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 10th

12/10/12

• 2010 Ford Edge SEL: This thing is horrible, hard echoey interior, cheap seats, hideous seating position, tippy feeling. And it's big, yet my hair still hits the headliner, I can't believe they were making stuff like this up through 2010!
• 2010 Ford Edge SEL AWD: Mielage is terrible at ~21MPG on the highway! For the price of this vehicle everyone involved should be ashamed. 

12/11/12

• 2004 Jeep Liberty 3.7L: Very Jeep like. Feels offroader-ey, but still manageable on the road; as opposed to the wrangler.
• 2007 Lincoln MKX: More money, but same crap fest as the EDGE.
• 2004 Suazuki XL7 V6: Still a stout little frame on body truck. Aside from a half hearted attempt in the interior it isn't trying to be anything but a little offroader.
• 2008 Chrysler Aspen: This tarted up Durango just makes no sense, it's still Dodge cheap inside.
• 2004 Ford Taurus: Average, average power, average breaks, average handling for a family sedan. Just average. C-.

12/12/12

• 2002 Nisan Maxima: These age out great and are really fun to drive. Great power, good steering response, but man they do not fit big Americans so great.

12/13 - 12/16

ROAD TRIP!!

I abandon my day job to jump in the GMC 2500 and roll out to Colorado to go get a friend's new racecar. 

Cleveland to Denver is 1,331 miles, over all, the trip with stops would take about 24 hrs. So it's up real early to get on the road.

Sadly due to weather concerns we took the open trailer. The land whale will be used soon enough. Crew Chief is ready and I'm ready!

Our first stop for the night was in Keamey Nebraska, I'd like to have something to say about it, but we got in at night and left early. 

Somewhere along the way I came along a vending machine that sells obvious.

Yea I fricking hope so! Your'e the Vend-it-HOT. Items should DEFIANTLY be HOT.

That possibly hot mess behind us, we continue on through out the day entering the dry scrub of western Nebraska and then south west into Colorado. Then something magic begins to happen. 

 Off in the distance the horizon begins separating from the clouds.

 Now almost two days into the trip, the Rocky Mountains loom into view.

By the time you get into the Denver suburbs you can see the snow caps and the sheer size of them starts to become apparent. Also by this time you are at over 5000' above sea level. the air is so delightfully crisp and thin, just like being in a plane.

We hit the hotel in town to dump our stuff then it's off to load the car.

It's name is now "Cheddar" because well, it looked more yellow in the pictures.

It's a First Generation RX-7 running SCCA E-Production. This is one of the top of the heap for full amateur closed wheel. Beyond this is GT category and the Pros.

That engine may look small, but it's a 2100 pound car and that Wankel Rotor engine puts out over 200hp with no turbos. 

You need a lot of Tach for a Rotor engine, they technically don't have a redline so much as a point at which the flame front can't complete the burn before it ends up kicked out the exhaust port.  Also note the dual EGT gauges, because these beasts make close to 1800 degrees in the exhaust. and it's a fine line between peak mixture and destructively lean.

Once the garage is emptied and the seller has his check we head out for some visiting with the chief's friends (the seller was one of them), and then it's well past time for bed.

In the morning there's a surprise out the window. The dark mountains that blocked out the sun so early the evening before are now glowing with golden hour morning sunlight.

Good morning massive mountain range!

After breakfast we check that we still have a racecar and then it's back on the road home.

Still there, Still, Cheese Colored.

We quickly rock through Nebraska and Iowa (75 MPH speed limit!) but by around Midnight it's time to stop and we end up in Davenport RIGHT on the Mississippi river. 

Did I mention it was RIGHT ON THE RIVER? 

The Blue arrow is where we stayed. the parking lot is maybe 12 feet above the river surface. The red arrow indicates the down hill road we had to use to get to the hotel, In the dark, late at night, after driving all day. We really hoped the brakes were in the mood to work.

Giant river tank with Giant local Mississippi river fish monsters. 

All the places we stayed were great, but the Holiday Inn Express here in Davenport was the nicest with some great folks at the counter, also it was like $75 for a double queen on no notice. SCORE!

Oh yea and they had a machine that poops pancakes.

After eating robot feces pancakes we check the car again and then it's off on the final run back to Ohio.

Lucky Old Man River didn't have a taste for cheese in the night. 

It goes all the way from up there, to down there.

At 7pm on Sunday we end up finally back in Cleveland to unload a shiny new present a week early. Four days, 2, 662 miles, way too much junk food, one actual meal, and back to work on Monday!

It's wet, but it's here!

Next step is to get it in a shop and get to work!!! 

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 19th

11/19/12

• 2001 Honda Ridgeline: Stunning execution, I thought I would hate this thing.  Feels lower than it actually is, drives great, and why is this engine not in everything?
• 2007 Honda Fit 5spd: Great little car. Good steering feel. Drives just like it does in Gran Turismo 5, SO FUN, and HUGE storage area.
• 2002 Ford Ranger: It's like the little Donkey of trucks. 

11/20/12

• 2009 Nissan Murano: This would be a fantastic minivan.

11/21/12

• 1998 BMW 528i: Pure Driving Joy! This E39 generation of the 5 series is probably the near perfect sedan. You miss none of the added gadgets BMW puts in their cars now when you drive this!
• 2006 Lexus RX 400h: Good electric power boost. As usual, hybrid batteries balance the car out fantastic.
• 2008 Toyota FJ-Cruser (modified):WOW, lift kit and crazy big tires just make this MORE fun!

It's BLUE BRAH!

11/22-23/12

Gobble-Gobble Yo.

Week of November 12th

11/12/12

• 2012 Subaru Legacy: Great center of gravity feel, good turn in, new boxer engine is fantastically smooth. The interior however should decide if it wants to be luxury or sporty.
• 2010 Nissan Rouge S Krōm: Yes Krōm, I dono...Great drivetrain and steering, but it's clear you can cut the most corners in the CUV "we swear it's not a minivan" segment. But nice use of NON soft-touch plastic.
• 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350: Beautiful interior, miserably top heavy coupled with numb over-boosted steering. If you have no idea what a parking brake is, this may be the CUV for you.
• 2004 Chevy Silverado: Just like a TrailBlazer with a light rear end.

11/14/12

• 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500: It's a truck.

11/15/12

• 2000 Pontiac Firebird V6: T-TOPS! Flip Up Head Lights! Retracting Antenna! Fuels your inner mullet! Great blast from the past!

Business in the front, Party in the back!

• 2002 Saturn L200: Spartan but not chintzy, nicer than a Chevy but not crappy.
• 2002 Saturn SL2: Low, Low car, feels like they were shooting to copy the Honda Civic, they sorta missed.

11/16/12

• 2007 Cadillac CTS:  Tight and Responsive. Interior is a bit low rent compared to a German premium, but Nice!
• 2006 Lexus IS 250: Feels like its in the CTS category, but not the 3 Series. Hard surfaces in uncomfortable places. 

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 15th

10/16/12

• 2008 Acura MDX: Why is this car so tall?
• 2010 Lexus RX350: Why is this truck so cushy inside?
• 2010 Nissan Versa 4dr.: Great "Zippy" car. Good Feel. Great throttle and steering.

10/18/12

• 2002 Buick LeSabre Limited: Still just a cool highway mile eater.
• 2004 Ford Escape 4x4: Feels light and responsive. Very well sorted. Much less top heavy feeling than the CR-V or RAV4.
• 2010 Cadillac Escalade: Exhaust not as awesome in this one, the other one must have been aftermarket.
• 2009 Lexus RX350: Still a truck in a dress.

10/19/12

• 2005 BMW X3 2.5i: The most BMW of the BMW trucks. No Cruse Control standard in 2005!?
• 2006 Chevy Equinox: This could have been a really nice wagon in another life.

Hey look at that, the call offs have started, No worries, I'll just pay my mortgage with good intentions and fairy dust.

Week of September 24th

9/24/12

• 2006 Pontiac G6: Interior is more enjoyable and driver oriented than the Chevy. Why did they kill Pontiac?
• 2008 BMW 328i: Aged very well.

9/25/12

• 2008 Ford F-350 Turbo Diesel: Big MotherF&*^ng truck! Like the truck version of the Dash-8. Fun to make it burp black smoke!
• 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon 2.5S: Love me some Wagon. Light steering though.
• 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350: More minivan than "SUV". Long unpleasant brake throw. Not Impressive.

9/26/12

• 2008 Pontiac G6 V6: I could recommend this over a bone stock 328i, but bad MPG!
• 2007 Toyota Camry: Can you say bland?
• 2007 Infinity G35X: Excellent fit and finish, comfortable, powerfull, great balance, Just loose the silly clock.

9/27/12

• 2001 Chevy Impala LS V6: It has a wing on it from the factory. "Sporty" HAH!
• 2001 BMW 740iL: Still a great engine, but does not take well to owner abuse.
• 2004 Nissan Xtera: GREAT! Japanese light trucks ROCK!

9/28/12

• 2003 Chevy S-10: Beautifully utilitarian, but low on power.
• 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport: So big and cushy , But is it an off-road vehicle or what?
• 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX SE: F-ing WOW!! It may be boy racer crude, but it has stunning sharp turn in. More race car than street car!

With Double Clutch Gearbox too!

Week of September 17th

9/17/12

• 2007 Buick LaCrosse: Senility, your car is ready.
• 2001 Ford Ranger 4x2: Truck version of the Escort.
• 2004 Nissan Altima 2.5S: Steering a bit light, starting to really like Nissans.
• 2002 Buick Lucern: *See LaCrosse*
• 2011 BMW X6 5.0 Twin Turbo: So much power, so much WHY?

9/18/12

• 2000 Nissan Quest GXE: Great interior styling, excelent power and feel.
• 2007 Cadillac Escalade: Still love its sound; I want one for towing racers.
• 2011 Chevy Colorado Z-71 4x4: Sloppy and Meh, the Ranger feels better.
• 2000 Chevy Impala: Not even an appliance, more a utensil.

9/19/12

• 2001 Mazda MPV: Kinda fun and engaging for a minivan!

9/20/12

• 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring: Just like my old 2002 Golf. Good Stuff for the money!

9/21/12

• 2008 BMW X5 3.0: Tall and Trucky. ie. not great.
• 2007 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE: Tight and responsive, but feels like it's 9/10th full size. I don't fit in it!
• 2010 Ford Mustang V6: Great Ride. I could have really liked this, but I'm happy with what I cross shopped.

So begins the skinny days. Folks buy some used cars!

Week of September 10th

9/10/12

• 2001 Toyota Camry LE: Bland, but not sloppy.
• 2006 Buick Terraza: Lower rent Minivan, Blah....
• 2009 BMW X6 5.0 Twin-Turbo: POWAH!!!! I still don't get it though?
• Mercedes-Benz C240: Very Meh...may as well get a Camry.

9/11/12

• 2006 Acura TSX: Tight, Responsive, Low drivetrain inertia. Like, but TINY.
• 2004 AUDI A4 Quattro 1.8T: Great drive. I really like the solid 'CLICK' of the buttons.
• 2006 Lincoln Mark LT: WHY? Total Shit for it's price.

9/12/12

• 2005 Chevy Equinox: I suppose it is at least unoffensive, but competent.
• 2007 Cadillac Escalade: Intoxicating Exhaust sound. The Perfect long haul towing machine. Everything I hated about the Lincoln Mark LT I love in this.
• 2010 Lexus RX350: Toyota makes an Ok unibody truck. So save your money.

9/13/12

• 2001 Nissan Altima SE: Great turn in, good dynamics. Mazda isn't the only game in town it seems.
• 2004 Volvo V40 Wagon: Built like one big machined piece of billet steel! Solid, positive feel, super stiff and confident brakes. -LOVE-
• 2009 Lexus ES350: Still just an Avalon with a nicer interior.
• 2003 Chevy Avalanche: Great tow vehicle for the price, But THIRSTY!

9/14/12

• 2009 BMW 328i: Freude am Fahren!
• 2011 Ford Ranger Sport 4x4: Good light truck.
• 2008 Honda Accord 4dr: Better than Toyota, but still kinda dull.

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.