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Author Archives: Randy
Rebooting the Dart – in Texas
Austin, Texas.
The first thing that comes to mind about the state capitol of the Lone Star Empire is its quirkiness. Austin does not represent the rest of state by the people and the openness of anyone who is different than the stereotypical Texan. Not everyone within the capitol’s environs share the ideology of its Governor. Austin folk would probably have more in common than one of its most celebrated residents – Matthew McConaughey.
While the capitol is prominent in the center of town, the campus of the University of Texas is immense in both real estate and community importance. It is perhaps a law to be a fan of the Longhorns – or, else. It is also a law to possess some form of creative outlet if you want to live in Austin. Case in point, Nakia from the first season of “The Voice” is a prominent and quite popular local performer.
After all, the city is the home of the South-by-Southwest confab and “Austin City Limits.”
I have never been to Austin. The only time I touched down in the state was to change planes at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport en route between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Burbank. It was not my decision to come to this place by my own devices. It was chosen – for a very important mission. Continue reading
Coming Full Circle
Do you still remember the best automobile you ever owned?
I remember the day I took delivery of a 1991 Acura Integra RS coupe. It was dusk on a Thursday in November of 1990. I arrived with a cashier’s check at Marin Acura in Corte Madera, California ready to take my brand new baby home. The vehicle in question just finished with detailing after the air conditioning unit was installed into my Concord Blue Metallic hatchback.
The car was not equipped with all the luxuries we come to expect from an Acura today. But, I did not care. I wanted something pure with fine handling and enough agility to possibly take it to a track – namely Sears Point (now called Infineon). All I needed to add to my new Integra was an audio system that matched my taste. I took it across the highway to an electronics retailer for the aftermarket installation. The rest is history.
The experience lasted two-and-a-half years. I miss it a lot – even today. There are plenty of regrets – I never took it on a track, ever. The Integra did make it to my brother’s wedding a month after I took delivery of it. Also, it went on a few dates with my first boyfriend, and delivered me to my undergraduate commencement at California State University, East Bay in June of 1993.
There is a void that has lasted 19 years since I parted ways with my Integra. Is there a way to close this gap so I could get over my lament over my prized Concord Blue Metallic 1991 Acura Integra RS coupe? Is there something wearing the dual caliper badge of Acura that is worthy of the spirit of that my old car?
Perhaps I need to find its spiritual successor. Maybe there is some ascendant out there with the spirit and the magic of my old hatchback coupe. Sadly, Acura does not sell a three-door hatchback coupe anymore. Not since they cancelled the RSX in 2006. The lowest model in their lineup is the rebranded version of the Honda Accord Euro – the smaller version of the Accord sold in various parts of this planet – called the TSX. This coming fall, a new smaller Acura will debut in the USA – the ILX.
Still, the quandary persists. Maybe the approach to find the right Acura should take in consideration an old Integra owner who has grown up, but remains loyal to the brand. It would have to be the right vehicle for an owner, whose priorities have changed along with their economic status and social standing in the community. Yet, there is still the want to quench the right foot’s need for hitting the limiter – to simply feel what Acura can still do to an enthusiast. Continue reading
Your Turn: How Car Ownership Ruins (and Renews) Our Love of Cars
Tweet Photo by Matthew Stern Car ownership can be a blessing and/or a curse. It can be rewarding while taxing your wallet and your patience. In this edition of “Your Turn,” Orange County, California-based author, blogger…and my brother…Matthew Stern gives … Continue reading
The Return of the Rogue
An old friend has returned for a visit.
We all have this friend that you love to have stay the week with you. One forged from a friendship by chance or circumstance that have run through the tides of mutual ups and downs. When you two do get together, it’s about having fun and letting loose the stress of your individual lives.
When the friend visits, you put him or her up at your place – not at some hotel miles away. You cook breakfast for that friend, take in a movie or a museum, laugh over mutual losers over coffee – even share recent love interests (that is, of course, if you’re single). The fun you have with said friend is supposed to be drama-free – until an ex pops up and acts all slimy and so forth.
It is true that we often view automobiles as extensions of our lives. Perhaps this notion of a “returning old friend” is apt when I welcomed the return of a familiar steed to the V&R Garage recently – the Nissan Rogue. Continue reading
A Go-karting Lesson
Go-karting always looked like a lot of fun.
Looking back at my youth, I would imagine that a few of my friends took up this first step in motorsport. I would have loved to partake, but I was a fat kid and we don’t fit in those things.
Yet, the great drivers of our time began their journey in these lawnmower engine-powered machines. The names of Ayrton Senna and Sebastien Vettel came up quite frequently in their stories towards their driver’s championships in Formula One. To become the next Vettel, Senna, Franchitti, Gordon or McNish, karting is a good place to start.
Having never been to a Go-kart track, a curious invitation came across my Facebook to do so. Scion, the cool/hip brand of Toyota, went out and rented some Go-kart venues across America for potential drivers to try out their newest product – the little iQ. Continue reading
The Class of 1982: Reflection and Reunion
Tweet “It used to be our playground.” All photos by Randy Stern The date has been announced – the 30th Reunion is on! It is a long time until August 11. It seems there is enough time to research airfares, … Continue reading
Commentary: An Odd Affirmation from a Wooden TR7
Tweet Photo courtesy of Mr.choppers via Wikimedia Commons/Creative Commons license There are some things in the past that should be left back there. I never liked Boy Scouts. It was something mom wanted my brother and I to do, as … Continue reading
Five Favorites…Because, “It’s Spring Again!”
Tweet Daddy only lets me out when it’s warm outside! Photo by Randy Stern A spring day means a lot to all of us. It means April showers bringing May flowers. It also means pollen, mosquitoes, tornadoes, hurricanes and jorts. … Continue reading
Posted in Automobile History, Automobile Lifestyle, Five Favorites
Tagged BMW, Datsun, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan
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Commentary: Putting Your Hands Where the Airbag Won’t Hurt Them
Tweet Where do you put your hands on the steering wheel? Photo by Randy Stern Um, what’s with those thumbs on the steering wheel of the photo on the top of your page? You may have noticed in the masthead … Continue reading
Commentary: A Maiden Voyage
Tweet Photo by Randy Stern I have an old saying: “If you could dream, you can achieve.” This dream began with a series of columns from various automotive magazines of editor’s tales of media junkets on both sides of the … Continue reading →