They say you have to try something out first hand to really experience it. I live by this motto, preferring a hands on experience to word of mouth for just about anything. Especially when it comes to cars. You have to know how a car feels on the road to really understand it. So it was wonderful when as part of our TWIN Camp on the Toyota campus in Torrance, California, we were able to test drive an assortment of cars.
As excited as I was..I have a confession to make. I was a bit anxious at the idea of test driving a car on the infamous Los Angeles freeway. I have visions of Ponch and John from Chips pulling up along side me. I am a pretty good driver, and on an open road, am quite capable of some speed….but when it comes to merging in and out of busy highway traffic, I am not the most confident (much less aggressive) driver.
Luckily I was absolutely within my comfort zone when I found out that our test drive would be a simple square around the Toyota campus. Although my driving buddy Sarah would probably have gone rogue, heading towards Beverly Hills, had she not had ME–the rule follower,to keep us on track.
Our first test ride and drive was in the Toyota Tacoma. A smallish truck as far as trucks go, which is attractive to someone like me who drives into the city and needs to be able to parallel park without too many maneuvers. The interior was quite roomy and comfortable. (And no, I do not have pictures of us driving, because um…we were driving and therefore being safe and attentive). (Either that or I may have um….forgotten).
Then came the Toyota Highlander–which housed the newest Toyota innovation as a prototype for a Hydrogen Fuel Cell engine. Please don’t ask me what is so special about a Hydrogen Fuel Cell. I only know that it is more high tech than a regular hybrid, requires a special type of gas that is not yet available in the great state of Virginia. (and yes, I have a lot to learn!)
Last but not least came a very sexy red v6 Toyota Camry. This car was pretty. On the inside and out. It drove well, was very smooth, and had all the bells and whistles as far as technology, including the Bing supported Toyota Entune system.
There were several other cars that I did not have the chance to drive like the Prius C or Prius V. Then again, we have a Prius in our garage, and as far as cool factor goes, driving the Hydrogen Fuel Cell apparently ranks higher than the Prius according to my husband.
Later in the day, although there were no test drives, we visited the Toyota Automobile Museum which showcases a huge assortment of cars. Race cars, cars from movie sets, you name it and it was there.
Three test drives, no infamous Los Angeles freeway, and lots of fabulous cars in the museum that I could not ruin. (Though secretly, the idea of sitting in one of the fierce looking race cars…that would be pretty amazing. Notice I did not say drive). I am looking forward to more test drives in the future…maybe Rocket will even let me take his Prius out?
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Oh, I TOTALLY would have gone rogue. It was a good thing you were there.