West Coast Road Trippin' - Day Four

Not only does Roger take the wheel of the Challenger this time around, he also takes the reins to the blog for this update (hey, he needs to share his perspective as well too, right?)

 

God bless Marlon for staying up so late to write the last blog post. I wish I had his determination, then maybe I would have finished blogging about my trip to Japan last year.

Anyways, I'm taking over just for this one time, easy now since we've pretty much fully acclimated to our current time zone.

It wasn't until the morning when we woke up that we realized just how damned tired we were from all the activity in Seattle and Portland earlier in the day. That, and the beds at the Holiday Inn Express in Eugene were flippin' fantastic. We managed to somehow crawl out of bed in time to take advantage of the free breakfast included with our stay and check out before noon.

We spent the first part of the day taking a self-guided tour of the University of Oregon's campus (our hotel was conveniently located right across the street).  As a proud University of Florida alumnus, I simply had to check the place out and compare it to my home campus in Gainesville. I will say this- Phil Knight's money is plain to see in all the athletic program's facilities, but everywhere else... let's just say not so obvious. Overall my impression of the campus was "mehhh".  One building that wasn't built yesterday with Nike money that was really impressive was the Museum of Art. Granted, we didn't go inside the building, but from the outside the gothic touch to the architecture was rather fetching, and helped the building stand out from its relatively drab neighbors.  As a gesture of respect to our fellow D1 competitors, I went around Chompin' in front of as many major landmarks on the campus as I could:

I didn't chomp the museum; that would have been disrespectful (and I liked it).

After we got our fill of dirty looks sent our way (and a couple head nods from peeps who know what the heck is up) we stopped by the Duck Store just off the main campus to pick up a keepsake- Leninade!

Tastes like suffering and starvation, with just the right hint of sweetness! (Made in the USA)

Overall Eugene and Gainesville have a lot in common as cities built more or less around the flagship universities of their respective states- there are the schools, and not a whole lot else- but the nature surrounding them is pretty sweet.

We probably stayed in Eugene a little too ducking long though (sorry, couldn't resist), so when we finally hit the road it was almost 1:30pm local time. We were a little behind our VERY loose schedule. From this point on we had an almost 8 hours total of driving time ahead of us to get to our base camp in northern California. I took the wheel for this leg of the trip.

Thankfully, the ride to the border was anything short of boring- it was amazingly picturesque with fairly sharp changes in grade and temperature. We spent a good portion of the trip to Medford, OR (where we made our first pit stop) dodging trailers and popping our ears.  We finally made it to our exit and drove towards downtown looking for somewhere to eat.

One thing we probably haven't mentioned earlier is that this trip is almost as much about food as it is about the road itself. With that we shall introduce Vinny, owner of Paisans Pizzeria.

Vinny, that Marinara sauce would be illegal if black people made it.

Marlon and I ordered a couple slices of pizza with garlic bread and a pair of lemonades to wash it all down.  Specifically, I had a meat pizza slice that was loaded- no, gloriously burdened with what must have been six different types of meat. Marlon went a bit more traditional with a slice of pepperoni that he couldn't have finished faster if he was being chased by hyenas in the Serengeti. The real star of the show though, surprisingly was the garlic bread. My friends, this was no mere garlic bread, with Italian bread toasted with plain old garlic, salt and oil/butter. No, this was something more, with freshly grated parmesan, oregano, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and some other stuff that added up in flavor to more than the sum of its humble ingredients. Toss in what was clearly the BEST DAMN MARINARA SAUCE IN THE WORLD for dipping, and it's a wonder why he hasn't franchised this place. If you like pizza and you happen to be in Medford, check this place out.

We cleaned our plates, high-fived the owner on the way out (greasy hands and all) and hopped back in our steed to continue our journey.

We crossed the border into California not long after and, besides gazing at the awesome beauty of the terrain, realized just how severe the state's water shortage was. Approaching just north of Lake Shasta, while taking in the scenery, something about the lake itself seemed...well, out of place. Then it hit us: the water line was waaaaaaaaaaaaay below where the tree line began. I'll let the video below tell the story:

 Shortly after we shot the video, we did some research and what we found was pretty shocking. The landscape was literally changing before our eyes and we witnessed it for ourselves.

After a having a good long gawk, we hopped back into the steed and noticed that we were not going to make it to San Francisco that night, which was probably for the best anyway and not really our intention to begin with. After a quick call to our friend in Santa Rosa (about an hour north of San Francisco) with the hopes of having a spot to crash for the night, we continued on as darkness fell.  Once we had our confirmation from Tamara (shout outs to Tam'ra :-)), we were faced with a major decision- continue on I-5 (which was the major highway we had been on since we left Seattle), or divert west along a 2 lane highway with no street lighting that goes into the thickly forested mountains of Northern California, filled with deer and bears and probably wolves or some shit. We stopped for gas and contemplated our next move. Marlon leaned towards staying on the highway, but ultimately left the decision to the man at the wheel. I of course gave in to my more adventurous side and decided to head for the hills, into the unknown where nothing but the blackness of night laid ahead for certain.

Now, I was not sure what I had gotten us into, but WHOOOOOOOT it was fun!  We finally had a chance to put the Challenger through its paces as a supposed sports car:

We somehow made it through all those twisties without Marlon tossing his cookies and landed at our new base camp in Santa Rosa safe, sound and utterly sapped. After talking over the plan for the next day with some great input from our most gracious host (and some local wine- we were in Sonoma County after all) we tapped out. The next day was going to be epic...

West Coast Road Trippin' - Days Two and Three

2014 Dodge Challenger SXT

Your eyes do not deceive you.

That, dear readers, is NOT a Dodge Charger but rather its two door counterpart, the Challenger. How did we arrive at this vehicle? Well first, let's back up some 36 hours prior. Let's start with the events of Day 2, just after I posted the last update.

On Saturday, after doing a bit of grocery shopping for Marsha, Roger and I went into town to meet up with Cristina and catch the last of Warriors/Clippers basketball game and all of the Hawks/Pacers game at a hole-in-the-wall bar called Auto Battery Bar (don't know how the name got coined). We then headed to Century Link field to see the Seattle Sounders MLS team face off against the Philadelphia Union. By this time, Seattle's usual overcast, rainy weather returned and let's just say I underestimated how utterly wet the weekend was going to be. It wasn't torrential rain mind you, just pocket after pocket of steady light to moderate rain that, after standing outside for a few minutes, would just leave you drenched. It was a long walk and a bus or two from Auto Battery to our pregame pit stop at Fuel Sports Eats & Beats bar so you can imagine that we'd be soaked....well, one of us anyway. I had the bright idea to leave my actual rain jacket (I only brought a light jacket and a fleeced hoodie) so ill-prepared was my middle name that day. Luckily, after meeting up with Marsha and heading inside the stadium, I managed to get some of the last ponchos from the guest booth so I wasn't totally soaked.

Century Link Field where the Sounders took on the Philly Union

The game itself was very exciting. Seattle sports fans are arguably some of the loudest and most hardcore in the country and, as far as I've been told, they value their MLS team over their NFL counterparts (who, as a reminder, just won Super Bowl). After going one up on the Sounders, the Union defense crumbled against a non stop surge by Seattle, leading up to striker Chad Marshall shooting the game-winning goal in the latter part of the second half. Needless to say, the atmosphere was electric and contagious. 

Enjoying the game!

Yessir!

 

Leaving the stadium, we decided to head back to Fuel to take in the Mayweather vs Maidana boxing match, where Marsha took her leave (she'd been working all day and was understandably exhausted). Once the match started, it was clear that among the viewers battle lines were drawn. The Argentinean contingent was extremely vocal in their support for Maidana while the majority of the Mayweather camp was in the upstairs area (we were holed up somewhere in between). Roger, being the boxing aficionado he is, gave us a play-by-play on each round, breaking down the techniques each boxer was using and coming to the (rather obvious) conclusion that Mayweather was winning. There were some that didn't take kindly his views, especially one guy who for some reason or another, was hung up on Mayweather not fighting Manny Pacqiao a few years earlier. After a heated discussion, they both agreed to disagree (Cristina and I were just silent obeservers lol). 

Feeling a bit famished (and because Roger mentioned the word 'burger' at some point), Cristina took us up Capitol Hill to a new burger joint called Freddy Junior's. Basically, they sell slider-sized burgers and hot dogs at very reasonable prices along with no frills and a very simple menu. The burgers themselves were tiny bites of awesome flavor (if you're ever in the area, go for the Kahuna burger with grilled pineapple...delicious). After a filling meal, Roger and I were feeling...well, tired. A shot of Red Bull quickly woke us up and explored Seattle's nightlife, stopping by Barboza. Maybe it was the DJ in me, but the music (a mix of hip hop and EDM) sounded a bit more bassy and ultimately distorted for my tastes (hat tip to Selecta AJ and DJ Valho for the insight) but in any case, we enjoyed ourselves. Before long though, exhaustion started to set in and we called it a night.

Sunday morning saw us packing our stuff, bidding Marsha a heartfelt farewell and heading south to SeaTac Airport for our date with the steed to begin the road trip. After a bit of a snafu, we were presented with wide choice: full sized (which we had reserved), luxury or SUV. Again, we initially wanted a Charger but spying two Challengers lurking in the shadows (and the Enterprise attendant giving us a heck of a good deal), we decided on the Charger's two-door brother. I'll let the following video explain our decision:

Whoops!.....errr, I mean this one:

Roger trying to figure out the nav system

So yeah, we got a deal and we took it. Besides, we're in vacation mode baby. Roughly two hours later, heading south on the I5, we arrived in Portland, OR and explored a bit (not to mention bought a cheap aux cable and a car charger since neither of us brought ours and after an hour or so we got tired of AM/FM radio).

Just an arrow straight highway, perfect for the Challenger

Outside the Trailblazers' NBA arena

Pose off

Afterwards, we headed just over an hour south to Eugene, OR where we're currently staying for the night. Day 5's plan should see us exploring the University of Oregon's campus (Roger obnoxiously wearing his Gators shirt) before resuming our trip south. Next update, we each break down our personal reasons for undertaking this odyssey as well as upload a few more photos. Who knows? You'll probably get more hilarious videos. Until then, I'm beat. It's 1:15am here (my body is still insisting it's three hours later) and we gotta be up early.

Till the next update!

West Coast Road Trippin': Arrival + Day One

Well, we've arrived in Seattle and I must say, even though I arguably got the better deal in terms of having a direct flight, Roger definitely had the better experience. Now I'm not downplaying American Airlines, having traveled them almost exclusively for the better part of my life, but in terms of inflight enjoyment they're way behind the ball. Or it could be that the aircraft I was on was just plain old. Either way, my flight was like a time travel back to the 90s' with the only thing missing being the flight attendants actually doing the safety demonstrations live. This particular Boeing 757 still sported CRT monitors hanging from the central ceiling and no other form of entertainment, save a power outlet in select rows. Even then, mine was a bit dismal. I mean really, the heck are you supposed to plug in to that? As a result, my phone died a slow and painful death. Roger on the other hand had a fully immersed, 21st century experience flying Delta Airlines, connecting in Minneapolis (LCD display on the seat back, USB charger on every seat plus his choice of food). Anyway, like clockwork, our respective flights touched down within minutes of each other, we met up and headed to our overnight accommodation (Seattle was a strangely balmy 78 degrees with clear skies...very odd). Having not eaten much all day after checking in, we headed on the road a few blocks to grill called Sharp's Roasters. Their late menu (it was just after 11pm at the time) featured 50 cent pulled pork/beef sliders and wings so we chowed down. Those wings were pretty tasty, arguably some of the best we've ever had. Full and slightly jetlagged, we lumbered back to the hotel calling it a night.

How the hell do you plug in to this thing?

Friday morning saw us up early, we needed enough time to navigate Seattle's public transportation system so we could meet up with our sister Marsha. After a hearty breakfast of Hawaiian sausage, scrambled eggs and white rice (trust me, sounds strange but it was SOOO good) we checked out and headed to Seattle's LINK train station by the airport to start our journey. Roger, having done this once before, took lead with Google maps pointing the way. After an hour or so of trains and buses we eventually made it to a suburb just north of Seattle's urban center.  Then began an afternoon of walking that saw us finding a bank, getting a Vietnamese lunch (soo good), walking off the food fatigue, then randomly deciding to see The Amazing Spiderman 2 in the downtown area. We took a few pictures (battery life was again an issue) which you can see below. Seattle's public transport system is pretty efficient and it was very easy to find our way around. Plus, everything was in walking distance. One of the beautiful things about our present accommodations is that Seattle's iconic Space Needle tower is directly in view once we head out door.

I think this is an old Saab 96

I KNOW this is a Pontiac GTO

After seeing Amazing Spiderman 2, we briefly stopped by the Red Lion hotel a few blocks from the Pacific Place mall for happy hour at Frolik Kitchen and Lounge. The lounge's layout had the main bar being inside with a large outdoor balcony that looks towards Pugent Sound. The balcony itself was nicely designed with a DJ in one corner spinning low volume, background music and another corner that featured two ping pong tables and a shuffleboard area. Meeting our friend Cristina there, we enjoyed a few spirited rounds of ping pong (haven't played in years) and having casual conversation with the other attendants. Later that night, we were a bit peckish so Marsha suggested we go to this burger joint called Dick's Drive In. The burgers and fries were pretty good, but bring cash as they don't accept credit/debit cards. Plus, unlike Burger King, you CAN'T have it your way. Seattle has a very friendly population, eager to help and just as eager to strike up a conversation. One example was on the bus heading up to the Queen Anne suburb, complete strangers struck up a conversation that sounded like they were old friends. That NEVER happens in Miami, let alone on a bus (from personal experience). I think that typifies our first day in Seattle: friendly people, fantastic food and easy ways of getting around.

Seattle's Space Needle

Roger snappin' a pic

I think another random day awaits us on Saturday so stay tuned for the next update!

West Coast Road Trippin': The Plan

I've never been to the West Coast before.

Well, not in such a way that I could appreciate it (I was a sniffly, runny-nosed kid back then). Though this roughly two week odyssey I'd be embarking on with my brother was one that has been in the planning for a few months now. Sure I've been to the Pacific Northwest a few times but this particular trip would be one to remember (and cross off the bucket list). Destinations needed to be charted, hotels booked, highways and back roads plotted...trust me, this kind of planning isn't easy. Above all else, as far as I'm concerned, the right car needed to be rented. Not just any old rental grade Chevy Impala or craptastic Sebring. An all-American road trip of this caliber needs an all-American car of similar stature. Before I get ahead of myself, a few points.

Here's my travel partner-in-crime's (aka Roger) mugshot:







And mine



For the next ten days, we'll be flying, walking and driving America's West Coast from Seattle, WA all the way to San Francisco, CA taking our leisurely time to see the sites in between. Our mostly all-highway route will take us through Portland, OR and eventually across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge where we'll spend a day or two exploring this beautiful city. Who knows? We might even hit up CNET's offices and test drive a few cars (Tesla anyone?). Following our stint in the Bay area, comes my favorite part (and where the perfect car comes into play): driving a section of California's magnificent Pacific Coast Highway. This is one of those roads that has been calling my name ever since I was old enough to drive (and read car magazines about).

We initially agreed on getting a sports car (Challenger, Camaro...no Mustang for some odd reason). After calling all manner of car rental agencies and having no luck (not to mention how prohibitively expensive such a specialty vehicle would be), we eventually settled on getting a full sized rental with the option to upgrade (for free) should the opportunity arise. Specifically, we wanted a Dodge Charger. Something large, highway-comfortable and economical but with just enough starch in the suspension to make any back roads we encountered exciting. Obviously for gas mileage purposes (and the higher cost of fuel compared to Florida) we're opting for the Pentastar V6 as opposed to the more powerful, yet thirsty Hemi V8. We also needed a car big enough that we could actually sleep in, should the event ever rear its head. Why didn't we go for a crossover? Or SUV? Simple, we wanted a CAR. Having previously driven a Hemi-powered Chrysler 300C around the Washington area for a few days, I can attest to the car's capability and gumption for gobbling up highway miles. Roger has driven Chargers before and even though he wouldn't call it a sports car, he does speak to the car's stable and predictable handling. Let's hope we get that car, although we probably wouldn't turn our noses up at a Ford Fusion (pray that Mother SYNC doesn't drive us insane).

Dodge Charger SRT8 (we're hoping for something just a bit less potent)

Following our scenic PCH drive, we'll make a beeline for the desert and end our road trip in Sin City aka Las Vegas, NV where we'll hand our steed over and transition to the ten-toe turbo way of getting around. In all it should be a pretty exciting ten days. Road trip essentials like snacks, plenty of water (and gas) are already on our list of stuff to procure once we're in position this weekend. If you think there are any sites we need to see on the way, feel free to post suggestions in the comments area.

Enjoy the ride!

First Impressions - 2014 Cadillac ATS Coupe

Back in 2008, Cadillac surprised the world with the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept at the Detroit Auto Show. It was such a visual stunner and hit with attendees that Cadillac quickly pushed it into production virtually unchanged. This concept showed the depth of General Motors' design studio and the willingness to push the Art & Science language to the extreme. Now that the CTS has climbed one level higher to compete with 5 Series/E Class crowd and no plans to do a two-door version (yet), the ATS has assumed the role of 3 Series/C Class fighter. With multiple versions of those cars littering the road, it was a given that the ATS would diversify its model range to compete right? Most definitely. After the sedan comes the coupe and while the sedan strikes a clean yet attractive design, any expectations of a stylish coupe along the lines of the previous CTS two-door were summarily shot down when the covers were finally pulled off this year.

You really can't be mad at the ATS Coupe's lines but maybe you're thinking, "that's it?" I mean yes, it is clearly an ATS derivative but coupes are supposed to be far more fetching than their four door brethren. Like the younger, hotter, more outgoing sister to the practical, glasses-wearing but still attractive older sibling. One need look no further than the Audi S4/S5 duo or even the BMW 3/4 Series for comparison. In any event, few pieces of sheet metal are shared between the sedan and coupe. In designing the two door, Cadillac widened both front and rear tracks while snapping on slightly puffed out fenders. The face is ever so slightly more aggressive and the grille now sports the new Cadillac crest, minus the wreath (which debuted on the Elmiraj Concept). While attractive as a whole, the ATS Coupe doesn't have the WOW factor that blew everyone away like the old CTS coupe did. Cadillac's playing it safe with this one folks.

Despite the ATS being a year old, Cadillac has done a little tweaking under the hood. For the coupe, engine choices begin with the 2.0L turbocharged inline 4 cylinder (skipping the 2.5L inline 'bore' four) with 272hp and torque boosted from 260lb-ft to 295, all of it available from 3000rpm. With a curb weight just over 3400lbs, Cadillac is estimating the 0-60mph run taking 5.6 seconds when equipped with the standard six speed automatic. A six speed manual is optional but you wont find it hitched to the big 321hp, 3.6L V6 as it comes only with the automatic. All wheel drive will be available with both engines. The ATS has demonstrated to be quite the handler (see my first test here) and the Coupe will only enhance this dynamic trait. The suspension is basically the same as the sedan (MacPherson struts up front and a five-link, independent setup at the rear) but features lighter materials and a slightly stiffer chassis. A sportier FE3 suspension is also available which includes Cadillac's magnificent Magnetic Ride Control, 18 inch wheels shod with summer tires and a limited slip differential. Watch out BMW...

Inside, the ATS continues to impress with the same elegant layout as the sedan: leather everywhere with either aluminum, wood or carbon fiber accents sprinkled liberally. The CUE infotainment system is also present and accounted for (except on Base models) and comes with new features such as text-to-voice for messaging, a built-in WiFi hotspot that can connect up to seven devices and Siri Eyes Free capability for those with iPhones. Driver safety features also abound: lane-keep assist, collision avoidance which, with the aid of radar and ultrasonic sensors can automatically apply the brakes if the driver fails to, blind-zone alert and an optional heads-up display. Pricing hasn't been announced but expect the Base ATS Coupe to start slightly higher than the $36,020 MSRP of the Turbo sedan.

With the just-on-sale BMW 4 Series already racking up sales and a new Mercedes C-Class Coupe expected to debut shortly, it seems the Cadillac ATS Coupe will have its work cut out for it. Sure it's not the looker that is the old CTS Coupe, but with its sedan counterpart already kicking German tail, the ATS Coupe has quite the chance to upstage the pecking order.

Images courtesy of The Cool List

First Impressions - 2015 Lincoln Navigator

Do we even remember that the Navigator even exists?

While I've waxed poetic about the fortunes of Ford's luxury arm, I've pretty much given Lincoln the benefit of the doubt. One must remember that Cadillac had to go through a serious renaissance that began with self realization and then effective planning. Lincoln appears to be currently going through this with, well, limited success. We have the new MKZ which, despite looking nothing like it's more mundane Ford Fusion sister, is still based on a Ford platform (a good one to be honest). And while the split-wing grille has been proliferating throughout Lincoln's lineup, one large, tuxedo-wearing gorilla in the room has been left untouched until now.

Not many people remember that it was initially Ford that came up with the idea of sticking a chrome grille to the front of its regular Expedition full-size SUV, adding more standard equipment and calling it the Navigator in the mid '90s. So successful was this formula (at the height of the body-on-frame SUV craze) that Cadillac jumped on the bandwagon, imitating Ford's move by rehashing the Chevy Tahoe into the Escalade. At first, it was the Navigator that ruled the full-size luxury SUV roost until 2002 when Cadillac redesigned the Escalade, making it more angular in the vein of the then-new CTS. Thus began the tipping of the scales. The Navigator quickly became relegated to the back burner in the wake of not just the Escalade's bling-bling factor but new competition from the Infiniti QX80 (previously QX56), the Mercedes GL Class and regular stalwarts Range Rover and Lexus LX. In fact, so old is the current Navigator that seven years (an eternity in the automotive universe) have passed since it was last fully redesigned. With Lincoln focusing its energy on the MKZ sedan and MKC small crossover, not much funding was left to initiate a full redesign of the aging barge so instead, a heavy refresh would have to do and thus, we have the 2015 Navigator.

Looking head-on or astern, you would be forgiven for mistaking the big Navigator as an all new product. The heavily chromified split-wing grille is a better adaptation than what you'd find on the humpback-whale MKT crossover and includes LED lighting trim and standard HID headlights. To my eyes, it looks much better than the metallic mess that adorns the current model. However, from the A-pillar rearward, its pretty much business as usual. Looking from the sides however, you can't tell the old from the new as the greenhouse is largely the same. At the rear, an attempt was made to make the Navigator's huge butt look less substantial but the only nice thing I can think of when looking at the full-width LED lighting is how much it pays homage to the Dodge Durango's rear end. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I suppose. Twenty inch wheels will be standard fare, replacing the base 18s of the current model, and massive 22s will be available as part of a higher priced 'Reserve' trim to compete with the Escalade's Platinum model. The chassis is largely the same seven year old bones as the current model which means an all independent suspension front/rear, differing only by the adaptation of Lincoln's Continuously Controlled Damping system. This allows the driver to configure the dampers between three modes: Normal, Sport (!?) and Comfort.

The biggest change to the Navigator lies under the hood. Gone is the tried and true 5.4 liter Triton V8 and in its place is Ford's much touted 3.5 liter twin turbo EcoBoost V6 engine with preliminary power figures of 'over 370hp and 430lb-ft of torque'. While much lower than the rival Escalade's 420hp/460lb-ft 6.2 liter V8, Lincoln claims the 2015 Navigator will out-tow the Cadillac to the tune of 9000lbs while posting class-leading fuel economy figures. Power is directed through a six-speed automatic to either the rear wheels or an optional all-wheel drive system. Also for the first time, electric power steering will be equipped to enable ease of handling the big beast.

Inside, the Navigator will still have the largest interior volume of any full-size luxury SUV. Up to eight passengers will be coddled with three different kinds of leather wrapped seats (one of them only available on the Reserve trim) and, in the extended wheelbase 'L' version, the benefit of more cargo room. The front occupants will face an updated dash with an 8 inch touchscreen housing the MyLincoln Touch infotainment system. Euro stitching will be sprinkled around the cabin though I couldn't help but notice in some of the images, the addition of cheap looking plastic surrounding the climate control vents, some of the door surfaces and the center console. As a whole, it looks rather nice but until I get actual seat time I'll reserve judgement.

Can the 2015 Lincoln Navigator restore Ford's luxury arm to its former glory? Can the luxury 'ute that started it all for Cadillac and Infiniti entice rappers and moguls to return to the Lincoln fold? For all the refresh dollars spent on this vehicle, there's only so much plastic surgery can do. When placed up against the redesigned 2015 Cadillac Escalade, things look downright negative. However, the full-size luxury SUV segment is still a big time market and Lincoln can at least claim a fair amount of loyalty among its customers. Perhaps this heavy refresh will entice current customers to stay in the fold while attracting new ones looking for an efficient luxury rig to tow their expensive toys while hauling 7.4 kids. Lincoln needs inspiring vehicles that are able to stand on their own in order to properly compete with established luxury marques. The MKZ and new MKC are steps in the right direction but in the face of Cadillac's commitment in faithfully redesigning its Escalade, Lincoln's attempt to renew interest in the Navigator looks downright awful. In other words, don't expect 2 Chainz or Lil Wayne to start rapping about lusting after the 'gator on 22s anytime soon.

Images courtesy of Lincoln.

Short Test - 2014 Lexus ES350

A brief history lesson.

Lexus began selling its wares 25 years ago, spearheading its assault on the German luxury institution with the shocking Mercedes S-Class competing LS400 and the smaller Toyota Camry-based ES250. No doubt when examined, the LS has been quite the success, putting the German marques on notice and providing a distinctly Japanese alternative in the luxury game while providing Toyota levels of reliability and quality. However, it is the ES that really contributes to Lexus being the giant it is today, offering buyers an affordable way into the Lexus lineup with most of the bells and whistles of the pricier LS at a more attainable level. Just how successful is the ES? For every full-size LS sold, seven ES sedans leave the showrooms.

Before the CT200h arrived to anchor the entry point to the Lexus portfolio, the ES has been the car that Camry drivers aspired to eventually give up their humble Toyotas for. Continuing that tradition is this newest iteration, the 2014 ES350. While past generations have had jelly-bean proportions and staid (read: cautious) exterior styling, the new ES350 looks slightly more interesting with the adoption of the corporate spindle grille that's been proliferating throughout the Lexus lineup. Headlights are slightly more angular than before and integrate Nike-swoosh LED DRLs for a look that resembles the next-rung-up GS350. In fact, from a distance, it would be hard to tell the two apart were it not for the dedicated brake-cooling ducts of the higher-performance GS. Unlike the previous model, the new ES features a level of creasing along its sides and stylistic treatments to its rump that try to ape its more exciting GS brother. This is a bid to encourage a younger audience to give the ES a try. While the other models have been getting more aggressive engineering and styling to reflect Lexus' new role of chasing BMW's skirt, don't expect any of that LFA-magic to find its way into the ES. In fact, the only thing linking the ES to the LFA really is the big 'L' on the nose. Lexus isn't stupid enough to forget what makes the ES such a sales success so the model carries on with a quiet, elegant, no-frills nature.

If the 2014 ES350 looks slightly larger in person, well, it is. Finally dropping its Camry roots and switching to the larger Toyota Avalon platform, the ES350 grows slightly in every exterior dimension. The move to the Avalon platform does wonders for the interior. Now, properly a large luxury car, the ES has more than enough room to suit its role as the Japanese take on the classic Buick. Legroom is good for front seat passengers while rear seat passengers yield the most gains in interior space. Both front seats are 10-way power adjustable so finding a good driving position wasn't difficult. Bolstering in the driver's seat was a bit unexpected but welcome when the time came to show the ES some corners. Want to know the easiest way to spot a driver's car? If you don't feel cocooned in the driver's seat, then chances are the car isn't built for the enthusiast driver and the ES350 has never alluded to such. This one is no different; the dash is flat and horizontally spans the width of the cabin albeit with quite supple materials. At the top of the dashboard lies a 7 inch screen for the infotainment system with redundant buttons and knobs below for the sound and climate control systems. Between the front seats lies a rotary controller to manipulate the infotainment screen (I found this more preferable than the Remote Touch system in higher trim models) and the Lexus Drive selector that offers three modes for the transmission: Normal, Eco and Sport (more on this later). The interior build quality is typical Lexus elegant and nothing squeaked or rattled.

Powering the 2014 ES350 is a carry-over 2GR-FE 3.5 liter V6 with 268hp and 248lb-ft of torque driving the front wheels through an also carry-over six speed automatic transmission. So quiet is this powerplant that I had literally strain my ears inside to make sure it was running. Active engine mounts as well as acoustically laminated glass are responsible for the engine's operation being masked from the interior. Underway, acceleration was strong if not pin-you-to-your-seat quick and torque steer was kept to a minimum. The six speed automatic slurred away through the gears with a deliberate prod to the accelerator resulting in a quick downshift and an authoritative if subdued growl from the engine bay. Befitting its mission, the electric power steering offers quick and easy turn ratios but lacked in feel, responsiveness and isolates the driver from the road. At highway speeds, the ES350 glides along in a composed and quiet fashion, tracking dead straight. Bumps and potholes are registered with a distant thump that is heard but not felt through the seats. Putting the ES through its dynamic paces however, the all-McPherson strut suspension took even moderate cornering with the same enthusiasm the Pope has for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The ES never feels completely settled during quick maneuvers, protesting with almost cruise ship-like levels of body roll and the all-season 17 inch tires howling away. Which brings me to the Lexus Drive selector. Bearing the ES350's target audience in mind, it baffles me as to why Lexus would offer a Sport mode in this model, not to mention two other modes. Starting the car, Normal is the default setting and a switch to Eco dulls the transmissions shifts softens throttle response and quickly aims the slushbox for the highest gear. Sport mode on the other hand, quickens throttle response, holds gears longer and increases steering effort. During my time with the car, Sport mode was almost always engaged as it was just more usable in everyday operation. With Normal mode selected, the ES350 seemed perfectly fine, until a call to the engine room was made for more power. The transmission would think about it for a second or two (committee-choice?) before finally deciding to kick down a gear, then another as it realizes you really DID want the power in the first place. Sport mode largely mended most of this (though I wish it would remain engaged whenever I started the car).

My 2014 ES350 tester was a base model priced at $37,530 ($910 handling fee included) and included the $3923 Premium package which featured Expresso Bird's Eye maple wood trim, backup camera, the 7 inch infotainment display, an eight speaker Premium sound system, Intuitive Park Assist, Blind Spot Monitor system, Bluetooth Audio and Phone, heated front seats and wood on the steering wheel and shift knob. As tested, the price was $41,453. Luxury and Ultra Luxury packages are available that bring features such as Semi-Aniline leather surfaces, navigation with traffic and weather, Sirius/XM satellite and HD radio as well as the Lexus Enform Apps suite and a host of other goodies that will ring the register near the $50k mark.

Pricey.

Even with Buick and Lincoln aiming directly at the ES350 with their LaCrosse and MKZ sedans, Lexus will still find continued success here. It would be unfair of me to judge the ES350 for not being an enthusiast car as that isn't (and perhaps will never be) it's intended mission if Lexus is keen on not messing with its formula for high sales. On the merits of transporting its occupants to their destination in a cocoon of refinement, luxury, isolation and cushiness, the 2014 ES350 excels at its purpose. It will no doubt continue to find success with the kind of people Cadillac more or less left behind to be America's version of BMW. For the enthusiast driver however, Lexus would be glad to sell you an IS250/IS350 sports sedan.