Manual or automatic, THAT is the question

This past weekend I stopped at a local used car automall to do a little driving.

Here's the problem.  Almost a year ago, my beloved 5 speed CTS went to Wrecked Car  Heaven.
Don't want to go into details-still to painful to recall.

However, the time has come to seriously think about replacing the irreplaceable.

So, a-hunting I did go :  ONLINE.

'Tis true.  I actually went on line, then made a list of vehicles I wanted to drive.  It was a gorgeous day, and there were a few vehicles I have not been in, and I REALLY needed the rush of a little power in my paws, so I printed out a list of vehicles I savored and off I went.

Now, to be fair, the salespeople were really nice.  I told them I wasn't going to buy that day, but I did want to take a couple of vehicles out for a drive.

The first was a Chrysler Crossfire.
OK, I liked it...except for the fact that it was not manual.
I mean: THIS IS A COUPE!!!! It looks hot, It handles ok, but there is nothing fun about driving a roadster that you can't have a total connection to.

I mean, automatic: REALLY?    Besides that the visibility left a lot to be desired.  Not just the low profile windows....

Here is a hint to all dealers:
IF YOU WANT US TO TEST DRIVE YOUR VEHICLES: PLEASE FIND A WAY TO PUT A STICKER IN THE WINDOW THAT DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE ABILITY TO SEE!!!

3M: Create something dealers can use (PLEASE)

For the love of turbo: WHY?  In a world where technology is supreme,  there must be a way to get this information on the window of  a vehicle, and then remove it for a test drive-right? .   I have a major issue with pieces of paper on windows that make the drive hazardous not just foolish, but stupid.

Come on!

The salesperson had to keep rolling the window down (oh did I mention the temperature was nearly 100?) in order for me to see to the right.  EVERY vehicle had this issue.  *sigh*

I have digressed...

The Crossfire was great to look at, but the need to control the ride was greater than the look of the vehicle.
Next up, the Hyundai Veloster Turbo 3D Hatchback 6 speed.   Now, normally I would not have chosen this car...but the interesting paint really impressed me.  It was not your typical high gloss finish.  this was like gunmetal....satin to flat finish with the titanium color tone.  It was really beautiful: looked like a muscle car, I HAD to drive it...it was a 6 speed after all.

Well, the salesperson was not really excited with the idea of my driving a 6 speed.  Odd I thought,  then he asked if I COULD drive it.   I asked him if HE could, and therein lay the problem. "Nope- not comfortable with that"  (therefore wanted to be sure I was capable.) ..well, a fair question, but I must say I found humor, not insult in the query.  It has come to my attention that driving a straight stick is becoming a lost art form.  There are precious few of us who love the control of the vehicle, and more who want the easy, non-thinking way of driving.  I guess you can't shift and text at the same time...just my observation of course. And I'm sure that my being a woman in control of a 6 speed made him a bit nervous: after all HE couldn't drive it, and there was blonde in my hair...all points NOT in my favor.

But the test drive went well.  The response was wonderful and surprising.  Did not expect this from the Hyundai.  Unfair perhaps, but a true statement none the less.  The feel of the car was substantial.  Solid.  The handling was superb (given the fact that I only had a short area to test drive)

Hint to Dealers:  get together and invest in a track for test drives.  Yes, I said get together and invest in a track.  If there was a place to really test drive a car, that would do it. No, you don't need to build a speedway, just a track that would give us room to test maneuverability and handling in a controlled environment.  the car enthusiasts "Thank you"

 But then, I still had this aching in my heart for a Cadillac CTS, or XLR.  I just love the car.  Love the styling, love the ride, love the way it responds, love the sound system, the handling, and it is available as a 6 speed.   But I did not see one on the lot, and the aching continued.

I found that as much as it would make life easier to have an automatic transmission, There is no question in my book:
only a manual provides the rush of staying in contact with the vehicle...being one with the road.  The challenge of a flawless shift in gears, the ability to feel the engine as it moves through its paces...you just can't find that in an automatic.  

Manual: Mandatory for a serious driver.

Springtime and Convertibles

Spring is in the air across the USA and with this lovely weather (despite the fact that the price of gas is out of control) there is nothing better than the desire to get in the car and drive .

Its always nice to have a destination for some, but personally, I just love the opportunity to crank up the music, open the windows/sunroof/put the top down, and just breathe deep.

Blue skies and green lights.  Country roads where you can wind and downshift and feel the road, the wind in your hair(at least for me) smell the fresh earth, the plowed fields and watch the shadows of the clouds as they play on the road in front of you.

Now, open roads may not be available, and getting in the car for a spring drive may mean bumper to bumper traffic, and learning the art of patience.  The actual experience may be quite the opposite of the dream drive, but the key to making it a great drive is the vehicle.

On the open road, what turns you on? Straight drive (oh yeah baby!) or could it be automatic, where you are not required to think about coodinating hand, foot and transmission...In my case its a no brainer, but I was lucky and learned to drive a stick many years ago.  For me there is no better way to drive.  Most likely its all about control, feeling the road and knowing the concentation level is a bit higher. Pitting skill against the curves makes my heart beat faster.

Is the vehicle a sports car, luxury vehicle, van, SUV or truck? 

In spring, the most popular vehicles are convertibles.  hmm. not summertime you ask?  nope.  Spring.  the air is just warm enough-not stifling. We are TIRED of having been couped up inside all winter and are ready to play.  Its the perfect time of year.  By summer we want the a/c blasting to keep us cool.  In spring, no a/c is required and we can go topless. 

I grieved the day I heard Cadillac stopped making the XLR: it is everything I love in a car, sexy, fast, great lines, a hardtop convertible, and it gets the looks.OK, it was out my price range, but talk about a hot car! Oh well, there is always the Miata: its cute, sporty, a convertible and much easier on the pocketbook.  Sexy fun, yup, that will do.

Aston Martin has so many beautiful topless models (if you have $200,000 or so to spend) but since most of us have champaigne tastes and beer budgets, there are other more reasonable choices out there, like the Chrysler 200.  looks good...a bit of testosterone in the styling.  BMW, Mercedes, all have their strong points, and then of course there is my favorite: the Boxster.   Some day soon, you shall be mine, or I'll just find a great used Toyota MR2 Spyder (WHY did they stop manufacturing that car) which has all the looks of the Porche without the price tag or the maintenance costs. 


Never EVER underestimate the appeal of a convertible.  whether its on the open road or stuck in traffic, its still just about as good as it gets.