Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 2008 LA Auto Show highlights

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!  It's been awhile since I last wrote here.  I hope all of you are doing well.

This blog entry is a few weeks late but I thought I'd share some of the vehicles I really liked at this year's Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Mazda MAZDA3

Some people hate that the new MAZDA3 looks like it's smilling.  I love it!  I'm still not too keen on the plastic above the fog lights, but that may grow on me.The new 3 will hit Mazda showrooms this spring in sedan and hatchback form.  That said, I still highly recommend the current MAZDA3 as the best compact car one can get right now (if all-wheel drive is not needed).

Honda Insight

Seeing the Honda Insight Concept in person made me think, "I wouldn't mind being seen in that."  Honda's upcoming Toyota Prius-fighter looks cool and maybe even fun-to-drive.  Shortly after the LA Auto Show, photos of the production version Insight were released.

To stay informed about Honda's new hybrid, make sure you check out Edmunds.com Inside Line's Honda Insight Buzz Station page.

Five Axis Lexus GS 460

The more I see flat (i.e., not glossy) paint on vehicles, the more I like it.  This Lexus GS 460 modified by Five Axis looks great.  But I think what Five Axis did to a Lexus IS F last year looks even better.

2010 Ford Mustang

Meh.  As far as pony cars go, here's what I think.

Chevrolet Camaro > Dodge Challenger > Ford Mustang

2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman

Very nice!  I've got a feeling Devoted Dan, my 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan, won't be able to keep up with these on the track.  Also new for MY2009 is Porsche's dual-clutch automated manual transmission called Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK for short.  Reviews of Porsche's new gearbox have been positive except that the tranny's interface via steering wheel-mounted buttons or the shift lever are counter-intuitive.

Ferrari 430 Scuderia

Wow!  Forget the Ferrari California shown below.  The 430 Scuderia was my favorite Ferrari at this year's show.

Aston Martin DBS

Absolutely beautiful.  However, I think Aston Martins look best in Silver or British Racing Green.

Lotus Evora

I like Lotus' new 2+2 more than the Elise and Exige.  In fact, I like it so much that I went and got one...in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for the PLAYSTATION3 (PS3).

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Race Car

I think the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is a pretty neat car.  So does Edmunds.com, which currently has one in its long-term vehicle fleet.  What many of you may not know is that there is a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup racing series here in North America.  The above car is an example of a Jetta TDI Cup race car.  The use of Audi R8 front brake calipers is interesting and a little funny, too.

MINI John Cooper Works

I've never driven a MINI Cooper.  Hopefully, I'll take one for a spin sooner than later.  Rowing through the gears of this MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Hardtop impressed me because of the shift lever's positive feel through the gates and short throw.  I wish all BMW manual transmissions, which tend to have long shift throws, felt like this.

These are the cars I really like during my brief time at this year's Los Angeles International Auto Show.  I hope you all enjoyed my highlights.

As 2009 approaches, I think it would be nice to leave you all with one of my favorite moments of 2008.  My trip to Buttonwillow Raceway in March resulted in a 0.470 second improvement over my previous best lap time of 2:12.215 on Buttonwillow's Configuration #13 clockwise.  My lap of 2:11.745 is the first lap shown in the YouTube video clip below.

The sting of bling

At this year's Los Angeles International Auto Show, there were some factory-modified vehicles that some brands prominently displayed.  Hear are a few of the atrocities my eyes (and camera) couldn't resist.

2009 Ford Focus Coupe

Now, let's compare the Focus above with the 2009 Ford Focus RS hatchback available in Europe.

2009 Toyota Venza

The 2009 Toyota Venza is Toyota's all-new wagon/crossover born with an identity crisis.  For the most part, it's basically a Camry Wagon.  On the other hand, it also shares components with the Highlander.  The sad thing is "dubs" (20-inch or larger diameter wheels) come standard on factory stock V6-powered Venzas.

Here's what I think of all of these:

Next week, I'll share some of my favorite vehicles featured at this year's LA Auto Show.

How I equipped my car with 12 tires

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who reads this!  This Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for the grace and salvation God has given me.  What are you most thankful for?


A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S ultra high performance all-season tires (P215/45R17 91W) from the Tire Rack ($118 each) for my 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan.  On November 15th, I had them mounted, balanced, and installed on my car at Island Tire & Service in Pasadena for a very reasonable rate, although it appears they may have slightly scratched some of my wheels in the process.

Why select an all-season tire in (Southern) California?  Or rather, why not?

First, I have a separate set of Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (P225/45R17 91W) extreme performance summer tires that I use for the track.  Second, I like knowing that my car can be driven in snow if necessary to go snowboarding, skiing, or to retreat sites.  Third, it would be nice to have a set of tires that last for a while compared to summer tires or even the factory supplied Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires, which only have a treadwear rating of 160 compared to the BFG's 400.

So how exactly did I equipped my car with 12 tires?  The answer is I didn't.  But in a way, I did.  BFGoodrich's g-Force Super Sport A/S tire replaced the venerable g-Force T/A KDWS.  The g-Force Super Sport A/S is constructed with three distinct rubber compounds to provide traction in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.  Many all-season tires may have three distinct zones, but each zone uses the same rubber compound.

Dry: The outer sides of the tread feature large shoulder blocks designed to maximize traction while cornering.  Additionally, these same blocks also contain sipes to aid with acceleration and braking in snow.  Displayed in the middle, the continuous center rib provides the driver with excellent steering feel.

Wet: The center rib and grooves on its sides work with the swept lateral grooves to effectively channel water and reduce hydroplaning.

Snow: In-between the dry and wet tread zones is the snow zone.  Working in conjuction with the outer shoulder blocks' sipes, the intermediate tread block provides a snow hook shape to function like snow chains.

You don't have to take my word for it, though.  In May, the Tire Rack conducted a test of the BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S tires against its chief competitors.  You can see their results here.  Although it finished second in their comparison, the g-Force Super Sport A/S produced the dry performance numbers.  It didn't have the wet grip of the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tire (another tire I was considering at $150 each) or the ride comfort, but I figured most of the miles I would accumulate would be on dry tarmac.  Thus, I decided to sacrifice road manners for better handling (after all, I'm still young, right?).

If that's not enough to convince you of what an excellent tire this is, Car and Driver also plays host to a BFGoodrich Tires Virtual Test Drive (Adobe Flash required) mini-site.  There you can learn more about BFGoodrich tires including the g-Force Super Sport A/S.  Four-time SCCA Trans Am champion and host of SPEED Test Drive and SETUP, Tommy Kendall, will talk, or rather, drive, you through the features and construction of the tire.  You can even ride along with Tommy as he drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX on the track at Miller Motorsports Park.

Here's a cool did you know (dyk): BFGoodrich is owned by Michelin (FRA) like Firestone (USA) is owned by Bridgestone (JPN)

With old man winter now upon us--or right around the corner--there isn't a better time than the present to make sure your vehicle's shoes will keep you and your loved ones safe in inclement weather.  If your tires' tread depths are less than 4/32 of an inch you should consider replacing them as soon as possible.  2/32" is the legal limit, but grooves shallower than 4/32" are less resistant to hydroplaning.

Not sure how to measure your tires' tread depths?  Here's an excellent article you may find useful.  Remember to keep your tires properly inflated as well!

Tire Rack: Measuring Tire Tread Depth with a Coin

Cupholder evolution: Behold the GPS-holder

Last month, I purchased a refurbished Garmin nüvi 680 from Amazon.com for $199.99.  Knowing it's illegal to mount the portable navigation unit on my windshield using the suction cup mount*, I knew my creativity would be needed to mount the GPS unit.  After studying the dash a little bit, I realized the cupholder could serve as an excellent GPS-holder.

Not my car's cupholder shown above

I'll be the first to admit the MY2002-2004 Subaru Impreza dash cupholder's design is less than stellar.  It seems like it was an afterthought when the interior was designed.  The only positive thing about it is that it could hold larger circumference bottles and cups than the cupholder next to the handbrake.  For MY2005 (to MY2007), the interior of the Subaru Impreza was slightly redesigned and this cupholder was deleted.  Instead, an additional cupholder was added next to the handbrake.

To mount the nüvi, I connected it to its suction cup mount and laid the nav unit plus the mount in the cupholder.  The fit seemed decent but the unit would still move around quite a bit under hard braking or acceleration.  The solution?  A rubber band placed around the mount and cupholder clamped the nav plus mount assembly down securely.  Doesn't the unit look secure in the first photo above?  Its silver finish also works well with the color of the dash, too. :o)

*NOTICE TO DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA: State law prohibits drivers in California and Minnesota from using suction mounts on their windshields while operating motor vehicles. Other Garmin dashboard or friction mounting options should be used. Garmin does not take any responsibility for any fines, penalties, or damages that may be incurred as a result of disregarding this notice. (See California Vehicle Code Section 26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71)

100K the hard way

• Bridgestone Potenza RE92 (P215/45R17) - 847, 2% inflation over stock
  
• Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (P215/45R17) - 847, same as above
  
• Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (P225/45R17) - 833,  0.36% inflation over stock