While the stock brakes on our long term MINI Cooper S were more than adequate for daily driving, we felt we could use a little extra stopping power for the canyon driving and occasional track use the car sees. We didn't want to go all the way with a big brake kit, as we wanted to stay with 17-inch wheels. We also wanted to see what we could do at minimal cost and effort.

Let me cut to the chase. The Z4 M Coupe is my favorite long-termer so far. I realized this about 10 minutes into the drive. The cabin is ergonomically sound, with everything within reach and easy to figure out, including the navigation system. The carbon-look leather stitching is an especially nice touch through the interior and I've absolutely fallen in love with the fat steering wheel.

The Q7 has now been with us for a full 12 months, during which it has seen every conceivable situation. Whether it's slogging through mud on its way to the ranch or stuck in hideous L.A. traffic, this machine has proven to be virtually unstoppable, possessing the durability of an Abrams tank.

When I last wrote about our MINI, I had just returned from the cross-country drive and absolutely loved the car. We've now covered more than 10,000 miles in just over three months and, while still in love, I've noticed a few things. First, gas mileage took a fairly serious nosedive once it hit the Left Coast. On long trips, we're struggling to eke out 33 miles per gallon-still an amazing number, but not the 36 to 37 averaged cross-country. We'll blame that on our 91-octane gas. Surprisingly, we haven't noticed a reduction in power, just economy. In the mixed use of daily commuting, we're averaging an impressive 31 mpg.

History loves its heroes and usually forgets its failures, other thann as answers to trivia questions. Consider the current Volkswagen Passat. Its ancestor hit these shores as the Dasher in 1974 and I can attest to its weirdness. I worked at a VW dealer at the time and my daily ride was an early Cal Look, big-motor Split Window; it had eight-spokes (not BRMs, which would have been cooler), but my Bug was super-quick.

There's no denying the sex appeal of the Z4 M Coupe. Women wonder if you're James Bond, men spin their heads lustfully when you pimp it down Main Street. It's not that the car looks particularly exotic-it just looks different. There's nothing on the road anything like this radically proportioned Coupe. The same was true of the first one.

I've had a hard time coming to terms with this. It's not that the Q7 isn't laden with typical Audi quality-solid, comfortable, extremely well built-but the world didn't need another big vehicle. And the Q7 is bigger than you may think: nearly two-and-three-quarter tons for the V8 model and more than 16-and-a-half feet long. That's about 500 pounds heavier and a full 12 inches longer than a Porsche Cayenne S.

"Get in, turn off the traction control, press the 'Sport' button and have the time of your life." Editor Bidrawn's words echoed in my head every time I hit the throttle. He's right, this car is a riot.

I love our Passat. When I say love, it's not that I can't think of anything more detailed. I mean I have deep and meaningful feelings for this car. I'm not embarrassed-we all have feelings for cars as we might have for people. Obsession, passion, longing-the romance is all there and, like any relationship, exists in so many 'types.'

Our long-term BMW Z4 M Coupe is coming up to its 10,000-mile update. And there's one word that needs to be repeated 10,000 times. Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. What a fabulous machine this is. Most modern cars are pretty vanilla in their appeal; to jump in and drive something like this is such a departure from the norm. It's like five courses of finest French cuisine to a starving man. Pardon the gushing, but when you come across a car that really gives you something to get your teeth into, something more focused toward proper driving instead of mere commuting, then the purple prose is bound to happen.

Every car enthusiast has a place in their heart for their first vehicle. Even if that place is filled with hate, remorse or longing, it's there. My first car was a 1991 Dark Teal Metallic Volkswagen Passat 16-valve with a personalized plate that said FRVNUGN. You remember the ad campaign. There are days when I still miss that car.

OK, I admit it. I've hoarded the Q7's keys since it first set foot (wheel?) in ec's garage. I've hissed at suggestions to share the Q7's remarkably smooth characteristics, adjustable suspension and commodious cabin. I don't care if you have a date with Angelina Jolie and she needs to be picked up in the middle of a swamp. Get your own Q7. This one is mine.

2007 BMW Z4 M CoupeA hard car is good to findSix or seven months ago, with the departure of our long-term 330i looming on the horizon, Hallstrom polled us on what sort of BMW we should request next. My suggestion was a Z4 M Coupe.

Our time in the long-term 2.0T Jetta ran out. It's been over a year and VW needed the car back. We begged, cried, screamed and begged some more. We needed this car just a little longer, to prove how good it is. Editor Bidrawn finally broke down, cursed profusely and said: "Keep it for another month."

Take a few minutes, get comfortable and do this: describe a chair. Be specific. Include everything-the materials, ergonomics, fasteners, textures, etc. Be as detailed as possible. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Twelve months and 20,000 miles later, we're still groping for criticism on this car. I'm personally responsible for about a third of those miles, having made a few Bay-area jaunts and a trip to Reno. You could say I've accrued some pretty considerable seat time. And month after month, trip after trip, the 3 Series never got old, never dull, never performed questionably. There are so many things to laud: good power, great handling, decent comfort, decent looks.

Our 9-3 SportCombi Aero is a really good car. I'm withholding the word 'great' for now, because it's still not quite on the level of some other cars I like to drive. Engine output is on the excessive side of adequate, but if you can keep the turbo out of boost, it gets really good fuel economy. Set it on cruise and you could see mpg figures in the high 20s.

After nearly a full year of driving, it's hard to level criticism at this Bimmer. It does everything so well, and every aspect is so solid, it's scary. You might complain about a lack of knee-room in the back, but you'd say the same about every other car in this segment. One guy complained about the dashboard's look and layout, how everything is black, blas, and somewhat cold. Maybe the controls aren't as invitingly tactile as, say, an Audi's, but I'd also argue that this is signature BMW, where form unwaveringly follows basic function. The buttons and controls do the job with minimal fanfare.

Growing up, I was what you'd call husky. The most painful time for kids like me was the first five minutes of recess when we were picking teams for kickball. We would all line up and the two captains would alternate calling names, high fives exchanged after each pick. The fervor would halt as the selection narrowed between myself and a three-legged office chair. Though I was marginally faster around the bases, the chair had a better chance of stopping the ball at short stop. The decision was usually settled with sudden-death rock-paper-scissors, and the loser got me.

That Special Feeling
This is the first time I've tried writing an article from a vehicle's back seat, (stop chuckling). I'm telling you this because it's Phaeton's backseat. This seems to be the only place to escape the noise, wind, cold and general chaos of the racetrack, where our entire staff is spending the day shooting this "Project Car" issue. Poor us. Normally, I'd be out on the track trying to get every second of seat time, but editorial duties call and deadlines loom on the horizon. This seems to be the only place to collect some thoughts and write.

In a parallel universe far, far away, there's a German-built compact car called a Golf. It's known as a hatchback or five-door and it reigns supreme in its class. Policemen drive around in it. So do mothers, young couples, doctors, insurance salesmen, photographers--the car comes in various forms that appeal greatly to many sections of motoring society.

I had just cracked an ice-cold Pacifico aboard my pal Kevin's Cal 35 in Avalon Harbor when it came to me: I stood up and shouted "Reno Air Races!" I had been jonesing to make this trek to see the world's fastest form of racing for years, and this time I was in. Three weeks later, Kev and I threw a couple bags into the boot of our long-term Saab, gassed up and hit the trail on good old US Highway 395. The first thing I want to point out about a trip like this is you should look at a map first and see what roads will be the most fun to drive. I didn't-and got stuck for the first four hours on mostly boring, flat, straight, very windy desert highway.

Now at 11,306 miles, it seems our long-term BMW 330i has managed to stand up to the tests of the ec staff with stamina and grace. I've been parking next to it every morning since joining the team for the August issue, and have gazed upon its Electric Red perfection with suppressed eagerness. I wanted to, but dared not ask to drive it. I would have to put in my time before getting this car for the weekend.

Every time I go to start Saab's 9-3 SportCombi, I wind up putting the key in the wrong place. I sit there for a few confused, fumbling moments wondering where the hell I am. And then I notice the brilliant yet simple instrumentation and the unique retractable cupholder. Seated within the stylish "Swedish Modern" leather-clad seats, the entire control panel is angled around the driver, aircraft-style. And then it hits me like an aquavit tidal wave: You're in a Saab, dummy. The key is in the center next to the parking brake, right where it should be.

Unlike comparable Japanese vehicles, European cars tend to age much better. Just look at any 10-year-old Audi, BMW or Mercedes. Whereas the Japanese tend to rush new technology and design into their machines, typically making the previous generation dated, the Europeans take a more measured approach. It's just one of the many reasons we are drawn to European cars.