From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.
In this edition of Ask Nathan:
- Hyundai Elantra Coupe
- Honda Element for Dogs
- CUV with Jeep Ability?
- What do you and Roman drive?
This first question comes from a viewer that is displeased with our Hyundai Elantra Coupe reviews.
Q:Hey,
I’m a big fan of your YouTube channel. However, I came across your review of the Elantra Coupe (which I own) and I was shocked at how poor of a rating you gave it. The traction does come into effect when speeding but I don’t view it as a car to go racing in. It’s typical to an everyday going to work or out for a night on the town vehicle. The sleek design of the vehicle reminds me of a flame which gives it that cool appeal. Feel free to disagree but I say that it’s a great car. Hyundai for LIFE!
Sincerely,
R.H.
A: Thanks for that email and thank you for your candor. There is another video where I tested the Hyundai Elantra Coupe on regular roads and highways for a week, without a track review, and I felt differently about the Hyundai Elantra Coupe in that review. Roman reviewed the coupe as well, although he was underwhelmed with it.
The bottom line for me is that Hyundai pitched the coupe as being sporting or sporty. Lacking a manual transmission, or the track ability of the Hyundai Veloster, especially the turbo, it let me down.
With that being said, I still think the Hyundai Elantra Coupe is a great highway cruiser that looks good and it gives you a ton of goodies for the money. It’s comfortable and no one can argue with that excellent warranty. Still, it’s simply not as sporty as it looks or as advertised.
You and I know that Hyundai can do a bit better.
N
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One of our subscribers wants more information on the pet-friendliest used car, the Honda Element.
Q:Oh Nathan. I have read a lot of your reviews and stories, so you know I’m a big fan. But I am upset over Honda and all the nice things you wrote about the “pet friendly” Element. I just bought a 2009 and, like you said, it’s ideal for storing pet crates. I had ordered lots of the Honda pet upgrades and it was awesome.
Then I got into a nasty accident by getting hit by a teen as I was backing out of my driveway. His fault and none of my dogs were with me when it happened. Thank goodness. I wasn’t hurt, but the Element was beyond saving. Unfortunately, my insurance is going to replace the Element with a new, base model CR-V. There is nothing available for the CR-V. No dogbone cushion patterns, no removable seats, nothing.
Honda doesn’t make that trim for any of their cars! I cried a little bit because I know Hondas are good and I was so in love with my Element.
My question is. Is there another “new” car that has pet accessories available? I loved the way Honda did it. Give my best to the whole TFL crew, you guys are great!
M.L.
A: Hi! Thanks so much for your patronage. We’re relieved to hear you’re okay after your car accident too!
Sadly, no automaker selling in the United States has a pet-friendly trim that compares to the one Honda offered in the Honda Element. With that being said, there are a ton of accessories out there which will allow you to modify any vehicle with pet-friendly gear.
Another point is that the Honda Fit is an amazing little car for carrying pets. There’s a very low loading floor under the back seats and the trunk storage can hold a ton. Granted, this is based on my knowledge of the older Honda Fit as Honda refuses to allow us access to one. Bummer.
I recommend checking out Subaru. They have a great reputation for considering our fuzzy friends when they design their accessories.
Hope that helps!
N
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This question comes from a viewer who is looking to replace his Wrangler with something that’s not too wimpy.
Q: Hi, I’m from Southern IL. I am an avid viewer I watch you guys just about every night and the reviews.
Right now I own a 2005 Jeep wrangler and I’m looking to to get something more realistic for the real world, but I don’t want to lose off road capability. I’m looking at possibly a cuv but they all seem a little girly and wimpy to me. I also would consider a mid size sedan because I do like to go fast. lol. I’m stuck and i need help choosing what to get. my price range is going to be around 15k to 20k and no more then 2006 . as Nathan would say I need some with Cojones!!!
thanks again R..
A: Great question! I highly recommend looking at the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. If you get the beefier engine, you’ll find it’s a great all-around vehicle with good power, economy and excellent off road manners. Currently, no automaker makes a vehicle in this class that competes with the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk in the United States.
The Subaru Forester XT has pretty good power and it’s real good on the medium terrain, but it’s not in the same league as the Trailhawk. The KIA Sportage with the turbo is pretty good and you get a lot of kit for the money.
Speaking of money, you’ll never go wrong with a Land Rover/Range Rover provided you have the dough for upkeep and whatnot.
That’s about all I got my friend.
Anyone out there have any other recommendations for this guy?
Best of luck!
N
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This last one comes from a viewer who wants to know what cars Roman and I own. It’s a common question.
Q:Hi Dudes! I know you get this question often, but you never answer it. What cars do you and Roman drive? We all know about Emie’s Miata and I know Roman has that messed up, old Lincoln. I know you guys have more than than that. So what do you boys drive!?
J.B. MI
A: Thanks for the question J.B. All of us get cars nearly every week to review. Usually, automakers and/or brokers loan us the vehicle for a week. This means we rarely need to use a personal vehicle. With that being said, we all have our own vehicles that are used outside of the world of video.
Please understand that everyone that works on the Fast Lane Car/Truck/Classics has family or a need for a modicum of privacy. I don’t mention my personal rides very often because my kids ride in them. Roman and I get recognized often and we rarely know the mental inner workings of viewers’ minds. I simply do not want to bring my family’s ride into the mix and neither does Roman.
With that said, you already know about Project Raptor. It’s TFL’s long-term truck and support vehicle. It’s also Roman’s main ride. Our first project truck was an older Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, and that belongs to Andre.
I have a project truck too. It’s an older Isuzu Trooper and I am in the process of making it into my “ultimate fishing truck.” My last fishing truck was a ’96 Land Rover Discovery with a (rare in the USA) manual transmission.
Boy, I miss that truck.
Cheers.
N
Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com
Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.
