Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T Test drive [Redcast]

The car was real fun to drive, although I do demand more power than the 2.0T offers. However the turns were tight and the suspensions stiff (this may turn some people off).
The Turbo's boost is hardly felt, it seems to kick in after 2000 RPM but it isn't noticed unless you are trying to notice it on purpose. The doors open and close firmly which is pleasant. The Mustangs and Camaros I've seen had their door rattle when I close them despite being brand new in the show room.
I didn't like the fact that the RPM was over 3000 when driving on 120 kph, guess the V6 will take care of this hopefully.
Smart features I liked: the boot (or trunk if you're American) is quite spacious for a car like this. Moreover, the two rear seats can be flattened to increase space. And you can do that directly from behind the car by pushing a button. You don't need to do it from inside the cabin.
Another tiny feature I liked was the locks. Most cars lock the doors when it starts to move, and so does this one. But the coupe actually opens the doors again for you when you shift the gear to "P". Cute!
Overall I am happy with the quality and ride. This car is perfect for a daily driver that does not mind a stiff sporty ride. It is also great for tuners that do not care for warranty.

Way to go Hyundai. It's cars like these that will make your brand a little more desirable and exciting.

Going to the F1 Race today

Unfortunately I am the only one I know with a valid ticket (so far!), Gonna take a couple of pictures, maybe live blog a bit and just have a good time.
Are you going there today?

This will never happen in Bahrain

The picture you see above is of a traffic warden giving a Bugatti Veyron a parking ticket.
For the un-informed, The Bugatti Veyron is a very expensive beast. 16 cylinders, 8 Liter engine, 4 Turbos, 4 Wheel Drive, 1001 Horse Power and only two seats. It goes from 0 - 100 KPH in about 2.5 seconds and costs BD 643000 (around US$ 1,700,000).
And it got a parking ticket. As you can see, crowds of people were surrounding the car which was parked in a no parking zone. And everyone cheered and clapped as the warden wrote the ticket for the millionaire owner, the daily SUN reported.
Do you think it will be treated the same way in Bahrain? Or be able to kill little children and get away with it?

Selling my Original Altima 05, 17" wheels

Also known as "Ringat" in Bahrain. I'm selling them through an ebay local knock off called Soogon. It is pretty pathetic, but hey, does the trick.
Anyone interested in buying them either bid through the auction or leave a comment.

Regards,

Leaked: Nissan Murano '09 pic tures

Here is what the new Nissan Murano will look like in 2009. If you planned on buying one in 2008, WAIT!
Hold out for the new look or haggle for a bargain price. True Almoayyed are rather tight with discounts, but I am sure you will see some sweet deals by mid 2008.

Poll Results: Spare part Prices

Thank you for everyone who voted this time. I was rather surprised of the results:

Spare part prices in Bahrain:

Are Cheap!	0 (0%)
Are moderate.	0 (0%)
Are Expensive, but I buy from them.	4 (40%)
I buy from Saudi (or GCC)	2 (20%)
I buy from the US	4 (40%

No one said they are cheap or moderate. But wow, 4 voters buying from the US and 2 from GCC! 60% prefer not to buy from overpriced vendors!
While this is no way a proper scientific survey, at least it shows a trend amongst net savvy Bahrainis.

Car dealers are ripping us off

A foglight on my precious Altima needs to be changed. I go to Almoayyed to ask for a spare. I told the guy, since I am changing one, let us change the other too.

He goes: 23 Dinars please.

I go: WHAT THE F***? IT'S A FREAKING LIGHTBULB.

Almoayyed rep: Well, Each bulb is BD 11.500 (US$ 30.50)

Now I think, that can't be right! I mean, do you know when Thomas Edison invented the light bulb? It's not new technology man!

So I go to the internet. Compare this with me please:

2 light bulbs @ Almoayyed= BD 23 (US$ 61)

2 light bulbs @ worldpartsexpress.com = BD 4.530 (US$ 11.98 - excluding shipping)

Anyone of you smart boys know how much of a profit margin Almoayyed is taking? Above RRP (which already has a profit margin in it if you don't know).

This, does not compute to me. I am sending this to Almoayyed.com, let us see what they have to say. Vote on the poll to the right about this.

It's Qashqai, baba!

Last Thursday I popped round to our local Nissan dealer to take a look at the rumored new Nissan Crossover of sorts. The Nissan Qashqai.
I said "of sorts" because the Qashqai looks like an SUV. A small one, but it does look it. Only thing is, it isn't. A 2.0 Litre 4 Cylinder Engine powers only the front wheels to turn. There IS a 4WD option in other markets, but I am not sure if it will reach here in the Middle East. Jermy Clarkson has his own points to state in his review:

Brilliant. You can’t drive it across a field or through a puddle but it looks like an SUV, which means you must bathe in a sea of hate from the world’s liberal democrats every time you go anywhere. That sounds like lose lose.

Qashqai sound like an odd name, But Nissan took a page out of VolksWagen's book and named their car after a tribe. Qashqai is the name of an Iranian tribe. That should do well in the middle east then, shouldn't it?
It comes in two trims: Boring and Less Boring.
The boring trim (or as we locally say "emgashirah") comes with tiny steel wheels, and no buttons on a boring steering wheel.
The less boring one (I will not call this full option, no way) comes with tiny alloy wheels, and some fancy buttons on the steering wheel. And from the looks of it, a Bluetooth built in function for calls.
It is however, unforgivable in my opinion that the less boring trim comes with NO FOG LIGHTS. I mean, it's 2008, you're charging more already, just put them in!
The basic trim costs BD 6995 and the not so full option costs BD 7750. I expect a 4WD option (if ever released) to be around BD 8800.
The car actually doesn't look bad, its a much better contender than the aging and notorious RAV4. It could be better but it is still a good deal I think.
Almoayyed is to have a launching ceremony for the car on the 25th. I really do not understand why do you start selling something and then, you "launch" it. Isn't a launching ceremony the start of something? pheh... businesses these days.

NYIT Bahrain's First Car Show

Last Friday, NYIT had their first Car show, which is what I hope will be an annual event. I joined in with my Altima this time, didn't win of course, my car doesn't have many bolt-ons or stickers you see.
There were some decent ones, but the ones I remember are Butt Ugly! Can you spot the ugliest one?

Watch the video, it has most of the cars in it and the results. Enjoy.

Racing with the Red Racing Team

The guys down at Marlboro have an annual event, which is the Marlboro Red Racing. This year, I WON!
Neat huh?
I am traveling to Dubai today to join them along with 34 other Bahrainis.
Looking forward to it, can't wait. Especially after seeing this short video from last year.

Stupid kids!

Ah, thoes Saudi kids...
They give you a new meaning for complete disregard for ones wellbeing.
Bless them.