Infiniti QX56 - The Family Car

2010 Infiniti QX56

Engine: 5.6 liter V8
320 horsepower
Towing capacity: 9,000 pounds
Seats: 7
EPA ave. mpg: 12 city / 18 highway
MSRP:$56,060
As tested: $59,765

See our full review at:

www.thefamilycar.com/2010InfinitiQX56.htm

What's coooking in YOUR tank?

It was a beautiful Christmas Eve day in Beverly Hills. One that only Southern California could provide. Blue skies, 75-degree temps and no smog.

The kids and I decided to cruise around in our 2007 Hyundai Elantra loaner to see what the rich folks were driving these days. We passed huge houses after gigantic palaces -- hey, was that the Playboy Mansion back there? -- checking out the multitude of rides in the cobblestone driveways.

There were the expected Mercedes, Lexus, BMW and Acura, of course. Those, I suspected, were the cars the kids drove home for the holiday. But we also saw a hefty amount other exotics, Ferrari. Aston Martin, Lamborghini, a couple Rolls Royces and several Bentleys -- all lined up outside as the families did their holiday things inside.

Soon, something strange happened. I began to get a whiff of a barbecue grill, or so I thought. "Hey, somebody's grilling steaks for Christmas Eve," I remarked.

The next block brought a strong smell of French Fries, followed by a distinct fried fish aroma.

"Boy, it must be a tradition for people in Beverly Hills to barbecue on the holidays, " I said as the kids picked up on the fried food fragrances.

Just then it hit me. Up ahead, leading us through the immaculate, posh neighborhoods of the rich, was a beat-up old (early '80s) Mercedes station wagon.

On its back window was a bumper sticker that read: "Powered by vegetable oil."

We smiled, having finally got the answer to our original question.

So that's what the rich are driving these days!

My friend Ernie

I just learned about the death of my friend Matthew's father, Ernie.

The first time I met Ernie was at Matthew's 50th birthday party. When introduced as Matthew's father, I knew right away he had to be pretty special. After hanging out with him for just a few minutes, I discovered that Ernie was more than just special -- he was cool.

We should all have parents as cool as Ernie.

On the occassion of my own father's birthday -- who turns 74 in Florida today and is healthier than I am -- I salute him while mourning the loss of Matthew's awesome father.

Here's to you Ernie!

Roads to Smaller, Lighter Vehicles

We have transportation options on the market and coming soon, that are much smaller and lighter than present generation vehicles. These vehicles have the great potential of savings - money and environment with its less fuel consumption and higher gas mileage.

As one who has loved driving small, light vehicles, like the now discontinued Honda Insight, but who has experienced the insecure feeling of being inside it surrounded by giant pickups and SUVs, I often wonder what can be done to facilitate our transition to less domineering vehicles that rule our roads.

Little Miss Sunshine gets a 2007 upgrade

“OK, at the next corner, Keith, May and Marissa get out and run,” barked Dean from the driver’s seat of the 2007 Chrysler Pacifica.

We approached the busy Santa Monica corner, dodging holiday shoppers rushing to take care of last-minute Christmas shopping.

Dean braked hard.

“Go!”

I flung open the second row door and jumped out, flipping the seat forward with one quick pull of a handle as the two M’s spilled out of the third row.

Yes, a third row! That’s golden when you’ve got family visiting for the holidays.

We dashed into the Promenade as Dean pulled back out into traffic, yelling “Meet here in 30 minutes!”

This “Little Miss Sunshine” scenario continued throughout the evening as we dealt with a severe parking space shortage by coming a rolling stop and darting out into the designated store.

Meanwhile Dean rushed off to dump another pair of passengers elsewhere, and then circled the blocks to sweep us all up again.

Santa Monica Fish Market, an Italian bread and cheese bistro, bookstore, mall, and finally Michael’s craft store for the last remaining item: a Christmas Tree!

For the six family members all gathered together to share this Southern California holiday, it wasn’t the shopping tasks that made this evening special. It wasn’t even the fact that we able to find parking where none existed.

This Pacifica paradise moment was special because we were thankfully able to spend some quality family time together, a genuine rarity since we all reside on separate ends of the country.

OK, so we didn’t have a dead Grandpa stashed in the trunk, or angry mute teen writing notes to his suicide-recovering uncle – but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

And it was all made possible because the 2007 Chrysler Pacifica has room for a fantastic family of six.

Happy New Year!