2012 Toyota Camry

I had a chance to see a couple of 2012 Toyota Camry's in person the other day at an undisclosed location. And I didn't like them.

The new model looks like a boring car from 90's. The exterior doesn't have any flair any close to those of 2011 Ford Focus, Hyundai Sonata or Elantra, which I consider as the new direction in automotive exterior design, which ironically the retiring Camry started back in 2006. It is destined to flop. I am never a kind who buys any mid-sized sedans, but I would never drive this Camry, even if I were given for free. Only if it came with a life-time supply of free gas, I would think about it. All in all, I can see Toyota will lose its ground in this segment in the US, which apparently is not too good for my friends and myself.

WRX sqweeky noise

My WRX had a sqweeky noise in front left. I'd been thinking it could be the axle, because grease was bleeding out a lot from the boot. But fortunately, it turned out just worn out brake pads. I replaced them and it's fine now. But the left side wore them out far more than the right. Is something wrong with the brake system?

Radiator

There were a couple of issues and mistakes, but my WRX now has a new radiator. It was OK last night when I did a test drive. But this evening when I left work, the reservoir looked almost empty. What's wrong? I'm taking it to the nearby Subaru Thursday evening. My spending spree continues...

I now realize...

Hey, I have a WRX!! Baby!! (My neighbor told me I was silly. I know.)

Mission on-going

I'm heading back for Michigan. How? I picked up a red WRX! That's the whole purpose of this trip. It is definitely a good find. She runs amazingly. But it feels weird. It's so similar, almost the same to my 98 Impreza, yet completely different. Cliche, but it's on steroids. Step on it, once reaches 3k, it's a rocket. 98 NA Impreza now feels like a toy. I finally got a real car?

1989 Ferrari 348 TS

At $30k, I might seriously consider buying a used Ferrari. It's cheaper than a new STi! The maintenance cost may not be cheap, but hey, it's a Ferrari.

2012 Impreza

OK. I don't like it. But as the author says, the styling doesn't matter. I'll buy a WRX, when I need to.