Car Sangarz

These carbon vents are pretty gaudy, aren't they? Why would we ever need vents made out of carbon fiber? If you really want to make your car lighter, might you consider completely removing air conditioning instead?

Okay no, maybe not. I’m sure I wouldn’t want my sweaty butt B.O. smell to bake inside my hypothetical $225k Italian sports car either.


It may not seem like it to you, but I do appreciate carbon fiber. The weaves are seriously cool. And especially from a technological standpoint, it’s almost magic. If I could travel back in time and show alchemists this miracle material, I wouldn’t be surprised if they forget all about turning lead into gold.

Unfortunately, the trend with carbon fiber is men believe they have to have it in order for their cars to be any better. The marketing folk understands that especially. That's why they show no shame when they vomit out unnecessary applications and accessories. There are plenty of people who take the bait.


Take this: Carbon fiber cup holder trim? Seriously?? Just how many grams will you take off of your car’s curb weight? Did you actually gain a lower center of gravity?

We have got a better idea for you. Don’t even bother with cup holders at all. Go on your own little diet. Lose some weight. Empty the change from you pockets, wear a thinner shirt, buzz your hair, shave your beard. Hell, manscape.

There are cars where carbon fiber should be the least of its concern-- the Bentley Continental Supersports, for example. The “base” Continental GT, if a hand built car can ever have a “base” model, costs around $180k.


A bump in horsepower and a two hundred pound weight saving raises the price by approximately another hundred grand, slotting itself into DB9/ 599 GTB territory.

Is it suddenly a weapon for the track? No. The spec numbers still mark it at 4939 lb., comparable to the weight of a million elephants. It tells me that no amount of carbon fiber will hide what it was always meant to be— a torque monster long distance GT car, a coachwork orgy of rich leathers, burled wood, aluminum switches, and the trademark Breitling analog clock on the center console.

I’ve always liked that about Bentleys, anyway.

Look, the fact of the matter is that we have to admit what's right and leave carbon fiber for the real hypercars and sports cars-- Pagani Zonda, Lamborghini Superleggera, Ferrari Challenge, etc.

Even then, few of us will ever drive these vehicles to limits where we truly cannot do without the car's carbon fiber weight and rigidity characteristics. I know I never will.

For the record, though, why yes, I would take the Aston over the Supersports and the GTB, thank you very much.


As a matter of fact, the DB9 is the prime example of why a car really does not have to throw carbon fiber around to shout about itself. Its cabin is just a gem to sit in and the true sense of occasion comes from… well, from the fact that it’s an Aston Martin.

It's possible I can be mistaken. Perhaps the DB9 does have some mechanical bits or panels that are carbon fiber. I can’t be positive and I haven’t a clue where the bits could be. Honestly, I don’t care and I can't be bothered to research it on Google. The point here is Aston Martin made sure not to make carbon fiber a hallmark in presenting the DB9. Such a suggestion actually distracts you from the real reason why the car is so desirable. The car is more than the sum of its parts.

Hm, “more than the sum of its parts.”

Think about that the next time you think your sports car needs to have that carbon fiber trim that includes carbon vanity mirror covers.

Folks, it's a road trip post!

Completing my last final exam at around 11pm last Wednesday night, I receive a call from mom with exciting news that we would be going on a trip to Cape Cod the morning after. Road trips with mama dukes always meant that you'll have to mentally come to terms with her role as the back seat driver for the coming four hour drive. But hey, I was desperate and I really needed this.

I'd like to use this opportunity to just say how important family really is and that I'm really glad we did it. In the end, this turned out to be one of the most pleasant trips of recent memory. My parents are no longer young and they're only going to get older. Another family trip is another memory that we'd be able to share together. When my folks get to an age where they've become too old to travel, I hope not to have any regrets on not spending time with them when I had the chance.

Road trips also remind us what owning a car is really about. Fundamentally, it is mobility. When an owner buys a Ferrari only to leave it in a climate controlled garage, I can only believe that what the owner must feel is a sense of regret and remorse that grows exponentially for every back road that he prevents his Ferrari from stretching its legs on.

Anyway, without further ado, please enjoy the pictures!

Day 1, Cape Cod:

Considerations were made on whether or not to make this post a review on the Lexus (this is supposed to be a car blog after all) but I was afraid that it'd make readers fall asleep.

Let's get this over with. The Lexus GS 300 awd. Design wise, it's one slippery and handsome bar of soap, or as Lexus likes to call their design direction, "L-finesse". It seats four comfortably, though headroom is a bit lacking and I would have much preferred to leave my hat on while sitting inside.

Performance is good. With all passengers and luggage in the car, the engine was not out of breath when it was asked to accelerate to merging speeds. I'd describe the delivery as similar to that initial feeling you get when an elevator starts to move from underneath you. Boring, pretty much.

The chassis is rigid, the suspension is firm, the dampers are forgiving. The cabin is extremely quiet, the air conditioner blew cold, the leathers are soft, the ergonomics are sensible, the Mark Levinson stereo system was most welcomed. My mom and dad were especially happy with it whenever Lady Gaga's Telephone came on. Really, they're more hip than you think!

In conclusion, the Lexus is a good long distance tourer, but we'd prefer something with a bit more passion (a quid in the Italian swear jar) or a bit more Maserati Quattroporte.


Day 2, Provincetown and Gray GablesToken "editor in front of test car" picture.Paying Uncle Bob a visit!Day 3, BostonTop of the Prudential with Danny ChinCoordinating get up was unintentional. Probably caught a bit of attention though.Danny Chin and I sitting around talking about cars as usual. Note how my left arm is flat against the armrest and my fingers are curving upwards. I'm convinced that this picture was taken when I was in the middle of describing this white Aston Martin V8 Vantage I saw earlier that day and what my arm was actually doing is imitating the Aston's duck tail spoiler. Yes.

All in all, I had a great time and it was great to visit Boston again. Special thanks to Sandra and Uncle Bob, a thank you to my parents for becoming less dorky, and special special thanks to Danny Chin and his family for the hospitality. It was wonderful to see you all again!

I'm sure there will be more road trip posts in the future. It is arguably the most rewarding thing to be able to do as a driver. This sort of combination of spontaneity and freedom is rare and I don't think it's even something I see many major publications write about in detail.

I hope you enjoyed this post, let us know of your memorable road trips or one that you've always wanted to do!

If you ask this question, then obviously you are not a car guy. If you have an answer to this question, you are also not a car guy.

How on earth would you answer that anyway? It's very similar to "the question" raised in the novel, A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. "The ultimate question" to life, the universe, everything. Please, if you're about to run over to the nearest book store in hopes of finally discovering the answer, don't bother. There isn't one. It's just too vague.

Given, the question "what is the best car in the world?" does not have the same universal measure of importance.
My mother, for one, would care less, or just say that the best car in the world is her Nissan Maxima simply because she drives it.
And there's the bombshell. I respect a person as a fellow car guy if this person understands that the cars they like or the cars they would own in turn becomes an extension of who they are. It sends people a message of the things you hold important to yourself. The best car in the world is simply what is best for you.

I don't know, just thought it was a nice thing to think about if you ever find yourself asking that question.

-Danny Choy-

I'm about to let you in on a little secret. It's how to spot a real car guy from a poseur with one simple question:

What do you think about a Miata?

At this point, there will be one of two reactions. To the uninformed, the Mazda roadster will be mocked for its "cute" appearance, tiny dimensions, and lack of balls (usually it's a real macho dude who holds this car in contempt). To these people, driving isn't an experience to enjoy. Being at the wheel of a car is like being on stage for all the world to see.

Well, that's fine for them. The rest of us know that the Miata (why did Mazda change it to mx-5?) has a driving experience as pure as uncut coke and it's probably just as addicting too. Let's take a look at the recipe for this drug... err ...car.

The basics are all here. It has a front engine, rear wheel drive layout mated to a light and nimble chassis. How light is this car? The curb weights for the first and third generation are 2116 lbs and 2480 lbs, respectively. Horsepower? 116 and 167. In comparison, the iconic Corvette and Porsche 911 weigh about 600 lbs more. Ok, that's all well and good but numbers can't tell the story of why this is such a good car.


It's the feeling. That lack of weight carries more speed into the corners and immediately responds to direction changes. The driver just has to think and the car will be there in an instant. Find a good bit of twisty road, clip apex after apex, and mat the throttle in between. The tactile sensations are all there too. The steering wheel communicates every rock, leaf, and stripe to your fingertips. The clutch is perfectly weighted and matches beautifully to the perfectly spaced short throw shifter for those lightning fast upshifts or heal-toe downshifts.

So, next time you find yourself staring at the gauges of a Miata, pay no attention to the "bro" in the 'Stang with the blowout haircut sitting in the lane next to you. Let him dust you off the line and revel in the fact that you'll overtake him corner after corner. That is an addiction...

-Danny Chin-