The Surprising Challenger

I decided to take a trip to my home town for the 4th of July weekend this year, something fun to see my parents and childhood friends. When I arrived to pick up my rent-a-car, they gave me a New 2010 Challenger SE (I doubt a rent-a-car would ever buy SRT8s). The car is HUGE. It had a very long nose which made it a bit hard to see....but I hate to admit, I'd totally spend the money on one.....

First: The looks~

This is such a sexy looking car....for those who like classic American. I am a fan of that square front nose that looks like it could suck in and eat a cat as you drive by one. It definitely has personality. And the stretched out tail lamps in the back is definitely attractive to me.

Second: The feel~

Something I love about Chrysler, and this might be thanks to Daimler...but I absolutely enjoy the sound system in Chrysler cars.... I went out and bought one of those Droid phones before going and listening to my Pandora radio stations in that thing was a great joy.

I was also interested in how they designed the back seats. They put lights in the back of the chairs to light the area for the people in the back (as my friend puts it, a "Crotch Light"). They also gave the back seat a center arm rest with cup holders. I thought that was pretty good...just wish they'd give more space for your legs (as I complain about later).

The car was also Crazy comfortable. I remember riding around in a Camaro that I got my hands on and I remember it being very low to the ground and very sporty. Still a very good car...but this is a totally different feel. You ride a bit higher, visibility is better, the ride seems softer and more comfortable yet doesn't feel like a boat around corners. This model has a 3.5L V6 and I hate to admit the power is lacking in this car, but strangely enough I didn't mind too much. I was happy with the fact that I was driving this car, with it's comforts and looks.

A couple of down sides....The interior is a bit plain.....If this car was the SRT8, I would excuse any plainness that this car has because of how much fun that car would be to drive. However as a normal one, looking at the dash was a bit boring (unlike the Camaro with the retro gauges).

And~ I am 6'5"....Looking into the back seat told me that a small child or an amputee would be the only people who could sit behind me. The back seats were a bit small. However, if I'm honest, it's a sports car.....Who's going to use this as their family of 4 car? It'd be you and your girl up front, windows down, rocking out and cruising the pacific coast/country side.

Journey to a Dodge Dealership.....

So I got to drive around a Dodge Journey today and at first glance, I didn't really feel a need to drive one. I was a bit excited because this was the R/T version and I'm a bit of a fan of Dodge cars at times. The big problem that I always felt about driving one is once the adrenaline died down from all the fun, I would think, "I would never buy one. It's too impractical." However, I think I may have found the cure.

I felt that the car or SUV whatevers was pretty responsive. When I stepped on the gas, it really went somewhere. I would turn the wheel and it pulled me in whatever direction I wanted it to go. It felt like (if I were a parent) could drive my kids to school and go straight to a race track in the same vehicle. This thing as 3 rows of seats, leather, great sounds and the most surprising; good fuel economy...good for a dodge anyway. I got around 22 mpg, which is about the same as my Taurus and this has a 3.5L V6 that really feels great. I just had this feeling that the car wanted me to step on the gas. In this, I wanted to keep going faster....maybe because I was driving in traffic, haha~

I hate to say, I would really want to buy one.

Ride that....Taurus?

I must first say that my present car is unfortunately a Ford Taurus.... It's a 1994 with the 3.oL V6. It's not a horrible car, I've driven worse; like the Escort for example. However the only real reason I drive this car because it cost me only $500, and it still works. In a way, it was a great deal; (I didn't spend thousands to fix it).

Now, with the current Taurus, the feeling I have is not the same. I might say I would pick that above most every car available on the market. If I were walking down the rows of National-Rent-A-Car and came across the new Taurus, I would pick that in a heartbeat.

And Why? I must say that Ford really stepped up their game. I think the car looks great, and handles great. I had the chance to drive a brand new one (straight from the pier) and decided to open her up a bit. It was fun. This model was the Limited model and it had comfortable leather seats, a backup camera (which is rare in Hawaii), a 6 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and a great sounding audio system; just to name a few of the great things.

The one thing I remember the most above all that is how great the suspension felt when taking a turn. I wasn't very shy to take corners a bit quick, but the suspension really held up and worked well with the transmission. Even though I had it in full auto, the computer seemed to know that I was driving a bit harsh and didn't up-shift as I let go of the gas. It kept a low gear and I could take the corner very smoothly.

I really liked it a lot. I must say the only real down side to this car...the 3.5L V6 felt a bit week. Fortunately, if you're willing to dish out the money, there is a twin-turbo SHO version!!!~

Ruining the People's Car

The one car that identify with VW, growing up in Hawaii, is the original Beetle. When the New Beetle was introduced, I thought to myself, "Well that's great." However, I drove one a few days ago and I've come to discover something quite important. THE NEW BEETLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OLD ONE. To me, what made the old one great is the fact that is was a real car, and cheap. Engine in the back, light weight, surprisingly roomie, cheap, and basically a fat Porsche in terms of performance. The new one, not the same. As I was driving it, I realized...wow this is very boring. It doesn't feel anything like a mid-ship....and I opened the trunk......to see a trunk........THE ENGINE IS IN THE FRONT!!!!! Oh well...now I see why this is only a girls car. Boys, buy a Jetta or Golf or something with testicles.

Ford Flex's It's Muscles

Today I drove the new Ford Flex for the first time. I must admit...I love the way that car looks. For those who know me, I do like my boxy cars (xB, Cube, etc.) but I really think this car just looks good and not looks good to some.

Inside was nice and roomie. I'm 6'5" and I don't usually fit well in cars, but the Flex is very comfortable. However, and I don't ever say this, but the car feels too big... From the outside, it looks nice and not unusually big, but inside it's very comfortable and there's 3 rows of seats. I looked back and thought, "Is this too much?"

Driving it was very comfortable. The model I drove had black leather seats and I thought, I would be proud to pick up someone important in this car (Boss, Mother-in-law, etc.) The sound system in there is also very nice (Sony I believe). The car's breaks and acceleration wasn't too sharp in any one direction. It was just very predictable. And for 2010, you'll have the option of the SHO engine (3.5L twin-turbo) that pushes 355hp and 350lb.-ft of torque. I bet that'll be exciting.

New Classic Jeep

I recently started a job that lets me drive a bunch of new cars. A few days ago, I got to drive the new Jeep Wrangler...I remember riding in a Jeep when I was a kid. The suspension was stiff and the ride was bouncy. I though to myself, "I bet this vehicle hasn't changed in 30 years." The Jeep was from the 80's so I'm relating to the old war Jeeps. Hoping in the new one...both 2dr and 4dr...I hate to admit that it still feels like the same old Jeep. Even though it looks much more modern, riding down the road still feels the same. I remember driving my grandpa's old 1970 ford Bronco and the suspension felt similar.

I havn't decided yet if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Kinda like, don't fix what's not broke...

F3: Failure at Fun Factory

Today, Aug. 23 is tournament day at the Maui Mall Fun Factory for a Tekken 6 Warm-up Tournament. This is basically a pre-tournament to get people ready for the Tekken tournament that is going to happen.

A friend of mine, who loves the game, enters because of his love for the game...and the $60 grand prize too. However, there is one major problem.....

The tournament rules that has been set up by Fun Factory are extremely F#@ked Up:
36 people entered the tournament today; Each person receives a number.
In order to play, you MUST pay for the game as if you were playing in the arcade normally. ($1 per game).

Player 1 is set to play Player 2. If Player 1 wins, he stays on the machine and Player 3 challenges Player 1. This continues unless Player 1 loses, then which the player who beat him stays on the machine.

The problem with this, if you don't already understand, is that Player 1 has to play through 35 people to win the prize. This gives him a 1 in 36 chance of winning and has to pay $35 to get through that far. Player 36 then has the best advantage. He has a 1 in 2 chance of winning and only has to play $1. I think 50% is too high compared to 2.7% chance of winning....FAIL.