I am thrilled to reflect on the journey that has brought me to where I am today, celebrating 10 years and 500 reviews. Established in 2013, SIX SPEED BLOG emerged as a vibrant transformation from my predecessor, 6thgearmotorhead.blogspot.com. Initially conceived as a platform to share my experiences with car rentals during my employment at an architectural firm that specialized in airport restaurant design & construction, the website then evolved into a dynamic entity that you now know of today.
I always get asked, “how did you get into reviewing cars?” That pivotal moment occurred when a fellow blogger from LimitedSlipBlog.com recognized the potential of that original website, I was more impressed they could see through all of its flaws. Their guidance empowered me to refine my approach, enhance the quality of my reviews, and establish connections with manufacturers. Now, a decade later, I stand proud of the progress and achievements I have made.
So, what I have I done over the last 10 years? Let’s run through the highlights, the good, the bad and the lets never speak of it again….
As of April 17th, 2024, I would have tested 500 vehicles totaling $24,464,087, driven 213,299.4 miles, and spent $10,582.63 on fuel. Some may think the fuel cost is pretty cheap, but the reality is I didn’t start recording my fuel until 2017, four years after I started reviewing.
You Never Forget Your First
My very first loan occurred on November 13th, 2013, with a 2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited and will continue to one of the best vehicles I have ever tested. Naturally then, to celebrate my 500th review, it had to be with a 2024 Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 line up has changed significantly over the years and for 2024 a new model has been added, the Hybrid Woodlands Edition.
Mid-Engine Performance Memories
Phoenix isn’t typically a hub for high-performance media vehicles. My earliest recollections involve an Audi R8 Spider around 2015, but its presence in Phoenix was regrettably brief. However, in 2021, I was fortunate enough to experience the exhilaration of driving two mid-engine supercars:
2021 Acura NSX
Back in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, my life remained largely unchanged. Despite the challenges, I found myself immersed in my architectural job, clocking in anywhere between 80 to 120 hours a week. Amidst this hustle, the arrival of the Acura NSX presented an opportunity that many dream of driving a genuine mid-engine supercar.
Regrettably, circumstances had their own plans. The rare moments I found behind the wheel were marred by rush hour traffic or late-night fatigue, leaving me unable to fully appreciate the NSX’s capabilities. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t always align with our expectations, leaving some experiences unfairly unexplored.
2021 Chevrolet Corvette Z51
Shortly after the NSX experience, the brand-new Chevrolet Corvette made its way into my life. Yet, my routine remained relentless. Work hours persisted, and the creeping sense of burnout began to take its toll. Similar to the NSX, my encounters with the Corvette were confined to moments when I simply craved the solace of a comfortable ride to my destination.
However, unlike its counterpart, the Corvette showcased its prowess as a more adaptable sports car. It seamlessly blended comfort with performance, proving to be an ideal companion in rush hour chaos or during late-night journeys home. The Corvette left a lasting impression on me, earning its spot as one of my favorite cars to review solely due to its livability factor.
Reflecting on those loan periods, I can’t help but wish I had more time to truly immerse myself in the experience, unencumbered by the demands of work.
A Complete Laugh
In today’s day and age, there are not very many vehicles left that can provide clean entertainment of blissful joy and laughter. Everything is too serious now, which is sad. But one car will forever live in my memory as being just an absolute hoot. It could even chase its own tail.
2017 smart For-Two
Is There Such a Thing as a Bad Car?
I have tested a fair share of cars that weren’t exactly good, but to call them bad would be harsh. Especially given their price points what made them unpleasant was partly due to their inexpensive outlook *cough Mitsubishi cough*. Overall, there only was one vehicle I tested that would have been the worst car I ever drove, so much so that I deemed it unsafe to drive because the communication between the gas engine and hybrid electric motor was simply not there almost causing me to get into an accident. Unfortunately, it was this review that also got me completely blacklisted from ever testing another vehicle from this manufacturer. Who would have thought the 2017 Nissan Rouge Hybrid would block me from ever reviewing another Nissan product again.
Whoops!
It’s enviable in this business that things are going to happen. But all you can do is look back and laugh… at most of them.
Not really my whoops, but this turned into a unique situation. While driving out in the middle of the desert to photoshoot the 2017 Toyota Tundra, I found a couple of guys walking along this dirt road that had crashed their UTV and got their truck stuck in the process of retrieving it. I was happy to provide some assistance.
In 2017, I got a Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 stuck in the mud trying to recover a very heavy Mercedes-Benz ML on AMG wheels wrapped in summer rubber performance tires. 30 miles into the remote desert, a lake had dried up for the summer and I wanted to treat the ZR2 to some muddy photos, but my friends had other plans and wanted to take a run through the mud first. 10 hours later we were finally rescued by a guy in a Jeep Wrangler with a winch.
2019 was a rough year as I had encountered a very expensive ‘uh-oh‘ moment that I try to scratch from my memory. With a joystick for a shifter and a button for park, I thought I had pushed the park button in the Lexus LC 500 V-8, but then it rolled right into the garage door.
And in 2022, I got a Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series II stuck in the snow while trying to stage it for a photoshoot. With no cell phone service in the rural mountains, I had to hitch hike to the nearest town where I waited 6 hours for a couple of buddies to come to my rescue.
Accidents Happen
And yes, accidents have happened along the way…
In 2015, reviewing the Chevrolet Colorado Z71, I was rear ended by a distracted driver driving a Buick Rendezvous while I was sitting at a red light. The Colorado’s steel bumper barely had a scratch.
In 2022, reviewing the Volkswagen GTI Autoban, a modified Jeep Wrangler sideswiped me on the I-10 freeway when he realized he was still in an exit only freeway off-ramp. Unfortunately, he took off. The poor GTI limped its way to the office, where a tow truck would pick it up a couple hours later.
But, in 2020, my biggest accident was when I was reviewing the Cadillac CT4; I was collateral damage to a Nissan Altima running a redlight, t-boning a Dodge Stratus which inevitably pushed them into me. The CT4 appeared to be a total loss, but I will never know the resulted outcome. The driver of the Dodge Stratus was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
So Many Adventures
It has undeniably been a fascinating span of ten years. Gratitude goes out to all who have accompanied me throughout this journey, whether from the beginning or just joining recently, or even if it’s a one-time visit. Here’s to another decade filled with adventures and an additional 500 reviews. Cheers!
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