It really didn't look that small on the rental lot. It's like how you can't tell the difference between an Explorer and an Expedition until you see them side-by-side and say, "Oh, yeah. Big difference".

The sportage is probably a fine machine for many applications, but I have learned that carrying hundreds of pounds of camera and audio equipment while trying to move around Houston quickly is not among them.

The first thing to go was the back seat. Both sides. Even with everything in the back flat, we're maxed out and failing the "angles and dangles" test. Things are clanking and banging around back there, and I'm starting to lose it.

The reporters look at me funny when I stop at this little red car and tell them to hop in. The look says, "Ha, ha. Now where's the real car?" I return the look with one that says, "Really. This is our ride".

The biggest problem: The accelleration. Merging is the scary part. We have an entrance ramp to the Pierce near the station that requires you to be at freeway speed to merge. It's all or nothing. Sometimes people will chicken out and stop at the end of the ramp. Even with twice as many pistons it was a big challenge to recover after having to stop behind one of these. If I'm stopped by one in the current vehicle, I may have to call SafeClear.

The reunion with Unit 24 will hopefully be soon. Until then, I'll just keep saying, "Not my fault!"

FMc