A Car Enthusiast’s Tradition: Cars and Coffee
All doctors are familiar with having to wake up in the wee hours of the morning. After all, you did it in college (cramming for those tests); you did it in medical school (cramming for those tests); you did it in residency (ANOTHER admission from the ER!); and if you’re still in practice, you probably STILL wake up early in the morning, don’t you? (that is, unless you’re an Allergist or Dermatologist…with your 10 am start times… 😛 )
If you’re a doctor, you probably like your morning cup of coffee, don’t you? Helps get you started for the day, right?
Well, what if you are a doctor who wakes up early and who likes cars and who also likes your coffee? Ha, we have the answer for YOU!…it’s called “CARS AND COFFEE”! 🙂
Cars and Coffee is a long-standing tradition for car enthusiasts all over the world. Legend has it that Cars and Coffee probably began in car-crazy California (possibly Irvine, CA), but we suspect it probably began when the first 2 automobiles first drove up to the first store with freshly-brewed coffee. 🙂
Chances are there is a local Cars and Coffee in your neck of the woods, too…unless you live at the bottom of the ocean or in the Himalayan mountains or something. 😉
What is Cars and Coffee? It’s a place where car enthusiasts of all types gather to display their cars, talk about their cars, talk about other cars, talk about what cars they plan to talk about in the future, talk about driving their cars…ok, ok, you get the idea…it’s a place where enthusiasts hang out to talk about cars, cars, and more cars. Oh, and maybe drink some coffee, too…in the wee hours of the morning. 🙂
You will see all makes and models at your favorite Cars and Coffee meet: antique cars, classic cars, muscle cars, sports cars, quirky cars, and of course, exotic cars. These car meets are great for learning about cars in general, since you will see makes and models that you won’t typically see at your local grocery store. After all, all car people share a common interest…their love of cars! (Yes, we are masters of the obvious!)
These meets are also a great way to make new friends and network with other car owners (analogous to the golf world). Oh, who are we kidding!…actually, these meets are a great excuse to just get away from the house, grab some coffee, and hang out with a bunch of other car-crazy fanatics! 😀
See some pictures here: Cars and Coffee
So, go ahead and stop hitting that “snooze” button, WAKE UP, and let’s go for a drive and get some coffee!…
2012 Super Bowl: Game?…Commercials?…Let’s Drive!
New England vs. New York. The Patriots against the Giants. Who are you picking to win Super XLVI (46)? Need to pick up some last-minute munchies for that Super Bowl party? Well, come along and let’s go for a drive! Oh, and if you want to bring your Audi R8 to the party, that’s ok, too! 😉
Here’s hoping to a good game! (and a good half-time show, too!…Madonna, are you reading this? 🙂 ) Come on, let’s go!…
Fiat 500 Abarth: The Ultimate Italian Car for the Ultimate Italian Job!
It’s obvious we love the new Fiat 500. It’s fun, it’s stylish, it’s Italian, and it just has that certain je ne sais quoi (ok, we know that’s a French term, but hey, you know what we mean). 🙂
But you know what? There’s another car we like even better!…and it’s called the Fiat 500 Abarth. You see, Abarth is the performance/racing division of parent company FIAT, somewhat analogous to the M division of BMW or the AMG division of Mercedes.
The Fiat 500 Abarth is like a souped-up version of the regular 500. Not only does it LOOK even better (with its more aggressive styling), but it also PERFORMS even better, with its new 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo engine delivering 160 hp (standard Fiat 500 has 101 hp) and 170 lb-ft of torque (standard version has 98 lb-ft), Abarth-tuned suspension, brake system, and dual exhaust.
Remember that movie The Italian Job, where they drove wild anywhere and everywhere in those fast little MINI Coopers? Pfffftt!!…forget those cars!…they should’ve been driving the Abarth 500, a true Italian machine fit for a true Italian job!
This car is made for the BIG SCREEN! It’s a movie star in-the-making. Don’t believe us? Well, ok then…we’ll let YOU MAKE THE CALL. 😉
Check out this Fiat 500 Abarth commercial. This commercial will capture your attention – we guarantee it! With the 2012 Super Bowl coming up and all those would-be Super Bowl commercial contenders (or should we say “pretenders”?), this would be THE highlight of them all. See for yourself: 🙂
At an expected U.S. MSRP of around $22,000, this car is an Italian bargain…lots of return for your automotive dollar, just like any Italian-style family restaurant. You might want to place your order now for the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth…before those characters in The Italian Job steal them all from under your nose. 😉
Baltimore Grand Prix (Part 4): One More Lap!
As we mentioned in previous posts about the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix, it was an event for all car enthusiasts. The racing was competitive and the crowds seemed to enjoy the show. The professional drivers were unaminously challenged by the 2.04 mile downtown circuit near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Well, what if you had a chance to check out the race circuit for yourself? Wouldn’t it be fun to experience a taste of what it’s like for the pros? Of course it would!
Well, thanks to the race organizers, a host of cars from various car clubs were able to enjoy the thrill of driving on the track after the ALMS race had ended.
Here’s a Lamborghini Gallardo going for a “parade lap” around the Baltimore Grand Prix circuit, right in the heart of downtown Baltimore. The Gallardo follows behind a black Lamborghini Gallardo LP570 Superleggera. Let’s hop on board and join them for a ride! 🙂
We suspect the pros went around the track a LOT faster than these cars (track was still being cleared during the parade lap), but the pros probably missed out on all the fun commentary, too. 😉
BMW: Makers of “The Ultimate Driving Machine”
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG . If you are a car enthusiast, you are familiar with this company. Translated into English, maybe you’ve heard of Bavarian Motor Works, also known simply as BMW, the German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer known for producing some of the best driving cars in the world…i.e. makers of “The Ultimate Driving Machine”.
Many physicians are familiar with BMWs. After all, many physicians probably drive them back and forth to work. Why have a boring commute to work? Physicians who own BMWs know there is simply nothing better than a great-handling, fun-to-drive, Roundel-branded German car. BMW has been doing it for years…since 1928, to be exact (manufacturing cars).
Let’s be frank. BMW is about sporty cars. BMW is about luxury cars. BMW is about fun cars. BMW is about drivers’ cars. Are they expensive?…sure they are. Are they status symbols?…sure they are. But if you’ve worked hard as a physician, why deprive yourself of the finer things in life? 😉
Now if you are a REALLY hard-working physician, you can aim for the “ultimate” BMW, a Rolls-Royce (for all you ***cough***plastic surgeons***cough*** out there, of course!). The average person probably is unaware that BMW owns Rolls-Royce. It is only fitting that the best and most luxurious cars in the world are powered by a BMW engine. As a successful doctor, why shouldn’t YOU be powered by a BMW engine as well! 🙂
Here’s a great tribute to the Bavarian automobile manufacturer with the blue-and-white “Roundel” on the hood. Once you’ve owned one BMW, it truly does become a “driving obsession”. 😉 Enjoy!
A CNBC Special “BMW: A Driving Obsession”…
CarScrubs.com’s 2011 Video Highlights: Happy New Year to All!
As we celebrate the 1-year anniversary of CarScrubs.com, our team would like to wish everyone a safe, healthy, and happy holiday and New Year in 2012! 🙂
We’d like to thank all of you for visiting our site (and hopefully staying for the long-term!), helping our site grow, and we hope you find this place a relaxing, entertaining refuge from the everyday stresses in life. As 2012 nears, we hope to bring you more entertaining car-related features, stories, reviews, videos, pictures, and more in 2012. 🙂
But before we head into the New Year, our team here at CarScrubs.com would like to present to you our 2011 Highlights of the Year: Cars, Cars, and More Cars!
The video includes footage from the 2011 driving season and is about 45 minutes in length…think of it as a 5-course holiday feast. 😉
The video is divided into the following segments:
Great start-up sounds (“Appetizers”): 0:00 to 2:07 mark
Highlights from various car meets (“Starter Course”): 2:07 to 13:22 mark
Revving highlights (“Dinner Drinks”): 13:22 to 16:17 mark
Driving video highlights (“MAIN COURSE”): 16:17 to 42:48 mark
Closing/acceleration highlights (“Dessert”): 42:48 to 44:42 mark (END)
So grab your favorite foods, drinks, and snacks…sit back…and ENJOY!… 🙂
Our team at CarScrubs.com wishes everyone a happy and healthy New Year and even more fun in 2012 and beyond! 🙂
Let’s Head to the Golf Course!
We know many doctors love to play golf…typically on Wednesdays – or so we’ve heard. 😛
Well, what if you’re a busy physician who likes golf and also enjoys cars? How do you make the time for both in your hectic schedule?
Answer: Why not combine the two activities together! Yes, you heard that right…gather up your co-enthusiasts, bring your best “driver”, and head to the golf course ASAP!
Of course, you don’t want to miss your tee time, so make sure you leave early and in an organized fashion like these enthusiasts. 🙂
See more pictures here: Golf Course Drive
Ok, ok, so no free Wednesdays for you? No problem…just follow along with this group and you can join them on their weekend outing. 😉
So even if your golf handicap doesn’t improve after a day at the course, at least you can enjoy the drive home as you contemplate how to improve your golf swing mechanics. 🙂
CarScrubs Test Drive: Porsche 911 GT3 RS…The Ultimate Driver’s Car!
Some cars just have “it”. You know it when you see it and the drive simply confirms what you already knew.
When talking about the ultimate “Driver’s Car”, for most car enthusiasts, one marque immediately comes to mind: Porsche.
Porsche has a long history of making the best sports cars in the world, namely the iconic and enduring 911 variant, including all of its iterations. These are the kind of cars you can drive back and forth to work, then head straight to the track to unwind from your stressful day. Maybe that’s why the Porsche 911 is the classic, stereotypical “doctor’s car”. 😉
There is universal agreement among Porsche aficionados that the GT3 version of the 911 is THE best driving version of the 911, even moreso than the Turbo/GT2 versions. Actually, that’s not quite correct…THE best-driving, street-legal 911 is the GT3 RS version, a lighter (44 lbs lighter at 3,031 lbs) and even more track-oriented version of the the regular GT3 (“RS” stands for the German term RennSport, which means “Racing Sport” in English). The RS version also LOOKS better than the standard GT3, having a wider/flared rear (1.7 inches wider), different paint scheme options (green and orange being the 2 signature colors not available on the regular GT3), and a different, track-style rear wing made of carbon fiber.
The bottom line: The ultimate 911 and the ultimate driver’s car is – without a doubt – the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Porsche 911 (997.1) GT3 RS
Our CarScrubs crew recently had the special opportunity to drive this amazing work of automotive genius. Enter the Porsche 911 (997.1) GT3 RS in “Signal Green”, one of the best sports car colors ever invented! After all, Green means GO, ya know! 😉
One of only about 413 RS versions in the U.S. (of the 997.1 generation), this is a rare car. As for first impressions, this car makes a great one. It looks like it means business just standing still! With the bright green paint scheme, the GT3 RS logo emblazoned on the sides, the slick black wheels with bright yellow calipers, and the big racing wing, it definitely has the “Wow!” factor.
As we opened the driver’s side door and prepared for our “flight”, we were pleasantly surprised to see that while the car has a roll cage and is a lightened/track-oriented version of the 911, it has the basic creature comforts such as adjustible seats, adjustible steering wheel, and power windows. The interior is actually very comfortable and cozy, highlighted with a steering wheel wrapped in alcantara and an easy-shifting, 6-speed manual shifter (also wrapped in alcantara). We were pleasantly surprised at how “normal” the car felt as we sat in the driver’s seat. Also, the visibility all the way around is outstanding for a modern sports car.
Well, how about the peformance, you say? The 997.1 GT3 RS sports a naturally-aspirated, 3.6 Liter flat-six engine making 415 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. This rear-wheel drive, track-eating machine can sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 193 mph. Needless to say, it’s pretty fast. 🙂
Now for the driving impressions: One word…WOW! This car handles like a true sports car should. The steering is incredibly light and precise, and the car goes exactly where you point it, like a surgical scalpel in the hands of a world-class surgeon. Power is available on demand and the sweet spot seems to be above 5500 rpm, when that flat-six engine/exhaust just wails like a GT3 Cup car! The car sounds how a real sports car should. If only all Porsches could sound this good from the factory!
The car is suprisingly easy to drive and does not feel overly stiff for the street, either. One can drive this car daily if needed, and you can take this car on long road trips without any major compromises in comfort.
Need more convincing before you purchase one for your daily commute to the office/hospital? Well, come along and ride with us! 🙂
See more pictures here: Test Drive: Porsche 911 GT3 RS (Signal Green)
In summary, the Porsche 911 (997.1) GT3 RS is the ultimate sports car for the ultimate doctor…that is, if you happen to be the type of doctor who will accept nothing less than the best. Because, after all, when it comes to Porsche, there really is “no substitute”. 😉
Happy Thanksgiving from the CarScrubs team!
We’d like to wish all of you a great and happy Thanksgiving! As you prepare for your feasts, take the time to enjoy life with family, friends, and loved ones!
Oh, and if you happen to have time for a drive, why not pick up a few pies for your Thanksgiving feast like these cars did! Just make sure you’re not late for dinner, though. You wouldn’t want to come home to cold food, now…would you? 😉
Let’s Head to the Mountains!
Working as a physician can be stressful. Yes, we know…what else is new?
As all physicians can attest to, getting away from it all every once in a while is good for the mind, body, and soul.
Well, if you are a physician who loves cars, what better way to escape all the stresses of your worklife than by going for a drive in your favorite car – whether it’s a trusty economy car, your favorite muscle car, that European car you’ve been neglecting lately, or that precious car of the Italian variety (that is, for all you plastic surgeons out there, of course). 😉
There’s probably no better way to “clear the air” than by heading straight to the mountains, no? Not sure where to go and what route to take? No worries! Just follow that road you’ve always wanted to explore and see where it takes you! You may be pleasantly surprised where you end up. 🙂
Enjoy the view!
See more pictures here: Mountainside Drive