trinacriabob

This rental experience, lasting one week, was a surprise all the way around. The first thing that comes to mind is how helpful the agents were upon renting and returning the vehicle. I got my assigned category of vehicle, plus a small upward bump, assuming this sedan could be considered midsized. The current Mazda 3 sedan (2024 model year rental) appears to have grown up and, with its thicker pillars and haunches, looked like it was going to be a nicer car for an entire week than the only other time I’ve rented a Mazda 3, about 5 years ago, and for which that rental lasted only 1 day. Do I like the way the current Mazda 3 looks? Mostly yes, and some no. I like the flow of the silhouette and, to some extent, the definition of the volumes. The side profile is attractive enough. The same could be said for the rear fascia and taillamp assembly. However, I’m not a fan of the trademark too tall grille for this size of car. Its Mazda’s current vernacular and it probably works a little better on their larger vehicles, but this is just my opinion. The Mazda 3’s interior is spartan in its volumes and finishes, almost looking Germanic. I have different feelings about the instrument cluster than I do the overall dashboard. The main instrument pod is very clearly and cleanly laid out. It has 3 main pods, with the center pod, which can be configured in many ways, dominating the others. The tachometer is to the left and larger and very readable fuel and temperature gauges are to the right. As for the remainder of the dash, a slightly angled and narrow almost tear drop like infotainment screen is embedded into the cowl. Ventilation slots are thin and run horizontally. The climate control panel is workable, but not as visually appealing, and even symmetrical, that other vehicles are currently using. The steering wheel feels good to the touch, with its materials, but, even with upward seat adjustments, I did not have the command I wanted over the top of the dashboard. It felt slightly more astronaut or race-car driver-like than I would have wanted. However, the seating shape is conventional and supportive, so comfort wasn’t as issue. Seating is neither too cushy nor too hard. I did need some extra time to get used to 2 areas in terms of using settings. The first was that the infotainment display was not a touch screen, but one operated by a large dial sitting right behind the gear selection lever. It was not that intuitive and it would lead me to return to the home setting to try again. The other was the cluster of controls on the left side of the steering wheel. In some of the audio controls, there was too fine of a line between toggling up or down or pushing on it. At times, I didn’t get the intended result I was looking for. The Mazda 3’s forte seems to be its handling. It inspired some confidence and, as I found myself on some expressways with a legal speed limit of 75 mph, I noticed that quickly changing lanes and the feeling of being in control were both very good. However, in this niche, I’ve had vehicles that were quieter and more isolated. I remember the last-gen Mazda 3 of a handful of years ago as being both grainy in its engine and busy as it rode on washboard pavement. This one is much improved. However, there is the engine hum, which some may like, and maybe a marginally higher amount of road noise or tire thum coming through than in some of its current competitors. When you put your foot into it, it definitely makes itself heard, albeit as a rhythmic purr. The engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, a displacement that was once so common, and it is naturally aspirated. The transmission is a 6-speed geared automatic. Shifts were clean and, consistent with the other communication from its mechanical aspects to its driver, shifts 1-2 and 2-3 were felt, though not at all unpleasant, in normal to spirited driving. Even some step-gear and DSG transmissions have gotten to the point where they seemingly “slush” into the next gear. While I might like drivability that is even quieter and more isolated, I appreciated a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission instead of a CVT. The reliability of Mazda powertrains is supposedly good. Even though the cabin front position is low for my taste, the seats are supportive and there is enough leg room, though it’s also a little more work to get into and out of the car. Rear seat legroom seems acceptable for medium-height adults, albeit probably not so much for tall people. The somewhat thicker rear pillar does not impede visibility when turning one’s head toward the rear. Visibility through the greenhouse is workable and, in concert with the Mazda 3’s styling, is appealing. Trunk space is also good for the Mazda 3’s size and the split folding rear seats make it even more generous. I did not calculate the Mazda 3’s fuel economy. Compared to a smaller 4-cylinder displacement and a CVT, the fuel needle moved a little more quickly, but, also, the vehicle does not come with a very large tank. It also did not spin at lower rpms while maintaining highway speed, with some vehicles in the same niche now cruising along at, say, 1800 rpms, either because of more gears or a CVT. I’d say I was noticing slightly over 2000 rpms when maintaining highway speed. Still, it got acceptable fuel mileage. It did not affect what I was going to write, but I did glance at professional reviewers’ opinions on the Mazda 3. Most are very pleased with the vehicle. Again, I thought it was competent, and I really appreciated its road manners and its feeling planted but liked, instead of loved, most of the other aspects of its drivability and its features. However, it’s worth taking note of the Mazda 3’s price point and good record.- - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING

It's on the bucket list. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It seems that when you go back to purge photos you've stored, the portrait versions are more likely to be candidates for deletion than their landscape versions.

I am now sitting at the table with my computer and felt some faint but rhythmic swaying. I didn't think it was me moving in my chair. I typed in "earthquake Italy" on my phone. It was a ways off, but just 2 minutes prior.

With all due respect to Pope Francis and wishing the best for him, there was a one liner joke I heard as a teen said in Italianized English about the church worrying too much about what went on in people's bedrooms: "He no play da game, he no make da rules."

Happened to see this as I was using one of those aircraft/airport locator apps so I can see the "probable" route to pick seats on the "correct" side for views ... Nice, if I may say so. There's some amazing work in this niche out there.

Just heard this in a store ... ... with some people I knew, the lyrics that turned into our own joke were "a little bit of Sandra in the sun." Except that we didn't like this person.

It's funny that all these vehicles look like 5-door hatchbacks to me. I'd have to look it up, but that Q8 does not sound attractive. One of the ugliest 2-volume set of wheels has to be the Nissan Armada. That thing is a fright.

MECHANICAL PHOTOS What's different here? It may not be apparent. Once you start opening the hood, there is no need to manually place the prop rod to keep the hood open. This is to be expected for a more premium car line, whereas VW-SEAT-Skoda tend to have prop rods that you slot into place. This is a transverse view of the engine bay where there are 4 cylinders at work under the hood, and which are assisted by a turbocharger as the plumbing would indicate. - - - - - END OF PHOTOS

INTERIOR PHOTOS This is the view upon getting into the driver's seat; the leather steering wheel is nicely stitched and finished This is the view from the passenger front door From a driver's seat that has been adjusted upward, the view over the cowl is good (the best is probably that of the last-gen Chevy Malibu); not the way the infotainment screen is slightly recessed and how circular air ducts figure prominently Instrumentation is very simple (less is more?) and the insertion of temperature and fuel gauges is an interesting presentation; the info box is between the tachometer and the speedometer, with it being set to show vehicle speed when in "drive." Also, the odometer (re)setting is right at the base of this photo Controlling the infotainment screen is done by that circular dial. It's probably a more practical way and helps the longevity of what would have been a touch screen, but there is learning curve This shows the seating and space available to rear seat passengers This shows the visibility given the real sail panel, and also shows how the front bucket seats are finished

EXTERIOR PHOTOS This is the front of the slightly angled vehicle which sports the typical Audi grille vocabulary The side of the vehicle shows a tall beltline and the rear sail panel appears to be thick, but, once inside, it's more manageable than it looks from the outside This is the rear of the vehicle, and one can see the cover that is over the cargo area

They have had some incredible fares. If needing 2 bags, plus a carry-on and a backpack, it made those fares shine. If you check in when the period opens, you usually get group A or B, so it's not a bad seat. They announced assigned seating a while back ... that doesn't bother me so much. There won't be much to differentiate them, except for maybe a few point to point treks that they do well. It'll just push me over back to the legacy cariers.

It happened ... ... there will be no more free bags* on Southwest Airlines. I'm saddened by this. * for flights booked on or after May 28th

This vehicle was an upgrade, although that situation didn’t go smoothly. There was a fair bit of obfuscation that led to an upcharge for this Audi Q2. I actually wanted a smaller sedan with an automatic, so somewhat of a downgrade, but they didn’t have vehicles in that category. The other vehicles were larger and I turned down a newer Citroen DS 7 SUV. As I was being presented with choices, all with automatic transmissions, I would be checking their retail prices on my phone. I didn’t want that expensive of a car. For being an Audi, this is “somewhat” lower priced, but, per reading reviews and comments, this a vehicle where the sticker can climb if optioned up. As I got into the Audi Q2, it didn’t seem much different in content and feel from the VW family of brands cars like it. The dashboard was very functional and the seats were upholstered in fabric. The dashboard had a central cluster with 2 large dials: the tachometer and the speedometer, with temperature and fuel gauges inset within their curvature. In between them was a squarish digital display with many clearly shown items of information such as time, temperature, odometer, and, if set up as such, a digital display of the vehicle’s speed. The trip odometer allows for resetting it through a button underneath the cluster rather than through a stalk. The infotainment center is upright, but recessed into a small “swale” at the top of the center stack. Center vents and side vents are round, and the opening is adjustable by clasping and turning the slight extension at their center … almost like a design going back to Cutlass Supreme colonnades and even some AMC products; however, here, the affect is Germanic and the build quality appears to be higher. The seating has fabric in its insets, which feel sturdier and tweed-like to the touch, with some nicely done non-contrasting stitching inside strong bolsters. One is not hemmed in, but, rather, supported. The seats are comfortable over long distances. I set things up in the Audi’s infotainment system, with the Bluetooth set up not as easy as I would have hoped. (In some rentals, it’s fairly easy.) I also needed help upon returning it to detach my information. I delete all other phones on vehicles rather soon, mostly because the list irritates me! While it has a tall trademark Audi grille, the other parts of the sheet metal are nondescript and the rear sail panel, with its appliques, is thick. The beltline seems a little high, such that the car actually looks a little thick throughout, a look that is accentuated by sheet metal that lacks sculpting and “character lines.” As I pulled out, the Q2’s personality immediately came through as nimble. That means that it was not as taut as, say, the VW Polo I’ve become accustomed to. However, it didn’t take that long to get used to it. The handling was very easy and the ride was serene, with some wind noise. There was not much in the way of tire thum. The engine was a 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine. The model badging 35 TSFI refers to its specific engine, which makes about 150 hp. Additionally, it was surprisingly efficient in how it used fuel, and reviews point this out. Per the display of the gears on the dash, the numbers shown went from 1 through 7. Automatic transmissions in Europe, especially by German companies, are smooth and reliable units. The early shifts (1 to 2 and 2 to 3) were very clean and later ones were imperceptible. If not fully up to highway speed, gear 5 or 6 was retained. In any case, rarely did the tachometer exceed 2,000 rpms, and this probably contributed to its commendable fuel economy. Again, I had told myself that with this nimble handling and softer ride, the control might not be as good as in a VW, a SEAT, or a Skoda. This simply wasn’t true. It handled just as well on winding highways and in cloverleafs. It’s obvious that, since this is a more premium brand, the higher price commands that sort of nimble, at times almost detached, flipping of the steering wheel while always maintaining a tight grip on the road. That said, the Audi Q2 feels a little contradictory in that it holds the road yet the steering wheel spins so effortlessly and the ride can be a little soft. Either I am used to more communication from the steering wheel or I’ve come to prefer cars with more road feel. It is, however, a pleasant and controlled vehicle at all times. This is the second car I’ve gotten to drive where the infotainment system is not a touch screen. A dial between the gear selector and the console is turned to highlight/illuminate the selections on the touch screen and then, on taps (downward) on it. Most likely, it's that touch screens, with their size and complex graphics, are costlier to repair. A large dial, as a solid-state piece, might be less work and less expense to replace if it were to fail at some point in the future. However, the learning curve is a little long for rotating the dial to get it to do what you want it to do instead of manually selecting an item on the touch screen. If you like the Audi brand and want to be in this niche or something of a similar price point, like a BMW, then the Audi Q2 could be your vehicle. It’s one of the lower priced Audis, and a little more than an A1. However, if the perceived prestige is not mandatory, there are other vehicles that deliver most of the same features at a slightly lower price, with many of them powered by 3-cylinder engines. - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING

I am quoting myself, so to speak. I was speaking with this friend today and, while overall views haven't changed, there was "defense" of Musk because (and I'm only citing the items he mentioned): 1) he was thrown under the bus in favor of Mary Barra at a speech at GM, and 2) regarding the failed SpaceX rocket launch on 1/16/25, mistakes happen and people and organizations learn from them. I don't recall item 1), so I looked up the YouTube and the comments were mixed, with a few people mentioning that this was on GM property and, for that matter, neither Ford nor Stellantis were given props, from what I listened to, and 2) completely oblivious to the launch event, I was there on 1/16/25 and thought, "Everyone has closed shop and checked out, so I might as well watch the launch." I made a 1 minute video of it on my phone. Later that evening, I learned of the aftermath and thought that, with this now being routine, that shouldn't have happened and it also posed air traffic control issues as well as danger to people and property depending on where the debris* fell. *We Americans pronounce it "duh-bree," while I once heard a VIP in the UK refer to is as "deh-bris" ... never forgot that So there's that update.

How time flies. The S.S. United States made the trip, being towed by tugs down the Atlantic and around the entirety of Florida. They have pulled it in to Mobile Bay, ahead of schedule. If I find myself in Pensacola in the very near future, I will go over and look at it, if that's possible. I've never seen it and I've always wanted to. Big kudos for every report I've seen on this: they just refer to its destination as "the Gulf" ... period. I noticed that. I approve.

Yo, good morning ... ... the days when "big hair" seemed like a contest.

Today, March 6th, would have been Michelangelo's birthday. At a time when most men in Renaissance Italy lived about 45 to 55 years, he lived to be 89 years old.

TECH question ... Now that I have your attention ... - - - - - On an Android phone, is it possible to pull an app from the Settings>Apps onto the home screen or one of the home screens without getting it from the Google Store? (This is because it's no longer available on the Google Store and it's for its "sentimental value." I just want it back on one of my screens.) So, to take it from Apps to screen(s) ... Thanks.

MECHANICAL PHOTO The plumbing and intakes show that it is both turbocharged and that the air cleaner assembly is large and reachable. The manifold count shows 3 cylinders which, under one cylinder head, is considered dynamically balanced for NHV. Service points for fluids and the location of the battery are identifiable and accessible. - - - - - END OF PHOTOS

INTERIOR PHOTOS This is the overall view of the front of the cabin and dashboard upon opening the driver's door and it has a pleasing and balanced feel. This is the central instrument cluster for the driver, with a digital speedometer inside the tachometer. On the 4 corners are the time, exterior temperature, range, and odometer, with the gear slightly above that. Coolant temperature and fuel levels are shown in linear form. This is the touch screen, which is fairly easy to use, and is housed under the cowl, hence no "laptop left open" look, which I tend to dislike. This is the entirety of the center stack, with air vents below the touch screen, a sensible climate control panel, a storage and USB cubby, and some driving control buttons on the console to the left of the gear selector, which is nicely finished and feels good to the touch when moving through the gear selections. The USB ports are of the C-cable variety, with the opportunity to use the older style by plugging it into a cigarette lighter in or near the console box. Steering wheel controls are somewhat easy to use, with volume and track selector on the silver buttons symmetrically placed on each side. Clearly, the preferred position is "A" for automatic, and it's an easy thing to overlook if not your daily driver. The rear seating area seems to be sufficient for this type of vehicle. Visibility over the shoulder and toward the rear is fairly good. This is the available storage space with the rear seat up and, as you can see, there is the cover that comes down over the exposed space, which is something that is almost necessary.

EXTERIOR PHOTOS Side view - driver's side - on roadway up to Monte Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo, PT Side view - passenger side - on roadway adjacent to river and port in Viana do Castelo, PT Angled front view - on roadway down from Monte Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo, PT How does one open the rear hatch or trunk? Like this.

I'm way less planted than you are, and I won't be buying for a while. It used to be, "Which GM sedan or coupe do I buy?" "Have they successfully been using that same powertrain for a while?" Now there are so many more variables, even if just considering purchases in the U.S. A babied, low mileage reputable older sedan from Mabel in Missouri might be a good option.

I don't know. That would deplete some Catholics in the Modern Old World ... sell that to that French, the Spaniards, the Irish, the Canadians, etc. .... no bueno. I'm already sort of lapsed. I wouldn't handle that well. Asia's significant Catholic community is in the Philippines, where they are the majority religion. They are growing some in India, Korea, etc. But their identities and cultures don't have much in common. Add to that growth in Africa. At any rate, I do like Pope Francis on a gut level and hope for his best. This post, and my first one, is about recognizing his relative higher level of kindness, humility, and wanting to connect with a broader range of humankind.

This vehicle, the VW Polo, deserves a shout out for being so competent in so many areas. I was once assigned one that was a slight upgrade within the automatic category overseas. Then, I was assigned one two more times, and it matched the icon I’d be renting. I should have written this up several months ago; however, the product remains largely unchanged. The Polo’s immediate strength is its taut road manners. Handling is addressed and so is smoothness. Sound control is good, too. The engine is a turbocharged 3-cylinder that is shared by the VW family of companies and also makes its way into Seat and Skoda products. One would never think this is the powerplant, especially if from North America, most likely thinking it has a larger 4-cylinder engine under the hood. The transmission is also the VW family umbrella’s 7 speed DSG and it is now very refined … and probably reliable, too, if not mistreated and properly maintained. Shifts from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 are smooth, heard, seen on the tach, but not really felt. Pushing down on the accelerator can change that. Subsequent shifts go by unnoticed. Again, downshifts are also understood, and that’s about it. It’s a composed unit. The Polo’s interior is nicely trimmed out. More than a Seat or a Skoda equivalent, the simple dashboard with some subtle cants is both pleasing to the eye and easy to use and live with. As for the dashboard’s main instrument cluster, it’s clean and simple, though one thing stood out to me. I’m used to two large central gauges, usually the speedometer and the tachometer. In this car, the tachometer is the one big gauge in the middle, with a digital speed readout slotted into the middle of it. This can also depend on the dash settings you select. It worked well and doesn’t take long to get used to. At each of the 4 corners of this big gauge are important pieces of information such as gear, time, and other of the most critical pieces of information. To each side of this tachometer is a linear bar graph type fuel gauge and temperature gauge. When a temperature gauge is included, I’m a “happy camper.” Space utilization is good. To me, this is a 5-door hatchback. This may have looked quirky to North Americans a while back, almost whisking them back to Chey products such as the Malibu Maxx, or even back to the dowdy Citation. However, this compactly packaged 5-door is more of a sedan with a squared off back in my mind. I personally prefer it to the VW Golf, with its larger rear sail panel. It’s also a very common typology in Europe and other international locations at this time. Visibility all around the Polo from inside the cabin is mostly good. For its price point, the VW Polo is close to perfect on limited access tollways, really at home on winding 2 lane roads, and easy to live with in most tight spaces. It’s also not too difficult to park. It is especially confident, nimble, and hushed enough at 100 to 120 kmh (~62 to 74 mph) on the more important and smoothly paved major tolled highways, achieving better than average fuel economy compared to its peers from my stops at the fuel pumps. The relationship between price point and quality is not always linear and ratable. What I mean is that you get closer to the roadability of a BMW 2 series sedan … not quite all the way up and, though not as much of a bank vault on highways and as planted on 2 lane roads, it definitely inspires confidence … without having to spend the rest of the sticker to get up to the price tag of that entry level BMW. If you have sensible motoring needs that mix up roadability, reliability, space, economy, and an attractive enough package with good build quality, the VW Polo is a vehicle to consider. I have always been happy to be assigned one as a rental and have looked forward to take it out daily to experience different types of road demands. Their good Android Auto cluster for maps and music make this even more fun and achievable. They are seen everywhere and there must be a good reason for that. - - - - - PHOTOS FORTHCOMING