Once again, my favorite show from the UK is back! Season 13 started two weeks ago, and there will be (only) 7 episodes.  In Top Gear tradition, they started off wonderfully, with fun challenges (racing with a coal powered steam train), and testing fun cars like the Lotus and Ferrari FXX.

Of course, this time around they had something to say about the sad state of the auto industry.  Surprisingly, they didn’t talk about it too much.  They proceeded in doing what they do best: running cars around the test track, pushing their bodies to the limit, and causing mayhem.

And they revealed The Stig‘s real identity!

Anyway, I’m going to enjoy watching whatever Top Gear put together.  I’ve also been enjoying Top Gear Australia, which is now on Season 2.  The hosts dynamics are different, but they are equally funny blokes, having fun racing and thrashing cars.

Keep up the good work, guys!

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Top Gear: Season 13

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• The golf game at Dad Miller Golf Course.  It was my annual outing for my friend’s birthday.  We seldom play, so our progress is stagnant.
• Possibly going golf in an early tee time (6am) for half-a-round back-9.   That way, those of us with wives can go home before 9am, bringing donuts for breakfast.
• Lexus car maintenance.  Upto $100 for an oil change?  I’m glad I don’t have a Lexus.
• Guppy House.  What is it?  It’s just fancy hang-out, serving greasy fried “comfort” food.  The one in Diamond Jamboree is busy all the time.
• Buying and collecting movies.  May not be relevant, now that companies are starting to offer streaming or downloadable movies.
• Housing market in the surrounding OC/LA area being down.  Especially in Temecula and Rancho Cucamonga.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Lunch Bits – Edition 29

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Stephen J. Beard¹ and Rich Exner² came up with a traffic shockwave illustration that clearly explains the problem.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Traffic Delays – Redux

1. Renowned illustrator
2. Reporter and editor of The Plain Dealer publishing

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He also told me the service requirements should also be based on-board computer indicator.  I don’t have to follow the clockwork service schedule (10k, 30k, etc.)   In fact, he said to ignore the mileage altogether.  Also, he did tell me there’s a possibility the computer might tell me to bring it for a service sooner.  It just means my next service will not happen for a while.

It’s the first time I’ve ever come across an honest service guy who told me not to waste my money on frequent maintenance services, and oil changes.  I should not be changing oil too frequently, anyway.   That’s good to know.  No more clockwork maintenance schedule for me.   It just reassuring car maintenance doesn’t have to be a costly commitment.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

No Oil Change Yet

1. I’ll need 4 quarts of 5W-20 oil.

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Then Honda delivered the Honda FCX Clarity.  It’s the first consumer available (albeit lease only) hydrogen powered car.  It has a range of about 280 miles per full tank (4 kilograms) of liquid hydrogen.  It can do 136 HP, which is a decent power for a family sedan.  In the US Market, it’s currently only available in California.  People in Orange County are already starting to get the FCX Clarity, and Honda is expecting to lease 200 of them in the next 3 years.  From the looks of it, demand is pretty low because of the lack of hydrogen fueling stations.  But I really commend Honda for trying, wholeheartedly, to get the mass adoption started.   Honda has a history of making alternative power-train cars more appealing by making them available first to the mass market.  They did it with the Hybrid (Insight) and Natural Gas (Civic GX).

Honda really knows exactly how to deliver. That’s why I only buy their cars.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Hydrogen Cars No Longer a Pipe Dream

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Season 12 of Top Gear has just started in the UK.  Episode 1 is looking very good so far, with funny bits like Jeremy Clarkson’s pajamas, and the Rig Stig.  As usual, there are fast cars to review, like the Lamborghini LP560-4 and Porsche GT2.  Of course, there are more destruction and mayhem.  Autumn TV programming has just become so much better!

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Top Gear is back! Yay!

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The good news is, starting late 2009, owning a Hybrid may be a reality again for me.  Hybrid battery makers said they’ll be lowering the production cost of battery production (passing the savings to the consumers), and the re-introduction of the Honda Insight (with a sticker price of $18,000).  They will promote lower prices for future Hybrid cars, which has been the stumbling block for most new car buyers.  At least for Honda, they have the sensibility to continue making fuel efficient cars including talk about a Fit Hybrid!  Who says we don’t need smaller, ultra fuel economy, commuter cars?  I can certainly use one.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Hybrid Car Reality

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• How to bargain in Chinese stores.  Russell Peters explained it very well.
• Alkaline Ionized Water purifier for drinking.  It does not have healing powers.
• Legal drinking age in the British Isle varies from 16-19 years old.  Not fully enforced either.  However, they’re strict on drunk drivers, with first offense punishable by jail time.
• Housing slump, especially with condos.
• Top Gear.
• Government jobs are filled with whiny and lazy people, creating a hostile work environment.
• The usefulness of remote offices.  They are generally empty. Remote workers are usually out on business trips, or work from home.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plans:  avoid them!

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Lunch Bits – Edition 23

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• New car smell.  Apparently there’s a “new car” fragrance we can buy to simulate the smell in an older car.
• Beijing 2008 Olympics.   We all agreed it was a spectacular show, even though the “Footprint” fireworks were mostly computer graphics.
• Conflict between Georgia and Russia.
• The Bob Costas interview with President George W. Bush in Beijing.  The president handled the delicate questions quite nicely.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Lunch Bits – Edition 22

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1. Window Tinting
   Southern California weather is 90% sunny.  In the summer, heat is a major problem inside a car.  Window tinting will help cool off the cabin.  Also, it cuts down on glare, especially on the driver’s side.    The caveat in California, I’m not able to fully darken the front side windows, or else the cops will give me a “Fix It” ticket.  Otherwise, it’s a must have and worth the $160 to get it professionally installed.
2. GPS
   Honda’s in-dash Navi is $1750 extra. Quite pricey.  Personally, I’m ok with the on-dash ones, such as a Garmin portable with anti-slip pad.  I can get one of those for less than $200.
3. Bluetooth Speaker Phone
   Honda dealers has the Blueconnect Bluetooh Hands-Free as a $700 option.  Why bother when I can get one from Costco for $70? Ok, so maybe it’s not as fancy and cool. At least it works!
4. Electrical Socket Expander
   With more and more portable gadget inside the car, I’ll need to expand that single electrical outlet (formerly cigarette lighter socket) into many.  There’s a variety from dual to multiple.  Too bad my Civic doesn’t have an outlet inside the armrest compartment.  Otherwise it would make organizing the cables pretty easy and out of sight.
5. Trunk Organizer
   I need a sturdy trunk organizer that will hold a lot of groceries and stuff.  The best ones are designed for the SUV and mini vans.  I also need a golf accessories organizer because I always carry my golf stuff in the trunk.
6. Velcro
   This one is kinda ghetto.  It’s an all purpose use to strap my portable MP3 player down so it won’t slide around during turns.  Also good for temporarily plastering things on the windshield, although it might be illegal according to California law.
7. Ultraman Dolls
   All Asian guys should have at least one Plush Ultraman doll in their cars. If only I can find one…

More ideas?  Please comment.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Accessorizing the New Car

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