Jonathan Chow 1/18/18 Jonathan Chow 1/18/18

Japan Trip / Rides 1

So now that I've wrapped up the general travel pics, I gotta of course mention all of the amazing cars and bikes I encountered while in Japan. I didn't spot anything too exotic, but for such a metropolitan city that frankly doesn't require any sort of personal transportation to get around, there's an amazing amount of interesting rides. So, that said, here we go!

Subaru, please! If you're not going to give us a hatchback Impreza WRX, then for the love of God, please bring over the Levorg! Honestly I'd prefer the Levorg, and if I were going to push myself for a new car, this would be the one car that I'd immediately jump for.

Why yes that's a Lancer Evolution IX Wagon with an older diesel G-Wagon in the background. That's Tokyo for ya.

Jonathan Chow 8/23/13 Jonathan Chow 8/23/13

Car Spotlight / FFTEC x TechArt 996

To those who know me, iIt's not secret that I am a fan of Porsche 911s. It is also no secret that, if I were to choose the one generation of 911's I dislike the most, it'd be the 996. There is, however, three redeeming factors about the 996.

1. As much as I enjoy the air-cooled motors, I agree it was necessary for Porsche to introduce water cooling in order to stay competitive.

2. It was the generation that introduced to us the GT3.

3. The Turbo and GT2 were the models that brought me back from the loss of the 993 Carreras/Turbos. I actually like the way they look and given the amazing opportunity to drive a few, I really enjoyed them, despite the examples I drove having the most difficult clutch (stage 2 racing clutch with hair-thin slip margin) I've ever experienced. It's not difficult to see why many considered it an exotic that you could daily, as it performed both duties admirably.

This was a project by FFTEC sporting a TechArt aero package. Personally, I feel the Turbos and GT2s look best when left alone; some subtle wheels and a little drop is all I'd ever do. But, I have a little soft spot for the TechArt kit as I remember seeing these as a kid when I was learning about German car tuning, so the nostalgia of it all helped redeem it to me.