Changes to the Tabor auto stable

Two new cars are sitting in the Tabor driveway these days. The lease on both the Subaru and S2000 ended in early 2005, so we’ve swapped our old rides for newer cars. This is not especially newsworthy, but I’m a car nut and you’ll have to forgive my passion for machinery.

Our 2001 Subaru Forrester was a decent, car-like SUV. It was safe, reliable, and fuel efficient. But I definitely prefer our 2005 Honda Pilot to the cramped cabin of the Forrester. The Pilot is larger, more powerful, and should be just as reliable as the old Forrester. The third-row seating should come in handy. The only downside is that the 3.5 liter, 250 horsepower engine is far thirstier than the 2.5 liter powerplant in the Subaru.

I’ll be handing in the 2001 Honda S2000 in the next couple of weeks. I’m going to miss the car. It is the perfect roadster for Southern California. The 2 liter, 248 horsepower engine is a screaming, beastly powerplant. And the surgical-sharp steering, solid and predictable handling and low bodyweight make the S2000 a fast and exhilarating car. The next owner will hopefully appreciate the Yellow sports car as much as I have.

Ably replacing the S2000 is one of the first 2005 Infiniti G35 6MT Coupes to land on these shores. The G35 is great iteration of Nissan’s FM platform, also seen in the 350 Z, which adds two additional seats for a bit more practicality. Hannah won’t be in the car on a regular basis, but we needed for there to at least be a backseat for her. The practical side of the car is nicely offset by the 3.5 liter, 298 horsepower engine and a great mix of performance bits for the drive-train and suspension. The six-speed G35 is fairly rare, but doesn’t turn as many heads as the screaming-yellow S2000. And that’s ok.