Axis of Practical

OK, we spend most of the time here oogling exotic machinery, discussing the merits of slick tires and track pads, data gathering systems and other tracktard delights . However at least some of us need to consider the practical side of things, like daily transportation, hauling kids and dogs and the astounding amount of "stuff" that always seems to need moving from one place to the next.

For the past six years, that mission has been admirably carried out by a 2002 Audi S6. The Battleship as it was known was a great car for us. In 2002, with its 340 hp, it was the most powerful station wagon available for sale in the US. It was priced competitively with the 290 hp BMW 540 T, a car that I had also considered at the time. The Audi was larger, more powerful and frankly a better deal.

The S6 certainly hauled and it has been reasonably trouble free for the 94000 miles I put on it. The biggest fault with the car was that while its stiff suspension is probably great for taking wide autobahn sweepers at 120 mph, it was not the best tuning for the nasty, potholed streets of NYC. This eventually led to the quite common (for Audi) need to replace some of the suspension components as the car reached the 70000 mile mark. Also, CV joint rubber boots were strangely fragile, needing to be replaced a number of times.

It is quite a cool car, that generation A6 has one of the best "old school" car interiors, lots of room and unstoppable in the snow.

But at 94000 miles it is time so, the the hunt for a replacement is on!

Here are the requirements in no particular order:

-It needs to be able to carry two small children, a large Weimaraner and an obese Dachshund.

-it needs to be sporty and rewarding to drive,and look nice.

-it cannot in any way shape or form resemble a van, mini or otherwise.

-it should get better gas milage than the S6 which got a very "old school" 18mpg highway /9 city if driven gingerly.

-it needs to have a certain subtle "cool" factor.

-it should have all the modern conveniences, Nav, bluetooth, ipod etc.

What do you Axis of Practical tracktards suggest?

Home.

Snowy Bastards

We're bastards, it's true. We really should be doing this to our poor street cars but, take a look at the video and tell me it does not look like it's worth it!

This past week end, the Freep, Adil and I headed back to Monticello Motor Club for another day of fun in the snow banks. Their Winter Driving Series is becoming quite popular despite arctic temperatures and to accommodate the crowds, MMC opened up the north course along with the south.  The clip shows you the North course which is usually reserved for MMC club members.

Snow banks were especially deep and stuffings were plentiful but the recovery truck crew good natured and in the end fun was had by all.  Even the Freep had fun despite banking the car in the first turn of of the first run to a collective groan from the grid... our Alabama Stig was available for autographs after that one!

I had to be towed out once as well but in general I was super impressed with the grip my Continental Extreme Contact all season tires were capable of.  W rated, can drive on snow and reasonably priced? Highly recommended Shop for Continental tires at Tire Rack.

Lots of pictures and a video from inside Adil and Dan's Subaru after the jump.

More pictures...

Winter Fix

Ok, I realize it's a drug song in the clip but if getting up at 5 am to drive two hours in 7 degree F weather to an icy track when a major blizzard is forecast is not a sign of addicltion, I don't know what is.

The Monticello Motor Club has had the brilliant idea to cater to track starved addicts in the middle of winter, We went to the second even and I hope it was enough of a success for the club to continue with it.

I don't think anyone cared if it was brutally cold, at least the drivers didn't, some of the organizers looked a little frostbitten. And it wasn't just Subarus that showed up either. While Stee was in the Cayenne Turbo and I in the Audi S6 battlewagon, there were a number of M3s and Adil was there with the 997s. He may not have been the fastest but he sure got the most exercise and I suspect had the most fun. 

Obviously tires were the key, but only as long as there was a snow cover on the track.  As the day went on many of the turns were swept to just bare ice and that added quite a bit of excitement, good thing for the still soft snow banks!

One of the most fun things I have ever done with a car. Highly recommended! 

Check the MMC WEB SITE for news of upcoming events.
(Thanks to The Dough and Ponycar.net for the additional photos)





When you buy one Valeo(R) ULTIMATE(TM) Wiper Blade from Tire Rack, you'll get one free!



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When you buy one Valeo(R) ULTIMATE(TM) Wiper Blade from Tire Rack, you'll get one free!

BMW M5, casually autocrossed by instructor Harold, 22 April 2007 by badbadM.


Read about the BMW M5 here.

AC adds:

Too bad BMW missed the boat and doesn't export the one REALLY cool M5... And don't even get me started with Audi not bringing RS4 and S and or RS6 wagons over.


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