Japan gets all the cool stuff. When it comes to cars they have some of the neatest things on the road. They also have a horrendous tax structure and through the roof gas prices, but we'll ignore that for now, this is just fantasy here. May I present two cars that would be awesome if they had been offered in the USA.

The Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino

Imagine the Mazda Miata, only a lot smaller, and you will get the jist of these two roadsters. All out power is not their forte, nimble handling and top-down fun are the priorities. Both belong to Japan's "K Class" of vehicles, regulated by the government to be a certain engine displacement and overall chassis size. Usually the "k Class" are small little econoboxes with about as much character as a doorstop, but not these two.

Both are rear-wheel drive, the Suzuki with the classic front-engine, rear-drive chassis while the Honda goes with a mid-engine layout (the engine is behind the seats)! I know a lot of Americans are obsessed with big cars with big engines (muscle cars like the Camaro and Mustang) but alot of us appreciate fine handling. Taking a corner at a car's limit is exciting if it communicates with the driver exactly what's happening at the tire's contact patches, even if you are only taking the corner at 35 MPH.

Unfortunately neither car would pass our safety standards, and they were low-volume units so there was no point for Honda or Suzuki to try and make units for the US, but wouldn't it have been cool if they did?

MR2 @   4:37 PM 

 Isiadore the hurricane has made it a little rainy here the last couple of days, leading to not much in the way of motored pleasures. What's an enthusiast to do on a rainy day?

To start off, my roommate and I watched the complete first season of Initial D on DVD. It's not a well-known anime series in the US, but well worth tracking down if you like cars. I won't review it here, that website I linked to does a much better job, but let's just say Takumi (the main character) is my hero.

I've also been playing a lot of Gran Turismo 2, and it would be a crime if you don't own this game. Yeah, Gran Turismo 3 (PS2) has the better graphics, but 2 has more tracks and more cars, so I like it better. My favorite car in the game right now is the lillte Diahatsu Opti Aerodown Beex, big name for such a little car. It's a nice tossable sedan that likes to think it's a BMW. It also teaches you valuable lessons about momentum management, in other words don't lose much speed in the corners because you can't gain it back as fast as the other cars you race against, so it takes some skill to win with this car. That's probably why I like it so much, it's a little underdog that reacts well to skilled inputs at the control. And it's got spunky styling.

If you don't have this game, what are you waiting for? The PS1 is only $50, and the game itself is $15. That's $65 total for virtual driving bliss, a bargain.

MR2 @   11:29 AM 

 I did something last night that hasn't needed to be done in a while. I turned on the heater while driving home last night. Evevn before the leaves start to turn and a jacket becomes required wear, the heater in the car is the first sign of autumn.

MR2 @   2:44 PM 

 While a hybrid diesel-electric motorcycle sounds good, it had better look better than this if it's to have a chance at success. Truly ugly.

MR2 @   5:26 AM 

 Here's an interesting site, Masshole Drivers. I guess it's good to rant and rave about the jerks on the road.

Source: The Passionate Ailurophile

MR2 @   2:45 PM 

 I have a theory on traffic jams, but I've never seen it mentioned anywhere else. If everyone drove manual transmissions some traffic jams wouldn't happen. I know this doesn't seem to make sense, just stick with me here.

Ever notice what the big rigs do when traffic is backed up? They leave a large gap between them and the car in front and maintain a constant speed. Why? Because they are using a manual transmission and something that heavy doesn't like to do "stop and go" driving. If they maintain a speed that matches the flow of traffic while leaving enough space ahead to not have to brake it's easier on the truck.

Traffic is usually "stop and go" for a reason. Take four cars close together moving at any speed and have the first one slow down. The second car has to slow down even more, because there is a delay from the time the driver notices until the brakes are applied. The second car has to slow down even more than the first because of that delay. It's even worse for the third and fourth cars. Apply this to a long line of cars and eventually someone has to stop, but only for a short time. Stop and go, stop and go.

You can try to maintain a speed and sufficient distance in front of you to avoid this, but if you have an automatic transmission, you're screwed. You let off the gas and the car loses little speed, so you have to apply the brakes. It's different with a manual transmission because of engine braking.

I have tried this approach with manuals and it works great. You just maintain that speed and distance and you coast through the traffic jam. My success with automatics is dismal, and it's almost impossible to achieve. No one is going to give up their automatic transmission in the name of less traffis though, so this thoery is just a pipe dream, but what a pipe dream! Now if I can just figure out how to get people to not look at an accident on the other side of the highway and slow traffic for no reason.

MR2 @   2:20 PM 

 I took the Probe out yesterday for a little exercise. Didn't find much in the way of twisty roads close to the house, but I did run into a large pack of Harley riders on my way back. They were all wearing open-face helmets, but that was the extent of their protective gear. They really needed more considering the way they were conducting themselves.

There were a few straglers from the main group, and they proceeded to pass me and another car just before a blind-curve. The last guy barely made it as a car was coming the opposite direction. Idiots, it's not that important to keep up with the group.

The bridge near my house is under construction, with only one lane open. There were a few more stragglers behind and they proceeded to pass by the four vehicles (including me) that were waiting at the light when it turned green. If it wasn't for their loud pipes, there could have been an accident.

I've heard it before, loud pipes save lives, but what good does a loud pipe do if you're riding like an idiot. These riders put themselves in a bad situation on purpose, and were relying on their pipes to warn people they were illegally passing. A good rider relies on his skills to keep from getting in that kind of mess. A motorcycle is no match for any car on the road, even a Ford Aspire.

MR2 @   12:40 PM 

 George writes...

Since I was born I have never felt anything for music.
It leaves me cold.
I hear a tune and can play various instruments, others say that I play well, but it means nothing to me.
Please tell me why you like to hear music on your car radio.
I hate it, and abhor the sound in other peoples cars.

I'm not quite sure how to respond to this, but I'll try. To understand why I listen to music while riding/driving means understanding what music means to me in general. This is a little off-topic for this blog, but required.

Music influences me in several ways, strongest perhaps in memories. I know every word to the song I was listening to the first time I fell in love (Will you still love me? by Chicago). My life is filled with songs that trigger memories, too many to recount here. The point is music serves as marker points for important events in life, and reminding me about those times.

Music can have a strong impact on my emotions. It helps motivate me at work, cheers me up when I'm feeling down, and helps me relax when I'm hyper. The right song at the right time really makes a difference, and I love when the song I "need" happens to be on the radio just when I need it.

Especially in vehicles, music connects me with what I'm doing. When I'm tackling a twisty road I don't know, the right music adds to the event. It works in other ways too. When I was in school I would study to music, and later apply that music while I was taking an exam to help get through it. If there was a question I didn't know the answer to I could start humming the song and then usually remember when I studied that topic (unless, of course, I forgot to study about it, doh!).

Confidence is something that music also provides me, and this applies directly to riding/driving. A car or motorcycle will react to you. Drive with fear and the vehicle will act nervous. If you get into a corner too fast and don't maintain your composure, neither will the vehicle. It's OK to be scared shitless in a corner as long as you don't let the vehicle know that. Keep a steady hand on the wheel or handlebars and don't jam on the brake or throttle and usually your vehicle will suprise you with just how well it corners. Music helps you keep your composure because it gives you something to focus on instead of just that rapidly approaching embankment you think you're going to collide with.

For these reasons do I listen to music while riding/driving. I hope that answers your question George :)

MR2 @   11:01 AM 

 What is it about music that adds that extra something to a drive? I always drive or ride with music going, unless the road conditions are really screwed and I need every bit of concentration focused on driving. Music touches us on a deep level, and if you're connected to your ride in that way, the two coalesce into something special. The rythmn of the road starts to match the beat of the music, the world shrinks to just you and the machine, and everything is perfect. It's possible to achieve this state without music, just ask any racer, but for us mere mortals this is about as close as we come.

Before my PC I used to make "driving/riding tapes", now I make CD's. I've even made tapes for specific roads, rythmns that match the pace of the highway almost perfectly. Hours can be spent putting the songs in the right combination. When I have the time, I'll list my favorite riding/driving songs here. I have to be at work soon. What music do you listen when riding/driving? Post it in the comments.

MR2 @   2:08 PM 

 I did some research today with some interesting results. I blog alone. I cannot find another blog that's like Moto-Blog. There's all kinds of categories, but I'm in a category of one. Well, at least I'm unique. Now if I can only get some regular readers. I enjoy doing this, it's just frustrating that I have no visitors. Oh well, one can only pesrevere if you want to move foward.

MR2 @   12:45 PM 

 There have been several times I've been without transportation for an extended period of time. Those were never happy times, more like stays in a prison that resembled home. The amount of freedom our vehicles provide cannot be appreciated until it's taken away. Need groceries? You have to find a ride. Gotta work to pay the bills? Gotta find a ride. It goes on and on.

When my Supra was busy dieing the last year I had it, I spent a couple of months with only a motorcycle as my reliable transportation. Grocery shopping took on a whole new meaning, as some of the larger items I normally purchase would not fit in the saddle bags. Ever try to stuff a large pizza in one of those things? My pre-work schedule had to rearrange to allow exrta time for preparation: checking out the bike (tire pressure, chain condition, and other assorted bits), and the time to put on my safety equipment. While I like motorcycles better than cars in many ways, one does not replace the other.

The hardest times were when I had no tranportation, at all. My first street accident in my truck left me stranded for six weeks, long enough to figure out there really is nothing on TV. Little things, like running to the store for cigarrettes became massive operational plans, buying larger amounts to offset the added interval between shopping. At least I was renting the basement apartment in my Mom's house, so alternate transportation was at least available.

Ever have a vehicle repossesed? It's not fun. When I lost the Tacoma I spent three months bumming rides and making the 15 minute walk up to the nearest store. I had no roomie at the time, or phone, so rides had to be planned ahead. Somehow I managed to never miss a day of work, a small miracle in my book. My thanks to my friends during that dark time (Mike, Sean, Jared, Tim, and everyone I've forgotten, thanks guys!). Coming home to that empty parking space every day was a constant reminder that I didn't need. Emotionally it was one of the hardest times in my life.

Even if you don't get "into" cars and motorcycles, think about what they provide us. Freedom, to do what you want when you want. Now think what it would be like without. Deep down, everyone is actually a "car nut", most just don't realize it.

MR2 @   12:06 PM 

 There are endless ways to live your life, and each person has to come up with their own method. Some work better than others, but what applies to one individual will not transfer to another. Here's my theory on how life should be lived.

Logic tempered with passion

Logic dictates a lot of what I do and how I live. You only make so much money, and it has to cover the bills before you can do anything else with it. There are things I want to do and things I need to do. Logic demands that the needs outweigh the wants, and for the most part I follow that.

But, logic does not understand emotions. Pure logic does not demand that I be happy, only that my needs be met. Well, sometimes the wants just gotta take precedence. I don't NEED my Ford Probe, but i wanted it badly. It satisfies my soul, something logic says cannot be proven.

Passion takes over where logic fails. If you are passionate about something you are purposely giving logic the finger. No one is passionate about paying the bills, buying groceries, or cleaning house. Passion comes from something that satisfies you on a deeper level, touching you in your heart, not your mind. Unfortunately, passion alone is not the path to happiness either.

The two must be combined to form a whole. The balance must be maintained to truly be happy. What does this have to do with cars and motorcycles? I'm hoping that you are passionate about your transportation, that it's something that reaches inside you and is a part of who you are. The next time you hesitate to buy that new motorcycle or performance part for your car, ask yourself something. When was the last time I did something for my passions? If it was recent, you probably don't need to do it now. But if it's been a while, go on. You gotta feed the passions just like you gotta feed your body.

MR2 @   1:26 PM 

 Aerostitch has some pointers on how to do more riding. Very interesting advice if you ride.

MR2 @   8:13 AM 

 I had a wonderful revelation today. When you are looking at used vehicles something strange happens. Time doesn't stop you from looking at different models. If you restrict yourself to the current line-up, there are some choices that disappear. I can't go to a Toyota dealership and look for a new MR2, it's not there. Sure, there's the MR-Spyder, but that's not really the same thing.

The same goes for motorcycles. The Honda CB-1 and Hawk GT are no longer made, but that doesn't mean I can't look for them. The classifieds are like a time warp, everything is possible because time has no meaning there. Brand new machines reside next to yesteryears models like there's nothing wrong with that. And there isn't. The value of a machine is not just in it's monetary amount, but the emotions it ellicits in it's owner.

I just love the classifieds.

MR2 @   4:29 AM 

 When I was a kid I hated washing the car. It was a chore delegated to me as something I could learn responsibility from. I saw it as punishment. You couldn't just spray the car with water to get all the dirt off, no, you had to get out the bucket and scrub the grime away. Then you had to towel dry the car and clean the windows ("Didn't I just do that?" I thought to myself).

Waxing was always my least favorite part. You had to put it on just so you could buff it off, and there was no way to cheat either. If I missed a spot my parents were quick to point it out. All this was just the exterior, the interior had to be attended to also. By the time I was done I renewed my vow to never subject my children to this torture.

Things changed drastically when I turned sixteen. I was driving, and noticed a change in my attitude towards "the torture". That little Tercel I was slaving over was no longer something I knew nothing about. I was driving it now, and it partially belonged to me. Cleaning the car was no longer cuelty, for in the back of my mind I knew "someday this might be my car". Keeping the car looking good was now a matter of pride, and pribe can be a very strong motivator.

As it turned out, the Tercel was not meant to be mine. Jim (my step-dad) found the Ford Granada, and that became my car. I slaved over that vehicle, cleaning and detailing like never before. The chore became ritual, the cruelty turned to delight, and to this day I can happily spend a day cleaning my vehicles. To my parents, thanks for being "so cruel" when I was young.

MR2 @   1:22 PM 

 The about page is up for your viewing pleasure, although nothing else here works yet. Back to coding.

Update: You can now download the MR2 font. It's not required, but it does render the page the way the author (me) intends. It's your choice.

Update 2: The guestbook is active!

MR2 @   1:59 PM 

 The last Chevy Camaro has been sold. It's a sad day for automotive enthusiasts.

MR2 @   9:04 AM 

 I have this thing for obscure cars. Not rare cars, just the ones that have fallen through the cracks of moto-history. Because of their relationship with and the events surrounding Chrysler during the 1980's, Mitsubishi had some excellent cars that people never noticed.

In 1978 Chyrsler started importing the Plymouth Sapporo and the Dodge Challenger, the cars that would eventually lead to the Eclipse. It was a contemporary of the Toyota Celica of the time. It's not much to look at, really, although it got some style improvements later on. Is it all that special? Not really, but it appeals to me for some reason. It's an underdog, and I wouldn't mind owning one. Anyone out there got one for sale?



Mitsubishi also took on the Toyota Supra and Nissan 300ZX with it's Starion, with a Dodge and Plymouth version named Conquest. These cars fared better popularity wise, but are still somewhat obscure. I love the angular styling, probably the best out there. Ford and GM need to take lessons on how to do the angular style bit from Mitsu, the Focus and Aztek need the help.



The last car we'll look at was a replacement for the Sapporo/Challenger, but Chrysler did not import any. Mitsubishi brought it here, where it was known as the Cordia, truly an obscure car. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen one. There was also a 4-Door version called the Tredia. The styling is rather bland, but the car performed reasonably well, and it was the next step towards the excellent Eclipse/Talon/Laser models.



We'll finish this off with a link to a true rarity, the Toyota Celica Sunchaser. And let me know if you have a Sapporo/Challenger for sale, I'm interested!

MR2 @   6:33 AM 

 I have crashed three times. Each one sucked, but I did learn something from the experiences. My first crash was the most stupid. I was coming home from work. The apartment complex I lived in loved speedbumps. It had also finished raining a few minutes ago. I was not paying attention.

This cute woman was getting out of her car, and my eyes were on her instead of ahead. I didn't notice the speedbump until I was right on it. I grabbed the brakes and locked the front wheel, never a good thing. That causes the bike to tip towards the ground, si I let off the brakes, but it was too late. The front wheel hit the speedbump and down I went. There was no real damage except to my pride, which was mightily bruised. My Kawasaki is not a large bike, that is until you try to lift it back off the pavement. I don't even know if the cutie noticed me going down, but another neighbor did, and helped me get the bike upright. Lesson for the day...

Pay attention to what you're doind, shithead!

The next in my glorious collection of crashes occured in Ohio. I was visiting family for a week and decided the bike needed some interstate exercise. The trip up there was a journey in itself, something I'll detail later. I was leaving my Father's house and about to get on Route 8 in Cuyahoga Falls. The on-ramp was just after a bridge I had to go under, which is where the crash occured. Again, it had stopped raining a few hours ago. I had delayed my departure to give the roads some time to dry. I didn't want a repeat of my first crash. Unfortunately, I still had much to learn. The drains for the bridge were still dumping a small amount of water on the road, which I did not notice until I was right on it. Again I locked the front brake, again I released it. This time there was no speedbump to mess things up. The bike righted itself, but I forgot what momentum was. It started leaning over the other way, and down I went. This time my stupidity did injure me. One of the footpegs nabbed me in the calf. Later in the day it hurt so much I couldn't walk. I was supposed to return home the next day, but ended up staying in Ohio instead and leaving the day after. Lesson for the day....

Expect the unexpected!

The third an most recent crash was the worst. I was in Georgia with the Tennessee Motorcycle Riders, having the time of my life. We had been burning down twisty mountain roads the day before, having a blast. Then rain entered the picture that night while we slept. I hate the rain when I'm riding, can you tell? It was cold that morning, damn cold. When we stopped at Hardee's for some breakfast it looked like a small tribe of Eskimos had invaded the restaurant. I was wearing almost everything I brought along to stay warm. We quickly got out of town and headed for the twisties. Remember that rain I mentioned? It had washed some sand across the road we were on. Right in the middle of the corner. The first couple of riders passed it without incident. Not me, it took me down quick. This was the first time I had crashed at any kind of speed, and the experiance was quite surreal. Time slowed to a crawl as I let the bike go on it's merry way and put my hands down as I slipped across the pavement. I don't remember how far I slid, but the bike was a good 30 feet away from me by the time I stopped.

Just before the trip I had installed some engine guards, new mirrors and new brake and shift levers. The engine guards did their job, one of the new mirrors was scratcehd to hell, and the brake lever snapped in two. There was not a scratch on me.

Let me put it another way, I was fine, my riding equipment was not. I had two pairs of jeans on, the outer one had a 3 inch hole in the knee, the inner one held. My $100 winter gloves had worn through on the palms, but the asphalt hadn't gotten through all the insulation. My wonderful Shoei helmet had a dime sized chip in it where it met the road and some scratches, while my Aerostitch Darien jacket had a small hole in one sleeve. About $750 worth of equipment needed to be reaired or replaced. Lesson for the day.....

Safety equipment can be expensive, but you better have it on when you need it because you don't get a chance to put it on mid-crash!

Crashing sucks, but is inevitable. What really sucks is crashing and learning nothing from the experience. I cringe every time I see someone riding in a t-shirt and shorts.

MR2 @   2:30 AM 

 I've had the Probe for almost two days now. It's better than I thought it would be. For $600.00 it was a steal. Here's what's needed to be repaired or replaced...

CV Joints (Knew that before I bought it)

Driver side sun visor (some foam has disintegrated)

Windshield wiper unit (has a short in it, don't always shut off)

Driver side door speaker (doesn't work)

Radio (lights work except station display)

Power antenna (does not function)

Passenger side rear marker light (out)

Backup indicator lights (both out)

Minor body damage (small dent on front bumper, driver side headlight, passenger side rear fender)

New paint job (faded)

Rear tires (need replaced)

Brakes (rotors need turned)

Mechanically she's great, not a problem found. I can't find any rust. Handling is superb for a base model. She's just a wonderful car.

My ego, of course, has shot up several levels. No, I'm not going to be drag racing any Corvettes, she's not that fast, but the acceleration is good enough for me right now. All she really needs is a five-speed manual transmission.

MR2 @   1:36 PM