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Comments
Hey, nice write up. ;-)
Seriously, though -- your thoughts on the 300C were interesting. I've been reading up on this vehicle on the most recent issue of R&T and it has me intrigued. On paper, it appears as though Chrysler really did their HW on this model. Your opinions seem to confirm that.
Although the styling isn't my cup of tea, the Hemi, RWD and competitive pricing can be quite compelling. I bet this car will sell well.
Ken
-juice
Now here comes the important advice.
#1 If your wife is in the passenger seat, and has never been along for one of these side trips, you might want to warn her that a little 4 wheel drift is to be expected. Who am I kidding, it's basically the point of the whole trip. Otherwise you might get this wide-eyed look that communicates into "You almost killed us all."
#2 Don't expect the kids to get you out of trouble. Realizing that she found the event more terrifying than fun, I tried to reassure her that I was trying to make the car do what it did when it drifted, that I only did it there where it's safe, made sure no-one else was around, nothing to worry about. Trying to be helpful I'm sure, Gareth pipes up with , "Yes Mummy, Daddy drives like this all the time." The second look can best be described as 'How often do you try to kill our children?' Hey, could have been worse, I could have done it tomorrow. You know, Mother's Day.
Nicholas
Having a 5.0 Mustang GT and an 8 year old boy makes for interesting rides. While never out of control or any way putting my family in danger, I MAY have spun the tires once or twice, leaving dual black patches behind the car, or held it in second to hear the flowmaster dual exhaust as we go down the road at a legal 40mph.
[editorial on] All modifications and maintenance to the vehicle to date including dual exhaust, suspension, street clutch, new tires and rims, carry the wife's explicit and express approval [editorial off]
For Saturday morning soccer, given a Legacy GT sedan, or a brand new Outback wagon, the boy's car of choice will always be the Mustang. And mom will agree.
The reason? Preparation! (And the looks on the faces of all the little kids whose parents get to drive boring SUV's and minivans doesn't hurt either)
You Fool! Acts like that put all of us men in grave jeopardy.... Never, ever do with mom in the car what you do with the kids! I do doughnuts in the snow with my daughter, but would never duplicate with Beth around. She would probably install a chart recorder in the car if she ever knew. I had to swear Emily to secrecy, and then she once almost spilled the beans, and I had to do a lot of back pedaling and explaining. Moms are so, well, mom like!
You should have seen what happened to me recently when Emily asked mom about going hot air ballooning (something I had suggested for the future after we helped land one that came down nearby)!
Steve
As usual, Honda's a little late to the party but comes up with a competitive entry. I think they'd be relying on Isuzu diesels for the last decade or so.
-juice
Actually, I think I said it here a few years ago- Honda and Toyota didn't get into hybrids out of altruism or environmental concerns; they're businesses, and they obviously see a market for the stuff.
Consider this: Saudi Arabia is the world's #1 supplier of crude. Ibn Saud's family has had a tight control on the country even since its inception. But evidence presents itself everyday that that grip is beginning to crack. If I were an Islamist fascist intent on bringing ruin to the West, I would concern myself less with attempting to hijack another plane, and instead set about the business of taking down the House of Saud.
We've seen an increase in the number of terrorist acts inside Saudi Arabia recently; I think this may just be an opening salvo from terrorist groups who find it much easier to operate in countries where they blend in racially than in the West.
If the Saud family goes down, I guarantee their oil production goes too. 1973 will look like a picnic compared to the global impact such an event could have.
~c
Geeze, I sounded like I was on a soapbox.
MNSteve
Steve: I agree but you shift over gradually to alternative fuels as you can afford to, plus that's already happening.
Bus fleets in DC have converted to natural gas.
-juice
-mike
But Mike, shouldn't you be the first to point out that even a stock STi could be wrecked by a poor driver?
Nicholas
-mike
Note that the DC event is actually at Dover Downs in Dover, DE
Highlights of the Saab Proving Grounds include:
Drive a 9-2X of your choice - the sporty 9-2X Linear or the turbocharged 9-2X Aero.
Evaluate Saab against competitors in a specially-designed dynamic closed course. Compare the 9-2X against its competition...the Volvo S40, Volkswagen Jetta, MINI Cooper and Acura RSX. [DaveM] They "forgot" to include the donor cars in the list of competitors.
Benefit from the technical expertise provided from professional drive instructors.
View a product presentation on Saab performance and have a chance to ask questions of knowledgeable product experts.
This experience is as distinct as the 9-2X itself. It's your chance to find out just how good the newest Saab is in terms of handling, performance and drive experience. And, as you'd expect from a Saab, the 9-2X has one of the most advanced safety packages in its segment.
Truly the State of Independence - Best of all, the Saab Proving Grounds is a no-pressure zone. No sales talk, no obligation. Just the chance for you to experience our new entry in the Premium Compact market. An evening for you to rejuvenate the senses via road-hugging all-wheel drive, G-force inducing power and inspiring design and styling.
Don't miss out. Experience all the 9-2X has to offer. And find out what premium performance is all about.
This event is more fun if shared with a friend so feel free to bring one along!
Atlanta
Boston
Denver
Detroit
Hartford
Los Angeles Miami
New York
Philadelphia
Phoenix/Scottsdale
San Francisco
Seattle
Washington, DC
Chicago
Orlando
St. Louis
Austin
-Brian
-Frank P
Just got Mapquest directions, it's more than TWO HOURS away from my office in DC. That's a real stretch to call that a DC event. The state of DE doesn't even border with DC, not nearly.
I'll drive to Hutch's house and take his WRX sedan for a spin instead! It's about an hour closer and he's north of Baltimore.
-juice
Last year, SAAB had a driving event held at the Prudential Center in downtown Boston on a couple of weekdays from something like noon to 6PM. Umm like I'm going to fight traffic into town and pay big bucks to park to drive a SAAB in bumper to bumper downtown traffic.
Bob
-Frank P
Ed
What day did you sign up for? I signed up for Tuesday, 6/29.
DaveM
Ed
Now we just have to convince Patti to sign up.
DaveM
Also, Dover is not exactly a Saab strong hold, they tend to do well around where I live, actually. Potomac is loaded with Saabs.
-juice
Have fun sitting in the bay bridge traffic.
Also, Dover is not exactly a Saab strong hold
Maybe that's part of their philosophy to get the Dover / Wilmington people to try a Subaru (oops, I mean a Saab).
DaveM
Remember - SAAB is paying Subaru to make this vehicle for them. Hence FHI makes their profit and then SAAB has to mark it up as well - there's only so much room for markup.
-juice
So, how many of you guys are going to show up and ask them why they didn't include the WRX and RS Wagons? ;-)
-Ian
I asked him how he liked the Legacy now that the snow and ice season were gone. "Should have bought one years ago."
Great story! Thanks for sharing!
-Ian
-juice
Bob
Picking up a 2005 within the next couple of weeks. Love the wagon, but want a sunroof. Any recommendations on an aftermarket sunroof installer?
-mike
As to the moonroof, check with juice. He's had 2 installed on both his Subies, and is very happy with the results. Since he lives in Potomac, he had them done in the Rockville area.
Bob
http://www.theautochannel.com/F/news/2004/05/13/194586.html
Bob
http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/11028/
No fibbing, who actually knew that Bricklin had been an original partner? That was an interesting car. Guy in my hometown had one when I was growing up.
Nicholas
Bob