2010 Chevy Camaro SS: LT is fine too!

I recently drove a V6 version of the new Camaro, it's actually quite good. Before you start name calling, keep in mind this one has 304 hp - that's the base or LT engine. Opt for a Mustang GT - you know the V8 Mustang? You'll get 315 hp. I think the V6 Camaro is perfectly acceptable - would I rather have the SS? Sure but a very well equipped LT would run about $30k. Our long termer is more than $40k.

What You Said (9/13-9/19)

Back when I was looking for my first car everyone had one of three cars: a Camaro, Mustang or Cutlass (circa 1990). My friends dad took me to a Mopar car show I knew what I had to have. I found myself a 74 Barracuda and my dad and I spent 6 months on body and paint. I was the only one on the street on the weekends. This summer we went to my wife's class reunion, the most asked question - "What happened to the car?" (I still have it.)

I can understand why people like the Mustang and the Camaro, both good looking cars - but for me its the Challenger all the way. And if I'm the only one on the road with one, well that's fine with me too. I don't mind standing out in a crowd.

DCuerpoJr I agree I would love a drop top, but I have given up hope on that.

2009 BMW M3 Sedan or 2011 Infiniti M56: Which Would You Choose?

Yesterday I drove our long-term BMW M3 Sedan to a double-secret location to drive the 2011 Infiniti M37 and Infiniti M56.

While there it occurred to me that the M56, which will go on sale in April, will pack about the same horsepower as our M3 (Infiniti says more than 400). Then I realized that the rear-wheel drive Infiniti (all-wheel drive will be available) will also cost about the same as the M3 sedan, which starts at $55,000.

Obviously the M56 is larger, but is that such a bad thing?

2010 Honda Insight EX: Simple Electricity

My friend the Kaiser Permanente doc knows a little bit about cars, enough to have a BMW 3 Series and an Audi Q7 3.2 in his garage. So he was more than a little eager to get an introduction to our long-term Honda Insight hybrid.

The big surprise to me is that every little thing about the Insight seemed to be a big surprise to him, as if the car were an example of industrial magic. Who knew that when the car stopped at a light, the engine did, too? Who knew that the instrument panel gave you a little reward for driving efficiently? Who knew that the batteries last more than 100,000 miles (so far, anyway)? Who knew that the rear seats fold down to provide a flat cargo floor?

2009 BMW 750i: Sorry Officer, I Was Looking At That Billboard

Obviously this would have been a better picture if I had been driving our long-term BMW 750i, but I was in our M3 when I stumbled upon this billboard in Westlake Village yesterday about 30 miles north of our Santa Monica office. It's on the west side of the 101 freeway facing northbound traffic.

2009 BMW M3: Seat Wear Already

After 9,000 miles of use the leather on the seat bolster of the M3's driver's seat is visibly showing wear. Not a huge surprise considering it's impossible to climb in the car without rubbing your derriere across it, but it does seem premature after just 9,000 miles.  

2009 Audi S5: Child Safety Seat Fitment Issues

We've already had a couple posts about our long-term S5's rear seats. Dan commented about the easy-to-use latch and nifty power switch for moving the seat forward, and Caroline said she liked the amount of storage space provided. But I'm here to tell you that the S5's backseat is no good in at least one area -- fitment of a child safety seat.