Archives for November 2008

IMPA wrap up

November 30, 2008 by Gary Grant 5 Comments

Over the past few months, we’ve been happy to bring you our first series of videos from the 2008 IMPA Test Days. On the track, through the mud and even on the streets of the Pocono Mountains we had some fun exploring the limits of cars, trucks and sanity.

This series was put together by our resident Video Ninja, Scott Simmons who stepped outside of his usual role as film editor and into the role of shotgun shooter. As you’ve all had fun watching my skill at decapitating cones, you already know that Scott has nerves of steel joining me at 140 mph!

For our final episode, crank up the speakers, as this one is an auditory delight. Be sure to watch right to the end to see why my kids need therapy.

IMPA 08 wrap-up from Scott Simmons on Vimeo.

If you think you might have missed a video, links to the full series are after the break.

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Alltop Auto News: A great place to satisfy your needs!

November 30, 2008 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

Many of us use a feed reader of some sort, like google reader or bloglines to keep up to date on all of our daily news. They are a great way to keep up to date on the things that interest us, but we still have to actually find sources to put in our reader.

Guy Kawasaki and his crew at Alltop have been hard at work creating an online library of sorts, covering a myriad of topics. This morning, they even introduced a cheese page! More importantly for us is the Top Automotive News page, where The Garage has been proudly listed since the page was first launched. Alltop Auto includes some of the best automotive sources on the net. It should be one of the first spots you visit online each day, after The Garage of course!

Challenger SRT8: Did I mention that it was Orange?

November 30, 2008 by Gary Grant 4 Comments

Leading up to the 2008 IMPA Test Days at Pocono Raceway, we had compiled a short list of must drives. Top spot on that list was held by none other than the Dodge Challenger SRT8. Few cars have created so much buzz in recent years and few cars have stirred the memories of so many. Getting behind the wheel and looking around, the car truly does feel like a bit of a time warp. The low roof and the cut of the C-pillar truly feel like the Challenger of old. I couldn’t wait to take it out on the track.

Oh yeah, having just spun the Viper, I managed to behave myself and keep the pumpkin on the pavement!

Video after the break
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Forgotten Marques Part VI: Vector

November 29, 2008 by Tom Williams 4 Comments

The ‘Forgotten Marque’ series has proven to be fun for me to write about. I love reading, and researching “fringe” cars, and I have enjoyed reliving odd cars like the Sterling, Bricklin, Merkur and and Eagle cars with you. In most cases, information is easy to come by, but in the case of Vector, the story here is a cloudy one.Ã‚Â

The story of Vector can be traced back to 1971, the brainchild of Gerald Weigert. The intent all along was to build a mega-high performance, American-made super-car. My criteria for “Forgotten Marques” is that the car had to have been made available for public consumption. Although the seeds for Vector were planted in 1971, it would not be until 1989 that a customer actually took delivery of a Vector automobile.Ã‚Â

Mr. Weigert took a page from Carroll Shelby’s marketing notebook to keep interest in his concept car, the W2-Same car, different paint. The press had the illusion there were several of these car in pre-production. ‘Ol Shel did the exact same thing with his Cobra.
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The Flying Nun, or why event organizers need to put more thought into media ID

November 29, 2008 by Gary Grant 7 Comments

Yes, I look ridiculous and no, I have never been afraid of looking like a fool. As if the Cone Pirate title isn’t enough, I actually walked several Kilometers down a stage road at Tall Pines with my media vest affixed to my head.

Not only do event organizers usually create these silly vests for skinny people, these ones had openings that wouldn’t go over a hat. Great planning when the event is in Northern Ontario in November!

2008 Nissan Xterra: Wheel lifting fun in The Poconos

November 29, 2008 by Gary Grant 4 Comments

In 2007 we were a tiny bit disappointed that Nissan chose not to bring an Xterra to the IMPA Test Days. We were delighted that the X made an appearance at the 2008 event and even more delighted to catch it on video for our views.

Check out the sloppy, wet, wheel lifting action after the break. Be sure to use the full screen, as this is shot in full HD!
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The Entrance: BMW 135i

November 28, 2008 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

Hoping to recreate the buzz that the legendary 2002 built for BMW some 40 years ago, designers created a new, small Beemer. The 1 series. Early on, there were a few skeptics who said the car was too expensive to be a modern 2002. As reviewers began driving the car though, we began to hear rave reviews. Some even thought the car eclipsed the big brother 3 series when it came to fun factor. Here in The Garage, we remained somewhat skeptical. Until that is, we drove a 135is.

Attractive in a modern BMW sort of way, comfortable, responsive and fast as hell, the 1 Series has raised the bar for small performance cars. It even has a back seat the kids won’t squawk about.

Enough reading, let’s get on with the video. After the break of course!
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Happy Thanksgiving America

November 27, 2008 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

Like most holidays, Thanksgiving is different for everyone. For most it is a time of giving thanks for friends, family and good fortune. In tough economic times like these, some may find it difficult to find the joy in the season. Remember though, that no matter how bad things get, it is likely that you are still better off than someone else. Even the very fact that you are reading this means that you have things to be thankful for.

Many of us celebrate our good fortune by entertaining our family and friends. I know that here in the Grant household, we enjoy filling the table with good food and good wine for all to share. I just want to remind everyone to think about your guests well being when you are pouring at the table tonight and for the rest of the holiday season. If someone has had a few too many, find them a comfy couch or a cab.

Over at Ask Patty today, Jody DeVere has chosen to share a most personal Thanksgiving story which is a real life reminder that we need to pay attention to our consumption and that of those around us. By now it surprises me to say this, but we also need to remember to make sure everyone buckles up. Grab a kleenex before you follow the link.

Please have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

The Cone Killer Cometh

November 26, 2008 by Gary Grant 10 Comments

You really hit a lot of cones in the autocross!

This was what Scott had to say about my autocrossing skills as he was editing the following video. All I have to say for myself is that it has been an awfully long time since I ran the cones!

Really though, Scott was much kinder in his portrayal than I was expecting. Thanks Bro!

Autocross at IMPA 08 from Scott Simmons on Vimeo.

Seeing as all of our readers south of the border are going to have a bunch of time on their hands with this super long weekend, we are going to have a video marathon here in The Garage. Over the next few days, you can expect to see the BMW 1 series in action, a very dirty Nissan Xterra and we put the Dodge Challenger SRT8 through it’s paces.

Oh yes, that 19 second run was clocked by non other than Crash Corrigan.

Feeling the power of the quad core

November 25, 2008 by Gary Grant 8 Comments

Sorry folks, but tonight’s post isn’t overly automotive other than the photo of the rather girly 2009 Jeep Patriot stuffed full of computer gear. No, tonights post is about the futility of consumer loyalty.

We’ve been a Dell household for more than a few years now. We currently have 2 Dell laptops and 1 desktop in the house. I even bought an extended warranty on my laptop. Now that the extended warranty has expired by a few months (natch), lappy is having some issues and Dell refuses to help.

“I’m sorry sir, but your computer is out of warranty”

Yes, I know, but it is just out. Perhaps you could arranged some sort of goodwill given that I have bought 3 machines, 1 extended warranty and am about to purchase another desktop.

“I’m sorry sir, but I cannot do that”

Who can I speak to?

“there is nobody”

Yes, because a lowly CSR in Bombay is the owner of a multinational company.

I then speak with customer relations:

“I am sorry sir, but that is a technical problem, you will have to deal with the technical department”

No, I have a problem with the way your technical department is treating me.

“I am sorry sir, but I cannot help you. You will have to deal with the technical department”

And people think the car industry is backwards!

Well Dell, I’m sorry but I have chosen to buy my new desktop from a local computer store that has been building their own packaged machines since the Eighties and understand how to treat their customers. In fact, that ailing laptop will be replaced soon too. Can you guess where it will come from?

We actually bought our first desktop (a 286 if I recall correctly) from BestByte Computers many years ago and were happy with the service and the machine. I’m not sure how we ended up with Dell, though I think it is because a number of friends had had good luck with them. From now on, we’ll be shopping locally with a retailer/assembler who appreciates our business. For now, I’m enjoying the lightning fast quad core goodness that my new machine offers.

As for the Jeep, we’re going to review this one a bit differently from our usual. As it is a girly truck and Mamma G already loves it, she is going to share her views on it as the week goes on.

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