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Archives for December 2008

Tom’s Top Two of 2008

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I had a list of great, and not so great things that happened in the automotive universe this year. Really, I did. While I pondered, and researched those “things”, the reality was I kept coming back to two defining themes that stand to make the year 2008 an extraordinary year in the history of the culture of cars.

I. The Mighty Big Three on the Brink of Collapse

The day of reckoning is here for GM, Ford, and Chrysler. For all of us consumers and enthusiasts who wondered how long these companies could sell the North American public crap products until it finally caught up to them, we have our answer. Too many brands, too many cars. And many of those cars are not appealing to consumers. 

Many of you are likely bracing yourselves for another rant against our domestic automakers. You will not be getting one from me today. Witness the car pictured below.
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2008 Hits or Misses: Japanese Sport Sedans

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Hit: Subaru Announces Revised WRX for 2009

For the 2008 model year, Subaru released an all-new WRX. The Subie fanatics could hardly believe it-a kinder, gentler, softer WRX was the long-awaited replacement. To make matters worse, the car carried the same engine as before. Subaru acted fast, and in the summer of 2008, announced plans for a revised WRX. More power. More aggressive exterior styling. Sportier interior. Tauter suspension settings. Essentially, all of the things the 2008 WRX should have been, but wasn’t. 
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The Best Road of the Year

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Maybe call it a combination of roads rather than a single road. Perhaps even an entire region. When planning the route to Lime Rock Park from Ontario this summer, I wanted to cover ground as quickly as possible and then hit the twisties south of I90. The capture above gives some idea of the route we took, but it really only covers a bit of it.

As we left I90 to head south on 22, my co-piloto commented that he was surprised I was behaving on the windy road. 22 is a lovely road with potentially fast 3rd and 4th gear corners, yet I had no intention of attracting official attention especially given the rather full exhaust bellow the 2008 Mustang Bullitt exudes at full chat. Suddenly, I threw my passenger and the navi system for a loop when I hammered the brakes, dropped 2 gears and took a hard left onto a tiny sideroad. Now, I ran the car hard up and down through 2nd and 3rd as if I had Buford T Justice on my tail! The right seat asked how I knew I could fly here: Easy I said, they are all out on 22 looking for guys who want to go fast on the sweepers! For a good hour or so we blasted through wickedly tight, twisty roads so tiny they don’t show up on google maps, all the while listening to 10 million bucks worth of exhaust development sing through the hills. It seems to me that in that time we saw signs for 3 different States and more than a few towns. What a great place to explore. One day we’ll have to go back and go slow enough to actually see something!
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Best cars of the year

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Yes that’s right, Best cars of the year. Why multiples? Well, to be honest I just can’t decide one one best car. There are a few that are the best for different reasons and a bunch of others that I love just a tiny bit less. For the most part, my list is made up of the cars that I could honestly see going into debt for today.

First, the runners up:

Dodge Challenger: To say that it is an awesome retro machine is an understatement. It looks great, sounds better and hauls serious butt. A few laps weren’t enough to cause me to fall madly in love with it. Maybe when we do an extended review in the spring I’ll be feeling the love.

JCW Mini Cooper S: Again, few cars have made me giggle the way the Mini does on the track. The JCW package just ups the ante a bit. It is truly one of the most satisfying cars I’ve driven on a track, it just doesn’t fit our current needs. Like the Challenger, maybe the tester I have in a couple of weeks will change that perception.

BMW 135i: We really spent a very short time with this wonderful car. A half hour or so filming video and a few feeble autocross laps. On the street, the car is incredible though it felt far too big on a tight autocross course after driving the Mini. I’ll have to book one as we get closer to spring and let you know how it fares with the daily grind.

Now, on to the big winners. After the break of course.
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Worst car of the year

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A couple of years ago, I wrote a piece outlining my love of cars and how I had never driven a car that didn’t have something I couldn’t find to like. Of course today I can’t remember what I called that post or when I wrote it. Suffice it to say that I can usually find something to like while I’m constructively criticizing the stuff I don’t like. I may have met my match with a car that seems to be universally unloved:

2009 Dodge Avenger

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The best of times, the worst of times

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As the year comes to a close, there are many things to reflect upon. Here in The Garage, our focus is of course on the automotive side of things. Over the next few posts, we’ll share our high points and low points of the season. What cars did we love? Which ones did we hate? Best experience of the year and even talk about the low points.

First up for me? Worst car of the year.

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2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Laramie: Haulin’ butt and more in The Garage

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Me: So, what did you think of the Saab?
Mamma G: Its ok, but the Dodge is awesome.
Me: In what way?
Mamma G: It’s comfy and it goes like hell!

Um, right.

That’s not exactly what you hear when one’s wife is describing why she likes a gigantic pick up truck, put haulin’ ass is a big part of what the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is all about.

Perhaps the first thing one notices about the all new 09 Ram is that it is huge. As in trying to park the USS Enterprise huge. The Ram is tall, wide and long. so tall in fact that one 5’9″ passenger had to take a run at the front seat! Our tester didn’t have side step rails, so entry brings on some pretty interesting elevation techniques. From climbing up onto the floor and then the seat, to other taller riders who tried to swing a cheek onto the seat and pull themselves up with the A-pillar mounted handle. Regardless of what method was used, that handle got a workout each time.
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Dumb

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Notice the final instruction under Inside car wash. Somehow I think that instruction would be a challenge.

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Merry Christmas from the whole team at The Garage

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2008 has been an incredible year here in The Garage. Our readership has increased dramatically and along with it our international circle of friends. We’ve got a team of contributors from Halifax and Connecticut in the east and Silicon Valley in the west that continue to let us in on their corner of the automotive universe. This little team has become a tight knit group of friends that I am very fortunate to have become very close to and am very proud of everyone’s work.

Here’s to hoping that Santa fills all of our stockings tonight with the automotive toys we all dream of. For me, I’ll have a blue 289 Cobra with white stripes. No, I’m not greedy, I can do without the 427!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

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