trinacriabob

This is what I also spotted yesterday. For a while, I thought that most of America wasn't moving away from Craftsman style housing fast enough. It lasted for at least 2 decades in areas they don't use the Mediterranean stucco look. Well, America did move on ... to this. I don't know what it's called ... American white farmhouse? There isn't much variety in it at all. And this is mostly what you see anymore. Can't we do better?

The beauty and the beast: ... just seen while running errands

I love it. No surprise there. Sure, an Oregon plate, because they appreciate their Subarus and Volvos more than American iron. I'm going to say '83 or '84 because we knew someone with an '83 Eldorado in that nice shade of medium to dark metallic blue. That color also stuck around for '84 Cutlass and its GM stablemates. - - - - - @Drew Dowdell Some of those photos are interesting, but there are only a few I'd be excited about. The "problematic" ones have beltlines that are too tall, grilles that are beyond exaggerated (and making the '04 to '08 GP grille look tasteful), bodies that are too long, rear ends that look like rocket fire should be spewing out of them, and even some weird kinks in the simpler volumes. What I notice is that the experimental renditions are more daring and, then, when the car is released, they take some of that edginess off. I'm going to say that I like about 3 or 4 of them - - - - - I saw this yesterday ... I pulled over to get the photo. The care of the lawn carries over into the care for the car. When Riv/Toro had their short period of stubbiness, I'd say I liked the Riv (above) more, save the trestle shifter in the Toro. When they got lengthened in ~1989 (through ~1992), I preferred the Toronado. Yep ... light driftwood metallic, beige (cloth) bucket seats, vaned alloy wheels, and a 3800 V6 that wasn't quite Series II.

Random thought - word of the day: smarm(y) Great word!

Coincidence, telepathy, 6 degrees, or something ... I've got one right now ... a white one.

MECHANICAL PHOTOS It's definitely not a N.A. 4 cylinder engine - the V6 with twin turbos takes up a larger part of the engine bay. There is a very clearly marked compartment for the battery. I didn't open it up to take a look. The symmetrically placed brake fluid compartment needs that much room? One would think they'd also lay out the fuses here. While the oil dipstick is easy to find, the other lids are sort of ominous and point to something cautionary and under pressure - most likely coolant ... this shows you that the engine bay is fairly maxed out.

INTERIOR PHOTOS Sweeping view of the interior - and its sweeps - from the driver's door. I very much like the curved effects on the dashboard and how they make their way onto the front doors. View of the front of the cabin from the passenger door An overall view of most of the dashboard and Infiniti has an agreeable enough emblem While it may hide some other info when this mode is chosen, the old school chronometer - together with the date spelled out, is a nice feature/option This is straight out of a Nissan Altima ... note that, when assigned to me, it had over 57,000 miles. Here you see the remote trunk release but I also prefer a remote fuel filler door release instead of pushing on them All the windows have the automatic up-down feature and it has become a must-have Even though I wasn't a fan of black bits on interiors in other colors (cream, tan, gray, etc.), it works well here, together with the wood applique and chrome, and is handled in a way to may it look sort of "premium." Here is the rear seating area of the cabin with all the headrests pushed down. Its craftsmanship appears to be good. The rear visibility with the headrests pushed down garners a "thumbs up" from me. When you have a sunroof, you realize it's sort of nifty, but that you don't exactly want to use it all the time. I preferred just having the glass sunroof in a closed position with the shade pulled back and open most of the time. This is an overall view of an empty trunk. I came to learn that the large rear wheel well humps created some restrictions. That is a standard piece of luggage at the right and a rollaboard at the left. While they are both stuffed (in height), the width remains the same and I couldn't place them side by side and pushed against the back of the trunk space. That made it harder to put in other luggage or store purchases, the latter of which could go in front of them or at the sides.

EXTERIOR PHOTOS Side view of the Q50 on America's "First Coast" region and Ponce de Leon seems to approve. Actually, the grille is somewhat attractive (not as heavy handed as that of a Lexus). The pearl effect white exterior with very pale cream/tan interior came together well in this vehicle. These cars in this category seem to converge in terms of styling - I see some Nissan Altima and even some Pontiac G8. The greenhouse, with all the headrests pushed down, gets a "thumbs up" from me for visibility.

I had never driven an Infiniti Q50 before, let alone ever really looked at them. I also didn’t know much about these cars. I was supposed to be assigned a medium sized SUV, but remarked I wanted the luggage area to be hidden. The rental agent told me they could not guarantee the presence of a retractable cover. (Why would they order a car without one or why would someone take one? eBay?) They didn’t have any SUVs anyway, and I got put into an Infiniti Q50. I checked my phone to verify the cost would be covered by my insurance and the credit card parameters. It came in at around $43,000. That’s if new. That said: “no worries.” However, this unit would be a much-depreciated 3+ year model with 57,000 miles. I relaxed. At any rate, I put less than 500 miles on it over a week. As one walks up to it, you can tell its heritage … and rather quickly. You can instantly see similarities to the Nissan Altima in the instrument panel’s main cluster and in the switches much the same way that a CT6 by Cadillac and a Cruze by Chevrolet share dials and such. However, the assembly and detailing are nicer in the Q50. It had leather seating, which I don’t care for in a warm weather location, that was comfortably contoured and nicely finished. The same could be said for the doors and other trim and fittings. Inside, I liked the way that the dash, center stack, and console flowed together. The scalloped tops of the dash hearken to those of the very last Impala, which had an attractive dashboard on various levels. The center stack is slightly like that of an Olds Aurora. These comments go along with the often-cited commentary that this car is traditional and old school in a lot of ways, thus not breaking any new ground. The least favorable aspect of the interior is operating the various touch screen and stalk functions. Some are redundant and confusing. However, for one, it is possible to pull up a clock that resembles old school chronometer and have it sitting at the top of the center stack. On the interior's plus side, there are perfectly contoured and angled slots to store water bottles at the base of the front doors. On the minus side, there is a remote latch release for the trunk, but not one for the fuel cap door. (The fuel cap door remains closed if the car is locked.) I figured that this Infiniti would have a V6. It was no ordinary V6, but 3.7 liters worth of V6 with twin turbochargers. Rarely does one need this much power and, in one week, I got aggressive with the throttle in one merging situation and one passing situation. It is up to the task and kicks out a little torque steer. Its hum is a rather muted purr. As would be expected in what is supposed to be a premium car, the automatic transmission is a geared unit. It has 7 speeds. The first 2 shifts can be felt while the remaining shifts are not. However, if in stop and go traffic, and alternating speed, those early shifts can be a little less smooth as the transmission seems to hunt. (It could also be how many miles were on the unit.) Why 7 speeds? How about 6 … or 8? I’m talking even numbers! With the powertrain comes the requirement for premium fuel. Also, compared to many full-size Japanese cars working with 4 cylinders and turning in commendable gas mileage, this car with its V6 is a little thirsty. Ride, handling, and noise are related, but different enough. The ride was supple and controlled, but not much more so than that of an uplevel 4-cylinder sedan. Handling was better and this Infiniti tracked accurately and nimbly. Also, the Q50 was fairly hushed, but I might have expected a little more isolation and a higher premium "feel" for the price jump from a Nissan to an Infiniti. Its exterior features that extra chrome and trim to make it uplevel within the Nissan family tree, yet the greenhouse is an almost familiar one. This car delivered on one greenhouse dimension I’m fussy about - rearward vision from the driver’s vantage point is very good. I don’t know how the order sheet was configured when this car was purchased. There was an indicator for forward alerts, but I never got to experience it in action. Also, whether on the rearview mirrors or inside of the front pillars, there was nothing to warn of side traffic and there weren’t parking assists that kicked in. Perhaps they were there, but the car was not put in a situation where they’d engage. On another rental car of a lower price point, those were always at work and perhaps a little too eager. I almost prefer the latter. I didn’t read any reviews about this car before beginning the rental or during the rental. I echo what they have to say. For its niche, it doesn’t drum up much enthusiasm. The best point is its more premium handling while the negatives are some difficulties in setting it up when first getting in and its slight thirstiness. If something about this overall package is appealing and a person connects with the Q50, then the consumer will probably go for it. I don’t know how it will hold up and how much it will cost to service over the long haul. While there are no Toyota and Nissan dealerships in Beverly Hills, California, as an example, there is a Lexus agency there while the Infiniti dealership seems to have closed. Infiniti seems to want to ride the same wave that Lexus is riding, though I’d think piggybacking onto Toyota might be a more lauded genealogy. This is very much a personal decision and you’re on your own. I was going to turn in the Q50 after a day to see if I could get something more familiar to me but decided to keep it. Exchanging cars is a hassle. Once past the learning curve and adjustments, it’s fairly easy to live with, but it’s neither a remarkable nor compelling vehicle. - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING

Random thoughts: In looking at 270 to Win, nothing has changed since 4 years ago - the states are shaded the same way and the swing states are also the same - MI, WI, PA, GA, AZ, and NV. This is and isn't about politics since I'm a huge geography and demographics buff. - - - I hate being in places that don't recycle. - - - I was next to a late model Mazda 6 last night. While I hate its dash and its big upright touch screen, I feel that this sedan nailed the exterior looks department at its time better than did the Camry, Altima, Accord ... and probably even the Malibu and the Fusion. - - - How do you deal with someone who texts in dribbles a good part of the day ... on many days? I might text someone I know once every week to 2 weeks. And it has some critical mass to it. Actually, if you have a lengthy phone conversation, then you don't need to communicate with a person for a long time, so it's more efficient. Since this individual does not like the voice aspect of the phone, this is what I have to deal with. I want to fix this, but I don't want to be rude. - - - I feel that, with each passing day and with all the villains around, I/(we) am/(are) living in a bad 007 movie.

Good morning ... Clearly I jest. Does this elation come from witnessing the eclipse?

Happy Tax Day . . . whew

This is definitely true. That's why I'm interested, but not exactly compelled. On the other hand, Turkiey is a secular Muslim country. They actually chose the Latin alphabet over an Arabic (type) alphabet. Istanbul is also sprouting condo towers, but it conducts itself in mostly western ways. I don't think being disrespectful of the main religion would be too smart, though. However, it's not much different from some European capitals or major cities. A couple of their other big cities are supposed to be okay, but I wouldn't know. My understanding is that the further east you go into Anatolia, the more backwaters it will be. Not interested. - - - - - What I was really going to say: the subject matter of "if it does not fit, you must acquit" is gone. Yesterday. He got off the hook. He must have had "survivor's guilt" because he couldn't stay out of trouble and got himself locked up. They never found the person who committed the crime. Even though I never cared for Amanda Knox - don't like her vibe - they ultimately found the culprit in that mess.

I am somewhat interested in visiting Dubai someday. It looks sort of like a beachside Las Vegas in a rich Middle Eastern locale.

I'm very mixed on all of this. I have a religion - the one I was raised in - but I'm not a religious fanatic. There's somewhat of a compass that comes with being part of a religious community. On the other hand, my religion, and others, have been criticized for their inability to stay out of people's bedrooms. Now they're overreaching for wanting into the polling booth with folks. People are steamed with all this.

FICTION: - - - - - FACT: The Griffith Observatory does NOT sit right above downtown. LOL. Far from it.

We have someone with the handle "Los Angeles" having a birthday today. That said, I had to look up the city of Los Angeles's birthday - it's April 4, 1850. As a native, I should have known that. So, a birthday of April 10 (today) isn't too far off. Admission Day for California is September 9, 1850 .... actually AFTER that of the city of Los Angeles ... and both 1 year after the most likely year for the Gold Rush - 1849. Depending on where you went to school and/or worked, Admission Day could be a day off.

Well, materialistic, shallow, and would do whatever it takes to get somewhere. That worked. Overdone - at this point - for sure, and a rather ordinary looking Slavic girl when younger. I wouldn't care one way or the other if people like this stayed in the private sector. They'd get a pass ... maybe.

What I was really going to say ... I was doing some surfing last night and was reading some biographical stuff and landed here. Ok, she's fine where she is with the deep pockets she has access to. However, had she not accessed those, she could have been quite successful if cast as a recurring foreign villainess in the 007 franchise.

No, they are not cheap. Look where we've had to go to hold prices down - 3 cylinder engines and other paring down across the board. However, all the solid state stuff and complicated electronics remain - as can and should be expected - and raise the ownership costs for those planning on a long(er) holding period. I'd say that 25% to 30% of my repair bills on my last car were for fixing quirky codes and related gremlins.

I believe the jet lag is over, but a week ago I spent from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm in flight, with the time change realistically putting me in at about 5:00 am the next day - Rome to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Houston, and Houston to Florida. I picked Houston as the connection point because Lufthansa was using the popular 747-400 while the few operators of the jumbo have 747-8s (so does Lufthansa). That's a 747-400 at Frankfurt, also with the new livery, but not the plane bound to Houston ... Lufthansa also uses this equipment on the Frankfurt-Toronto route. Most North America flights use the 747-8. This is the one for the flight to Houston ... the one at the left has the old blue and gold livery Going over the top of the world to get from point A to point B The Germans make Kanada and Kongo look and sound Germanic ... love the flight monitor instead of trying to take in a movie or music with the background noise The plane's icon is quite close to Greenland ... some flights on this route go over it and some fly even further south of it. I like that last window seat in one of the "twins" all the way at the back, with there being 3 across just a few rows up The view forward from the rearmost of 5 cabin segments on the main level ... I am as taken with the the jumbo jet as I was as a teenager, if not more. The diversity of people on these international flights is interesting and something to see. The outermost engine on this quadjet seen while descending over Eastern Texas and approaching Houston-IAH Bush airport. When the seat flight monitor tells you how many miles you are from The Woodlands, you know you're close to Houston! It was an amazing day and all flight segments got in a little early. Also, for the -400 not being as humidified and climate controlled as the 8-i version, the almost 10 hour flight did not wear on me all that much. I'm staying temporarily to do some things I have to do and then heading back.

This stuff was coming in on Bluetooth from my music collection. So, I'm going along the A1a in Ponte Vedra Beach in a rental car (more about that later) and this song piped in. I didn't go looking for it specifically. To me, this is quintessentially (South) Floridian, brings back memories, and works well with the A1a, even if in North Florida. Yes, I know ... I can be a broken record.

Together, that's quite a range of interesting wheels. Incredible sky in that photo.

To those who celebrate it, Happy Easter.* To those who don't, have a great weekend. * I always struggle with the after-the-event deeply discounted chocolate in the stores. However, I've read more than one source that says some dark chocolate is actually good for one's heart ... I'll run with that one.

I just recently saw this ... me and my smooth riding I.C.E. sedans ... and coupes, too. What's baking in the oven here is mostly looking good. Mostly. Captivating enough front end ... nicer than that of Camry. A little too heavy handed on the grille, at least for the base model. Attractive enough side windows in the greenhouse with nice lower sculpting and beltline/flank rounding at the rear passenger doors, and quality looking door handles. The exhaust area is handled nicely and the rear lights are sort of thin, jellybean-like, and anticlimactic. Also, it does NOT want to be a '60s Plymouth Barracuda, a '70s Mustang Mach I from a James Bond movie, nor today's Buick Envista. Big demerits for what could turn out to be a 2 volume vehicle. Clean it up some ... then "just do it."