Jason on Cars

Yesterday afternoon I got asked to drive a Volkswagen Thing to the other side of town. It was being shipped to its new owner, and had to get dropped off at the shipping office. On the way back I drove a 2006 Land Rover LR3. Today, I again drove across town in a 1963 split-window Corvette, to be dropped off at the doctor for a few repairs. The drive back was in a 1978 Porsche 911SC. This morning, I drove to work in my daily Honda Accord Wagon, but left work with a Honda Element EX for the weekend. Two days, the keys and wheel of six different cars. All very different experiences.

What follows really isn’t a review, I haven’t drove any of the cars more than 10 miles, but it is a comparison of the differing experiences.

It wasn’t the first time I’d driven the Thing, earlier this year I picked it up from the mechanic’s shop and drove it back to our office for my boss and then owner of the car. That day was raining terribly, and I had my first experience with brakes that were more of an idea than a reality. The windows were fogged, the windshield wipers more of a suggestion of clearing water than actually wiping it away, heater not working, steering difficult, loud and terribly hard to brake. My second experience was much more forgiving. It was in less traffic, on the freeway, so I wasn’t constantly battling the desire to stall every time I slowed down or approached an intersection, and sort of sunny. Bounding along, it held a smooth line and a smooth pace on the freeway, even though the wind noise and rattles were at such a pace and level that it sounded more like a rock band playing than a car driving. Overall, it wasn’t a bad car to drive. With the huge gaps between the doors and the roof, I was glad that it wasn’t cold outside, and thought that in the right climates, and social circles, this car would be a blast. So long as you had a good mechanic nearby. Estimated price: $5800. Experience: Fun, challenging, and unique.

Once we dropped off the Thing, I hopped into the Land Rover with my co-worker. You couldn’t imagine an experience that differed more while still considered driving. The 2006 model was filled with amenities. Electric everything, comfortable leather seats, navigation, adjustable ride height ability to climb a brick wall without losing traction. You name it, this car could do it, all without spilling your morning latte. The drive was nice though. It handled very well, was quiet and smooth, could turn in a tight radius and sat a good height for seeing the terrain. It also lacked any amount of quick acceleration. All of the weight, with an engine designed to get through the thickest mud puddles, didn’t create a jet-like take off, even when flooring it at the green light. It was definitely a cool car though. Price: $53,000. Experience: Tame considering its potential, comfortable, opulent.

This mornings drive into work with my Accord Wagon was standard, and not in any way interesting. Just think of whatever you drove today, and if wasn’t exciting, that’s what the wagon was like (I love it, it’s just not that interesting).

The 1963 Corvette this afternoon was a jump in another direction, and the oldest of the bunch. Honestly, the Corvette was closer to driving the Thing than any other car. It’s steering was loose and slightly ambiguous. I never felt like I really had the car in my control, and I more pointed it than steered it. Sitting way below the front end, and behind such a long nose to begin with, you really felt isolated than the other cars. However, it was also the only car that let its engine be known. Mashing the throttle down on this car quickly reminded you that it was a sports car, and it meant business. It wasn’t ridiculously fast, but it certainly wasn’t slow. However, coupled with its lack of precision steering, it wasn’t begging to find a winding road, but more get out on the highway and feel the power as you passed slower traffic. Looking out the rear window was almost impossible since the rear-view mirror was tiny, and there was a giant strip of metal going through the middle of the rear window. Also, the rear windows are curved, so any visual that you do have, is distorted and warped. Throw in the fact that one of the reasons that we were taking it in is because the side mirror fell off, and driving was a bit sketchy in mild Friday afternoon traffic. Estimated price: $33,000. Experience: The coolest guy at the local Cruise event. Not an easy car to drive, and not an easy car to steer, but hey, it’s a Corvette.

1978 Porsche 911 SC. This is the first Porsche I’ve ever driven. I’d heard about their clutches so I was somewhat prepared the first time it tried to jump out from under my foot, but it still took me a few tries to get the hang of it. Once rolling though, I suddenly understood why there are Porsche fanatics out there, and that they are truly a unique driving experience. With the engine sitting so far behind you, and the front end so near in front of you, the steering wheel reacted in far different ways than I was use to. My favorite experience was doing a 90 degree corner, throwing the throttle at it, and really feeling the steering wheel pull and push into the corner. Fantastic. The low end of the RPM range was very smooth and subtle, but once the revs got up, it was fast and instant. It was also interesting to weave back and forth in my lane at 70 MPH; the car felt like it pivoted on an axis about where I was sitting rather than turning in front of me and pointing me in the new direction. I liked that. And while I’m a big guy, I fit snugly into the seats and was given a big bear hug to make sure I stayed in my seat while in heavy cornering. This was easily my favorite car driven, and one that I’ll not soon forget. Estimated price: $12,000. Experience: Exhilarating and inviting. Wasn’t sure if I needed to slick my hair back before I drove it. Dying to take it up the West Coast Highways.

I already wrote about driving an Element a couple of months ago, and my opinion hasn’t changed a lot since. For the most part, it’s a great car. I like it’s ride height; easy to get in and out of; it’s look, its convenience, and its driving experience. Like the Land Rover, it corners very tightly, and you feel like you can easily and quickly move through traffic. It is by no means a fast car, but for a 4-cylinder, it is no dog. It feels like cheap power, but still allows you to get in front of the guy when your exit is coming up and you have to get over quickly. The whole car is filled with clever little features, like an auxillary port to plug your iPod into. It doesn’t try to be the LR3, but it’s still like driving the Ritz compared to the Thing. Price: $20,000. Experience: Adventurous without trying to showcase how extreme it is. Ugly, but in a cool way. Very clever, and witty, yet only a little pretentious.