The Cars
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
As the day gets closer, one of the big unknowns for us is who Gracie will be. Grace Park, of course, is the name of the car we will be renting...but we'll call her Gracie for short. Our reservation guarantees us a convertible, but no specific models. The potential models that they stock are Ford Mustangs, Chrysler Sebrings, and Mitsubishi Spyder Eclipses. As of Tuesday, they only had Sebrings and Spyders on the lot...though there was a chance that the distribution would change before we arrive Friday night.
Ford Mustang
Pros: 4-liter V6 210 HP engine, Classic style, Audio system has aux jack for playing music from phone through speakers. 10 cubic feet trunk space. Backseats provide extra storage space. Rear Wheel Drive. American classic that would be great for seeing America.
Cons: That beautiful engine sucks gas...17 MPG city, 26 MPG highway.
Bonus Thought: Silver horse logo on the front lets you pretend its not made by Ford.
Chrysler Sebring
Pros: 20 MPG city, 29 MPG highway, most headroom, most leg space, and most trunk space (13 cubic feet) in the group. Backseats provide extra storage space.
Cons: Chrysler logo makes me feel dirty, the 2.4-liter 173 HP engine will cause me to question my manhood every time a Honda Civic passes me on the interstate. No silver horsey on the front.
Bonus thought: Extra fuel efficiency probably not enough to wash away that dirty feeling that somehow you're supporting a socialist agenda.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Pros: Sportier, zippy roadster. Premium audio system comes standard. Windshield supposed to do much better dampening job of outside noise with roof down. Large gas tank for those stretches in Nevada.
Cons: Tiny 5 cubic feet of trunk space, and no real backseat for extra storage. 2.4 Liter 166 HP engine (though dragging a lot less weight than the Sebring)...despite weak engine, gas efficiency basically same as Mustang: 19 MPG, 26 MPG highway. Smallest headroom and leg room....pictures of Chris Farley in a little coat.
Additional note: Ability to pretend you're really in a Ferrari F430 Spider cruising along the French Riviera limited by wimpy high pitched engine sound and automatic transmission.
Ford MustangPros: 4-liter V6 210 HP engine, Classic style, Audio system has aux jack for playing music from phone through speakers. 10 cubic feet trunk space. Backseats provide extra storage space. Rear Wheel Drive. American classic that would be great for seeing America.
Cons: That beautiful engine sucks gas...17 MPG city, 26 MPG highway.
Bonus Thought: Silver horse logo on the front lets you pretend its not made by Ford.
Chrysler SebringPros: 20 MPG city, 29 MPG highway, most headroom, most leg space, and most trunk space (13 cubic feet) in the group. Backseats provide extra storage space.
Cons: Chrysler logo makes me feel dirty, the 2.4-liter 173 HP engine will cause me to question my manhood every time a Honda Civic passes me on the interstate. No silver horsey on the front.
Bonus thought: Extra fuel efficiency probably not enough to wash away that dirty feeling that somehow you're supporting a socialist agenda.
Mitsubishi Eclipse SpyderPros: Sportier, zippy roadster. Premium audio system comes standard. Windshield supposed to do much better dampening job of outside noise with roof down. Large gas tank for those stretches in Nevada.
Cons: Tiny 5 cubic feet of trunk space, and no real backseat for extra storage. 2.4 Liter 166 HP engine (though dragging a lot less weight than the Sebring)...despite weak engine, gas efficiency basically same as Mustang: 19 MPG, 26 MPG highway. Smallest headroom and leg room....pictures of Chris Farley in a little coat.
Additional note: Ability to pretend you're really in a Ferrari F430 Spider cruising along the French Riviera limited by wimpy high pitched engine sound and automatic transmission.
Needless to say that all 3 cars have their pros and cons...The Sebring is clearly the most practical , but probably the least fun to drive. Mustangs are fun and have some zip to them but the base models are supposed to have cheap interiors and it guzzles gas. The Mitsubishi would be fun and comes with a lot of perks, but you give up a lot of space, both for passengers and cargo.
I don't want to prejudice Gracie before I even meet her, but I think its fair to say the Mustang would be my top pick...with a much harder competition between the Sebring and Eclipse. It's hard to picture anything made by Chrysler being named Grace Park. If it turns out to be a Sebring, I might feel compelled to name it after someone a little less fun and more about efficiency and practicality...that begs the question though, who really wants to drive around the United States in a car named Margaret Thatcher?
|
Post a Comment