Andy Laub

The Magnum, I mean. Not the HEMI, since a) I can’t be trusted with one and b) also they didn’t have any. But I drove the 3.5 V6 which was very fun and nice. Despite 2 cylinder disadvantage to “classic” muscle cars, it still had a very strong and powerful-sounding exhaust note. It was a fun experience.

I also drove a 2001 Jetta on Friday which was OK, but it was only a 115 hp 4 with an automatic, so acceleration was pretty lackluster. They are fun to throw around corners, though – very solid. I like VW. We’ll see what happens with that. I am pretty paranoid about turbos at this point, which is unfortunate because I liked the Passat alot. I guess if I can find a 6 cylinder Passat or Jetta, that could be good. I want a tiptronic or a manual, but I am leaning at this point toward a tiptronic because you get benefits from both. Except that it is looked down upon by performance driving snobs.

We got a good look at the new Odyssey earlier this week as well, and every other minivan should be very afraid right now. I just wish that Toyota didn’t offer AWD because that will sway some people and lure them into this false sense of security. After looking at Hondas, it is hard to look at other cars because Honda has a very different system of trim levels. You have the DX-LX-EX generally, although there is some variance. But the thing is, there are NO option packages available. If you want a sunroof, you get an EX automatically. You don’t have to order “premium package 2-B” or whatever. It’s so much easier and the car ends up being it’s actual base price, instead of starting at $23K and topping out at $29K with all these options added. I like that. VW/Audi is fairly good about this too, but they have a lot of standalone options.

Speaking of which, why in the world are rear side airbags optional on an AUDI? I find that utterly ridiculous. I am buying a luxury car but I have to pay extra for more airbags. Great. It just doesn’t make sense. Just build it into the car – people like it when more airbags are standard – it’s going to be mandatory anyway. Just put in a defeat switch or a sensor so it turns off depending on the weight of the seat and you’re set. It’s not rocket science – the more airbags the better, and the higher the resale.

I think… I’ve seen a couple between Nelly in the Flap Your Wings video and Carmelo Anthony on Cribs. I guess it makes sense – it exudes that same sort of badassence that the Escalade did in a more compact package. And damn, they look good in black. Now that I think about it, G-Unit had one of them in one of their videos, or maybe just the 300C. That’s pretty cool. My mom still thinks they look like a hearse, though, but she also laughed when I told her I liked the Infiniti FX. Speaking of parents and cars, my dad is now the owner of a charcoal Honda Accord V6. I am so proud. One more thing: I predict that at some point in the near future, both Saturday Night by Ozomatli and Steriogram’s Walkie Talkie Man will hit the top of the iTunes chart due to their appearances in iPod commercials.