As I have mentioned before Top Gear is one of my favorite shows on TV. And I can't imagine any guy in the world who wouldn't want Jeremy Clarkson's job! I was reading somewhere how he got started of in this line of automotive journalism (or whatever its called). Apparently he tested a car when he was in journalism school and it went from there. I was just watching an interview where he quite directly admits as to not having really aimed to be what he is today. Well then, being a anthropology student who until a couple years ago used to wonder that how come a car with a 2 liter displacement doesn't use 2 liters of gas with every cycle, I am going to be as bold as to think that I can speak about some cars that I have driven. I mean, 'how hard can it be?' Until recently pretty much the only car I ever drove was my first car, a 14 year old Honda Accord. But when circumstances took that car to the scrapyard earlier this year, I had the opportunity to drive various cars from various sources. I'll admit that its not much more than half a dozen cars, but that means I can just put some them together in a short blog post.
So here goes, starting with my Honda Accord.
'97 Honda Accord LX: Now I'll admit I'll be heavily biased to this car since it was my first car. But judging by the number of same generation Accords I see running around everyday, I can assume its not just me. This cars a trooper. As with most if not all Japanese cars, little ever goes wrong with this one. You keep up regular oil changes and servicing, and the car will keep going. You want to take an impromptu trip to Las Vegas at 8pm, It'll take you there in about 35$ of gas. That's a good 300+ miles in 10 gallons. Now there may be cars with better gas economy, But then consider that the Accord has a 2.2 L engine, unlike a Prius which has a 1.3L one connected to half a ton of batteries and a ceiling fan motor that takes you around at about 20miles an hour on its own. Plus the Accord was spacious, very comfortable and very well equipped for its time and price range. The console is simple and straightforward. All buttons and levers are at the right places. Brilliant brilliant car. It'll be sorely missed.
2011 Ford Focus: I had driven this car a little back in 2009, back when I used to be completely clueless about how cars work, and I had kept my doubts back due to that. But when after 3 years I drove 2 different Ford Focuses and felt exactly the same way I knew that it wasn't me. If I had to describe the Ford Focus in one word, it would have to be "confused". The car is a everyday driving car. Agreed its been modified and turbocharged for Ken Block to use. But because they did that, they felt they need to make a road car that has the gear ratios and gear changes like the rally car. The car won't change up until it reaches about 5000 revs. Now of course in motor sport this could be brilliant, but this is a road car. It whines to 4000 revs in first when you are setting off at a green light. Now you might say that I can control it if I know how to use a throttle pedal. Ok. Then check this out. I was driving along at around 35mph. I did not move my foot by a millimeter, but suddenly the car is revving to 5000. For no apparent reason. You can either press it down a little and get no response from the engine or press down about half an inch more and have the engine blasting to ridiculous revs. Its like there's a little troll sitting between the pedal and the engine instead of an ECU. If you want to show off, this car tries it for you. But then you might have someone with a Camaro pull up next to you and his idling will drown out your pedal to the floor noise. If you want to feel like you are riding a unstable bull while driving to the store at 40 mph, this car will be perfect for you. But if you want a car which behaves normally look elsewhere.
So here goes, starting with my Honda Accord.
'97 Honda Accord LX: Now I'll admit I'll be heavily biased to this car since it was my first car. But judging by the number of same generation Accords I see running around everyday, I can assume its not just me. This cars a trooper. As with most if not all Japanese cars, little ever goes wrong with this one. You keep up regular oil changes and servicing, and the car will keep going. You want to take an impromptu trip to Las Vegas at 8pm, It'll take you there in about 35$ of gas. That's a good 300+ miles in 10 gallons. Now there may be cars with better gas economy, But then consider that the Accord has a 2.2 L engine, unlike a Prius which has a 1.3L one connected to half a ton of batteries and a ceiling fan motor that takes you around at about 20miles an hour on its own. Plus the Accord was spacious, very comfortable and very well equipped for its time and price range. The console is simple and straightforward. All buttons and levers are at the right places. Brilliant brilliant car. It'll be sorely missed.
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| Always the best, until I get a new one :) |
2011 Ford Focus: I had driven this car a little back in 2009, back when I used to be completely clueless about how cars work, and I had kept my doubts back due to that. But when after 3 years I drove 2 different Ford Focuses and felt exactly the same way I knew that it wasn't me. If I had to describe the Ford Focus in one word, it would have to be "confused". The car is a everyday driving car. Agreed its been modified and turbocharged for Ken Block to use. But because they did that, they felt they need to make a road car that has the gear ratios and gear changes like the rally car. The car won't change up until it reaches about 5000 revs. Now of course in motor sport this could be brilliant, but this is a road car. It whines to 4000 revs in first when you are setting off at a green light. Now you might say that I can control it if I know how to use a throttle pedal. Ok. Then check this out. I was driving along at around 35mph. I did not move my foot by a millimeter, but suddenly the car is revving to 5000. For no apparent reason. You can either press it down a little and get no response from the engine or press down about half an inch more and have the engine blasting to ridiculous revs. Its like there's a little troll sitting between the pedal and the engine instead of an ECU. If you want to show off, this car tries it for you. But then you might have someone with a Camaro pull up next to you and his idling will drown out your pedal to the floor noise. If you want to feel like you are riding a unstable bull while driving to the store at 40 mph, this car will be perfect for you. But if you want a car which behaves normally look elsewhere.
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| Just because you roar, it doesn't make you a lion! |
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