Maine Auto Blog

Winter Driving

2012-01-25T10:11:00.003-05:00

If there are any doubts as to the hazards of winter driving, follow this link:

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/why-are-snowy-roads-like-these-never-closed/#continued

You've seen clips on NBC and the Weather Channel, but this tells the whole story. Four wheel drive and snow treads mean nothing when ice is involved. Stay safe, stay home!

Happy Motoring!

TUMBLING DICE

2011-06-01T10:25:00.009-04:00

I know, I know, you’re here to read about cars; but sometimes we need to drift from the hardware, to the habits. People express themselves through their vehicles. Stereotypes abound: rednecks drive pick-ups, blondes cruise in convertibles, and soccer moms haul it all in the mini-van. Drivers can be who they want to be through their wheels. To each their own! However, there is one area that I just plain do not understand. What’s up with the dangling debris hanging from rear view mirrors?

My exhaustive research has turned up everything from the traditional air fresheners, to the clichéd tumbling dice. The list includes prayer beads and Mardi Gras beads, St. Christopher medals, Hawaiian leis, security badges, graduation tassels, plastic skulls, key chains of all shapes and sizes, good luck rabbit’s feet, and even a wayward G-string (no kidding).

In my case, I have no choice. My work requires that I display a parking tag from my mirror. It’s small, tight to the mirror’s stem, but it’s there nevertheless. In my defense, at least it’s not hitting me in the face every time the car makes a move.

Honestly, don’t the dangling distractions drive their owners crazy? Isn’t it annoying to take a mouthful of Mardi Gras beads at every turn? The rattling noise alone would aggravate me. Isn’t it dangerous to have your attention diverted by a dangling rabbit’s foot, especially if it pokes you in the eye? Rolling dice obscures the driver’s visibility and could be illegal. What you choose to dangle could also be embarrassing. Think about it, how do you explain to the police officer that you caused an accident because you were distracted by a G-string?

I’m all for freedom of expression, as long as you drive safely while you do it. Consider demonstrating your personality through your Mini, your Maxima, or the color that you choose for your car, instead of dangling debris. It might make the roads a whole lot safer.

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BAD MANNERS, BAD HABITS, ANNOYING DRIVERS

2011-04-29T10:15:00.008-04:00

Have you noticed how good manners are hard to find these days? With the kinetic pace of this electronic age, there seems to be little time, patience or interest in basic niceties. The “Please” and “Thank You” that were so ingrained growing up just aren’t there anymore. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive, but this callous disregard for common courtesies annoys me, especially when it comes to drivers’ habits.

Rarely does a day go by that I don’t witness a rude move by another driver. A little thing like a car cutting in front of me without using a turn signal is annoying to me. It’s a seemingly minor thing, but it’s discourteous and potentially dangerous. What’s so hard about placing a finger on the stalk and engaging a turn signal for a few quick flashes? Is the other driver too busy talking on his cell phone or texting to drive properly?

It doesn’t take long to make a list. Here’s what I’ve seen just recently:

- I am already driving 5 mph over the speed limit, and someone feels they have to tailgate behind me because I’m just not going fast enough. Pass me, or leave me alone.

- There is the driver that knows there is a red light ahead. They either feel that they have to tailgate, or worse yet, they floor it to pass me, then cut me off and slam on their brakes, stopping just in time for the red light. These are the same drivers that have to pass, and then cut in to make an immediate turn. They just can’t wait a few seconds.

- If someone in front of me is going too slow, I turn on my turn signal to begin to pass, and they speed up to prevent it. It’s not a race!

- What about the driver that stays in the passing lane, with his right hand turn signal permanently left flashing, but never returns to the travel lane? It’s illegal and unsafe for me to pass on the right, but what choice do I have? If anything happens, I’m to blame.

- I find the driver with the hand on the horn aggravating. It’s unnecessary to
blow the horn for every move; when making a turn, rounding a bend or whenever another car is in sight. It’s jarring and rude to other drivers.

- Then there is the uncaring shopper in the parking lot of the grocery store.
Don’t place your bags on my car while you open your door, don’t rest your shopping cart against my door, and don’t use my car’s door as a door stop as you swing yours open. It’s selfish and inconsiderate, not to mention that it’s downright destructive.

This is just a partial list, I’m sure that you have your own. There’s no need to be rude behind the wheel. A little courtesy while driving makes the highways a more pleasant place, not to mention a much safer place to travel. Please and thank you!

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HOW’S YOUR PRESSURE?

2011-02-02T10:22:00.006-05:00

I’m a car guy! I enjoy the drive, the mechanics and everything to do with cars. But like most other owners and drivers, I sometimes fall short when it comes to the more tedious aspects of cars, namely maintenance. I am diligent when it comes to the important things like oil changes, tire rotations and the latest recalls. On the other hand, when it comes to checking tire pressure, I tend to drop the ball.

I have no excuse for this failure. It’s not that it’s a hard thing to do; just take the cap off of the stem, apply the gauge and read the pressure. You don’t even have to dig out the owner’s manual. Manufacturers make it easy and convenient to get the pressure right by posting the figures on the door saddle. The driver just needs to take the time and do it.

The experts say to check your tire pressure monthly. I imagine few people are that conscientious. Quarterly seems much more realistic, but I have been guilty of only checking mine with the change of the seasons. After several days of sub-zero temperatures, it occurred to me that maybe I should check my cars’ tire pressure. After all, it’s been awhile. All eight tires (two cars) were under inflated by 7 lbs. each, that’s 20% lower than spec. Yikes, that’s not good for a car guy, or for the tires.

I am well aware of the negatives. Everyone knows that the friction caused by under inflated tires increases tire wear, decreasing a tire’s life by as much as 25%. I know that their increased drag can cut down my fuel economy by 5%, and that low tires affect the car’s driving performance, impacting steering, stability and responsiveness. I also know better than to rely on the vehicle’s low pressure sensors. By the time they notify me of a problem, hundreds of miles may have already been driven on low and unsafe tires. And what are the chances that my friendly neighborhood shop checked my tires’ pressure when they rotated them? Most likely they didn’t, and if they did, do I trust them to do it properly? I need to check my tire pressure more often.

The fact is that in cold weather, tires lose pressure. The air in a tire is a gas, when heated it expands, when cooled it contracts. For every 10 degree change in temperature, up or down, tire pressure rises or falls 1 psi. In my case it makes perfect sense. My tires were underinflated by 7 psi, a result of Maine’s 70 degree drop from summer to winter temperatures.

This car guy has been reminded to check his tire pressure often, and maybe once a month is not such a bad idea. At below zero temperatures and blizzard conditions, the last thing I want is a tire “issue”, due to underinflated tires. So, how’s your pressure?

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WINTER IS HERE

2010-12-15T15:30:00.005-05:00

Winter is here, please drive carefully. You don't want to end up in one of these videos, do you? Happy and safe motoring!

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FOUR WHEEL DRIVE: Fact & Fiction

2010-11-16T10:44:00.018-05:00

You might as well face it, snow is on the way. The clocks have been set back to winter, there is frost on the lawn nearly every morning, and it’s only a matter of days before we wake up and see that first snowfall. You’ll know it when it happens; it’s when you hear the screaming and laughter of the neighborhood kids as they dive into their first snowball fight, signaling that winter is officially here.

Every year we celebrate the change of seasons, and it seems that every year we need to relearn how to drive in the snow. Without fail, the first storm sends a car or two off the road.
It seems that it takes a fender bender to wake drivers up, refreshing their memories to, “Oh yeah, it’s snowing, I need to slow down.” Have you ever noticed that the majority of these “victims” are driving 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles? Fact: 4-wheel or all-wheel drive does not mean you are invincible.

In reality, 4x4 does nothing for winter driving other than to get the vehicle moving. If you are stuck in a drift, or you need to get up your driveway before you snow blow, 4x4 can help. Once you are underway, it does nothing. In fact, most all-wheel drive systems disengage once slippage stops, or when the vehicle reaches a certain rate of speed. Once the vehicle is underway, it’s your tires and your driving habits that keep you on the road.

Quality tread, deep and wide enough to grab the snow and throw it away is what gives you traction in snow. Also, tires made of proper winter rubber that is designed to grip the road in low temperatures helps to keep you on the road. The rubber of summer tires is too brittle to adhere to cold, slippery surfaces, proving down right dangerous in winter conditions.

However, nothing helps more with the challenges of winter driving than just slowing down. Whether you are driving with rear wheel, front wheel, 4x4, or all-wheel drive, the vehicle’s ability to stop is determined by its weight in relation to its brakes, not by how the wheels are driven. Basic physics: an object in motion wants to stay in motion, especially if it’s on ice and snow. In the best of conditions, a heavy full size SUV with extra weight and momentum will take longer to stop than a small car. In winter conditions, the stopping distance is even longer, with an even higher risk of slipping. Of course if it’s icy, even the best studded tires may not help. If you are going too fast for conditions, you will crash. Slow down, and at least you have a chance of avoiding a problem.

I for one can’t wait to drive in the snow again. This will be my first winter with an all-wheel drive vehicle, the Toyota RAV4. Even though I won’t be invincible, I still look forward to enjoying the artificial safety and security of a vehicle with higher clearance and all-wheel drive. Regardless, I will slow down when the snow flies. You should too!

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TOP DOWN, SMILE ON

2010-07-28T14:09:00.015-04:00

Why do the majority of the convertibles that drive by me have their tops up? I don’t get it, if you’re lucky enough to have a convertible, why not use it? As I write this today, it’s a beautiful summer day in Maine, approaching 90 degrees with high humidity. You won’t hear any complaints from me. After all, it won’t be long before the snow flies and we’ll be talking about winter driving. So with summers so short here, why aren’t more convertible tops down?

The owner pays a premium when they buy a convertible. Not only is the purchase price more than the hardtop model, the car generally weighs more, impacting its fuel economy. A convertible swallows trunk space to accommodate the top, and insurance rates are higher for soft tops. These sacrifices must have been worth it, or they wouldn’t have bought a convertible in the first place. The freedom of fresh air and the open highway is priceless. The driver of a convertible can hear the birds chirp, smell the flowers bloom, and the can howl to the moon overhead. So why aren’t their tops down?

Could it be because the dream of the freedom of a convertible is not all that it’s cracked up to be? Do the flowers actually smell more like diesel exhaust? Is it because it’s too hot, too cold, or too windy? Are these top up convertible drivers avoiding sunburn on their bald spots, or is it that they have too much hair and don’t want to go home a tangled mess? Is the top up for fear of birds on bombing runs, or is it just too much work to press a button to put the top down? Or, could it be that they are suffering buyers’ remorse, and that they just aren’t convertible people?

I've never owned a convertible, so I can't criticize or judge the decisions of others. However, there is something really enticing to me about the freedom of open air driving. It seems to me that if I had bought a convertible, and paid a premium for it, I would take advantage of beautiful days like today. On the other hand, I might look pretty foolish in mid-February wondering, “What did I do, a convertible in Maine?”

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Reach for the Sky

2010-07-15T14:05:00.005-04:00

Amy Bouchard of Isamax Snacks, the Whoopie Pie Lady, was in the other day. She proudly drives a Saturn Sky with the license plate that says, WHOOPIE. Little did I know that when I wrote this blog two years ago, the the Sky (and Saturn) would end production and it would become a collector's car. The Sky showed well then, and still looks great today.

I fell in love the other day.

A friend of mine came in and told me about her, “Go look!”

She belonged to someone else, but she was beautiful.

She had sleek, flowing lines.

Some say that she is fast, other’s say she is a little slow.

I don’t care what they say.

She is compact, perfectly formed, and looks good wearing her top either way.

I have seen her sister many times, but this was my first time with her.

It was well worth the wait.

But it was destined to be love from afar. She drove off without me.

She left without even a flash.

Another love lost.

Now just a fond memory, but I finally got to see, close-up, the Saturn Sky.

The Sky is a great design achievement for GM. It shows well from every angle, and in my opinion, is much better looking that its sister, the Pontiac Solstice. I spoke with the owner of this Sky, and she could not be happier. She has owned it for 9,000 joy filled miles, just now starting her third summer. I did not have the courage to ask for a ride, but she says that it is great around town, and at speed on the highway. In fact, she drives it regularly to and from Connecticut in total comfort. I congratulated her on her good fortune, and let her know of my envy.

The Saturn Sky, well worth a look, even if it is love from afar. Love the Sky!

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Going Topless

2010-06-22T15:22:00.009-04:00

This is a reposting of a previous blog, but the need to go topless is still valid today.

It happened again yesterday, as it does just about this time every year. This one was a nice black BMW Z4. It caught my eye in the rear view mirror nearly a half mile back, in and amongst the clutter of the other cars. The Z4 navigated effortlessly past each of the slower cars, then roared by mine. It was a chilly 40 some degrees, but the top was down and the driver was smiling ear to ear. Immediately I had the fever again, the fever to own a convertible.

It is an absurd idea living in Maine. It makes no sense at all. What do we have, only two or three days a year that a convertible might actually be comfortable? The rest of the days it is either too hot or too cold, rainy, snowy, icy to enjoy. So what is the attraction? Is it the feeling of freedom, of unlimited visibility? Is it the bonding with nature; the ability to smell and hear the flowers and the birds (along with the tractor trailers and the buses)? I don’t know, and at this point, I don’t care. The passion and desire is there again.

One year I tried to satisfy the craving by renting a convertible for the weekend. Calls to several rental car companies in the area found that convertibles were not even available in this market, at least for that year. Probably because having a convertible in northern New England makes no sense. That still doesn’t matter. Each year, spring fever sets in and I want a convertible.

My sister has a Chrysler Sebring convertible. She says that if the day is not perfect, she doesn’t hesitate to turn on the heat or the air conditioner as she drives with her top down, whatever it takes to not miss the fun. Another friend of mine drives his VW Cabriolet in the middle of winter with the top down, his beret pulled down tight, scarf flying and sunglasses pasted to his head. To them, a convertible in New England makes perfect sense.

I thought that the purchase of my Scion TC would satisfy this convertible craving. The entire roof is glass with two separate sun roofs that illuminate both the front and the back seats. The front roof panel powers open to expose the whole front to fresh air and freedom. It is still not good enough. When this spring fever hits, the total freedom of a genuine roadster will only do, or at least a facsimile. The Z4 would be fine. Today is a nice enough day that a Pontiac Solstice, Mazda Miata or Ford Mustang would also satisfy.

The rag top desire will leave just about the time of the first frost. During the deep freeze of January and February, the thought never even occurs to me. But spring comes every year and another Z4, or something similar, will spark the fire. Those of you who own convertibles know the feeling. Enjoy the luxury of having the choice of going topless. There are those out there like me who are envious. Enjoy your ride!

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DETAIL YOUR CAR

2010-06-07T14:50:00.013-04:00

My parking lot at work is Ground Zero for various species of pigeons, sea gulls, and any other bird that feels the urge. Almost every day one lucky vehicle wins the lottery and becomes the target for a bird in need. Some cars luck out with a few precise droppings; others become victims of intense carpet bombing, covering the car from front to back in a variety of shades and colors. It can be down right nasty, and at the very least, not at all good for a vehicle’s exterior.

Between acid rain, Mother Nature’s wrath of weather fury and the birds from above, it's now more important than ever to protect your car’s finish with a little TLC. Wash your car when it’s dirty (get that bird off while it’s fresh), wax the car’s finish at least twice a year, regularly vacuum the soccer dirt away and occasionally wash the grime off of your windows. These simple acts will make you feel good about your car, and add years to your fit and its finish.

Don’t fall for the misconception that if your car has a clear coat finish you don’t need to wax it. Clear coat is not some magical, space age treatment, but is nothing more than another layer of paint that happens to be clear. It’s prone to scratches, and can show wear and tear if not taken care of properly. A clear coat finish needs a protective layer of wax just like any other. Clean and wax your car regularly.

You can’t feel good about your car if its interior is dirty or full of clutter. Get rid of the stuff. You don’t need those old receipts, sales flyers and McDonald’s wrappers. The last thing you need in an emergency stop is flying debris hitting you in the head or distracting you. While you’re at it, get your vacuum out. Having clean carpets, upholstery and dash board will make you feel like you have a new car, reenergizing your love affair with your most expensive possession.

I’m always amazed what a difference it makes to clean the windows of my car. Gradually over time, a thin film accumulates over the interior glass, especially noticeable on the windshield. Whether it’s the gaseous residue from the plastics of the interior materials, dirt, pollen or other particulates, they all adhere to the glass. The film’s affects are most noticeable during night driving where the coating adds to the glare from headlights and street lights, as well as distorting distance perception with oncoming traffic. Clean your windows inside and out, you’ll be amazed what a difference it makes.

It’s surprising how much people are willing to pay for their car, and then choose to not take care of it. Don’t let the birds win, protect your car with a little wash here and a little wax there. Your car will look and feel like new.

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AUTO HISTORY 101: Through the Past Darkly

2010-05-28T10:55:00.014-04:00

Ever notice how history has a way of repeating itself? And, isn’t it important to learn from the past? Common sense observations, right? Well in reality, history does repeat itself, and sometimes we never learn. Such is the case of the economy and the auto crisis of the past several years. As the auto industry crawls back to life, let’s look back to its beginning.

Henry Ford began production of his revolutionary Model T back in 1909. It was a basic, rugged vehicle made of sturdy materials, with a high clearance to provide reliable transportation over the challenges of existing horse and carriage trails.
For $850, it was initially a luxury and a novelty; a status symbol for the rich, or a toy for the first motor heads. Ford was ambitious, "I will build a motor car for the great multitude,” clearly stating his goal of placing a Model T in every home. To realize this vision, Ford adapted assembly line production techniques in 1913, and applied them to the Model T. Ford quickly lowered the production time for a new car from several hours to one every 93 minutes, then eventually to its final impressive rate of 23 seconds per car. Saving time and money, the purchase price lowered to an affordable $290. Sales of the “Tin Lizzy” sky rocketed, and Ford eventually sold an amazing 15 million Model Ts before the end of its production in 1927.

General Motors upped the ante. While Ford kept the production costs and the price down by producing basically the same car every year (“Any color as long as it’s black.”), GM updated their cars annually in flashy new colors, the latest in design flare and fancy options. Through aggressive advertising, GM’s Alfred P. Sloan sold the idea of two cars in every family, along with the need to buy a new car every year. Planned obsolescence became GM’s strategy, convincing buyers that last year’s model was out of date and out of style. Anybody that’s anybody would have to buy the latest and greatest GM car. Cost was not a problem, thanks to Sloan’s new finance program, the installment plan. In the freewheeling roaring twenties, the buyer could pay monthly for a car, and then return it to the dealer for the next year’s exciting new model. Ford perfected the use of the assembly line, but Sloan revolutionized the auto industry by selling cars on credit.

Autos sales soared through the 1920s, feeding a booming economy.
The support industries of steel, rubber and glass thrived, as did thousands of businesses capitalizing on the new found mobility provided by cars. Movie theatres, grocery stores and baseball games attracted thousands of auto touring families and individuals in search of new destinations and diversions with their cars. Highway construction began, gas stations were built, and life was good. Then in 1929, Black Thursday and Black Tuesday hit, and the greatest stock market crash in history was a reality. Ten years of the Great Depression followed. Jobs were lost, monthly installment payments were missed, cars were repossessed, and the idea of a new car every year was history.

Flash forward to today where buying a car on credit is a given. With new car prices regularly over $20,000, paying cash for a car is rare. Credit is an industry unto itself. Companies developed another alternative by creating lease programs where the buyer only pays for a car during a finite period of time, and then returns it to the dealer. Similar to Sloan’s plan, leasing allows a purchaser to buy a car without really owning it. In good times, credit or leasing programs can provide a buyer a new car every three or four years, and possibly a better car than they could normally afford. There is also big money to be made for the loan companies that provide the financing. But obviously, the success of either program is reliant on the buyers paying their debt.

As with the 1930s, our recent auto crisis brought all of the fun to an end, again. Before this downturn, auto manufacturers could not make enough cars. Vehicles were sold, even more were made. When auto sales reached their peak and people slowed their buying, companies made even more vehicles and marketed them aggressively with ambitious rebate plans. A vicious cycle accelerated. Manufacturers made less on each car, so they needed to sell still more just to break even. Most car makers did not succeed. Huge inventories backed up. Then the economy plummeted, people lost their jobs, cars stopped selling, auto companies were stuck in the red, and the government bail-outs are now history. Déjà vu: too many cars and too much credit.

Reflecting back to a simpler time, the days of Henry Ford providing basic, reliable transportation for $290 CASH made perfect sense. Alfred P. Sloan contributed to the Crash of 1929 with GM’s installment plan, and the planned obsolescence of their flashy new models. Could Sloan be responsible for the ills that the auto industry is only now recovering from, yet again? It’s hard to believe that lessons can’t be learned.

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Death of the Manual Transmission

2010-05-11T15:22:00.020-04:00

Like the old saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” My 16 year old son is a newly licensed driver. He did very well learning how to drive with an automatic transmission. Now it’s time for him to learn the manual on my Scion TC. As he struggles with the coordinated ballet of two feet, three pedals and the fine art of stalling, his frustration seems to ask, “Why?” He may have a point. It appears that it’s the beginning of the end for the good ole manual transmission.

Just about every car that I’ve owned has had a manual, except when unavailable (Ford Thunderbird and Toyota RAV4), and when I made the wrong decision as I did with my Honda Accord (its automatic began to fail after only seven years and 50,000 miles).
I guess I’ve taken driving a manual transmission for granted. I don’t remember any big deal in learning how to shift. My father’s VW Bug was four-on-the-floor. After a few tries to get used to the clutch, I just got in and drove. I’ve been driving ever since.

I have always preferred a manual. It’s fun to have total control over the car, to coordinate the transmission with the vehicle’s performance, to regulate the engine’s torque to whatever driving challenge lies ahead. It feels good to be actively involved in the car’s handling, in complete control of everything the vehicle is doing. On a snowy, slippery day, I feel safe as I decide when it’s time to change gears. And, when you’re engrossed with shifting, there’s no temptation to multi-task with cell phones or any other distractions.

Automatics are more prone to failure, and they cost a lot for repairs. A transmission job for a manual can run $1200-$1500, while one for an automatic is around $3000. Also, I like saving the $1,000 premium that an automatic adds to a car’s purchase price, along with the manual’s daily fuel savings. Up until now, a stick shift has generally saved two or three miles per gallon in fuel economy. Finally, if you are stuck with a dead battery, you can always push a car to get started with a manual.

But all good things must come to an end. As recent as 1980, 35% of all cars sold had a standard transmission. Now as little as 6% of all sales are stick shifts, and that amount seems to be steadily decreasing. 2008 was the last year that a manual could be purchased on any full sized truck, while Toyota says that now only 2% of the cars they sell are manuals. If there is so little demand for a standard transmissions, manufacturers will phase manuals out altogether, to save production costs, as well as pocket the increased purchase price that comes with an automatic. It appears that the fuel savings is no longer a benefit too. Today’s computerized automatics actually come in with better mileage numbers than the manuals. The computer now knows the ideal time to shift up and down, optimizing mileage.

It appears that, other than high-end paddle shifters and various forms of Manumatic/Tiptronic transmissions, the manual’s days are numbered. My son is doing much better with his learning how to shift. It’s a good thing because its time is limited. The manual transmission is soon to go the way of carburetors and crank windows; a piece of automotive history that will only be found in auto museums and in our memories. Down shift while you can, and enjoy the ride.

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ECONOMY CARS: Shaken, Not Stirred

2010-04-29T15:24:00.013-04:00

I’m just back from a good old fashioned road trip. Our family of four drove 1200 miles in our new RAV4, safely and economically. Safely in that we had no “incidents”, economically in that we went from the 20 mpg of our old Windstar Van, to nearly 30 mpg with the RAV4. Thanks to last summer’s Cash for Clunkers, we drove in the near luxury of a relatively new vehicle, and saved precious dollars in fuel expense. We felt good about having helped the economy and the environment. So everything was peachy, right? Well, not quite.

On this extended trip, we experienced first hand the sacrifice that is made by trading to economy. We were shaken and stirred. Regardless of design and technology, the short wheelbase that comes with economy vehicles translates to shortcomings on the highway. At the end of our 500 mile drive, mostly on interstate highways, the whole family was exhausted. We were shaken by every expansion joint, stirred from each frost heave, and swayed after hours of wind buffeting. We realized that we had sacrificed comfort for fuel economy.

Another sacrifice also became evident. Our “greener” vehicle needed to stop to refuel. In the past, our Windstar’s 26 gallon gas tank would take us door to door, with some gas left over. Now, despite the RAV4’s more miserly manners, its comparatively miniscule 16 gallon tank could only manage half of our 500 miles. Valuable travel time was needed to refuel, at inflated interstate gas prices. It seems like a small thing, but it’s a sacrifice just the same.

Is there a vehicle that can deliver the best of both worlds; fuel economy and smooth highway driving? Mid-sized, four cylinder cars like the Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry would probably offer compromise with less sacrifice. On the other hand, we’ll be passing them next winter with our four wheel drive engaged.

We have no reservations about our decision to downsize. After all, how often do we drive 500 miles in one day? With normal driving, we get to enjoy the fuel and operating savings throughout the year. The RAV4’s tighter suspension, shorter wheelbase, and lighter weight; all of the items that contribute to the jostling on the highway, are actually the things that make the RAV4 so much fun to drive and park around town. So, we’ll shake a bit on an occasional road trip, but we will not be stirred from the handling and dollar savings that our RAV4 offers. We think that the good far out weighs the bad. We may have been shaken, but we are certainly not stirred.

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CELEBRITY CARS: Don’t Buy Flash, Buy to Drive

2010-04-14T08:47:00.001-04:00

You would if you could, I know I would. They can, so they do; and boy, do they. I’m talking about celebrities and their cars. With money to burn, and the desperate need to flaunt their good fortune, celebrities have the cars and trucks that you and I can only dream about. From rapper to rocker, to sports heroes and Hollywood’s elite, they all say who they are through their cars.

It seems that the majority of this privileged nouveau riche buys for flash, to show that they’ve made it. I bet that few are actually car people, or have any idea of what they buy and drive. They buy image, without a clue of what’s under the hood and chassis. Do you think that Kim Kardashian knows what she’s really driving when she climbs into her custom Bentley? She knows that it attracts attention, costs a lot of money, and has a prestigious name. On the other hand, a true car guy like Jay Leno knows exactly what he’s driving when he gets into his Bentley.

Leno’s Bentley:

There are celebrities that do buy and know what they drive. In addition to Leno, I think of fellow comedians Jerry Seinfeld and David Letterman, along with guitarist Jeff Beck and the late actor Paul Newman. These are (were) genuine car people who live and breathe cars. While they buy exotic because they can, they buy the car, not the image. Jay Leno has been into cars since his days growing up in Andover, MA. His collection now includes some 200 different cars of all kinds, shapes and sizes, many stored in his private climate controlled southern California garage. Jay does not collect these cars to show them off as a museum, but he tinkers with them, along with his staff of professional mechanics. The cars don’t sit around and collect dust; he drives them for the fun of driving. Check out some of his toys:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/1302826.html

Jerry Seinfeld is another genuine celebrity car guy. He is reputed to own and drive well over 40 unique Porsches. He has many 911s from a variety of years, at least 10 different colored Boxsters, and a choice 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, the same model and color that James Dean was driving when he died. Seinfeld has so many cars that he used to rent an aircraft hanger to store them at Santa Monica’s airport. When he moved back to New York, Seinfeld built his own multi-million dollar climate and security controlled garage in Manhattan to store some of his collection. Like Leno, Seinfeld is not collecting cars for show; he buys and drives, because he knows and loves them.

Seinfeld’s Manhattan Garage:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0527041jerry1.html

Guitarist Jeff Beck leaves the stage for years at a time, to stay home and play with his custom hot rods. He has been a car guy since his youth, just about as long as he has been playing guitar. Jeff Beck is not buying cars to show off. Beck works on them, and drives them. His has the history of accidents behind him to prove it. Jeff Beck is a car man through and through.

Jeff Beck:
http://www.carcrazycentral.com/VideoResults.aspx?query=jeff%20beck

David Letterman and the late Paul Newman were cast from the same mold: celebrities that buy to drive. They love cars to the point of buying ownership in professional racing teams, all for the love of cars. Off the track, nothing is more conservative than a Volvo station wagon. The story goes that Newman talked Letterman into buying a Volvo station wagon from the Maine company, Converse Engineering. Converse converts stock Volvos into screaming street machines by adding performance engines inside Volvo’s conservative facade. Check out David Letterman’s bittersweet telling of the story, all in memory of Paul Newman.

Letterman's detailed Newman story from You Tube (Cue in to 3:42)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCO22jxMrrQ

The Letterman/Newman story:
http://www.swedespeed.com/news/publish/Features/printer_33.html

Letterman telling the story to Jon Stewart:
http://daddytypes.com/2008/10/05/all_i_smell_is_raw_power_and_speed.php

If I was a wealthy celebrity with money, I wouldn’t buy flash. I too would buy to drive. I would have an Aston Martin V12 Vantage for around town, a Maybach 62 for the highway, a BMW Z4 for sunny summer days, and my wife’s RAV4 to be safe in the Maine snow. With an inventory like that, I would certainly enjoy the ride.

Follow these links to see what other celebrities choose, some for flash, and some for the drive:

http://www.celebritycarsblog.com/
http://www.ridelust.com/50-celebrities-their-cars/
http://www.driverside.com/auto-library/top_10_surprising_cars_that_celebrities_drive-540
http://www.myride.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/1/article_id_int/4004

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LEARNING TO DRIVE 101

2010-03-31T09:50:00.014-04:00

My son is learning how to drive. I never thought that the day would come, or maybe I hoped it wouldn’t. The day of a teenage driver in our house has arrived. My son has been driving with us for over a year with his learner’s permit, but his road test and license is soon at hand. Getting a driver’s license is an auspicious day. It’s a right of passage, a sign of adulthood, a milestone that brings with it serious responsibility, as well as access to the entire world. For the child, it’s exciting, for the parent, terrifying.

Getting my driver’s license was one of the biggest days in my life. It ranks as one of my most cherished moments. For me, it was an excruciating wait to reach the age of 16, and access the key to the highway. Every day until then was in preparation for that fateful day, the day of the road test. The first memory in my life was when I was very young; maybe three years old, I got in my parents’ car and pretended to drive. Somewhere in this practice session, I decided that it would be a good idea to release the emergency brake. I coasted down the hill, through my neighbor’s fence and into the side of their house.

Mistake #1: releasing the brake.
Mistake #2: jumping into the back seat and hiding on the floor instead of applying the brake.

Oops! I guess I needed a little more practice.

Undeterred, I continued my practice through the years playing with my toy trucks and cars for hours at a time; driving, parking, K-turns, I covered every move. When I was in the eighth grade, I would drive my grandfather’s bright red Farmall tractor around his barn and back again, sunrise to sunset. At 15 and not quite street legal, I would drive my parents’ car up and down the driveway, practicing everything that I could muster within the confines of the area. When I finally took my road test, I remember waiting for what seemed like eternity for the results to be delivered in the mail. When my license arrived and I learned that I had passed, my life long dream had finally been realized.

After I got my license, I drove any and every time that I had an excuse. I would pick my sister up at school, take my other sister to her job, chauffeur my father and mother to anywhere they might be going. I took advantage of any and all reasons to drive. I still love to drive. My problem now is, so does my son. Every time that we go anywhere, he wants to drive. I tell myself that it’s good practice for his road test. We drive just to drive, we practice parallel parking, and we dodge rogue drivers, many of whom should never have received licenses themselves. There is the occasional white knuckle moment, but basically, he is already a very good driver.

After all of the years and the thousands of miles that I have driven, I have never taken driving for granted. It still holds the same thrill for me that it did at age three, although I have decided that it’s better to stick to the road instead of driving into the side of a neighbor’s house. It feels good to see my son’s excitement as he discovers the joys of driving, but I still want my turn behind the wheel.

Enjoy the ride, we are!

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2010 CAR REVIEWS: Spring Fever in Full Bloom

2010-03-15T15:42:00.015-04:00

I love driving, it’s as simple as that; that’s why I love cars and that’s why I write about them here. The fluid interplay of the mechanics, combined with the sensory experience of the drive itself, makes every aspect of driving exciting to me and down right therapeutic. Whether I’m on the open highway, or navigating the twists and turns of one of New England scenic back roads, I love it all. Nothing helps me decompress after a hard day better than pressing the pedal to the metal and leaving my cares behind.

Enjoying a drive on my way to work the other day, it was only 39 degrees outside. Despite the brisk temperature, the VW Bug in front of me had his convertible top down. Taking the hint, I cracked open my sun roof, and then quickly sealed it again. Too cold! Regardless, spring fever was in the air. Spring is the time to rekindle the passion of driving. For that reason, spring is the time when auto manufacturers entice us with their marketing blitz of auto shows and new model marketing.

It’s no wonder that people can’t wait to celebrate the rebirth of spring, especially this year. After driving through a long dark tunnel, the auto industry is finally officially on its rebound. For the first time in too many years, Ford holds the number one sales position, outselling not only GM, but even the once invincible Toyota. People are buying cars again. I bought a car recently, as did several of my friends. I know even more people that are planning on buying soon, and now there are now some really exciting cars from which to choose. Here’s a quick overview of what’s available for 2010, and beyond.

The recent reintroduction of the Ford Taurus as a full sized, near luxury car was greeted with glowing reviews and has been selling well. The redesigned Ford Mustang of 2009 (sold as a 2010) has faced stiff competition from the successful launch of the recently resurrected Chevy Camaro. Ford is fighting back this summer with a reinvigorated V6 Mustang as a 2011 model. An all new 3.7-liter engine will deliver a whooping 305 HP, even more horsepower than what used to come out of the V8 of the signature Mustang GT. Preorders are hot. The icing on the cake is that this engine is EPA rated at 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city with the available six speed automatic transmission. To conquer the muscle car wars, Ford is also releasing as a 2011, a new V8 in the GT which is expected to produce 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. With this assault force, Ford hopes to retain its leadership crown as it battles the Camaro SS’s 426 HP and the Dodge Challenger’s SRT8’s 425 HP.

Speaking of Ford, its much anticipated European inspired Ford Fiesta is due to hit our shores this summer with a spunky 1.6L Ti-VCT Duratec® I4 engine and an expected 40 mpg highway figure. A spirited “pocket rocket” that should deliver a lot of fun for its drivers in town and on the highway. Close behind is a makeover for the slightly larger Ford Focus, due in early 2011. This too is expected to be an economical and a more exciting performer.

GM is raging a valiant fight to stay alive with the critical and sales success of its redesigned mini-SUV, the 2010 Equinox. Its four cylinder front wheel drive model comes with a standard 2.4-liter engine, producing 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The Equinox can handle any road and still deliver an amazing EPA mileage rating of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. For even more power with a little less mileage, there is an optional 3.0-liter V6 with 264 HP and 222 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with a nice six-speed automatic transmission. Word is out about the Equinox, as GM is having trouble keeping up with demand.

My favorite addition to the GM line is the new and improved Buick La Crosse. Its picture is worth a thousand words: this is one beautiful car. The stodgy heritage of a floating, bloated Buick has now been replaced with this beautiful image, with sporty handling to boot. If the new La Crosse drives half as well as the reviews claim, GM will have a sales leader on its hands. Building on this momentum, Buick plans to launch a similar but smaller design in its 2011 Buick Regal. Billed as a “sports sedan”, GM is optimistic that it can capitalize on this European inspired design, satisfying a new niche for Buick.

Chrysler’s struggle to survive relies on its new relationship with Fiat, and new models that they can pool together from both sides of the Atlantic. Jeep is to be pared down to only essential models, the Mercedes influenced Chrysler 300 will be refined with new verve and the Fiat 500 will return to our market as an economical alternative. Of the Big Three, Chrysler’s direction (and future) seems a bit tenuous, but the jury is still out.

The Japanese are not about to sit back and watch the domestics steal their thunder. The introduction of the Honda Cross Tour has taken the cross over in a new direction. Is it a car, or is it a truck? Isn’t that what a cross over is supposed to be anyway? Honda also added pizzazz to its line with the return of the iconic Honda Civic Si. Talk about a “pocket rocket”, this Civic moves with its well refined 197 HP, 2 liter Honda engine, but still retains mileage of 21 city/29 highway.

Nissan is attracting attention with their unique Cube, Subaru continues to perfect its line of sturdy 4x4s and Hyundai is following it successful launch of the near luxury Genesis with a more luxurious Sonata for 2011. This list of exciting choices could go on forever, but it’s more fun to drive them.
Spring fever is here, and so it the lust for driving and the cars themselves. What better way to enjoy the road than in a new set of wheels, especially when there are so many good choices?

Enjoy the ride!

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MY DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS

2010-02-05T15:22:00.016-05:00

Driving home from work in the dark the other night, I noticed a glimmer of movement ahead. I quickly pulled the stalk for my high beams, and right in front of my car were two large eyes staring back at me. Yikes, a deer…then two, then three. As I shifted my manual transmission to neutral and braked hard to a complete stop, I flashed my high beams to oncoming traffic to warn them. As the three deer casually crossed the road, several thoughts raced through my mind. First, I thought how lucky I was that I hadn’t smashed my car into one of the deer, for their sake as well as mine. Secondly, I thought of how instantaneous my response was as I multitasked through the process. Steering, clutch, brake, gear shift and high beam stalk; all simultaneously involved, all operated by intuitive reaction. It was pitch black, but I was able to reach each component effectively, successfully completing the task at hand. Everything in my Scion TC was placed logically, right where it needed to be, allowing me to escape unscathed.

Coincidentally, moments before this close encounter of the venison kind, I had been thinking about high beams. Driving home, I was constantly raising and lowering my headlights. My drive includes long stretches of dark country roads that require high beams, but the traffic is heavy during rush hour which requires low beams. As I drove, my hand repeatedly left the steering wheel to raise and lower the beams. It was annoying, not to mention potentially dangerous, as my left hand repeatedly left the steering wheel. I then remembered the ease and convenience of the old floor mounted high beam switches. A driver could just leave his/her foot on the switch, then raise or lower the beams as needed without the driver’s hand ever leaving the steering wheel. It was safe and convenient.

This raises the question: why is it that the floor mounted high beam switch has been eliminated in virtually all vehicles? Is it because the switches corroded and failed due to moisture from wet, slushy boots? Is it because it took too long for a driver to find the switch on the floor, making it a safety issue? Or is it simply a cost saving measure for manufacturers i.e. is it cheaper to install one complete switch assembly on the steering column, rather than running a separate line from the floor to wherever?

My research has yet to come up with a clear answer as to when and why the floor mounted high beam switch disappeared. But following my close call the other night with my three deer, I was thankful for the stalk mounted high beam switch. There’s no way that I could have operated my clutch and brake, as well as warn the oncoming traffic with a “flash”, if the switch was on the floor. I guess that I just answered my own question, the stalk is safer, at least for a manual transmission.

TOYOTA RECALLS

2010-02-02T09:26:00.007-05:00

While at this writing, it seems that my new RAV4 and old Scion TC may not be victims of recalls, Toyota's saga is still unfolding with a new chapter breaking every day. From floor mats, to gas pedals, to brakes, if you own a Toyota, it's important to keep up on the latest. Follow these helpful links for more information:

http://www.toyota.com/recall/

http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide

http://www.edmunds.com/industry-car-news/toyota-recall.html

http://www.autonews.com/

VIDEO OF INSTALLATION OF ACCELERATOR SHIM:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/fixing-toyotas-recalled-pedals-the-video-starring-doug-the-mas/#continued

We will see what tomorrow (and Toyota) brings.

WINTER DRIVING, AND LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT

2010-01-26T10:31:00.009-05:00

Our recent series of winter storms proved the obvious once again: snow and ice makes for tricky driving. On my short drive home during the storm the other night, I saw a tractor trailer jack knifed into a snow bank, a car down an embankment and another car stuck in a snow drift. These drivers proved that snow and ice are slippery, and driving on them requires special driving techniques. Obviously! If it’s so obvious, then why do drivers feel the need to test these physical limits regularly, much to the delight of tow trucks and body shops throughout the area? Winter driving is not impossible. It just requires some discipline and a little common sense.

The first rule: SLOW DOWN! Obvious, but how many tractor trailers or SUVs have whizzed by you on the Turnpike, only to end up off the road a few miles later? Think about it, tires are rubber and so are hockey pucks. The difference between your car navigating safely and sliding across a winter road like a puck is the traction gained from the tread of the tire. The slower the vehicle travels, the more chance the tire has to disperse snow or moisture out of its tread, and grab for more. If the tread does not clear whatever form of moisture, it’s just rubber floating on the surface. Your tire is now a hockey puck with no traction. Slow down and let the tread work for you.

As you start out on a winter’s day, begin slowly to get a feel of the road conditions; to learn what the appropriate, safe speed may be. Winter driving experts advise drivers to double their distance to other cars, as compared to dry conditions; that’s two car lengths for each 10 mph. Also, keep alert, looking ahead for changes in road surfaces and conditions. Always look for an out in case of a collision or a slide. If you do need to stop quickly, remember not to pump your ABS brakes. Allow them to work as designed by applying steady, firm pressure. While ABS brakes and stability control are handy inventions, they don’t replace common sense when things get slick. Slow down and stay alert.

When driving in the winter, beware of the false confidence of 4 wheel drive. 4x4 can help you get out of a jam, but it can also put you in one. 4 wheel drive only helps if a drive wheel is slipping, like if you are stuck in a drift. Once your vehicle is underway, traction is a factor of tires, not how the wheels are being driven. A state trooper was interviewed during our last storm, and he said that nearly all of the rescues for that storm were a result of SUVs going too fast. His comment, the braking ability and stopping distance of vehicles are the same, regardless of rear wheel drive, front wheel dive or 4x4. Need proof? A friend’s 4x4 SUV slid through a red light during that storm because the tires were on ice. 4x4 did nothing to help him. The fact that he was driving slowly is what saved him.

Final bit of advice: prepare your car properly for driving. Clean the snow and ice off of the entire vehicle, not just a peep hole through the windshield. You don’t need a chunk of snow sliding from your roof to your windshield, obscuring your vision as you brake to a stop. Meanwhile, the car behind you doesn’t need a huge boulder of snow flying off your car and into his. Defrost your windshield and windows fully before your drive, to ensure that you can see around all 360 degrees of the vehicle. It’s hard enough to see when driving in rain, sleet and/or snow; you don’t need to add to the danger by peering through a peephole.

As proud Mainers, we know that snow is a fact of life. With a little common sense and discipline, drivers can stay safe all winter long.

AUTO HISTORY: Gone, but Not Forgotten

2010-01-06T10:25:00.005-05:00

I was reading entries on autoblog.com the other day, a resource I check regularly to keep up on everything auto, and I came across a posting that I found odd. In fact, I initially found it to be somewhat disturbing. According to the post, Ford’s launch of its much anticipated Fiesta this summer will include “tap for three blinks” turn signals. Other Ford models will soon follow. Apparently, this is common on European vehicles, and has been available domestically on some VW, Audi, Chrysler, and recently, GM models. It took me several readings, to first understand what it was, and then why it would be necessary.

The argument is that there are too many drivers that turn on their turn signals and leave them on, making for dangerous driving. We have all come up behind a driver with their blinker left on, wondering if it was safe to pass, or would they pull out in front of you. In my experience, the inattentive flasher is only an occasional annoyance. Regardless, “tap for three blinks” allows the driver to engage the turn signal, the blinker flashes three times and turns off automatically. The argument is that it frees the driver to concentrate on the road, and ensures that turn signals are properly extinguished. Maybe so, but I view it as yet another intrusion on the fun of driving.

I really enjoy driving. I enjoy the physical process of operating the vehicle. Whether it’s driving a challenging mountain road, or cruising the open highway, I enjoy the feel of the road as I operate the car’s various components. It’s fun! When it comes to turn signals, I enjoy the decision making process of evaluating the traffic; turning on, then off my turn signals. I don’t need “tap for three blinks”. In fact, I prefer not to have the fun taken away. But, like so many other changes, “three blinks” will become standard, and the price of a new car will increase to pay for it. Naturally, a few years from now I will look back on this and say, “What was I thinking? How did I live with out it?”

With “tap for three blinks” on the horizon, it got me to thinking about some of the other changes to cars and driving over the years. Here is my nostalgic list of the “Gone, but Not Forgotten”:

Manual door locks
Crank windows
Floor mounted high beam switches
Standard transmissions
Full sized spares
Bench seats
Cigarette lighters
Carburetors (and their shortcomings)
The ability to service your own car
Tube tires
Rust
Clear visibility (especially backing a vehicle)
Radios: AM, to AM/FM, to 8 track, to cassette, to CD, to iPod/Mp3, to USB drive
Free air for your tires
Full service fill-up

Feel free to add to my list, just don’t take the fun out of driving.

TIRE SAFETY: Don’t Drive Bare

2009-12-15T15:21:00.006-05:00

Now that we have survived our first genuine snowstorm of the season, everyone has driven their own road test of sorts. The first storm always exposes imperfections and shortcomings in our vehicles, that once addressed, take us safely through to spring. Our recent storm’s blend of ice, snow and rain tested everyone’s resolve, as well as the condition of their transportation. While it wasn’t particularly cold, a friend of mine’s car already had to be jump started. His winter will start with a new battery. Another friend learned that he needed to add new wipers to his truck, after he could barely see his way home. My purchase for this winter season was new tires.

Tires are often neglected and taken for granted, but nothing is more critical to the safety and performance of any, and all, vehicles. Environmentalists are constantly stressing the importance of proper tire inflation, in order to optimize fuel economy. Ford lost millions in the Explorer rollover debacle. The blame was finally placed on over zealous drivers, combined with improperly inflated tires. As a result, new vehicles now have tire inflation monitoring systems. Owners can brag all they want about their 4 wheel or all-wheel drive, but without tires that are up to the job, the rest is just macho posturing.

In the case of my 2005 Scion TC, I was driving close to the edge. My 5 year old car had 45,000 miles on its 17”, Bridgestone Potenza, Z rated, performance tires. I could tell even last winter that they were feeling their age. There were several storms that, even though I was driving slowly, I could feel the tires float on top of the slush and snow. I had little traction, and it felt dangerous. Performance tires are not made for a Maine winter anyway. They are too wide to bite through the snow, and the rubber is too brittle in the cold winter temperatures to adhere to cold surfaces. My 215/45ZR17 Potenzas were made to grip around a corner during a hot summer day, not to climb the hills and valleys of the Portland Peninsula during a Northeaster.

Summer came and my aging tires continued onward. An occasional rain storm was not a problem. If there was a hint of hydroplaning, just slow down, right? After all, the wear bars were not showing. My attitude changed though, recently. Driving along innocently, I took a corner at regular speed, on dry pavement, and I could feel the Scion lose traction. If I was having trouble navigating a simple turn now, I was going to be in for a long, dangerous winter. So it was time to bite the bullet, and spend some money.

The search for THE right tire for my vehicle could have been a pain staking, time consuming process, or as simple as picking up the phone and buying whatever the local tire shop might have available. I chose somewhere in between the two. First step? I decided that I did not want to hassle with changing in and out of snow tires each time the seasons changed, so I compromised by deciding on all season radials. I wanted a name brand that would deliver reliability and safety, but I did not want to bankrupt myself in the process.

Research and shopping for tires is actually easy, thanks to the Internet. Through various Web sites, all you have to do is enter your vehicle and model, your preferred criteria and price range, then a variety of recommendations are magically laid before you. I did my initial research across every site that I could imagine, including tirerack.com, Sears and Sam’s Club, just to name a few. There are many more available. Regardless of which you surf, most sites are comprehensive, and will steer you in the right direction, based on driving style, usage, and most importantly, price. An added benefit with some, are the user reviews; comments and criticisms from those that are already driving your potential tire of choice.

In my case, there seemed to be hundreds of choices. I had to do something to narrow the field. Since I was impressed with the look and feel of the BF Goodrich tires that we had on our Windstar van, I thought that I would look at their choices. I know, that’s comparing apples to oranges, but I did not want to return to the factory Bridgestone Potenzas, and I didn’t want to pay the top price for Michelins. Research came up with the highly recommended BFGoodrich G-Force™ Super Sport All Season radials. At $125 each, they were right in my price ceiling of $500, and the owner reviews were favorable.

The purchase was made. For nearly $600 (tax and mounting), I now have four new tires, free roadside assistance, along with lifetime tire rotation and balancing. Man, what a difference! These tires are fearless. I can feel them aggressively grab every type of road surface, under any driving condition. Dry or wet, they confidently handle anything Mother Nature has to offer. While they are not snow tires, they do provide a genuine feeling of confidence when the snow flies. No longer am I tip-toeing to the next stop sign. I can now drive with the, “Power of the G-Force” under me.

So, while wear bars are a guide to tire wear, and the Maine State Inspection is the final gatekeeper for tire safety, don’t wait too long. I was almost guilty of driving bare this winter. While it cost me money for four new tires, the cost of an accident would certainly have been more. Like the saying goes, “The life you save may be you own.”

Holiday Safety

2009-12-14T09:46:00.004-05:00

If you have any doubts of the impact of distracted driving or driving under the influence, the following video summary will change your mind.

Have a happy holiday. Drive safely!

VIDEO: Australian Transport Accident Commission celebrates 20 years of disturbing commercials — Autoblog

DISTRACTED DRIVING: DON’T DO IT!!!

2009-11-19T09:42:00.002-05:00

This blog was initially posted on May 6, 2008. Distracted driving continues in the news on a regular basis. With that in mind, I am reposting it for your review.

Susan Kimball visited the mother of this victim recently. Check out her report at:

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=111215&catid=2

“State Police say a young woman talking on her cell phone is the likely cause of last month's fatal crash on Interstate 295 in Cumberland.”

This was the opening line of the press release from the Maine State Police following their investigation into the cause of a horrific accident that occurred mid-morning on a beautiful, clear spring day here in Maine. This was the crash where a Toyota Corolla crossed the median on the interstate at a high rate of speed, driving into the opposing lane and striking a NEWS CENTER live truck. The driver of the car was killed, two of our coworkers were injured and both vehicles were totaled.

The details of the police investigation confirmed my suspicions from the moment the accident happened, an opinion that I shared with many coworkers and family members. The accident was not caused by a mechanical failure, another driver cutting her off, or the driver dodging wild turkeys, as some had speculated. It was caused by the driver using her cell phone while she was driving. She was a distracted driver.

The victim, Heather Bouchard, made the unfortunate decision to multitask while driving. The cell phone record confirms it. She was talking to a client on her phone. At the time of the crash, Ms. Bouchard was not wearing her seat belt, something her family said that she always wore. This, combined with other evidence, leads police to believe that Ms. Bouchard dropped her phone, released her seat belt to retrieve it and lost control of her vehicle, a decision that ultimately took her life.

We all have our own stories of observing, or even participating as distracted drivers. Basic acts of drinking coffee, tuning the radio, changing a CD, disciplining children, eating a sandwich, applying make-up, texting, and my favorite, knitting while driving. All simple tasks, all potentially deadly. A recent study conducted by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that, “…almost 80% of crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the event.” The most common distraction was cell phone use. It only takes once. DON’T DO IT!

Many states now ban cell phone use while driving and require hands-free calling devices. In my opinion, this is still distracted driving and should not be encouraged. This opinion is shared by Ralph Nader’s Center for Auto Safety (CAS), to the point of recently filing a petition with the NHTSA asking the agency, “…to write rules prohibiting the use of interactive systems that allow drivers to have wireless access to e-mails and phone calls.” I agree! Anything that diverts a driver’s attention as he or she pilots a 2,000 pound machine driving 65 mph is potentially deadly. DON’T DO IT!

A landmark case occurred in Rochester, New York where a teenager was texting while driving. Phone records proved it. All five in the car were killed. The New York law was changed. Maybe Maine lawmakers need to consider a similar move. It seems so obvious. Distracted driving, no matter how brief, no matter how innocent, can kill. DON’T DO IT!

RAVE FOR THE RAV4

2009-10-23T14:45:00.014-04:00

Nothing bonds a driver to his or her car better than a good old fashioned road trip. Living romance and intrigue, just as the song says:

“Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure…”

You know the rest.

My family and I finally had a chance to put our brand new RAV4 through the paces on its first road trip, during a recent 600 mile visit to Connecticut and back. A genuine road trip provided us the chance to test the car's performance, its cabin’s comfort, and its ability to serve our family’s needs. It was also a chance to verify, did we make the right choice with our purchase?

Now, of course, this review will be somewhat slanted. After all, it is our car, but the facts and observations are all true, or at least in our opinion. Before the trip, we already had a grasp of the RAV around town. Its zippy performance and handling has provided us much more agility and fun than our lumbering Ford Windstar van that it replaced. The RAV’s smaller size has made it much easier to park, not to mention the immediate dollar savings from the improved gas mileage. Thank you Cash for Clunkers.

Although we are all still getting used to a few things here and there, from the beginning we have been impressed with Toyota’s intelligent engineering and solid construction. The dash switches and other interior components are convenient and logically placed. They feel good to the touch, and work the way they should. From the handy auxiliary input for our various i-Pods, to the neat flip-up storage shelf above the traditional glove compartment, everything in the RAV4 makes sense. Sure, we occasionally still find ourselves searching for the clock, which is lower and out of the line of site from the other instrumentation. We are also still trying to figure out the rear wiper, but these are little things that are part of the learning curve for new drivers, in a new vehicle.

Inside and out, the fit and finish for the RAV4 is the best that I have seen. The doors and windows are solid and tight. The design lines of both the interior and the exterior flow nicely, and the vehicle is attractive to the eye, from whatever point of view. The tailgate door takes some getting used to; it swings out instead of flipping up a la the Windstar, but we find the cargo bay much larger than the van, with a low lift over.
Our after market molded cargo liner does a great job protecting the carpet and keeping the luggage under control. There is also plenty of space for the driver and the passengers. Leg room is spacious, headroom is not an issue, and the cabin a just a nice place to be. Throughout the trip, my teenage sons had plenty of room as rear passengers to stay out of each other’s hair. The arm rest/cup holder/divider between the back seats helps to clearly define their turf.

We chose the 4 cylinder engine, and at 179 hp, I have yet to see the need to have spent the extra money for the 6 cylinder, sacrificing fuel economy. The 4 cylinder responds immediately when asked to accelerate, up the ramp, and on to the interstate. It moves quickly up to speed with a pleasing growl of the engine, and then levels off nicely as we engage the cruise control. With four of us, including two sturdy teenagers and a full load of luggage, there was rarely a time that we needed more power. Even climbing steep grades to pass, the RAV4 safely delivered what was needed. At highway speed, there is actually less road and wind noise than I expected for a vehicle of this size, even with its wide 16” tires. Wind buffeting on bridges was never an issue.

No machine is perfect, and neither is the RAV4. On my Base model, there is no illumination for the door mounted controls. When operating at night, the driver must stave around in the dark to find the door lock or window switches on the driver’s armrest. A small pin light for each control would assist the driver to safely access these functions. My Scion TC (also Toyota) has them, why not the RAV4?

As is the case with most small SUVs, rear visibility in the RAV4 is a challenge. The RAV has a small rear window. When backing up, the driver must rely heavily on the two side mirrors to complement the narrow rear view mirror. Further adding to the tunnel vision is the rear mounted full size spare, which obscures the lower edge of the rear window. Also while backing, the driver always wonders about the clearance, as the full size spare protrudes well beyond the tailgate. It’s a luxury that I choose not to afford, but the available back-up camera would be helpful with the RAV.

Buying a new car is a major family event. In our case, everyone was part of the process, from the initial research, to the final delivery. With three drivers, and a fourth soon to follow, we look forward to years of fun and quality service with this well designed and executed vehicle. Regardless of the few quirks here and there, around town and on the highway, the RAV4 is the right choice for our family. Our next test, how will the RAV4’s 4 wheel drive handle the Maine winter?

“Get your motor runnin'…”

I SURVIVED CASH FOR CLUNKERS

2009-09-25T15:16:00.006-04:00

Well I did it, and I’m proud of it. I jumped into the fray, and survived the chaos of Cash for Clunkers. On the heels of my previous blog of 7/17/09, IT’S TIME FOR ME TO BUY,

http://maineautomall.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-time-for-me-to-buy.html,

the time was here. My mind was made up, I just needed to make a decision as to what, when, where, how. The why was clear, take advantage of the $3500 or $4500 government rebate now, or keep my 2002 Windstar van for a few more years until it died.

The Windstar was in no way a clunker. It was in perfect condition, with only 92,000, mostly highway miles on it. Its functionality was still valid, proving repeatedly how handy it could be with hockey bags, soccer gear, and too many suitcases for the long family road trips.

(see http://maineautomall.blogspot.com/2008/07/minivan-dead-or-alive.html.)

Toting various battles scars from parking lots around town, the Windstar looked “used”, but it was mechanically flawless. Its tarnished façade provided a perfect vehicle for my 15 year old son to exercise his learner’s permit, as well as provide comfort to his parents knowing that he could do little harm. We did not have to replace it, but $4500 is a lot of money, and the C4Cs program could not to be ignored.

When the criteria of the Cash for Clunkers program was announced in late July, I casually checked our eligibility. The Ford Windstar just qualified with a combined mileage of 18 mpg, so the process began. A car guy like me is always researching his next purchase, whether it’s fantasy or reality years in the future. Our goal was to improve fuel economy (and qualify for the full $4500), without sacrificing the needs of our family. The talent pool was quickly narrowed down to the Toyota RAV 4 and the Ford Edge.

The Edge was eliminated because its mileage rating only qualified for the rebate of $3500. In addition, the purchase price would be $2000 more than the RAV 4, not to mention that the cost of operation for the life of the vehicle would be more. A no brainer, it was all about money. After considering its size, cost, reliability, and glowing reviews from friends who owned the RAV, we made a confident decision that the RAV 4 was best for us.

It was now time for the fun to begin. I was off to my favorite Toyota dealer. Our family was going on a two week vacation, so we would not make a purchase until our return. I still went to the dealer to lay the ground work; to establish a relationship; in preparation for what I hoped would be a real deal, sweetened with 4500 free dollars. But nothing comes easy. The first snag in this grand plan hit as our vacation began, the Cash for Clunkers program was already concluding, as it was nearly out of its initial $1 billion allocation. With no C4Cs, there would be no new car. The deal was off. We enjoyed our vacation with the RAV4 as a distant memory.

Surprise! Upon our return, thanks to the miracle workers in Washington, Cash for Clunkers was still alive and well, reborn with a new lease on life. While we were away, an additional $2 billion had been magically infused into the program. The pursuit of the RAV4 was on again. A test drive of the RAV4 confirmed that our family had made the right choice. Now, it was just a simple matter of closing the deal, and drive away a happy owner. Wrong!

From the beginning, we wanted a new 2009 Base, FWD RAV4; any color as long as it was red. The one and only in the area fitting our criteria had just arrived by truck. After negotiating a fair price, I was ready to close the deal, but then the phone rang. Apparently, the one and only, had just been damaged upon delivery, and was in the body shop being repaired. Damaged? No thank you. The deal was off, again! Encouraged by a friend to consider 4 wheel drive, I was able to negotiate, for a few dollars more, a 4 wheel drive RAV. Deal on, again!

Meanwhile, Phase 2 of the Cash for Clunkers program was a raging success. The additional $2 billion dollars was already nearly gone. Dealers were in fear that they would not be paid by the government for deals already made. It was on a Thursday, and my dealer announced that they would cease participation in the program at 8:00 PM that evening. Coincidentally, we had just come to terms on price, so I informed my sales associate that I would stop by the dealership that evening after work to close the deal.

I arrived at the specified time, only to find total chaos on the sales floor. It was mobbed with frantic buyers. There was not a seat in the room, or a sales person available. My associate was busy with another client. Too busy to even a hello. After waiting way too long, with kids home alone and my frustration mounting, I left the dealership. Regardless of their self-imposed Cash for Clunkers deadline of that evening, I walked. The deal was off, AGAIN!

That was it, the final straw, time to move on. With the RAV4 once again out of my mind, I went about my business the next day, only to receive word that the dealership had extended their participation in C4Cs. Not surprisingly, no dealer is going to pass on a sure sale. Tired of the game of ping pong, with me as the ball, I made it clear that the only way I would close would be if I could be the very first in the showroom as they opened that Saturday. No more waiting for me.

With dew on the grass, and my still sleepy family in tow, the deal was finally closed early that Saturday morning. We all shed a tear for the Windstar, left behind to be scrapped. Years of memories coldly abandoned, but replaced with a shiny new RAV4. A whole new set of memories underway, the most vivid for me, will be the chaos of Cash for Clunkers. The best part of the deal? As we left the dealership in our new RAV, there was a steady, bumper-to-bumper line of cars and trucks heading into the chaos of Cash for Clunkers. We escaped comparatively unscathed, just in time.

IT’S TIME FOR ME TO BUY

2009-07-17T15:12:00.006-04:00

It’s time for me to buy. The auto collapse has begun to stabilize, there is the “Cash for Clunkers” incentive of $3500 or $4500, and the stars have aligned properly, so it’s time for me to make my move. But what should I buy? There are hundreds of choices of all shapes and sizes. It has to be the right decision, since we will live with our choice for the next ten years. We need a mid-sized vehicle. We need something that enjoys fuel economy, but can still tote hockey and soccer bags, along with a few players, or family members. But on the other hand, we take long road trips, and we need something that is comfortable and fuel efficient on the highway. Does this mean an SUV, crossover, or a sedan?

We are coming from years of quality service from our 2002 Ford Windstar van. Nothing matches the versatility and flexibility offered by the mini-van
(http://maineautomall.blogspot.com/2008/07/minivan-dead-or-alive.html), but we are ready for something new and little more exciting on the road. On the other hand, we don’t want to step backwards, or lose the utility that we have relied on for years. What to buy?

Since it’s best to start at the top, and then work down, I did just that on a recent vacation. It was a “guy thing”. Five guys in our family of all ages, shapes and sizes, paid a visit to a New York Bentley/Lamborghini/Aston Martin dealership. It was a car guy’s Disney World. Model names like Arnage, Gallardo and Vanquish seemed exotic, but oh so comfortable. When the salesman asked, “Can I help you with anything today, sir?” I responded, “I guess I am just dreaming.” He knew what to say, “Is there anyway that I can turn your dream into reality?” I paused for a second, as I tried to imagine in every conceivable way how I might fit a hockey bag into a nice, new Lamborghini. A nice fantasy, but my search to replace our mini-van was not in this showroom. Besides, nothing on the lot would qualify for the “Cash for Clunkers” program.

So, what should I buy? I am curious of the hype associated with the launch of the new, redesigned Ford Taurus. It’s to be a large, near luxury sedan with decent mileage numbers. Most importantly, it’s to be affordable. The Taurus would be perfect for our long road trips, but cumbersome around town. Yet to be released and site unseen, it too is a fantasy. Also in the Ford stable is the crossover Edge, interesting but probably too expensive. One of the mini-SUVs is a possibility. The Nissan Rogue has an interesting design, but is it too small? A test drive will answer that question. Same with the Ford Escape, the Honda CRV and the Toyota RAV4.

It’s time for me to buy. The incentives will disappear, once the recovery really takes hold. The “Cash for Clunkers” program expires in the fall, or when the allocated funds are used up. The time to move is now, or I will regret the lost savings for years to come. The search goes on…what do you recommend??? It’s time for me to buy.

87.7: GOOD-BYE OLD FRIEND

2009-06-25T10:18:00.006-04:00

Along with the auto industry, television is also going through changes. Change is good, or at least that’s what they keep telling me. Change leads to progress, and progress is good. That’s what they say. The changes that are now working their way through the auto industry will make both domestic and foreign manufacturers leaner and meaner, ultimately leading to better cars, sustained profitability and happy customers, or so they say. They say that the revised union contracts, the elimination of product lines and the closing of plants are all changes that will improve the auto industry. Meanwhile, with change comes sacrifice. With these auto changes comes the loss of thousands of jobs, leaving whole communities devastated. These are necessary evils to accomplish change, or so they say.

The television industry is also going through change with its biggest technological shift since the transition from black and white to color. That is, the recent change from analog transmission, to digital. This change is good, or at least that’s what they say. The viewer will benefit with an improved picture and sound, new multiple sub-channels, while the FCC gains valuable frequencies to use for other applications. As with the auto industry though, there is sacrifice. While improved in quality, the digital signal is now either on or off, there is no fuzzy reception somewhere in between. With inadequate signal strength or physical barriers, some viewers will no longer receive off-air the station(s) that they have enjoyed for decades. This change is progress, or so they say.

Another sacrifice of this new digital transmission is the loss of a benefit that we in Portland have enjoyed since cars first introduced FM radios as an option. That is, the ability to listen to Channel 6 in your car. This is change, but not exactly for the better. The audio of analog television was an FM signal. The frequency of 87.7 was the frequency of Channel 6’s sound. As an anomaly of the FM band, this television audio was able to be heard in some markets because it was on the fringe of the FM radio spectrum, and if there were no radio stations transmitting that low to compete with the audio of Channel 6, the listener could hear the television sound. This was the case in Portland, along with some other markets in the US. Auto manufacturers were aware of this benefit to certain customers, sensitive to the point of some modifying their FM tuners to tune lower, to ensure the reception of the television sound.

Throughout the country, drivers in television markets with a Channel 6 have now lost the ability to listen to their favorite television shows for FREE on their vehicle’s FM radio. No longer can we listen as we drive to work, trying to figure out “Where in the World is Matt Lauer”. Fans can no longer grieve over “Days of Our Lives” as they drive to the Mall at lunchtime. Tired workers can no longer catch up with NBC’s Nightly News on their drive home. Gone forever is smiling to Jay Leno, or Conan, as night owls make they way home. No longer will I be able to listen to “The Price Is Right”, as I drive through Albany, NY on the New York State Thruway.

As is the case with several other stations, Channel 6 in Portland anticipated this sacrifice and succeeded in negotiating a contract with two local radio stations to continue the transmission of some of its newscasts on AM radio. The frequencies of 870 and 1470 now air the Morning Report, 5:00 AM-7:00 AM, along with the evening block of newscasts from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. Contract and copyright restrictions prevent any NBC, or additional content from airing. Not as good as good as 87.7, but it’s better than nothing.

They say that change is good, but it certainly does not come without sacrifice. We have sacrificed an old friend with the loss of 87.7, all in the name of progress. So in the spirit of change, Pontiac is now gone forever, thousands of jobs are lost, along with our ability to listen to television sound on our FM radios. Change is good, they say, but I miss my old friend 87.7.

HOW MANY HORSES DOES IT TAKE?

2009-05-20T14:14:00.008-04:00

It’s springtime and it’s the season of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby delivered a shocking upset with “Mine That Bird” coming from behind at 50-1 odds, winning an exciting race. At this writing, the Preakness Stakes has just been run with another exciting finish. “Rachel Alexandra” made history as the first filly in 85 years to win that race. The Belmont Stakes is soon to follow with more horses, and more excitement. But being a car guy, my idea of winning horses is more in line with another spring tradition, the Indianapolis 500. Now that’s exciting horse power.

This poses the question, if it only takes one horse to generate so much excitement at a Triple Crown race, how many horses does it take to make a car exciting? How much horsepower is too much, and how much is not enough? My initial response is, there is no such thing as too much horsepower. The shock and awe of a Ferrari is a result of its 400+ horsepower, but when combined with a purchase price of well over $200,000, that takes it out of even the range of fantasy. So that’s probably too much horsepower. On the other hand, the SMART car’s 70 hp and 68 foot pounds of torque is definitely too little. Traveling 0-60 mph in over 13 seconds is not my idea of fun. Mileage of 33 mpg city and 41 highway sounds good on paper, but if you take forever to get there, or if a tractor trailer pastes you to its bumper like a mosquito, that’s too little. So what is the right amount of horsepower?

A friend of mine says that you only need enough to get over a hill. Maybe, but as a guy that thoroughly enjoys driving, surely I need more than that. For me, the bare minimum is to get over a hill. I need more. I need to be able to pass a slow moving truck on a hill, and get out of his way before he careens past me on his way down the other side. I need to have enough horsepower to safely merge into traffic on the interstate, and to zip safely past that erratic driver in front of me. I want enough horsepower so that I can drive on a 500 mile interstate road trip and not have my teeth chattering the whole way because I’m under powered.

Other considerations come to mind when deciding horsepower. Are you towing and need extra oomph (No)? Are you willing to support awful mileage of 10 mpg just for the thrill of driving (No)? Are you willing to sacrifice all driving fun, in order to be green and not feel guilty (well, I do want to be environmentally responsible, but No)? Somewhere in the middle of all of these arguments is the optimum horsepower.

The solution may be in the recent proliferation of the 300 hp engines that actually do come in with decent mileage figures, while retaining impressive performance. The Mustang GT’s 300 hp engine averages 23 mpg highway, along with 0-60 mph in a brisk 4.9 seconds. Even better, the new 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 Camaro delivers 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, while retaining mileage of 29 mpg. Working undercover with a more conservative façade, but delivering equal excitement, is the new Hyundai Genesis. Save money and fuel with its 3.8-liter, 290-horsepower V6, and take home 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, along with 27 mpg highway. That’s the best of both worlds: fuel economy with performance and the police will never notice you.

With today’s space age engine designs and computer management systems, performance no longer has to be stifled for the sake of fuel economy. Today’s engines optimize fuel use, delivering more power with less consumption. Add on even more technology with the new, weight saving quality plastics and composite materials that are increasingly the norm. Now a driver can enjoy the road without feeling guilty about it.

So back to the original question, how much horsepower is enough? Well, for a Triple Crown race, it takes one good horse. But for me, it still takes as many as I can afford.

I GOT THE FEVER

2009-04-27T15:06:00.013-04:00

The same thing happened just about this time last year. The feeling was so strong that I had to vent by writing, GOING TOPLESS.

http://maineautomall.blogspot.com/2008/04/going-topless.html

Sure, it’s a year later, but nothing has changed. Oh, the economy is worse, everyone seems depressed, there is a different president, and there is a new landscape developing in the auto industry. Despite it all, the fever hit again this year. When it hits, it’s strong. The fever makes me want to drive. It’s spring fever!

The fever hit today at lunchtime. Like a penned dog, I had to run out the door and into my car. As soon as I heard the rumble of the engine turning over, I felt a little better. But, it wasn’t until I cranked open the sunroof and accelerated, wind blowing and engine revving, did the fever calm. On a nice warm day like this, there is so much to see. They stay bundled up through the winter, but on this first warm day, they all come out to play.

Everywhere I looked, they were beautiful. I saw the first one just as I turned the corner. It was a Mazda Miata with its top down. Down the hill and through the light, it was a shiny new Lexus LS. It was time for discipline. Focus on the road, and be safe. No good! There, right in front of me was a glistening new Cadillac STS. The fever was everywhere, and in everyone, all ages and sizes.The best was yet to come. Chugging casually along the boulevard, it was a beautiful vintage Buick Roadmaster, out of mothballs to celebrate. Everyone shared the fever.

Despite all of the distractions, I made it back safely to my parking lot. With the fever now somewhat under control, I was able to absorb with polite reserve the new talent in our parking lot: a Scion XA, a Toyota Versa, a Mazda MX-5, a Scion TC, the Hyundai Santa Fe, and a Honda Civic, all of them special in their own way. All of them would be fun to drive. All of them could quell the fever.

I love to drive, especially this time of year. I live vicariously through every car of interest that passes. It’s springtime, and when the fever hits, it makes me want to test drive a BMW Z4, or see if I am up to the challenge of a Dodge Viper. Actually, almost any vehicle will do. I just want to drive. I got the fever!

I Love My Volvo?

2009-04-15T14:24:00.003-04:00

They were as common as fleas on a dog here in Maine back in the go-go 80’s. Herds of sturdy, businesslike, sensible shoes, 240 series Volvo sedans and their even boxier wagon siblings. At the time it seemed almost plausible to believe that these 240 wagons had actually been shipped direct from the factory in Sweden with a matched pair of slobbering black labs onboard as standard equipment. It was rare indeed to spot one of these rolling boxes without a pair of pooches and of course the obligatory I (heart) My Volvo bumper sticker prominently displayed out back.
I Love My Volvo? Yes sir. This generation of Volvos inspired a level of devotion, dedication and commitment that eclipsed mere owner loyalty. Even today just ask any dyed in the wool Volvophile about these beasts and you’d better be prepared for a long impassioned soliloquy. “Best car I ever owned!” “300,000 miles and still runs like a top!” “Safest car on the planet”…and words to that effect. Well that last bit was probably at least close to true. The 240 series Volvos were notably safe for their era with deep-dish steering wheels, crumple zones; three point belts and even those wacky ladder-style headrests (was the idea not to block the rearward view from the eyes in the back of your head?). So I’ll admit that they were safe. And I’ll also agree that the occasional 300,000 mile 240 is not unheard of. But that’s where the story begins to unravel a bit.
If you accept the proffered 300K-mile number at face value it’s darned impressive. But, being the car curious fellow I am, I’ve pressed a few of these Volvo-heads for more details than they’re comfortable revealing. I tend to ask unwanted follow-up questions like, “How many transmissions have you gone through in those 300,000 miles?” answer: “I’m not sure if it’s five or six…but IT’S A GREAT CAR!” What about the brakes? Turns out they’ve needed to be replaced about every third oil change or so. Oh yeah, and the headliner has been sagging like that since about 75,000 miles and the sunroof leaks when it rains but THIS IS THE BEST CAR I EVER HAD! Electronic gremlins? Plenty! Oil leaks? You bet. Engine rebuilds? That has to be expected on fine cars like these. By now you get the idea. It’s fascinating when you think about it. By any objective measure these Volvos were mediocre at best and a good case can be made for the fact that they tended to break down and fall apart at an alarming rate. So whence this the fierce owner loyalty? Where does the love in “I Love My Volvo” come from?
As “exhibit A” in this mystery I offer the human mind, which where love is concerned, seems to be hardwired with a “don’t confuse me with the facts” software package. These Volvo Lovers are not interested in frequency of repair statistics or any of your other worthless technical details. They’re minds and hearts are set. They’ve simply decided that their car is the best darned four wheeled conveyance ever built and it will take a lot more than an endless stream of blown head gaskets, loose tie rods, squealing brake pads, dead batteries and clouds of black smoke spewing from the tailpipe to change their minds! Love is blind! Pass the Bondo! I love my Volvo! Makes sense to me. Hey I think the original Dick Teague designed AMC Pacer is a great looking car!

Keep the sticky side down,

Tim Sample

THE HEALING HAS BEGUN

2009-04-13T16:04:00.010-04:00

I may eat my words, but the healing has begun. Spring is here, and so is the rebirth of nature, along with traditionally, the auto industry. After a long, hard winter, everyone is ready to hear the birds sing, see the flowers bloom, and experience the thrill of driving a new car. This year is different though. Everyone knows that the auto industry is facing the biggest challenge of its history, especially the domestic manufacturers. But as the crocuses win the battle over winter, so is the auto industry recovering, ever so slowly, but surely.

People are buying cars, or at least they are in Maine. My unscientific survey shows that at least seven people that I know have bought cars just in the past several weeks. Others, including me, are seriously thinking about it. Beyond Maine there is movement too. According to Autodata, March sales of new vehicles were down substantially from a year ago, but were up nearly a million more vehicles in March than in February of this year. Spring fever always brings more sales, but Autodata reports that this year’s February to March increase was up 24.5%, the largest rate increase in seven years. While the March sales drops for most foreign and domestic manufacturers were large as compared to last year, the drops were actually less severe than expected, and Wall Street began to respond with perceived optimism.

There will never be a better time to buy. I wrote of some of the reasons in my earlier blog, LET’S MAKE A DEAL.

http://maineautomall.blogspot.com/2008/07/lets-make-deal.html

But now the timing is even better. Inventories are still bloated. Money is available to lend, and at record low rates. There are some interesting new choices available from virtually every manufacturer, but you and I need to move soon. The healing has begun. As sales begin to blossom, inventories will decrease. When the recovery takes hold, there will be only token rebates, no good deals, and there will be waiting lines for all of the best models, all priced at a premium. The healing has begun. Don’t miss the party.

BLACK LIMOUSINE

2009-03-31T14:13:00.003-04:00

Lim•ou•sine (l m -z n , l m -z n )
n.

1. Any of various large passenger vehicles, especially a luxurious automobile usually driven by a chauffeur and sometimes having a partition separating the passenger compartment from the driver's seat.

2. A van or small bus used to carry passengers on a regular route, as between an airport and a downtown area.

I have always been intrigued by the physics of a limousine’s construction: taking a factory vehicle, inserting a large mid-section, and magically fusing it all together creating a lounge on wheels. Anything can be turned into a limousine. From the traditional Cadillac or Lincoln Town Car, to the non-traditional Hummer or Dodge Charger, anything can be converted. Regardless of the form, nothing displays opulence more than arriving at a destination in a long, black stretch limo. It signifies importance, wealth and influence, as well as decadence, senior proms and weddings. None of this applies to my modest, conservative family.

My family recently needed to travel from suburban New York to Manhattan for a family business meeting. We were faced with the dilemma of how to transport 12 family members, reliably and safely, from Point A to Point B, and back again. Since the tight schedule and convenience were essential, public transportation was discussed and vetoed. Rather than having several vehicles navigate the challenges of New York City traffic, along with the parking hassles and expense, we decided to rent a limousine.

When my two boys heard the word “limousine,” their ears and interest piqued immediately. They envisioned a new experience, a taste of the good life, to live (and drive) like a sports or rock star. They misunderstood. A stretch could only hold 10 passengers, Definition Number 1. You can imagine their disappointment when Definition Number 2 arrived.

I have fantasized of being a limousine driver; of how exciting it would be to meet so many different, successful people, and the interesting experiences and places they would take you (or you take them). I always thought there could be a book in it. But the more I think about it, the more the negatives surface. Is driving a limo actually no more than being a glorified taxi driver? Is it the driver’s problem when there is a mechanical failure, or you get lost despite your GPS, or you are late and your client misses their plane? Of course it is. Most importantly, as a driver, are you responsible for the safety of the party in the back? With lots of sharp objects flying, no seat belts, and who knows what illegal activity is going on out back, is the driver responsible for it all? Of course he is. A look at this video makes me pause:

After barreling down Interstate 95 at 80 mph with the driver speaking some exotic foreign language on his cell phone the whole way, my two boys survived the dictionary Definition Number 2 for limousine. Maybe Definition Number 1 will happen for them some day. My fantasy of being a limo driver comes and goes. Maybe when I retire, I might look into being a limousine driver and write that book. In the meantime, my family and I will continue to be happily modest and conservative, without our black limousine.

"We used to ride, ride, ride, ride
In a long black limousine
Those dreams are gone baby
Locked away and never seen."

Rolling Stones, “Black Limousine”

I Just Love a “Q-Ship”.

2009-03-18T10:56:00.004-04:00

As noted in my last posting, my lifelong love affair with cars is rooted in my earliest childhood memories. In that installment I listed a few of the cars which lit the spark of car lust in my youthful heart. On that list there’s one vehicle, which is not like the others. The Ford Country Squire station wagon stands out in sharp contrast to sporty rides like the T-bird and the Jag. At first glance the Ford would seem a mundane choice indeed. Ah, but that’s where the fun starts. That family hauler was in fact my introduction to the notion of a four-wheeled Q-ship.
“Q-ship”? The term is a military reference. In Navy parlance circa WW II, a Q-ship was a retrofitted merchant ship, a freighter or other cargo carrier, which steamed innocently alongside dozens of other similar looking ships in a convoy carrying troops and supplies to war zones in Europe and Asia. To the unsuspecting eyes of Axis sub captains and other baddies of the high seas, the Q-ship looked like an easy target, just another unarmed transport ship. But, as they soon discovered, looks can be deceiving.
Lulled into a false sense of security, the enemy approached the seemingly defenseless convoy for a close-up direct attack. At that point the Q-ships navy crew would shift the false cloth and plywood bulkheads on deck revealing a massive array of firepower and with any luck blow the startled attackers out of the water. Mission accomplished!
The only hint that our Ford wagon was a Q-ship was a small sticker on the glove compartment door, which read “McCullough Supercharger”. That’s right. The wagon, which came from the factory equipped with a V8 and three-on-the-tree manual, had been modified by the addition of a fire breathing supercharger which boosted factory horsepower output by maybe 35-40%. As a result, this bland family hauler could really haul! I’m sure my dad enjoyed blowing the doors off unsuspecting hot rodders at the local “stop light Grand Prix”.
So a Q-ship car is one, which while outwardly appearing bland and uninteresting, is in fact bristling with a whole hidden arsenal of go-fast artillery. Car nut Jay Leno is very hip to the Q-ship idea and has several great examples in his massive collection. These include a rock-stock appearing first generation Olds Toronado coupe ( one of Bill Mitchell’s best designs ) with enough high tech wizardry hidden in the engine bay, drive train and chassis to embarrass the gold-chained Ferrari crowd up and down the P.C.H.
That’s a great car but, in my opinion, not his best Q-ship. That honor should be reserved for the grandma-blue, bland as butter, ’55 Buick sedan, which served as Leno’s home, office and daily transportation when he first arrived in L.A. all those years ago. Leno still has the car and it still looks like even grandma might get bored driving it. But, while outwardly it may look like Clark Kent on a bad hair day, on the serpentine blacktop of Mulholland drive it magically morph’s into Superman on steroids. Just take a look at those four old Buick hubcaps. No, look again, a little closer this time. What appear to be hubcaps are in fact custom built, light alloy billet wheels styled to perfectly mimic the original stock chrome wheel covers. The engine and running gear are highly modified, late model Corvette pieces which all add up to a 500 + hp Q-ship that would leave the “Little Old Lady from Pasadena” choking in its dust.
My dad had more than one of these beasts over the years and I’ll discuss them in more detail in future posts. I’ve also had a few myself. The original Taurus SHO was a fine example of the genre. I had a couple of these sleepers which in the early model years looked pretty much like a million other garden variety Tauri jamming the highways and byways. There was little evidence (mostly a few badges and model specific alloy wheels) to hint that this family sedan had the hot Yamaha sourced 24 valve V6, manual tranny and beefed up suspension and brakes. That was a great car which was more than capable of running with (and even ahead of) the latest German hi-buck sports sedans of the day.
My top Q-ship pick for the 2009 model year is an easy one. Everybody already has a heads up on the Mazda speed 3 hatchback and any one of the various boosted Subies on the road. But how about that nerdy looking, bottom feeder, four door Chevy Cobalt over there? Must be a low-end rental, eh? Um, well no, not really. As it happens that particular boring compact is in fact the SS model which means it’s hood conceals a breathed-on 4 banger eagerly pumping out 260 horses. The Brembos up front will easily haul you down to double digit speeds as you approach Houlton and with the right rubber the tricked out suspension is up to any back road task you can throw at it. I know money is tight but this one has all the right stuff for around $24K. I have to believe that the average Chevy salesperson these days is what the real estate ads refer to as a “highly motivated seller”. If you can remember to point out the four doors and decent gas mileage (and if you can manage to keep your foot out of it on the test drive) your wife may actually believe that you’ve grown up. Good luck! Let me know how you make out.

Tim Sample

CARS ON THE RUN

2009-03-05T14:28:00.006-05:00

Everyone enjoys a good movie: a chance to live vicariously through the adventure and romance of a leading character, to experience exotic locales, to be a super hero, or to drive a car in a way that only Hollywood can realize. What is more exciting than gripping the edge of your seat; widescreen visuals fueled by the thunderous sound of roaring engines and screeching tires, taking you on a thrill ride that you could never live on your own. It’s the thrill of the movie car chase. It’s living the thrill of cars.

There is a long history of car chase scenes in film, more than I realized until I started to really think about them. Everyone has their favorites, but at the top of my list, Bond leads the chase. The signature of any (and all) James Bond film(s) is the car chase. They all are exciting and they all take you where no man has gone before, or at least in reality. Since there are too many to critique, it’s better to just sit back, follow the link and enjoy the ride.

JAMES BOND
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=bond+car+chase&aq=1&oq=BOND+CAR

When it comes to movie car chases, the 1968 classic, BULLIT is a must see. Steve McQueen and stunt driver Bud Ekins traverse the hills of San Francisco high revving McQueen’s Mustang in hot pursuit of the Dodge Charger. From the moment you see the menacing grill of the Ford in the Dodge’s rear view mirror; you know what’s coming. The final tip off is the close-up of the seat belt being buckled by the driver of the Charger. Roll ‘em, and action! The rest is history. Topping speeds of over 100 mph, careening up, over and down the hills of San Francisco, the chase takes the viewer on the ultimate thrill ride.

So successful was this 9 minute scene, it overshadowed the rest of the film and it firmly established the Mustang as an icon of Americana. The Mustang’s excitement in this film has led Ford to successfully market limited edition “Bullit” versions of the car for sale to the general public. A dream becomes a reality, thanks to Hollywood.

BULLIT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMc2RdFuOxI

Making of Bullitt

Close on BULLIT’s heels came the ultimate car chase in 1971’s, THE FRENCH CONNECTION. Gene Hackman’s Pontiac zig-zagging through Brooklyn, chasing the elevated train, still thrills to this day. THE FRENCH CONNECTION's director, William Friedkin, successfully captured the essence of New York City traffic; turning fantasy into reality, as to how best to conquer the streets of Brooklyn, and how to live to tell the story. Wouldn’t it be great if you too could tackle rush hour the way he did?

THE FRENCH CONNECTION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu3GmRQ-U9k&feature=PlayList&p=078491C026D4FF96&playnext=1&index=35#

Roy Scheider (who played Gene Hackman’s partner in FC) returned to try to capitalize on the successful formula of the French Connection with a similar chase in the 1973 film, THE SEVEN UPS. While imitation is flattery, the scene does not quite measure up to the thrill of Friedkin’s work. An entertaining ride, but one you’ve taken many times before and since.

THE SEVEN UPS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vACWV5sRcY

A car chase has proven to be compelling enough to carry an entire film, as well as launch the career of the unknown director, Steven Spielberg. The 1971 made for TV thriller, DUEL, pitted Dennis Weaver against a faceless trucker for the entire film. One of the few chases of truck vs. car, and the car wins.

DUEL
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1003em-pDM8&feature=related

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7TixHbC3rw

The George Lucas 1973 classic, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, captures the automobile as a signature of California dreamin’, along with the nostalgia of a bygone era, but as far as chase scenes? It only provides a short, disappointing street drag with an unknown actor (Harrison Ford) at the wheel.

AMERICAN GRAFFITI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFgTMYEaWlc

By 1977, car chase films progressed to the point of dominating the entire plot of a full length feature film in the form of Hal Needham’s, SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT. Needham, as a former Hollywood stuntman, turned a full length movie into one long chase scene, crash after crash. The formula worked. Many Smokey sequels and clones (CANNONBALL RUN) followed.

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRwQjTYfGI&feature=related

Many other films come to mind, some good, and some bad:

CORVETTE SUMMER, 1978
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U5NBCRdPFw&feature=related

THE BLUES BROS., 1980
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1636761881/

THE BLUES BROS. 2000, 1998
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1471873305/

THE FAST & FURIOUS, 2001
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2508980505/

The list of car chase films is endless. While my favorites are the Bond films, BULLIT and THE FRENCH CONNECTION, your list may start with the more contemporary FAST & FURIOUS, and grow from there. Regardless of the price of gas, or the state of the economy, car chases in film will continue. It will be fun to see what Hollywood delivers next. Get some popcorn, fasten your seat belt, and let’s ride.

A Maine Car Guy is Born

2009-03-04T13:30:00.007-05:00

If you’re reading this you can thank my wife and my brother-in-law Charlie for making it happen. For years they’ve been telling me, “You should have a ( fill in the blank ) “show”, “column” “blog” about cars.” A few years back my wife claimed that for my next birthday she was getting me a couple of rolls of those ubiquitous bright colored triangle flags which flutter across the “front line” at used car lots across America. It would have looked perfectly appropriate given the half dozen vehicles, which at any particular moment call our driveway “home”.
I can’t help it. It’s just the way I was raised. Some of my earliest and fondest memories of my childhood in the 1950’s are of cars. My dad was a “car guy” and my older sisters had obviously followed in his tire tracks. Here’s a partial list of vehicles parked in our driveway when I was 7 years old in 1958. A green ’57 Ford Country Squire station wagon complete with acres of plastic wood, a silver 1957 Thunderbird (with the porthole removable hard top), a Jaguar XK 120 Roadster, a British Racing Green 1953 TD MG and a 1940-something Singer roadster.
I fell in love with cars that summer and I’ve never fallen back out.
I remember when my sister Sue was a teenager her first car was a massive burgundy red Buick convertible. I’m not certain of the year, ’54? ’55? But, man that was a car! The grill, a gaping chromium maw, looked as if it could easily swallow a VW or two on the way back from the drive-in. Huge chrome “venti-ports” adorned the front quarter panels and the seats were overstuffed leather lounge chairs. Here’s what I remember most vividly about that Buick. My sister let me sit in the driver’s seat and pretend to drive. As I settled in behind the wheel I noticed that the entire interior was slathered in big chrome badges indicating the great features available to the lucky motorist (That’s me!). The family pizza sized steering wheel itself screamed POWER STEERING in big shiny block letters, a brace of chrome Chiclets on the armrest proudly announced POWER WINDOWS and nestled on the red carpeted floor a few inches beyond the reach of my scrawny little kid legs lay a brick of shiny metal with soft rubber inlays promising a young speed demon the immense security of POWER BRAKES. Who wouldn’t be hooked?
The years flew by and the carousel of great cars continued to turn. By the time I entered adolescence I was reading every car magazine I could get my hands on. I wasn’t picky as long as the topic was cars. I read “Uncle Tom McCahill’s colorful reviews in Popular mechanics, learned about Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s latest creation in Car Craft and Hot Rod and breathlessly followed a young Richard Petty and his faithful blue #43 Plymouth as he battled Fred Lorenzen’s 427 Ford around Darlington and Daytona Speedways.
So I’m the right guy for a car guy blog, I figure. If you check in regularly I’ll give you my two cents worth on the great and not so great cars of the past, present and future. If you’re wondering about the car in the photo accompanying this blog, that’s the first car I ever owned. Pop bought it for me when I graduated from Boothbay Region High School in 1969. It’s a 1956 Chevy Bel Air “Sport Sedan” which was what they called the 4 door without the B-pillar that year. Equipped with a stock 265 small block and two speed power glide transmission it was no drag strip demon but, WOW, what a fantastic first car. If you want to know the true story behind how it came to be painted like an American flag (and what happened after that) it’s on my 1999 CD, Aint Life Grand available on my website, timsample.com. Meanwhile, thanks a whole lot for stopping by. Leave a comment and check in when you can. This is gonna be fun!

Keep the sticky side down,

Tim Sample

BUY IT ON e-bay?

2009-01-19T10:18:00.008-05:00

It was just an experiment. I had no intention of buying. But so many of my friends and relatives had preached the gospel according to e-bay, I thought that I would give it a try. Think of the possibilities: buy a car at a bargain basement price, no hassling with a salesman, just pay your money and leave with the car. Common sense says, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” But common sense rarely plays a role in the passion of an auction.

I had been passing the lot of a local dealer for months, where prominently displayed out front were two beautiful, late model Mustang GTs. Each had low mileage, both were in great shape. As summer lead to fall, then lead to early winter, they still sat there unclaimed. By total coincidence, I came across them both listed for sale on e-bay Motors. For a starting bid of $500, they could be mine (or at least the process could begin). Surely the dealer would be anxious to get them off of the lot before snow. Everything was in my court. Winter was coming, the wounds of high gas prices were still in everyone’s mind, and a new, redesigned Mustang was about to launch. No one would want either one of these cars, and the dealer would want to sell.

I registered on e-bay and began bidding. The adrenalin rush was exciting. Others joined the process. My self-imposed ceiling was $10,000. The bidding continued, but no one met the dealer imposed Reserve Price (the minimum they would accept). As my emotional involvement accelerated, so did that of the other participants. My ceiling came and went, and the bidding continued. I bid more than I wanted to pay. Finally, like a fatigued poker player, I was worn down, and I was out. The other bidders continued, but the cars were not sold, at least on e-bay.

There were no deals to be had, and my money was still safely in my pocket. Even so, I felt empty, with a feeling of failure. I wanted one of the cars, but I didn’t want to pay enough for them. It was an interesting experiment which taught me the value of working with a dealer. For such a substantial purchase as a car, I realized that the dealer’s sales associate does perform a valuable function for the buyer. With an auction, while there are all of the details from the car’s listing information, photos and CarFax reports, there is no sensory gratification; there is no touching, feeling, smelling, and test driving. While I enjoyed the freedom of no pressure from a salesman, there was also a feeling of loneliness and vulnerability. There was no ally representing me in the deal.

I was surprised to learn that I prefer working with a dealer; to work with the resources and talents the dealer can offer. I need the comfort and security of knowing the product by it being visually in front of me, along with meeting and greeting the people that will back the car after the sale. Before bidding in the auction, I had done the same research that I would have done if I was buying the car the traditional dealer way. But there was no feeling of comfort, and no deal to be made. Buy it on e-bay if you want, but it’s not for me.

THE 2010 MUSTANG IS HERE

2008-11-26T14:39:00.015-05:00

Enough with all of the bad news, it’s time to celebrate with some good news. At this writing, the Dow is up more than 900 points in three days, and Ford has launched the next generation of its signature car, the Mustang. Their Web site (http://www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang/index.asp) sets the tone with aggressive styling, polished interior details, and it screams of fun.

Mustang has a long history of growing (and surviving) through a variety of incarnations, some good, and some rather bad. Its rejuvenation came with its current design which hit the streets as a 2005. That Mustang’s retro features reflected 1968 when Mustang was at its best, but updated it with current technology. Now the next generation is ready for its launch in the spring of 2009.

Take a look and see what you think. While the 2005 demanded attention, this one continues the legacy in a more polished manner. I have not seen one in person, but the pictures show that the Ford designers were interested in refinement. Exterior edges are now rounded. Curves are everywhere; from the wheel wells, to the hood and grill, to the new tapered tail lights whose turn signals illuminate progressively (remember the Thunderbird of the mid-1960s?). The Mustang still shows aggressive styling, but it feels softer. Ford did not ruin the fine design achievement of the 2005, it just looks different now.

From a first impression, the car appears to be basically the same. Look deeper, and you do find changes. Ford claims that every exterior panel is new, aside from the roof. While the 2010 is now a few pounds heavier on both the GT and V6 models, performance does not suffer as the GT adds 15 hp to 315 hp, and torque increases from 320 lb/ft. to 325 lb/ft. The GT’s power comes from its tried and true 24 valve, SOHC 4.6 liter V8. The V6 continues with its reliable 4 liter at 210 hp.

Beyond its visual stance, this 2010 Mustang improves itself in variety of areas. Ford says that it has reduced squeaks and rattles by 33%, decreased wind noise by 12%, and has decreased the wind drag by 4% for the V6, 7% for the GT. While there are new wheel sizes and tire choices available, the major accomplishment seems to come with the new interior.

The 2005 Mustang looked great from the outside, but the inside was a different story. There were too many glaring surfaces and too much cheap plastic. Ford heard the feedback and has revamped the interior significantly. The interior is now much less harsh, with quality materials and no annoying reflections.

Ford’s redesign of the Mustang comes just in time, as it now faces competition. Amongst much fanfare, the Dodge Challenger is now on the street, and the Chevy Camaro is soon to follow. With refined edges, more horsepower (on the GT), and its much improved interior, Mustang continues to live on as the others just hit the ground. Now, with gas prices plummeting, the muscle car is back, and is hopefully here to stay.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Stills:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-ford-mustang-live-unveiling/1168351/

Video:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang/index.asp
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=134729

TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY

2008-11-14T14:43:00.002-05:00

Everyone is waiting desperately for the economy to stabilize, not to mention turn around. No one is more anxious for that good news than the auto manufacturers, and their dealers. While everyone waits, it raises the question, “When is it time to buy a car?”

Buying a car is a major, life event. For a consumer to take the plunge and make such an expensive purchase, needs and/or wants must outweigh the expense. In these shaky economic times, those parameters are hard to satisfy. Eventually, a thaw will occur. The “needs” of the buyer will hit first, and allow them to buy first. These needs may include:

- When a vehicle becomes unsafe, or unreliable due to aging components, or rusting parts.
- When fixing the vehicle is taking more time and energy than the driving.
- When repairs become ridiculously expensive; repeated engine work, chronic electrical problems, transmission work.
- When there is a change of life such as kids being born (or leaving an empty nest), retirement, etc.
- When transportation needs change to provide for construction hauling, commuting, car pooling, etc.
- When the vehicle is just plain cursed. A genuine lemon.
- When it starts making noises you never heard before.
- When the price of gas exceeds $4 per gallon, or plummets below $1 per gallon (dream on).

As the economy recovers and confidence begins to return, the “needs” buyer is followed by the more emotional “wants” buyer. These “wants” may include:

- When love is lost, and the owner is no longer getting back what they are putting into the relationship with the vehicle i.e. too many breakdowns.
- When they have drifted apart, and have nothing more in common.
- When the owner is just plain bored, and is ready for a dramatic change.
- When the seductive commercials convince the buyer that they deserve to be that individual.

Everyone has their own individual needs and wants, all within different time frames. Some people buy cars every three years, some every twenty years. In my case, I have tried to limit such a major purchase until there was a genuine need. My Dodge Colt rusted to the point of no longer being safe (or passing inspection). My Mazda RX7 only had two seats, and was no longer practical with children. The Thunderbird was too hard to pull out car seats, the Taurus wagon was not big enough for hockey bags, and the list will continue.

As for wants, they entice me daily. Every time I see an exotic design drive by, I want to drop my boring discipline, and volunteer to do my part to reinvigorate the economy; to make an impulse purchase. Then I wake up and continue to be boring. People will “need” to replace unsafe or costly vehicles. The emotional passion of “wants” will eventually lead to purchases. The economic thaw will come, hopefully sooner rather than later.

MERGER: DO, OR DIE?

2008-10-21T14:20:00.008-04:00

GM and Chrysler: as one? How could that be? What would it mean?

The initial reports first hit the internet. GM and Chrysler were in exploratory talks. It was down played; explained that companies talk with each other all of the time to explore common goals and interests. But this one has not gone away, and it is actually accelerating.

The automobile sector has always been a cyclical industry. It ebbs and flows with the economic cycles. Manufacturers make billions in the best of times, and save cash to survive the worst of times. This economic barometer has traditionally been read by how many extra shifts are needed to keep up with demand, as opposed to how many auto employees are being laid off.

Domestic auto manufacturers have been hit twice as hard this time around. The inevitable economic downturn came, but they were caught with all of their eggs is one basket. Trucks and large SUVs brought them record profits. Domestics specialized in them. Then, gas prices escalated and they were all caught without a backup plan. Not only were consumers buying fewer vehicles, but they looked to the foreign fuel efficient choices when they bought anything at all.

Daimler was not happy with their purchase of Chrysler and sold the majority of its interest to the investment group, Cerberus, back in early 2007. Perfect timing! Daimler dodged the bullet that has hit all three domestic manufacturers straight in the eye.Ford, GM and Chrysler are all in dire straights. Not only did demand for their product cease, but the credit structure that sustained their livelihood collapsed as well, all part of the housing credit debacle. Now, with survival at stake, all three need money, and they need it now.

Rumors are flying. Ford, on the heels of already selling Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, is now rumored to be in talks to sell its one third stake of Mazda, either back to Mazda or to a group of Japanese companies. Chrysler’s Jeep brand might be sold to Renault. And now, GM and Chrysler are going to merge? The others make sense, but a GM/Chrysler merger is puzzling. What form would it take? What would it look like? What models would stay, and which would die? Or, would GM just swallow Chrysler and liquidate everything in sight to benefit from its $11.7 billion of cash and sell the remaining hardware?

Many stumbling blocks and questions remain in the way of a GM/Chrysler merger. What role will the unions play in allowing a merger to succeed? Also, Cerberus must buy the remaining 19.9% stake of Chrysler that Daimler still owns, in order to be free to merge. Would the government allow them to merge and own 36% of the US auto market? What would happen to the finance branch, GMAC, a hotly contested issue between GM and Chrysler? Cerberus already owns 50%, GM the other 50%. The investors that are Cerberus wants all of GMAC, and for good reason. When the economy turns around, its massive influence in providing credit is worth millions.

GM now has many interesting choices throughout its product lines (see previous blogs), but within GM, there is already too much redundancy (see my blog, “Power of Twins”). What would be the outcome of diluting the product line further with all of the various Chrysler models? Some would stay, many would not. If the merger became a reality, my crystal ball says: Jeep will remain, GMC will go, Chrysler will become an affordable luxury wing, Dodge will remain with several performance models, Viper will be sold to a customizing manufacturer, Hummer will be bought by an Arab or Russian company, Cadillac will continue to thrive as an icon, Chevrolet and Buick will blend together to become one, eliminating many models. In addition, there will be fewer dealerships, higher prices, many more plant closings, and thousands more jobs lost. GM will again dominate the domestic auto industry, and I will still prefer Ford, or a Japanese brand.

This story seems to change by the hour. Stay tuned to what surely will be a dramatic saga. It is hardly a merger made in heaven, but it appears to be a case of do or die. If the deal does go through, what would the logo look like and how would it fit on the grill of a Solstice?

UPDATE, 11/10/08
The latest rumor is that talks between GM and Cerberus are off, and discussions are proceeding with Hyundai.

UPDATE, 11/11/08
Now GM is out and Cerberus is talking to Hyundai instead. Meanwhile, GM's stock price dropped another 20+%, and a federal bailout is imminent. Stand-by!

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY?

2008-10-01T15:06:00.011-04:00

I have always been partial to Ford products. Maybe it is because of my initial exposure to my childhood friend’s father’s beautiful black 1957 Ford Thunderbird, or my sitting behind the wheel of a new Ford Galaxy 500 at the New York World’s Fair years ago, or because I was always envious of my neighbor’s 1968 Ford Mustang Mach III. For whatever reason, Ford products have always caught my attention.

My appreciation of Fords has not just been admiration from afar, I have owned three over the years. My first was a Thunderbird of my own, followed by a Taurus wagon for the family, and now our current Windstar van (see July’s blog). All have been well designed, serving with near flawless performance. The acronym, Fix Or Repair Daily has not been the case in my experience. While for a variety of reasons my last two cars have been from Honda and Toyota, I am now once again intrigued by Ford.

Despite the doom and gloom of today’s economy, Ford appears to be working towards a position of strength. Its recent sale of Jaguar and Range Rover gave them the needed cash to keep running. Now it is up to their product line to return Ford to profitability, and that is where the fun begins.

My renewed interest in Ford began with the stunning redesign of the Mustang in 2005, rejuvenating the aging brand. Recapturing the style of its best incarnation, the 1968 Mustang, sales and awards quickly followed. It was impressive enough that I almost bought one. Now in its 5th year, my head still turns every time I see one drive by. Fans (and I) anxiously await its next generation due as a 2010.

Ford’s rebirth continued with the launch of the Ford Freestyle in 2005, then the Fusion in 2006.
The Fusion was the first to feature Ford’s now signature sparkling chrome three bar grill. With a sharp looking design, this Accord fighter attracted attention, and sales, immediately. The owners I have asked love them. Ford’s crossover entry quickly followed in 2007 with the Edge; plenty of room, excellent handling, and another design success. A friend of mine says that it’s the best vehicle he has had in years. Now for Ford, it is the much anticipated launch of their new people mover, the Ford Flex.
It is not a mini-van or a crossover, but seats 7 and drives like a car. Print photos do not do it justice. In person, the Flex is impressive. While I have not driven one yet, the reviews in the trades are glowing. NOTE: The Flex was just placed on Consumer Reports' Top 5 list of crossover SUV's.

Ford faced a public relations nightmare following the Explorer rollover/tire debacle a decade ago. While their F150 truck retained its #1 position (until recently), the consumer’s perception of Ford’s safety and reliability was severely tarnished. That perception is now changing. Many of Ford products proudly wear Five Star safety ratings in most categories. JD Power gave the Mustang their endorsement with an excellent high initial quality rating. In response to high gas prices and a pleasing redesign, the Ford Focus is now flying off of dealers’ lots, selling for less money than the Honda Civic. The quality is excellent. Still have doubts about Ford? My company’s fleet of Ford Escapes has been indestructible. One Escape was retired recently after 7 years old and 220,000 miles with no complaints throughout its proud service.

Ford now offers some genuinely interesting choices in its current line-up. With safety and reliability in its pocket, and deals available in this tough economy, this domestic brand is again worth serious consideration. I will take a Flex for my family and a deep red Mustang GT for me (a man can dream can’t he?). Have you driven a Ford lately? I hope to do so again soon.

UPDATE, 10/24/08: Consumer Reports has just released its 2008 Car Reliability Survey and it places most models of all three Ford brands (Ford, Lincoln and Mercury) ahead of all other domestic manufacturers. Based on Consumer Reports’ Readers’ Survey, almost all models received “average or better” reliability results, placing them on the same playing field as its Japanese competitors.

UPDATE, 1/7/09: Consumer Reports' chief car tester, David Champion, has published the following quote: "Ford has been doing a lot right on reliability for the past five years. It's not immediately apparent that the Ford Fusion would be more reliable than the Toyota Camry, but it is, and the Fusion is one of the more reliable family sedans on the market."

SPASTIC DRIVERS

2008-09-09T15:57:00.008-04:00

I have already shared my thoughts about distracted drivers (see May). I am totally against it, regardless of the circumstances. No cell phones, Ipods or knitting. Just drive! Now my beef is about spastic distracted drivers.

You can spot one with as little as a glance in the rear view mirror. On the way home the other night, I observed a perfect example. The man had a stressed expression on his face as he waited at the red light. He was agitated as he talked on his cell phone, gesturing wildly. Sure enough, when the light turned green, he floored it, and zig-zagged through traffic on his way to somewhere really important. It was obvious that driving for him was secondary to everything else going on in his life. He whizzed past me on the interstate, still talking on his phone. As he drove with one hand, he quickly changed several lanes and then disappeared, speeding well above the speed limit. He was a distracted spastic driver, endangering everyone on the highway.

Last night it was a well tuned Honda Civic zipping by me. The thunder of his car’s stereo could be heard and felt even at highway speed. He was sitting low and dancing to his tunes. The music was primary, the driving secondary. He passed several cars, crossed several lanes at speeds well above the posted limit, then he quickly cut in front of a car and decelerated rapidly to exit at the next ramp. First music, then driving. Dangerous!

There is an intersection that I cross on the way home every night. During rush hour, the right hand lane is congested with drivers lined up at the traffic light waiting to access the ramp to the interstate. Impatient, spastic drivers choose the left lane to save time. There is at least one for every cycle of the traffic light. When the light turns green, they cut across traffic into the right lane at the last minute to make the ramp. Those left behind slam on their brakes, or blow their horns. Accidents frequently follow. Another spastic driver, preoccupied with everything else but driving. Dangerous, spastic drivers!

Driving a vehicle is not playing a video game. It is serious business that requires 100% of the driver’s attention. Lives are at stake, not to mention expensive repairs. Encourage your friends and relatives to put the phones down, lower the stereo, and obey the traffic laws. With a little common sense and courtesy, we can all be happier and safer drivers. Save the spastic driving for XBOX 360.

POWER OF TWINS

2008-08-07T09:23:00.010-04:00

In this trying, uncertain economy, purchases large and small need to be carefully evaluated and scrutinized. Only the essentials become a buy. This is especially true with a big ticket item like a car or a truck. Ask any auto dealer. Now more than ever, buying a vehicle requires a well thought out process; extensive research, and wise decision making. While now is a good time to buy with some real deals available (see previous blog, LET’S MAKE A DEAL), it is also a time to be smart. No buying of a status symbol to impress the neighbors, no impulse purchases. Thrift and common sense is king. This is the time to take advantage of the dollar cost savings delivered by the POWER OF TWINS.

Twins are vehicles from separate brands that share platforms, engines and major components. Product is shared to keep design and manufacturing costs down, with the goal of increasing profits for each of the companies. Some twins are sold through a different brand within the same manufacturer (Ford & Mercury); others are available through a competitor (Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix). Usually the vehicles’ interior and exterior styling designs differ, while the engine and suspension are nearly the same.

One brand of the twins may include a lot of bells and whistles at a higher price. The other may provide a more expansive option list for the buyer to choose items individually. One may have a longer running, more comprehensive warranty, and may appear to bring a higher resale value with less initial depreciation. The other twin may be able to save you a lot of money now. Generous incentives may apply to one, and not the other. A personal consideration, you may find that you like one twin’s dealer better than the other. These are all factors to consider. At stake, deciding which twin to buy could save you thousands of dollars.

Manufacturers have shared their designs and hardware for years producing twins. Mercury is Ford, but has traditionally included more standard options. A little more flash, for more money. For years, the Ford Thunderbird was essentially the Mercury Cougar. Now, the buyer can choose between the Ford Explorer ($26,495) & Mercury Mountaineer ($26,800), the Ford Escape ($19,140) & Mercury Mariner ($21,540), and the Ford Fusion ($18,135) & Mercury Milan ($19,095)*. Each of them twins. The separate product lines allow for an expanded dealer network, and more profits for the parent company. The downside is in this difficult economy, dealers are competing with each other. For you as the buyer, it gives you more choices, and bargaining power.

The many brands of General Motors have always shared amongst twins, producing essentially the same vehicles under different brands for many different prices. GMC has traditionally been the rougher version of the more domesticated Chevy truck. Buick is perceived as the luxury sibling of Chevrolet, while Pontiac is the sportier treatment. Some twin GM choices include: Chevrolet Trailblazer ($27,745) & GMC Envoy ($27,980); Chevrolet Impala ($21,975) & Pontiac Grand Prix ($22,210) & Buick LaCrosse ($24,250); Saturn Outlook ($28,625) & GMC Acadia ($30,140) & Buick Enclave ($33,220). My personal favorite is the Pontiac Solstice ($22,455) & Saturn Sky ($25,855). All are twins, all are priced quite differently.

Chrysler is considered the luxury, more expensive brand, while Dodge is the performance choice, and depending on options, generally costs less. The Chrysler Town & Country minivan ($23,415) is a plusher version of the Dodge Grand Caravan ($22,520). Compare Dodge Avenger ($19,640) & the Chrysler Sebring ($19,840), along with the Dodge Durango ($27,335) & Chrysler Aspen ($32,905). They are all Chryslers, but with interesting differences in price.

The foreign manufacturers also provide the buyer twin choices, sometimes at considerable dollar savings. Look at the difference between the Honda Pilot ($27,595) & the Acura MDX ($40,195), along with the Nissan 350Z ($28,510) & Infiniti G37 ($34,900). Is the name plate worth the extra dollars? The power of twins even crosses between domestic and foreign lines with the Pontiac Vibe ($16,855) & Toyota Matrix ($15,510); and the Ford Fusion ($18,135) & Mazda 6 ($19,140).

While it is generally true that you get what you pay for, with a little research and soul searching, you may find that you do not need all of those options, as well as paying a premium for just a name. Do you really need a Lexus to impress, or is a Toyota Camry with similar options going to satisfy you? With a little humility and common sense, you could save thousands on the purchase price, not to mention the excise tax and insurance. Those dollars saved can buy a lot of gas. Do your research, and ask yourself honestly, "What do you really need?" Then, use the POWER OF TWINS for a smart purchase.

*All prices listed are for Base 2008 models.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

2008-07-22T15:39:00.017-04:00

A primary principle of investing is, “Buy low, sell high.” It is basic, common sense. With today’s economy, other phrases come to mind: “It’s darkest before the dawn”; “Buying opportunity”; “Buy when it seems the bleakest”. Such advice is hard to follow when the stock market is tumbling, the housing crisis continues to mushroom, layoffs are in the news daily, and everyone talks doom and gloom. With all of this negative karma, it takes a strong individual to be a contrarian; buy for the future, by buying during the worst of times. But history shows that a wise, disciplined investor should do just that, despite the adversity. This also holds true with buying a vehicle.

Now is the best time in years to buy a new ride. Traditionally, this time of year is a good time to buy anyway. As summer fades, so does the current model year. Manufacturers and dealers want the old models off the lots to make room for the new. Also, as winter approaches, buyers are hesitant to subject a new car to ice and snow, often choosing to hold off on a purchase until spring. As a result, aggressive incentives are marketed to overcome reluctance, and move last year’s vehicles.

The escalation of gas prices has helped to make this a perfect time to buy. Overnight, buyers deserted the gas guzzling SUV’s and pickup trucks, replacing them with anything green. It is now difficult to buy a compact car, and nearly impossible to find a Prius or other hybrids, without a long wait and paying a premium. Meanwhile, dealers’ lots are overflowing with fleets of pick-ups, SUV’s, minivans, and some very attractive crossovers. All of these vehicles are now available at bargain basement prices. Check the papers, television ads, or maineautomall.com: a new Mustang for only $14,995; a Ford Edge with an MSRP of 26,035, selling for $19,745; trucks of all shapes and sizes for thousands off of the sticker prices. No matter what type of vehicle you might be interested in, dealers do not want you to leave the showroom empty handed. Auto dealers have never wanted, or needed, your business more than they do now. Now is the perfect time to buy.

The down turn in the economy scared the consumer. Suddenly they stopped spending. Vehicles continued to come off the assembly lines in droves. Manufacturers eventually slowed their production, but not before inventories were at record levels. Meanwhile, the housing crisis worsened. Banks and lending institutions lost millions. Their restructuring has now begun. For them to recover, they want to loan you money. In fact, to survive, they must loan you money. The Fed did their part, and responded to the impending economic doom by lowering interest rates several times. This year, in particular, is the best time to buy. Inventories are high, interest rates are low, and dealers want to deal.

Another reason to buy now is that never before has there been a better selection of well designed, quality choices available to the consumer. Both domestic and foreign manufacturers are now making great vehicles. The Ford Flex, an alternative to an SUV, is just now available, receiving glowing reviews. Ford knows that the buyer will be reluctant to buy a large vehicle, but Ford must succeed with its launch. They will do whatever it takes for it to sell. Deals will be made. Similarly, the “new” Chrysler must succeed with its recent crossover entry, the interesting Dodge Journey. Deals! General Motors’ economic challenges are in the news daily. For GM to recover, they must sell vehicles. The newly revamped Saturn line is ready for delivery at attractive prices. The Japanese auto makers are not immune. Overall, Toyota’s sales are down. Even sales of the seemingly invincible Honda CRV are off. Deals must, and will be made.

For any, or all of these reasons, if you are entertaining even the slightest notion of buying a new vehicle, any vehicle, now is your absolute best time in years to buy. Be a disciplined, wise contrarian, and lead the economic recovery. By the time that your neighbor feels better about his economic future, the deals will be gone and the dealers may not be quite as friendly. Buy now, and invest the savings for your future.

MINIVAN: Dead or Alive?

2008-07-11T14:52:00.008-04:00

When it comes to naming the founding fathers of the automobile industry, one might think of Henry Ford, Karl Benz and Enzo Ferrari, but then the more contemporary names of Carroll Shelby, John DeLorean and Lee Iacocca come to mind. Iacocca is known for changing the industry forever with his creation of the Ford Mustang, as well as rescuing Chrysler from near extinction in the late 1970’s. He continued to revitalize Chrysler through the 1980’s by bringing to market the K-Cars, the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon, acquiring AMC with its valuable Jeep brand, and most importantly, introducing the world to the minivan.

The minivan was a stroke of genius, a pioneering replacement to the frumpy family station wagon. Here was a vehicle that could comfortably seat 7 people, had the valuable traction of front wheel drive, and plenty of room for “stuff” that could be easily loaded in through its large sliding side door. Born during the energy crisis, it was even somewhat fuel efficient compared to other vehicles of the time. America’s car buyers responded with record sales, as did all of the other domestic and foreign manufacturers. Every brand designed their own version of the minivan…and the soccer mom was born.

Trends in the auto industry ebb and flow as the buyers’ tastes change. Suddenly, despite it functionality, the minivan was not cool anymore. Auto buyers found that it was necessary to address traffic in an assault vehicle with four wheel drive, essential to survival in the urban jungles. The SUV was quickly in vogue. As tastes change, so does the economy. The SUV is now nearly dead due to gas prices. Even its replacement, the crossover (CUV), is less attractive in favor of other, more fuel efficient choices.

But is the minivan dead? On the surface it might seem so. GM and Ford have given up their minivans completely. Even Chrysler, the vehicle’s creator, is scaling back its minivan production. Sales this year of the Chrysler Town & Country is down 13%, while its Dodge Grand Caravan is down a whopping 35%. Whether it is due to high gas prices, stiff competition, or the change in buyers’ tastes (all of the above?), the lack of sales is forcing Chrysler to shut down one of its key minivan assembly plants.

Regardless, all of the reasons for Lee Iacocca’s original design and subsequent success are still valid today. Families still need to shuttle kids, groceries and soccer balls. It still snows in Maine, so the traction and simplicity of front wheel drive still makes sense. Weekend warriors still need to remove seats to make room for a visit to Home Depot. Drivers still like the added visibility of elevated seating. These are the reasons why the minivan was, and still is, a great design.

My family recently made the trek from Maine to Brooklyn, New York to embark on a 9 day Caribbean cruise. Staying with relatives on Long Island, my brother-in-law graciously agreed to drive us in our Ford Windstar minivan to the cruise ship terminal. Packed to the gills with 4 people, 13 pieces of luggage and our guest driver, the van navigated effortlessly the chaos of New York City traffic, pot holes and all. Then, the value of the minivan truly shined as we faced the challenge of frantically unloading at the ship. Amongst the maze of limousines, taxis and shouting porters, the tailgate opened, the sliding doors slid, and in a flash, all of the gear and passengers were out in a matter of moments. Let’s see an SUV/CUV do that without bumped foreheads and a few expletives from aggravated New York cab drivers.

Frumpy image or not, the original design concept of the minivan still makes sense. Its versatility continues to prove itself repeatedly to this driver. That day in Brooklyn reminded me of just how much it really can deliver. The minivan: not quite dead in my book.

ON THE ROAD: Malibu & Silverado

2008-06-12T14:11:00.008-04:00

I was lucky enough during a recent television commercial shoot to be able to check out two Chevrolet products for 2008 first hand, the new Malibu and the Extended Cab Silverado*. I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality and feel of both. The days of rattles, moans and groans from a GM product are now in the past.

MALIBU LS

The moment I entered the Chevy Malibu LS, I was impressed how quiet the cabin was while the engine was running. With acceleration, there was a pleasing swish of air and engine with very little rumble of last winter’s pot holes and jagged railroad tracks making it to the cabin. The more I drove over a variety of surfaces and conditions, the more the Malibu’s solid construction and integrity became evident. Smooth handling and a great suspension for most conditions. No wonder this redesigned Malibu is in such high demand. The 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder, engine seemed to be willing to do what I asked it to, without any protest or hesitation. Of course, as with any car, a 6 cylinder would have been even more fun.

However, all was not perfect with the Malibu. My first impression of the quality of the dash plastic was that it did not dazzle me, but this seemed less noticeable as time passed. A source of discomfort for me was the odd placement of certain interior controls. Maybe it was because I was new to Chevrolet, but some of them did not make sense. The remote for the powered side mirrors is mounted higher up on the “A” pillar than other cars; too high for easy access while driving which could become a distraction. Also, the climate and the radio controls took me awhile to decipher. No longer new to Chevrolet, now I know.

After several pleasant hours working with the Malibu, it is easy to see why Chevrolet has nearly sold out of this year’s inventory. Who would have thought that the makers of the Vega and Citation would create such a gem? We all learn from our mistakes.

STATS: Malibu LS

4 Cylinder, 2.4 Liter, 169 hp, FWD

Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity: 15.1 cu. ft.

Fuel Tank: 16 gal.

EPA Mileage City/Highway: 22 mpg/30 mpg

Range City/Highway: 352 miles, 480 miles

SILVERADO 1500 (Extended Cab)

I am not a truck guy. I am much more comfortable in a tight performance car, zipping around a corner, testing g-forces and the laws of physics. The floating, rolling feel of a behemoth such as this, is not my idea of driving fun. But, after overcoming the initial shock of parking, this Silverado turned out to be a rather nice place to spend a day.

The first noticeable impression of this Extended Cab Silverado was the nice throaty exhaust note upon start-up. Its pitch changed nicely with acceleration, and varied its note throughout its moves. I found the Silverado to have a great suspension whether on the interstate highway, or lumbering over hilly, off-road terrain overlooking the rocky coast of Maine. The cab was quiet and comfortable, especially for a truck. With clear visibility on all sides, navigating the Silverado was surprisingly easy; although I did appreciate a spotter as we positioned the truck on the edge of a wharf in Freeport, then next to a 10 foot plunge into the ocean in Cape Elizabeth. As with any large vehicle, it is difficult to judge clearance as the driver maneuvers around low obstacles. This one is better than some that I have driven.

Thanks to my time in the Malibu, I was more comfortable with the Chevrolet controls and their placement, even though some of them still did not make sense. By the end of our day, I even had the XM radio mastered, a nice luxury for a truck or a car. The Silverado has plenty of room in the second row for kids and/or cargo, genuinely turning a utility vehicle into a family source of transportation. This truck certainly has adapted well to family life. Too bad its mileage figures will continue to stunt its growth.

STATS: Silverado 1500, 4 Door Extended Cab

V8, 4.8 Liter, 295 hp, 4WD

Seats: 6

Towing Capacity: 8500 lbs.

Fuel Tank: 26 gal.

EPA Mileage City/Highway: 14 mpg/18 mpg

Range City/Highway: 364 miles, 468 miles

CONCLUSION

Chevrolet has raised the competitive bar with two very nice designs in both the new Malibu and the Silverado. With various strikes and contract negotiations behind them, it should be full steam ahead for these two Chevys. Now that we are in the Chevy mood, maybe a test drive in the new Corvette Z6 is a good idea. Now that’s a Chevrolet!

*Thanks to Quirk Chevrolet and Pape Chevrolet for their assistance.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

2008-06-04T14:30:00.004-04:00

I fell in love the other day.

A friend of mine came in and told me about her, “Go look!”

She belonged to someone else, but she was beautiful.

She had sleek, flowing lines.

Some say that she is fast, other’s say she is a little slow.

I don’t care what they say.

She is compact, perfectly formed, and looks good wearing her top either way.

I have seen her sister many times, but this was my first time with her.

It was well worth the wait.

But it was destined to be love from afar. She drove off without me.

She left without even a flash.

Another love lost.

Now just a fond memory, but I finally got to see, close-up, the Saturn Sky.

The Saturn Sky, well worth a look, even if it is love from afar. Love the Sky!

H2, Oh: The Future

2008-05-28T14:40:00.008-04:00

I had a chance to look into the future of the automobile, or at least one possibility. Recently, our friends at Quirk Chevrolet here in Portland hosted a visit from GM’s state-of-the-art Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle. This is GM’s test project for hydrogen powered cars: zero gasoline, zero emissions, all placed neatly in a stock Chevy Equinox SUV.

The Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle is a real car, not a crazy science project; clean and functional both inside and out. From the street, you can not tell that it is special, aside from its distinctive logo markings on the body and the whine that it makes as it drives. The Hydrogen Equinox still starts with a key, but there is no sound of an engine turning over. There is no firing, just the whirling sound of its compressor ramping up, along with a cooling system for the battery.

The H2 Equinox still seats four, with stock trunk space pretty much left intact. Only a small portion is taken up by one of the three hydrogen fuel tanks protectively hidden under the vehicle. This Equinox is heavier than stock with an additional 700 pounds from its fuel cell system, batteries and adjustments made for the hydrogen tanks. Instead of an exhaust pipe, there are four ports cut into the rear bumper to vent water vapor, not noxious fumes. There is no exhaust buffeting, just drops of water.

While I did not get a test drive, friends of mine did get to cruise around the parking lot. They both agreed, “Smooooth!” It should be, it is essentially an electric car that runs on hydrogen. Hidden inside is a processor, three hydrogen tanks, batteries and an electric motor. The electro-chemical processor takes the hydrogen gas, strips electrons from its molecule which becomes electric current to drive the motor. The hydrogen is then combined with oxygen producing water which is vented from the rear bumper. Cold weather starts? Not a problem, the car is good to -13 degrees.

Details include:

- instant torque from a single speed 126 hp electric motor

- no transmission, one speed to 100 mph

- 0-60 mph in 12 seconds

- 236 lbs. ft. of torque

- range of 150-200 miles

- regenerative braking that charges the battery when braking.

Despite the Hindenburg jokes, designers argue that hydrogen is a safer fuel than gasoline. GM is serious about this vehicle and hopes to have it available for purchase within three years. As a result, they are now testing 100 of them in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC where there is access to hydrogen refueling stations. Refueling is simple, just connect a tube from the feed tank to the connector behind the Equinox’ fuel door, and presto, as easy as filling the tires with air, that is if you can find a fueling station.

Refueling the hydrogen is only one of many challenges facing this SUV’s future. GM’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell car may prove to be just plain too expensive. No one will quote a market price for the car, but as a limited production vehicle, it may cost thousands more than a sane individual would be willing to pay. GM may need to market it with a subsidized lease. Another challenge is the question of the affordability of hydrogen. While hydrogen is plentiful as an element, its extraction from hydrocarbons such as natural gas or coal is still reliant on fossil fuels, not to mention the development of a whole new infrastructure of refueling stations, all expenses that would be passed on to the consumer. There is also direct competition from other choices including new hybrid designs and pioneering electric vehicles. Finally, the consumer may not want to settle for this vehicle’s limited range of only 150-200 miles, especially considering its potentially steep purchase price.

GM is looking to the future with its fuel efficient choices. They now offer 30 different more traditional models that deliver 30 mpg or better. In addition to the Fuel Cell Equinox, GM is also aggressively pursuing viable alternatives with its flex fuel vehicles, its hybrids and its exciting, upcoming Volt electric car. The future is now!

Check back here soon. I was able to drive two GM products recently, the new Chevy Malibu and the Extended Cab Silverado pick-up. I will share my impressions with you.

DISTRACTED DRIVING: DON’T DO IT!!!

2008-05-06T10:25:00.024-04:00

“State Police say a young woman talking on her cell phone is the likely cause of last month's fatal crash on Interstate 295 in Cumberland.”

This is the opening line of the press release from the Maine State Police following their investigation into the cause of a horrific accident that occurred mid-morning on a beautiful, clear spring day here in Maine. This is the crash where a Toyota Corolla crossed the median on the interstate at a high rate of speed, driving into the opposing lane and striking a NEWS CENTER live truck. The driver of the car was killed, two of our coworkers were injured and both vehicles were totaled.

The pictures from the scene tell all: http://www.wcsh6.com/news/gallery/article.aspx?gid=84838

The Maine State Police summary fills in many of the blanks:

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=86324

The details of the police investigation confirmed my suspicions from the moment the accident happened, an opinion that I shared with many coworkers and family members. The accident was not caused by a mechanical failure, another driver cutting her off, or the driver dodging wild turkeys, as some had speculated. It was caused by the driver using her cell phone while she was driving. She was a distracted driver.

GOING TOPLESS

2008-04-10T14:26:00.010-04:00

It happened again yesterday, as it does just about this time every year. This one was a nice black BMW Z4. It caught my eye in the rear view mirror nearly a half mile back, in and amongst the clutter of the other cars. The Z4 navigated effortlessly past each of the slower cars, then roared by mine. It was a chilly 40 some degrees, but the top was down and the driver was smiling ear to ear. Immediately I had the fever again, the fever to own a convertible.

THEN & NOW

2008-03-26T14:11:00.009-04:00

Only a car person would understand, but for the enthusiast, automobiles define events of our past. The passage of time allows you to forget the troubling frustrations of the period, and the vehicle, along with all of the reasons as to why you were glad to grow-up, and why you sold the car involved. As the details fog with time, milestones of your past are etched in your memory based on the GTO, the Mustang or the VW that you were driving at the time. These are nostalgic memories just like in the movies; romantic auto events in your life like your first kiss at the drive-in, your first road trip, or your first flat tire. For the car nut, as important as whom you were with and what you did is what you were driving. High school reunions take care of what happened to the “whom”, but did you ever wonder what happened to the “what” you were driving?

There is now a Web site designed to find that lost love that got away or at least for the car. If you ever had sellers’ remorse, check out THE LOST CAR REGISTRY at http://www.lost-car-registry.com/main.html. The site was created by Keith Ingersoll of Michigan who never got over the selling of his father's Mach I. The Registry lists cars and trucks in both “Found” and “Lost” categories with the hope of helping those in search of lost loves (or their past). Most vehicles listed are the traditional muscle cars of the 60’s and 70’s, some are just plain cars. I gave my past cars a try.

Unfortunately, my auto heritage does not quite live up to the romance of the cars in American Graffiti or Steve McQueen’s Mustang in Bullitt. As a result, THE LOST CAR REGISTRY does not list my 1959 or 1971 VW Bugs (my first two cars, long ago disintegrated by rust). There are no 1974 Dodge Colts, a car that was guaranteed to require three turnover attempts for it to start, regardless of the time of year. My 1982 Mazda RX7 might qualify for The Registry, but it does not show because the engine blew on my brother-in-law. Good thing I had sold it. How about my 1989 Thunderbird? Nope! My 1998 Honda Accord? Who would care! It seems that these do not show because they were not really lost loves, maybe they were just cars. Maybe we need to separate fantasy from reality.

The past may seem to have been a better time, and that car was the best that you ever owned, but there was a reason that you sold it. Remember, those romantic cars of yesteryear wallowed as they drove, they smelled of exhaust, their muffler and exhaust systems had to be replaced regularly, they needed constant tune-ups, they stalled, they hesitated, and after you gave them your best years (and dollars), they rusted and/or died on you.

In reality, the best cars of our lives are actually the ones that we are driving right now. The stainless steel exhaust systems last for the life of the car, the onboard computers keep all of their systems running smoothly regardless of the weather and driving conditions, the tires have never been safer, nor have they provided a smoother ride. A live span of well over 100,000 miles is now expected for a car. I say enjoy the state-of-the art technology, luxury and reliability of the cars of today. Keep the cars of the past for a fond memory and an occasional visit to a vintage auto show. Move on to your next car and stage in your life. I wonder if my Scion TC will ever make the Registry?

UNNECESSARY NECESSITIES

2008-03-07T10:24:00.011-05:00

I have always thought that there are a lot of little things included in cars and trucks these days that are not really necessary. Many small items that add up, increasing the purchase price of the vehicle for no real reason, or so I thought. They are unnecessary until you end up needing them, then they become necessities i.e. “unnecessary necessities”. I have come across several of these lately and have now softened my attitude towards them. Some even to the point that I now can not live without them.

QUICK, which side of your car is the gas cap on? Now, how about your spouse’s car? How about your company’s car? What about the rental car you had in Florida? You had to stop and think for a second, right? Of course, you have a 50-50% chance of guessing it correctly, but when you are waiting in line at the gas pump, it is not all that convenient or comfortable to guess wrong.

The answer is as simple as looking at your dashboard’s display. My recent unscientific study has determined that most new cars and trucks have an icon placed in front of you designating on which side you should fill. Look closely at the fuel icon and see what it shows. My Scion has the traditional gas station tank with hose, but with a small arrow next to it pointing to the left. I fill my gas on the left. My Windstar van also has an arrow to the left. It fills on the left. Some have the hose pointing in the direction of the fill. Check out your dash and see what it shows. A seemingly unnecessary item, but it sure is handy when you are in a strange car, or you just plain do not remember.

Another unnecessary necessity is the interior passenger assist handles, overhead, just inside the vehicle’s doors. I have had several cars with these and have never touched them. Unnecessary! Recently I was visiting my mother who is a spry 89 year old that likes to ride when we visit. While she is active, it is difficult for her to enter and exit a vehicle. Every time that she got in and out of our Ford Windstar van, she asked, “Where is the handle? Why isn’t there a handle? You need a handle.” Suddenly a handle became necessary. Now, every time that I look at the handle in my car, I think that it may be unnecessary now, but someday…a necessity.

The cigarette lighter of yesterday has now been replaced by the “utility outlet”. While not a smoker, I always accepted the potential need for one, but just one. Our van has three: one in the traditional lighter location, another just around the corner by the passenger, and a third way back behind the third passenger row. When I bought the van I remember thinking, “When would I ever need three DC power outlets. It is unnecessary.” Wrong! My family has now grown into a three utility outlet family, and I am certain that we really could use more thank you. We now need DC power for the GPS, the portable DVD player, the charger for the cell phone, power for a CD player. I am sure that our list will continue to grow. The utility outlets are now a necessity.

The list of “unnecessary necessities” could go on and on:

A thermometer inside the car reading the external temperature, a nicety that can be a necessity if you are just on the edge of 32 degrees and wonder if the roads are beginning to freeze.
How many cup holders does a family need? The kids complain if they do not have several of their own.
How many vanity mirrors are really necessary? My wife wants them handy, and at several angles.
Interior lights: there are front and rear dome lights, individual reading lights, floor lights and door lights. Unnecessary necessities.

How far we have come from the days when I drove my father’s simple 1959 VW where you just started the engine and drove. There was one dome light, uncomfortable seats and no fuel gauge. Finding the gas cap was not an issue since it was always easily found inside, under the front hood. That car had very few “unnecessary necessities”, but it also only cost $1995, new. Engineers are now designing radar guidance systems for the cars of the future where the driver becomes the unnecessary necessity. How far we have come!

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

2008-02-26T15:12:00.013-05:00

It’s not like I am a nosy neighbor, but we do all look out for each other. We notice if there is something different, or out of the ordinary in our neighborhood. We know when someone’s relative is visiting (Who owns that Ford Focus?), when there are plumbing problems (What’s with that GMC panel van?), and certainly when someone buys a brand new vehicle. This is a newsworthy event that is fun and exciting for everyone on our street. Such was the case recently when my neighbor took delivery of their new Saturn Outlook.

Everyone knew it was coming. It had been ordered weeks before, but one day it just magically appeared in their driveway. A large, beautiful Midnight Blue profile suddenly dominated their landscape. Now I am going to be nosy! Just when I got up the nerve to move from tactfully peering through the curtain, to blatantly going out to explore, another neighbor beat me to it. Darn, missed my chance.

GM seems to have gotten it right. The Outlook is Saturn’s new crossover vehicle (along with its sisters, the GMC Acadia and the higher end Buick Enclave), auto manufacturers’ replacement for the frumpy van of yesteryear. A crossover is to be that perfect blend of SUV and van; functional for a family, but cool like an SUV, all with the ride comfort of a car. The lines and components of the Outlook are striking both inside and out. As a result, sales have taken off and the reviews have been glowing (Motor Week just named it their Best Crossover Utility for 2007). I knew that I had to dig deeper. I had to check out my neighbor’s new Outlook.

My first close-up was at a state soccer championship game. After a night of torrential rain, the parking lot by the fields was a sea of mud. My little Scion TC had to carefully jump from island to island, dancing around the sea of puddles. Then the Outlook arrived taking a straight shot to its parking spot, demonstrating its confidence and comfort in any situation. The Outlook stands tall at nearly 6 feet, giving the driver a commanding view of the road, just like an SUV. The exterior’s lines are stunning with angles and curves just where they should be. The interior is also attractive with a logical dash and comfort throughout, even way back in the traditionally throwaway third seat. Reports are that the access to the third seat is as easy as pulling a single lever on the second row seat which slides it forward, and up, positioning the seat against the front backrests. GM calls the design Smart Glide.

While I shared my approval with my neighbor, I had to settle with admiring the Outlook from afar. However, a month later my son lucked into a ride. It was on a snowy night, but I knew that my son was safe. I remembered that the Outlook has, “…dual-stage front airbags, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags for torso protection and side curtain airbags that provide head protection for all three seat rows.” As envy set in, I could not wait to get home and debrief him about the ride. How about the 270-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6, the six-speed automatic transmission? He said that he didn’t know, but he did get to ride shotgun and he thought sitting up that high was really cool. I dug for more details. How did it handle the curves and the pot holes? How firm did it feel at speed?? How did the lumbar support feel in the seats??? He wasn’t sure about any of these probing questions, but he did say that the best thing about the Outlook is that it talked. My son had experienced OnStar, GM’s navigation/diagnostic/hands-free calling service.

My neighbor has had the Saturn Outlook for several months now. Snow, kids and muddy parking lots behind it, the Outlook is now broken in. Even so, its profile is still impressive as it sets in their driveway, and it is still “new” to the neighborhood. GM and Saturn did get it right with the Outlook, and so did my neighbor. Maybe someday it will be my turn to ride shotgun.

GPS: The Key to the Highway

2008-02-11T15:34:00.001-05:00

This is the age of information technology: the internet, cell phones, iPods/iPhones, the Blackberry, Bluetooth, OnStar, the list goes on and on. Some of these are helpful, others are just plain annoying. All cost money for their initial purchase; some require ongoing service fees that add up to real dollars over years of service. With all of these choices, it takes a wise consumer to avoid an unnecessary, impulse purchase. For me, a GPS (global positioning satellite) unit always seemed to be an unnecessary luxury, but has now turned out to become a great tool (and toy). The GPS unit for your vehicle is now affordable, and portable, providing a real value for its owner. My first exposure to GPS technology in automobiles was several years ago with my brother-in-law’s Acura. They initially appeared in vehicles as a permanently installed luxury item, a $2000+ option. GPS units provide the comfort and convenience of accurate, real time mapping information for the driver, and depending on the unit, so much more. I was immediately intrigued when I saw it used very effectively in the Acura, but then thought, “Why would I pay $2000 for what a $2 map could provide?” That was then and this is now.

This past holiday shopping season, GPS units were offered in just about every store and they were on many shopping lists. I was still intrigued, but disciplined (the $2 map). However, the more I thought about all of my family’s out of state trips, travel soccer games and hockey tournaments, the more GPS seemed to make sense. After extensive research, I gave into temptation and bought one. There are many manufacturers, but I went with the well known, name brand of Garmin, and bought their NUVI 350 for less than $300 (starter units go for as little as $150). What $2 map can give you maps for the entire Continental United States, Canada and Puerto Rico; fits easily in the palm of your hand, portable enough to use walking about town; has an Mp3 Player; and the ability to download additional software for travel reviews/information, language translation, and books on disk?

Unlike other techno gadgets, the NUVI 350 is easily mastered in minutes. Its bright display and sensitive keypad makes it a breeze to use. In addition to providing the driver point-to-point directions, its data base includes points of interest including restaurants, theatres and gas stations along the way. The maps are accurate, and the verbal commands are even better. Many units do not include the actual street names in their verbal presentation. I think that this is a must and worth any extra that you may need to pay. It is easy to navigate by verbal commands alone and there is no need to even take your eye off the road to reference the maps. The female voice is very patient and compassionate, even when you miss a turn and she has to “recalculate.” The download into the Mp3 player is as simple as plugging the unit into the home computer. I spent the extra $51 for the language translator and my son finds it to be very helpful with his Spanish homework assignments.

How the unit mounts in your car is a matter of personal preference. The general method is a suction cup to the windshield or the dash. I do not like the idea of either. I found that on the windshield the unit was in my way affecting my visibility for driving. Mounting an adhesive disk to the dash was out of the question since I needed the flexibility of moving the unit between cars. The solution was the purchase of a $30 “friction mount” which lays securely on the dash and is easily moved from car to car, or placed in the trunk for safety.

My whole family is now sold on the value (and fun) of the portable GPS unit. It is entertaining and educational no matter how long the trip; getting lost is a thing of the past. Not an essential item, but it sure is a lot of fun. Buy one and let it guide you to your favorite dealer for that next automobile purchase. Use the $2000 saved for another option. How about the Sport Package that you always wanted?

Spring Fever

2008-01-29T15:22:00.000-05:00

I find this to be an exciting time for the auto industry. Maybe it is the beginnings of spring fever, but the idea of a new, hot car as the seasons change is an exciting prospect. This is the season of auto shows and the buzz this year is all about the new hot car from Dodge; the return of the Challenger, to premiere simultaneously at the Chicago and Philadelphia shows in February. The reemergence of the Chevrolet Camaro is soon to follow.

I refuse to be discouraged by the doom and gloom that is so prevalent in the media. Sure, the domestic manufacturers are going through a period of adjustment. They once again must reinvent themselves in order to cope with foreign competition, more government emission and mileage requirements, and the ever changing tastes of the consumer.

This is nothing new. The domestic auto manufacturers went through similar changes in the late 70’s when the oil embargo and federal emission requirements killed the muscle car. The consumer discovered the economy of Honda and Toyota; their cheaper purchase price and better gas mileage. Now these cars are the main stream. The Accord and Camry are just like any other car. They are expensive to buy, not all that great with fuel economy and they all look alike. Eventually, the consumer tired of being main stream and flocked to SUV’s. The domestic manufacturers were rediscovered in a niche market of trucks and the SUV. Profits were made as the buyers’ tastes changed.

Buyers are there if there is a product the customer wants to buy. Ford began a successful transition in 2005 when they captured the spotlight with their retro redesign of the Mustang. The buzz was immediate. A beautiful car retaining the best of the styling cues of Mustangs past, but with present day state of the art technology. Once again, buyers streamed to the showrooms…and the quality was there too, winning Mustang (and Ford) the 2007 JD Power Award for Best Initial Quality, even beating out the Toyota Solara. Foreign and domestics found that, “What is old is now new again”, and that it sells cars. Foreign manufacturers continue to succeed with BMW’s return of the Mini Cooper, along with VW’s new version of the Bug.

Domestic and foreign manufacturers have proven that they can deliver exciting, well made cars that the consumer wants to buy. While I have always been more of a Mustang fan, the buzz around the Dodge Challenger and the eventual Chevrolet Camaro is loud, and they will find buyers. The first Challenger off the line sold for $400,000. The price at the gas pump won’t matter; these cars will sell proving again that if manufacturers design and deliver a product the public wants to buy, money can be made.

As cabin fever sets in during this long, hard winter, fantasies of a summer drive in the latest and greatest car design takes over. Spring brings a change in seasons, and the premiere of the new Dodge Challenger will bloom into showrooms. I am excited about what lies ahead for the auto industry. Maybe this is a good time to finally think seriously about a Mustang for me. The only question is what color.

Enjoy the ride!