Monday, October 27, 2008

Three Car Garage.

It's every red-blooded American's dream - the Three Car Garage (TCG).  Maybe it's just every motor-oil-blooded American's dream.  Well check it out!  

I didn't think we could fit three across, but there's plenty of space.  Mostly because Max's ride is so SMALL.  

I just picked it up tonight and am thinking the maiden voyage is tomorrow morning.  Wendy thinks it too dangerous for her little king, but I'll make sure he wears his helmet and takes it easy on the 'Go' pedal.  At least until he gets the hang of it!

I'm already thinking of what mods I could do to his kart.  Drop it, some stickier tires (plastic has such a low coefficient of friction!), maybe a paint job...

-Motor Daddy

Friday, October 24, 2008

Recent Rides.

It's been a while huh?  Just been spending time with The King and his Mommy.  I gotta get that kid to update his blog as well.  Had a few minutes at lunch and wanted to put some words down about cars I've recently seen/driven/bought/sold.

GT-R.  Finally saw one in the flesh (metal?).  Going to get The King from daycare.  Of course, Palo Alto would be where I would spot the Godzilla.  Also saw a Can-Am Spyder there a few months ago.  Both are pretty rare.  And both will be mine one day.  The Nissan was the same color as the one I own... in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

Just got back from vacation and we got to "pick a car" off the Enterprise lot.  We were slated for a Pontiac G6, but that's an ugly beast and it looked like your typical rental.  Saw they had a 300C, Charger and a white VW Passat! (more on this later).  We passed on those because they're considered 'premium' cars and would cost more.  No need to waste $ on a rental.  I saw a Malibu in the corner and asked if that was the same price.  I was surprised that it was since it was bigger and newer than the Ponti-crap.  Overall I was impressed with the Malibu, though I still wouldn't buy one myself.  It had lots of room, decent power from the Ecotec and a decently finished cabin.  GM really did up it's game with this one.  Too bad 90% of it's lineup is still crap.  I wouldn't chuckle-under-my-breath if someone told me they bought a Malibu.  I'd consider putting my own cash down on a G8 GT or a CTS-V now.

I also drove a Jetta 2.5 "Wolfsburg Edition".  I think the "WE" trim is just some cosmetic stuff, so I would have to say a base Jetta is a solid car.  The motor has good torque, and no real top end - though it makes good grunting noises.  The cabin is nice and it does the "euro sedan" thing well enough, at a competitive price.  I would recommend this to anyone looking for a cheap european car.  I assume the Rabbit is equally competent given the shared chassis.

Speaking of which, the MKV also rides under the Passat.  Which is why I was driving a Jetta loaner.  We had to get the windshield replaced on our BRAND NEW car because the (other) VW dealership is staffed by idiots.  We got the car in a dealer-trade, but it was missing a wiper and someone had turned on the wipers leaving a nice long scratch in the windshield.  The service guys at Winn VW aren't the brightest bulbs either, but I insisted they replace it.  It's just as bad as a long scratch on the side of the car, and I was looking at it every time I drove!

Other than that, the Passat Wagon has been a joy to drive.  Sure it's nothing like the WRX, but that's the point.  It's LARGE, quiet, comfy, gets good mileage and does a decent impression of an entry-level luxury car.  It was such a logical decision that I feel like I've been slowly getting to know the car, and I like what I'm finding. VW ownership is like finding small gifts in the form of thoughtful features (tap-to-pass blinkers, driver-side glovebox, etc.).  Well, at least until those things break and I end up in the service bay.  AGAIN.

I also managed to put in a short drive in the G35 after about a month away.  Wow.  What a great car.  I had forgotten how awesome the VQ35 was, and what a marvelous chassis the FM platform is.  Just coming out of the driveway and around the first corner I was smitten once again.  The G has held up very well over these last 3.5yrs and still is a joy to dive into a corner with.  The power was nice, definitely missing from the Passat and a different experience from the WRX.  The steering wheel is one of my favorite features, and makes the plastic-fantastic of the PW an even bigger letdown.

Which brings us to the WRX wagon.  I was worried about smog testing, but a switch back to the stock exhaust and she passed with flying colors.  Not bad for 300+hp.  Now she's officially "not mine".

Now I just need to chip the Passat.

-Hong

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Sold the Subie. :(

It's the end of an era.  My wifey would say that the "Reign of Rice" is over.  I sold the WRX to a friend from work tonight.  It was with mixed feelings that I handed over the keys.  I enjoyed my time with the "STI wagon", but I also know it was going to be in good hands.  Rob had a WRX and and STI before, and in a way, this third Impreza will be a combo of those two.

I'll have to make another post about the new whip after I've given her the proper break-in (and first mod!).

I guess I can't be considered a "Ricer" anymore.

-Strudeler