Service is Relative

So I took my car to get the front brake rotors and pads replaced this past Thursday. They also flushed the brake system.

Today, my windshield wipers were not working right. This is what I found out...

what's this getting in the way of the wipers?

Oh, it's a large cover for something...

Oh, the cover for the brake fluid area.

Yaris Redesign

I was reading my Google Reader automotive news feed and I froze mid-sentence after I read "Yaris may settle with 'less ugly.'"

Excuse me, but WTF? I love how the Yaris looks. It's sleek, it's compact, it's smooth as it drives by. It's actually the only Toyota that I can look at without losing my lunch.

Go figure. Beauty in the eye and the beholder and all that. But back to the important part, Toyota is redesigning its little compact car.

"Toyota’s price-leading Yaris undergoes a ground-up redesign for 2012, but, judging by the looks of this prototype—not to mention the Japanese-market Vitz from which it is cloned—Toyota’s entry-level hatch won’t be advancing the state of tiny-car design."

My two cents: I think the angled rear lights and body lengthening have taken away everything that made the Yaris adorable and yet smart looking as well.

Post-Recession Driving in Chicagoland

I haven't posted in a while because I've been keeping an eye out on the road vs. online for news and trends. I've become fascinated with the post-recession landscape (or roadscape) in my local area (Chicagoland).

For one, I don't see as many Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, and other assorted exotics. Sightings have gone down incredibly over the last six months or more. Even in good weather.

On the other hand, I've seen an amazing amount of Corvettes and BMWs (300-level natch, lower ranks).Speaking of BMWs, and their relatives, Benz and Audi... oddly enough the majority are either brand new lower-ranking models, or second (or third) hand higher models. I don't see as many (or at all in some instances) brand-new higher models. People might be moving to higher-ranking imports of the Asian persuasion, me thinks. (GO INFINITI!)

In bad weather, I did see my fair share of expensive SUVs, such as Land Rovers and Range Rovers, which seem to have lingered a little now, even in nicer weather. Either the leases were extended or just began later and are still trickling through this Spring and early Summer.

Most other people, who fall in the middle and working classes, are relying on trusty cars such as the new MPG-friendly economy, small, and mid-sized cars. A large majority invested in family vans, which now boast better comfort and MPG-friendliness.

I spotted two Fiat 500s, one in Lombard near Downers Grove, and another one near Naperville. Most compacts are in the Mini Cooper, Chevy Aveo, Toyota Yaris type of families however.

Toyotas have gone down exponentially as news of various reliability issues emerge in the marketplace and consumers become weary of their previously trusted stand-by.

Meanwhile, Hondas are ubiquitous, in all their varied shapes and sizes, new or old, and particularly, the little Fit model (in Europe, it's the Jazz).

I've seen an increase in American muscle cars (Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Camaro, etc.), which oddly, have terrible MPG but are fun to drive and may also come in stick shift. I believe these are the folks who used to drive Pontiacs and which have now given up on the GM-owned company.

Speaking of patriotism, I'm a little alarmed whenever I see US military forces bumper and window stickers on non-US made vehicles: Toyotas, Mazdas, Subarus, Lexus, Acuras, etc. I am torn between reading that practice as either "they prefer reliable, long-running cars" to "the infidels! how dare they, and with my tax money!"  Terrible humor aside, the jury is still out on this one.

There aren't many Toyota Venzas in this area, many preferring the Flex (still think it looks odd without wood panels) or minivans, else the variety of other cross-overs out there.

Speaking of cross-overs, I cannot get over my shock at how ugly and cross-overish the Ford Explorer has become. Utterly unrecognizable. The same goes for Jeeps, which not only are wavering on alarming low scores from Consumer Reports--which has been completely antagonistic against Jeep over the past six years--but also dare to sashay in those boxy bodies. It's no wonder older Jeep models abound, while it's more of a yuppified crowd that drives around in the newer models. The significant-other unit promises he'll get a Jeep Wrangler four-door on his next  car-purchasing foray, which is expected to take place in a distant future.

It'll be interesting seeing what other market trends actually translate to the roads in our area.

Decals: Yay or Nay?

Should cars be a canvas for their drivers' personalities, or should drivers try more to "fit in?"

After some thought, I decided to remove two decals I had on the rear window of my car. One was half the Italian flag and half the European Union flag, which was my favorite decal ever. Another was a pair of evil eyes over the words "Back Off" which I had added after I got rear ended about a year ago.

These luckily just peeled right off and so I just sprayed some window cleaner after to remove the grime outline that remained afterwards.

I felt these two stickers could incite negative attention--after recently being harassed for over six miles on west I-88 and well into Aurora on Eola Road by a maniac driver. I'm pretty sure that person had a mental problem and was just a A-class @sshole. Which is my personal favorite diagnosis for how he acted. I'm sure even if I had zero decals on my car he would have still tried to almost crash into two lanes of traffic as he meandered on both Southward lanes to prevent me from passing him...like he did to show off his car and flip me the finger out the window.

So back to the decals discussion. Many younger people who want to showcase their personality and taste oftentimes brand their cars with decals, much as they would if they were tattoos. Most decals are for: sports, schools, stick people families, religious symbols, famous characters (like Tinkerbell or other Disney) and bands.

Is sharing all that personal information, really another way to open yourself up to abuse? What about freedom of speech?

Decals can be a great way to personalize your car to your taste, especially if it was a family hand-me down vehicle, or just whatever was affordable at the time. Or if you really had a 100% involvement in getting your car, it's just another way to make it all yours and an extension of your personality.

But if you notice people react strangely to you as you drive, and you can pretty surely rule out your driving technique...what do you do? What do you do if someone openly harasses you about your car?

In my case, after having to deal with a maniac, I opted to make a personal decision to play it safe since my driving can sometimes draw enough attention as it is on the highway. I'm also making a vow to visit the local $3 car wash to get rid of grime more often.

Besides, psychopaths like me like to act normal and then spring surprises on A-class @ssholes when they lest expect it. I bet that guy doesn't know I know where he lives now >;oD

Have you ever been harassed because of what car you drive, your driving style, or what decals you have on display? How have you handled it?

Car Reviews: The Right Place for Racial Stereotypes?

Top Gear has gotten A LOT of heat this week from Mexican press and the Mexican Ambassador to Brittain. However, most of the backlash is from social media savvy Mexicans on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.

If you haven't heard, Top Gear made crass ethnic jokes when reviewing a Mexican sports car. See the video on Sky News. Why play the racial card when someone can't come up with a witty retort to something?

The BBC immediately submitted a non-apology type of apology to try and calm the waters. Many reporting on this situation have clearly said that Top Gear is known to use insensitive jokes. It's part of their MO. OK. I'm a fan and I know they're crass and asinine sometimes, but why pick on an entire ethnic group rather than the manufacturer?

I didn't know Mexico had a sports car manufacturer (Mastretta), but more importantly, now I do. There are a lot of small sports car manufacturers popping up in recent years. Perhaps adding to an already busy market segment irritated the Top Gear anchors. Perhaps there's a better way of taking the Mickey out of the manufacturer?

I was a little hearbroken by the news, being a Top Gear fan. I know that these three automotive journalists are all accomplices as equal partners and friends in these typical shenanigans. It's a team effort, even though they're usually egged on by Crass Clarkson--as I like to call him.

I also hate Westernized Mexican food--it's crap. That type of slosh really is sick with cheese. Go to Mexico and try the real thing. You'll learn a thing or two. Just ask Rick Bayless.

This brouhaha may very well exemplify a change from polite society standards that used to govern England with a tight fist, for a more pedestrian and devil-may-care philosophy. Perhaps this sarcastic streak is further enhanced by a recent bad economy? Maybe. Cue posh upper class citizens' cries of: the commoners are taking over!

So after this mini let down, I am perhaps a little more sensitive to nasty jokes lately. There's plenty of fodder let me tell you. Being an avid car news and review reader, I find tons of the stuff.

This is why I was a little appalled by a review on Wired Autopia for the FIAT 500 model that's finally, after a very long time, coming to the US market. The sentences that got my goat are:

"You also never forget that it’s Italian, which means that speed and practicality take a back seat to flair and emotion. You end up laughing in spite of yourself and doing things like stopping for espresso (or a sandwich, or a nap, or an interesting art buy) even when you’re late."

Harsh words coming from the world's melting pot. Speed and practicality? Have you ever driven on an Italian highway? Ever heard of Lamborghini and Ferrari? Those aren't fast are they? This blubber sounds like it's describing someone in Los Angeles who drives a Prius, not an Italian.

Are we just a little bit sore that a foreign company bought out a decrepit and falling-apart Chrysler? Perhaps. But don't shoot the financier who swoops in, shoot those who let the company fall apart to begin with.

This is just the same stereotype that Italians complained about when Eat, Pray, Love came to Italian movie theaters. American's like their stereotypes and they stick to them with a passion.

Do you ever hear jokes about chopsticks being too long to fit in a Toyota Yaris hatchback? What about jokes about Korean car makers making crap that falls apart...much like their governments? No you don't hear jokes like that, do you?

I still think that a lot of car reviewers should arduously and continuously pursue writing to refine and focus their commentary. There's so much more that can be done with a car review than an obituary. Trust me I come from a journalism and writing background, I know!

Automotive journalists should focus more on telling a story and seducing with words--painting a picture with words that a reader will want to believe in. Try that rather than turning off entire segments of your viewers/readers/listeners, or joking around about the ethnic group belonging to the car manufacturer.

There's so much more that can be done in this industry to elevate it with audiences of all levels. It's a pity we're instead stuck spinning our wheels, slinging mud everywhere.

Cars with Curves

Not many cars have those kinds of breath-catching curves that used to make young and old stop and stare. And drool, and pant, and... just make people excited about cars and the industry.

I've noticed a trend in the past few years--ever since Jaguar promoted their AWD potency in an unusual, bridge clawing commercial--that car commercials are enhancing side stuff like great music or a sense of humor, versus the car's appeal. This is not a good thing people.

Our cars are more often times the victims of manufacturing practices aimed at efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This, unhappily, translates into sometimes pointy, awkward, and often times wince-inducing automotive design--anyone remember the bangle butt?

Admit it, it's as square as the padded shoulders of a football player. And how about the Pontiac Aztec?

Take a look at that chopped-off high rear! And the blind spots! What were they thinking? What about the new Cadillac-like Acuras?

They discontinued a great seller with appeal such as the RSX just to do this to their vehicles? Tut, tut.

So, I think it's a good idea for fans and designers to occasionally stop for a breath of fresh air. A reprieve. We need to look back at some of the amazing automotive designs that pepper our history, and absorb rather than push out stuff. At least for a little while. We need to remember what's possible if we put the effort in, regain our passion, and take the lessons we absorb from these gems back to our design board.

This is the 1948 Buick Streamliner by Norman E. Timbs. They don't make 'em like that no mo. Jalopnik very aptly stated that "curves like this inspire poetry." To me, it speaks of fluidity and beauty.

This is the 1980 Corvette. Look at those curves, they scream aerodynamicity. They scream: I dare you to take that box on wheels of yours and race me when the stop light turns green.

What makes you turn your head to to take a second look at a passing car? What stokes your car passion?

Most Reliable Cars

The big news yesterday was Consumer Reports tease and release of some very minor info in regards to which cars were voted (according to their ranking system) as the most/least reliable.

The article on MSN Autos wasn't as informative as I expected, but I was surprised when the CNBC one wasn't any better. They're just teasing us after all, CR wants us to buy the mag or subscribe online to get the real dish. I'm a subscriber, so I'll be drumming my fingers on the kitchen table till I finally get my sweaty hands on the issue that covers this info in more detail. Usually, the cars issue is the April one...but they do previews throughout the year.

Some of the info we're able to draw from the bits n pieces out there is that Ford is doing really well, with two vehicles (Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan) in line right behind Prius as the top in reliability. Subaru kicked it with the exception of the WRX which sucked apparently. I was genuinely shocked to hear this, but can't say I didn't see it coming after Edmund's long term WRX experience.

Personally, I've owned my Milan for 2 years and it's given me enough trouble that I'm looking for greener pastures. First the key became deprogrammed, stranding me in the thick of winter. Then something happened to the drive shaft (under 20K miles mind you), which took 2 months to get replaced due to dealership part procurement issues. More recently, I hit someone's blow out on the interstate at high speed, and, three weeks after my first visit, I'm still waiting for the second portion of the lower front grille to be replaced.

Fords parts leaves me lots to desire, even though their parts supply chain is getting kudos elsewhere. Maybe it's just my dealership giving me grief? Either way, can't wait to move on out to an SUV (hopefully imported). It's hard to work just in time parts fulfillment in these economic times. Especially if their part suppliers are suffering too and can't put out parts as fast as the customer would like to... that's my supply chain silver lining explanation, in reality, I'm fuming.

UPDATE Nov 2, 2009: I just came across this from Lifehacker: How to Use Reliability Index to Purchase Your Next Car. Which links to the original on Consumer Reports' website. ^_^;

To Ferrari, or Not to Ferrari

I was SO dissappointed this afternoon.

I was right next to a Ferrari and didn't notice it until some weird nasty noise struck me and made me slow down while speeding into a turn to look at what occasioned it. I ended up behind it so I grabbed this pic, however.

Then the dumbass driving this Dealership-licensed Ferrari stuck his left arm out with a cigarette. A CIGARETTE IN A FERRARI WTF. Seriously. I thought I needed mental help, he needs if FAR more than I ever will.

So what's the noise issue I mentioned earlier? I was shocked. Under 25-30 MPH the sound is like a Lambretta. Whiney, raspy, waspy. Then when you kick it, the air intake whoomps. Then the engine's usual deep throaty sound kicks in. These three elements made the listening, what usually is a joy with exotics...jarring. No symphony of engineering at its best here folks. I was most exceptionally dissapointed.

Cute to look at tho...

Rant of the Day

Sucks rear end when it's easier for me to click on the build button than read through the crapload of stuff carmakers have prettied up in all sorts of java navigation, whenever I'm trying to find a particular feature, or option, or price, or whatever it is I'm looking for. Dude seriously. Are these websites for flakes or also serve the needs of people looking for serious info?