My Collections

Do you collect anything (I don't mean Social Security checks or dust). I mean, do you, or have you ever built a collection? I'm thinking stamps, coins, out-of-state license plates, baseball cards, Barbie dolls, knives, state quarters and so on? I either have or know someone who has collected these items. There are lots more, and many being created daily (just look for Franklin Mint).

You can collect first impressions. I think of this here in November because it's about time to play, "find the first license plate sticker from next year." That means I'm looking for a 2013 sticker, since the sticker marks the expiration of your car registration. My cars all wear 2012s now. I'm hoping that someone with a January plate (in California, everyone gets a month sticker too, so the registration process is spread out all year) has already sent their money to the DMV and diligently pasted their new sticker in place. The stickers are different colors each year, so there's a minor wager between me and my older son about what color the new year's sticker will be.

I used to play the "find the sticker" game with my sons when they were kids--attaching a small prize to the first sighting. I've done this game with the first new penny too, but the U.S. Mint has been dragging its feet at the stamping plant the last few years and it can get to mid-year before one shows up. This was especially fascinating and frustrating in 2009 and 2010, when the penny got a new back (reverse) design for the first time in half a century. There were four Lincoln commemorative designs in 2009, one permanent change in 2010.

There's the car-finding game, too, when you try to spot a new model out on the road for the first time. I've played that game since the 1964 models came out, when my dad and I entertained ourselves this way. Yes, I'm still doing it today, and with two hours of commuting a day I have plenty of opportunity.

First 2012 Camry Sighting!

The Toyota Camry is not an exciting car, however, numerous generations of it have been so successful since 1983 that they are everywhere you look. But the 2012 model is brand new and I just saw my first one "in the flesh" yesterday.

It was in the next lane over to the right, so I saw the new taillamps first, then looked at the shaping of the tail and up the sides.I caught a peek at its face in my right rearview mirror. Shortly after, it took the exit and I saw it roll away into the distance.

Although I knew what the new car looked like from photos, it was different full-size in three dimensions. Cars are real things, and seeing them helps you understand better why they were designed the way they were. They're commercial art, and you know that a bestseller like the Camry gets careful attention in the studio. What it normally doesn't get is anything too advanced or wild--but that's not its job.

I've enjoyed "first sightings" since I learned about cars from my father as a kid. We drove along identifying the cars on the road by make, model and year together. I saw the new cars at the dealership (sometimes in the back lot, before introduction) and spent lots of time studying the drawings enticingly laid out in Motor Trend. Thanks to the Internet and spy photography, there are few secrets anymore, but that first sighting is always a little special--even if it's a Toyota Camry (which is much nicer than the photos would lead you to believe).

Labor Day - Sunday No. 2

It's just past dinnertime on Labor Day. Yes, I was lucky enough to have the day off, but my son is working. That's retail for you. If Labor Day honors workers, then someone has to serve the workers who have the day off. The Italian restaurant is open, too, so I was able to secure three generous servings of lasagna.

Not a religious observation, the holiday started in 1882 and has always been associated with parties and rest--and it's the symbolic end of Summer, especially for schoolkids. I remember starting school immediately following Labor Day, but these days they seem to be beginning in late August. Must be those extra teacher in service days.

It's the start of college and NFL football, something that interests me exactly zero. However, I think I'm in the minority. This also is the time of year when the new cars normally are introduced--something much more interesting to me. I still recall going to the dealers' back lots on my bicycle right about the time school started to see if I could glimpse a dusty, just-off-the-truck Ford Galaxie or Chevrolet Impala.

I played three hours of Beatles songs with my friend Frank today. That seem like a great way to celebrate Labor Day.

Hyundai Elantra Is Even Better

With the Korean manufacturers on a roll, I've been waiting eagerly to sample the latest Elantra. Hyundai's been impressing the folks at the car magazines--including Consumer Reports--with its Sonata, which is taking market share from the big guys--Toyota Camry and Honda Accord--with its stylish body and strong platform. It was the Elantra's turn.

The last couple of generations of the compact Elantra have been like Toyota Corolla wannabes, but now, the Corolla's looking positively ancient and even the new Honda Civic seems conservative. Long celebrated for reliability and environmental responsibility, the Elantra is all-new, and seems much more expensive than its price now. The environment inside is stunning in its design as well as materials and assembly.

The 1.8-liter, 148-horsepower engine makes the car feel fairly peppy, although my only disappointment was the fuel economy. I averaged just over 27 mpg--pretty decent--but the sticker says 29 City and 40 Highway, and I drove a lot of miles on the freeway.

My tester, a GLS in a gorgeous Metallic Sky Blue, was only $19,510, not including transportation.