Lately I’ve been amazed at the leaps and bounds automotive manufacturers have been making the last few years in regards to fuel economy, at least in relation to engine power. A few examples? A 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6 rated with 305 horsepower and 29 miles per gallon (highway), and a 2011 Ford Mustang V6 also with 305 horses, but 31 mpg highway. These are just the base models with automatics, and yet their performance would put just about any Ferrari from the 80s or 90s to shame — all while sucking half as much fuel.
In light of this, I’ve been reassessing just how efficient my 2001 Audi TT Roadster Quattro really is. Once considered almost state-of-the-art, the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine puts out just 225 hp — a pretty amazing 125 hp/liter, but just two-thirds the output of the new pony cars’ larger-displacement base engines. And an EPA rating of 26 mpg highway. Not so impressive.
However, it seems like with any manual-transmissioned car, I can easily beat the EPA numbers. My TT does have a stick, so I wondered just what gas mileage I could get if I “tried.” Continue reading »
Logbook entries for the ’01 Audi TT Roadster Quattro. Continue reading »
For archival purposes, here is the repair log for my departed 1969 MGB. Woah, lots of entries. I figure, if I ever miss Goldie too much, all I have to do is look at this and then I’d feel relieved she is gone. 
So far I have to say I am doing quite well without her. Continue reading »
This is the repair log for Elaina, the 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider I owned from September 2003-July 2009. Not once did she leave me stranded. All problems were relatively minor. Continue reading »
A couple of nights ago I talked with Goldie‘s new owner, Steve Goldenberg. (Yes, he has a very appropriate last name for Goldie. ) He picked the car up from the transporter in Buffalo, NY on Sunday or Monday, and then drove it to a buddy’s in Toronto en route to home near Montreal, Canada. Total distance he drove: 500 miles! He was “very happy with how she drove” and there were no hiccups aside from having problems turning on the headlights (I think he just didn’t pull the pull-switch all the way out, since it was always working.) Amazing.
So it seems like they are off to a good start. The rest of Steve’s family includes two MGAs (including one parts car) and many, many cats. No, not Jaguars, but furry little things like that resemble this guy. After the Quebec winter has passed, Goldie will be Steve’s daily driver.
“There’s a sports car out there with its top down,” remarked a Fort Collinser to his kid standing behind me inside the diner I was having lunch at. “Someone’s thinking positive…”
Er, yes, that would be me. While I have enjoyed the unusual snowy weather the last few weeks, I’m looking forward to warmer days. In just a couple of days the high temperatures of Fort Collins will be in the mid-50s, which should feel absolutely scorching after weeks in the 20s and 30s. Never mind that when I drove out to lunch, the temperature was still 17 degrees and there’s still some snow on all grassy areas. Continue reading »
, but there's always positive thinking... "Fort Collins isn't quite as warm as this at the moment (photo from June 2006 in Berkeley), but there's always positive thinking...")
