A360P

Tesla Roadster/Malibu Canyon

February 17th I was traveling to the valley and took Malibu Canyon/Las Virgines Road and wound up following a Tesla Roadster all the way over to the 101. Its Lotus heritage is evident, although its lack of engine sound might be a little unnerving while driving (I find the same thing when in a Prius at low speed before the engine kicks in). I like the idea of the Tesla and would buy one in a heartbeat if I had the money and if I didn't do as much long-distance driving as I do. A round trip up to the central coast to see clients puts me perilously close to the car's maximum distance and I'd hate to run out of power in Oxnard and have to be towed the rest of the way home. Driving behind this car (interesting color, BTW!) it was obvious that the driver was having fun with its handling on the canyon road- it would be very difficult to keep up with him on the twistier roads further up in the hills. The Fisker Karma hybrid would be more practical as a daily driver (and it looks like a lot more fun than the Prius).

1972 Porsche 911S

Thomas Pynchon's novel "Gravity's Rainbow" opens with the sentences: A screaming comes across the sky. It has happened before, but there is nothing to compare it to now. Change "screaming" to "rumbling" and it would be an appropriate description of the first sensation I felt when this 1972 Porsche 911S entered the parking lot at Target the other day. It was a loud, deep rumble, the sort that set off car alarms as it drove by. "Awe inspiring" would be a good description too. With its 2.4 engine creating about 180 hp, this car was a street legal version of the race car that preceded the  lighter-weight 1973 Porsche Carrera RS (and its subsequent replacement, the 3.0 litre Carrera RSR).

I ran into (not over) the owner as he was coming out of the store and he said that he'd bought his S new. He is a member of the PCA and used to take the cars to tracks, shows, and tours around the state. I don't know how practical it would be as a daily commuter, but it sure looked (and sounded) like a lot of fun to use on weekends.