The Golf Once Was…but Now It Is NOT

The Golf has always been a great car for me. It has done such great things as:
1. Fit more boxes of “stuff” inside, when I was helping Ted move, than Ted’s Toyota Tacoma did in the bed.

2. Got me from Roseville to Orange County in less than six hours, on one tank of gas.

3. Ran all time AC for almost 8 years.

The list really could go on but that’s not the point of this entry. The Golf once was a great vehicle with many features that were perfect for me, but now it is not. I believe there are more short comings to the Golf that there are good things. It is not performing the way it used to. Such great feats it accomplished before, now are but a memory. In its “old age” the VW Golf is really feeling its 8 years of service.

To contradict the above 3 items of greatness, it can’t:

1. Hold the car seat for my son, while accommodating a front seat passenger.

2. Go 3000 miles without needing me to add oil. (used to go 5K)

3. All-Time-AC just cost me almost $400.oo to fix.

HERE’S MY POINT…We need a new vehicle, designed for a family.

I’m not into the whole minivan thing but money is TIGHT! Email your suggestions. We would, of course, like to go the SUV route.

Here is a list of SUVs that we are thinking about (not in any particular order.) Also, the links take you to stories on the new models of these SUVs, (all from Edmunds.com for unbiased info); we are not necessarily looking at new.

Ford Expedition
Chevy Tahoe
Toyota Sequoia
Toyota 4-Runner
Honda Pilot

As far as Minivans go, I don’t like any of them. Listed below are the minivans I consider “the best of the worst.” Again, there is no order to these, except the first.

VW Microbus (Concept) – I would buy this. More Pics of the Microbus
Honda Odyssey
Nissan Quest

SO, check the links for all of these vehicles. Send me your ideas as to which purchase would be the best financially, economically, practically, etc.

Send your emails to jamesguhn at gmail.com.

Mac Spoof: Performance

Please don't be offended. This is hilarious. I couldn't help but post it for others to see.

SNL - TV Funhouse: Maraka

If you've heard of "Dora the Explorer" this will be funny to you. Enjoy.

Bankruptcy for Ford Because They're STUPID!

I was on Edmunds.com and I saw that Ford has announced that there “Five-Hundred” model sedan is being renamed to the once popular “Taurus.” I say once popular because, although the Taurus was the number one sedan for a while, after the 1987 model of the Taurus was out for a little while and had a few miles put on it, people began to hate the Ford name because of poor quality. “Found On Road Dead” could easily be referring to the Taurus of the late 80’s and early 90’s. I can remember all the money my parents put into their ’87 model.

What is wrong with Ford? The name “Five-Hundred,” I thought, was a good name for their new sedan. Of course, Ford put a pansy weak girly engine in it and tried to sell it as there new flagship. WAKE-UP!!!!!! The flagship of a fleet is supposed to have the size and power and look of the star vehicle of a fleet. By slapping the “new face” (3 bar grill) on the poor selling vehicle and and then giving it the name “big pile of junk” (the Taurus), you're not going to increase your sales.

Take a look at Dodge. The Charger is now one of the hottest looking sedans available. People young and old will buy it because it looks good, it drives well, and it has the muscle and appeal buyers want in a sedan. Heck, law enforcement is looking at the Charger too. If Dodge supplied the crash test info to the CHP, we wouldn’t even see the Crown Victoria again.

Pay attention to what consumers want. We want good looks, great handling, and power. Yes, we want good gas mileage too, but I don’t think it is as closely scrutinized by buyers, as the car’s abilities and good looks are. If I was in the sedan buying market right now, my number one choice would be the Dodge Charger (that is, if I only had American companies to choose from and a limited amount of cash. Really, my favorite is the Infiniti M35). What’s crazy is I’ve always thought Dodge's reputation was far worse than Ford's. I would rank Dodge's quality below Ford's current standards. I even know of a person who has the Chrysler 300 (same platform and engine as the Chargers) and is working on a lemon law buy back…and I’d still pick the Dodge Charger over the Ford Taurus any day of any week in any year.

Wake up Ford. Or, go bankrupt like you already are.

What the Flute? Thanks Dan!

This is a link to my friend Dan Ray's blog. This is an amazing flute player, or flautist. Listen and enjoy. Also, check out Dan's blog. He's got lots of interesting things to read. He loves to write. http://www.draynet.com/?p=163

Headlock - Imogen Heap

Here is a video from Imogen Heap. This song is the first track on the album I've talked about in a past post. I really do love her voice and the whole CD. GO BUY THIS CD!!!