It's been far too long since I've posted, and that will be fixed next year. You can expect weekly posts on all things automotive, culinary, and hilarious. Until then, though, let's recap 2014. Lots of awesome (and less than awesome) things happened. In no particular order, I . . .
. . . saw a ton of killer shows. Bridges of Madison County and Honeymoon in Vegas on Broadway, the Birdland Big Band, the Dave Matthews Band (twice!), etc.
. . . was the vocal director and pianist for fabulous full-orchestra productions of Les Miserables and Into the Woods.
. . . played drums and percussion on an upcoming full-length album by Band of Lovers. It'll be released on Valentine's Day 2015 and it sounds quite fantastic if I may say so myself!
. . . made my debut as an actor. Well, sort of. I appeared in several murder mystery theatre productions. It was really fun!
. . . figured out how to make Buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
. . . actually gone to the gym on a day that wasn't Pizza Monday.
. . . bought a car!!! For the first part of 2014, I had a 2002 VW Passat wagon (which I still have and love) and a 2010 Honda Accord sedan. The Accord was in near-mint condition, had 90,000 highway miles, and was paid off. I sold it to my parents in May and replaced it with a 2003 Acura 3.2CL Type-S six-speed coupe. Why would I replace a car that would provide many more essentially "free" miles for one that is seven years older, has 40,000 more miles, and has a few quirks? It's quite simple, really. The Accord was (and still is) a great car that fits my parents' current needs very well, but for my needs and wants, the Acura is a better car. It's exponentially quicker, is better-built, handles better, has a better stereo, has better seats, has more creature comforts. That, and they only made about 3,500 of them in six-speed form, ever (not to mention only about 250 in the color combination I have). It's really tough to drive that car and not step out with a shit-eating grin on my face.
This leads me to my next point, a point that I have been more aware of this year. It hit me when I looked back and realized that holy shit, I'm actually 28! Time is not an infinitely available commodity. We only live once. I know the "YOLO" saying is incredibly cliché, but it really, truly applies. It relates to the car topic in that, if I wanted to, I could drive my Accord for the next ten years and spend next to nothing in upkeep. I chose not to, because the Acura is a car that I genuinely WANTED and a car that I genuinely ENJOY and feel proud of. Yes, I will probably spend a bit more to maintain it. Rational? Not so much. Worth it? Absolutely.
With that in mind, my largest resolution for 2015 is to LIVE and LIVE PROFOUNDLY. More specifically . . .
1. Go to the gym even more regularly than I did in 2014 and take care of myself.
2. Reign in the fast food and bust out of my comfort zone when it comes to cooking and eating.
3. Update this blog on a weekly basis and possibly touch on the topics I blog about on an upcoming YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
4. Finally write and publish the music method book series I have been wanting to write for quite some time now.
5. Publish, copyright, record, and sell some of my concert band music (and other music).
6. Practice a musical instrument every day and actually PRACTICE it.
7. Spend quality time with friends and family on a regular basis, and stay in touch with those that I don't see regularly.
8. Travel somewhere cool (or warm)!
9. Learn a new musical theatre score or rock album every week.
10. Engage in rewarding and fulfilling musical, artistic, and personal engagements, and stop pursuing those which are neither rewarding nor fulfilling, or that consume inordinate amounts of time beyond what they are worth.
So there it is. Have a safe, happy, and healthy 2015, everyone. And for the love of everything sacred (and not-so-sacred), please don't drink and drive tonight (or ever for that matter).
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Why, at times, I empathize with Jamie from The Last Five Years
Hi Everyone!
It's been a while! I spent the better parts of late February and early March month behind the wheel of a 2014 Honda Accord sedan when my 2010 version of that car was at the body shop (long story, but I have my car back now and it looks like a new car!). I have also been driving a 2013 Volkswagen Passat 2.5SE sedan for the last week and a half as my 2002 Passat Wagon gets a new CV joint to cure an annoying shake under hard acceleration. My goal was to write reviews of these two loaner cars, and I still intend to. However, I am currently on a train to NYC for a couple days to see the NY Auto Show (write-up to come within a couple weeks), the Birdland Big Band (they're fantastic and a must-see for anyone in NYC during dinner hour on a Friday), and an evening Broadway show. With this in mind, I think it's time for a musical theatre post on a topic that's been on my mind for, well, the last EIGHT years (see what I did there with that almost-pun??!!).
I spent the first part of my 2006 spring break in NYC and it was at that time that my good friend Ryan (one of the finest pianists and composers I have heard, and someone whose opinion I respect greatly) introduced me to Jason Robert Brown's cult classic two-person musical The Last Five Years. We listened to the soundtrack in his apartment and he sent me home with a copy the next day. What initially captivated me was the fact that the show was orchestrated for a modified string ensemble (piano, acoustic guitar, fretless bass, violin, and two celli) without drums. It was the first time I had heard such driving music with such killer bass lines genuinely WORK without a drummer holding things together. I was hooked. I listened to the show in the car, in my dorm, and elsewhere over the next few months, and got to know the story pretty well, despite the interesting reverse chronology employed by Brown (the male character tells his story from beginning to end, the female character tells hers from end to beginning, and in this setting, it's a brilliant writing technique).
The story is that of two twenty-somethings in New York City desperately trying to survive professionally and romantically. He (Jamie Wellerstein) is an up-and-coming author experiencing success after success. She (Catherine Hiatt) is an actress who has achieved what some would view as great success (decent summer stock gigs). Despite this, it is strongly implied that she has not had great success in NYC and that she is constantly struggling to get noticed in that scene. In a nutshell, her successes are no match for Jamie's.
SPOILER ALERT: They fall in love, they get married, and it doesn't work out. Why can't they persevere? Well, for one thing, they are young twenty-somethings in NYC who are incredibly passionate about their individual career choices. Reconciling this reality with what a successful romantic relationship (let alone a marriage) demands proves impossible. Long term, committed romance is not for the faint of heart, but we all knew that now, didn't we?
Okay, so whose fault is it? Nearly everyone I have discussed this with empathizes with Cathy. After all, here are a few things about Jamie that we learn as the show unfolds:
1. He is a serial monogamist and a cheater. He ends his first number (Shiksa Goddess) with the line "I could be in love with someone like you." (Fun fact: this is the title of the song that originally held Shiksa Goddess's place in the show.) He also ends his penultimate number (Nobody Needs to Know) with that same line. In Shiksa Goddess, he sings this line about Cathy. In Nobody Needs to Know, he sings this line about Elise (his publisher, who he has just woken up next to in bed).
2. Immediately after he marries Cathy, Jamie sings about the women he meets (and is attracted to) at parties. He's human, he's a physical creature, and I'm not sure he can really be faulted for noticing what's out there. That said, it is implied that what happens in this scene goes beyond simply seeing other attractive women at a party ("and of course I'm trying to show that I wasn't encouraging her, which I sorta was, and I don't want to look whipped in front of this woman, which is dumb, I shouldn't care what she thinks, since I can't f*** her anyway!).
3. He visits Cathy in Ohio for her birthday, but leaves early and does not stay to see her show that night. This also happens directly after he cheats on her.
4. He breaks up with Cathy after five years (half of which was spent in marriage) by leaving her a note.
Needless to say, Jamie won't be getting husband-of-the-year anytime soon. He was not emotionally ready to marry Cathy. There's no argument there. I can see why so many people are so turned off by Jamie's character and why so many people empathize with Cathy.
That said.....
While I don't condone any of Jamie's actions as described above, I absolutely can understand, and dare I say, relate to some of the frustration and emotional emptiness that he undoubtedly wrestled with. For example:
1. If you listen to Jamie's songs in the first half of the show, he actually IS emotionally supportive of Cathy (as he should be, but I feel that this gets overlooked). Proof can be found in the Shmuel Song (a metaphor Jamie uses to prove to Cathy that he believes in her and feels she should go after her dreams). I understand fully that seeing your significant other experience greater success than your own can tax and destroy even the strongest of relationships, but believing in someone else who honestly doesn't believe in himself or herself isn't easy either. And while Cathy shows some moments of fierce determination (Climbing Uphill is an excellent example of this), it is also obvious that her self-confidence just isn't there (the insecurities she shows during the audition sequence come to mind). Can she be faulted for this? Not really. Is believing in your significant other a necessity? Absolutely. Is it unbelievably draining to constantly be a rock of support for someone who can't believe in himself or herself? You're damn right it is, and it makes you feel useless really, really quickly.
2. While it is clear that Cathy is excited and happy (albeit briefly) to be married to a "rising star", I don't see much genuine happiness coming from her to him for his success. The example that comes to mind is when she refuses to attend the party celebrating the publication of Jamie's book. I implied earlier that a non-negotiable requirement of a committed relationship is to be your significant other's biggest cheerleader, and I can't help but get the vibe that Cathy is too caught-up in her own perceived lack of success to celebrate Jamie's successes with him. Imagine constantly being asked at events held in your honor, or at events that you're actively participating in (a book-signing, a concert, etc.) "where's your girlfriend?" or "where's your wife?" It sucks. A lot. Writing is something sacred, and personal, for Jamie. I can't imagine how debilitating, draining, and at times meaningless Jamie's success must have been if the person who was supposed to be his biggest cheerleader wasn't there with him.
To wrap up, do I condone Jamie's serial monogamy, his unfaithfulness, or his break-up technique? Absolutely not. They are signs of immaturity and proof that he "moved too fast" (see what I did there?). However, I also feel very strongly that Cathy moved too fast as well, and that by being unable to fully love herself and believe in herself, a requirement of emotional support was placed on Jamie that, try as he did, he couldn't satisfy. You HAVE to love yourself before you can be fully and perfectly loved by someone else. This also prevented Cathy from feeling genuinely happy for Jamie through his successes. Was she trying to hurt him? No. Was damage done by her not celebrating with him? You bet is was.
Point being, neither of them was ready for their relationship to progress as it did. And as much of a dick as Jamie is, there are two sides to every story.
It's been a while! I spent the better parts of late February and early March month behind the wheel of a 2014 Honda Accord sedan when my 2010 version of that car was at the body shop (long story, but I have my car back now and it looks like a new car!). I have also been driving a 2013 Volkswagen Passat 2.5SE sedan for the last week and a half as my 2002 Passat Wagon gets a new CV joint to cure an annoying shake under hard acceleration. My goal was to write reviews of these two loaner cars, and I still intend to. However, I am currently on a train to NYC for a couple days to see the NY Auto Show (write-up to come within a couple weeks), the Birdland Big Band (they're fantastic and a must-see for anyone in NYC during dinner hour on a Friday), and an evening Broadway show. With this in mind, I think it's time for a musical theatre post on a topic that's been on my mind for, well, the last EIGHT years (see what I did there with that almost-pun??!!).
I spent the first part of my 2006 spring break in NYC and it was at that time that my good friend Ryan (one of the finest pianists and composers I have heard, and someone whose opinion I respect greatly) introduced me to Jason Robert Brown's cult classic two-person musical The Last Five Years. We listened to the soundtrack in his apartment and he sent me home with a copy the next day. What initially captivated me was the fact that the show was orchestrated for a modified string ensemble (piano, acoustic guitar, fretless bass, violin, and two celli) without drums. It was the first time I had heard such driving music with such killer bass lines genuinely WORK without a drummer holding things together. I was hooked. I listened to the show in the car, in my dorm, and elsewhere over the next few months, and got to know the story pretty well, despite the interesting reverse chronology employed by Brown (the male character tells his story from beginning to end, the female character tells hers from end to beginning, and in this setting, it's a brilliant writing technique).
The story is that of two twenty-somethings in New York City desperately trying to survive professionally and romantically. He (Jamie Wellerstein) is an up-and-coming author experiencing success after success. She (Catherine Hiatt) is an actress who has achieved what some would view as great success (decent summer stock gigs). Despite this, it is strongly implied that she has not had great success in NYC and that she is constantly struggling to get noticed in that scene. In a nutshell, her successes are no match for Jamie's.
SPOILER ALERT: They fall in love, they get married, and it doesn't work out. Why can't they persevere? Well, for one thing, they are young twenty-somethings in NYC who are incredibly passionate about their individual career choices. Reconciling this reality with what a successful romantic relationship (let alone a marriage) demands proves impossible. Long term, committed romance is not for the faint of heart, but we all knew that now, didn't we?
Okay, so whose fault is it? Nearly everyone I have discussed this with empathizes with Cathy. After all, here are a few things about Jamie that we learn as the show unfolds:
1. He is a serial monogamist and a cheater. He ends his first number (Shiksa Goddess) with the line "I could be in love with someone like you." (Fun fact: this is the title of the song that originally held Shiksa Goddess's place in the show.) He also ends his penultimate number (Nobody Needs to Know) with that same line. In Shiksa Goddess, he sings this line about Cathy. In Nobody Needs to Know, he sings this line about Elise (his publisher, who he has just woken up next to in bed).
2. Immediately after he marries Cathy, Jamie sings about the women he meets (and is attracted to) at parties. He's human, he's a physical creature, and I'm not sure he can really be faulted for noticing what's out there. That said, it is implied that what happens in this scene goes beyond simply seeing other attractive women at a party ("and of course I'm trying to show that I wasn't encouraging her, which I sorta was, and I don't want to look whipped in front of this woman, which is dumb, I shouldn't care what she thinks, since I can't f*** her anyway!).
3. He visits Cathy in Ohio for her birthday, but leaves early and does not stay to see her show that night. This also happens directly after he cheats on her.
4. He breaks up with Cathy after five years (half of which was spent in marriage) by leaving her a note.
Needless to say, Jamie won't be getting husband-of-the-year anytime soon. He was not emotionally ready to marry Cathy. There's no argument there. I can see why so many people are so turned off by Jamie's character and why so many people empathize with Cathy.
That said.....
While I don't condone any of Jamie's actions as described above, I absolutely can understand, and dare I say, relate to some of the frustration and emotional emptiness that he undoubtedly wrestled with. For example:
1. If you listen to Jamie's songs in the first half of the show, he actually IS emotionally supportive of Cathy (as he should be, but I feel that this gets overlooked). Proof can be found in the Shmuel Song (a metaphor Jamie uses to prove to Cathy that he believes in her and feels she should go after her dreams). I understand fully that seeing your significant other experience greater success than your own can tax and destroy even the strongest of relationships, but believing in someone else who honestly doesn't believe in himself or herself isn't easy either. And while Cathy shows some moments of fierce determination (Climbing Uphill is an excellent example of this), it is also obvious that her self-confidence just isn't there (the insecurities she shows during the audition sequence come to mind). Can she be faulted for this? Not really. Is believing in your significant other a necessity? Absolutely. Is it unbelievably draining to constantly be a rock of support for someone who can't believe in himself or herself? You're damn right it is, and it makes you feel useless really, really quickly.
2. While it is clear that Cathy is excited and happy (albeit briefly) to be married to a "rising star", I don't see much genuine happiness coming from her to him for his success. The example that comes to mind is when she refuses to attend the party celebrating the publication of Jamie's book. I implied earlier that a non-negotiable requirement of a committed relationship is to be your significant other's biggest cheerleader, and I can't help but get the vibe that Cathy is too caught-up in her own perceived lack of success to celebrate Jamie's successes with him. Imagine constantly being asked at events held in your honor, or at events that you're actively participating in (a book-signing, a concert, etc.) "where's your girlfriend?" or "where's your wife?" It sucks. A lot. Writing is something sacred, and personal, for Jamie. I can't imagine how debilitating, draining, and at times meaningless Jamie's success must have been if the person who was supposed to be his biggest cheerleader wasn't there with him.
To wrap up, do I condone Jamie's serial monogamy, his unfaithfulness, or his break-up technique? Absolutely not. They are signs of immaturity and proof that he "moved too fast" (see what I did there?). However, I also feel very strongly that Cathy moved too fast as well, and that by being unable to fully love herself and believe in herself, a requirement of emotional support was placed on Jamie that, try as he did, he couldn't satisfy. You HAVE to love yourself before you can be fully and perfectly loved by someone else. This also prevented Cathy from feeling genuinely happy for Jamie through his successes. Was she trying to hurt him? No. Was damage done by her not celebrating with him? You bet is was.
Point being, neither of them was ready for their relationship to progress as it did. And as much of a dick as Jamie is, there are two sides to every story.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Car Review -- 2013 Kia Soul
Yesterday, I took a day trip to NYC to see the New York Philharmonic play Benjamin Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestras". It was fantastic!
I have always wrestled with how best to get to and from the city without breaking the bank, and I've explored just about every possible option. I think I found the winner yesterday, though. After doing the Metro-North thing (too uncomfortable and that crash a couple months ago still gives me pause), the Amtrak thing (too expensive), and the drive-to-Manhattan thing (parking is grossly overpriced, though the driving itself isn't too bad), I decided to drive down to Fordham University, park the car there, and hop a Subway to Lincoln Center. Economically, it made sense. Parking was free, even if I did have to walk half a mile to the Subway stop (yay for good exercise!).
The next question was . . . do I drive my 2010 Accord EX sedan or my 2002 Passat GLX wagon? Or do I take advantage of my AAA and Marriott Rewards memberships and snag one of their incredible Hertz one-day car rental deals? Given that I drove over 300 miles yesterday, I went the rental car route. Unlimited mileage, discounted fuel cost (if I prepaid, which I did, given that I burned the entire tank), dirt cheap rate. That, and I love driving a variety of cars to see what they're like.
When I reserved my compact car, I was expecting to get the keys to a Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, or Chevy Cruze. I saw the kind man behind the counter grab a set of Kia switchblade keys, so I figured I'd be driving the new Forte. Instead, I was given a 2013 Soul for the day. I was disappointed at first, as I've been curious about how the new Forte drives, but overall, the Soul pleasantly surprised me. Here are my observations in no particular order:
1. For a small, four-cylinder compact, it has a surprisingly good amount of get-up-and-go. It was especially refreshing to experience a six-speed automatic that kept the engine relaxed and under 3000 RPM at 80 mph, but even more refreshing when it instantly downshifted to give me power when I needed it. One of the best automatics I've ever driven. Not once did I have to use the tap-shift sequential manual feature. The 2013 Elantra I rented for my cross-country road trip this summer had a similarly good 6AT, but its engine wasn't quite as potent.
2. On the flip-side, fuel economy was disappointing. With a 6AT handling shifting duties for a trip that took place almost entirely on the freeway, 27.1 MPG on average was a letdown. I was expecting mid 30s given the nature of the trip, the size of the car, and its EPA sticker. I blame the 6AT's responsive downshifts that would often have the four-banger winding out to its redline every time I wanted power. This is where the standard six-speed manual transmission would've helped, as I would have wielded complete control over the engine's power. Alas, in my personal experience with a few of their products, Hyundai/Kia's manual transmissions are not nearly as good as their automatics. Le sigh.
3. The ride and handling were about as I expected them to be. Inoffensive, though hardly invigorating. The steering had pleasing heft, but the car understeered quite a bit when cornering and the tires were about as sticky as a bag of wet mice.
4. On the flip-side, the car was much quieter at highway speeds than expected, and especially given its boxy shape. It was quieter than my 2010 Accord, in fact.
5. The driver's seating and position left a bit to be desired. Perhaps I'm spoiled by both of my cars' power driver's seats and lumbar adjustments, but this car had neither. The seatback was about as flat as iHOP's signature breakfast item, and my lower back would have craved the football-like support present in my 2010 Accord's driver's seat. Also, the armrests (door and console) were not nearly as padded as I would've liked.
6. Fit and finish were mixed. There was a ton and a half of chintzy hard plastic seemingly everywhere, yet the steering wheel and shifter had soft leather wrappings. Speaking of the shifter, it was one of the smoothest, most damped and refined automatic gear selectors I've ever tried. It wouldn't feel out of place in a BMW. Ditto for the wiper and turn-signal stalks on the steering column.
7. The cargo area was disappointingly small and the tailgate felt cheap when I closed it.
8. The sun visors were huge, slid to cover all of the upper door glass (something every sun visor should do), and had lights for their vanity mirrors. I was expecting none of this in this price class.
9. That said, why did the driver's window not have an auto-up function? My 2002 Passat has auto-down AND up on BOTH front windows. It's an indispensable feature not only when ordering fast food, but when trying to clear a raunchy egg fart out of the car as quickly as possible.
10. The audio quality was quite good for a base system.
11. The iPod interface was terrible. To use it, you need a special cable from Hyundai/Kia that this car of course did not have. The car had Bluetooth audio, which I used, but unlike any other BT audio system I've used, music could not be played/paused, or tracks changed, from the head unit or the steering wheel controls. Really disappointing. I don't want to fumble around with my phone while driving to change songs or play/pause the music. Also, using the USB port to charge my iPhone did not work. For a car marketed to people my age, this is inexcusable.
12. Oddly, though, the phone integration was the best I've ever experienced in a car. Pairing was easy and quick, and I was able to dial numbers in my contacts entirely with voice commands and the steering wheel controls. Every other car Bluetooth system I've used has not been able to access my contacts without first downloading them to the car's memory. Very impressive. If only they could get the audio integration up to this level.
Overall, the car surprised me, and mostly for the better. Not bad at all, and the new version probably improves on the few complaints I did have. Would I take it over either of my current cars? Nope. Could it be a great car for people shopping in its segment or for people who want something small, maneuverable, and quirky? Absolutely.
I have always wrestled with how best to get to and from the city without breaking the bank, and I've explored just about every possible option. I think I found the winner yesterday, though. After doing the Metro-North thing (too uncomfortable and that crash a couple months ago still gives me pause), the Amtrak thing (too expensive), and the drive-to-Manhattan thing (parking is grossly overpriced, though the driving itself isn't too bad), I decided to drive down to Fordham University, park the car there, and hop a Subway to Lincoln Center. Economically, it made sense. Parking was free, even if I did have to walk half a mile to the Subway stop (yay for good exercise!).
The next question was . . . do I drive my 2010 Accord EX sedan or my 2002 Passat GLX wagon? Or do I take advantage of my AAA and Marriott Rewards memberships and snag one of their incredible Hertz one-day car rental deals? Given that I drove over 300 miles yesterday, I went the rental car route. Unlimited mileage, discounted fuel cost (if I prepaid, which I did, given that I burned the entire tank), dirt cheap rate. That, and I love driving a variety of cars to see what they're like.
When I reserved my compact car, I was expecting to get the keys to a Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, or Chevy Cruze. I saw the kind man behind the counter grab a set of Kia switchblade keys, so I figured I'd be driving the new Forte. Instead, I was given a 2013 Soul for the day. I was disappointed at first, as I've been curious about how the new Forte drives, but overall, the Soul pleasantly surprised me. Here are my observations in no particular order:
1. For a small, four-cylinder compact, it has a surprisingly good amount of get-up-and-go. It was especially refreshing to experience a six-speed automatic that kept the engine relaxed and under 3000 RPM at 80 mph, but even more refreshing when it instantly downshifted to give me power when I needed it. One of the best automatics I've ever driven. Not once did I have to use the tap-shift sequential manual feature. The 2013 Elantra I rented for my cross-country road trip this summer had a similarly good 6AT, but its engine wasn't quite as potent.
2. On the flip-side, fuel economy was disappointing. With a 6AT handling shifting duties for a trip that took place almost entirely on the freeway, 27.1 MPG on average was a letdown. I was expecting mid 30s given the nature of the trip, the size of the car, and its EPA sticker. I blame the 6AT's responsive downshifts that would often have the four-banger winding out to its redline every time I wanted power. This is where the standard six-speed manual transmission would've helped, as I would have wielded complete control over the engine's power. Alas, in my personal experience with a few of their products, Hyundai/Kia's manual transmissions are not nearly as good as their automatics. Le sigh.
3. The ride and handling were about as I expected them to be. Inoffensive, though hardly invigorating. The steering had pleasing heft, but the car understeered quite a bit when cornering and the tires were about as sticky as a bag of wet mice.
4. On the flip-side, the car was much quieter at highway speeds than expected, and especially given its boxy shape. It was quieter than my 2010 Accord, in fact.
5. The driver's seating and position left a bit to be desired. Perhaps I'm spoiled by both of my cars' power driver's seats and lumbar adjustments, but this car had neither. The seatback was about as flat as iHOP's signature breakfast item, and my lower back would have craved the football-like support present in my 2010 Accord's driver's seat. Also, the armrests (door and console) were not nearly as padded as I would've liked.
6. Fit and finish were mixed. There was a ton and a half of chintzy hard plastic seemingly everywhere, yet the steering wheel and shifter had soft leather wrappings. Speaking of the shifter, it was one of the smoothest, most damped and refined automatic gear selectors I've ever tried. It wouldn't feel out of place in a BMW. Ditto for the wiper and turn-signal stalks on the steering column.
7. The cargo area was disappointingly small and the tailgate felt cheap when I closed it.
8. The sun visors were huge, slid to cover all of the upper door glass (something every sun visor should do), and had lights for their vanity mirrors. I was expecting none of this in this price class.
9. That said, why did the driver's window not have an auto-up function? My 2002 Passat has auto-down AND up on BOTH front windows. It's an indispensable feature not only when ordering fast food, but when trying to clear a raunchy egg fart out of the car as quickly as possible.
10. The audio quality was quite good for a base system.
11. The iPod interface was terrible. To use it, you need a special cable from Hyundai/Kia that this car of course did not have. The car had Bluetooth audio, which I used, but unlike any other BT audio system I've used, music could not be played/paused, or tracks changed, from the head unit or the steering wheel controls. Really disappointing. I don't want to fumble around with my phone while driving to change songs or play/pause the music. Also, using the USB port to charge my iPhone did not work. For a car marketed to people my age, this is inexcusable.
12. Oddly, though, the phone integration was the best I've ever experienced in a car. Pairing was easy and quick, and I was able to dial numbers in my contacts entirely with voice commands and the steering wheel controls. Every other car Bluetooth system I've used has not been able to access my contacts without first downloading them to the car's memory. Very impressive. If only they could get the audio integration up to this level.
Overall, the car surprised me, and mostly for the better. Not bad at all, and the new version probably improves on the few complaints I did have. Would I take it over either of my current cars? Nope. Could it be a great car for people shopping in its segment or for people who want something small, maneuverable, and quirky? Absolutely.
Monday, December 30, 2013
2012 and 2013 in review
You're probably wondering why I would combine two years in my (nearly) annual reflective post, but I figured it was appropriate given that I forgot to do such a post at the end of last year. Anyway, here goes:
2011 was a year of significant change for me. In addition to some personal happenings near the end of that year, I earned my master's degree from St. Rose, earned tenure at my job in Germantown (tenure, in simple terms, means increased job security due to longevity), moved to the middle of nowhere (Coxsackie, NY, upon which I bestowed many slang names, none of which are fit for print here), and found myself with a level of (relatively) free time and mental energy that I had been lacking, honestly, for most of the 25 extremely busy, non-stop, no-time-to-breathe previous years.
What sticks out in my mind about the last two years is how fortunate I have been, particularly on the musical and theatrical side of things. Shortly after moving to Coxsackie, I went to an open mic night at the Cask and Rasher (fantastic pub with some of the best Buffalo wings and burgers I've ever had) and met local guitarist, singer, and music personality Phil Massaro. I've shared the stage with him, and several other great players, many times at the Cask and elsewhere, playing everything from the Beatles, to the Doors, to Zeppelin, and even some Death Cab for Cutie on occasion. I also sat in on his latest EP playing, of all things, bari sax and trumpet. Point being, it's a connection I'm glad to have made and I look forward to much more music making with Phil and his "symphony".
Shortly after this began, I got an email at work telling me that a local theatre group was searching for a vocal director and pianist for their upcoming production of Next to Normal (one of my absolute favorite musicals and one of my favorite piano parts to play). I nearly pooped myself as I responded to the note. This began an incredible collaboration and friendship with Steve Sanborn and Connie Lopez, the driving forces behind The Two of Us Productions. To say that my ongoing involvement with them (I've done vocal direction and instrumental work for every one of their musical productions since and including Next to Normal) has been life-changing would be an understatement. So many of my closest friends and favorite people to do music and theatre with today are people I've met through The Two of Us Productions, and they've even gotten me into doing some straight acting (I participated in a cemetery re-enactment tour a couple months ago). My involvement with this group is something I know will continue for years to come and I couldn't be luckier or more thankful.
Including and beyond Steve and Connie's shows, I've had a great couple years theatrically. I was privileged enough to work on such titles as Next to Normal, Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years (TWICE IN ONE YEAR!!!!), and Spamalot, among others. Wow. I have no words. It's been a blast! And the friendships I've made and strengthened with cast members, pit members, directors, etc. are incredible. You all know who you are, so I'll save the space of putting every single name down here.
I made a resolution a couple years ago to play out more regularly than I had been, and I am pleased to report that I have succeeded with that resolution. I've got a website up now (dangalliher.com) and FINALLY had some business cards created, and I've been playing at the Century House in Latham pretty regularly. One gig that sticks out is a late September show at which a handful of people from the Two of Us Productions' "Spamalot" showed up. I was playing Piano Man and they were signing along. I stopped at the beginning of the final refrain, and they sang through the stop-time. It was surreal. I've also been collaborating a bit more with some great friends from high school on some jazz standards and not-so-standards and am hoping to do some gigging with them in the new year.
I've also been fortunate enough to see some incredible performances over the last couple years and meet some cool people, including perhaps my largest influence as a pianist and music director, Mr. Jason Robert Brown. I've seen him in concert on a few occasions, and seen several outstanding performances by the New York Philharmonic, the Birdland Big Band, and so many others! Great live music is downright inspiring and I encourage all of you (even the non-musicians that read this) to see at least one live performance, and hopefully many more, in the new year. It's well worth the money and it's well worth leaving the comfort of your couch and the ease of going online to see music, to see it in person. Do it. You won't regret it.
Another thing worth mentioning......I took a road trip across the country with my good friend Jess this summer and lived to tell the tale. Without going into too much detail (I could write a post on the trip alone), I'll say that if you haven't seen the country, you should do yourself a favor and do some traveling. Some highlights were the warm Pacific Ocean and even better New England Clam Chowder (on the Santa Monica pier), the sheer glitziness and opulence that is Las Vegas, the breathtaking scenery along the highways in Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, the hiking in Colorado (particularly the nearly 15,000 foot elevation of Mount Evans and the spectacular view from the top), the diners, drive-ins, and dives along the way, and the music scene in Nashville. Such a great time!
What else? I'm in my sixth year as Germantown Central's band director and I've reached the point where I'm in a really solid groove there. I'm also old, given that some of my first year students have college degrees and can legally drink, and some of my first year elementary students are now in 11th grade and lead players in my sr. high band and jazz band. I'm living in East Greenbush and sharing the bottom half of an awesome house with one of my cousins. It's pretty sweet. I've discovered that the best way to reheat pizza is to put it on the top shelf of a grill while cooking bacon-wrapped filet mignon on the bottom shelf.
What lies ahead? Well, I'll be....
1. Hitting the gym on more days than I don't hit the gym.
2. Vocally directing a production of Les Miserables with The Two of Us Productions in the spring!
3. Playing out regularly at several different venues, both solo and with different groups of people. Check dangalliher.com regularly for an updated gig calendar.
4. Updating this blog more regularly; I have several car reviews and restaurant reviews that need to be written, so expect at least one post a week along those lines.
5. (Hopefully) inspiring the young minds of Germantown, NY both musically and otherwise.
6. Making some slow but steady progress on a musical project that you'll hear more about in a couple years when it's (hopefully) completed.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Until next time,
Dan
2011 was a year of significant change for me. In addition to some personal happenings near the end of that year, I earned my master's degree from St. Rose, earned tenure at my job in Germantown (tenure, in simple terms, means increased job security due to longevity), moved to the middle of nowhere (Coxsackie, NY, upon which I bestowed many slang names, none of which are fit for print here), and found myself with a level of (relatively) free time and mental energy that I had been lacking, honestly, for most of the 25 extremely busy, non-stop, no-time-to-breathe previous years.
What sticks out in my mind about the last two years is how fortunate I have been, particularly on the musical and theatrical side of things. Shortly after moving to Coxsackie, I went to an open mic night at the Cask and Rasher (fantastic pub with some of the best Buffalo wings and burgers I've ever had) and met local guitarist, singer, and music personality Phil Massaro. I've shared the stage with him, and several other great players, many times at the Cask and elsewhere, playing everything from the Beatles, to the Doors, to Zeppelin, and even some Death Cab for Cutie on occasion. I also sat in on his latest EP playing, of all things, bari sax and trumpet. Point being, it's a connection I'm glad to have made and I look forward to much more music making with Phil and his "symphony".
Shortly after this began, I got an email at work telling me that a local theatre group was searching for a vocal director and pianist for their upcoming production of Next to Normal (one of my absolute favorite musicals and one of my favorite piano parts to play). I nearly pooped myself as I responded to the note. This began an incredible collaboration and friendship with Steve Sanborn and Connie Lopez, the driving forces behind The Two of Us Productions. To say that my ongoing involvement with them (I've done vocal direction and instrumental work for every one of their musical productions since and including Next to Normal) has been life-changing would be an understatement. So many of my closest friends and favorite people to do music and theatre with today are people I've met through The Two of Us Productions, and they've even gotten me into doing some straight acting (I participated in a cemetery re-enactment tour a couple months ago). My involvement with this group is something I know will continue for years to come and I couldn't be luckier or more thankful.
Including and beyond Steve and Connie's shows, I've had a great couple years theatrically. I was privileged enough to work on such titles as Next to Normal, Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years (TWICE IN ONE YEAR!!!!), and Spamalot, among others. Wow. I have no words. It's been a blast! And the friendships I've made and strengthened with cast members, pit members, directors, etc. are incredible. You all know who you are, so I'll save the space of putting every single name down here.
I made a resolution a couple years ago to play out more regularly than I had been, and I am pleased to report that I have succeeded with that resolution. I've got a website up now (dangalliher.com) and FINALLY had some business cards created, and I've been playing at the Century House in Latham pretty regularly. One gig that sticks out is a late September show at which a handful of people from the Two of Us Productions' "Spamalot" showed up. I was playing Piano Man and they were signing along. I stopped at the beginning of the final refrain, and they sang through the stop-time. It was surreal. I've also been collaborating a bit more with some great friends from high school on some jazz standards and not-so-standards and am hoping to do some gigging with them in the new year.
I've also been fortunate enough to see some incredible performances over the last couple years and meet some cool people, including perhaps my largest influence as a pianist and music director, Mr. Jason Robert Brown. I've seen him in concert on a few occasions, and seen several outstanding performances by the New York Philharmonic, the Birdland Big Band, and so many others! Great live music is downright inspiring and I encourage all of you (even the non-musicians that read this) to see at least one live performance, and hopefully many more, in the new year. It's well worth the money and it's well worth leaving the comfort of your couch and the ease of going online to see music, to see it in person. Do it. You won't regret it.
Another thing worth mentioning......I took a road trip across the country with my good friend Jess this summer and lived to tell the tale. Without going into too much detail (I could write a post on the trip alone), I'll say that if you haven't seen the country, you should do yourself a favor and do some traveling. Some highlights were the warm Pacific Ocean and even better New England Clam Chowder (on the Santa Monica pier), the sheer glitziness and opulence that is Las Vegas, the breathtaking scenery along the highways in Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, the hiking in Colorado (particularly the nearly 15,000 foot elevation of Mount Evans and the spectacular view from the top), the diners, drive-ins, and dives along the way, and the music scene in Nashville. Such a great time!
What else? I'm in my sixth year as Germantown Central's band director and I've reached the point where I'm in a really solid groove there. I'm also old, given that some of my first year students have college degrees and can legally drink, and some of my first year elementary students are now in 11th grade and lead players in my sr. high band and jazz band. I'm living in East Greenbush and sharing the bottom half of an awesome house with one of my cousins. It's pretty sweet. I've discovered that the best way to reheat pizza is to put it on the top shelf of a grill while cooking bacon-wrapped filet mignon on the bottom shelf.
What lies ahead? Well, I'll be....
1. Hitting the gym on more days than I don't hit the gym.
2. Vocally directing a production of Les Miserables with The Two of Us Productions in the spring!
3. Playing out regularly at several different venues, both solo and with different groups of people. Check dangalliher.com regularly for an updated gig calendar.
4. Updating this blog more regularly; I have several car reviews and restaurant reviews that need to be written, so expect at least one post a week along those lines.
5. (Hopefully) inspiring the young minds of Germantown, NY both musically and otherwise.
6. Making some slow but steady progress on a musical project that you'll hear more about in a couple years when it's (hopefully) completed.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Until next time,
Dan
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Car Review -- 2013 Volkswagen Passat 2.5SE with Sunroof and Navigation
A couple days ago, my 2002 Passat GLX wagon was due for rear brakes, an oil change, an oxygen sensor, and a purge valve (to extinguish a nagging check engine light), so I brought it to Fuccillo VW of Schenectady. They armed me with a 2013 Passat SE sedan with the sunroof and navigation package to drive for the day and a half that I left my car with them. Here are my thoughts:
1. This is a big car. Way bigger than my wagon and comparable in size to my 2010 Accord. It feels more ponderous than the Accord, though, and much more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces and park. The backup camera that they added to the SE trim for 2014 would have been very helpful.
2. The space pays dividends on the inside, though. I never lacked for room, and actually had to stretch a bit for my elbow to reach the soft part of the door armrest.
3. Speaking of armrests, the console rest on this car neither slides nor adjusts for height (the armrest on my 2002 wagon does both, and I missed both adjustments).
4. However, all four windows are one-touch down AND up, which is highly convenient when one needs to quickly let a fart escape from the confines of the interior. Also, the "tap for three flashes" directional stalk was extremely useful when making lane changes.
5. The seats were upholstered in leatherette (the S model gets cloth and the top-shelf SEL model gets a mixture of real leather and a suede-like material). This upholstery is awful. It's stickier than leather and doesn't feel particularly upscale. The seat heaters were a nice touch but not nearly as effective as those in my 2002 wagon.
6. While it was nice to have a power-adjustable lumbar balloon in the driver's seat, it didn't inflate nearly enough. Maybe I'm weird in that I like a nice football in my lower back when I drive, but coming from the awesome lumbar support of both the 2002 wagon and my Accord, this was a bit disappointing.
7. A couple other features from my 2002 wagon that I missed were the automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers.
8. I also missed the torque of my V6 engine and responsiveness of my manual transmission. The 2.5 liter inline-five, while decently powerful, was unrefined by comparison and much weaker throughout the rev range. It didn't help that the six-speed automatic was reluctant to let the engine wind itself out when a quick boost of power was needed (for the record, it had a manual mode, but I hate Tiptronic systems, as they feel too much like a gimmick and don't feel connected). Thank goodness they're replacing this motor with a 1.8 liter turbo 4 for 2014, which will help power, torque, and fuel economy.
9. I think I would have liked this car much more if it had the 2.0 liter TDI (diesel) motor. I drove one with this motor a few months back and loved the responsiveness and "right-now" torque. The DSG (dual-clutch automatic) also was much more in-tune with my right-foot's power requests than the 6AT on this car was.
10. The stereo was decent and put out some OK bass, but it lacked the crystalline clarity and Chuck Norris-esque punch of the Monsoon system in my wagon.
11. The car was very quiet; more so than either my current rides, and the ride was comfortable and controlled.
12. It handled pretty well for such a large car, too, but the steering was too light and too devoid of road feel for my taste.
13. The soft-touch padding on the dash was pretty awesome and felt truly German.
14. The Bluetooth system, as well as the design of the trip computer / information display in the gauge cluster, was outstanding. It was easy to pair my phone and stream calls (and audio) directly through the system. The steering-wheel redundant controls were some of the most intuitive I've ever used, and the screen between the gauges displayed the perfect amount of information. I could also toggle between missed calls, etc. on my phone by using the steering wheel controls; very cool.
15. Overall, I liked the car quite a bit, even though it may seem that I'm criticizing it pretty severely. I would've liked it much better if it had the TDI motor, SEL trim, a wagon body, and a stick shift, but VW doesn't offer that combination in the US. Here's hoping that the 2015 Jetta Sportwagen will be offered in such a configuration; if so, that's a car I would trade for.
1. This is a big car. Way bigger than my wagon and comparable in size to my 2010 Accord. It feels more ponderous than the Accord, though, and much more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces and park. The backup camera that they added to the SE trim for 2014 would have been very helpful.
2. The space pays dividends on the inside, though. I never lacked for room, and actually had to stretch a bit for my elbow to reach the soft part of the door armrest.
3. Speaking of armrests, the console rest on this car neither slides nor adjusts for height (the armrest on my 2002 wagon does both, and I missed both adjustments).
4. However, all four windows are one-touch down AND up, which is highly convenient when one needs to quickly let a fart escape from the confines of the interior. Also, the "tap for three flashes" directional stalk was extremely useful when making lane changes.
5. The seats were upholstered in leatherette (the S model gets cloth and the top-shelf SEL model gets a mixture of real leather and a suede-like material). This upholstery is awful. It's stickier than leather and doesn't feel particularly upscale. The seat heaters were a nice touch but not nearly as effective as those in my 2002 wagon.
6. While it was nice to have a power-adjustable lumbar balloon in the driver's seat, it didn't inflate nearly enough. Maybe I'm weird in that I like a nice football in my lower back when I drive, but coming from the awesome lumbar support of both the 2002 wagon and my Accord, this was a bit disappointing.
7. A couple other features from my 2002 wagon that I missed were the automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers.
8. I also missed the torque of my V6 engine and responsiveness of my manual transmission. The 2.5 liter inline-five, while decently powerful, was unrefined by comparison and much weaker throughout the rev range. It didn't help that the six-speed automatic was reluctant to let the engine wind itself out when a quick boost of power was needed (for the record, it had a manual mode, but I hate Tiptronic systems, as they feel too much like a gimmick and don't feel connected). Thank goodness they're replacing this motor with a 1.8 liter turbo 4 for 2014, which will help power, torque, and fuel economy.
9. I think I would have liked this car much more if it had the 2.0 liter TDI (diesel) motor. I drove one with this motor a few months back and loved the responsiveness and "right-now" torque. The DSG (dual-clutch automatic) also was much more in-tune with my right-foot's power requests than the 6AT on this car was.
10. The stereo was decent and put out some OK bass, but it lacked the crystalline clarity and Chuck Norris-esque punch of the Monsoon system in my wagon.
11. The car was very quiet; more so than either my current rides, and the ride was comfortable and controlled.
12. It handled pretty well for such a large car, too, but the steering was too light and too devoid of road feel for my taste.
13. The soft-touch padding on the dash was pretty awesome and felt truly German.
14. The Bluetooth system, as well as the design of the trip computer / information display in the gauge cluster, was outstanding. It was easy to pair my phone and stream calls (and audio) directly through the system. The steering-wheel redundant controls were some of the most intuitive I've ever used, and the screen between the gauges displayed the perfect amount of information. I could also toggle between missed calls, etc. on my phone by using the steering wheel controls; very cool.
15. Overall, I liked the car quite a bit, even though it may seem that I'm criticizing it pretty severely. I would've liked it much better if it had the TDI motor, SEL trim, a wagon body, and a stick shift, but VW doesn't offer that combination in the US. Here's hoping that the 2015 Jetta Sportwagen will be offered in such a configuration; if so, that's a car I would trade for.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Albany Auto Show Fall 2013
Today marked my annual trip to the Empire State Plaza for Albany’s fall auto show. Here are my observations in no particular order....
1. The new GM full-size pickups are quite nice, and their interiors were extremely well-finished. I had a few issues with the seats, though. First of all, the Chevy truck on hand had the front bench seat, which had neither a head restraint nor a shoulder belt for the front center position. What is this, 1995?! Also, neither truck had a rear seat with a center headrest and/or adequate comfort for my six-foot frame.
2. Actually, the number of vehicles with inhospitable rear seats for six-footers was astonishing. However, the new Toyota Tundra Double Cab’s rear seat was extremely accommodating for me, even in its center position. It made the rear of the GM pickups seem like the under-a-staircase closet in which Harry Potter spent his early years.
3. All of the Acuras were locked, as were the Mercedes-Benzes and the Porsches. Lame.
4. Out of approximately 150 vehicles on the show floor, only two that I saw had manual transmissions. One was the Audi S4, which presented itself as an all-around exceptional automobile, and one that I would love to own someday. The other was the Nissan Versa Note. It had crank windows, no cruise control, manual door locks, and a sticker price of approximately $15,000. The shifter felt like it was stirring a bucket of rocks, and speaking of rocks, the door armrests were rock hard, unlike those in my friend’s first-generation Versa SL hatchback, which were probably the softest, plushest door armrests I’d ever experienced. Also, while the rear seat was exceptionally comfortable and roomy (more so than that in the new Chevy Impala, to put things in perspective), it did not fold flush with the cargo floor, which seriously compromised its hatchback utility.
5. The Buick Verano knocked my socks off last year. It impressed me again this year, but not to the same extent given how many other new vehicles had been introduced between now and then.
6. The Cadillac CTS (2014 model) was nice, but the back seat was a joke. It also didn’t feel appreciably nicer than its many competitors that were on the show floor. And what is with General Motors’ newfound love of enormous front head restraints that shove people’s heads uncomfortably far forward?
7. With the exception of the new Jeep Cherokee (which was quite nice), the Chrysler products on display were disappointing. No new vehicle should have as much vertical play in the headliner as the new Dodge Journey. And no vehicle should have as poor seat comfort and build quality as either of the Chrysler minivans on display (a stripped Caravan and a loaded Town and Country). And no sedan should have rear headroom as abysmal as that in the Dodge Dart.
8. The new Corvette looked exceptional. I need to own one.
9. The refreshed Malibu wasn’t half bad. The new Impala was slightly better, though neither sedan had enough headroom in its rear seat to justify its exterior size.
10. The Kia Forte (new model) was surprisingly nice. So was the Honda Civic LX (the cheapest Civic available this year).
11. The new Toyota Corolla’s rear seat was not nearly as accommodating as several auto journalists have said it is. The car also wasn’t anything special, and not nearly as special as it should be given that it’s a new design.
12. The Prius V, on the other hand, was awesome. Huge interior. Very versatile. Hybrid fuel economy. If one vehicle could make me give up my manual transmission, it would either be this or the Acura RLX.
13. The Toyota Sienna was a nice minivan and the seats were better than those in most Toyotas (which usually stink). The Honda Odyssey was even nicer.
14. There were lots of compact crossovers with nice interiors and comfortable back seats. The Hyundai Tuscon and Chevy Equinox were probably the only exceptions. The most impressive to me were the VW Tiguan and the Honda CR-V. I would’ve loved to try the new Nissan Rogue but they only had the old model there.
15. The new Mazda3 is quite nice, and the back seat is a bit bigger than auto critics would lead someone to believe. However, the switchgear still feels a step below that of a comparable Honda product. The new 6 is awesome, though, and I would surely consider one if I was looking to replace my Accord.
16. The VW Jetta Sportwagen is an exceptional vehicle, and I can’t wait for the 2015 model. I’d consider trading both my vehicles on one of them if they offer the TDI motor, 6-speed stick, Fender stereo, and leather interior packaged together.
17. I wasn’t disappointed with any of the Subarus on hand (new Forester, new Impreza crosstrek, Outback). All were very well designed, comfortable, roomy, and versatile.
18. The Honda Accord EX-L has some of the best front seats I’ve ever sat in. These thrones are just sublime. Too bad they don’t offer the leather seats with the six-speed manual transmission in this country (they do in Canada, but that does me no good).
19. The Buick Encore has less space between the front seats than just about anything this side of a Smart car.
20. Anyone in the market for a car would be an idiot not to test everything in the segment he or she is considering; the market is so competitive and so many products are too genuinely good not to be considered.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Test Drive -- 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE DSG
As you can probably guess, this post is about my recent test drive of a 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE DSG. Holy acronyms, Batman! TDI stands for turbo direct injection and it refers to Volkswagen's series of diesel motors. SE refers to the middle of the three trim lines in which the US Passat is offered. DSG stands for Direkt Schalt Getriebe, which loosely translated means direct-shift manual gearbox. In other words, it's physically a manual transmission with two clutches, but its operation is automated and it lacks a clutch pedal. It was designed to shift more quickly than any human (or conventional automatic transmission) while delivering the efficiency and feel of a stick shift by replacing the torque converter found on a normal automatic transmission with a clutch (or rather, two clutches) that would directly connect the engine to the drive wheels. I am a manual transmission purist and thus do not consider VW's DSG to be a viable replacement for a manual transmission despite its paddle shifters, and I only drove a Passat with this gearbox because Nemer VW in Latham did not have any Passats with the six-speed manual transmission on their lot.
Despite the fact that this car was, for my purposes, an automatic, I really liked it. The DSG is easily the best automatic transmission I've ever driven, with lightning-quick shifts and generally smooth behavior. I didn't try the paddle-shift manual mode, as my test drive was short and accompanied by a salesman, but I would be surprised if it did not function well. This car, as previously stated, was equipped with a diesel engine, which makes most of its usable power low in the RPM range. The DSG did an excellent job keeping the engine in its power band and the car never felt underpowered. It did take a while to get used to its power delivery, though, compared to the "wind it to the stratosphere" attitude of my 2010 Honda Accord's VTEC gas engine. I did drive a 2011 Jetta TDI with a six-speed stick just to see how the diesel motor mated with a manual transmission, and it was weird in that first gear was usable only to get the car rolling but second was too tall to start in. Definitely different, and I hope to test drive a 2013 Passat TDI SE with a manual gearbox to see if this trait carries over. It probably does. I could get used to it, though.
The best feature of the TDI drivetrain, without a doubt, is its exceptional fuel efficiency. With a stick shift, the Passat TDI is rated at 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway (the DSG model fares slightly worse), and there have been reports of people regularly exceeding these EPA ratings. One couple nearly doubled the EPA's highway number of 43 mpg on a long road trip, driving nearly 1,500 miles before refueling. Read their story at http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/05/84-mpg-couple-break-mileage-record-with-passat-tdi.html
Drivetrain aside, here are my thoughts on the car in no particular order:
1. It's huge. The trunk is enormous. So is the back seat, though my head did manage to brush the headliner. Perhaps the manual transmission model (which is unavailable with the DSG model's mandatory sunroof) has better headroom.
2. The rear seats split and fold, and they have a center ski pass-through. Why all sedans don't have rear seats with this fantastic level of versatility floors me, and why my 2010 Accord's rear seat doesn't split is downright maddening.
3. The SE model comes with leatherette (glorified vinyl) upholstery (base S models come with cloth and SEL models come with legit leather, with suede inserts in some cases). I didn't like it. It was sticky and not particularly supportive.
4. The seats themselves seemed flat and, while generally comfortable and electrically adjustable in the driver's case, didn't offer as much lumbar or lateral support as those in my Accord (or my 2002 Passat GLX wagon, for that matter). The back seat was also flat, which is good for three-across travel but not as great for two-person travel.
5. The steering wheel was slightly offset to the right of the driver's side of the dash. I noticed this when this car came out a couple years ago, but it didn't bother me on the test drive nearly as much as I thought it would.
6. The wheel itself is awesome, leather-wrapped, and equipped with well-designed redundant controls for the Bluetooth system, the trip computer, and the audio system.
7. The details are impressive. The sunvisors slide to extend when moved to the side, the stalks on the steering column felt at least as finely oiled as those in my Accord (and those are pretty damn good), and the directionals flash three times when tapped (useful for lane changes). Build quality was very impressive and, in particular, the shift knob's action was as fluid as in any automatic vehicle I've driven.
8. The six-speed fan was a nice touch, and was strong at its highest setting on the scorcher of a day I drove the car. It was loud, though, and I would've liked the option of automatic climate control (it is offered on the SEL model only).
9. The stereo was good for a mid-level system, and included a touch-screen interface, Bluetooth audio, a six-CD changer (I can't think of any other manufacturer who still believes in multi-disc changers), HD radio, satellite radio, and an eighth-inch jack. I would have liked to see a USB jack (there's no excuse for leaving this out in 2013) or at least an iPod interface, and it would be nice for the SEL model's Fender audio system to be available on the SE. It's a significantly better system.
10. The analog clock between the middle two air vents was a very classy touch. I think there's a digital one in the instrument panel or on the radio touch screen for those who can't read a clock's hand.
Well, that's all great, but how does it drive?
Generally, very nicely. Here are the specifics:
1. The steering felt extremely light and devoid of road feel, but was surgically precise. I would have preferred more heft, but I could get used to this. My Accord has one of the best front-drive steering systems I've ever driven, second only to a Mazda6 loaner car my parents had several years back. The fact that the TDI Passat uses an electric power steering system in place of the gas engine model's hydraulic system might explain the lightness and lack of road feel.
2. As previously stated, the powertrain worked well. I can't wait to try this car with a stick shift. I like that the RPMs were significantly lower at highway speed than in either of my current cars. Passing power was definitely sufficient too.
3. It's a QUIET car! My 2010 Accord isn't all too quiet at speed.
4. The ride is smooth but not Buick-smooth. Handling is pretty crisp for such a large car, though maybe not quite as responsive as my similarly-sized Accord.
My largest complaints with this car are as follows:
1. Lack of a stereo upgrade to the Fender system in the SE model.
2. Lack of a USB jack or iPod interface.
3. Lack of a Siri button on the wheel (but then again, very few cars have one currently).
4. My head grazes the rear headliner when sitting back in the rear seat. Not enough to be annoying, but enough to make me wonder why it's happening given how huge the car is.
5. The leatherette upholstery is sticky and inferior to cloth and leather.
6. The steering could be a little meatier.
What kills me is that four of these six complaints would be resolved if I could order the SEL trim with a manual transmission, but I can't. I can understand VW's desire to streamline the manufacturing process, but they offer a trim nearly identical to the SEL in Canada with a stick shift and it's built on the same line as the American Passat for a MUCH smaller audience. UGH!!!! Honda and Mazda do something similar with their Accord and 6, respectively. Makes me crazy.
Upgrading my 2010 Accord to a Passat TDI SE stick shift is still extremely tempting, though. My fuel economy would increase by nearly 20 mpg, I'd be in a quieter car, and I'd gain a few cool tech features that my Accord doesn't have. I would also get free maintenance for 3 years or 36K miles and could probably get 0% financing for up to 60 months. And I'd not have to worry about the few upcoming maintenance items that my Accord will need in the next couple years (tires, brakes, various inspections, and possibly a clutch). I'd lose some athleticism in the drivetrain and in the steering/handling, I'd lose the awesome cloth seats (but gain seat heaters), I'd lose the sunroof, and I'd gain a higher car payment.
Decisions, decisions.......
Despite the fact that this car was, for my purposes, an automatic, I really liked it. The DSG is easily the best automatic transmission I've ever driven, with lightning-quick shifts and generally smooth behavior. I didn't try the paddle-shift manual mode, as my test drive was short and accompanied by a salesman, but I would be surprised if it did not function well. This car, as previously stated, was equipped with a diesel engine, which makes most of its usable power low in the RPM range. The DSG did an excellent job keeping the engine in its power band and the car never felt underpowered. It did take a while to get used to its power delivery, though, compared to the "wind it to the stratosphere" attitude of my 2010 Honda Accord's VTEC gas engine. I did drive a 2011 Jetta TDI with a six-speed stick just to see how the diesel motor mated with a manual transmission, and it was weird in that first gear was usable only to get the car rolling but second was too tall to start in. Definitely different, and I hope to test drive a 2013 Passat TDI SE with a manual gearbox to see if this trait carries over. It probably does. I could get used to it, though.
The best feature of the TDI drivetrain, without a doubt, is its exceptional fuel efficiency. With a stick shift, the Passat TDI is rated at 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway (the DSG model fares slightly worse), and there have been reports of people regularly exceeding these EPA ratings. One couple nearly doubled the EPA's highway number of 43 mpg on a long road trip, driving nearly 1,500 miles before refueling. Read their story at http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/05/84-mpg-couple-break-mileage-record-with-passat-tdi.html
Drivetrain aside, here are my thoughts on the car in no particular order:
1. It's huge. The trunk is enormous. So is the back seat, though my head did manage to brush the headliner. Perhaps the manual transmission model (which is unavailable with the DSG model's mandatory sunroof) has better headroom.
2. The rear seats split and fold, and they have a center ski pass-through. Why all sedans don't have rear seats with this fantastic level of versatility floors me, and why my 2010 Accord's rear seat doesn't split is downright maddening.
3. The SE model comes with leatherette (glorified vinyl) upholstery (base S models come with cloth and SEL models come with legit leather, with suede inserts in some cases). I didn't like it. It was sticky and not particularly supportive.
4. The seats themselves seemed flat and, while generally comfortable and electrically adjustable in the driver's case, didn't offer as much lumbar or lateral support as those in my Accord (or my 2002 Passat GLX wagon, for that matter). The back seat was also flat, which is good for three-across travel but not as great for two-person travel.
5. The steering wheel was slightly offset to the right of the driver's side of the dash. I noticed this when this car came out a couple years ago, but it didn't bother me on the test drive nearly as much as I thought it would.
6. The wheel itself is awesome, leather-wrapped, and equipped with well-designed redundant controls for the Bluetooth system, the trip computer, and the audio system.
7. The details are impressive. The sunvisors slide to extend when moved to the side, the stalks on the steering column felt at least as finely oiled as those in my Accord (and those are pretty damn good), and the directionals flash three times when tapped (useful for lane changes). Build quality was very impressive and, in particular, the shift knob's action was as fluid as in any automatic vehicle I've driven.
8. The six-speed fan was a nice touch, and was strong at its highest setting on the scorcher of a day I drove the car. It was loud, though, and I would've liked the option of automatic climate control (it is offered on the SEL model only).
9. The stereo was good for a mid-level system, and included a touch-screen interface, Bluetooth audio, a six-CD changer (I can't think of any other manufacturer who still believes in multi-disc changers), HD radio, satellite radio, and an eighth-inch jack. I would have liked to see a USB jack (there's no excuse for leaving this out in 2013) or at least an iPod interface, and it would be nice for the SEL model's Fender audio system to be available on the SE. It's a significantly better system.
10. The analog clock between the middle two air vents was a very classy touch. I think there's a digital one in the instrument panel or on the radio touch screen for those who can't read a clock's hand.
Well, that's all great, but how does it drive?
Generally, very nicely. Here are the specifics:
1. The steering felt extremely light and devoid of road feel, but was surgically precise. I would have preferred more heft, but I could get used to this. My Accord has one of the best front-drive steering systems I've ever driven, second only to a Mazda6 loaner car my parents had several years back. The fact that the TDI Passat uses an electric power steering system in place of the gas engine model's hydraulic system might explain the lightness and lack of road feel.
2. As previously stated, the powertrain worked well. I can't wait to try this car with a stick shift. I like that the RPMs were significantly lower at highway speed than in either of my current cars. Passing power was definitely sufficient too.
3. It's a QUIET car! My 2010 Accord isn't all too quiet at speed.
4. The ride is smooth but not Buick-smooth. Handling is pretty crisp for such a large car, though maybe not quite as responsive as my similarly-sized Accord.
My largest complaints with this car are as follows:
1. Lack of a stereo upgrade to the Fender system in the SE model.
2. Lack of a USB jack or iPod interface.
3. Lack of a Siri button on the wheel (but then again, very few cars have one currently).
4. My head grazes the rear headliner when sitting back in the rear seat. Not enough to be annoying, but enough to make me wonder why it's happening given how huge the car is.
5. The leatherette upholstery is sticky and inferior to cloth and leather.
6. The steering could be a little meatier.
What kills me is that four of these six complaints would be resolved if I could order the SEL trim with a manual transmission, but I can't. I can understand VW's desire to streamline the manufacturing process, but they offer a trim nearly identical to the SEL in Canada with a stick shift and it's built on the same line as the American Passat for a MUCH smaller audience. UGH!!!! Honda and Mazda do something similar with their Accord and 6, respectively. Makes me crazy.
Upgrading my 2010 Accord to a Passat TDI SE stick shift is still extremely tempting, though. My fuel economy would increase by nearly 20 mpg, I'd be in a quieter car, and I'd gain a few cool tech features that my Accord doesn't have. I would also get free maintenance for 3 years or 36K miles and could probably get 0% financing for up to 60 months. And I'd not have to worry about the few upcoming maintenance items that my Accord will need in the next couple years (tires, brakes, various inspections, and possibly a clutch). I'd lose some athleticism in the drivetrain and in the steering/handling, I'd lose the awesome cloth seats (but gain seat heaters), I'd lose the sunroof, and I'd gain a higher car payment.
Decisions, decisions.......
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