Jonathan's Toys
Audio / Video / Cars / Gadgets
Cars
It all started long ago, in a far away place....
I would play with toy cars when in grade school, moved up to building model cars when in junior high (still played with the toy cars, though). By the time I could legally drive, I was more than ready for some wheels. But it was also more than just play. I spent way too much of my allowance on car magazines. Stuff like Road & track, Car & Driver were (and still are) read cover to cover. Some of those magazines were cut up, and pictures of great and glorious cars were pasted to the walls of the bedroom. Fantasies of driving Ferraris' and Porches danced through my young head (heck, they still do).
When I started earning my own way in the world, I discovered that the great cars cost great amounts of money. So the never ending search for the best performance for the money started. And always tempered by an inculcated sense of duty and responsibility wholly attributable to my parents, I chose mostly reasonable cars.
But all that changed in 1997, I declared that I'd waited long enough for a sports car, so I bought one. Proving that I've yet to totally shed the fiscally and socially responsible side of myself, I bought a true 'tree hugger' type sports car, the beautiful Subaru SVX LSi. That's the image at the top. I owned one from 1997 till 2002, when I decided I needed a four door.
While a practical four door is nice, I still wanted AWD and good performance. So I got an Audi A6 2.7T Quattro
In 2005, the A6 lease was up and I decided that while Audi's are very nice cars, they are also quite heavy and pricey.
Therefore, reverting back to the tree-hugger roots, I got another Subaru. This time, the new for '05 Legacy GT with 250 HP and great styling. Since stealth and practicality are important to me, I got the GT Wagon Limited in Silver.
While the Legacy GT is an awesome car, handling better than many sports cars, it was a bit on the loud side. To much tire and road noise for a 3hr a day commute.
So after two years of increasing ear fatigue and a significant bout of tinnitus, in early 2007 I decided it was time for something quieter. So once again, an AWD four door sedan was selected. This time the Acura RL. Here's a great thread on why I chose the RL.
The 2007 Acura RL w/tech package is an ideal vehicle for my needs, as it features AWD with the innovative SuperHandling torque steering in the rear. It has tech gadgets galore, and is the right size (smaller than the A6 and Lexus GS), while having one of the best interiors in the bracket.
Best part of the RL is a great audio system that features active noise canceling technology.
Coupled with our '04 Subaru WRX Wagon, my wife and I have a lot fun chasing each other around the mountains of north Georgia.
