Joyride: Dodge Viper SRT-10

One of the most thrilling experiences I've had was riding in one of these beasts. I was fortunate enough to be at a "hanger party" at Luke Air Force Base, when the Viper Club of America rolled up and began to offer rides down the runway.

Fast is an understatement in the extreme. With Horsepower and Torque both surpassing the 500 mark, and the gas pedal pressed to the floor, the leather sport seat nearly devoured my body. The rush of wind and the roar of the V-10 were nothing short of entrancing.

I watched as the speedometer rocketed past 60 mph faster than I could say "Dodge Viper SRT-10." One hundred miles per hour came and went just as quick, and we made it all the way to 160 before we nearly launched off the end of the runway.

Hands down, those twenty or thirty seconds were more exciting and heart-pumping than any roller coaster I've ever been on. Only one thing could be better than that...me in the driver's seat.

-Biggs

Bears and Donkeys: Cash for Clunkers

In an era of mass-government spending, why not throw in a Billion dollars to help struggling dealerships get back on their feet? Think of it as a cure for the morning after. At least that was one thought lawmakers had. Another is to help get rid of gas-chugging cars for good, a move that will put a smile on Al Gore's face, for sure.

But the CARS program (Car Allowance Rebate System), which includes the Cash for Clunkers special, is really an unecessary evil. Given the standard rate of aging cars, most cars that will take advantage of the Clunker program were either going to die or be traded anyway. Only a small percentage of Americans are actually motivated to bring in their old vehicle to get a new one, just because they can.

And why not include used cars on the deal? There are tons of used cars out there that don't need to be assembled at a factory (where some say 30% of that car's lifetime emissions come from), and used cars are cheaper, too.

The program is merely enticing Americans to get into debt, in a time when funds are tight for everyone, and when often times these "clunkers" are already paid off. It seems odd for the government to spend so much of our money just to encourage us to gather more debt.

But with the way they're spending our money these days, it doesn't surprise me that they care more for Corporations than Citizens. Their $700 million dollar horsey bailout package is evident that they love horseys more than humans. At least Corporations provide jobs.

Thanks for reading. More to follow.
-Biggs

Car & Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track...Here I Come!

My purpose with this blog is two fold:

1) I enjoy writing and I love cars. At present, I'm employed at a family owned and run car dealership, where we specialize in just about everything imported (except kashmir). Working here has given me a renewed love for cars and an opportunity to study and experience them.

2) My dream job is to work for one of the leading magazines of the automotive industry. I'm young, and by their standards, lack any experience. That's okay, they'll get over it, eventually.

You'll find out rather quickly that I adore Porsches, specifically the 911. I hope that some day I'll be lucky enough to simply drive one. If, by some miraculous event, I'm able to afford one, I'll probably have an anxiety-induced heart attack before I ever make it to the dealership.

Other than day-dreaming about my future 911, I enjoy writing fiction, eating chimichangas, and watching movies. More about me later; I'm sure you'll get to know me just by reading my posts. Tune in bi-weekly for a good read and interesting articles. Be the first to catch the Biggs wave, and I'll remember you when I'm famous.

Thanks for reading.
-Biggs