It's been a while....

Hey everyone!

Wow it has been a while...I do apologize. I have had some changes in my life and have been busy. Ah the adult thing I have come to, a busy life and juggling it. I have missed this a lot. It was therapeutic for me believe it or not. I try to get personal sometimes, so here are some things that have kept me from here.
I have transferred to a four year school and that has kept me on my toes. This is my first semester there and I love it. I have met a lot of people and am really happy I finally did the change I should have done a while ago...but I got at my own pace. I am content, and of course stressed. Ah the life of a college student.
My mom was diagnosed a bit ago with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer. This has been extremely hard and she is fighting amazingly! She has completed chemo sessions and we are awaiting the next step on this journey to defeat this cancer.

I am on break for Thanksgiving, and I will have the time to update this. So, I will be doing entries on:

• 2013 Kia Forte EX
• 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
• 2012 Kia Soul (my besties car)

When I ran into car troubles again I was looking at Kia's. I wanted the 2014 model Forte, but they weren't out or anything yet. The Hyundai Sonata was a little later and was located at the local Lexus dealership. I REALLY wanted that car; still do. It still had a warranty that would have lasted me a couple of years. The Soul is me besties car, and I have driven it a few times.

I will start these tomorrow and hopefully just get them up.

Thank you for reading my blog and actually being interested in this!

-Peter

I think my car hates me. Chevy Cobalt gets possessed.

Interesting title isn't it? Odd really that an object can hate. Yet that is the word I use to describe this situation. Really I think I got a defective car. I enjoy the car but enough is enough. Problem after problem. Typical "old" GM as I have been told. Kind of wishing my parent's went for the Cruze that was on the lot at the dealership. I feel bad this has happened and I feel bad I appear ungrateful. But enough is enough readers. Something's gotta give.

I start off this blog weird and kind of cryptic because the other week my car tried killing me. Extreme over exaggerating I know. But let me tell you why I chose those words. Yes another rambling about a lemon car. But this is scary so keep reading.

 Last Monday I started the car using the remote start and it sounded off. The way the engine sounded was all wrong. But I drove it anyways, and as I was driving back from my friends I come to a red light. I brake and the car did not want to brake. The brake was pushing back against me and the engine wanted to keep going. That's the only way I can describe what happened. I thought, "oh shit, I am going to die. I am going to keep going and not be able to stop or something." Bad that that is my first thought in this situation right? Yeah....anyway. I stop the car and the car is shaking up and down with the sound of the engine and my headlights are glitching in intensity. It all had this rhythm going, the engine, the shaking, the lights glitching. It was scary...I thought, do I call my parents and have them drive me home? I am up the street but this shit is messed up. My mom was on my side when she experienced the car issues, maybe my dad will too. Slight chance coming from the man who thinks the car gets you to point A and B right? No problem. When in fact there are big ones. When will they realize this? When something goes really wrong and my life is in danger? Oh wait, that's happened before. Big exaggeration, but maybe readers my age will get the feelings.

Well I thought it's probably the computer glitch that affected me earlier (that I presume isn't fixed because Chevy couldn't figure out what was wrong and the things wrong were back on and checked) causing my car to do this. I thought just keep going. It does it again! I manage to pull into my driveway and put the car in park and it's STILL doing it. I was afraid if I put my foot off the brake the car would go into my dads old one. I turn off the car and go into the house, I was shaken. I immediately e-mail my mom what happened. She reads her e-mail in the morning.

Well what is the ending to this happy story? Nothing....In my parents eyes it hasn't done it again so it's fine. With all the technology in cars there are bound to be glitches. They have a point, however its problem after problem. There's a pattern to this, I swear. What's going to happen in the beginning of summer? Oh and then in August? My mom and I were pretty much fighting over this car. To me the fact that this happened is truly the final straw and I am now afraid to drive the car. Still am. What is the guarantee this will not happen again when the track record is there? This is when it sucks being my age because I cannot go on the financial endeavors of people older then I. I can't go trade my car in and get something better. If I had the money my Mercedes Benz C300 4MATIC would be in the driveway.

MORE problems with the Cobalt.

Hey car buddies!

Well the other week I was driving and my dials in my gauge cluster would go to 0, have my brake light flash at me, and have the temperature readout go to -- like the computer was trying to reset. It did it a bunch of times! Also, my turn signals did not make a noise, the only way I knew they were on was at night I saw the light or if I looked at my gauge cluster. "Ain't nobody got time for that". Oh and my radio would not turn on at all.

I was very upset. I tried turning the car off and back on, doing a trick when I had a fluke before and the dealership told me to get my key fob and hold the lock and unlock buttons until the car beeps twice. It resets the computer. (I had to do that when my tire pressure monitoring system had a fluke). So I called my mechanic and he said I had to go to the dealership. The car has two computers. One for the engine and stuff like that, and one for the electronics. The electronics one GM keeps under lock and key. So I called up the dealership, told them what was going on, and had my mom come with me because I needed a ride home. LOL. She surprised me though. She handed me her car key and said you drive my car, I want to drive this. OK, any excuse to drive the Mercedes around!

So we get there and I ask my mom how the car was. She makes a face and goes, "the car was shaking so violently and bad I thought it was going to fall apart. Literally it'd be like a go kart on the highway and it would be me holding the steering wheel in a seat with the pieces around me." FINALLY! Somebody experiences what's going on with this car! So Chevy tells us they will try and get the car in ASAP.

Turns out the next day my electronics are working again, magically! They know its a ground wire somewhere they just cant find it. They checked all the obvious places. -_- They said that they know something is wrong some place. (Obviously!). They checked the fuse boxes, normal. They also said I have a defective steering column! BTW it is NOT covered under warranty. I also need new tires. They didn't say why. They get the go a head to fix my steering column and I decide that I am done and look at used cars. This was the last straw for me. 3 or 4 recalls, broken transmission (that was covered at the time), things keep happening. Now this? No, that's bullshit! Someone I talk to says what I am expressing is typical of car ownership and GM cars. I was starting to wonder if I had made the wrong decision in the car I chose.

So I looked at a 2009 Scion TC. I liked it. It was a hatchback, panoramic sunroof, traction control, wasn't GM, no stupid rusted on antenna, rode nice, and alloy wheels. But it just didn't feel like my car. Also, my car has some good amenities. Such as: auto lights, the computer that tells me the temp outside, tire pressure, oil life, gas mileage, how much until empty, etc. Oh and remote start!

I also looked at a 2012 Chevy Cruze 2LT. I liked it. I felt bad I liked it. It had heated leather seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror, I believe alloy wheels, and remote start. It rode like my car, felt like my car, just better, and more updated. The engine still had the pep mine does. I didn't get to see if it did on the highway. But it felt peppy. It's a newer, better version. Yet it's heavier then my car, and different. Also, it has traction control! So when can I sign my Cobalt and life away? I feel awful doing it, like I am betraying my parents. But there are to many issues with my car.
So I sat and talked with the salesman and after talking with my parents I basically can't afford it. I could try but I am not at a job beyond minimum wage, and I would have NO spending money for anything.

So where do I stand now? I've had the car back a week? After an expensive time at Chevy. My steering wheel is not centered anymore. (thanks Chevy) I need 4 new tires. I apparently wear them out quickly. (I'm a fast person in general driving applies) There is still some shaking in the steering column but that's because of the way the tires are worn. I probably need my alignment fixed as well. So I have to look at tires, all seasons. Any suggestions?

I'd still like a different car. But I am picky and can't afford much. Especially when my parents won't let me get rid of the car.

I wonder what problems I will encounter with the car next? Sounds super negative I know but I am predicting something by Summer? Seems to happen every few months. I'm over it, complaining only gets me angry parents, and I cant do anything financially. So it seems I am stuck. Hopefully better things will come. Maybe my next car will be the Mercedes of my dreams...well a C300 4MATIC would do. LOL.

-PJ

2013 C300 4MATIC Sport Sedan

Hey all,

Well it's been a while since I have written. Sorry about that. I had some things going on in my personal life. Not to mention my previous semester at school was horrendous. But now I have something to write about. FINALLY!

It's my moms birthday soon. She has been saying she wants a "fun car". A nice change from the Lexus. Don't get me wrong, the Lexus is great...But it just isn't sporty like this car is. She was looking around at completely different cars: A V.W. bug, some Mercedes models, we even looked online at the Range Rover Evoque. As some of you may have read we loved the C280 4matic we had. Ever since it was gone I think my mom missed it. I've said it many times, I will say it again. That was the best Benz we ever had.
So my mom went to the Mercedes-Benz dealership and was deciding between the C300, E350, and GLK350 (all with the 4matic). She test drove a GLK, and a C. Yet, she gravitated towards the C-class. Right in the showroom. So...my mom got a brand new C300 4matic sport sedan. She was originally looking at one fully loaded and somehow ended up with one not so fully loaded. The one we have doesn't have: the lighting package, the multimedia package, drivers assistance package (comes with PRE-SAFE), or the lane tracking package.

The front

The new V6 L engine

the keys now come in a box

 

I found out she got the car from a txt message at work. I jumped up and squealed (embarrassing detail) right next to my coworker, scared the shit out of her. I was so happy she chose the car. I was so excited, I was saying, "she chose right! She got the right car! Yes yes yes!" It was like I got it, or someone won the lottery. lol. I called immediately to get details, and she guessed my reaction perfectly! What an amazing mother I have! I am glad she is happy and in a safe, reliable, awesome car.

I have already written about the 2008 C300, so I thought I would just write about whats different and how it drives. I will also tell you what is in the car and what is not.



Now compared to the previous C-class the car has some suttle changes on the exterior. Different headlights, and tail lamps, along with some other things. The lights being the most noticeable to anyone. The headlights are now shaped differently, and if you get the lighting package the headlights have a little LED "C" in the headlight near the grill. The taillights regardless of if you got the lighting package now have what appear to be LED's and look great!

As for what is on the car there is:

• The sport package (not the one with the red seat belts and such)
• Premium 1 package
• Rear spoiler
• Burl walnut trim (instead of aluminum trim)
• and a BECKER navigation system (It is removable and you can plug it into your computer and update it)

the key is in the ignition. Lets go!

As for how its drives; buckle up! We are talking about the sport edition and it does have the sport package added. So this is one sporty sedan! My mom even said, "it likes to go 80". LOL. There is a reason for this. For the 2013 model year Mercedes replaced the engine with the one that was in the C350. So this car has the 3.5L V6 engine. So you can guess the acceleration is pretty fast.
Starting the car is pure bliss! The COMMAND system turning on, the familiar beeps, the screen in the speedometer turning on. *sigh. To me, there is nothing like starting a Mercedes. The engine has a nice growl. Especially when accelerating and you have the car set into S for sport mode. Yet you can feel and just tell, the car wants to go fast. Yet it's controlled, poised, agile, and ready to surprise you. When I drove it I did not put the car into "manual mode", I had it in sport and eco mode. (It does not have comfort and sport anymore) Both were wonderful! Really, no lie. This just is a really, really good car.
I live near twisty roads, bends, bumpy roads, etc. So I have a good playground so to speak. The car performed amazingly. It went through the twists, and turns perfectly. The steering is so tight, crisp, nimble, and new. The 4MATIC also helps. (Finally a AWD car in the family!) I rave about this system and for good reason. Going over bumps and anything was no issue.

The inside

The new gage cluster. Love the LCD screen in the speedometer

Now the 2013 has the ECO built in. Every time you start the car it is active. BMW debuted this on the 3-series and all I heard was about how the engine start/stop tech was to intrusive, and made the car shake, etc. So to fix this they added a button where you can turn it off. On the Mercedes you can turn it off, it just has to be every time you get in the car. Some may find that annoying; I do not. I had to listen for this system! I noticed the engine shut off when stopped, but it wasn't bad or intrusive. It was very quiet. Even when I took my foot off the brake and the engine kicked back on, it was just a slight noise, maybe a slight shake. Maybe it's better then the one BMW uses. But hey, we are saving gas and having fun.

From my time with the car I did have it was incredible. I was smiling, and so happy I could drive this car. The COMMAND system came naturally to me. I would need more time to play around with it, but it was easy for me. So the system is intuitive. The voice command I also have to fiddle around with. When I tried using it, it was not listening correctly. The LCD screen in the speedometer is great, and lets you scroll through menus using the buttons on the steering wheel. The shifter is SO smooth. The one in the Lexus was rough, kinda "banged" into P. The cars are day and night from each other, yet have differences. I loved every second of driving the car. They really do make, "The best, or nothing".  My mom did say, "the more and more I drive it, the more I am loving the car". A perfect match!

I will try and upload pics soon. For some reason it is not letting me upload them to the blog =( its black on black if you can use your imagination, or look up pictures. lol.

Till next time.
-Peter A.

The new Lexus LS460 L revealed

Hello readers!

The new Lexus flagship sedan has finally been released! http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/31/the-2013-lexus-ls-460-goes-more-intense-more-sporty-and-more-l/ . Go there for pictures. This is the long wheelbase version, hence the L in the cars title. The L version adds the back seat controls, and more limo like back seats that recline.

Lexus has basically infused their new design language into the new flagship sedan. I like the new design but at first glance I couldn't help but think of the new Nissan Altima up in the grill and fascia area, just a little bit. Anyone agree? Yes? No? I still like the design, just something I thought worth mentioning.
Otherwise the car looks great. The headlights remind me of the last gen hybrid headlights; the three separate projectors. The headlights also have the LED strip that Audi made famous in cars. The tail lights are bigger and wrap around and just look a bit more futuristic. They kind of remind me of the German competitors with the lines in the tail lamps. As seen in some BMW and Mercedes models, most models if I am not mistaken. The car has a more masculine look to it. I say masculine because it looks bigger, wider, more aggressive styling.
Inside is still the luxurious interior as per Lexus standards. Beautiful multi-function steering wheel. They brought over the new HUGE screen display seen in the other models over, with the newer computer mouse like controller. As for ease of access to this I am unsure of because of where the shifter and buttons are located. I am sure it is fine, I would have to sit in the car and try myself. The buttons are laid out nicely and labeled accordingly. From the pictures I didn't see a button that I would make me go, "hey, whats this do?". Which is very good because lets face it, car technology is getting better and better. Some cars out there do look confusing to use. I love that Lexus brought in a actual clock in their cars! To me it adds a bit more of an elegant touch that I've seen in the Mercedes S-class for example. They also brought in the wheel that controls the suspension of the car. You have ECO / comfort - normal -Sport / Sport +. I think this really is a helpful thing for Lexus because to me they are known for just gliding across pavement. While that is great in a car, sometimes people want the sport infused driving we all secretly crave. Putting the car in S and shifting manually between gears can get boring.

As for buying it or not. The flagship sedan market has been ruled by: The S-class, 7-Series, and A8. Lexus makes a VERY good competitor. It all goes to personal preference. Id definitely recommend taking a test drive and see.

Chevy cobalt "safety initiaive"

Well readers, where to start? I suppose the letter should do. I got a letter from Chevy saying my 09' Cobalt has an ignition issue where it can grab the key, prevent you from turning off the car, so on. Fun right? OK so my car hasn't done it, but I have noticed it a few times when I have turned off the car. The key ignition seemed grabby to me; my words.
So the letter tells me that they will refund you if this issue has been fixed and you were charged, we will fix it for free, blah blah blah. So I call Chevy. FYI Chevy to me has TERRIBLE customer service, as I have written about before. I don't even let them service my car anymore, plus it's expensive for them to do it. So I call and they inform me it isn't a recall, its for safety measures, if the car isn't doing it wait until 2014 (the letter is good until 2014).  So I get a little forceful and tell them, "Well the last recall on this car you guys told me I wasn't effected and I was. I'm not taking chances". They CLEARLY don't want to be bothered and fix the car. As you know I am big on safety in cars, I am not taking chances.
I have an appointment tomorrow to get the car fixed. I just thought I would share the news and story.  If you have a cobalt or know someone who does, and they did not get the letter, tell them.
I also find it interesting how much age accounts for things. Because I am young (21 years old now) they don't take me as seriously, they think they can get away with stuff, so on. It's annoying and an inconvenience.

Safe driving

-Peter

Leaked Lexus ES update

Hey all,
Well after looking around autoblog.com I saw that the new Lexus ES was caught without any camo in China.
http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201202/297909.html

Now my parents currently drive an 04' and 08' ES, so as a car lover it's interesting to see how the styling and technology and so forth has changed in these. If I were to compare my mom ES (newer) to my dads (older) while yes they do keep some characteristics and such there are some changes. In driving, styling, technology, so on.
I think the newer versions of Lexus are going to all probabally stick to the new design that the new GS started. Also there was a "leak" of the slightly tweaked RX online. It to features the new design language.

What are your thoughts? Do you like the newer design language? Or is it needing something else? Comment and let me know.

-Peter