Subcompact Culture - The small car blog

Our Yaris gets a wider stance

2012-06-04T12:09:00.001-07:00

Before 10mm spacer

After 10mm spacer

Yesterday I installed my Penguin Garage 10mm rear hub spacers onto the Yaris. More than anything for me, this is an atheistic thing. In stock form, the Yaris' front track is wider than the rear and it can look a bit odd. With the 10mm rear spacer ($79.95 from Micro Image), it evens things out.

On the left is the "before" photo, the right, the after. As you can see, the wheel pokes out a bit more from the fender. It's nothing radical, but the car's stance looks noticeably better ... even if my photos don't make it look that way.

Installation is straight forward, and a how-to can be found on Yarisworld.com. Just take the wheel off, then the rear drum off, unplug your ABS sensor, remove four 14mm bolts, smear the included anti-corrosion gel on the spacers, sandwich the new spacers between the axle and the drum, install new bolts, and you're done.

OK, so in theory it's that easy. However, my car has about five years of road crime and a bit of corrosion in the hub area. Therefore, the spacers didn't just slip onto the hubs. Instead, I took a wire brush to clean off the rust, and then needed to essentially do the install twice on each side; once to set the spacer in place, and a second time to torque them down. It took longer than I expected, but still was easy. Owners of newer Yaris models likely won't have to worry as much.

Since the spacers are only 10mm and my wheels have a 40mm offset (and I'm running 195mm wide tires), there likely won't be any rubbing. The Penguin Garage spacers do come with some camber shims if you'd need them.

Possibly the strangest commerical of the 1980s: Grace Jones for Honda Scooters

2012-06-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

The 1980s had some very memorable advertising campaigns: Toyota's "Oh what a feeling!" Pepsi's "Choice of a New Generation," and of course, model, actress, singer Grace Jones shilling Honda scooters. Who could forget, right? I mean, that hair! That flip-up headlight! The shear oddity of the whole damn thing!

Why did I think of this? Well, a co-worker and I were just talking about '80s sci-fi and fantasy movies, when Conan The Destroyer came up (everyone's second favorite Conan movie). If you're a geek like me, you remember this movie. Then you remember that it cast Grace Jones as Zula (I did have to IMDB that one). Well, this made me think of the time when Honda decided to use Jones as a spokeswoman. Why I remember this, I have no idea, but I do.

To this day, it seems like an odd pairing. In fact, it's kind of creepy. Bonus points for one of the top five flat-top hairdos, though.

Review: 2012 Honda Fit Sport with Navi: Is it still 'fit' for first?

2012-05-31T03:30:00.000-07:00

The Honda Fit Sport has been available in its current form (with a few very minor changes) since the 2009 model year. That’s four years for those of you counting. However, it’s still heralded by many as a subcompact class leader (if not the leader). Magazines, such as Car and Driver and Motorweek, have ranked it the No. 1 contender among the latest crop of 2012s in recent comparison tests. Honestly, when I read these articles, I found it odd that a four-year-old design is still besting the newest subcompacts. Was the Fit Sport that appeared in 2008 as a 2009 model still that good? We decided to see for ourselves.

The Fit's versatile "magic seats."

The Fit has a good bit of cargo space.

We reviewed the 2011 Fit Sport last year and found it to be a very good choice for its versatility and handling—and of course that hasn’t changed. Without question, the Fit does still have one of the most Swiss-Army-knife-like interiors of any small car. Heck, it’s more flexible than some cars twice its size. The rear cargo area is ample. Then there are the “magic seats,” which can fold flat, or have the seat bottoms fold upwards allowing for large areas in the floor wells to store goods. The magic seats are still a standout in this segment, and the Fit is the only one that has them.

Then there’s the Fit Sport’s handling. Arguably, the Fit Sport is one of the most tossable subcompacts you can buy: It’s balanced, agile, and feels light on its feet. Steering feel is very good, especially compared to some other b-segment vehicles out there that are almost completely void of steering feel. The Fit Sport simply feels, well, sporty in the corners. You might say that the Fit is fun to fling.

When it comes to acceleration, the117 hp Fit feels on par with many of the competitors offering average get-up-and-go. Mercedes and I both noticed, however, that the Fit has a lot of road noise, especially on coarse aggregate highways. The 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine also isn’t the quietest of the lot these days. But the Fit feels as comfortable cruising the highway as it does jutting in and out of city traffic. Co-driver and wife, Mercedes, specifically noted that visibility was quite good.

Another thing we noticed about the Fit, especially compared to other 2012 subcompacts, is somewhat substandard EPA fuel economy numbers. When equipped with the five-speed automatic transmission, the Fit Sport is rated at 27 city and 33 highway. With many subcompacts topping 40 MPG, this is a bit low. But speaking of the automatic transmission, the Fit’s is one of the better around in any car. The shifts are fast and the gearbox seems very well matched to the engine. When using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, this shifting speed makes itself even more evident.

The Fit’s interior still looks modern and fresh. The futuristic design has high-quality switchgear and mostly high-quality, albeit hard-surfaced, materials. One thing Mercedes and I both noticed was the suede-like door panels felt like they may wear prematurely, since they felt rather thin. We also wished the car had variable intermittent wipers (hey, we live in Oregon and it rains a lot). As a whole, the Fit Sport feels very solid and didn’t have any rattles to speak of, unlike some vehicles I’ve been in costing much more. We did notice a couple of wide panel gaps here and there, too.

Our tester came with the Honda navigation system, which adds $1,050 to the price tag. I still think the Honda navigation unit isn’t the easiest to use, nor is it the best looking. There’s steep learning curve to the operation and the graphics look dated. The stereo isn’t bad, but it isn’t outstanding, either.

Our automatic-equipped Fit Sport with navigation came in at $20,310 including the $770 destination fee. Yes, that includes alloy wheels, cruise control, Bluetooth, fog lights, and other Sport package goods. We feel that price is on the upper end of the spectrum, but Hondas are typically able to fetch a more premium price.

So is the Fit still the top of the heap? In many respects it is. Its chassis is still outstanding. Its interior is still a packaging marvel. Its design, even though it’s four model years old, still looks fresh. But its lower-than-average fuel economy ratings, noisy engine, and $20,000+ price tag may deter buyers.

The 2012 Fit Sport is still a very solid choice for anyone looking for a five-door subcompact vehicle. But the competition continues to heat up in this segment from every angle, be it the Americans, Koreans, Europeans, or Japanese. We’d still say it’s hard to go wrong with the Fit, but there are definitely some other great choices out there. Would we say it’s “the best” subcompact out there? We wouldn’t go that far, but we will say it’s still towards the top of the heap.

In the driveway: 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer SE

2012-05-30T16:21:00.001-07:00

In the driveway this week is the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer SE, which comes with AWC (that's all-wheel control), Mitsubishi's AWD system. Until recently, I didn't even know this car was available with AWD but without a turbo. I thought you either got a FWD Lancer or a turbocharged AWD Lancer.

I happen to think this Lancer, with its side skirts, clean lines, and attractive wheels, is a sharp-looking sedan. It's got a 2.4-liter engine mated to a CVT, but acceleration is better than I would've expected. Like many Mitsubishis of late, some of the interior bits are down right cheap, such as the climate control dials and centers (which you push for A/C). Also, it's got Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel, but it isn't hooked up. Odd. But so far, it's quite decent, sans some rattles here and there, especially when the stereo is turned up.

Stay tuned.

Small Car Family: Smartly packing a subcompact

2012-05-29T12:43:00.001-07:00

I love this. Why? Well, first, it's a witty, clever little video. But secondly, I love it because it shows that just because you have a family doesn't mean you necessarily need to buy a gigantic vehicle.

ClubSX4.com member, kilby, made this time-lapse video of him and his family packing up their little Suzuki SX4. Anyone that owns a smallish vehicle can likely relate to this, and I'm sure there were a host of you who packed up your subcompacts and went somewhere last weekend for Memorial Day. Yes, you need to pack smartly, but many times, it'll fit—and a roof rack never hurts! It's like our motto around here: Think big, drive small.

EDIT: I was just informed by the creator of the video that it was actually made to let friends know they were expecting another baby. No vacation, but a great reason to celebrate!

SOURCE:
ClubSX4.com

In the driveway: 2012 Honda CR-V EX

2012-05-25T07:33:00.004-07:00

In the driveway this week is the 2012 Honda CR-V EX. This AWD compact crossover represents the first new newly designed CR-V since 2007. I've always been a fan of Honda's cute ute, and this one will likely keep me a fan. Unlike some of the other Hondas in the lineup, such as the Civic and Accord, the CR-V seems to have stuck with what has always worked for Honda. Things such as simple, effective, clean designs in both the interior and exterior, for example. Nothing too crazy or over-the-top, this crossover is what I liked about Honda in the 1980s and 1990s; it's a minimalist, functionalist, modern design that works. Some may call it bland, but it's very effective.

Since I'm not much of a fan of Honda styling and interiors as of late (sans the Fit), I was delightfully surprised by the '12 CR-V. In addition, the ride is smooth and comfortable; acceleration is surprisingly good; interior space is voluminous with lots of cubby holes for stuff. So far, there haven't been any confusing dash bits, awkward interfaces, or major negatives. We'll see if that trend continues as we put some more miles on the vehicle. Stay tuned.

Reflection of a 2007 Toyota Yaris

2012-05-23T13:01:00.002-07:00

I just like this image. I shot this photo into the shiny black plastic trim on the back of a 2012 Honda Fit, and captured the reflection of my 2007 Toyota Yaris in it.

Exploring the Ghost Town Byway by way of a Suzuki SX4

2012-05-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

For me, one of the most fun things about owning an off-road-capable vehicle is going places most people won't ever get to see. Whether it's four wheeling in Moab, Utah or simply exploring some back country dirty roads locally, there's a feeling of freedom, excitement, and wanderlust when I get to actually use my four-wheel or all-wheel drive system.

There are some really amazing places off the beaten path; places that a lot of vehicles won't be able to go—or at least places most people aren't willing to take their vehicle. You don't necessarily need a hardcore 4x4 to venture off the pavement. Some might argue you don't even need four-wheel drive in many instances. However, it's a nice feature to have if and when things get a bit tricky.

Apparently, Eric Davis feels the same way. He's made a few off-road videos of his outfitted Suzuki SX4 exploring destinations off the beaten path. Case in point is this video he filmed using his GoPro. The areas include a couple of ghost towns around Greenough, Montana. This kind of adventure isn't all about the four-wheeling; it's also about the exploration, the history, and getting out.

Eric's SX4 has a lift on it as well as Rocky Road Outfitters rock sliders, slightly bigger-than-stock BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires, Primitive Racing skid plates, auxiliary lighting, and a host of other modifications. It's a pretty trick ride that helps the SX4 more capable when the pavement ends.

I love this kind of stuff, and am fortunate to have a Suzuki Sidekick and Subaru Forestser for a bit of back country exploration of my own. Eric's video, however, really captures the essence of getting out there and exploring, if only for a day.

SOURCE:
ClubSX4.com

Toyota wants my '2007 Echo' for trade.

2012-05-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

David,

How are things? I'm assuming you haven't found too many 2007 Echos coming in for trade since there WEREN'T ANY.

Kindest Regards,

Andy

Suzuki: 0% financing for 72 months. Will it help?

2012-05-22T12:53:00.002-07:00

Suzuki posted on its Facebook page today that it was going to offer up to 0% financing for 72 months on all 2012 Suzuki models. That's quite a good deal if you qualify for it. The financing is done through American Suzuki Financial Services, and the vehicles must be purchased by May 31, 2012.

The question is, will anyone notice? With the company's lack of marketing, greatly reduced social media efforts, and shrinking dealer network, Suzuki hasn't been great at promoting itself. I don't think there's even been a press release about it.

Suzuki join a host of other manufacturers in the 0% until 5/31 club. However, this 0% is on all Suzuki models, whereas other manufactures are offering it on select nameplates, and it's for the long duration of 72 months. It'd be great if ASMC did an ad blitz to promote the deal and get some bodies into their dealers. Is 0% for 72 mos. enough to make people go to a Suzuki dealer? I'm sure the company will see a spike in May sales; then again, with sales as low as they've been, any increase is a good one.

LINK
Suzuki Automotive

Bad vibes: Troubleshooting a vibration

2012-05-21T12:23:00.001-07:00

The "Teal Terror" (aka project Suzuki Sidekick) is the first RWD/4WD vehicle I've owned, and the highest mileage vehicle I've ever owned (143,000 and counting), so there are some issues I'm not familiar with encountering. Things like worrying about u-joints and worn out mounts.

Lately, I've noticed that above 60 MPH I'm getting a nasty vibration—it shakes the whole truck. I'm not getting any steering wheel wobble; the whole darn thing just starts to shake. It's so bad that anything over 65 becomes unbearable. And although I don't drive it very often about 60, when I want to take it on longer trips for camping, exploring, etc., it's super annoying.

I took the trucklet into the shop that originally mounted and balanced the wheels and tires to make sure I hadn't thrown a weight, etc. It was going to cost me $25, but at least it'd eliminate a variable. The tire tech said the wheels were slightly off, and the tires were starting to show their age. Fine.

After the re-balancing, I took the rig up to 60+ MPH, and sure enough, the vibration was still there. Drat.

Last night, I rotated the wheels/tires front to back and took the truck up to 60 MPH again, and sure enough, the vibration was still there. Double drat.

I've pretty much ruled out the wheels or tires being the issue. So it's onto other things like the u-joints, which is likely what I'll have checked next. Other possibilities could be an off-balance drive shaft, perhaps a broken mount of some sort; who knows what else. I hope to have it fixed soon, since I plan on attending the Overland Rallies and Workshops event outside of Leavenworth, WA in July.

Mazda2 rides the Wall of Death? Sure why not!

2012-05-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

Mazda2 on the Wall of Death? Sure why not! Let's see your larger car do that. By the way, am I the only one that wishes there was some Rockabilly music in this video? By the way, you can learn more about the "Wall of Death" over at www.demondrome.com.

In the driveway: 2012 Honda Fit Sport with Navi

2012-05-16T12:22:00.004-07:00

About a year ago we reviewed the 2011 Honda Fit and found it to be a very good subcompact vehicle with excellent versatility and quick reflexes. Earlier in the week, we got asked if I'd like the 2012 Honda Fit Sport with Navigation for review. Hmm ... didn't we just review this? It's likely little has changed since the '11 model. But, we thought this might be a good time to see how the Fit compares to the latest crop of subcompacts, now that we've driven most of them.

What's interesting to me is that despite the vehicle now being in production for four model years in this body style, it bested the latest subcompacts in comparison tests by Car and Driver, and Motorweek. Is the the Fit still that good? Have the other subcompact models still not raised the bar enough to dethrone a four year old design?

Over the next week we can see for ourselves if Honda's five-door hatchback is truly still as good as some of the bigger publications say it still is.

Stay tuned.

Fogs and flaps for our Forester

2012-05-14T13:21:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I installed a couple accessories I picked up for our 2012 Subaru Forester: The OEM Forester Fog Light Kit, and a set of Rally Armor mud flaps.

The Fog Light Kit fit 100% perfectly, as it should with an OEM part. The installation took about an hour-and-a-half total, and was a piece of cake—I didn't even need to remove the bumper. All of the wiring is already there, you just need to pop out the factory inserts, install the included turn signal/light stalk that includes the switch to turn on the lights, throw in the lights, and hook 'em up. Price? $259.00.

Next up was a set of Rally Armor mud flaps made specifically for the Forester. These are not a generic application. Our Forester did come with the factory splash guards, but we wanted a bit more protection. The Rally Armor flaps are durable and wide, which will help protect the car's paint when we take it up the mountain during ski season or on gravel roads. We had Rally Armor flaps on our Suzuki SX4 and really liked them.

The flaps come with all the needed hardware and can be installed without removing the wheels, although you do need an off-set screwdriver of some sort. All of the metal hardware is stainless, which is a plus. Additionally, the flap material is very tough! They stick out a little ways from the body, which will be great for when we upgrade the wheels to a wider 17-inch wheel and tire. Price? $139.99—a lot cheaper than a new paint job.

I bought both of these items at Primitive Racing in Tigard, Oregon. The crew there are experts when it comes to both Subaru and Suzuki SX4 products. Highly recommended!

R.I.P. Carroll Shelby

2012-05-11T13:53:00.002-07:00

RIP Carroll Shelby, a man who was into putting big engines into small cars—a man after my own heart. Shelby passed away today at the age of 89.

I had the good fortune of hearing him speak at the 2006 SEMA Show, my first trip to the event. I didn't know he was going to be the guest speaker, and nearly fell out of my chair when they said he was the guest for the New Products Showcase breakfast. Really neat man.

Rest in peace fellow gearhead.

I want to build a subcompact sleeper.

2012-05-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

That's it. I want to build a sleeper. You know, a car that looks slow, blah, boring, but it's actually fast. Make that stupid fast. Why the sudden lust for a sleepy subcompact sleeper? I just watch a video of a 1,200 horsepower '72 Nova that looks like a pile of crap. But guess what? It's ridiculously fast. Make that redonkulously fast.

I've seen some fast subcompact sleepers. Take the Micro Image's 12-second Yaris, for example. My Yaris, with intake, header, and exhaust is probably a high 16-second car at best. The Yaris above, although not exactly "sleepy" looking, likely surprises most people. Love it.

Or how about a 12.53 second Ford Festiva (no not Fiesta, Festiva) with a rear-mounted turbo. Yes, that would be a heck of a sleeper. Who the hell would expect that? Not me. Bonus points for the front wheel treatment.

Or how 'bout this: A V-8 shoehorned into a Suzuki Sidekick. Hmm ... who do I know that already has a Sidekick? (ME!). No one would expect that. Although, I'd likely opt for a 2WD version and keep the Teal Terror for my off-road toy (that 1.6-liter motor would feel mighty underpowered after driving one with a V-8).

However, if I had the ability, I'd probably take a Mitsubishi Expo LRV and swap in a 4G63T out of a turbocharged Eclipse or EVO. They've offered these overseas from the factory; it's essentially an EVO III with mini minivan body. However, I'd keep mine FWD and make it look as close to a grocery getter as possible,

So who's with me?

Review: 2012 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4x4: A compact crossover from an off-road legend

2012-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Trail Rated Jeep Patriot 4x4 has more ground clearance than many other small SUVs. Photo by Curtis Reesor.

No brand is more synonymous with life off the pavement, the outdoors, and four-wheel drive than Jeep. When most people think of Jeep, they likely think of the iconic Wrangler—a living off-road legend that can go through (and over) terrain most people would never dream of. I say this out of experience, as I’ve done quite a bit of off-roading in them. However, back in 2007, Jeep decided to try another avenue with its vehicles, and it introduced a car-based SUV with fully independent suspension. Gasp! Shunned by purists for its car-like features and less-aggressive off-road ability, the compact Jeep Patriot (and its cousins the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber) is based on a front-wheel-drive platform. Double gasp! The Patriot offers available all-wheel drive, and even the coveted Trail Rated badge, meaning the vehicle meets a certain level of off-road credibility. And while Jeep purists may scoff at the Patriot, I look at it as a good thing. See, if Jeep can sell more vehicles as a whole, it allows more money to be set aside to continue building vehicles such as the Wrangler. Plus, it brings in new blood to the brand.

In 2011, the Patriot got a slight exterior freshening and an interior retooling, both of which added nice touches to the vehicle, and those continue into 2012. There are several trim levels for the Patriot ranging from the base 2.0-liter front-drive model with crank windows and no air conditioning (well, it is a Jeep), to all-wheel drive versions with a more powerful 2.4-liter engine, a CVT with an off-road gear allowing for a pseudo crawl mode, and a suspension system with more ground clearance. There’s no transfer case like a true 4x4, but rather the CVT and center differential lock allow for slow going when you’d want it.

Our 2012 Patriot Latitude 4x4 test model featured the CVT, larger 2.4-liter mill, and a host of features. Plus this Patriot has the honor of wearing Jeep’s “Trail Rated” badge, meaning this Patriot is more off-road capable than some of the other trim levels.

The Patriot definitely has Jeep DNA in its styling. We think it resembles the old Jeep Cherokee. Photo by Curtis Reesor.

The Patriot may remind you of a certain Jeep from yesteryear; specifically the beloved Cherokee. The Cherokee, last available in 2001, did feature a true 4x4 drivetrain, solid front and rear axles, and unibody construction—the latter being the only attribute the Cherokee and Patriot share. Interestingly, they’re about the same size, and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine makes the same amount of horsepower as some six-cylinder Cherokees used to—170 hp. The Patriot’s four-banger churns out less torque than the venerable 4.0-liter inline-six did in the Cherokee, but that’s to be expected.

Acceleration is adequate, but it’s more than enough to keep up with traffic and to merge and pass. The CVT unfortunately saps the driving excitement out of the vehicle. It should be noted that the Patriot is one of only a small handful of compact all-wheel-drive vehicles on the market that you can purchase with a manual transmission for under $25,000 (the others being the Suzuki SX4 and the Subaru Impreza and Forester). If we were to plunk down the cash for this vehicle, you can bet we’d opt for the five-speed manual transmission which not only would be more fun to drive, but would get better fuel economy. More on that in a moment.

There’s no surprises in the handling department. The Patriot is softly sprung and has lots of body roll in the corners. The all-wheel-drive did keep the car planted, but it isn’t very happy being driven enthusiastically in the twisties. It does, however, ride quite decently. Braking required significant pedal force, and the car nose dives under hard stops. Speaking of, whenever we’d come to a stop or start, the front suspension would make a creaking noise. Keep in mind, this test vehicle had only 1,500 miles on it.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to take the Patriot off the pavement much, other than a couple dirt roads. I did try out the crawl gearing and it does noticeably slow the vehicle for increased control in rough terrain. It also has more ground clearance than a base Patriot (and other small SUVs). I bet it’d be fun in the sand, actually. That being said, buyers would likely want to leave anything more difficult than the easy trails to more capable vehicles, such as the Wrangler. But, this Trail Rated Patriot is more capable than most “cute utes” on the market.

There is scads of cargo capacity in the Jeep Patriot, and the passenger's seat folds flat, too. Photo by Curtis Reesor.

We found the Patriot’s exterior to be handsome and masculine—a quality not found on many compact crossovers; there’s plenty of Jeep DNA in its looks. The interior is simple and utilitarian. Fold down the rear seats and the interior becomes voluminous. Plus, the passenger’s seat folds flat as well, which allows for longer loads to be carried. Heck, you could probably sleep in this thing if you wanted (and were under 6 ft. tall). The front seats are comfortable, but lack support and bolstering. The dashboard layout is simple and clean, featuring my favorite intuitive three-dial climate control setup. Compared to some compact SUVs and crossovers, the Patriot has a very long hood, and the overall feeling of the interior combined with this factor makes you feel like you’re driving a much larger car. Outward visibility is good, but the windows are tiny and the cabin feels dark and smallish.

Although the interior of the ’11 and ’12 Patriot is much improved over previous iterations, there were still items that felt cheap. The center console, for instance, rattled incessantly. Some of the trim pieces felt hard and hollow, too. I’m fine with hard and hollow for utility’s sake, but the rattles, not so much.

We felt the interior was clean and simple, but there were some squeaks and rattles. Photo by Curtis Reesor.

This review subject also had amenities including a four-speaker stereo with MP3 and Bluetooth (with streaming audio), power windows/locks, four-wheel disc brakes, air conditioning, hill assist and descent control, a very convenient 115V two-prong outlet, and side roof rails.

Our Latitude model also featured options such as the attractive 17” wheels and 215/65/17 all-terrain tires, skid plates, tow hooks, an engine oil cooler, and roof crossbars.

We really wanted to love the Patriot, and it was on our short list of AWD cars that could replace our now-replaced Suzuki SX4. However, the driving experience wasn’t as engaging as the SX4 or the Subaru models (we bought a Forester). The test model’s handling, small windows, and build quality issues turned us off. In addition, our tester had low fuel economy ratings of 20 city and only 23 highway. At this point, you’re only a few MPGs away from a more capable 4x4 that has more off-road prowess, such as the Jeep Wrangler.

The Patriot has a masculine look for a compact SUV. Photo by Curtis Reesor.

This 2012 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4x4 has an MSRP of $25,235. While on par with the segment, the fuel economy, build quality, and on-road handling keep the Patriot from achieving greatness. There’s a good chance the Patriot will be replaced in the near future with something that has some Fiat genes, since Fiat now owns Chrysler. And while a Jeep with Fiat underpinnings may sound odd (especially to Jeep purists), it’s likely it’ll be an improvement over the current vehicle in terms of driving dynamics, build quality, and overall performance. The Patriot is very utilitarian and attractive looking. However, it faces some very stiff competition from a variety of manufacturers, both import and domestic.

Subcompact Supercar: Nissan Juke-R to go into limited production

2012-05-09T12:13:00.002-07:00

Want to buy a Nissan Juke-R? You know, the Nissan GT-R-powered, 545 horsepower subcompact crossover. Well you can for a measly $590,000. Hell, I'll take two. Okay, maybe not, but Nissan has found two buyers in Dubai already. Nissan has said it'll build more Juke-Rs upon request. You could also buy about six GT-Rs, but they're sooo played out, right? And, of course, the Juke-R can haul way more cargo. One thing's for sure: The Juke-R is likely the fastest odd-looking new car you can buy.

Gareth Dunsmore, Marketing Product Manager for the Juke, said: "The Juke-R was originally intended as a one-off concept to marry two of Nissan's most innovative models. But the reaction we had to the car in Dubai was amazing—people were making offers for the original on the street!"

According to Nissan, anyone wishing to register an interest in purchasing Nissan's most innovative Crossover yet should contact Juke-R@Nissan.co.uk.

Nissan is showing off the subcompact supercar in this video where it's being pitted against some world-class sports cars

On a side note, I'd love to see one available in Gran Turismo 5.

The Other Teal Terror: Royal Enfield C5

2012-05-03T08:21:00.002-07:00

Andy and I have a lot in common: a passion for small cars, a love of good wine and beer, and wives who, as first generation Americans, don't always get their idioms right. What else? We both own tiny machines in slightly less than masculine colors that are a little underpowered and way more fun than you might expect. This is my daily ride, a 2010 Royal Enfield C5. I've got about 9,000 miles on it so far and it has certainly been an experience.

History
Royal Enfield has a long and rich history. Founded in 1893 in Redditch, England making bicycles, they then moned on to making quadricycles. They made their first motorcycle around ~~1911~~ 1901. They made them for a few years, took a few years off, then started again around 1911 and haven't stopped making them since. That's over one hundred years of continuous production. In the mid fifties they were sending so many bikes to India for the police and military that they set up an assembly plant there so the bikes could be shipped partially disassembled. By the mid sixties, Japanese bikes and the Harley Davidson Sportster (yes, it really used to be a sport bike) had sounded the death knell of the British sporting motorcycle industry and the Redditch plant closed shop, sending all their equipment to India where they spun up full production.

The little bikes were stout and hearty for their time. They had technical innovations like the first swingarm suspension used on a production motorcycle. They did well in racing and trials in the hands of privateers, there was never a factory funded team.

Spin forward a few decades and India is still making the same bike, the Royal Enfield Bullet. And I mean the same bike. There were only very minor modifications made for nearly fifty years. You could buy a "brand new" Royal Enfield and legally race it in vintage classes, it had changed that little. You could bolt brand new parts right on to a fifties bike.

What was state of the art in the mid fifties was now showing its age. The bike had a top speed of around 60mph on a good day and any significant time spent there was tempting an engine seizure from the anemic oil pump. It still had 6V electrics, points ignition, drum brakes front and rear, and was kick-start only. It was not terribly reliable by modern standards and the emissions left a lot to be desired.

Around 2005 they created the AVL or Advanced Lean Burn engine. It replaced the iron cylinder with an alloy one and raised the compression from 5.5:1 to 8.5:1. Emissions were lowered and 12V electrics became standard, as did electric start.

The AVL didn't last long. It was still way too dirty to meet emissions in many international markets. In 2009 they introduced the UCE or Unit Construction Engine. While the AVL had been a makeover this was a fresh start. The new bike had electronic ignition, electronic fuel injection, hydraulic lifters, a hydraulic front disc brake, and unit construction. Previously, the engine and transmission had separate lubrication. With the UCE the engine and transmission shared a single oil supply.

The New Generation
While totally fresh there was a huge premium placed on tradition. The engine still has a primary chain to transfer power from the engine to the transmission instead of the more common gear drive used in most bikes today. It gives the engine the characteristic short, upright look of a true British bike. They have an undersquare 84/90mm bore/stroke to get the great low end torque and distinctive engine "thump" that aficionados prize in the original. While the front end now has a disc brake it is on the left hand side, so when the bike is parked on the side stand and leaned over it tucks nicely away and isn't too noticeable. Top speed is now about 80mph with solid oil pressure.

The bikes are still hand made and one look at the frame will prove it. These are obviously not the perfect robot welds of a superbike. Lumpy but clean and obviously done by hand. Hammers and dollies are still used on the assembly line. Several models get hand painted pinstripes as well.

There are several models to choose from. The G5 is closest to the quintessential mid sixties English single cylinder with fork gaiters and a bench seat. The C5 evokes the classic lines of the fifties with a single seat and fender struts front and rear. Both of these models are available in Deluxe trim with more chrome and a beautiful chrome and painted tank. The B5 is the Model T. It is a little less expensive and made on the older Bullet 350 frame with a more square fender than the G5. It only comes in black. Finally there are the military variants, C5s dressed in flat olive drab or dessert sand colored paint. The Indian domestic market also gets some 350cc models.

As one person I know stated, "They changed everything they needed to and nothing they didn't." The bike is thoroughly modernized but looks like it fell through a time warp to get here. The ride is distinctly vintage. It shakes a good bit when revved and the handling is solid but not state of the art. That said, it is blast to ride! This is no super smooth inline four riding appliance. It takes you back to the day when men were men and machines made noise. While it will ride along on the freeway at 65mph it's more at home and more fun on back country or winding mountain roads.

My Experience
Some vintage affectations are notably absent. I have yet to see an oil puddle on my garage floor. The build quality and overall reliability is much higher than the older models but being hand made they're not quite up to Japanese standards yet. Still, most problems are minor and easily sorted. Classic Motor Works, the U.S importer, stands behind their product with a two year unlimited mileage warranty. Being a frequent visitor to their sponsored open forums I've seen first hand the effort they put into getting problems sorted. The owner of the company posts regularly on the forums. And the factory in Chennai, India is in regular contact with him collecting feedback.

While it's only got about 20hp at the rear wheel it's surprisingly capable. The picture you see at the top is of my bike at the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, CA. I live in Portland, OR. I made that round trip, about 1,600 miles total, on that bike and the only problem I had was the speedo cable coming loose at one point. I didn't burn down the freeway the whole way, I mostly took the back roads. My only complaint was that the seat could use some improvement.

The Next Generation
The company is planning some big things. They have been expanding at a very rapid rate over the last few years. They are in the process of setting up a new, larger factory to keep up with demand. While this qualifies as a small motorcycle here in the U.S. this is the largest engined motorcycle made in India. As in most of Asia, the majority of bikes made are smaller and made for basic transportation. Royal Enfield is actively promoting pleasure riding as an activity for a country coming into economic prosperity. Also, there is currently a twin engine in development. It will be a twin and air cooled but not many other details have been released. They have admitted that there is still a hot debate within the company as to whether it should be a parallel or v-twin.

In Conclusion...
Is this a bike for everyone? Not at all. If you want gobs of power and torque on tap look elsewhere. If you want your bike to run like a Swiss watch with just basic maintenance, pick something else. If you spend most of your time at 65mph or more, well, you'd probably be happier with something meant to do that and the RE isn't. But if you want a singularly unique motorcycling experience, if you want every ride to feel like you just stepped back in time fifty years, and if you don't mind talking to a gray haired guy and listening to him wax poetic about his old Triumph/BSA/Norton every time you park, this might be the bike for you. Oh, and those guys will never believe you when you say the bike is only a year old.

LINKS
Enfield Motorcycles

Enfield Motorcycles Arrive at Jay Leno's Garage

Driving the 2013 Dodge Dart

2012-05-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

So here I am in Austin, Texas at the launch of the 2013 Dodge Dart. There's a lot to talk about regarding this car, as it's Chrysler's latest foray into the compact C-segment class—a hyper-competitive genre that is growing incredibly fast. In fact, Dodge says that the compact car segment is the fastest growing of any group of cars on sale in the U.S.

You probably remember the Dodge Neon. Chrysler sold boatloads of them. But for 2007, there was no more Neon. Instead, Dodge launched the Caliber, a car that was almost universally panned by the automotive press as well as most consumers. Now that the Caliber is in its last model year, the Dart (thankfully) ushers in a new chapter in Chrysler's C-segment; one that I think will be much more loved.

Based on Alfa Romeo underpinnings, I'm venturing to say the Dart is going to be the best small car Dodge has ever offered. From its three powertrains and transmissions, various trim levels, attractive styling, and multiple performance variants, there will be something for all compact sedan buyers that turn to Dodge for their vehicle.

Today, we had the ride and drive portion of the launch, which took us through Texas hill country so we could get an idea of what the new Dart is like in the wild. We were able to drive were a mix of cars with the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Tigershark engine (160hp/148 ft./lbs. torque) and 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir (160hp/184 ft./lbs. of torque) engine. There were automatics and manuals to sample, as well as a number of trim levels. I've previously talked about the Dart's looks when I saw it at the Portland International Auto Show, so I won't go into details. You can decide for yourself.

First up was a black Dart Limited with the 2.0-liter engine and the six-speed 6F24 automatic transmission. The Limited trim level's interior looks downright great. There's soft-touch dash textures, stitched leather bits, and a handsome black/tan color scheme. The seats are well bolstered, supportive, and comfortable.

The power driver's seat allows for lots of adjustments, and the tilt/telescoping wheel lets you get in the just-right driving position. Ergonomics seemed good, and there's a healthy helping of touchscreen technology. Radio, climate control, navigation, etc., are all controlled/displayed via the car's 8.4" Uconnect touch-screen. And if that wasn't enough, the car also uses a 7" LCD gauge cluster which displays an analog speedometer, although the tachometer is a real dial with a genuine sweeping needle. There are a number of display options for this gauge cluster, although I didn't have a chance to futz around with them. I can say it was easy to read, and I was impressed by the ultra-smooth motion of the digital speedometer dial. It's better than I expected.

A great notable and very convenient feature is the under-seats storage found on the Dart. The passenger's seat bottom flips forward to reveal a compartment—great idea for an underutilized area.

The Limited model also includes LED interior lighting, automatic headlights, active aero grille shutters, and underbody aerodynamics.

A cutaway of the 2.0-liter Tigershark engine.

The 2.0-liter Tigershark engine isn't exactly a rocket ship, especially when mated to the automatic transmission. However, it's also the base engine. That's not to say the car is extremely pokey, but it's not warp speed, either. I found it required a heavy foot to keep the car motivated in the hills (and with the A/C on). Fuel economy ratings for this engine/transmission combo weren't available, but when paired with a manual trans, the EPA estimates are 29 city and 36 highway.

What was quite admirable, however, was the ride and handling. On the highway, the Dart offers a comfortable, composed, quiet ride. In the corners, the Dart's chassis is very willing. Steering feel and weight is excellent, and the car feels planted and secure. The four-wheel disc brakes are very grippy, and provided plenty of stopping power. By the way, four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all Darts.

The Tigershark-equipped Dart will likely be the volume seller, and so long as you're not looking to win many stoplight drag races, it's quite competent. Based on the driving experience and interior alone, I think its got much more character than Honda's latest Civic sedan.

A cutaway of the 1.4-liter MultiAir engine with some
strategically placed LED lighting.

Next up was a red Dodge Dart SXT with the 1.4-liter turbo MultiAir engine. This Fiat-sourced mill was equipped with the company's six-speed manual. A dual dry clutch transmission (DDCT) will be optional. By the way, it looked essentially the same as the black car above, sans the paint.

From the get go, this engine is definitely more willing to make power, and the additional 37 ft./lbs. of torque is very evident. The car pulls strongly from around 3,500 RPM up until its redline. With a quick downshift, passing is done with ease. From a stop, there's a bit of lag, but it's not too bad. Overall, it's much more impressive than the 2.0 Tigershark. Fuel economy for this model with the manual transmission is 29 city, and 39 highway. It should be noted that a last-minute confirmation was made that there will be an Aero model that will get "at least" 41 MPG according to Dodge.

The Dart's manual shifter.

The six-speed manual transmission's throws were a bit long and the shifter itself was tall with a big silver knob that I believe it plastic. When I shifted, my elbow would hit the seat bolster, so I either had to make a non-natural adjustment of my arm, or it would whack the seat. Shifter feel is average; I did seem to have a bit of trouble making the 3-2 downshift. Although it might not be my favorite shifter on earth, kudos Dodge for offering a manual transmission as standard equipment on all of the Dart models.

Our SXT tester had an all-cloth interior without some of the stitching and upper soft touch dash bits found on the Limited. It still had an attractive, two-tone motif, and I found both cars very comfortable as both a driver and a passenger—more so than the 2012 Ford Focus we recently reviewed. Then again, Dodge said that the EPA technically considers the Dart a midsize due to the large amount of room on the interior (EPA class designations go on interior volume. It's wonky, but that's the way it is). The SXT also features 17" alloy wheels and power everything standard.

One of the other journalists (and a self-professed Mopar enthusiast) commented on how he thought the Dart was reminiscent of the Neon in terms of handling—definitely a complement—because if there was one performance attribute the Neon was known for it was handling. And although I haven't spent too much time in Neons of yore, I will say that Dart's chassis is a willing participant in back-road fun, no matter the trim level. Part of that can be attributed to the four wheel independent suspension, the disc brakes, and the great steering feel. Combine this with a great interior (a Wards Automotive award winner, in fact), and you've suddenly got another very attractive compact contender on the market.

The 2013 Dodge Dart with some Mopar goodies.

It should be noted that the higher-performance Dart R/T will be out in the third quarter of 2012 and will incorporate more sporty bits into the vehicle. This includes the most powerful engine officially announced thus far, the 2.4-liter Tigershark making 184 hp and 171 ft./lbs. of twist. An R/T model can be seen below. They were not available for test drives. Above, is a Dart with some Mopar accessories, a carbon-fiber hood, and attractive Hyper Black alloy wheels.

Full disclosure: Dodge paid for my plane ticket, hotel, and meals for this event.

April 2012 subcompact sales

2012-05-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

From the numbers below, it looks like April, 2012 was a mixed bag for the smallest of the small cars. Although the usual suspects were up at the top, there have been a few cars that seem to be in a slump, such as the Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 (which has done well YTD vs. 2011).

The big winner was Toyota's redesigned-for-2012 Yaris with sales up over 115% vs. April, 2011.

The big loser this month, Honda's two-seater hybrid, the CR-Z, which moved a paltry 334 units for a whopping drop of 81.6% vs. this same time last year. In what appears to be continual slump, Nissan's funky Cube, which now going on eight straight months of sales drops of more than -60% vs. the same time last year. Yikes.

Chevy's Sonic continues to sell very well; Fiat's 500 looks healthy, too. And yes, the Scion iQ has now outsold the Smart ForTwo for two consecutive months. On to the big board!

Make/Model	Apr. '12 vs. Apr.'11	Units, Apr. '12	YTD Apr. '12 vs. Apr. '11	YTD
Toyota Yaris	+115.1%	4274	+68.0%	14443
Kia Rio	+55.6%	4006	+97.2%	14709
Hyundai Accent	+40.3%	6160	+30.1%	24644
Nissan Versa	+30.0%	8335	+18.5%	43530
Kia Soul	+2.5%	10716	+33.1%	43290
MINI Cooper/S Convertible	-7.8%	521	-5.1%	1503
MINI Countryman	-10.3%	1533	+13.1%	5665
Nissan Juke	-12.0%	2887	-8.3%	12329
Suzuki SX4	-15.0%	854	+9.0%	4195
MINI Cooper/S Hardtop	-22.2%	2621	-4.0%	9843
Mazda2	-23.4%	1048	+59.3%	8312
Scion xD	-24.0%	916	-7.0%	3466
MINI Cooper/S Clubman	-36.9%	508	-25.3%	1756
Ford Fiesta	-43.9%	5135	-29.9%	20657
Honda Fit	-60.5%	3202	-32.9%	15827
Nissan Cube	-66.9%	573	-69.5%	2650
Honda CR-Z	-81.6%	334	-69.1%	1699
Chevrolet Sonic	--	6387	--	28250
Fiat 500	--	3849	--	12699
Scion iQ	--	962	--	3485
Smart ForTwo	--	764	--	3028
MINI Coupe	--	290	--	290
MINI Roadster	--	258	--	512

Numbers reflect sales in the United States.

Quick Drive: 2012 Ford Focus SEL

2012-05-01T03:00:00.001-07:00

The Ford Focus has seen its fair share of mass audience appeal and solid sales since its introduction in 2000. I lose count of how many Ford Focuses I see on the road daily. I believe that is a good thing both for Ford and its customers.

I had a few days to spend with the newly designed 2012 Ingot Silver Metallic (with charcoal and black interior) Ford Focus SEL. I had a chance to drive it a bit in the city, but spent most of my time with the car in the country on the way to Sandy, Oregon, a town near Mt. Hood.

Exterior
This Focus SEL test model comes equipped with 17” alloy wheels, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, and bright beltline molding. All but the 17” wheels are standard equipment for this model. The body’s styling is more aggressive, with an in-your-face front end (which to me is reminiscent of the wide-mouth Mitsubishi Lancer EVO’s front grille design). I appreciate fog lights on any car, but the chrome-look housing on this model looks a bit cheap. The body lines are simple, intuitive, and meet up with the updated, yet classic-looking back end.

Ford also paid attention to the design of the ever-so-round-but-always-needed gas cap cover too. If you look closely, Ford’s design team integrated a body panel to conceal the usually round, sticks-out-like-a-sore-thumb painted gas door. Open the door and you have yourself an “easy fill capless filler”—pretty nifty. Edgy rear taillights, integrated side-mirror turn signals with multi-paneled side mirrors, rear windshield wiper, and a plastic mesh detail underneath the silver painted bumper outline this modernized hatch.

Interior
Nicely bolstered seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, easy to-read dashboard, and slick features like the integrated automatic garage door opener make this an attractive choice for many demographics. Updated interior treatments were both cool and not-so-cool for me. Cool were the Robin’s Egg blue gauge needles and text, aforementioned garage door opener and seats, and roomy feel despite its more petite size.

Not so cool to me were the awkward placed and not quite ergonomic venting system (especially the large side vents on the dash near the door), somewhat obtrusive rear headrests and wide rear C-pillar, and doors that opened so wide that a short-armed lady like myself had to hang out of the driver’s seat just to grab the door to shut it (when fully extended). It also took me a while to find the internal door lock button as they are in the center of the car, not on the door. This model also came with a digitized dual A/C and heating system that when turned on initially would always be blowing on high. Maybe operator error, but a bit annoying nonetheless when constant adjusting was needed after you turned it on to turn down the fan speed. Maybe it could be programmed not to do that , though.

The SEL test model also had an AM/FM single CD/MP3 player system, 60/40 split folding rear seat (great for hauling bulky or large items in this hatch), ambient lighting, as well as power locks, power windows, and illuminated entry. Safety features are also plenty: anti-lock brakes, lots of airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, and a keyless entry system with a Securilock pass anti-theft feature.

Driving
When driven on either the highway or city streets, the Focus felt very solid and stable. Even the deluging rain of the Pacific Northwest couldn’t make this car feel uncertain. Steering was very solid, driver controls right where you needed them. Cornering at speed was very good, and the car felt very solid and planted, even in the rain.

On the highway, the Focus offered a very composed, comfortable ride. This is a car you can drive for a while without getting uncomfortable. I will say that it did take a bit of getting used to in terms of driving position, however.

Although it wasn't necessarily the most exciting car I've driven, I felt very safe and secure in the vehicle.

Stats
This 5-door economy car gets great gas mileage: 27 city and 37 highway. And for us Oregonians, there is a PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) option, which this model had. The standard Focus MSRP price stickers at $21,065. Our vehicle had a few extras on it: the MyFord Touch and Sony package, HD Sirius/Nav, and 10 speaker package, as well as the polished 17” alloys. Combined with destination and delivery charges, this models stickers for $24,250. Take away a rapid spec savings of $175 and your grand-daddy total for this Ford Focus SEL model is $24,075. I’d say this is a good solid choice for someone looking for a quality compact car with quite a bit of amenities.

So the ’12 Ford Focus is a modern, world-class compact. The SEL model is great for those looking for a little luxury and tech with their small car. They’re selling very well, and I can see why. Ford has a very competent car on its hands that is able to go toe-to-toe with the best in the segment.

Should Mitsubishi's new Mirage come to the U.S.?

2012-04-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

The 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV was my first car. I grew up lusting for a 3000GT VR-4. My family owned two Eclipses in the early 1990s. I'd still love to find an '80s Mirage turbo, and my dream project is to put a 4G63T into an Expo LRV. Although I really like Mitsubishis, there isn't a new one that I'd buy.

Apparently, I'm not alone. Fewer and fewer people are stepping into Mitsubishi dealers. In the '80s and '90s, Mitsubishi made some of the most unique, edgy, and fun Japanese vehicles, and sales were good. With the Eclipse and Endeavor, and Galant on their way out, there are surprisingly few cars that apparently appeal to car shoppers. Plus, Mitsubishi, much like Suzuki (and there are plenty of parallels for the two companies in the U.S.), doesn't offer a gas-sipping B-segment vehicle here.

Now, Automotive News is reporting that Mitsubishi will bring the all-new Mirage to Canada, and that there's a 50/50 chance it'll make it Stateside. However, will this car help to usher in the masses to the Mitsubishi dealers?

The new Mirage (the name has been gone in the U.S. since 2002) is a simple, small two-box design that, as I understand it, could compete with Chevrolet's upcoming Spark A-segment mini car. Unfortunately, I think this Mirage already looks dated. From its no-nonsense hubcap-clad wheels, to its bland lines, I don't see the Mirage being a hit here. That is, unless they make it ridiculously cheap, and I doubt that'd happen.

The overwhelming response I've read a is that it's bland, boring, and blah to look at. And with outstanding choices from many other automakers, this Mirage may have its work cut out for it, assuming it lands on U.S. soil.

My family has owned seven Mitsubishi products over the years. From a late '70s Dodge Champ (build by Mitsubishi) to a 1997 Montero Sport—they've all been good, trouble-free cars. I'd love to see Mitsubishi regain some of its former fun self. I'm not sure the Mirage will do it, but maybe it's part of a bigger plan. Maybe not. I say, skip the Mirage and bring us a revamped version of the JDM Mitsubishi Colt.

SOURCE: Automotive News

Time magazine: Why small cars are big business

2012-04-30T08:41:00.001-07:00

Time magazine's May 7, 2012 article, "The Faster Lane: Why small cars are suddenly big business," (subscription required for online version) is all about increasing fuel economy standards, and how smaller cars have become more popular. In this article they call out seven models—Subaru BRZ, Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Scion iQ, Ford C-Max, Toyota Prius C, and lastly, the Honda Fit EV.

The article calls out the city fuel economy ratings of all the models listed. This is, of course, only half of the story, and arguably, makes the cars' fuel economy ratings look, well, not so impressive. Twenty-six MPG on the Sonic? So what. That's for the 1.8-liter, too. Why not use the EPA fuel economy of the 1.4-liter turbo, which gets 29 city and 40 highway? Or perhaps list the 1.4-liter's combined 33 MPG rating rather than just the city rating of the not-as-frugal 1.8-liter mill.

There was one big typo: The article calls out the"Toyota Scion iQ" as an EV, which it is not. It's a gasoline-drinking 1.3-liter four banger, Time.

Finally, the article goes on to tout the upcoming Honda Fit EV's 123 MPG. What it doesn't go on to say is that its range is 73 miles (city/highway combined). Range is probably the most important point regarding an electric vehicle, and when you're talking about MPG (or at least the equivalent, since it, you know, doesn't use gas), you might want to mention that.

While it's great to get more ink about small cars out there, it doesn't help when the entire story isn't told, or when there are typos. But hey, wee all make typoes ...

Event: 6th Annual Mt. St. Helens Cruise

2012-04-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

The 6th Annual Mt. St. Helens Cruise is set for Saturday, June 9. What started when I asked a bunch of auto enthusiasts if they'd want to take a run up Mt. St. Helens in 2007 has turned into an annual event. From Acuras to Volkswagens, we've had a little bit of everything show up for the run, and we expect the same this year. Each year we meet in Castle Rock, WA and cruise up to Johnston Ridge Observatory. Afterwards, it's down the mountain to Sea Quest State Park for a pot luck BBQ.

We've had people from as far away as California and Vancouver B.C. If you're in the area and are interested in attending, there's a sign-up on Facebook. If you come, bring something to share at the potluck. Hopefully we'll see some Subcompact Culture fans at the 6th Annual Mt. St. Helens Cruise!

What
Cruise up Mt. St. Helens to Johnston Ridge Observatory. Pot-luck lunch afterward (on the way down). Bring something to share!

Who
Car enthusiasts; any make/model are welcome.

When
Saturday, June 9. Meet at 10:00am at the Shell Gateway Food & Fuel, Castle Rock, WA

Where
Shell Gateway Food & Fuel
1178 Mt Saint Helens Way NE
Castle Rock, WA 98611

LINKS:
6th Annual Mt. St. Helens Cruise (Facebook signup)
Photos from the 5th Annual Mt. St. Helens Cruise
Photos from the 4th Annual Mt. St. Helens Cruise