Part 3: Driving the Ferrari F430, Audi R8 and Porsche Cayman

Part 3 of 3 of the Club Sportiva Exotic Car Experience http://www.clubsportiva.com/

Ferrari F430

Wow. Awesome. This is unreal. Amazing! Those were my thoughts as I pulled out and hit the throttle. Now I get it about Ferrari. It was all thrust and sound. There was no vibration, rumbling, driveline lash, hesitation, nothing. The drivetrain is so superbly engineered, there is no feeling of slack or looseness, only a push in your back. Nor does the rear end squat either. It's purely gas 'n' go.

It was incredibly fast - the only one that caused the scenery to blur since I'm not acclimated to that kind of acceleration. It felt simply relentless. The howl from the Tubi exhaust hit notes you've always wanted to hear. I love a roaring V8, but that is like a bass guitar from Led Zeppelin versus the Ferrari's lead guitar from Eddie Van Halen. Applying throttle in different rpm ranges caused different exhaust notes. It was heavenly.

Handling? It felt like the wider but just as response big-brother to the Lotus without the harshness. Granted, the road I was on, 84 heading towards the coast, is one of the best. And so was this car. The view outward was excellent. The hood slopes sharply downward so the road looks close. The windshield is surprisingly close as well. If you have a radar detector, it will be close at hand.

I've driven the first generation Lamborghini Gallardo, and the F430 is a more desirable car. But I would have to spend time in the new LP560 and Porsche GT3 RS before making a decision if I had to choose just one among those three greats. If you could have each one, that would be ideal.

This is car really stood out. It was awe inspiring. A must-have in my mind and now I understand why Car & Driver said, "This is the world's most desirable sports car, bar none." in July 2005. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/05q3/aston_martin_db9_vs._ferrari_f430_ford_gt_lamborghini_gallardo_m-b_sl65_amg_porsche_911_turbo_s_cabriolet-comparison_tests/ferrari_f430_page_2

Audi R8

The exotic daily driver. Before I got in it, I noticed it was the only car without a hood ornament. The big side intake piece seems to make the car look more upright from the side. This one was a very conservative color too. But when you're following it, you notice how wide the bodywork and tires really are. The front has a very distinctive array of 12 LEDs on each side and is immediately recognizable from a distance in the rear view mirror.

When you get in the car, it's readily apparent how wide it is with a comfortable and luxurious interior. The gear shift lever is a large, heavy piece in a large gate, sitting up high. It felt a bit tight, but it was great. The layout of the dash was lower and angled away from the occupants like the big Aston. The V8 sound behind was very nice and almost turbine-like. I never got a sense of the AWD but it was sure smooth and effortless. This is the car to have as a daily driver of the group if you want a hardtop coupe. The F430 for weekends and summer evenings.

Porsche Cayman S

Everything seemed right. I wish I had more time in this car on various roads. I was quite comfortable, decently quick, fun to drive. It was a little small inside and I did notice there are no cupholders in the center armrest area. Not really a problem though, right? I understand the driving enthusiast scoffing at the thought. But what about a water bottle or protein drink? Surely a cupholder for that is a requirement, right? One point I found objectionable for a long distance was the gearing. Sixth gear spun at 3,000rpm at 75mph at which point I was aware of the engine sound behind me. I don't dare call it noise, but it was noticeable. These close ratios could be considered a benefit on the tracks in the U.S., but for an everyday car, I would have to pass.

Interestingly my notes state it is an easy daily driver like the Audi. And yet later while thinking about it, while it's driving dynamics are very good, it isn't an extreme car. I can do without cupholders or steering wheel controls for satellite radio but only for driving a track weapon or a car with nutso power. But as a "daily", I want my creature comforts.

More time in all the cars would have been better, but that is how a great car should always leave you feeling. Tired of horrendous depreciation? Do you want to fulfill your dream of experiencing exotic cars on great roads? Then I highly recommend the Club Sportiva experience.

Club Sportiva Part 2: Driving the Aston Martin, Ferrari F355 and Lotus Elise, part 2 of 3

Part 2 of 3 of the Club Sportiva Driving Experience http://www.clubsportiva.com/

Aston Martin DB9 Volante:

My first drive was in the Aston Martin DB9 Volante. This 450hp V-12 grand tourer is a wonderfully styled machine with effortless power and an elegant interior. The excuse for rear seats allows a small bag behind you. The lack of a gear shift selector is at first disconcerting, but once shown the push button start, park and drive buttons are easy to use. Gear selection for the 6-speed automatic is via paddle shifters on the steering column. This means they don't rotate with the steering wheel so you don't confuse your shifting. The V-12 starts with a brief bark and then settles into a smooth, quiet idle.

Interestingly, in the Drive mode, the upshifts are very smooth at full throttle. Also, at the speeds I was able to obtain, 6th had to be manually selected. I was a little surprised at the amount of wind noise, but it didn't have a wind blocker behind the seats. The ride was compliant but the weight was evident when turning and a slight amount of cowl shake which surprised me. However, the Aston Martin DB9 was definitely the comfortable cruiser of the group.

Ferrari F355:

Driving the Ferrari F355 was a treat. This low-slung, mid-engine V8 convertible has the slightly odd ergonomics of older Italian imports. It had a nice soundtrack behind my head singing a song you don't hear every day. The brake pedal is very close to the throttle to facilitate heel-toe shifting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heel-and-toe however the throttle is far off to the right side, forcing a somewhat spread-leg driving position. It really is meant for someone who doesn't have wide feet.

Sitting very low was confident inspiring on the twisting roads and surprisingly, the ride felt quite compliant over the bumps. I did notice the engine was a bit peaky, not a lot of low-end torque. But once singing, it was exciting. It definitely required high revs to access the powerband. My co-driver was aware of this and informed me as such when I took the wheel to keep the rpms over 3,500rpm for acceleration. The gated shifter required some getting used to, but I wasn't complaining.

The Ferrari is a fun convertible that stays true to its roots. Easy clutch take-up, easy to drive, no electronic driving aids or nannys, it looks sexy and drives very nicely.

Lotus Elise:

The Go-Kart. This little car was surprisingly fun. Getting in and out required a special technique but once inside, I was so wrapped up in driving that I looked at the dashboard three times, period. First time was to notice how small the steering wheel was. Again, like a go-kart or a bumper car. Considering the car weighs less than a ton, it makes sense. The second time I looked down was to notice the shift light. Not something I paid attention to since it seemed so intuitive. The third time I looked down, I noticed the tachometer numbers 1 through 3, denoting 1,000 through 3,000 rpm, were so closely spaced together, they were useless. Talk about lack of torque! What a contrast to a car I have drag raced in the past on street tires had an optimal launch rpm in the 1,200 to 1,500 rpm range.

Driving it was superb, so balanced and communicative. The steering wheel tells your hands everything about the road; the slightest undulations, dips and bumps in the pavement. The power in the midrange was good, better than I expected and the extra kick from the Toyota/Yamaha 1.8 liter engine when the variable valve timing activates was pretty neat. But when you're not pushing it with all your attention on the road, it's ride is wiggly-jiggly over uneven pavement.

Even if you're a straight-line, big torque fan, but enjoy going to the go-kart track, you'll enjoy this car too. Just don't plan a weekend trip.

The mountain roads provided the perfect setting for these three open-top cars. But I was now ready for lunch amongst the trees, and the other Ferrari that was waiting for me...

Club Sportiva - an Exotic Car driving experience part 1 of 3

This is part 1 of 3 articles. Parts 2 & 3 cover the cars themselves.

What an amazing day for a car enthusiast. This is a must-do for anyone, and I stress anyone, who has ever wanted to know what it's like to drive an exotic car. Especially on some of the best roads imaginable favored by enthusiasts on two wheels and four. You must be able to drive a manual transmission and a driving academy is offered in case you don't know how. The exotic cars were the Ferrari F430, Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Audi R8, Lotus Elise, Ferrari F355 substituting for the Lamborghini Gallardo and a Porsche Cayman. http://www.clubsportiva.com/

Everyone involved made the event just about perfect. The morning started at the fascinating Club Auto Sport http://www.clubautosport.net/ facility with a continental breakfast in the Club Sportiva car condominium. The six person group size made for an intimate affair with easy introductions and smiles. The cars were all parked in the hallway outside of the condo space. There was a quick tour of the facility and overview of the vehicles along with a briefing before the staff lined them up outside and took photos of the group and then individually with each car.

I have to give kudos to Rick and his staff who were fun, professional and knowledgeable. There was never a sales pitch for membership throughout the event, just fun, informative conversation. They are an enthusiastic group and never too chatty. You can learn a lot from them. They all made sure we were well hydrated on this hot day and Rick announced several times that sunscreen was available. That is unexpected thoughtfulness for his customers, especially for this pale-skinned mutt. After all, 3 of the cars were convertibles or targa top!

About the car variety, which was excellent: 3 mid-engine V-8s, a front engine V-12, a mid-engine inline 4-cylinder (in a very light car), a rear-engined boxer 6 (horizontally opposed). Whether the car or powertrain was Italian, German, British or Japanese, the variety was excellent. They were in great condition and even the F355 with 67K miles on it was superb. When was the last time you heard of a Ferrari with that many miles on it? There were a couple of minor glitches with the cars that actually made the experience more fun. Driving on the lightly traveled, twisting mountain and coastline roads sure helped.

Take a look at listings of exotic cars for sale. Notice how there are almost all low miles and priced many tens or sometimes hundreds of thousands less than the original MSRP? The concept of Club Sportiva, either to taste, rent or share ownership is a great idea. Buyers of these cars will lose far more in depreciation and sometimes they are not driven any more frequently, so why not rent instead of buy, right? Not only that, the benefits and events add to the overall "experience". So, are you experienced?

Part 2 will cover my experience with the Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Ferrari F355 and Lotus Elise.

Vaporware: 2500hp Mosler MT900 GTR XX Landshark

There is some internet buzz currently about what is supposed to be the worlds fastest car, a 2,500hp (not a typo) highly modified Mosler. And I stress highly. Unfortunately after reading the specifications, I realized this car is vaporware, an urban legend. I've seen the car itself in person a few weeks ago at the Palo Alto Concours D'elegance and it is stunning. http://www.examiner.com/x-5826-San-Jose-Autos-Examiner~y2009m7d3-Palo-Alto-Concours-Delegance--best-bang-for-the-buck I wish I had a chance to talk to the owner, Mr. John Gocha'. Had I known what was claimed, I would have waited for hours to do so. I'll do cartwheels while singing Usher and post it on YouTube if it is actually equipped as stated, let alone perform as suggested. Here are the specs: http://www.worldcarfans.com/109050819220/mosler-mt900-gtr-xx-twin-turbo-land-shark-revealed I tried to contact Mr. Gocha' for a statement based on my concerns but did not receive a response as of the date of publication.

First, what is a Mosler? A fantastic supercar in it's own right http://www.moslerauto.com/ with racing pedigree. Note that the lightweight version weighs 1,980lbs and has a Chevrolet sourced Corvette Z-06 engine, 427 cubic inches called the LS7. A call to Mosler confirmed they have nothing to do with this project. Car and Driver tested a Mosler against some of the quickest production cars at Virginia International Raceway. It smoked them all, including the phenomenal Viper ACR: http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/122224/1656509/version/1/file/The+Lightning+Lap%2C+2008+Results.pdf

Here are the unbelievable aspects obtained from the source below. Some are minor, some are incredulous. http://www.worldcarfans.com/109050819220/mosler-mt900-gtr-xx-twin-turbo-land-shark-revealed#
381 cubic inches, 2,500 hp at 10,000 rpm. This is from a small-block motor that has been "stroked" or longer piston travel. Already stressed, with an extremely high redline for any pushrod motor. This engine can exist, but it only "lives" a quarter-mile at a time. A top speed run would be impossible before it grenades. The required cooling capacity for sustained running at 1000hp, let alone 2,500hp, is enormous. Those two big turbos and exhaust will create incredible heat levels coping with the claimed horsepower.

High-flow catalytic converters and mufflers. These restrictions would have to be removed for 2,500hp output capability. A minor point, granted.

Active suspension control implies the stock suspension has been re-done. The stock suspension was already a race-based double wishbone design with adjustable shocks. And then it states 3-way adjustable racing shocks in addition to the active suspension. So which is it, exactly?

Prototype 8-speed transmission with paddle shifters. First, there are no paddles shown in the photos. Second, retro-fitting a clutchless automated transmission that can withstand the supposed horsepower level is a huge endeavor worthy of a major manufacturer. And even then it would be a challenge. Bugatti's dual-clutch transmission is a 7speed design and it was a big challenge for "just" 1000hp.

Titanium/carbon fiber all wheel drive system. One of the biggies here. A mid-engine, rear wheel drive car has a redesigned powertrain that adds more components including a driveshaft and half-shafts to the front along with another differential. I don't buy it.

The aerodynamics are hardly changed to cope with the staggering requirements for cooling and air induction. The Bugatti has 10 radiators and makes 1,500 LESS horsepower. It is also all-wheel drive too. Supposedly there is a second fuel tank for methanol containing 10.5 gallons. May I ask where is all this hardware being packaged? This leads me to my next major point of contention.

It has a different chassis than the Mosler. Basically this car has been entirely redesigned inside the body. And the claimed weight is 1,709 lbs without fuel. The lightweight Photon edition Mosler weighs 1,980 lbs without fuel. In other words, the carbon fiber chassis was ditched for a lighter one, big twin turbos were added along with associated plumbing and an all-wheel drive system. And it still lost 271 lbs. Impossible.. An open cockpit, minimalist, small-engined Formula One car weighs 1,333 lbs and has the most advanced materials available.

This vehicle has the most amazing specifications on paper one could imagine. Unfortunately I'm going to call this one as a fake. I don't doubt some or all of these separate components exist or are in development. However, I don't believe for a minute this vehicle is equipped as stated nor is it functional as such. The "hood" isn't open an any pictures and the steering wheel is a dead giveaway. This car is just hype and as they say on TV, this myth is busted.

Update: At the Barrett Jackson Auction in Las Vegas in October 2016, this car, since engine swapped with little else, sold for $220,000. I messaged the new owner because the listed equipment level is highly suspect but the description no longer claims AWD and an 8speed transmission. However it does state the transmission has been replaced for a lighter "custom" unit, it has 4 fuel tanks but configured for two, and two 20lb nitrous bottles. 

Breaking news: Viper stays, but what now?

Some of the best news in recent months for enthusiasts broke today: The sale of the Viper division is off the table! http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090710/CARNEWS/907109988

Anything that holds the production car record at the infamous Nurburgring in Germany has some legs from a sales standpoint. http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=3&fID=0&tID=10073And that also translates to profits as costs come down.

Yes, this is a reversal of my previous position regarding the reason to sell. It is no longer Chrysler in survival mode, but rather Fiat recognizing a position in the marketplace as technological advancements with so many other sports cars make the Viper more and more unique as it remains unchanged. But the horsepower race, sadly, is still over.

Sure the Viper can be made faster, but when horsepower levels exceed those in race cars, what happens next under the hood? Exactly - nothing. The Viper can remain the high horsepower purists car with no electronic nannies interfering with the throttle or suspension. That's right, the Viper is becoming the purist's car because the others are getting more sophisticated with various forms of electronic engine and suspension management. Examples included the suspensions on the Corvette ZR1 and Porsches.

The car itself can be improved in terms of refinement or interior amenities and that can get expensive to develop and for the buyer to purchase. The other way to improve it is by weight loss. "Adding lightness" per the mantra of Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, is the other direction it can go. Expensive yes, but very potent. All wheel drive isn't going to happen either.

As I said before though, the horsepower race is essentially over. http://www.examiner.com/x-5826-San-Jose-Autos-Examiner~y2009m3d21-Viper-sale-signals-the-end-of-the-horsepower-race Putting the Viper sale on the block a while back was the sign. It isn't so much gas prices as it is the physics of rubber on pavement. As much as I want to drive a car every day that can lift the front wheels off the ground so I can "live my life ten seconds at a time", those wrinkle-wall slicks are lousy in the twisties. If I go to the track, I want a Viper ACR. But until then, I'll just keep reminiscing about the time I went for a ride in a Lamborghini Murcielago - that all wheel drive meant it laid all the power down.

The proper comparison of Pony Cars

Only AutoWeek (AW) did the proper comparison of the current Pony Cars. The testers don't drive very well, but they trumped Motor Trend and Car & Driver. The June 15th issue of AW featured a comparison test of the new Chevrolet Camaro SS, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and Dodge Challenger SRT-8. http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090612/CARNEWS/906129990

Why is this test better than rest? It isn't because of the performance results, it's because they compared the top-of-the-line models from each manufacturer. Car & Driver didn't do it right in the July 2009 issue: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/coupes/2010_chevy_camaro_ss_vs_2010_ford_mustang_gt_2009_dodge_challenger_r_t_comparison_test

and neither did Motor Trend in the June 2009 issue: http://www.motortrend.com/multimedia/wallpaper/112_0906_2010_camaro_2009_challenger_2010_mustang_wallpaper/index.html

Before I get into the problem with the performance numbers, what is overlooked is market segment vs. pricing. When shopping for over $30k domestic performance coupes, the enthusiast is going to shop capability first, price second. These magazines are bringing existing models to a test with the new Camaro SS. Since the SS is the top performer in the Camaro model line-up, don't bring the Challenger R/T, bring the SRT-8. Doesn't it make sense to see how a 426hp Chevy does against a 425hp Dodge? The Mustang GT, at 315hp, doesn't belong either. Bring the 540hp GT500. So what if the GT500 is nearly $51k. The Camaro is $37k and the Dodge nearly $44k.

Yes, the Camaro is a bargain, but a used GT500 is in the same range. And the Challenger SRT-8 new or used, is close enough as well. So again, AW did the right thing by comparing a the top models to each other.

What about the driving? Well in the simplest terms, when the 425hp Dodge is clocked from 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds, that is garbage. Literally. Especially when other sources are clocking the 376hp R/T version in 5.1 seconds. If the car is faulty, get another from the press pool or at least tell us the quarter-mile results. All of models tested in AW are capable of mid/high 4-second blasts. And that is only part of the story.

The 0-60mph test is valid but there is much more to straight line performance. The Mustang GT has it's lunch handed to it by the others in the quarter mile and in the triple digits. Take a look at the Car & Driver story. The 0-140mph times are 22.3 seconds, 27.7 seconds and the GT might as well give up at 34.2 seconds. These are enormous gaps at triple digit speeds. Who drives that fast and where you ask? Well considering the 60-130mph measurement is becoming the new standard, if you're still asking, you're not in the market for a 400hp car, are you? http://www.examiner.com/x-5826-San-Jose-Autos-Examiner~y2009m3d21-New-performance-standard-of-60mph-to-130mph-replacing-the-quartermile-drag-race

The bottom line is when the top model warrants a comparison, bring in the heavy hitters, not the price leaders. Once you have that resolved, drive 'em to their ability just like your competition and the owners themselves.

Photo: The 2010 Mustang GT at 315hp is quick, but is Car & Driver's top pick despite being the slowest, by far. http://www.desktopcar.net/ford/mustang/Ford_Mustang_2010_01.jpg.html

Palo Alto Concours D'elegance - best bang for the buck

This has to be one of the best displays of automotive excellence in the country for $20, bar none. June 28th was the 43rd year and it never disappoints. Considering the variety easily rivals the big one in Pebble Beach at $150 per person, you can't go wrong. This year Porsche and Mustang were the featured marques. After thirty years in the Chicago suburbs, even though I was about 1 hour from three dragstrips at the time, living in California can really spoil you if you're into the automotive culture. http://www.paconcours.com/

At this particular show were some very, very rare sights. Topping my list is a Ferrari F-50. The rarest of the modern Ferrari's. Seeing this car is so unusual that the largest Ferrari gathering in the country, the Concorso Italiano, doesn't always have one. It was a real treat to see it again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_F50

I've never seen a Mosler on display either. It is strangely similar to a Saleen S7, but then again, you can only cheat the air in so many ways. For me the dark grey was the wrong color, but then again it resembled something from another planet that just happened to stop by. In red or yellow, it couldn't fly under the radar, literally. But in grey, it was like a UFO. http://www.moslerauto.com/

Even though a local dealer brought it, I've never seen a Ferrari California in person. At first I couldn't comprehend what it was. I thought a chop-top 599GTB? That would be heresy! But it did seem large...and then a split second later it dawned on me - a California! A number of "firsts" for Ferrari: Front-engine V8, dual-clutch transmission and hard-top convertible. I wish it wasn't under the tent - the proximity to the poles and the shade detracted from it's presence. I'm undecided about it's size and vertically stacked tailpipes. But I wouldn't kick it out of the garage for eating crackers!

A 1974 Datsun Skyline; one of the early generations of the current Nissan GTR, right-hand drive and all. A Corvette C5-R race car from 2002, which I've actually seen race at Laguna Seca and perhaps even Sears Point. The valve cover said Corvette SRT. Interesting Chrysler/Dodge picked up that moniker and ran with it.

There was a 1959 Ferrari Testarossa sitting virtually overlooked at times. I was told it's value was approximately $1.5 million. A stunning car with classic racing lines, velocity stacks for engine air intake poking through a cut-out in the hood and blue seats. Yes, it was red, of course! It was in the always spectacular "Gallery of Greats" along with the C5R and the Mosler.

The classic Porsche representation was good, although I think there should have been more emphasis on modern Porches. The Porsche race cars still look like serious business today with timeless gorgeous lines. The Mustangs had an impressive showing with a lot of GT350s. You know you're in California when that many special edition Mustangs show up in one place. For the aficionado, the displays were indeed impressive.

There were other displays that made for interesting variety. The classic trailers was one along with police cars from the past. The cop cars were interesting, all the various makes and models over the years. Hey! I just realized, the four-door Dodge Charger should have been called the Dodge Interceptor! Many complain the car was mis-named due to having 4 doors. Interceptor would have been perfect!

Unlike the Concorso Italiano, the vendor displays were minimal and there was even a greyhound rescue organization there as well. Obviously dealer participation is welcome - last year was the first time I saw the new ZR1 Corvette and Nissan GT-R. The year prior to that was the Audi R8. This year the Ferrari California.

There is a "Coral" for non-judged cars which can have some of most interesting vehicles including the F-50. If you have a car that isn't pedestrian, I recommend the Coral since you get a great parking spot, a place to picnic with the car and a deal for admission. There is also a "for sale" area.

The Green car display, off in a corner, really wasn't too interesting since there were a couple of Teslas in the Coral and Smart cars can be seen on the showroom floor. But it's a good idea because there is innovation in that field with conversions and modifications to existing vehicles. So giving them a venue besides the internet is definitely worthwhile. http://www.teslamotors.com/ http://www.smartusa.com/

There were so many notable cars it is really a disservice to try to describe them all. With donations annually typically over $100,000 to 35 charity organizations and an incredible variety of makes and models even a non-car person can enjoy the sights and ambiance of this show. Would you laugh if I said if it wasn't for the ninety-degree temperatures, doing a little celebratory jig or rolling around in the grass with a grin on my face wouldn't be exactly out of the question for this car enthusiast?

Accidents - What I've learned

I've witnessed some spectacular accidents. And I use that word purposefully because the injuries were seemingly minor. But the sites, sounds and lessons learned and reinforced were very memorable. When you're on the road 18,000 miles per year in the car alone and the vast majority of that in the suburbs, you tend to see a lot of things happen. I wrote about one before in my "Lower Those Lifted Trucks!" article but there are few more to share and the lessons that were reinforced.

Of course, I've been in a few myself in decades past. I'd rather not get into any details to save myself embarrassment, but let's just say be sure to look both ways or ahead before proceeding. Low speed, no injuries, thank the Lord.

The NASCAR crash. I was southbound out of Pleasanton on 680 on a Monday afternoon in a torrential downpour. I was talking to my non-car brother on the phone at the time. A strangely recurring coincidence. Driving my front-wheel drive car in the left lane, I felt some familiar tugging on the steering wheel and that spraying water sound that told me I was hydroplaning a bit. I slowed down a little and noticed traffic was passing me. I made my way over into the far right lane.

One of the cars passing me on the far left lane was a beautiful Lexus coupe from the early-mid nineties. Remember that car? Six or eight cylinder versions, I remember reading years ago new sheet metal forming technology was invented by Toyota for the front end. This is also the same platform used by Toyota for the 4th generation (MKIV) Supra but shortened 4 to 5 inches if memory serves. Somewhat of a legendary car from a tuning standpoint. http://www.mkivforums.com/vb/ and http://www.supraforums.com/forum/ for example.

Anyway, I'm chatting with my brother, keeping an eye on this rear-drive car in this pouring rain and sure enough! Look out! The Lexus was about a car length ahead of me when it fishtailed right and then swung around left, fast, rear end against the divider wall. I'm yelling "Holy cow!" into the phone while pieces of rear bumper and bodywork start flying all over the middle and left lanes. I can't brake too hard because I'll get rear ended, but I look left and see him clutching the steering wheel riding out the storm as I go by. Poor guy. People behind him are stopping so I get off the phone to call 911 to report the accident and continue to San Jose.

I called my brother back and he encouraged me to go ahead and order the new tires I was starting to need.

Lessons: Don't drive too fast for conditions, make sure your equipment is within safety standards, counter-steer into the turn. Honestly, in the limited space he had, counter maneuvers may or may not have worked for him.

The Shotgun crash: I was sitting at "my" intersection waiting for the arrow to make a u-turn when it happened. Don't you have your own roads or intersections too? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgKtihDtooQ The windows were open and I was just waiting for the arrow. All of a sudden, "CRASH!". A horrendous sound, I thought someone had opened up with both barrels outside my passenger window. My head jerked right to see who the heck was shooting! Really, the sound is almost indescribable but we've all heard it before on TV. What happened was an SUV apparently ran a red light and hit the right-front of a car going through the intersection, hard. The speed could have been as high as 45mph since many drive 10mph over the limit.

I got on the phone, called in the accident and parked in a nearby lot to check on the victim. The two passengers in the SUV seemed okay but I deferred to the victim first anyway. He was shook-up and I'm sure really, really sore the next day. Hopefully that was all. I didn't stay to make a statement, since others witnessed it directly, instead of just that awful sound. A friend of mine, Wayland Joe, a two-time SCCA Runoff Champion has had some high-speed accidents in his racing career in the IMSA Cup Car Series. http://www.imsachallenge.com/ The advice he was given was to immediately take Advil after the accident to help alleviate the pain that was sure to come.

Lessons: Pay attention to traffic signals! Look both ways when crossing an intersection. Take some Advil if you have some bad luck. And let's pray all you have is soreness!

The Felony Crash: Once again, talking to my non-car brother on the phone, I was eastbound on Stevens Creek Boulevard in the left lane. Suddenly I was passed by an older, mid-eighties Cutlass in the right lane at a very high rate of speed, in heavy traffic! I said "No way is he gonna..." and "Bang!" The Cutlass was traveling so fast it couldn't change lanes quickly enough and it rear ended an Audi convertible. The Audi was pushed off the road, over a curb, over a signal box, bouncing along the way and came to a rest in a parking lot. The Cutlass, severely damaged in the front end, immediately veered right, crashing into the curb and light pole. Two "youths", i.e. stupid criminals, leaped out and took off running. I briefly debated pulling up along side before they could get out so closely they couldn't open the door. But I don't happen to be bulletproof and at best it would mean a dented and scratched up side of my car.

The police were in hot pursuit, hence the "urgent" driving of the getaway car and went after them. Apparently they were observed stealing and ran. I went to the parking lot where the Audi was and learned I knew the occupant from business. Poor guy was really sore already and had whiplash.

Lesson reinforced: Always wear your seatbelt and have your seat properly adjusted to support your head and neck, check your mirrors. Simplistic basics: Don't be a stupid criminal, run from the cops and drive too fast, okay?

The Lousy Citizen Accident: This one really stick in my craw. During rush hour I noticed a motorcyclist in full riding gear on what appeared to be a small-engined sport bike. As a motorcyclist, I always pay attention to the bike, gear and rider to see what's what. Especially during rush hour. Oddly enough, I was on the phone again but this time with my Mom. For those of you who are local, I pulled into the long, sweeping, two lane left-hand turn lanes for Brokaw to turn onto 880 Southbound. I was probably a good ten cars back, maybe twelve? The motorcyclist did the safest thing - he cut lanes to the front of the parallel line of cars waiting to turn. He was now out of the way of traffic and and couldn't be rear-ended sitting there.

The light turned green and the rider immediately started turning. Unfortunately the rider looked into the turn and didn't check the intersection. It's not a simple left-hander, it's a greater-than-ninety-degrees turn with a dip. It requires you too look deep into the turn. But he didn't check the intersection and a small pick-up truck came sailing through from the street on the right, turning left. I started to utter something and even if I had laid on the horn, I don't know if it would have helped. But if I wasn't on the phone, I would have for sure. What the hell was everyone else ahead of me doing? Sitting on their hands?

The truck never stopped and broadsided the motorcyclist. It seemed like it was in slow motion, horrible and painful as the rider was ejected from the bike and tumbled with an awful sound of the helmet and bike hitting the pavement. I exclaimed, "Oh NO! I've gotta go Mom, I'm fine, I just witnessed an accident!". And you know what? There must have been at least 20 people ahead of me that never stopped! Surely one of them at least had medical training beyond my bandage and antibiotic routine from cuts and scrapes. Even so, they could have gotten to the fallen rider before me!

I got on the phone with 911 and waited for the police and ambulance. A few others stopped as well. The rider suffered lower leg injuries and he and I talked later, he's doing better. I told the officer at the scene what happened as the other witnesses did as well and saw that the rider was being attended to. I then left and went home. Yes the pick-up driver was there and it was obvious he felt very bad.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. And one of our obligations is to help our fellow man. You may not like it, but that isn't just a rule of the road, it's a fundamental human obligation. I'm stepping of my soap box soon, thank you for bearing with me.

Lessons learned and reinforced are multiple: Look before crossing an intersection, wear full safety gear on the motorcycle, stop and help those in need, don't run red lights and pay attention.

I didn't want to sensationalize these accidents, but if reading about them helps one person check for traffic or signals and avoid an accident, I did my duty as a citizen.

Porsches don't show well - a 911 Twin Turbo review

But they sure do drive well. Interestingly, a Porsche is like a Harley. No two are exactly alike but I'll get to that later. First in the looks department, it ends up being the back marker. The car is amazing by any standard but let me explain my position.

By itself, a Porsche is a beautiful car. But they are very "buttoned up" and tidy. Like a beauty contestant in a one-piece bathing suit next the bikinis, i.e. Ferraris and Lamborghinis. What was once a traffic accident-causing distraction is now forgotten. Hence the bane of Porsches at car shows like the Concorso Italiano. http://www.concorso.com/ The Ferraris and Lamborghinis really show it all off. Exposed mechanicals, see-through engine covers, flashy wheels, bright colors. It's like spring break on the golf course! I'm sure other analogies have already come to mind. Do Porsche owners really care? Probably not. They take pride in the number of podium finishes for decades at racetracks around the world.

But most of us realize the fantasy isn't always reality. And one is usually the better choice to live with on a daily basis. Probably another reason Porsches are so popular, among many others. Then again, when you can have more than "model", why not? Monogamy with a model (car) isn't necessary and quite frankly, unrealistic. I'll stop before I offend some readers...

And the Harley part? What makes Porsche so unique is the variety of customization from an appearance standpoint. Right from the factory, too. Harley Davidson publishes a catalog of customization parts for their bikes every year. Virtually everything can be changed by the owner with parts from the factory. The world's most profitable carmaker allows it all to be done before the car is delivered. This means the potential for no two to be alike. I'll list the ways this particular example had an option list that took it to an MSRP of $160,000.

The list of options in this example is extensive. Leather covered: seatbacks, console, sun visors and center upper console, dashboard, doors and steering wheel. Additional options include the silver stitching is color matched to the seat belts. Porsche crest on the headrest and an alcantera head liner. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcantara_(material) The white dials and lighted door sills add to the interior appeal. The optional Sport Chrono Turbo package is a gem of a lap timer in the center of the dashboard activated by one of the steering wheel stalks for starting and stopping the timer. It also means the torque rating jumps from 460ft lbs from a low 1,950rpm to 5,000 rpm to 505ft lbs from 2,100 to 4,000 rpm. An outstanding increase from any perspective.

Surprisingly the storage space in this small car in the glove box and doors is impressive along with the deep rear seats. The rear seats fold down flat, protecting the leather surface from the cargo. In case your milk leaks, right? Porsche even engineers small folding flaps in the roof for mounting ski or bicycle racks. Have you ever mounted a rack on a roof or trunk? It isn't fun. I once creased the metal in the oddest way underneath the padding mounting a bicycle rack on a trunk. Luckily it wasn't a Porsche!

Moving downward, opening the hood in the rear since the engine is located there, you notice the integrated drip trays for the fluids, very thoughtful. The extraordinary optional Ceramic Composite Brakes with yellow calipers fill out the 19" wheels with the Porsche center crests and painted-to-match spoke edges looks both purposeful and elegant. These brakes were developed originally for racing due to their lack of fade when hot, longevity and lighter weight. Some squeal is evident depending upon circumstances but it sounded more like an electronic beep rather than a grating, annoying and cheap sound.

This low riding machine has a front spoiler or air dam that used to cost $1,200 to replace in '01 or so but now is just $200. A bargain in light of the inevitable scrapes that occur. Many cars need a repaint over time, this solution is far better. Some other features and options include mirrors that turn downward when backing up, a smaller, thicker steering wheel and no front license plate or model designation on the exterior. Yes, not having a front plate is against the law. A silly law, too.
There is a fire extinguisher mounted under the driver's seat and I'll digress here. Imagine going off road at the track into grass that is a little tall. Or parking attendants directing cars onto a field where the overflow parking is for an event. That fire extinguisher can sure come in handy when the grass touches hot parts. We've all seen far too much debris on the road, haven't we?

Alright already! What is it like to drive? A dream. A little harsh over bumps, especially in the "Sport" mode that tightens the shock absorbers. Known as Porsche Active Suspension Management. http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-turbo/indetail/?gtabindex=3 The Sport mode also adjusts engine responsiveness with fuel and spark manipulation. You can hear a subtle difference when idling.

With 480 horsepower on tap and the torque coming on low, downshifting really isn't necessary on the highway. If you do downshift, it pulls, hard. You're exceeding the speed limit and the car actually seems to enjoy it. Its hard to describe with a Porsche, but when you drive one, the faster you go, the more it seems in it's element. Oddly, it has a 5 speed automatic but when there are virtually no "dead spots" or lack of power in the low rpm range, more gears or "speeds" are not really needed. But it would make the car even quicker! Downshifts are so well controlled and immediate, despite the automatic, you think race car not passenger car.

When you explore the cornering and braking limits of a car like this vs. the world of daily driving boredom, the mind initially can't comprehend how it isn't flying off the road in plume of smoke and protesting tires. Its as if the laws of physics are manipulated slightly when in reality, it is a matter of your senses adjusting to the higher g-forces. Not unlike riding a roller-coaster.

At full-throttle while hitting a dip in the pavement, the rebound of the suspension or "jounce" which unloaded the weight on the front wheels made the steering wheel momentarily very loose and wiggly. The rear-engine weight bias is a major contributor to this as well. It immediately reminded me of my Harley feeling loose at a full-throttle shift into second with a heavy rear-weight bias. Go figure, another Porsche-Harley comparison! I couldn't make this up if I tried.

This compact and wondrous 3572lb car made the 4200lb sedan I returned in with a similar horsepower level feel slow, ponderous and loosey goosey. Any other mention or comparison is simply ridiculous. Riding in the Porsche as a passenger is a treat, driving it was a true grin-inducing pleasure. It may not draw a crowd, but that isn't what it's all about, is it?
Further information and technical specifications can be found here: http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-turbo/featuresandspecs/?gtabindex=1

Car show or zoo? Try the car show

Virtually everyone has been to the zoo but annually? The Good Guys car show should be a must-see every year. http://www.good-guys.com/news/hotNews.aspx Not into cars? Well how much are you really into wild animals? Don't know much about cars? Do you really know a lot about animals? I have to pick on my dear brother again. The one that hasn't opened the hood of a car for probably 20+ years, bless his heart. Even he appreciates the rolling jewelry and engineering on display. And the animals, well they really don't change much, do they?

I'm not saying don't go to the zoo, it's a great experience. But it really doesn't change much year to year, does it? The zoo is a wonderful place and I love animals. If you can donate to the care of God's creatures, do it. But be sure to check out the creativity and engineering of God's other creatures. This show offers more than the zoo can.

The Good Guys Rod and Custom Association hosted an excellent event in Pleasanton at the Alameda (where is that?) Fairgrounds on May 30th and 31st. What made it so good? The variety, the setting, the autocross and the vendors.

I'm always amazed at some of the colors of the animals at the zoo. So pure and natural, and yes, even the Baboons. However when experts mix special color combinations sprayed in multiple flawless layers over voluptuous curves, chrome plated parts with perfect reflections and uttering monstrous sounds reflecting hundreds of horsepower while their owner and builder is sitting there answering questions about their creation, it is a real treat. Some animals change colors. Guess what? Some cars have paints that change color as the viewing angle changes too.

Ever see the Cheetahs and Rhinos run at full speed at the zoo? One big treat at this show was the autocross where a vast variety of cars run the cone marked course in 1st gear. Hearing and seeing those cars turn and burn rubber was a rare sight. Even if the course meant laps only in 1st gear and at a time in the high 30 second range, it was very cool to watch. Hey, I said full speed, not top speed, right?

The setting is excellent. It doesn't stink like some animal exhibits, there are many shady spots and plenty of tasty food and drink vendors spread around. It's like strolling through multiple parks. The number of vendors selling everything from junk to collectibles, automotive related or not, is staggering. So you're still not convinced? The people watching is better at the show than the zoo, guaranteed.

So while I encourage you to go to the zoo, don't skip the Good Guys show either. You'll enjoy both of them. One last thing, the parking lot at the zoo doesn't have nearly as many interesting "animals" unless you like pigs and cows, er, SUVs and minivans...

picture: Mike's "Sledgehammer" Camaro engine bay. Supercharged and set up for show AND go!