“We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors.” —Weldon Drew

Friday, October 10, 2008

Lapped

The wheels came off this week. Well, technically it was just one wheel. And fortunately I was merging into traffic and hadn't gotten up to speed. My 1996 Galant skidded off the freeway and over the shoulder, stopping just short of a light pole. When the tow truck operator lifted the crippled sedan off the ground transmission fluid poured from some unseen wound.

"Where to?" he asked.

"Let's take it to the Honda dealer," I said. We parked the Galant on a back lot and I drove off in a new Civic. I'm not much of a comparison shopper. It was a smooth transaction.

In the last month reported, Honda was the only automaker that didn't see a drop in sales. Meanwhile, General Motors' stock is at a 58-year low. The country's largest Chevy dealer just closed all 13 of its stores. And J.D. Power warns the entire auto market may "collapse" in 2009.

What's wrong with Detroit? Paul Bard notes the retro-styled 2009 Dodge Challenger is available with the following engines:
  • 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter High-Output SOHC V6
  • 372-horsepower, 5.7-liter (VVT) HEMI V8 with Multi-Displacement System
  • 376-horsepower, 5.7-liter (VVT) HEMI V8 with 6-speed manual
  • 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter HEMI SRT V8
Do you really need that much horsepower? Yes, you do. Because the damn thing weighs 4,000 pounds.

Meanwhile, consider the sharp-looking Dodge Demon concept car, which made the rounds of the auto show circuit last year. Think Mazda Miata or Pontiac Solstice, but with a Viper-like front end. This car weighs 1,400 pounds less than the Challenger, would cost less and would get better mileage. “Awesome,” you say. “When can I get one?”

How about never? Searching the Chrysler website for “Dodge Demon” retrieves only Sorry. We couldn't find what you were looking for. No kidding.

Our IRA statement came the same day we bought the new car. HMC paid a nice dividend. Again.

Playing hoops at St. John's also pays dividends, in fitness and overall well-being. We tip off tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., as usual. Let me know if you will or will not be there.



Reminder: Share your thoughts on getting a sitter to watch the kids at hoops.

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