In this week’s Ask Nathan:
- Will they build a Tesla convertible?
- Is the Honda CR-Z dead?
- Make my car faster for free?
This first question comes from a viewer who ‘s hoping that Tesla will build a convertible.
Q: Nathan, I know you guys don’t drive that many Teslas, but do you think they will build a Tesla Convertible?
In my mind, the Tesla Model S is the perfect car, except it’s not a convertible. I heard a rumor that Tesla was considering building a sports coupe, which means a convertible may not be far off.
What do you think?
Have a great day!
Ratan
A: Hi Ratan!
There was a Tesla convertible a while back, it was their first model, the Tesla Roadster. While it was (basically) a Lotus Elise with batteries and an electric motor, it still was a Tesla product. Funny thing is: it’s one of the first cars Roman and I reviewed together on video!
The Tesla Model S Convertible pictured comes from a company called Newport Convertible Engineering and they say they can build you a convertible out of a Tesla Model S. Perhaps that’s something to look at being that Tesla is notoriously slow in producing new vehicles. You might have to wait a while before a sports coupe and convertible come out.
Cheers!
N
This next question is from a Honda fan who’s sad to see the Honda CR-Z go.
Q:Hi Nathan. The Honda CR-Z is being axed, right?
I’m sorry to see it go. I felt it never had a chance to live up to its full potential. Do you think they will ever build a replacement?
Big fan!
Ukie
Harderwijk, Nederlands
A: Hi Ukie, greetings from the United States!
I totally agree with you. It seems like the Honda CR-Z was destine to fail early on. It was such a great concept and I loved the fact that they gave us a manual transmission option. Sadly, it was never the car any of us hoped for. It had good looks, at least, I think it was handsome – but it never drove as fast as it looked.
It was never that efficient, it never had any significant updates and it never lived up to being a spiritual successor to the awesome CRX. Overseas, there was a four-passenger variant, but Honda didn’t want the CR-Z usurping the Civic Coupe sales, so they kept it a two-passenger coupe and ruined a huge potential sales demographic. Such a shame.
Yes, they did build a supercharged aftermarket kit (dealership installed) but it was so pricey, it made little sense. Still, according to Roman, it woke up the performance and made it a seriously fun car. Too little too late, I’m afraid.
Yes, Honda is killing it off soon. With the Honda Civic Si coming out and the possibility of a proper sports coupe coming in a few years, the Honda CR-Z has no immediate replacement. I’m sorry, I feel bad for the car and for the fans.
Here’s hoping for something to fill the void!
N
The last question comes from a fan who wants a few tips to make his car a little faster for free.
Q: How can I make my old Nissan Altima faster for little or no money?
Craig
—
A: Hi Craig,
A few things you could do right away to help your car go faster:
- Remove unnecessary weight – even a few pounds removed can help your vehicle perform better and be more efficient. If you have unnecessary junk in the trunk, remove it and remove some weight.
- Help the aero – if you have a ski rack or roof rack, it can mess with the aerodynamics. Get rid of anything that can obstruct the air-flow. Keeping the car clean can help a tad too. Removing dirt and deposits from the body and underneath can aid airflow and remove a little bit of weight.
- Tighten things up – make sure your tires are full of air. Even a few pounds under the recommended pressure can create drag. Fill up those tires and make sure your tread is in good shape. Do NOT overfill – it’s dangerous, bad for your tires and can cause premature tire wear.
- Better breathing, better circulation – Make sure your air filter is clean and that your engine is running efficiently. One faulty plug can slow everything down. Make sure your oil and other fluids are fresh and clean. Old fluids are never a good thing for your car.
If you readers out there have any additional suggestions, why not write them below?
Hope this helps!
N
Here’s the next video episode of “Ask Nathan!”
Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.
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.
Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com
