be utilitarian, not fake wood and such. Also, all Toyota switch gear.
• 2008 BMW 328xi: This car just has such a confident, solid feel. The "28" engine (the N52 Inline 6) is the right amount of power to keep you out of too much trouble, but still have fun.
• 2005 Chevy Cobalt: Like yesterday's '05 Focus, this feels just like the old 80's-90's car it still basically is under its body. Expect an old Chevy Caviler not a modern car.

Or if you want to be a Dandy, Picture the Cadillac Cimarron. A Turd by any other name would smell as foul.

Week of November 5th

11/5/12

• 2002 Ford Explorer: This is really the Big Mac of vehicles. Nothing offensive, nothing interesting.
• 2004 Lexus RX330: Not so hot, more sort of a Toyota+
• 2010 Lexus RX350: Much nicer than the 04, interior is way better, as is the gearing.
• 2003 Dodge Ram 2500HD SLT 4x4: BIG TRUCK!
• 2002 Ford Taurus SES: The Airbag cover and steering wheel are one piece, meaning when the airbag goes off the whole steering wheel must be replaced. Reprehensible.

11/6/12

• 2007 Nissan 350Z: Comfortanble even for long trips like the one this went on over 200 miles. Great engine response!
• 2004 BMW 760i Sport: The bones of this car are amazing! Smooth V-12, Tight Sport suspension, but the interior and trim seems to be very sensitive to abusive owners.

Power like getting a shove by the hand of god.

11/7/12

• 2008 Porsche Cyanne Turbo: Gobs of power, but why not just get the Touareg?
• 2006 BMW M6 Convertable: I think it's MORE fun as a convertable! BIG OPEN AIR POWER!

11/8/12

• 2000 Lexus RX300: Nice for 2000, didn't age very well.
• 2005 BMW 545i Sport: This really does drive better than a non-sport 545. Good tight turn in, Firmer ride.

11/9/12

• 2004 Toyota Corolla S: Well built, but not powerful enough to deserve an "S".
• 2004 Ford Escape Limited: Nice unibody CUV, not as "delicate" as the japanese CUVs.
• 2000 Volvo S80: Big and solid, Swedish cars have a very common feel. Just Solid.

Week of October 29th

10/29/12

• 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 SLT HD: Great power and HUGE towing Brakes!
• 2004 Ford Taurus SE: BLAH?
• 2003 Acura MDX: This is a LUXURY SUV?
• 2005 Chevy Impala: It doesn't even have a DOME LIGHT!?

10/31/12

• 2004 Volkswagen Jetta: Like putting on a well worn pair of boots. The MkIV aged real well, except for that "soft touch" plastic. That stuff should be banned.
• 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor: CUV, it sits like a chair, rides like a box.
• 1979 Honda Trail 90: It's like a scooter meets a mountain goat. Can't wait to ride it to work in the spring. 100 MPG!

It does however need a bit of work to be road legal again.

11/1/12

• 2005 Subaru Baja: Feels lighter and more responsivethan the Outback. I want this turbo engine in my Outback. "Metal" trim instead of "wood" so you know it's "tougher".
• 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse SE: Too much form over function. Like an "idea" of the old Eclipse, but only visually. Quick initial turn in, but then washes out, back end does nothing, it's just allong for the ride.
• 2007 Nissan 350Z: Very track oriented car. Stiff and well planted; good power anywhere in the rev range.

It's like a car version of Mega Man.

• 2005 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4: Meh...

11/2/12

• 2006 Saturn Ion: Tight, much more euro than the old Saturns.
• 2005 Ford Explorer: Bleh, so middle of the road. When it's not flipping off it.
• 2011 Volvo C70 T5: Incredibly solid for a hard top convertible. Good power and good auto transmission
• 2009 Volkswagen CC: Too tiny inside. Ok Headroom, but the door entry is way too low, I hit my head EVERY TIME.

Week of October 22nd

10/22/12

• 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo LT: Overall Ok ride, but every sense says late 90's car, not 2005.
• 2005 Cadillac SRX: It's ok for a tall wagon CUV, but a CTS Wagon would do as good a job or better.
• 2006 Lexus GX470: The 4-Runner is the perfect covered light truck, But this one needs new rear shocks.
• 2002 Honda Accord EX 4dr. Comfortable and nice, but steering is way too light.

10/23/12

• 2003 Honda Accord V6: This drives GREAT! Smooth competent power, V6 Steering feels really good!
• 2002 BMW X5 3.0i: Too tall, too upright.
• 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited: I really kinda like Sync. Truck is Ok, but CG is in a weird spot, somewhere midway between an SUVs and a crew cab pickup.
• 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STi: Good low CG, but feels bigger and less powerful than the EvoX by a significant margin. Nicer interior though.

Evo wins this round.

10/24/12

• 2007 Hummer H3: Surprisingly it does ride different than a TrailBlazer. Like riding in a TONKA TRUCK, but visibility is pillbox poor.

10/25/12

• 2007 Acura RDX Turbo: Great pickup, fun turbo noise, comfortable and responsive, great primary and secondary controls. Bit too darty on the freeway, not much on center feel.
• 2010 Lexus GX460: Man I love Toyota Trucks. Fantastic new interior, but I'd rather this truck Un-Luxed and ready for the dirt.
• 2008 Ford Mustang V6: GREAT! Very American car. Drives like my old 90's T-bird did. Perfect for the beautiful sunny warm day!
• 2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV: 4 Gallons doesn't even make the gas gauge move!
• 2004 Saab 9-3 Turbo 2.0: Fun Driving, very European feel for a "GM".

10/26/12

• 2003 Ford Windstar: You can defiantly feel it is biased around the Taurus.
• 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab: Big Truck.
• 2012 Ford Focus SE: Fantastic total execution! Great Power, great maneuverability, Fantastic!

Week of August 27th

8/28/12

• 2002 Ford Escort SE: Still like the old Escort.
• 2004 Ford Explorer XLS: Can't decide if it should be a truck.

8/29/12

• 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon: Nice but the new transverse engine layout still is noticeable.
• 2008 Kia Spectra: Good ride, not sporty but not rough either.

8/30/12

• 2009 Lexus ES350: Toyota Avalon with a nicer interior.
• 2001 Honda Civic LX Coupe: Tight and Fun.
• 2004 Cadillac SRX: Utter crap. Not luxurious, and not worth the money.
• 2005 Hyundai Tucson: I don't even remember it, CUV's are that dull.
• 2005 Chevy Equinox: Competent but seat is too high, why isn't it just a wagon?

8/31/12

• 2008 Nissan Sentra SL: Strong Pull, good turn in dynamics.
• 2006 Toyota Highlander V6 4WD: Fantastic execution of a unibody SUV.
• 2011 Kia Soul: Good head room, but a bit gutless. Rather a Spectra.
• 2004 Dodge Stratus SXT 2dr: Poor Gearing, but it's nice and low.
• 2002 Buick LeSabre Limited: Lux everything, even a GM HUD! Feels a bit old for an '02, but nice on the highway. 
• 200x Mini Cooper S Turbo: Pure tiny car FUN!

WHAT?

This was my first week at the job, I was still working out format and how much I wanted to say. Also found a cache of Hearing Aid batteries in the '02 LeSabre. Really says it all for Buick.