Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo

[WRXtranceformed]

The car:




The amazing stretch of highway (I couldn't even take pics of the best parts, I was too busy carving it up going well over the speed limit)




Where I was visiting:



Ok, ok, ok. I see what all the BMW fanbois are on about...a little. Even though I got to drive Ben's 2010 M3 over the Christmas break and knew I would be jaded, I was pleasantly surprised.

The pros: Obviously "good" handling, surprisingly capable engine although it needed to be strung out at bit to get going, rental had navigation that worked fine, seat was comfy for 6 hours of driving, amazing gas mileage considering I was flogging the shit out of the car up and down the mountain...I still have a quarter tank left to get me to the rental car place.

The cons: The "good" handling is way too twitchy, it's almost too much of a driver's car for me (if that makes sense). It did not seem as well balanced as my CTS which surprised me, but apparently the CTS has almost perfect weight distribution so that could be why. The engine, while capable especially in sport shift mode, definitely ran out of breath on the uphills and at higher altitudes. I would imagine the turbocharged / M versions of this car would be insane on those roads. The way you navigate navi / sound functions is completely retarded in those cars and counterintuitive.

When I first started pushing the car through the curves, my first thought was "dang, maybe I should have test driven a BMW"...until I got a few hours into the drive and realized that my CTS probably would have been wayy more competent, torquey, comfortable and better handling (especially once I get better tires on it). I have gotten used to the heavy, commanding, solid road presence of the Caddy.