MINI John Cooper Works The other day, a friend purchased a BMW MINI JCW (John Cooper Works), and I had the chance to take it for a test drive. This time, I wanted to review it with as few preconceptions as possible, so I didn’t do any prior research before the day arrived. The JCW I saw for the first time had a completely different vibe from a regular MINI. The first things that catch...
From Paper Driver Wife to Manual Transmission Driver I used to have no interest in cars at all and was a paper driver for over 10 years after getting my license. After marrying my husband, I gradually became interested in cars, and over about six years, I was able to comfortably drive a Porsche Boxster (981 GTS) manual transmission, and now my current beloved car is a Suzuki Swift Sport with a manual transmission. The...
Testing the New Macan (3rd Generation) on Winding Roads Continuing from the previous article, this is a review of the new Macan (3rd generation). This time, I’m reporting on my impressions when taking the Macan onto winding roads. When you think of the Macan, it’s a very sporty SUV, and calling it merely sporty doesn’t do it justice—it’s a car with the athleticism that makes you want to call it a ‘sports car’. The strong...
Porsche’s Return to Its Roots The other day, my husband was talking about something. He said, “Among the people I know, quite a few buy relatively new Porsche models, gain experience, and then gradually switch to older models or add them to their collection. It’s like a kind of Porsche ‘return to the ancestors’ (laughs). For example, some who drove the latest 991 (992 generation) gradually went back to the late 991, then the early...
New Macan (3rd Generation) This time, I borrowed the current new Macan (3rd generation, also called Macan 3 or facelift model) as a loaner for my 991 Carrera 4 GTS, so I’d like to share an honest review after driving it for about a week. This Macan is the latest current model, the simplest base model. It has only minimal options, mainly just the 14-way comfort seats with memory function. The wheels are standard 19-inch,...
Our Car-Loving Eldest Son In our family, we have an 8-year-old eldest daughter, a 5-year-old second daughter, and a 2-year-old eldest son. While the two older sisters have absolutely no interest in cars, our eldest son is currently growing up to be a car enthusiast. Today, I want to share a story about that eldest son. When our son was born, my husband said, The very first car he rides should be the best car...
Following the first part of the article, I’m excited to bring you the second part. Day 3 To Tsumagoi Panorama Line We started our morning in Nagano City, got ready, and checked out. Our first destination was the Tsumagoi Panorama Line. We headed towards Ueda City, taking Prefectural Route 35 south. This road is simply fantastic, offering a delightful driving experience. With well-paved surfaces, light traffic, winding sections, and straight stretches, it packs a variety...
Understanding the Car in Just One Test Drive Every few months, I get the chance to test drive cars at dealerships or ride in cars owned by acquaintances. But I always find it really difficult to fully understand a car from just one test drive. Especially since I’m not very knowledgeable about mechanical details, I tend to rely on a vague feeling to form my impression of a car, and my perception often gets influenced...
Venus Line The Venus Line is one of Japan’s premier mountain winding roads located in Nagano Prefecture. With its overwhelmingly beautiful scenery, a series of gentle curves, and the most pleasant climate, it captivates car enthusiasts and driving aficionados alike. I’ve visited many times in the past and have driven it with various beloved cars. This time, I felt the urge to take my air-cooled Porsche (964 model Porsche 911) to the Venus Line, so...
