Sometimes People Wonder..

..why I’m so bitter and disgruntled with “car culture.”

Every so often, life answers that question for me:

If you can’t tell what’s wrong with this picture, you’re part of the problem.

Holy Jeebus

Sigh. What a day. Busy in every way possible and stressful. Haven’t had a day like today in quite some time.

Thankfully, I happened to see a vanity plate on an X5 which cheered me up. Well, that and the few different bottles of wine to choose from when I got home.

Not that any of you are interested, but I ended up opening a bottle of ‘05 Vilosell. It’s okay. Reminds me of a merlot in the sense that it’s more subtle in it’s flavor. I wonder if letting it breathe will do anything. Guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

For those of you still interested in cars, prep for Super Lap Battle is in full swing. Today, tires were mounted and dropped off to be shaved. Earlier this week, spring rates were changed, valving tweaked. Tomorrow, the coilovers go back in and the engine oil gets refreshed. Nismo tranny should arrive as well. My fingernails are slowly turning black again. Monday, Katsu over at HKS will take care of the tranny and ARMS tranny oil catch tank. Gonna fill it up with this stuff:

If you want some, you’d better ask us quick. Kent and I are completely clueless as to what we should set retail as. Might get to order some before we realize it should be sold $10 higher than what you got it for.

Edit (Oct 31, 2008. 4:45pm):

Just came.

Lexani Quality Control

This pic was sent to me by someone that inspects wheels at Lexani. Seriously. This is 110% legit.

The (sort of) Comprehensive R35 GTR Brakes Post

From: Dominic Chen
Subject: GTR Brakes Post
To: “Fellow Aftermarket Brake Specialist”
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Although I never intended [this] post to be thought of or considered a marketing ploy, the fact of the matter is that others have interpreted it as such and consequently increased its visibility around the internet. I do believe there is an alarming amount of irresponsibility from internet authors for reasons [included in your comments as well as] some various others. And I have to thank you for opening my eyes to the fact that my post had inadvertently become part of the problem I so despise. I understand your point of view and agree that [the post] should be removed from public space.

This is for Kent

Some time ago, I wanna say around a year ago, Kent randomly asked me if I remembered “Scramble Boost.” I laughed at the question and said no, suspiciously asking him to explain.

Kent: “It’s this device that gives you a random about of boost so you can amuse the girl you’re trying to impress.”
Me: “What..?”
Kent: “Yeah, you’re driving along and you tell the girl, ‘Hey press this button and see what happens,’ and then you get crazy boost and she like screams and is all happy and stuff.”
Me: “Uh..”
Kent: “Dude, I’m serious. HKS made it.”
Me: “What? No…”
Kent: “I SWEAR. I’ll find it and show you.”

He never did, but eventually I got an EVC for the S15. Opened up the manual. Lo and behold; scramble boost. Jon Kuroyama eventually explained it’s actual purpose to me though:

“If you have a boost level that’s a little high for the tighter section of a track but can utilize higher boost for a long straight, then you can turn down boost and set the scramble for the long straight section. That way the car is easier to handle in the tighter sections but has extra power for when you have room to open up.”

Test Drive

John brought stopped by Irvine to let me drive the Mitsubishi Eclipse that Webrides is gonna do a piece on.

Logan really loves the rear quarter.

Heavily modified Eclipse with a mid-engine layout. If you’re wondering about the rings on the engine cover, those are there because the car is olympics themed………….

Whoa, mean looking Eclipse isn’t it?

Okay, okay.. It’s not an Eclipse.

We found out that the R8 has insane pus*y magnet properties. Even my friend Sharon that we happened to run into was staring. Despite this fact, I still maintain my belief that nice cars do not get you into the panties of hot women.

Being that the last 400+hp car I’ve driven was the R35 GT-R, the R8 didn’t feel as quick. But I think that statement is misleading because the R8 is definitely fast.

From what little time I had to drive it around, the car feels very light and nimble for 3500lbs. Steering isn’t heavy at low speeds like it is in the GT-R.

Nor are the seats uncomfortable like they were in the GT-R. But, like most sports cars, you don’t sit quite straight in line with the wheel and pedals.

My biggest complaint is the amount of noise the gated shifter made. Felt great but it’s really loud, even with the radio on. I’m really curious as to what the R Tronic sequential tranny feels like. Now I just need to drive this one.

I really like the “daytime running lights” because I’m a ricer at heart.

Logan dropped his “Yo yo yiggity yo” pose for a “crackhead car salesman” one instead. I’m unsure as to which disturbs me more.

GT-R, Schmee-T-R: Part Deux

Last night John showed up at my house to let me drive the GTR they’ve been testing. Very fast… Had it up to 120ish before the end of the freeway on-ramp. I let off and 15 seconds later we were still speeding.

It’s a big car.. It’s ass is Kim Kardashian big.. Steering is heavy at low speeds and the seats are uncomfortable.. But it’s f’ing fast.

What I liked best about it though was how awesome it made Logan look getting in and out of the back seat.

Yo yo yiggity yo!

Webrides tested the GTR against a Ford GT. John let me in on who won and I’m actually quite pleased. I’m actually pretty interested in seeing the piece once it’s done.

And I’d still rather have a Euro.

Jay, let me drive your car!

GT-R, Schmee-T-R..

Publication after publication hails the new GT-R as some type of Godsend. Whether it’s the sheer power, cornering speed or drivability, editors and bloggers alike can’t seem to find anything bad to say about it. I, on the other hand, couldn’t be more tired of the car even before it’s US release.

The R34 marks the end of an era. In my opinion, it’s the best looking out of the entire car’s history (and so far as future). But what really intensifies my affinity for the R34 and triggers the death of the Skyline is the fact that Nissan brought the R35 to US shores. In Japan, Skyline owners have been true car enthusiasts who have a passion for the machines they buy. With all the hype that surrounds the R35, the typical US owner will be the arrogant financialist from Newport Beach who’s LEASING the car only because he hears all the “car guys” at work talk about it. I’ve read that Nissan wants to stray away from the “Skyline” name and refer to the newest rendition as simply the new “GT-R.” Maybe someone at Nissan is after my own heart and wants to preserve the Skyline’s lineage by sacrificing the “GT-R” badge.

Yes, the R35 touts phenomenal performance. Yes, in many aspects it’s an $80,000 911 Turbo killer. But you know what? At the end of the day, the badge on the back still says “Nissan GT-R.” It doesn’t say “Skyline” and there’s sure as hell no “Porsche” badge. So perhaps the new R35 GT-R’s major downfall isn’t performance or price, it’s merely the simple fact that it’s here.