Ugliest Car in the World!

My blog can now b found at http://fatherof10.com

New format and a different take on things. I will not be posting here any more.

And I thought the VOLT was ugly.

There are many new cars that are ugly, and then there are a few new cars that are insanely ugly! Take the Mazda RX8: It is an ugly car. My firend Steve has one and I've driven it. It drives a whole lot better than it looks, believe me. In fact, it's pretty sweet when you're behind the wheel, but I wanted to wear a paperbag over my head when I got out because I didn't any seeing me getting out of such an ugly car! What was mazda thinking?

See? It's ugly, but it is not the ugliest of the newer cars. I maintain that the ugliest "new" car is the Nissan Juke.


One review said the Juke was "something out of an animation studio: compact with a unique looking rear and curves that will make you think it has some secret compartment somewhere" and "it’s nothing more than a quirky vehicle looking to make some mark in a highly competitive automobile industry." Well, Nissan, I have news for you: It's ugly. It is the ugliest new car available. It makes the Pontiac Aztec look good and that's no mean feat. It is so ugly that owners of Citroens feel better about themselves!

Hogs vs. Javelina

I drew out on a javelina hunt in AZ area 32. I've hunted deer there quite a bit and have shot a coyote or 2 there also. Area 32 also has one of Arizona's few herds of feral hogs. I ran into a few of them the last time I was out there. Here is some information about hogs v. javelina from Texas Parks and Wildlife:

Feral Hogs vs. Javelina
What's the Difference?
Feral hogs are a real problem in Texas! They destroy habitat and compete with native species and livestock. Javelina are smaller, native species that feed mostly on prickly pear cactus.

Although somewhat similar in appearance and habits, feral hogs and javelinas are not related. While feral hogs are indeed true pigs, javelinas belong to a totally separate family of mammals. Javelinas are smaller, have an unnoticeable tail, only one dew claw on the hind foot, a scent gland near the base of the tail, a grizzled-grayish coat with a white band of hair around the shoulder or "collar," and are more social or herd-like animals. Although feral hogs and javelinas inhabit the same range in South and Central Texas, they are not compatible.

Look for the differences in these tracks of the javelina, white-tailed deer and a feral hog.

This is a mount of a javelina my brother shot in south Texas a few years ago:


So what to shoot hogs and javelinas with? Javelinas can easily be taken with medium caliber weapons, from 5.56 in an AR-15 and pistols from .38 on up. It seems they are made perfect for bow hunting. Hogs, on the other hand, require something a bit heavier. I would not shoot one with a pistol smaller than a .357 Magnum, and I would want a heavier upper on my AR15 than the 5.56. An Ar10 would work, but the ideal upper for your AR15 would be the .450 Bushmaster or the .458 SOCOM.

Here is a site that has various AR15 uppers for sale. It gives an idea of the costs, etc. . . .

Added to my collection? Maybe!

Local Used Car Lot

I drive by this place every day. The proprietor, Mr. Clarke, is a real car nut. He sells cars that HE likes. As you can see, he has pretty good taste in cars . . . usually. Anyway, if you're looking for something better to drive than your sisters Neon, check this place out.
Tanque Verde Motors

Tucson Cars and Coffee January 2012 Edition

This time my wife came with me to Cars and Coffee. A few of the same cars from last month and quite a fer new ones. Mother_of_10 likes Corvettes. . . . a lot, so the first one here was her favorite of the show:



Then it was Ferrari Time.


And then my V12 Mercedes found a twin:

Mine on the left and Fred's on the right.

Here's a cute beach bug!

These Corvettes were at the show last month too:

If I Had to Replace My Mercedes

So, if I had to replace my 1997 Mercedes SL600, what would I get? The other day my wife asked me if I had thought about how long I was going to keep my roadster and I honestly told her that I was so satisfied with it that I hadn't thought about what next. With my previous cars, I was on to thinking about what next fairly quickly. I like the M-B SL600 so much that I am not looking for the next best thing. At least, not yet.

But since she mentioned it, I started to look around just a little. I don't like to buy brand new cars for myself because I find I can get so much more car for the money if I buy used or vintage. That tactic has enabled me to own a 2001 Cadillac STS, a 2001 M-B CLK55 AMG and a 1997 M-B SL600 . . . all together for less than the price of a Cadillac STS. That is over $265,000 worth of cars for less than $60,000.

In response to my looking around, here is what I have come up with as a nice replacement for the Benz:


A 2001 Ferrari 456M (GT)


Here is some info:
The 456M GT is a 2+2 berlinetta coupe, which means it has a snug two-place rear seat in addition to the customary front buckets. As the company puts it, this is “the evolution of a very popular concept amongst Ferrari clients who want a real Ferrari with the practicality of rear seats for two additional passengers.” In contrast to the mid-engine 360 Modena, Ferrari’s least costly model that is equipped with a V-8 behind the seats, the 456M GT has a V-12 engine mounted up front. The list price for the 456M GT is (in 2001) $226,975, while the automatic-transmission GTA goes for $232,170. That makes the 456M Ferrari’s most expensive model in the U.S. market — at least until the 550 Barchetta goes on sale in spring 2001.

MPG City: 10 Highway: 15 – 16
Available Engines
442-hp, 5.5-liter V-12 (premium)

Transmissions
6-speed manual w/OD
4-speed automatic w/OD

0 to 60 time is about 5 seconds, which is about the same as my M-B SL600. The top end is faster and the quarter mile time is close to the same. Maintenance costs are higher than the Mercedes and insurance costs are probably just a little higher, but probably not much.



All in all, I would say it would be a nice upgrade. I think I could stroke my ego just a bit with this car!

Saturday's Airplane Ride

Last week my son and I went out flying with a friend. He has a couple of biplanes, but his Cessna 337 Super Skymaster was our ride for the day. See this link for info on the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster.Here are pictures of our little event:





My son





Cessna:
Empty weight: 2,655 lb
Powerplant: 2 × Continental IO-360-C air-cooled flat-six piston engine, 210 hp each

Mercedes:
Curb weight 4,455 lb
Powerplant: 6.0 liter DOHC 4 valves per cylinder V12 slightly modified 420 hp

Here are some videos:
Take Off



Landing



Fly By



Taxiing

Tucson Cars and Coffee December Edition

December 10th was Cars and Coffee at Encantada Mall in Tucson. My son and I drove the SL600 up there. many people commented about cramming a six liter V-12 engine into such a little car. We had a lot of fun. My highlight was the 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. My son was thrilled with the Lotus Elige and the Lamborghini Diablo VT. Here are the pics:

My son thinks he could fit in a Lotus and for sure the Lamborghini Diablo. I have my doubts. He is 6' 4" and about 210 lbs. Not a giant, but a bit over the average. I don't think he can fit . . . at least not comfortably. See:

I think he would be far more comfortable in the next car, but not near as happy!

Or maybe this one: