Letters to the Editors are always welcome. When writing, please include your name, city and story which you are referring to. We will not publish your e-mail or phone number. We may edit your letter for length or content.
Letters to the Inside Line Editors:
Acura RDX Crosses Over Into Gas Hog Territory
Full Test: 2007 Acura RDX
I was surprised you didn't make a bigger issue over the poor gas mileage on the Acura RDX. I thought one of the big reasons to get out of giant SUVs was the gas guzzling. So Acura has produced a small nimble sporty fun SUV that gets the same mileage as an Explorer or Tahoe. As much as I love the size and performance of the RDX, the mileage is a huge turn-off. I've read half a dozen reviews and nobody has gotten close to averaging the city rating, let alone a blended or highway number. Downsizing that much should get you better mileage.
Mike H.
Providence, Rhode Island
The Clutch or No-Clutch Debate Continues
The Letter
The Original IL Story: Brave New Clutchless World
Dear Editors,
Is it OK to respond to another letter? This is in response to the letter that was published on Inside Line about the same article. I don't feel a sports car's purpose is just to go fast. If fast were the ultimate objective, I imagine there'd be a lot more built crate motors out there but as it stands, the Honda Civic and Scion tC are both very popular platforms for people to modify. Those two cars are hardly capable of the potential for speed of a built crate motor or big block (or even a small block.) Of course, people will argue that those two little compacts can handle far better than a '69 Camaro or '64 Mustang. However, for $20,000, I can probably find a '60s Mustang coupe chassis and replace a bunch of suspension components. So if one considers that, there'd be no point in buying a Civic Si other than such factors as gas mileage and conveniences but of course, speed is the purpose of sports cars so all that other stuff is nothing but dead weight.
So, I don't think the entire point of a sports or even a sporty car (the Scion is most definitely not a sports car...but it is sporty enough for me) is speed. The point of a sports/sporty car is the sport. Not many people sport fish with a tug and a net; rather, they use a sportsman's fish catcher, a.k.a. a reel. The people with the tugboat and nets are the people making money off the fish they catch. Likewise, those F1 racers using F1-style automatic transmissions are racing for their lives, or more rather, livelihoods. Also, at those speeds it's hardly more control to be able to shift for yourself. I imagine that at or around 200 mph, I would like to have both hands on the wheel. However, in daily driving, I don't often hit F1 speeds and I think I can handle 10-90 mph just fine with one hand on the wheel and one on the shifter. With that said, I want the sport in my daily driving and I simply don't feel any sport when a computer mitigates my control of the engine. I want to shift for myself; I want to govern directly how and when the power from my engine gets to the ground; I want to be free and I want for this melodrama to show just how unsporting it is that all I have to do to burn a Civic with a Monte Carlo is depress a single pedal and allow a long list of 1s and 0s to do the rest. Whatever happened to the driver's race?
In my example of the Monte Carlo vs. Civic, the Civic is hard-pressed to win anyways so in an even match, two automatics can have a driver's race but all that is is launch technique (which is a lot, in its own right) but what of the time between the Christmas tree's green light and the finish line? Feathers, dumps, shift points and all that pomp and circumstance are a nonissue with an automatic. And races with turns? An automatic takes away only one of many issues to juggle, but honestly, who is the more sporting man? The man who brakes well, accelerates at the right time and clips the apexes perfectly, or the man who does all that with a clutch and shifter to boot?
Whatever happened to the driver's race? What happened to "sports" in a sports car?
Sorry, I'm a little agitated by the thought of a clutchless tomorrow.
Kevin P.
From the Web
Camry? Ugly.
I think that the 2007 Camry will be a disappointment for Toyota. It is ugly.
T. Fell
From the Web
Formula 1 Coverage Questions (and Answers From the Editor)
2006 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Italy
The article in question ("The heat is on") by Donna DeRosa, is peppered with factual errors.
The author makes a claim that is quoted below. "From what we could see, Alonso was driving as fast as he could during that final qualifying session so that he could complete another hot lap before the session ended. It appeared that Massa, who was directly behind Alonso, was actually benefiting from his draft, not slowed down."
That statement betrays the fact the author doesn't have the slightest inkling about:
a) Aerodynamics
b) Formula 1
F1 is not "NASCAR" and it relies heavily on aerodynamic grip as opposed to mechanical grip (read: tires) to ensure that they are able to perform to the level required by F1. "Dirty air" — a.k.a. turbulence caused by a car in front, makes front-end grip an important issue, costing a driver who is in tow valuable time in fast turns. This is how F1 has been since the '80s, and advancements in aerodynamics have only exacerbated this issue.
Another statement: "He ended up qualifying in the 5th spot but was later penalized by the race stewards for allegedly holding up Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the end of the third qualifying session."
While the above statement is contentious in nature, it fails to be more than a very poor attempt at raking some F1 controversy as it fails to mention that F1 marshals don't simply eyeball the race and make spot judgments on what they see; they actually looked at both Massa's and Alonso's telemetry data to decide on the course of action.
If the author does want to make a controversial point, having the facts makes it more interesting to read and enjoy....
Furthermore, while the author quotes Flavio Briatore's (Renault team principal) rant, no mention is made about his craven about-face subsequently (after the FIA started an investigation) under the guise of being "emotional" and "being Italian." This is neither the first penalty for Alonso for this kind of tactic in this year and judging by his attitude it won't be his last either.
In all, Edmunds has been a reasonably decent online source for automotive news. It would be very much appreciated if they improved the poor quality of their F1 journalism to match their otherwise good content.
Vishal
From the Web
The writer responds:
Dear Vishal,
While using the word "draft" was admittedly misleading, I still believe Fernando Alonso was not holding up Felipe Massa during qualifying.
I agree this is not the first time Alonso has received a penalty but it is also not the first time I've seen questionable penalties handed out that benefit Ferrari.
As far as Flavio Briatore's quote is concerned, I write these race recaps immediately after the event. I don't have the luxury of going in and updating my articles every time someone we quoted says, "Oops, I didn't mean to say that."
As an "emotional Italian" myself, I appreciate your letter. Formula 1 is a very moving sport and we're all entitled to our opinions. Thank you for reading our F1 coverage.
— Donna
Two From the "If Wishes Were Fishes" File:
#1. Better Than Malibu, Cheaper Than Accord
I'd love to see a test of some sort of nice, reasonable European-market-only car that puts a Malibu to shame and is possibly cheaper/more inventive than a Honda Accord. I think such a test might resonate with plenty of readers of Inside Line.
Teddy P.
Chicago, Illinois
#2. These Are Nice, But Why Not a Perfect Car?
This may seem like a stupid question...but why can't car companies build the "perfect car"? If you think about it, when a prototype car is built, don't they test it rigorously?
For example: crash test safety — why not build until it gets that five-star rating across the board? And why not engineer it until it gets greater than 25 miles per gallon? Why is it so hard for all companies to have that mpg in their cars?
As far as SUVs, build it so it doesn't roll over. You have a prototype, fix it...before final production.
Kinda of confused about all this.
Mani S.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Dear Mani,
That's the question we ask every day. But if they ever answered it, we'd be outta work. Until then, it's a passionate pursuit of something resembling perfection.
— IL
Letters to the Inside Line Editors:
Acura RDX Crosses Over Into Gas Hog Territory
Full Test: 2007 Acura RDX
I was surprised you didn't make a bigger issue over the poor gas mileage on the Acura RDX. I thought one of the big reasons to get out of giant SUVs was the gas guzzling. So Acura has produced a small nimble sporty fun SUV that gets the same mileage as an Explorer or Tahoe. As much as I love the size and performance of the RDX, the mileage is a huge turn-off. I've read half a dozen reviews and nobody has gotten close to averaging the city rating, let alone a blended or highway number. Downsizing that much should get you better mileage.
Mike H.
Providence, Rhode Island
The Clutch or No-Clutch Debate Continues
The Letter
The Original IL Story: Brave New Clutchless World
Dear Editors,
Is it OK to respond to another letter? This is in response to the letter that was published on Inside Line about the same article. I don't feel a sports car's purpose is just to go fast. If fast were the ultimate objective, I imagine there'd be a lot more built crate motors out there but as it stands, the Honda Civic and Scion tC are both very popular platforms for people to modify. Those two cars are hardly capable of the potential for speed of a built crate motor or big block (or even a small block.) Of course, people will argue that those two little compacts can handle far better than a '69 Camaro or '64 Mustang. However, for $20,000, I can probably find a '60s Mustang coupe chassis and replace a bunch of suspension components. So if one considers that, there'd be no point in buying a Civic Si other than such factors as gas mileage and conveniences but of course, speed is the purpose of sports cars so all that other stuff is nothing but dead weight.
So, I don't think the entire point of a sports or even a sporty car (the Scion is most definitely not a sports car...but it is sporty enough for me) is speed. The point of a sports/sporty car is the sport. Not many people sport fish with a tug and a net; rather, they use a sportsman's fish catcher, a.k.a. a reel. The people with the tugboat and nets are the people making money off the fish they catch. Likewise, those F1 racers using F1-style automatic transmissions are racing for their lives, or more rather, livelihoods. Also, at those speeds it's hardly more control to be able to shift for yourself. I imagine that at or around 200 mph, I would like to have both hands on the wheel. However, in daily driving, I don't often hit F1 speeds and I think I can handle 10-90 mph just fine with one hand on the wheel and one on the shifter. With that said, I want the sport in my daily driving and I simply don't feel any sport when a computer mitigates my control of the engine. I want to shift for myself; I want to govern directly how and when the power from my engine gets to the ground; I want to be free and I want for this melodrama to show just how unsporting it is that all I have to do to burn a Civic with a Monte Carlo is depress a single pedal and allow a long list of 1s and 0s to do the rest. Whatever happened to the driver's race?
In my example of the Monte Carlo vs. Civic, the Civic is hard-pressed to win anyways so in an even match, two automatics can have a driver's race but all that is is launch technique (which is a lot, in its own right) but what of the time between the Christmas tree's green light and the finish line? Feathers, dumps, shift points and all that pomp and circumstance are a nonissue with an automatic. And races with turns? An automatic takes away only one of many issues to juggle, but honestly, who is the more sporting man? The man who brakes well, accelerates at the right time and clips the apexes perfectly, or the man who does all that with a clutch and shifter to boot?
Whatever happened to the driver's race? What happened to "sports" in a sports car?
Sorry, I'm a little agitated by the thought of a clutchless tomorrow.
Kevin P.
From the Web
Camry? Ugly.
I think that the 2007 Camry will be a disappointment for Toyota. It is ugly.
T. Fell
From the Web
Formula 1 Coverage Questions (and Answers From the Editor)
2006 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Italy
The article in question ("The heat is on") by Donna DeRosa, is peppered with factual errors.
The author makes a claim that is quoted below. "From what we could see, Alonso was driving as fast as he could during that final qualifying session so that he could complete another hot lap before the session ended. It appeared that Massa, who was directly behind Alonso, was actually benefiting from his draft, not slowed down."
That statement betrays the fact the author doesn't have the slightest inkling about:
a) Aerodynamics
b) Formula 1
F1 is not "NASCAR" and it relies heavily on aerodynamic grip as opposed to mechanical grip (read: tires) to ensure that they are able to perform to the level required by F1. "Dirty air" — a.k.a. turbulence caused by a car in front, makes front-end grip an important issue, costing a driver who is in tow valuable time in fast turns. This is how F1 has been since the '80s, and advancements in aerodynamics have only exacerbated this issue.
Another statement: "He ended up qualifying in the 5th spot but was later penalized by the race stewards for allegedly holding up Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the end of the third qualifying session."
While the above statement is contentious in nature, it fails to be more than a very poor attempt at raking some F1 controversy as it fails to mention that F1 marshals don't simply eyeball the race and make spot judgments on what they see; they actually looked at both Massa's and Alonso's telemetry data to decide on the course of action.
If the author does want to make a controversial point, having the facts makes it more interesting to read and enjoy....
Furthermore, while the author quotes Flavio Briatore's (Renault team principal) rant, no mention is made about his craven about-face subsequently (after the FIA started an investigation) under the guise of being "emotional" and "being Italian." This is neither the first penalty for Alonso for this kind of tactic in this year and judging by his attitude it won't be his last either.
In all, Edmunds has been a reasonably decent online source for automotive news. It would be very much appreciated if they improved the poor quality of their F1 journalism to match their otherwise good content.
Vishal
From the Web
The writer responds:
Dear Vishal,
While using the word "draft" was admittedly misleading, I still believe Fernando Alonso was not holding up Felipe Massa during qualifying.
I agree this is not the first time Alonso has received a penalty but it is also not the first time I've seen questionable penalties handed out that benefit Ferrari.
As far as Flavio Briatore's quote is concerned, I write these race recaps immediately after the event. I don't have the luxury of going in and updating my articles every time someone we quoted says, "Oops, I didn't mean to say that."
As an "emotional Italian" myself, I appreciate your letter. Formula 1 is a very moving sport and we're all entitled to our opinions. Thank you for reading our F1 coverage.
— Donna
Two From the "If Wishes Were Fishes" File:
#1. Better Than Malibu, Cheaper Than Accord
I'd love to see a test of some sort of nice, reasonable European-market-only car that puts a Malibu to shame and is possibly cheaper/more inventive than a Honda Accord. I think such a test might resonate with plenty of readers of Inside Line.
Teddy P.
Chicago, Illinois
#2. These Are Nice, But Why Not a Perfect Car?
This may seem like a stupid question...but why can't car companies build the "perfect car"? If you think about it, when a prototype car is built, don't they test it rigorously?
For example: crash test safety — why not build until it gets that five-star rating across the board? And why not engineer it until it gets greater than 25 miles per gallon? Why is it so hard for all companies to have that mpg in their cars?
As far as SUVs, build it so it doesn't roll over. You have a prototype, fix it...before final production.
Kinda of confused about all this.
Mani S.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Dear Mani,
That's the question we ask every day. But if they ever answered it, we'd be outta work. Until then, it's a passionate pursuit of something resembling perfection.
— IL
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