Dialogue...2008

Toyota Trucks

2009-11-21T17:00:00Z

Yesterday we were in Huntsville to experience Toyota trucks in off road as well as on road conditions.

It was wet, raining, cold, windy, ideal muddy conditions to go off roading with vehicles that can still deal with off road conditions.

Take a moment to view the photo gallery its cool. We usually take more photos...it was raining most of the time.

2010 4Runner Trail EditionToyota still builds body on frame trucks with a 2 speed transfer case, which are pre requisites to have serious off road capabilities, skid plates are helpful too.

The star of the day was the new 2010 4Runner, especially the Trail Edition with the Crawl Control. In serious off roading conditions, the golden rule is Low range on the transfer case and 1,000 to 1,500 RPM on the engine usually in 1st gear. Yes...you are crawling, and you are quite busy with the accelerator, brake, having 360 vision, negotiating the various obstacles, be it rocks, ruts, branches, water, and not losing momentum.

On a day like yesterday you have absolutely no desire to be in a position where you would have to stop, and have to get out of the truck, and deal with the rain, water, mud. Unless you want to take photos.

The 2010 4Runner Trail Edition with Crawl Control is anCrawl Control on left / Multi Terrain on right impressive, and phenomenal off road truck. Its pouring rain, the ruts are deep, mud is all over, the wet boulders are slippery. With the transfer case in Low range, the transmission in Drive, you engage the Crawl Control, enjoying your favorite satellite radio channel. This truck will go up, and down hills, that would totally challenge you in dealing with the accelerator, and brake.

If you need a vehicle with superlative off road capabilities, accompanied by the technology to make off roading completely effortless you owe it to your self to experience the Trail Edition version of the 2010 4Runner.

We had the opportunity to briefly experience the 2010 FJ Cruiser with a 6 speed manual transmission. The FJ Cruiser is the classic "old school" off roader where the driver is in full control. Compared to the 4Runner you are very focused, and constantly working all the controls to be in the correct gear, remain very smooth not to lose traction, or momentum.

All wheel drive street vehicles are very popular in Canada, and most folks would never expose their vehicles to the extreme conditions that were experienced yesterday. These street vehicles are not designed or engineered for off road conditions.

Its refreshing to see Toyota uphold the classic body on frame design, and apply technology to make extreme off roading easy, simple, and elegant.

4Runner competing in the Baja 1000

Harley-Davidson for 2010

2009-11-21T11:00:06Z

Its Saturday, its bikes, matte black, black chrome, ink, edgy sound track...do you think harley is targeteing a younger demographic?

Vro9m Ro9m

2009-11-20T00:16:34Z

Good Morning!

We have cappuccino and biscotti this morning!

We are fortunate that we are still enjoying moderate weather, there are still the occasional motorcycles on the road in mid November. If you have a motorcycle you certainly sneaked in at least one ride in the past few weeks. We did!

You may have missed our review of the CTS Sport Wagon. There seems to be a resurgence of 5 door sedans. Is a 5 door sedan a polite nomenclature for "hatchback"?

If you remember when Brawn GP turned down a long term sponsorship agreement with Virgin, it seemed strange. Perhaps it was an early indication of other options being considered. Is it surprising that Mercedes bought a majority stake of the Brawn team? You tell us...share your thoughts.

Canadian sales continue their progression, if you remember earlier this year several stakeholders were painting a gloomy scenario. In the meantime several dealers that closed quickly re opened as a dealer for other manufacturers that were seeking good locations, and facilities.

As for the actual sales...its coming along very well. Its surprising that no one mentions that high lease penetration in the previous years, generates sales when the leases come to term.

Are we still ranting this morning? Besides interiors, what is it with seats, especially front seats in vehicles. Its mind boggling that in 2009 the automotive industry does not know how to make a seat that fits the 95th percentile of the population. Are seat suppliers making a seat to fit human beings, or does the seat fit a budget? Have you ever seen a budget drive a vehicle?

Do manufacturers realize that a poor front seat, especially the driver seat is a deal breaker? In the meantime it seems that suppliers don't know how to make a seat that fits a human being. Its almost comical, and quite sad.

Ever wonder about the 12 Hour of Sebring 50 years ago? An informative photo gallery of the 1958 race.

Cra$h & Burn

2009-11-19T12:22:48Z

For some reason we watch less television, many shows follow the same "story line" in one form or another. Cra$h & Burn is a really cool show, especially that "insurance" (auto insurance) is often the subject of many discussions.

We had an opportunity to attend the premiere showing of Cra$h & Burn with the cast and crew, this by itself is an interesting experience (its electricity in the room). The show is edgy, creative, fun, with fast action, and jumps around (from claim to claim). We often mention "Twitter moments" this show is "insurance moments". Its very cool, and very Canadian.

Here is a brief overview of the show:

Starring Luke Kirby and Clark Johnson, Cra$h & Burn follows streetwise insurance adjuster Jimmy Burns (Kirby) as he navigates the gritty city streets of Hamilton. He is squeezed between the cutthroat corporate culture that is big insurance, the con artists that make a living claim by claim and the city-wide infiltration of organized crime. Throughout the series, Jimmy must dodge shifty clients, crooked lawyers, backstabbing co-workers and the Russian mob as he fights to keep his job. All the while, fighting to make a life for himself and struggling to grab a piece of the middle-class dream – home, family and security.

The new Nissan cube, which will co-star in all 13 hour-long episodes as it gets the hero, insurance investigator Jimmy Burns (Kirby), around town and acts as his mobile office on wheels to investigate insurance scams. Nissan vehicles will also show their acting range by playing several supporting roles in the show - and yes, they do all their own stunts!

Make it a point to watch Cra$h & Burn Wednesdays at 9 PM on Showcase TV. We agree...its easy to say that its just another show, this show is entertaining, informative, and fun.

Thoughts on Cars

2009-11-18T11:00:20Z

An assembly (to use automotive terms) of our thoughts, and we hope that it will get your thought process stimulated and provoked.

Direct Injection:

Have you noticed that direct injection gasoline engines have a tendency to emit similar sounds as a diesel engine which was always direct injection. Is it fair to say that direct injection gasoline engines have a "dieselish" sound? That subtle combustion knocking sound! Is it fair to say that gasoline engines are starting to sound like diesel engines.

LED:

You have certainly noticed the tendency towards LED lighting in various forms, and some manufacturers getting very creative with their usage of LED's...perhaps too creative. Other manufacturers are doing wonderful designs with LED's...fascinating to see the "me too" approach, and the original/innovative styling versions.

Winter Tires:

Yes it snows in our geographical area, to take correct advantage of the various active safety features on modern vehicles, we mean ABS, brake assist, traction control, electronic stability lets just say that its helpful to have proper traction and grip.

In addition if your insurance deductible is $1,000. for collision and you skid for lack of traction. How long does it take to inflict $1,000. of damage on a vehicle? Winter tires are a great investment.

Interiors:

This might be a rant...

We have a genuine affinity towards quality interiors in vehicles, especially that The Colonel has experienced, vinyl, materials of questionable quality, black rubber floor carpeting (not mats) what we understand as carpets.

Having read that a manufacturers lowered the price of their new model by a substantial amount. Initially you don't pay much attention, you conclude that its through cost savings, its an enhanced value proposition. Insert additional "buzzwords" that would apply...except that the new price is quite a bit lower. The next thought is "Where did they save the money?". When you look at any vehicle, ask yourself where manufacturer saved money.

We had an opportunity to peruse the interior of this new model, with the new value price. One look at the interior, an immediate WOW moment, followed by what happened....yes the interior is a major contributor towards the cost savings.

When you look at interiors:

Up to a price point we all have a tolerance for certain interior materials (usually plastic), with a certain feel (usually hard) and a certain texture (usually black). At another price point (usually a higher price), you would expect softer materials (still plastic but softer), with a warmer feel (not as hard), improved texture (more details), and perhaps a touch of wood and mood lighting. You are starting to see our perspective on interiors. When any manufacturer makes claims of luxury, raise the interior expectations accordingly.

As the price increases, the quality of the interior is expected to improve.

When you look at a vehicle, and it looks like the manufacturer "sold the interior" to save money, to presumably enhance the value proposition. Perhaps you should look at comparable offerings from other manufacturers.

Between the powertrain, electronics, and interior there are a myriad of variables that can be adjusted, and fine tuned, to save money from the easy to see, to the well hidden in the mechanical or electronic bowels. When it becomes blatant, perhaps its also telling you what else is going on.

From our perspective, selling the interior to lower the price, does not enhance the value proposition, it actually dilutes the value.

GSX-R

2009-11-17T17:00:46Z

Watch this Gixxer build itself...yes its cool.

via Hell for Leather

CTS Sport Wagon

2009-11-16T11:00:41Z

We have a CTS Wagon for a few days!

If you want to participate in the review, and we would appreciate your participation, leave us a comment here or @stradablog on Twitter.

The photo gallery of the CTS Sport Wagon.

Some points to consider:

Do you conside a Cadillac CTS a competent car?
Can we identify this car as a "sport wagon"? Or is it some sort of "cross over".
Many manufacturers are crossing over from something to something else.
Yes its rear wheel drive.
Do you like the styling of the Sport Wagon?
Your thoughts on the tail lights?
Would you buy a sedan or the sport wagon? Why?

Share your thoughts! Ask questions!

McLaren MP4-12C

2009-11-15T11:00:34Z

A video is worth how many words? For any "gear head" this is extreme coolness (did we just come up with a new term)....yes extreme coolness (EC).

If you have the resources to acquire one, McLaren has you drooling.....

Enjoy....

CR&S Duu

2009-11-14T11:00:19Z

Its Saturday, must be bikes...the CR&S Duu, informative with English subtitles...yes the engine is a V Twin from S&S

Vro9m Ro9m

2009-11-13T11:00:14Z

Good Morning....its Friday the 13...make it a lucky day!

Obvious we have cappuccino and biscotti.

If you are a motorcycle fan you are aware of the EICMA show this week in Milan. Some bikes (concepts) that grasped our attention: the BMW Concept 6 is interesting especially coming from BMW. The bike that caught us totally unprepared is the Moto Guzzi V12, never expected such a design from Guzzi.

With a heavy heart we returned to Camaro SS, we are driving a Buick LaCrosse CXS, its a wonderful car, impressive, Buick as a serious upstream swim as we like to say to elbow this car in the entry level luxury segment.

A few weeks ago I was talking about my encounter with an X6 M and wondering who would buy or lease such a vehicle. In the meantime there are more of these morphed or is it mashed up vehicles making their appearance from different manufacturers. It will be interesting to see how they evolve in the market.

A few tidbits that are blipping on our radar screen:

Social Media is developing its own brand of automotive intelligentsia. It will be interesting to see how it continues to develop, and evolve in the coming months.
The primary players in Social Media, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are collaborating, and joining forces. Must be, that many of the same folks are active on all 3 with perhaps different profiles. Another interesting development to watch.
At one time blogs especially the automotive kind, were niche publications, now it seems that automotive blogs are trying to everything and anything to everybody and anybody. It seems that more are going the route of "one size fits all".
As we have said several times,its easy to publish, anyone can publish, don't you just hate it when an individual is just carrying on with half a clue at best of what they are carrying on about.
Would this imply that there is a lot of "stuff" floating around in the blogosphere! Yes, we are being polite.
Have we reached a point were hard plastic in the interior of a car is "inexpensive" and soft plastic with a leather feel is "luxury"? Thoughts?
Increasingly as product parity prevails, and electronic hardware is identical, DESIGN and STYLING are extremely important.
Lets go a step further, design, styling, and PROVENANCE will make an immense difference in the market.
Like North America set the automotive pace for countless years, China will increasingly set the pace. Think of the various implications.
A meaningful competitive advantage is to be DISRUPTIVE in the market. Some manufacturers need to learn how to be disruptive....really disruptive.
Think of this: a genuine work pick up is now known as heavy duty and commercial. When most pick ups are sold as cars, the work versions are heavy duty?
Technology is fascinating, yesterday we had an impromptu Twitter moment, from nowhere we end out discussing the possibility of a V6 Z28, this conversation spanned Toronto, Connecticut, Texas, NY, and Texas again...really cool early morning exchange.

Spend a few moments admiring the Mario Righini Collection.

We follow John Thawley on Twitter @JThawley this is simply brilliant photography spend a few minutes perusing Sport Car Insider its time well spent.

In case you missed our post on the Desmosedici, Pierre Col from Lyon, France was kind enough to take the time to share photos of his Desmosedici...take a look. Make sure you click on his TouRR de France blog. Does it get much cooler than that? Going a step further, a few years ago we had an opportunity to spend a few days in Lyon, and today being Friday the 13th it would be motorcycles at Port Dover.

We are having our own Friday the 13th motorcycle moment!