How I've missed you Toyota....

I grew up thinking Toyota was the best bang for your buck. Cars like the Corolla (AE86), MR2 and Supra were great deals for what you got. Fun to drive for the working man...without the muscle car fuel economy.

However, the Corolla quickly lost it's rear drive (and soul), the Supra died and the MR2 turned into the MR-S...and died. By now, I had believed Toyota had cut off it's own balls and gave it to Korea. Basically, if you wanted a rear drive sports car that cost less than $30k was to buy the Hyundai Genesis or a Ford Mustang (V6)....(I might be over generalizing so feel free to bash be in comment form).

But with the return of a Toyota Family Member in control of the company, I feel like the soul is returning and this is the proof. The Scion FR-S (pictured) and Subaru BRZ look great and sounds like it drives great, with some tuning differences between the two companies.

The one thing that bothers me: I feel like Subaru did most of the work and Toyota gets the credit. Toyota's contribution is the design and it's direct injection technology...and Subaru got the rest of the car. I kinda hope Subaru gets more of the sales.

At least Scion has the right tag line: "Bringing the sport back to the car."

Turning a new...burger

I might be me, but it seems like fast food places are all trying to redo their food somehow. Wendy's re-did their burgers with "Dave's Hot n Juicy" and now Jack-in-the-Box is improving their burgers by "seasoning it while it cooks". I'm just disappointed. Maybe it's because I don't eat fast food much any more but when I hear that they're re-doing a classic, I want a REAL improvement. With the Hot n Juicy, I couldn't tell the difference between the old and new. Now with this Jack-in-the-Box thing...it's basically the same. It might have some pepper on it or something but it's really not anything to rush out there and buy. If I have to think hard to notice a difference...there isn't one. In reality, it's still fast food and not worth spending $10 for a Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger (large) with Curly Fries when I can get a plate lunch for about the same price...and it might even be better for my cholesterol.

Looks like McDonald's still win...Only place (in Hawaii) with a Dollar Menu.

Welcome back to the world!

I guess it has been a while since I wrote a blog, but that's not what the title means. The little amounts I know about cars almost entirely comes from the internet...and from what the internet tells me, Dodge (actually Chrysler) was known for producing very high quality cars, post-WWII. I'm sure there are a few iconic models that everyone can recall (because they're trying to bring their glory days back).

This brings me to the new 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8...I must say........sexy. (YES~, to anyone who knows me personally, I've developed a nice soft spot for Chrysler)

BUT JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURE! In my brain, that car could be quieter than a Nissan Leaf and I would argue to my death that it's a powerful car by appearance alone; and with a new 6.4L HEMI V8 with 470HP and 470 lb-ft of torque, it doesn't just sound powerful....it sounds earthquake starting powerful. Chrysler has (in my history) always made gas devouring, powerful cars and trucks so hearing this isn't nearly as surprising to me as the tech that exists in this thing.

It has a nice 8.4" touch screen that's got all the comfort controls for the climate control, nav system, Bluetooth hands free calling and an ear-bleeding 900-watt, 19-SPEAKER Harman Kardon sound system....and if that doesn't give you a geek stiff, it also displays a bunch of unnecessary and distracting performance information including an accelerometer, acceleration timer, transmission and oil temperatures, oil pressure and battery voltage.

But wait....there's more~! Taking the vehicle data (such as vehicle speed, steering angle, yaw, throttle and brake inputs) the car makes adjustments to it's new Bilstein adaptive dampers to adjust compression and rebound rates to provide an ideal ride....and then you hit the sport button. In addition to adjusting the shift points and calibration, it also firms up the suspension for throwing that car into corners.

Verdict...Amazing!~ but I'd still wait a few years for Chrysler to step away from that SOHC and 5-speed transmission that might give this thing more than 13 city/23 highway MPGs...

Information taken from Automobile Magazine

I need that adjusted....

How rare that I write about a film, but this one is interesting. Anyone who has seen this film SHOULD recognize the obvious Christian references, however this film asks a very critical question: do people have free will or only the appearance of free will?

I as a Buddhist, I recognize this as criticizing religions like Christianity. My understanding of Buddhism is that it teaches your life is yours and nothing is more important. The actions you make are yours...the mistakes you make are yours... I don't think I could except that the joys and sufferings of my life were given to me by God. I honestly believe that all people suffer in some way, but if God is making people suffer...why? What's the point? If he could make a wonderful world where all people are happy and at peace, why wouldn't he? The director said in The Christian Post, "The intention of this film is to raise questions," and I guess he wins.

The end of the film mentions that we're supposed to be in charge of our own lives, that free will is something to fight for. To me, this feels like it goes against Christian-like religions, because they usually speak of an all knowing God that controls everything that happens in the world. Instead of asking questions, it feels like my religion has been vindicated. But speaking with my friends, I get the feeling that they find the movie pro-Christian film. Maybe, we're all looking at what we can relate to. Wikipedia says, "...many Christians have seen this movie as an allegory to Christianity..."

As a non-Christian, I guess you should just see it for yourself.

Ford...the new awesome!

So I have been really impressed by Ford for the past 8 years now...ever since the Focus came to America. I thought, "Ford is finally starting to think..." In addition to my love of the new Mustang, I found a new 2011 Ford that I've also come to love...The new Explorer.

That's right! Look at that picture! How can you go wrong with a sexy SUV like that! It's almost luxury...ish. The one thing I'm thankful for in this economy is that the lack of money has caused American auto makers to start thinking about what people want in a car.

And now some boring history....(I'll let you know when you can come back in.)

What made Toyota so awesome for me is that they were some cheap car company from Japan that had a crazy idea of making great cars that sold for less than the other great cars. Toyota has then jumped to #1...and into a gutter. Because now (in my opinion) they make cars that are expensive...but feel cheap. Today, Hyundai has become the new Toyota. They're offering cars with great awesome features but without the price tag. As a result...they were gaining market share while Toyota fell...

(Now back to Ford...and you can pay attention again)

Like Toyota back-in-the-day, Ford is making awesome cars without the evidential price tag. They drive great, look great, have awesome technology and cheaper! A few months ago, I wrote about the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and thought, "OMG! A great driving Jeep!" That has an MSRP of $30k. This has an MSRP of $28k. And its got the same size engine, and better gas milage...there is one real downside to the Explorer...it has kinda become a crossover....and its FWD...

BUT MAN, DOES IT LOOK GOOD! :P

Get Fit!

On a completely different thought....I thought to be fit was to be muscular...but I think that's wrong.

Anyway, the Honda Fit. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you the Honda Fit is a great car. I've been on the internet... Just search great cars and the Fit comes around the top. But I couldn't help but wonder why? I drove the Nissan Versa, roomier and faster than I thought but you know it's cheap. I also drove the Toyota Yaris, which is fine...just a smaller Corolla. How much better could the Fit be?

Well, it is a world different...First off, this may sound geeky, but I feel like I'm driving a space ship in that car. The gauges look cool and the interior quality just seems so much better than the other two. The most important thing is the way it drives. It really doesn't feel cheap. It's very controlled and easy to drive....AND it's so much fun!

I drive a Honda Civic. One thing I noticed about a new Civic compared to my 1999 version is that the new one is way more comfortable. For some, that's a better thing but I think it loses it's fun in the process. Not the fit! This thing drives great...so much so that I actually smiled as I was driving this thing around town. It's so easy to drive, steering is very responsive and easy to handle and moving forward was just as quick. Yet, it feels new. It's comfortable and smooth when you want it to be. This is great.

Honda! Keep up the great work!

"Hao" is the 2011 Cherokee?

Hahaha, yeah...I guess it is a bit racist....

But enough cheese....This car is Awesome!!!!! It is a whole world different from the previous models. This feels very....German....like a Mercedes? Hmm, I guess that Daimler partnership did pay off.....

I'm really serious about this though....This is a great SUV. The model I drove...from a rent-a-car, so it's gotta be towards the bottom of the options list...was pretty nice. Almost everything was powered/automatic. Automatic windows, power seats, leather wrapped bits, smart key with push button start, very soft and comfortable all around. One of the coolest bits, the Audio controls were on a touch screen LCD. And like most Chryslers, the speakers were pretty good.

The drive was another hugely impressive thing. It was such a smooth ride. Turning was so tight and controlled. For a V6, it had lots of balls when you put the hammer down. It was almost....luxury feeling......but with a $30k price tag? That's the same price as a basic 4Runner V6.......

Now here's the bit that's got me feeling a little sad....IF YOU COULD BUILD THIS, WHY'D YOU WANT TILL NOW AND WAIST MY TIME WITH ALL THAT OTHER CRAP YOU GUYS BUILT.....I even read that the new 2011 Wrangler is a really good SUV. I've driven those before, and even did a review in the past, and I believe I said something like they haven't changed a thing in 50 years.....because it felt like a car that was that old. Now that Chrysler is putting out cars that are worth a damn, I wonder if it's too late. Ford is doing GREAT as they have been for the past 5 years or so and GMC has really turned themselves around...but Chrysler is still losing lots of money....Please don't die Chrysler!!!! I need your cars to finally drive as great as it looks!!!!!!