Page D10 peterboroughexaminer.com THE EXAMINER THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010

Destinations

Home, home with a range

By Jeff Voth, QMI Agency jeffvoth@sympatico.ca Destinations I was nine years old when my father first took me on a fishing trip to Northern Ontario. I remember it clearly, almost as though it happened just yesterday. The weather was cold and rainy much of the time, and the mosquitoes were relentless. We fished that day on Lake Nipissing and another two on a small private lake near Gravenhurst, Ontario. My line tangled more than should be humanly possible, even wrapping itself around the propeller of a passing boat. Not once did my dad complain and though the fishing wasn?t great by outdoor sports channel standards, I was hooked for life. Lake Nipissing is the fifth largest lake in Ontario. Located between the Ottawa River and Lake Huron, it is for the most part shallow with a sandy bottom. Storms and rough water materialize quickly and you never know from one hour to the next what to expect. Favourite fishing spots reel in northern clime species such as Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie and Smallmouth Bass. Depending on the season, the lake is also a hotspot for water fowl hunting. Two of my preferred fishing destinations in the area include Tom Rae Lodge (www.tomraelodge.com) on the south shore and Lakair Lodge (www.lakair. com) on the western arm of Lake Nipissing. Lakair Lodge, established in 1919, is a fourth generation fishing resort. Lakeside cottages and fishing boat rentals make orga- nizing a day on the water easy. Tom Rae Lodge is a mere three hours drive north of Toronto, with first-class dock facilities and newly renovated, deluxe waterfront cottages. Both offer guided fishing, tackle and bait, while Lakair Lodge also features a full dining menu. On this trip, we would be tackling the five hour drive and three night stay on the lake in a 2010 Four Winds International Chateau 31P motor home. Though it may be desirable on many occasions to rent a cottage or set up a tent for the weekend, it is equally as fun to enjoy the benefits of four-star accommodations that travel with you on the road. A rolling condo, the 2010 Chateau 31P makes roughing it a thing of the past.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

The experts at Go RVing Canada have decade?s worth of experience when it comes to taking care of the details. Big or small, a few days or the whole summer, packages range from moderate to the ultimate in luxury. Recent studies indicate travel by RV is now one of the most cost effective ways to see the country or in our case, spend a little time fishing. The 2010 Chateau 31P features a 6.8L Ford Triton V10 engine. The SOHC two-valve design produces 305 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft of torque. Vehicle dimensions dwarf the family minivan; length 9,845 mm, width 2,515 mm and height 2,083 mm. With a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,578 kg and the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) achieving a gigantic 9,072 kg, this RV is designed for hauling and towing, not speed. As such, acceleration from a stop is slow and methodical. Passing on two-lane highways requires some planning in advance and stopping short is not for the faint of heart. Inside, the Chateau 31P highlights a driving compartment for two with sleeping space for up to eight. A single wall extension expands the dining and main sofa area. The full-service kitchen features a refrigerator, double sink, microwave, stove and small pantry. Additional comfort is provided by a two-piece bath with separate shower across the hall. A queen-size bed highlights the master bedroom bordered by closets. The drive north took longer than anticipated. This was due mostly to the fact we forgot to consider one of the main reasons for taking an RV when calculating the journey; the desire to slow down. Seeing the countryside in an RV causes you to take several detours, stop in small cities for supplies or park at a campground and break out the BBQ for lunch. Hours passed by and it wasn?t until early evening that we finally pulled up to the campsite. The lone call of a loon signified our late arrival at Lake Nipissing. The fishing on this particular weekend wasn?t the best or worst we have experienced in 40 years of coming here. Truth be told, we didn?t care. Back inside after a long day of being on the water the motor home provided ample proof why taking an RV is more desirable on many occasions to staying at a luxury hotel. With the night sounds of the north calling me to relax, paradise was just outside my window. Where to Stay Go RVing Canada www.gorving.ca

Sportback performs where it counts

By Daniel Barron, QMI Agency daniel.barron@canoe.ca Test Drive With the success of Wits latest-generation Wfour-door WMitsubishi Lancer, is doing what any smart automaker would do in the same situation - working off that vehicle?s design and engineering to make similar vehicles that will appeal to even more people. Enter the Lancer Sportback - a wagon that looks like a Lancer sedan pinched at each end by a giant hand and pulled apart. In reality, the five-door version is actually only slightly longer and taller than the four-door, but still a lot more practical. Two trim levels are available - GTS and Ralliart - and while the Ralliart has a bias toward the sportier side of things, the GTS is a pretty good mix of both fun and versatility. With a price tag that?s $10,000 less than the Ralliart, the GTS also happens to be much easier on the wallet. Though this low-to-theground, front-wheel drive wagon likely won?t be able to pull off any offroading like its larger stablemates, it?s still plenty willing to help with any and all day- to-day chores the average Joe or Jane needs to complete. The GTS model has a nifty two-level rear cargo floor that can be effortlessly raised or lowered manually depending on what you need to carry, and whether or not you have the 60/40 split rear seats folded down. The rear seats themselves can be folded down using pull tabs that are accessible both from the back of the vehicle and from the side doors. Doing so opens up almost 1,500 litres of interior space over a nearly flat load floor - plenty for jobs involving larger items. The rear hatch lifts up high enough to keep even those well over six feet from bumping their heads, and is easily opened and closed with one arm. A cargo cover keeps items out of view of prying eyes, and can easily be removed if you need extra vertical room to store taller items. Mitsubishi still very much prides itself on the performance capabilities of its line-up, and the Sportback GTS is no exception. With its sport-tuned suspension, sports seats and good handling, its name doesn?t lie - it?s as fun to drive as just about anything in its class. Of the two Sportback trim levels, the larger engine comes The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback cockpit appears sophisticated and is simple to use. Four Winds International Chateau 31P under the hood of the GTS in the form of a 2.4-litre inline-four. At the end of the day, the noisy ?2.4? isn?t the most memorable piece of equipment. It?s not as powerful as the 2.0-litre turbo in the Ralliart, and really it?s only slightly more potent than the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine in base Lancer sedans. Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback It does provide decent acceleration when mated with the standard five-speed manual transmission. Even with a suspension that?s tweaked for more aggressive handling, the Sportback GTS doesn?t become overly jarring over bumpy roads. Where the Sportback lags The GTS trim of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback gets motivation from a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine. behind competitors is in the quality of its interior. The cockpit is awash in bland black plastic materials, and things like buttons and knobs simply feel cheap. Bluetooth is a great standard feature, but phone conversations are rife with crackling and sometimes they cut out. Seats are comfortable enough for short trips, but we wonder if they?re substantial enough to keep backs and bums comfortable during longer rides. How about offering the Ralliart?s Recaro seats in the GTS, Mitsubishi?! Standard features are abundant, from fog lights and steering wheel-mounted cruise control, to seven airbags and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players. As stylish as it is, the Sportback GTS doesn?t do anything that will blow people away. It?s a solid vehicle that performs best not on a track, but in a grocery store parking lot.

Fact file

2010 Four Winds International Chateau 31P

As Tested, (before taxes): Est. $84,500 Configuration: front engine/ rear wheel drive Engine/Transmission: 6.8L V10 / automatic Power/Torque: 305 hp/420 lb.-ft Observed fuel economy: 11.43 L/100 km, (1,050 km)

Report Card

(out of 5):

Economy: 4.0 ?much better than expected Value for $: 3.5 ? a rolling residence at half the cost Styling: 3.5 ? big, boxy, Ford cab good looks Comfort: 4.0 ? quality materials, reasonable sleep space Performance: 3.0 ? loud engine, slow to accelerate Overall: 4.0 ? bringing the hotel to the road Strengths: space; taking it with you; comfort Weaknesses: loud engine; hard to manoeuvre in general

Fact file

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Trim level: GTS Price as tested (before tax): $24,098 Options: none Freight: $1,600 MSRP range: $24,098 - $33,698 Configuration: front engine/ front-wheel drive Engine/Transmission: 2.4L 4-cyl./ 5-spd manual Power/Torque: 168 hp/167 lb.-ft. Fuel (capacity): regular (59L) Fuel economy ratings: 10.2 L/100km city; 7.3 L/100 km hwy Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 9.7L/100 km over 388 km Warranties: 5 years/100,000 km (basic); 10 years/160,000 km (powertrain) Competitors: Hyundai Elantra Touring; Toyota Matrix; Volkswagen Golf

Report Card

(out of 5):

Fuel Economy: 3.5 - Decent, but expected better. Value for $: 4 - A lot of great stuff included as standard in the GTS trim. Styling: 4.5 - Inherits its fourdoor sibling?s great looks. Comfort: 4 - Easy to get in and out of; pleasant ride; lots of room Performance: 4 - Could use a little more power, but overall still fun to drive. Overall: 4 - Does all the things a good wagon should do. Strengths: versatility; styling; handling Weaknesses: loud engine; cheap interior materials

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