What's it like working at Inside Line?
I get this question almost daily from somebody, and my answer usually blows their mind. I say, "Well, everyday this guy Mike walks up to me with a clipboard that contains a list of 15 to 30 cars ranging from a Smart to a GT-R and he says, 'Scott, what do you want to drive home tonight.'"
It's true.
Doesn't that happen at everyone's job?
No, well, sorry to hear that. It doesn't exactly suck.
Protocol says the higher you rank on staff the sooner you get the clipboard and the more cars you get to choose from. Mike usually starts with our Editorial Director Kevin Smith and works his way down. When it's your turn, you simply put your initials next to the car you want and return the clipboard to Mike. Most of the cars on the list are permanent members of our long-term fleet, but there are always five to ten vehicles penciled in at the bottom that can be chosen as well (VW CC, Honda Ridgeline, Mercedes S550, etc.) These are the cars and trucks we've borrowed for upcoming road tests.
As you can see the Car of the Week is highlighted in green so Ed Hellwig knows he better find something to blog about tomorrow. You can also see that some cars are reserved for the entire week. This is fairly common as a car is taken on a long trip, or is taken by a staff member to one of our satellite offices. Look closely and you'll notice that the board says that both our GT-R and our Genesis are in the bodyshop this week for repair.
Before I wrap up this peek under IL's miniskirt I'd like to point out that I signed up for our 2002 BMW M3 tonight. I'm still a sucker for the E46, even as it crests the 70,000 mile mark. Right now, it's my favorite long-term car. I like looking at it and I like driving it. Sometimes, I just like having it in my driveway. I'm trying to drive it as much as possible before we sell it. It may not be the fastest, or the newest, or the the most expensive car in our fleet, but it's the one I'm taking tonight. Tomorrow? Who knows.
So tell me, if Mike brought you the clipboard, what would you drive home?
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
dougtheeng says:
05:50 AM, 04/14/09
I'd take the GT-R. Someone in my city bought one, and I'm seeing it all over town. The up close looks at it have definitely refueled my interest in that car and I'd love to be behind the wheel.
sabre52270 says:
05:57 AM, 04/14/09
I'd enjoy taking any car for a ride, since getting the chance to compare them like this is rare. However, since I have an obsession with the Challenger, I'd say Challenger. To me, it makes the perfect test car since its a car that most people want, but may be cautious with as its a Dodge and a muscle car. Challenger! Besides, to me, I think it’s just begs for a road trip!
tinyelvis says:
05:59 AM, 04/14/09
Why not assign cars for three or four days in a row? If you are going to make lifestyle assessments judging how well you can live with a certain vehicle, shouldn't you keep it for a few days to see how the car melds with your routines?
After two days with the same car, wouldn't your comfort level be reached (ie know where everything is and how it works), allowing you to focus on the dynamics of living with the car?
tryan says:
06:14 AM, 04/14/09
SO jealous...although I do get to drive my GTI home each night, which is a treat after a long day at work.
chavis10 says:
06:28 AM, 04/14/09
FX50 for me
bullitt5 says:
06:35 AM, 04/14/09
Hang on a sec, an M3 sedan?! When did you guys get that? :D
texases says:
06:39 AM, 04/14/09
The danger of spell checkers:
here/hear
protocal/protocol (should have caught that one)
peak/peek
wobbly_ears says:
07:01 AM, 04/14/09
Piff! You think that's impressive Scott? At my place of work I get to choose, get this, 3 Chevy Impalas!!!! Top THAT, Inside Line!!!
Pretenders, ha!
audisport says:
07:03 AM, 04/14/09
Ok, so common sense says "Take the GTR!! Duh!!", but where in LA or any city can you really have fun with it? I would take the M3 Sedan hands down, you can at least enjoy the exhaust and engine notes and enjoy rowing through the gears on your drive home... No brainer.
HassanK says:
07:05 AM, 04/14/09
The Smart... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTT!
2002 M3 is taken so I'll have to go with the the 135i :)
ddoouugg says:
07:06 AM, 04/14/09
M3 sedan for sure.
ahightower says:
07:21 AM, 04/14/09
I often fantasize, depending on my mood or my needs at the time, what kind of car I'd like to have any given day. For our beach vacation coming up next month (7 hours each way), definitely the 750i.
adrean8j says:
07:21 AM, 04/14/09
According to what Scott wrote up there they have some vehicles for future roadtests. That is why, I assume some of those other vehicles are there. However, the M3 sedan is near the top and I definitely do not remember seeing a long-term introduction being done on that vehicle. So my choice would be the M3 Sedan.
DCuerpoJr says:
07:28 AM, 04/14/09
I wish that was one of the perks at my job. Driving around in a new car every day. So many to choose from. I'd take the Challenger as my top pick.
rsholland says:
07:36 AM, 04/14/09
Don't see the STI on the list. Has it been sold?
audisport says:
07:50 AM, 04/14/09
Yeah, it was posted before that they are adding the M3 sedan. I bet the intro is only a few days away.
louiswei says:
08:22 AM, 04/14/09
The IS F, which is not on your clipboard but should.
smilez says:
08:25 AM, 04/14/09
I'd take the pick-up...oh wait. And no, I'm not taking the Ridgeline. I picked one of those up for a customer, and it was just Disney weird. It has a lot of neat gadgets, especially the storage in the bed. But the vehicle itself is just too weird.
Not all of us live in So-Cal with the kids off to college. I've got little kids, big dogs, camper, etc. Although the Fit and the GT-R and the rash of BMW's are great for some people, some of us need more. PU-lease get a full size truck or SUV (Flex can't tow the camper).
Having said all of that, I'd take the Challenger.
After that fun-filled cruising/burnout night, I'd be back to reality.
smilez says:
08:27 AM, 04/14/09
Sorry everyone, the caffeine is still kicking in.
rick8365 says:
08:30 AM, 04/14/09
in order...just in case I'm not up near the top of the food chain...
GT-R, M3 Sedan, 370Z, 135i, Challenger, FX50, 750i, G8 GT
carguy622 says:
08:33 AM, 04/14/09
After reading the IIHS's report on crash tests of the Fit and Smart I'd skip those.
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr041409.html
Not they are telling us anything we really didn't know already.
carguy622 says:
08:38 AM, 04/14/09
"Mercedes C class versus Smart: After striking the front of the C class, the Smart went airborne and turned around 450 degrees."
audisport says:
08:46 AM, 04/14/09
That doesn't sound all that "Smart". HAHAHAHA . Wow, I need a vacation.
cah11705 says:
09:01 AM, 04/14/09
you still have the ford edge toyota prius and rx400h?
roar02ram says:
09:10 AM, 04/14/09
+1 cah - lots of cars on there that only get occasional entries.
israelgt says:
09:14 AM, 04/14/09
GT-R
1speedbike says:
09:23 AM, 04/14/09
you guys sure work "hard"
walking_dead says:
09:24 AM, 04/14/09
If i was lucky enough to have your job, writing about cars I can drive, I would be writing something everyday!
how can 2-3 days go by and no one has written anything about the GTR?
teekay13 says:
09:43 AM, 04/14/09
Give me the keys to your M3 sedan, now.
throwback says:
09:52 AM, 04/14/09
I would take the car that comes with the gas card. Otherwise, sign me up for any manual transmission BMW. When can I pick up the 2002 M3?
brn says:
09:55 AM, 04/14/09
I don't see the Ford GT on the list. Come on Karl! Share a little.
Other than that, I'd like to drive the 135i, CTS, and Flex. Toss in the Smart, just so I can say I drove it.
mercedesfan says:
09:57 AM, 04/14/09
S550? Do I sense a 7-Series v. S-Class comparison test coming up. Finally an article that is actually relevant to my next buying decision. Although I really wish you guys would have waited for the revised 2010 S, because that is what I plan to do, I am still excited.
However, since I already own one I would not take the S550 home. It would be not question for me: 2002 M3.
sherief says:
10:03 AM, 04/14/09
M3 sedan hands down.
I've flogged a couple, I know how awesome they are, and I'm in the market for one..
Monocrom says:
10:46 AM, 04/14/09
I'd grab the keys to that sexy Challenger R/T, and then cruise for chicks... Then blog about it.
CHICK MAGNET.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So just how good is the Challenger R/T at helping you pick up the ladies? Well, I slipped Mike a twenty; and he came to me a lot sooner than usual with the clipboard. So off I went to get some sweet lovin.' Tomorrow, I go back to mopping up the Inside Line offices. Working as a Porter here, has its perks. As far as the Challenger goes..."
:D
jstandefer says:
10:49 AM, 04/14/09
I would want to drive... all of them! It's fun to experience how different each vehicle is. Getting to write about each one makes it even better.
TPAWRX says:
11:01 AM, 04/14/09
The order of my Top 5 to take home would be M3 Sedan, GT-R, G8 GT, 370Z, 135i
Okay, wow I just realized that you had a 2009 Jetta TDI in your fleet I thought there was only the 05 GLS TDI tested for a period of time on ULSD and then on biodiesel.
Merc fan, I'm sure there will be some type of comparison with the IL 750i and the 2010 S.
TPAWRX says:
11:07 AM, 04/14/09
I agree where's the IS-F?
drmillerM3 says:
12:22 PM, 04/14/09
Who cares where the IS-F is. Its a wannabe M3 that just can't quite pull it off.
On a more curious note, why is the GT-R in the body shop all week? Is it falling apart, or did someone have an "off" in it?
Seems like you guys never get to drive that car.
lvranger says:
12:25 PM, 04/14/09
Who needs an ISF when they have two M3s? I'd take the GTR of course but since the chances of that are low i'd really like to try the G8 GT and the Genesis. The 02 M3 seems too beaten on so my next choice would be the 135.
arm51 says:
12:52 PM, 04/14/09
I'd take the M3 Sedan, E46 M3 or the GT-R...
autoboy16 says:
01:00 PM, 04/14/09
I'd take Vw Jetta TDI (either of them) or the Vw CC.
Hmm, The Initials KB (Karl Brauer Sp?) are missing and he usually has the Best Long Term Car Choices!
carfreak8394 says:
01:33 PM, 04/14/09
I'm EXTREMELY jealous. It must be so awesome working at Inside Line. You get to drive a variety of cars, then post your impressions online? Talk about cool. And my top 5 list would be: 750, M3 Sedan, '09 Jetta, Flex, and FX50.
adavis2493 says:
01:42 PM, 04/14/09
The best i can get at my work is a Cobalt.
louiswei says:
01:43 PM, 04/14/09
To be perfectly honest and unbiased, the IS F deserves to be in the LT fleet more than the M3 sedan.
Why?
- Edmunds already tested the M3 (E46)
- The F-division from Lexus is the FIRST in-house tuner from a Japanese luxury automaker
- The IS F is the FIRST product from the FIRST Japanese luxury brand in-house tuner
- Edmunds doesn't have any Lexus in the LT fleet (the RX400h doesn't count)
I am not saying the IS F is a better car than the M3 and I would tend to agree that it isn't. The point here isn't about which car is better, the point here is WHICH CAR IS MORE WORTHY TO BE LONG TERM TESTED.
If the objective of the Edmunds LT test is for the editors to be able to drive the cars in their dream then so be it, might as well fill the whole fleet with BMWs, GT-Rs and R8s.
Before any of you want to reply this post please take a second and think about it. If your argument is still M3 > IS F then please stop wasting the bandwidth...
subytrojan says:
05:39 PM, 04/14/09
Bob, the long-term STI was returned to the manufacturer last month.
TPAWRX says:
07:03 PM, 04/14/09
Obviously you haven't driven the IS-F. It's such a guilty pleasure. A Lexus isn't suppose to be this much fun.
07mx5 says:
09:16 PM, 04/14/09
who's "WC", and did he/she get the clipboard last? =D
subytrojan says:
09:34 PM, 04/14/09
WC = Warren Clarke
He's one of the nicest, most humble guys I know. :thumbsup:
cx7lover says:
01:32 AM, 04/15/09
Oh my, is that IE?
That would explain why the column left to this page was displaying improperly for the longest time.
cx7lover says:
01:33 AM, 04/15/09
RIGHT* not left.
0757lx says:
05:08 AM, 04/15/09
You guys still have the Ford Edge? I haven't seen a post about it in a while.
Anyways, that would be pretty sweet to have to make such "difficult" decisions every day at work.
chavis10 says:
06:34 AM, 04/15/09
It seems IL gets free BMWs everytime so I can understand why there are so many in the fleet. Some of other cars have been purchased so I think it's safe to guess that as long as BMW keeps offering long term cars, IL will always have 2 or 3 at a time.
whoosierdaddy says:
09:09 AM, 04/15/09
Don't know who I'm more jealous of--Jay Leno for his car collection, or you guys!
corollasman says:
10:41 AM, 04/15/09
The car I choose to take home would depend on how I'm feeling, if I have any errands to run, and the weather. If its a nice and warm out, I would take the E46 M3. If it's raining, and I need trunk space, give me the FX50. If its dry out and I plan to hang with the fellas at a tuner spot with a bunch of ricers, give me the Evo GSR.
corollasman says:
10:42 AM, 04/15/09
The car I choose to take home would depend on how I'm feeling, if I have any errands to run, and the weather. If its a nice and warm out, I would take the E46 M3. If it's raining, and I need trunk space, give me the FX50. If its dry out and I plan to hang with the fellas at a tuner spot with a bunch of ricers, give me the Evo GSR.
mlowery85 says:
09:49 PM, 04/15/09
I think after the 2002 M3 is sold, a used AMG car should be added. For about $30k, you can now have a 03 or 04 E55 which would run slap OVER an M3. 516 torque FTW! Come on, Edmunds. I have a C-class now and I have thought many times about it.. but it scares me. Do it!
epbrown says:
11:15 PM, 04/15/09
Is Caroline Pardilla way down on the list? I've always wondered why she's stuck with the Smart so often...
As for what I'd drive: with the R8 apparently gone, I'd sample all the domestics. I gave up on American cars back in the 80s, so I'd be curious to see how (if) they've improved in the ensuing 20 years.
b_boy_007 says:
11:15 AM, 04/20/09
I see that Kevin Smith (KS) picked the CTS. Is that because he loves the car or because he hadn't chosen it before?
zoel says:
05:40 PM, 04/22/09
fx50
mobiusf1 says:
05:10 AM, 05/ 4/09
I love how the box for the GT-R says "body shop"
done37 says:
03:16 PM, 06/20/09
This article among others, knots up my stomach and makes me ill with envy. I always wonder what could have been if I had worked hard and followed my dream that you wonderful folks are living.