Week of January 7th

1/7/13

• 2010 Ram 1500:  New interior is leaps and bounds better than the old truck. Otherwise it's a truck.
• 2005 Volvo XC90 AWD: Drives ok. Comfortable, but from the inside it feels Bigger outside.
• 2010 Lexus ES 350: If your first priority in buying a car is how nice the interior is, this is your car.

1/8/13

• 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T: Power is much better in two wheel drive with the 2.0 Turbo engine. It drives well, but it's just too high.
• 2004 Honda Element: Great cargo box, not so great to put people in the back what with no roll down windows or anything. Honda makes better trucks than cars these days.
• 2010 Jaguar XF: Forget the ES 350, you want a GREAT interior get the XF, Huge slabs of real wood, leather everywhere, and it's damn fun to drive to boot. Look at one of these before buying a German.
• 2005 AUDI A4 Cabrio 1.8T: Lots of cowl shudder, Engine is ok, but this is still just a slightly nicer Passat. 
• 2003 GMC Sonoma: It's little, It's a Pickup, um.....yea.

1/9/13

• 2004 BMW 530i Sport 6spd: At over 100,000 miles this car still drives like a dream. This may be a perfect car. It's a shame the new 5er isn't as fun to drive as this.
• 2011 Toyota Prius: This car is just flat out cool and compitent. No it's not sporty, or cushy, but man this is what Toyota used to be about. 
• 2005 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 5spd: Great power with the 2.5 Inline-5. Exhaust tone is strange but not raspy. Cruising on the freeway at 3000 rpm however the exhaust note gets tiresome.
• 2009 Toyota RAV-4 Sport: Lots of power but for no good reason. 
• 2011 Toyota Prius: As cool as the instrument display is, I still don't like it in the middle of the dash so far away.
• 2008 Chevy Impala: It's an average car for an average american. At this point i's basically on par with the Camry. Not sure who that's damming to more.

1/10/13

• 2007 Kia Sedona LX: It's an ok minivan, no frills or fancy entertainment systems, but it will move 7 people around with minimal bitching.
• 2006 Mazda 3 2.3: Zoom-Zoom! Fun and dynamic with lots of power for cheap! Also Mazda understands you pull BACK to Upshift!
• 2011 Ford F250 Powerstroke Slam-Eagle: Every once in a while you come across somebodies  custom labor of love. Be it the bitchin van with the wizard fighting a robot dragon painted on the side and a built in water bed, or a Mustang tuned to an inch of it's life for the 1/4 mile, or in this case, a low profile towing rig pickup that has no pretension of being used anywhere the tarmac ends. All trucks for towing should be low like this. Drives great, and you don't need a drop hitch. 

That's as tall as you ever need to tow stuff.

Oh yea and wicked custom paint work UNDER the clear-coat helps too. 

This guy alone adds 200 pounds of towing capacity!

• 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder: It's nice to be reminded of what cars used to feel like all low to the ground and sporty. Sure this one had no power steering, but I needed the upper body workout.

1/11/13

• 2004 Toyota 4-Runner V8: Taller and less solid feeling than the old blocky 4-Runner. Very thirsty. Still love the big, mitten workable climate controls though!

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 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 8th

10/8/12

• 2008 Toyota Prius: Uncomfortable seating position, Space ship interior, Poor rear visibility. Battery gives great balance though.
• 1997 Ford F-150 Laredo: Good Comfortable seat, Newer generation however is better overall.
• 2003 Chevy Trailblazer: Basic SUV Truck.
• 2006 Saturn VUE V6: Why isn't this just a trim level of the Equinox?

10/9/12

• 2004 Chevy Colorado Z-74 4x4: Seats are too wide, and that's coming from a Fat Guy!
• 2004 Pontiac Gran Prix GT: Why did they kill Pontiac? It just feels better and is more enjoyable inside than a Chevy.
• 2004 Volkswagen: Touareg V8: Smooth ride. Rides smaller than it actually is.

Off work to go to the Races!

Yes that is a racecar made to look like Mr. T's head.

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 4th

9/4/12

• 2010 Chevy Silverado: Bone Stock, True TRUCK.
• 2009 Chrysler Town & Country Touring: This is a perfect Road Trip vehicle. DVD's Captain chairs, the works.
• 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Crap. Floppy Tall Rubbish.

9/5/12

• 2006 Cadillac SRX: Chevy in a cheap dress.
• 200x Mazda CX-9: Mazda is #1 in price/value. Well made.
• 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit: Perfect evolution from the Mk. IV Golf I used to own, but lots more power.
• 2004 Ford Ranger XLT: Nice, but a bit small. Bonus for being a manual transmission!

9/6/12

• 2008 GMC Acadia: Overwrought, wannabe Cadillac beast.

9/7/12

• 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE: Tow MONSTER! Want!
• 2008 Chevy Equinox: Still think they should have made a wagon instead.
• 2001 Pontiac Sunfire: Butt Turrible seat, LeMony good chassis though!
• 2003 Chevy Impala: A pull out light switch in 2003? To call it Vanilla would be too kind.

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.