Posted by Peter on
May 31, 2009
Da Streetz: Lexus ES250
This is a new one for me. The Lexus ES250. I suppose this has something to do with my age, something to do with the length of time I’ve been following cars, and something to do with this car only being produced for 3 years, but older Lexuses are a bit foreign to me. No pun intended.
According to Wikipedia, it looks like this little gem started the Lexus onslaught in North America, along with the famously reliable LS400. The littlest Lexus wasn’t as popular as the big LS, though. This was probably due to the fact that the ES was Camry-based and the LS was on a dedicated (and all-new) platform. Who knew that Toyota’s Camry-platform-whorefest goes back some 20 years? (Note: Today, the Camry platform underpins the Lexus RX350, the Lexus ES350, the Toyota Venza, and maybe even some others)
I learn something new everyday.
And no, that brown stuff on the left part of the trunk isn’t the reflection of an overhead tree, it’s rust. There’s another pic of this cubic zirconia diamond in the rough after the jump.
Posted by Peter on
May 29, 2009
Living With A Sports Car – Nissan 350Z Part VI
Fuel economy. Something I never, ever, thought I would care about when it came to sports car ownership. “It just comes with the territory, so it’s no big deal”, I told myself. Err, no.
Thirteen point one. That’s all the 350 managed on its last tank of premium, in L/100km. Not too swell. That works out to a miserable (not miserly) 18 mpg on the US scale and 21.5 mpg on the Imperial scale. And at around $1.10/L for the 91 octane stuff, my estimation of $200/month was a little light. It’s more like $250. That’s more than double the hit the Protege5 was doling out to my Y-3 wallet. I guess I shouldn’t complain, after all, I do get to drive a 350Z every day. But still.
I wonder if anyone has ever tried hypermiling a 350Z before…
Posted by Peter on
May 28, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: DRIVEN 2009
Saturday, June 6th from 1pm to 10pm at the Mayfield Trade Centre (in Edmonton AB). That’s what you need to copy and paste into iCal. Why? DRIVEN 2009.
What is this DRIVEN thingy all about? Basically, it’s an “Auto Culture Tradeshow”, which meant exactly nothing to me, until I read the press release, which I will now summarize in a single sentence. The general gist of it is that DRIVEN 2009 will be one big tuner-gasm, including the requisite chrome rims, noisy exhaust, scantily-clad females, and hip-hop music. On the bright side, there will be a Ford GT, Audi R8, and a Conti GT.
If you want more details, follow the link. You will find Emmet and I lurking around the Mayfield Trade Centre on Saturday so you should come join us. Come on!
Posted by Peter on
May 28, 2009
Citroen DS3 Interior: Je L’aime
The first two images of the Citroen DS3’s interior have been revealed!
Previously, I wasn’t fond of the little Citroen concept, but after seeing the interior, I’m starting to come around.
Details and the other image are after the jump.
Posted by Peter on
May 28, 2009
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Magic India Drive + Gallery
Speaking of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, I just found an interesting gallery of the 4-seater V12 coupe. Last year, when I still had a subscription to Top Gear Magazine, I read an article about the 612’s journey through India. At the time, I didn’t think much of the car but I thought that the culture clash was interesting, if a bit perverse and revealing. I mean, wafting around in a car costing well into the six-figure range, in a country riddled with abject poverty, struck me (and still does) as being a bit of a snub.
Other than that single observation, all I remember about those six-one-two’s was their unique red and white (and advertiser logo’d) paintjobs.
But now that I’m madly in love with the 612, more specifically, its back seats, I started searching for some Fezza wallpaper to adorn my desktop. In my travels, I stumbled upon a massive, massive gallery from the “Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Magic India Drive”, as it was formally called. So I’ve decided to share the best, most evocative images from the Magic India Drive.
I think you’ll agree, the constrast between the cultures and values is simply stunning. This gallery has certainly turned my critical eye towards the sense, if that argument can ever be made, of owning a Ferrari when there is so much more that the same money could do, from a socially responsible perspective. Don’t get me wrong, I love Ferrari’s, but I feel that being critical of everything, even love of the Prancing Horse, is essential to a balanced conversation. And that’s what CarEnvy.ca is all about – balanced conversation – be it about cars or culture.
Check out the rest of the 15 (wallpaper-sized) image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Peter on
May 28, 2009
Stick Shift: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Yes, those are the back seats in a Fezza. Incredible, aren’t they? They just make me want to have children, just so I can put them back there. But don’t tell my girlfriend that.
Last time we checked up on our favourite gay car blog, Stick Shift, Brett Berk interviewed C&D Editor Eddie Alterman. That’s all fine and dandy, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with cars. So today, we’re featuring another of Brett’s Vanity Fair articles and it has everything to do with cars, specifically, one Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. By now, you know that this is my current favourite car, so I simply must share Brett’s experience with the six-one-two at the last Los Angeles Auto Show. Check it out by following the link, and remember, don’t put your glass on the roof!
Posted by Jonathan on
May 27, 2009
How Hard Can It Be? 1959 Edsel Villager Station Wagon
Sometimes these How Hard Can It Be? pieces write themselves. You see the desiccated remains of Jaguar or a 1920s Dodge sedan and the words just starts flowing like a river of boogers during a literary sinus infection. Some are more difficult, especially when there is an emotional tie to the subject matter, as happened with the slab-sided Audis. Then an Edsel shows up. An Edsel! And not just an Edsel, but an Edsel station wagon! In a field, no less.
Excuse me while I reach for my literary handkerchief. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Janaki on
May 27, 2009
F1 News: Double The Comeback, Double The Fun? (Canadian Grand Prix and Jacques Villeneuve)
He’s baaaaaaack…or he might be, anyway. Given how much is currently up in the air in the wide world of Formula One, another piece of speculation on what’s upcoming should be viewed as just that: rampant speculation. Still, you’ll want to follow the jump to find out what those current rumours are.
Posted by Stirling on
May 26, 2009
This Is Exactly How I Felt Today
I don’t like people who can’t park, but I loathe people who choose not to park well. Guess who ran into a BMW X6 (of all things) across two parking spots in a full lot today?
[xkcd]
Posted by Peter on
May 26, 2009
Picture of the Day: Porsche 959
See? Even kids love the 959. So you know it’s good.
The scary thing is that this kid doesn’t know one important fact: this car could eat him in a single bite.
[Photo credit: Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc]
