Trackside Tip: Take a new kind of test-drive!

Diligent new car shoppers will spend days braving pushy salespeople, headache-inducing mathematics and rush-hour traffic to ensure that their final decision is as informed as possible. What many new car shoppers don’t realize is that some manufacturers host no-pressure test drive events that pit cars against their direct competition. Audi, General Motors, Mazda, and Subaru have hosted these “experiential marketing campaigns” in the past, but no manufacturer has a predictable schedule. Only Scion hosts events yearly. Events are often advertised in car magazines and convention center calendars. This summer, there are three must-drive events — and all three are free of charge!

Luxury shoppers have the chance to compare the new Hyundai Genesis against the Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class at one of several free Drive Genesis events across the country. Shoppers and enthusiasts can benchmark the cars’ interior quality, driving dynamics, design elements and specifications against each other — with speed that a day of dealership hopping can’t match.

Full-size truck buyers face a market saturated with excellent products — there’s no such thing as an easy decision in the segment. Dodge thinks their 2009 Ram has the equipment and capability to win over hedging buyers, and hosts the Ram Challenge Tour to prove their point. We learned about the ‘09 Ram’s eco-friendly E85-capable powertrain and innovative RamBox in-bed cargo storage at the New York International Auto Show. Tour participants will have the chance to experience those features up close, and compare the Ram head-to-head with its competition.

BMW’s Ultimate Driving Experience allows shoppers to truly test cars’ capabilities on a closed course. Professional driving instructors offer tips that will make drivers safer and more alert — on any road, and in any car. Internet registration is unavailable; shoppers must contact a dealer to receive an invitation.

Though these events are hosted by auto manufacturers, most are staffed by third-party marketing firms whose personnel have no direct incentive to sell a vehicle. Event staff is eager to share knowledge, but never pushy. This comfortable climate could be the best way to decide on your next car.

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment September 2nd, 2008

Prepare for the ExpoTV Product Review Roadtrip!

Okay… maybe not quite yet.

Two weeks ago, my side project and I hosted the Stickam’s first live automotive walkaround and Q&A session. Was it a runaway success? Well, I wanted to run away at first, but Camera Guy RPO wouldn’t let me go… so we dodged the rain, overcame connectivity issues and powered through all kinds of awkward tech burps to unite segment shoppers, owners and enthusiasts in a discussion of the hot new Ford Flex family hauler.

The Flex’s audio jacks, Bluetooth connectivity and power outlets meant that we were able to operate almost entirely from inside the vehicle to escape the pouring rain. The only thing that kept us tethered to a driveway was the garage’s short-range wireless router. Chrysler says that their new “uConnect web” in-car Internet technology will transform the automobile into a mobile wireless hotspot. The technology naturally raises questions of driver distraction, but the possibilities created by truly mobile Internet are more alluring — and important — to a young generation so addicted to instant information.

I can’t wait to try it! When this tech hits my driveway, you’ll be the first to know. And the Product Review Roadtrip will soon follow!

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment August 29th, 2008

Shades of yesterday and tomorrow.

What’s the simplest way to create a distinctive automotive exterior? With an interesting pallette of paint! Today, automotive fashionistas are working hard on new hues that captivate the individualists among us. Low gloss levels, color-shifting metallic flakes, light-reactive and even light-emitting shades will hit dealer lots someday soon — but many manufacturers have already bravely pushed the envelope by bringing interesting, experimental colors to market.

1997 Porsche 911 Turbo: Arena Red. I was 10 or 11 when I saw my first Arena 911 on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Bless my patient mother for not dragging me away from such a formative moment. I remember tracing the front fenders… watching the light pour into the soft curves toward the headlamps, where the rich paint seemed to swallow the light entirely.

1996 Dodge Copperhead Concept: Copperhead Orange. Is it cheating to include concept cars on this list? After all, they’re almost all coated in moonshot hues far from production. No matter: the Copperhead’s iconic orange paint received new life twelve years after its debut, when the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe was available in a similar shade with the same name.

1996 Subaru Legacy: Cashmere Yellow. Like many awesome home-market trends, the Subaru Legacy’s Cashmere Yellow hue was only available in Japan — never in the United States. Cashmere’s near-fluorescence begs a question: could Day-Glo sheetmetal be tomorrow’s color trend?

1993 Honda delSol: Samba Green. My brother — and many others — called this “booger green.” From an early age, I called it beautiful. Bright as it was polarizing, Samba served a niche market. For a certain breed of owner, Samba was destiny. If only today’s thousand-beige Accord offered shoppers even a semblance of individuality.

1993 Mazda Miata: Montego Blue. One of the first mass-production color shifting paints was offered on this attainable everyday sports car, gifting trends to the masses instead of reserving advances for the elite. Want a closer look? Take a trip to any autocross — Montego Miatas fight it out all across the country every weekend.

1995 Toyota Paseo: Light Iris.
Anyone raised in the era when magenta and teal reigned supreme won’t admit that these pastel shades are a guilty pleasure. Trust me: they are. Toyota’s tiny beachcomber was carefree enough to wear this shade. It goes without saying that this era has passed.

2003 Nissan Skyline GT-R: Midnight Purple III. Special metallic flakes brought green and gold hues forth from the purple basecoat. The shifting colors brought a dynamism and humanity to the Skyline’s otherwise clinically angular sheetmetal. A Midnight GT-R is in motion, even when lying in wait.

2004 Mercedes-Benz SL: Almandine Black.Nothing may be more stately than a blacked-out Benz, but this special ebony added a slight violet tint to the mix to keep things interesting. The dramatic effect was more pronounced on MB’s larger models, and the SL sedan wore Almandine well.

1997 Honda Civic Type-R: Championship White. What’s more satisfying than a self-aggrandizing coat of paint? The Type-R was billed as the purist’s Civic. Championship White alluded to that purity, but the shade was tinted with a hint of gold — a statement of purpose; a promise to the competition.

1993 Toyota MR2: Steel Mist Grey. Today, Toyota’s dismal greys are devoid of personality and flatly vapid. Back in the firm’s heyday of fun cars, even the grey hues had a sense of purpose. SMG’s bluish-purple tint aged well, and the color is now highly prized among buyers and collectors.

Color choice is subjective. My picks probably don’t match yours. What colors catch your eye? Does the car you drive reflect your taste?

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment August 26th, 2008

G’bye, Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Automotive News reported last week the eventual demise of Toyota’s FJ Cruiser SUV.

On the surface, the move makes sense. Today, Toyota sells six SUVs. Four of them achieve less than 17 MPG. The FJ is one of them — and it gulps expensive premium fuel to boot. Some FJ owners have reported frame-and-body stress fractures and a fragile front windshield design. Issues aside, the FJ Cruiser isn’t all bad. I reviewed a 2007 model almost two years ago — I was new to video, so forgive the elementary production quality. I did my best to cover the good and the bad, but two years of hindsight and experience can humble even the most confident reviewer. I have a few comments to add.

On my “personal” off-road course as seen in the video, the FJ held its own against the Nissan Xterra and Hummer H3. During multi-manufacturer testing at a second course in Dallas, it felt more fun offroad than Land Rover’s antiseptic LR2. But the FJ Cruiser’s size obviously kept it from diving into places that a Jeep Wrangler would fit through, and the FJ’s nannying electronics can’t be completely turned off. Sometimes, that’s no fun.

On-road, you could pitch the FJ’s weight around and it never seemed to mind. There was actual steering weight and feedback, and just enough tire-generated road noise to lend the thing a sense of life. The thematic interior was actually styled, unlike every other Toyota. Its rear visibility never bothered me much, though I did have to learn to use (and trust) the oversized side mirrors. Poor premium MPG wouldn’t win it any friends today, but man… it looked cool and it was kinda fun to drive. Nothing else in a Toyota dealer looks cool. And trust me, nothing else in that dealer today is even… kinda… fun.

That’s why the FJ’s death is a loss.

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment August 22nd, 2008

Thoughts on journalism: an interactive future.

In the past, media channels have flowed in one direction: from the disseminator to the audience. “Letters to the editor” often lost impact due to latency. Only a fraction could be acknowledged. Less would find their way into publication, and even then, only as a sidebar.

The Internet has changed the game. ExpoTV has adopted a style of “social commerce” that couples a powerful medium with interactive tools that let prospective buyers quiz a product’s owners.

This shift has inspired me to look forward to the future of car shoppers’ research habits. In my view, the process will naturally shift toward live, interactive Q&A sessions that match prospective buyers with current owners and unbiased enthusiasts. That’s why I’m hosting an experimental live Q&A session on stickam.com… tonight! The shindig starts at 6:30 PM Central Time. If you’re interested in cars, commerce, technology, or any mix of the three, I hope you’ll show up in support! Click here to see the highmileage.org Stickam page.

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment August 19th, 2008

Exotic car shoppers don’t sense a slowdown.

In the midst of bleak sales numbers from almost every auto manufacturer, one email in my inbox stood out: “Houston exotic car buyers pinched? Hardly!”

Lamborghini Houston says that sales are “hotter than ever,” and has the inventory to prove it. Twenty examples of the hyper-exclusive Reventón supercar will be produced worldwide; four have already passed through the Lamborghini Houston showroom. I swung by to examine the $2.5-million sportscar firsthand. Matte “Grey Barre” paint, angular carbon-fiber bodywork, and bare carbon-fiber accents hint at the 6.5-liter V12 engine’s capability. Auxiliary LED lighting flanks the headlamps and pours into the cabin, where high-resolution TFT monitors replace a traditional meter cluster. If these trends tempt your wallet, don’t mortgage the house (and yacht) yet: the Reventón’s cutting-edge design elements are elementally functional, and could someday see series production in mainstream vehicles. Check out the detail gallery for a closer look!

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment August 15th, 2008

Trackside Tip: Never leave a child alone in a car!

It’s sometimes important for enthusiasts to take a break from the passion of speed in order to consider the sober side of motoring culture. Safe Kids Worldwide offers drivers the information they need to keep children safe in and around cars. As we approach peak summer heat, it’s especially important to remember that children are three to five times more responsive to rising interior temperatures — and even on mild days, car interiors can become dangerously warm in a matter of minutes.

Earlier this week, we tracked the interior temperature of a Mustang for 15 minutes. Watch the footage to learn our findings!

The problem is real — and sadly, it’s widespread. Be a part of the solution: make a commitment to never leave a child alone in a car. And if you come upon a child that has been left alone, alert law enforcement immediately.

Many happy miles,
Adam

1 comment August 8th, 2008

Worth a Read: Autoextremist.com.

Whether or not you agree with Peter DeLorenzo’s estimation of the auto industry, the oft-cited author of Autoextremist.com is a master of the craft of automotive prose. The tone is stiff — at times, gruff — but even the most ruthless rant still seems to end with a sense of optimism. Each week, the Autoextremist pores over the most minuscule industry developments, and then summarizes them for readers who want a rough-cut insider’s look. Autoextremist cracks the bat when other analysts are afraid to swing. Those that crave a renegade’s take of motoring culture should be reading every Wednesday.

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment August 5th, 2008

Worth a Read: Intersection Magazine.

Want to see embarassing photos of me as a highschooler?

Too bad. Photos from the time when I tucked huge tees into comically-oversized denim have been banished to yearbooks that I hope nobody bought. College helped to hone my sense of style, but the real change came when I looked to automotive design trends for inspiration.

Intersection Magazine aims to chronicle fashion trends and relate them to the automotive world. Lifestyle pieces highlight destinations and events that hold special meaning to those in motor culture. High-quality glossy stock helps each thick issue complement even the most thematic home interior. Writers shy away from clichés in favor of original phrases, which makes the pages fly by. American issues are published quarterly in New York City, and priced at $10 per year.

As the “Instant Internet” becomes enthusiasts’ preferred medium for news, traditional buff books have lost relevance. However, focused niche content has a longer shelf life — and magazines such as Intersection have earned new importance.

Many happy miles,
Adam

Add comment August 1st, 2008

Nissan GT-R warranty confusion.

Back in my day, Nissan Skyline GT-Rs didn’t need traction control to beat the world’s best. Those days are gone — and the newest Nissan GT-R’s clutchless computerized ethic is the evidence.

There was some confusion on the North American GT-R Owners’ Club forums regarding warranty coverage and the GT-R’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) traction control system. An ominous owner’s manual paragraph hints that mechanical failures that occur while the VDC is disabled will not be covered under warranty.

I emailed Steve Parrett, Nissan’s manager of manufacturing communications, to get to the bottom of this. His response:

Adam,

To further clarify any confusion, Nissan doesn’t “void warranty” but we can “refuse to cover” repairs if we can determine that misuse (outside of what is outlined in the Owners Manual) caused a warrantable failure or malfunction.

Regarding VDC on the GT-R, if an owner turns off the VDC and drives the car (which is contrary to what the OM states is proper use) and a malfunction or failure results (and we can determine the VDC caused the problem) then Nissan won’t cover the repairs under the warranty. The OM states that VDC should only be turned off to help if the car is stuck.

Hope this helps,

Steve Parrett

Nissan’s fear is understandable: overzealous owners could subject the GT-R’s sophisticated all-wheel-drive system to the full, unrestrained power of its engine by switching off VDC. In a car with so much power, full-tilt all-wheel-drive launches could snap drive axles, toast a differential, or cause premature wear to the gearbox.

However, in daily driving of the Nissan 350Z GT, I noted that the VDC system often kicked in too early, causing unnatural understeer. Every time I started the car, I reached to disable the VDC. Several Z owners have noted similar experiences and found their own workarounds. The point is, there are certain driving conditions in which drivers may choose to disable VDC. However, if GT-R drivers disable VDC during a responsible, prudent drive, and there is a coincidental driveline failure, a computer notes that the failure occurred while VDC was disabled and Nissan may still choose not to cover the repair — because driving the car with the VDC off is “not proper use”.

My question: if VDC is only supposed to be disabled to free a stuck vehicle, why does the system not automatically enable itself again over a certain speed? You’re not freeing a stuck vehicle at over 30mph.

Nissan has the right to protect itself against abusive owners’ warranty claims, but prudent owners also have the right not to fear warranty claim denial just because they push a (very accessible) switch. What do you think?

Many happy miles,
Adam

Late Update: Looks like someone tried tracking the GT-R with the VDC off — nice save!

Add comment July 29th, 2008