I might just be in love

This was a really fun weekend, but since it's late (as usual), I'm going to tell you about the highight of my weekend.

My good buddy Mike Sos is currently in the market for a new car. He's been doing lots of research and thinks he wants a wagon-style car to replace his VW New Beetle. He invited me to test drive some cars with him Saturday and I gladly accepted.

First stop: McGeorge Toyota. We looked around the lot and quickly found the Matrix models they had. For those of you not familiar with the Matrix, it's Toyota's new sport compact/sport utility car. I think it's part of a new generation of cars known as Crossover Utility Vehicles. If you want more details about it, there's an article over on CustomTacos. The model we looked at was the XRS model (the faster of the models Toyota makes. It was simply amazing. I reallly can't even begin to tell you how cool this thing was. One of the coolest features was a 9" LCD screen in the center of the dash that's not only part of the CD player and DVD player (yes, you can watch movies on the LCD screen!), but it also has a navigation system built-in, too. So, while you;re driving around, it gives you a map of where you are. This could be helpful when traveling places and you get lost. The navigation system also has a driving directions feature, allowing you to input your destination and it'll show you how to get there, using it's map. There were other features of the navigation/AV system, but we didn't take the time to play with them. The biggest thing is: this car was FAST. It was MUCH faster than I expected. Mike and I had test driven a Celica a couple years ago, but thing blew that car away, power-wise. We took it out on Chipenham Parkway and before I knew it, I had it up to 100mph. Oh, and it's a 6-speed..and I hadn't even shifted to 6th gear. Oh man. If I weren't so in love with my truck.....

Next stop: The Subaru dealership. We first test drove a WRX wagon. Folks, this is a 2.0L Turbocharged engine. But HOLY CRAP. This thing puts out 227 hp and we felt every bit of it. I really wasn't prepared for the power that this car had. Mike took off from a couple stoplights near the beginning of our test drive and I had some serious trouble keeping my head OFF of the headrest. It definitely had more power than the Matrix, but the Matrix had a cool factor (with its DVD and navigation system) that the Sabaru couldn't touch. We got back to the dealership and Mike wanted to drive an Outback wagon. It didn't have nearly the horsepower that either of two previous cars had, but it was nice and roomy. And, it had dual sunroofs. Very cool.

So, I have to say that I was really impressed with the Matrix and I only wish I wasn't so into my truck. If I could only convince Olivia to trade her car for it, though.. hehe