Does my boyfriend's 1.9 liter engine have the muscle to get us through the mountainous parts of a cross-country roadtrip?
Dear Car Talk | Oct 01, 1998
Dear Tom and Ray:
heading to Portland, Ore., in his 1993 Saturn SL2. Here's where you come in.
Brett (that's the boyfriend) is a rugged, outdoorsy type, dying to take the most
interesting route and trek around in the mountains. I am the nervous nature
appreciator, very concerned that his 1.9-liter engine (isn't that the same size
as, say, a Weed Eater?) won't pull us up and down mountainous terrain.
We had the car checked out, and they pronounced the brakes and clutch A-OK.
Still, I'm concerned. What do you think? Can we make it up and down mountains? A
response from you would bring tears of joy to my eyes. -- Elizabeth
TOM: Well, we're quite accustomed to our responses bringing tears to our
readers' eyes, Elizabeth. So don't think that threat scares us.
RAY: Of course you can make it up the mountains, Elizabeth; 1.9 liters is not
very big, but it's big enough to get a small car like a Saturn just about
anywhere.
TOM: And besides, Brett is a rugged, outdoorsy type. So if you happen to break
down and get stranded, he'll be able to kill a bear and feed you for a few weeks
until the St. Bernards arrive with the brandy flasks.
RAY: You'd be smart to have the car thoroughly checked out, Elizabeth (not just
the brakes and clutch). And moreover, pack a Triple-A card, a credit card and
your sense of humor. You'll probably need all three.
heading to Portland, Ore., in his 1993 Saturn SL2. Here's where you come in.
Brett (that's the boyfriend) is a rugged, outdoorsy type, dying to take the most
interesting route and trek around in the mountains. I am the nervous nature
appreciator, very concerned that his 1.9-liter engine (isn't that the same size
as, say, a Weed Eater?) won't pull us up and down mountainous terrain.
We had the car checked out, and they pronounced the brakes and clutch A-OK.
Still, I'm concerned. What do you think? Can we make it up and down mountains? A
response from you would bring tears of joy to my eyes. -- Elizabeth
TOM: Well, we're quite accustomed to our responses bringing tears to our
readers' eyes, Elizabeth. So don't think that threat scares us.
RAY: Of course you can make it up the mountains, Elizabeth; 1.9 liters is not
very big, but it's big enough to get a small car like a Saturn just about
anywhere.
TOM: And besides, Brett is a rugged, outdoorsy type. So if you happen to break
down and get stranded, he'll be able to kill a bear and feed you for a few weeks
until the St. Bernards arrive with the brandy flasks.
RAY: You'd be smart to have the car thoroughly checked out, Elizabeth (not just
the brakes and clutch). And moreover, pack a Triple-A card, a credit card and
your sense of humor. You'll probably need all three.
