Dings and Scratches.

The Veloster has been with me since October 2011 and I have learned to live with only 3 doors but really appreciate the large hatchback opening and the near 40 mpg on highway trips. The car is horrible in the snow or rain and with 4 passengers plus luggage you might have to leave something at the curb in order to fit everyone.

I have been to Upper Michigan, North Carolina, and Quebec with the car and have driven about 25,000 miles since owning it. The styling is still a strong characteristic of the car and people comment on how "cool" the car looks. The paint has held up to living in Brooklyn and not having a garage but it has suffered a few dings in the door panels that are very noticeable due to the glossy black paint. The inside surfaces are easy to clean but are prone to scratch easily due to the piano black finish. The A/V display has numerous scratches as well and a protective covering should have been advised by the dealership.

The drivetrain has been problem free except for a starter that failed me at 5,000 miles and was replaced free of charge but left me without a car for a week. I have had 3 recall visits to the Hyundai dealership due to brake inspection, a glass sunroof inspection and a navigation repair. I have been keeping up with 5,000 mile oil changes and services, which Hyundai bills as premium service of $95.00 instead of a $40 for the 3,000 mile changes.

The car is starting to rattle and shake over uneven road services and the noise at highway speeds is just a bit below acceptable. I agree that Hyundai and Kia products are lacking in the NVH development. But they do offer tons of electronic options only available in more pricey upscale products.

I did use the Hyundai Blue Link navigation service for the first year, but I cancelled it due to complexity of use at times and the unforgiving nature of the voice recognition system that left me screaming more often than not. Hyundai should follow the lead of Mazda and team up with one of the GPS companies such as Tom Tom or Garmin.

I have been able to find a bike carrier finally for the Veloster, but, I am always nervous it will shatter the glass. And the "easy to clean" seats are anything but easy to clean. They absorb every stain and cling every dog hair or piece of lint into the woven material. The only thing that is not clinging to it is the material itself which is starting to wear through in some areas in the rear seat and the driver seat.

The Veloster has warmed a way into my life with the compact size to park in the city, the quickly available cargo room with no rear passengers and the exceptional gas mileage. I am already looking to upsize in my life to either a Mazda CX-5 or BMW X-3.

Fall is here. Going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.

I changed cars. I traded in the undependable Saab for a Hyundai Veloster.

The car is styled within an inch of it's life and provides extremely good gas mileage. The lows after one month of owning is the lack of power especially in 3rd gear and going up hills. If you are thinking of buying one then wait for the turbo version coming out next year.

I never tried the Prius Wagon but did not see spending another 10,000 on a car for one person.

Summer Work

Spending the summer of 2010 in Rouses Point, NY at Camp Pocket U has invigorated me into creating more work. Enjoy these latest images.

Fall Art Scene

As the leaves change and fall to the earthly floor, the freshly white walls are adorned by the creative works of busy artists who monopolized on the sun drenched days of summer.

I am looking forward to fall showcases and the gallery walks in Bushwick scheduled for October 24, 2009. In particular will be the Brooke Moyse show at Norte Maar.

I have created a new this summer myself with walk plaques that simplify and take the color out from the immediate work and with the subtle reflection of color in the background.

Activism

Since when did activism become a four letter word. The appointment of Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court Justice unleashed a floury of articles and statements about her potential as an activist and the need to be sure she will divorce her history of activism.

What word do the Republican and Conservative party use to convey their actions to change government to meet their needs? Deactivate? The meaning of deactivate is to make ineffective. I rest my case.

Chrysler buy out.

The latest move in the auto industry to stay afloat is larger companies selling off assets to a smaller company. The smaller company is gaining the assembly lines, supply chains and the dealership networks. The larger company is hoping to maintain a name brand, keeping people employed and money in the pockets of greedy men who drove these companies into the ground.

Fiat is making a bold move, when blood is on the street buy real estate, and boy are they buying. Fiat is making the moves on the smallest big divisions in North America and Europe through buying Chrysler and GM Europe. Fiat is a maker of small cars and industrial trucks, with diesel power plants. Alfa Romero is the luxury sport line owned by Fiat that has been looking for another introduction to the North American market which is the largest in the world still.

Fiat will gain access to the workforce of Germany, Eastern Europe with GM Europe and the USA, Canada with Chrysler. The automaker has the proven ability to make very stylized automobiles that evoke emotion. They hire out of design pools from Italy, Germany and Japan. The recent Fiat 500 and Alfa Romero line are testament to the characterized flow of the sheet metal and the quality of materials used to convey durability and refinement in the interiors.

Fiat will gain a foot hold in the SUV market with the Jeep and Dodge name plates. Fiat is already poised for Jeep products to be pushed stronger in the European and Asian and African markets where they offer diesel trucks.

These mergers in the auto industry will have no casualties, GM is the soul culprit in murdering Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn brand names. Industry names will continue to include Chrysler, Saab, and Opel. The corporate board tables will have new names, and those absent are leaving with pockets heaped with cash.

NYC Auto Show 2009

The automobile industry is in financial chaos which I predict with lead to innovative products that meet the 21st century aesthetic. The European consumer for years has been blessed with small competent cars that include quality, substance and style. The American industry is taking notice with the lack of volume of cars being sold that will not meet financial expectations. The answer will be quality cars with more stylized options and inspirational design to emotionally motivate buyers.

During my exploration at the NYC Auto Show 2009, the displays indicated a lack of direction still from GM and Chrysler. The Ford line and previous Ford controlled companies are meeting the needs. Ford has nailed it with the new Taurus and Lincoln line of cars. Mazda has also introduced the new 3 line. The biggest winner would be Volvo XC60. The car inspires upon first look with lines that are athletic, seductive and cutting edge, proportions that indicate a larger car but not intimidating. The interior quality is a mix of contemporary, futuristic and commonplace.

The other European companies came with a rather comfortable and reliable arsenal of small to overtly extravagant automobiles. The Mercedes line has misstepped with the new E class. The C Class is boring already in 2009, introduced in 2008. The S class is for executives and those who mimic executives. A car collector will not think of 2009 as a good year for the Germans. Audi and VW are coming on the strongest with carefully styled cars that can be easily identified in China, Europe, South America and the USA. BMW is still a daily driver for those who love to drive, but don't expect owning more than one at a time. $40,000 and starting for this company.

Honda and Toyota are making me yawn. The idea to pack more into less has come across in every aspect of design. It is like IKEA furniture, it looks great until you own it, then it is useable every day until the next design comes out, and then you buy that one. Perfect marketing for the society that will finance their own funerals.

Korean maker Hyundai and KIA are setting their aim on niche markets and to diversify. The new Hyundai Genesis is a very competent car, looks like any other car, but is luxurious and big. The KIA Rondo is my favorite pick for a family of 5. The car is sized to fit 5 and up to 7 if needed. Storage everywhere and filled with lots of safety devices. AWD would be great addition to buyers in the snow belt. The mileage is about 10 mpg better than a minivan but does lack any real storage with 7 passengers on board.

The car I would take home would be the Audi A4 Avant or Cadillac CTS Wagon. The Audi is a performer with a turbo 4, beautiful inside and out and those LED lights that cause notice. The Cadillac is an aggressive car that GM needs to market and carry over to the Pontiac line such as a G8 wagon?