Holy $h!t.... [Originally Written 4/29/12]

Yup, no clever title on this one. I had heard that Chrysler was planning to redo the Dodge Viper a while back and thought, "Wonderful. It's about time they updated that thing.". Then I got this months issue of Motor Trend and crapped myself. I think they did a really great job.

I liked that they kept the V10...a necessary as the Viper...but updated the chassis a huge amount and reduced weight with a lot of carbon fiber and plastic. They also decided to keep the 6-speed manual transmission but I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad. I think I would have liked to see a sequential option just for modernization but a manual also keeps with the raw power feel of a Viper.

I was especially impressed by the interior! The designers claim to use the same standards as Bentley and Lamborghini in the quality of their leather and seats designed by Sabelt, who make seats for Ferrari. Then, as I'm sure you can see in the picture....a great looking body! And Chrysler says it's all functional too; either designed to help cool the engine or increase aerodynamics.

Crossing Over [Originally Written 1/8/12]

Taking a trip home to Maui for New Years, I'll usually rent a car from my favorite, Enterprise. Fortunately, they had a good selection and I took the opportunity to drive a new Mazda CX-7. Never drove one before, but on first impression...awesome.

Usually a crossover SUV feels like a regular SUV that lost its balls...like a station wagon to a sedan. The CX-7 on the other hand drove like a car. It was responsive and aggressive for an SUV. It was so easy to drive. I took this thing up to the summit of Haleakala, full of people, and it wasn't a challenge at all.

The engine was a small surprise too. 2.3L turbo i-4...I didn't think an engine like that would have that much kick. Maybe it was the AWD. Though the gas mileage doesn't look like a 2.3L i-4 either...16 MPG is what I clocked. Though that may have been from my trip up the mountain... ^_^;

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