Newbrew

Silly Placards on Cars

Today I was leaving the club after Rena and I had a good workout (weights and Pilates.)  In the parking lot I saw a new Chevrolet Tahoe.  I miss our 2001 Yukon XL (our son totaled it in February of 2008.)  Looks like I may never drive one again.  I don't ever want to buy a UAW product again.  I also refuse to help a company owned by our current federal government (legislative and executive branches.)  So, no new Tahoe for me (won't buy Ford, GM or Chrysler.)  But, I did see something funny on this nice new Tahoe.  It was a hybrid Tahoe.  How did I know?  The big giant green H and the text reading HYBRID. 

Do we as car/truck owners need to tell others that our vehicle is "hybrid"?  My 2008 BMW has the company logo along with a placard for the model.  That's it.

Here are other placards that really bother me and should bother other vehicle owners:

 - The "V8" on the Audi A5 SS (doesn't the SS say fast?)
 - The "V6" on the underpowered VW Toureg
 - The "V12", "V8" and "Kompresser" placards found on many Mercedes Benz vehicles.  Damn, you're Mercedes Benz, not Chevrolet
 - The "fuel injection" placards stamped on many US and Japanese cars in the 80's and 90's.  Guess people wanted to let others know they didn't have "no stinkin' carburetor". 
 - The "Hemi" moniker found on a few Dodge models (who cares that the engine uses a hemispherical combustion chamber)
 - The "turbo" sticker that went on SO many cars from all manufacturers in the past
 - The new "flex fuel" monikers.  Wow, I'm so glad I know that car can accept ethanol, which is available only in a few stations across the US
 - Let's not forget "ABS".  Ooooo, they have anti-lock brakes!

There are many more.  Please comment and add to the list of dumb things to put on cars.

Maybe BMW should put on my car:

 - Bluetooth
 - iPod Enabled
 - Pleather (yes, I like the leatherette, laugh away)

Technology Saves Lives

Until yesterday at 10:30am, I owned a 2001 Yukon XL SLT.  It was big, had a sunroof, front and back air con and heating controls.  Nice.  It could haul kids, dogs, Christmas trees, carpet, mulch, really anything.  My newly minted 16 year-old driver decided to show off for his 12 year old brother at the front of our neighborhood.  He took a corner too fast and lost control of the truck at about 50 mph.  The truck spun around and rolled once.  All of the windows were broken including the windshield.  Both sides of the car were crushed.  The back part of the truck was partially collapsed.  Yet, they walked right out of the truck without an injury.  No scratches or aches.  Divine intervention or good technology?  The Alpharetta cops said someone should have gone to the hospital.  Well, who knows.  I do believe the science around safety is quite mature.  My buddy was driving to Kentucky last week in his '98 Mercedes E Class.  Due to ice, he ran off the road and found himself 50 feet down from that road.  He just walked away.

So, we'll keep siding with safety over gas mileage.  Perhaps the best way to be green is just to drive less.

DAMN!

OK, no pics yet.  I picked up my new BMW 328i last Thursday.  I drove it around on Friday, a little on the weekend and on Monday of this week.  Then on Tuesday at lunch, BAM.  Hit from behind.  Need a new bumper, probably the reinforcement underneath that, a new trunk lid and they have to bend the trunk hole to the right place (or take out the metal and put in a new piece, seems this is a modular item).  DAMN.  The guy who hit me was in a hurry and just didn't see me.  He had insurance and the car drives fine.  So, I'll post pics next week.  But, ther are some great things about this car.  My iPod plays through the stereo (unfortunately, it doesn't provide an alphabetical directory to get through my many albums and tracks and thus I have to use the stereo control like the nav wheel on the iPod.)  That's the only new feature in this car.  I did get white paint and chose the aluminum trim instead of wood.

A proper writeup is to come.

Run Flat Tires

Whoa is me.  I've had to endure nice cars for some time.  Back in the early 90's, I bought my first nice car.  A 1991 Mercedes Benz 300E.  It was nice.  But, maintenance was a bear.  In 1998 I bought an Audi A4 and then in 2000 I bought a new A6 2.7T.  Then I really stepped up and bought a 2001 Porsche Boxter.  OK, OK, enough on the maintenance.  I wanted a car I didn't have to mess with.  So, in 2006, I bought a BMW 325i.  Great car.  And, it included all maintenance during the warranty period:  4 years, 50,000 miles.  So far so good.  BUT, those run flat tires.  I had the Bridgestone run flats.  I figured this was a good thing.  Supposedly you can put a fist size hole in them and still drive 100 miles.  BUT, nobody told me they got loud at 10,000 miles and ran out of tread at 20,000.  I really hated these tires.  The Ultimate Driving Machine became a pain.

Well, I just bought 4 new Continentals.  1 week later, one hit a nail here in Atlanta and went flat.  Wow, I was able to drive all the way back home.  BUT, these tires cannot be repaired.  I'll just swap it out.  The Contis come wtih a 12 month road hazard warranty.  NOT.  Tire Rack informed me they would not have new inventory until the 2nd week of January.  This was the 2nd week of December.  OUCH.  Luckily I found 1 tire in Florida and had it shipped up. 

Now, you're probably saying "put on regular tires and quit complaining".  I'd like to.  But, the BMW suspension is tuned softer for these rigid tires.  No can do.  Oh well, I love the car.  So much so that I've ordered another to get here on 1/31/08.  I pick it up at the factory in S.C. and then get to drive on the track for a day (not my car of course.)

Who knows if this technology will ever take over more of the industry.  Seems this world is for the folks like me living on he technology edge.  Let's see, my car has an iPod (and mini) jack, Bluetooth for integration of my phone, 15,000 to 20,000 mile duration between oil changes, MP3 playing capabilities, a rain sensor on the wipers, a powerful engine but still 30mpg on the highway.  I guess I'll have to put up with run flats.

Doing without great technology

Whew, I'm not sure what I'll do for the next few days.  A couple of months ago someone bumped the back bumper of my 2006 BMW 325.  I'm very fortunate to have a really good car.  But, you probably think it's good because it's a BMW (most people do.)  But, I got it with a stick and "leatherette" (can you say pleather?).  The things I love about the car are its Bluetooth, it's mileage and it's push button starter.  Here's why:

- Bluetooth:  Just get in the car with your paired phone and voila, your stereo becomes your phone.  My Blackberry can be in the trunk and I can use my phone.  And if I use a Motorola RAZR, I can even use the stereo to read the address book on the phone.
- Mileage:  Yesterday I drove back from Lake Oconee (Georgia) to Atlanta and noticed my mileage on the latest tank of gas.  33.6 MPG.  WOW.  With a 215hp engine that purrs like a kitten but goes like a lion, who knew I'd be saving money too.
- Ignition:  It's great to tell the computer to "start engine".  Just like Jean Luc-Picard telling the Enterprise to "engage".  No more screeching on the starter.  Just push the electronic key and and push start.

OK, it smells good too.  And the stick moves perfectly.  And there's no need for maintenance for 15,000 miles.  And when you do get it, it's covered.

I'll just have to drive the 2001 GMC Yukon XL for a few days.  I like it.  But, the mileage is 18 on a good day.  It's as smooth as a....well....truck.  It no longer smells good after all of those juice packs that have been spilled.  Hmmmmm.  BUT, it's paid for.