McLaren MP4-12C

I went to the McLaren dealership in Newport Beach today and had a look around and I have to say I'm really impressed with the MP4-12C. They have a rolling chassis display which has the hydraulically linked dampers displayed along with the monocell (monocoque to the purists) and a bunch of other flashy bits like the magnesium instrument cluster carrier.

Being in Newport Beach, I'm guessing this is one of the few places that has almost as many of these cars as the factory in Woking does. I counted at least 7 of them all brand new waiting for owners. One car that was missing was the chrome example

While driving a few hours later we managed to find the chromed one broken down on the side of the road. The gentleman waiting with the car told us it was some sort of electrical or engine issue. Bummer.

This did give us a chance to open the door though which produced two interesting facts.

1. To open the door, you swipe your hand across a sensor under the side inlets. There's no movement. Good one McLaren. I'm impressed.
2. When parked next to the curb, the doors are not able to open. The doors first move perpendicular to the body then swing up but the car is so impressively low that the door hits even a low curb. Sounds like a small compromise on an otherwise incredible car.

I Saw a Fisker Karma

I saw my first Fisker Karma on the road yesterday stuck in some lovely 405 traffic. What makes this sighting special isn't just that I saw a road going Karma that wasn't pulled over or broken down. Its also not that it had manufacturers plates on the car either. What makes it special is the car's designer was actually driving it. Henrik Fisker and his fake tan and Donald Trump hair were doing a fine job of keeping it in a single lane too despite the car being the length of a stretch limo and width of a hummer.

The Fall of the Civic

The Honda Civic is undoubtedly one of the most reliable and best selling cars in Honda's long history of making customers happy. Its utility, size, price, and amenities made it nearly unbeatable. More specifically, the Civic SI was indeed one of the best values for the money from 2006 to 2011. It was a nearly 200 hp car that was fun, yet achieved 29mpg freeway, could have 4 doors, and fit a few bikes in it. But I have a problem, and I want to let you in on what it is.

Look at the pictures below and attempt to honestly tell yourself that the Honda Civic interior was completely redesigned as Honda has proudly proclaimed across the car community.

That's right, you can't say it without knowing that you're a filthy liar. The new Civic interior is more disappointing than when one of the Jersey Shore Guidos gets a girl home and it turns out she's not DTF. Yes, that bad. Not only is the interior tweaked, and not redesigned, but it got worse. The materials are cheaper, the cancerous lump above the binnacle has spread towards the passenger side of the car, and the speakers on the a pillars look like puckered buttholes ready to spew. I guess the root of the disappointment is not that the new Civic interior is terrible, it's just that its worse than the last Civic in every way I can think of.