Street Level Sightings: Jaguar E-Type

It's one of the most beautiful and iconic cars ever built. It's a British as afternoon tea, and as simple a pleasure. In the 1960s, anyone who was anyone had one. It's 50 years old this year and it's aged like few other cars... when it starts anyway. It is of course the Jaguar E-Type, known as the XKE here in the States, and I was pleasantly shocked to spot this one on my way home from the pub last weekend.

The Jaguar E-Tpye has some history in my family. I can almost say "my dad had one of those"; he claims he did but I've never seen photographic evidence.

The convertible version allows the passerby to see the incredible interior that looks like it was built to perfectly complement Steve McQueen, and the driver to enjoy the weather which should be pleasantly crisp in New England for another couple weeks before it all freezes solid. A great day for the Jag then. In fact, it's been a great half century for the infallible, breakdowns aside, Jaguar E-type.

Real World Reviews: 2011 Jeep Liberty

I wanted to like the Jeep Liberty, I really did. I wanted to tell you it's a brilliant use of twenty five thousand of your hard earned dollars. Hell, I would love to say I want one, but I can't. The Liberty is fun and attractive as SUVs go, but it's flaws are glaring. These faults might be acceptable for seven or eight grand less, but at this price point I have to take issue.

Looks: There have been some great improvements made to the styling of the Jeep Liberty since its last iteration. While stuck in traffic test driving in New York, I was behind an older Liberty and made several notes that the newer Libery looks far more menacing, more intimidating, less Soccer-Mom and more Off-Roader. The whole vichicle is more boxy, more Land Rover looking. The side view mirrors are my favorite update; they're larger, easier to use and just cooler looking.

Performance: It's a Jeep. It's designed to go up and down mountains. Gas milage is listed at 22mpg highway, 16 city. That's nice. I believe in unicorns too.
The four wheel drive works well, you can feel the extra grip it's here the Jeep shines. I could imagine a lot of camping trips beging traveled to and from in this thing. Be careful how hard you turn though, I locked the wheels up in a sharp 3-point turn twice.
The ride is very comfortable even on extended drives, but as with most SUVs this size, it feels like it may flip if you dare oversteer, and in a low-speed traffic jam the transmission feels completely out of its element.

Features: For a Jeep, it's well equipped. The radio has a lot of features, including an AUX port for music player input and satellite radio, but I found the AM/FM signal receiver was rather weak. The 2x4 to 4x4 control is a switch, not a shifter, which looks cool but I'd prefer a stick. Everything you need is in easy reach, although it can be a bit of a stretch to the heat/fan dials if you're around 5 feet tall. The console is huge and there's two oversize cup holders, great for those big sports bottles, and extra storage areas for change or other items you may want handy. There's cruise control, which is very similar to the system in the Wrangler I tested last winter; it works. There is a back windshield wiper, but considering how the back window clatters going over speed bumps, I'm surprised it lasted the whole drive.

Practicality: The interior is huge. You could easily fit 5 adults and all their stuff for a weekend away. There's a ton of headroom for you taller folks, and the heater can keep them all comfy if you're headed up a frozen mountain. The visibility is great, and it's just high enough that you feel safe and superior to the little bugs on the road around you, but you don't feel like you're in a Hummer.

Pros: It looks great and rides well, it's got tons of room and could be the perfect transportation for a Soccer Dad. The engine has a nice throaty growl to it, and it handles bad roads fairly well.

Cons: The Jeep Liberty is having an identity crisis. It doesn't know if it wants to be on a cobblestone driveway in the Hamptons, or up to its fenders in mud, and that's the problem. It's neither a prefect off-roader or a luxury SUV. Stuck somewhere in all respects between the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, it fails to find its own identity.

Overall: Even after days of considering all its flaws, I still want to like the Jeep Liberty. But if you're looking for a real Jeep, the Wrangler's cheaper and much better. If you're looking for a luxury SUV in this price range, consider a used Land Rover. However Soccer Dads, if fishing trips, camping, and road trips with a large family are your idea of a blissful weekend, a Jeep Liberty would be happy to get you there.

As tested:
3.7L SOHC V6 engine
210 hp
235 lb-ft of torque.
Towing capacity: Class I 2000lbs, Class II 3500lbs, Class III 5000lbs.
Full Specs at Jeep.com

It's Haunting Me

October has been a very busy month so far, but while we line up some great content for the near future, check out this pumpkin carving from the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Roger Williams Park Zoo. While I hope the Beetle won't be the car that ultimately defines German Motoring, I can't seem to get away from them lately!

Real World Reviews Preview: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Here it is, the new "manly" VW Bug... Right.

I got a sneak peak before we drive it, and I'll admit I like the changes. It suggests a Porsche 911 somehow crossbred with a car with eyelashes. Sadly the engine is still in the front.

On first impression, I like the headlamps and front end. The back even looks more Porsche-esque. The interior is superbly tacky and plastic, but the back seats look as if they may actually accommodate human beings.

The one we got to ogle has an MSRP of $24,265, a lot in my opinion for what is still a very small car. But the engine is almost respectable for its power to weight ratio, a 170 hp in-line 5 pulling a 1900lb car. Don't expect it to handle like its cousin the Golf GTI or a Rally Mini though.
While it still looks like a Bug, I'm intrigued enough to be excited to drive it. Well, as excited as I can be for a car that resembles a zit.

Street Level Sightings: Chrysler New Yorker

For a girl that swears by all things Bostonian, I have soft spot in my heart for New Yorkers. Some of my best friends are from New York, and then there's gems like this poor little water-logged car.

Spotted on what appears to be the "work in progress" lot of a vintage dealer in Wakefield, RI, the rust-addled once proud survivor hails from an era before mandatory seat belts, when driving was cruising, and cars were the crown jewels of family possessions. And wow does it look like this one was a diamond. I didn't check the VIN, but I believe this is a 1956. Last inspected in Massachusetts in 2003, it's not like your can't call that a good run for a family sedan. Still, I hope this little green diamond hasn't seen its last Sunday drive; its rusted badly but it doesn't appear beyond repair and could really shine given some TLC.

The Dreaded DMV?

Our Parents told us horror stories about it. Waiting half the day with the bored-brain-dead masses trying to accomplish what is most likely a simple task. But after years of computer advancement, why does the DMV still have to be every motorist's personal hell? I live in Rhode Island and we're ever so slowly beginning to catch up with modern day. Most registry changes still have to be made with old fashion paper forms and lines, but we can order plates and renew registrations online. The AAA also provides simple services like renewing licenses without the massive queue.

But for this one I didn't have a choice. I've wanted vanity plates for my beloved little Plymouth for years and I finally ordered them. They cost a small fortune, over $72 when I ordered them online and another $81.50 at the DMV, but I dreaded the day trapped in linoleum hell far more then the cost.

The DMV's only open select hours, so I'm guessing those who can't work from home and don't have a week of vacation to burn have to fake illness to find the time to do anything DMV-related. After 15 minutes of waiting in the wrong line I was directed, with instructions, to the correct line and handed a numbered ticket. I was happily surprised to see the tickets numbers are coded, sort of like squawk codes in aviation, and I was only about 20 back in my segment of the line. By the time I'd filled out the paper form, removed my old plates and returned to the waiting room, I only had 4 people in front of me.

Even after a return trip to resolve a mistake on my reissued registration, I was actually in and out in about 45 minutes. While I'm told some states simply put all I accomplished in the mail, I have to think any trip to the DMV that can be completed in under an hour is a sign of improvement. So bravo Rhode Island DMV, you've made leaps and bounds in the right direction. But seriously, in a age when I can work from any where in the world and seemingly do everything else I used to wait in line for online, you've still got some work to do.

Street Level Sightings: 1966 Morris Minor 1000

In a town that is proudly lost in time, Newport, RI, I found this “beauty” parked on a side street only feet from the downtown shops.
The RI license plate is bolted over the original British number plate. It’s in fairly fabulous condition, is right hand drive, and clearly a loved daily driver (there was a book on the passenger seat, a woman’s or a very gay man’s). It even still bore the sticker from the “morris minor centre” Bath 315449 Avon House, Lower Bristol Road. Bath. Avon.

I don't care if it runs like a horse-drawn-buggy, it's adorable.

Real World Reviews: Fiat 500

Europe's been raving about it for years and it's finally here, the Fiat 500. The list of awards this car's won is staggering, so when given the chance I jumped in the driver's seat. I had the car for a week and put 1000 miles on it.

Looks: I had a red one. It looked like DC comic's Sinestro with it's little Fiat mustache. But I like Sinestro. The headlights look oddly VW Beetle-ish though, and I was hoping for a more Dodge Neon look when I actually saw it. The interior is gaudy, with a shiny plastic dash matching the exterior color. The average driver of these cars would likely describe themselves as trendy. Which the Fiat is too.

Performance: I would have liked to have broken this down to two separate reviews; one for the local roads, and one for the highways. The Fiat 500 is like two completely different cars given the speed you ask of it. Buzzing around town, it's a zippy little runabout that corners like a champ and is quite fun to drive. On the highway, it shakes at high speeds where the wind movement over the car is loud to the point of annoying. Getting up to speed is difficult and feels like it's dragging. The "sport" button doesn't seem to do much but make it rev higher longer, and does not light up when pushed, so at first I had to question if it was even engaged. The suspension is incredibly stiff and after my initial six and a half hour Tour-de-I90 my back was killing me.

Features: I've noted the previously mentioned "sport" button, which I found unimpressive. It has A/C and cruise control. The A/C dial lights a dull orange when it's on, which is difficult to see in bright conditions. The folding back seats fold nearly flat.

Practicality: This little car looks smaller than it is, and fits a LOT in it. With the seats folded down I transported a small storage array for a customer. My customer, who's about 6 feet tall, also comfortably drove the car around to the loading dock. The back seats are small, but perfectly sized for a couple of children, or dogs, or more of your stuff. I averaged over 32 mpg, a huge plus, but only a couple mpg more than my much larger Plymouth. And with only a 10.5 gallon fuel tank, you're still making frequent fuel stops.

Pros: In town, the car is almost flawless. If you rarely use the highways and like a responsive, practical yet fun car, this may well be your car. Local gas mileage was impressive as well.

Cons: Highway driving is painful. American (at least the northeast American) roads are just too rough for such a stiff suspension. The 1.4L engine might be great in Europe but in the land of Hemi V8s it just can't keep up. Also from my (fairly low) point of view, there is a significant blind spot.

Overall: While this car is definitely not for everyone, I can understand its appeal. If you've ever considered a Smart Car, the Fiat 500 is a far better option, but make sure you consider the Mini Cooper as well.

2012 Fiat 500
101 bhp @ 6,500 rpm
98 lb.-ft. Torque @ 4,000 rpm
Full Specs available from Fiat

Gallery Active!

Welcome to FlyBy Motoring!

As a teaser while I finish up the more car-related content, some photos from a couple of my recent flights have been posted to the Gallery! Click the Gallery tab above to take a look and leave comments.