Plattsburgh State's mean machines

As Nick Roberts, Tommy Di Paola and Ariel Leone stand in front of their cars, they talk to each other like they’ve met well before now.

Already, they are bonding over a common thread between them, a flair for the exotic —  cars.

Roberts, Di Paola and Leone are three Plattsburgh State students who have bypassed the used mom-van with 140,000 miles and in severe need of an oil change and instead drive down Rugar Street in eye-catching rides.

“This is arguably one of the most unique cars here because of the story behind it,” Roberts said of his Hyundai Tuscani.

The Tuscani is a factory-direct Hyundai Tiburon from Korea that was imported to the United States in one piece, rather than in separate pieces,which is the industry norm. Though the Tuscani is the most customized car of the bunch, the orange and black accents of the other two have received a compliment or two from students walking past in the parking lot.

“People will be like, ‘Hey have you seen the Jeep in the parking lot?’” Leone said. “Yeah, that’s my car.”

For Di Paolo, the color scheme of his 2011 Chevrolet Camero is only one feature that draws looks from people on Plattsburgh streets. The six-speed convertible purrs when he gives the V8 engine a shot of gas. When he drives with the top-down and the music up, he said he receives endearing compliments from the people he passes.

“And it beats taking the bus,” he said.