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About Me
Isn't this meadow soothing? Let's pave a road through it! I'm James Riswick and these are my random thoughts published daily. Recent Posts
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CarSpace Thoughts from the CurbCar Reviews, News and Random Thoughts from Edmunds.com Automotive Editor James Riswick Apr 1, 2009 - I've MOVED!Thoughts from the Curb has moved to the Edmunds Daily Blog. It will now be published every Wednesday at 6 a.m. EST or 3 a.m. PST after I labor throughout Tuesday evening to bring you that week's random thoughts. CLICK HERE FOR THOUGHTS FROM THE CURB ON EDMUNDS DAILY
Feb 17, 2009 - 2009 BMW 750i: Stay Snowy San Diego!
I'm on the North American press launch for the BMW 7 Series and Mini Cooper Convertible. I don't have much time to go into the details, but I thought I'd pass on a few pictures from my day driving a 750Li around snowy San Diego county. That's right, it was snowing in the mountains. The guys from Detroit were just thrilled -- "We came to Southern California for this?!?" The above picture is me showing off BMW's new side view camera display. The cameras are located just forward of each front wheel well. It's pretty cool. They keep you have edging into oncoming traffic -- Rolls-Royce has had a similar set-up on the Phantom. They also make for a swell self-portrait. The below picture was the scene at the lunch spot in Julian, Calif., where it was a balmy 31 degrees with a lovely fog in the air. Sadly, the snow had stopped before I could snag the picture. As for the car, der neue 7er is a big improvement over its hated predecessor. I'll have more about that on either here, or over on Edmunds Daily in the future. -James Riswick 
Feb 13, 2009 - BMW 5 Series GT: An AMC Eagle for the 21st Century
BMW used to be the peddler of simple sedans and coupes. A convertible was thrown in occasionally. Now there are sedans, coupes, convertibles, wagons, roadsters, SUVs, sport utility coupes and now an AMC Eagle. BMW released the official images of its 5 Series GT Liftback to be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. It is dubbed a concept, but what you see here is incredibly close to the final version. (Read the full story on Inside Line News) It will be priced and sized in between the 5 and 7 Series, "pitched at customers seeking a raised seating position who may be uncomfortable with the idea of image of a conventional crossover SUV." Sounds like a Venza to me. But Jiminy, look at the thing -- especially from the rear three-quarter view. That does not look pretty. Sure, you could say it looks like a BMW Prius (or maybe a huge Saab 9000) but I'm going with an AMC Eagle in overall concept. The Eagle and 5 Series GT are both taller than conventional wagons, shorter than SUVs, have all-wheel drive and sport a sloping rear roofline. Heck, look at the BMW's interior trappings, they look time warped from the '70s. Is there really a market for this sort of vehicle -- whatever it is? Given the economy, it is hard to tell how the X6 and Venza (two other bizarre SUV-ish concepts) have done in the marketplace. And even if the concept is sound, especially the trick double tailgate, is it too ugly for its own good? -James Riswick
Feb 11, 2009 - The Rant: I Heart Harley
I understand the need for Harley enthusiasts to look tough. How else do you explain all the leather, the metal, the skulls, the buxom blondes in tow wearing leather, metal and skulls. But why is it a good idea to put a giant metal crest on the armrest of the 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson edition? I know Harley riders are accustom to traveling in discomfort -- how else do you explain riding atop a hot engine with ear-spliting exhausts blaring and your arms positioned six inches above your head? Oh, and having bug splatter in your beard. But you've gotta figure that Mr. Harley Rider who buys this ultra lux pickup is nevertheless expecting some modicum of comfort. I guess not from his right elbow, though, because its going to be resting on Conan's shield. -James Riswick
Feb 9, 2009 - 2010 Ford Ranger: More Safety Stuff, Rear 'Seat' Still Deathtrap
The Ford Ranger (pictured above), which rides on a platform introduced the year I was born, receives more standard safety equipment for 2010. Side airbags and roll stability control are now graciously included with every Ranger. But have you ever peaked at the Ranger's IIHS crash score? What, you haven't? Lazy ass. Any way, the government tested a Ranger extended cab with the inward-facing drop down rear seats. The IIHS chose not to even award the truck with a side rear rating because "the rear jump seats ... are not recommended for safe transport." In other words, you might as well strap down some lawn furniture into the bed. Although, to be fair, those new airbags are bound to improve the Ranger's "Poor" front passenger torso protection and "Marginal" overall score. In other Ranger news, Ford is quick to advertise it as the "most fuel efficient truck in America" thanks to its 143 hp four-cylinder that returns 26 mpg on the highway. Bravo, the same highway fuel economy as a Corvette from an engine as powerful as a Civic. I'm not sure if that says more about that engine or the fuel efficiency of trucks in America. Either way, Ford's got to replace that dinosaur. -James Riswick
Feb 6, 2009 - Carbon E7: Reason No. 1 to Serve and Protect
If there was ever a reason to join the police force, this is it. Other than the Italian highway patrol's Gallardo cruiser, this is clearly the coolest police cruiser ever. Straightline has the full story about the Carbon E7, which is a bespoke car designed specifically for law enforcement purposes. I too doubt they could produce it for the same price as a Charger, but if I was a cop, I'd want to roll in one of these. The prospect of spending my life in a Crown Victoria would be enough to never ever ever ever consider a career in law enforcement -- the idea of dealing with criminals, drunks, annoying neighbors and society in general would be another factor. For the nation's police, I hope the Carbo E7 happens. However, let's be honest, they'll probably just end up using the E7s to pay off the cost of the E7s. In other words, by 2012, you'd better stick to 34 in a 35, keep that Bluetooth in your ear and stick that front license plate on. -James Riswick
Feb 4, 2009 - Behind the Scenes: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Test Drive
Going live today on Edmunds.com is my test drive of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic. I think the article speaks for my favorable opinions of the thing, but here's the behind the scenes story of the above photo. It was a rare rainy day in the Los Angeles area, which was good for flowers but crap for automotive photo shoots. Nevertheless, photographer Kurt Niebuhr and I ventured out in hopes that we could actually get something done. On our drive out to Los Angeles' warehouse district (location for many Edmunds shoots), the rain let up, but the roads were obviously still wet. While driving around looking for "beauty locations" (the non-moving shots), I stumbled upon an idea. "What if we found a huge puddle and drove through it?" I pondered. "I like the way you think," Kurt replied. The search began and we quickly found a massive grouping of puddles at the end of a small warehouse street's T intersection. It was like the Great Lakes. Kurt got out of the GLK and set up on the opposite side of the intersection. I made my first run at between 25 and 30 mph, completely unaware of how deep the puddle was. Oh it was deep. Kurt was laughing quite a bit when I swung around to ask if that would work. Oh yes it would. We ended up doing about eight runs and amazingly, the puddle kept replenishing itself from its surrounding tributaries. The '90s Honda Civic hatchback parked nearby received a thorough car wash of dirty rain water (sorry). Even when charging through these puddles, the GLK maintained its impeccable composure. It only made me like it more. -James Riswick 
Feb 3, 2009 - Indiana Infested With Raptors, Signs Urge Caution
My home state of Indiana has apparently been infested with angry, tiny dinosaurs. Wayne Knight had better not visit Carmel any time soon. Of course, it is possible that Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal are ahead, but they're far less likely to eat you. -James Riswick
Feb 2, 2009 - Separated at Birth: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback & Infiniti EX35
Yep, just a wee bit of resemblance here between the Lancer Sportback and the EX35. -James Riswick
Jan 30, 2009 - Fun with Press Photos: They Don't Takem Like They Used To
How come press photos no longer feature handsome, well-dressed couples standing next to their car in a field while their ethnic nanny tends to their blond child on a pony? I feel like we've lost something. -James Riswick
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