Everything posted by Paolino
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Mazda News: The Mazda CX-5 Grows for 2026
I'm ok with the hybrid if the performance is there, but if it's mated to a CVT--I simply would be turned off.
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Mazda News: The Mazda CX-5 Grows for 2026
When the CX-50 came out, I thought it was going to replace the CX-5. Then I found out the CX-5 was staying. Now the CX-5 grew... the two vehicles are about an inch off the length and width from one another. Yes, styling is a little different, and the CX-50 will be the only one with a turbo now... still, it just seems so close.
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Mazda News: The Mazda CX-5 Grows for 2026
Love the update. It's a shame to hear the turbo may be gone. I'd also be wary about buying a new hybrid system first year out.
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Random Thoughts Thread
Ok, a few things to address, but I agree with most if not all you've said. My only Air B&B experience in Italy was in July 2023, in Bari (southeastern on the boot; top of the heel). The only caveat of the whole thing was an elevator issue, which was rectified (it was on the top floor, and one day it wasn't working so we had to walk down all the stairs, and it was 115F outside, and you know the interior of the building doesn't have a/c). Since I broke my leg falling down a flight of stairs during lockdown, I still get anxiety on them today. Everything else about the experience was perfect. My only experiences not in the south are limited to 25 years ago... I've spent a few trips on the bottom of the heel at my in-laws homes, and the south in general, is opposite of the south of the US in terms of being progressive. When it comes to more liberal topics such as homosexuality, the south is surprisingly friendly. Even the town priest walked up to me and was very welcoming. The places you may come across more right-leaning ideologies are in central Italy and the north. Of course it's not everyone, but in general, you'll see more bigoted people in central/northern Italy. It's tricky for me to give an accurate, unbiased reaction to the country though because when I go there, I am fluent enough to be confused as a native, and they always peg my accent as southern (which has to be from my late fiance's and my grandmother's/father's influence). You will still get the reaction from northerners that are against the south... just like southerners who are against the north, but I'll save that history lesson for class. Small towns in the south are incredible.. I stayed in this tiny hotel... 40€ a night, air-conditioned, breakfast included (granted in Italy that's just a cornetto and a cappuccino, but that's all I eat anyway), WiFi, so clean you could eat off the bidè, and the hotel owner's wife treated me like her child. I came home one night and she washed and folded my dirty laundry (seriously). I approached her about it, which, I understand most might find this a huge invasion of their privacy, but when a man is traveling alone (and she knew I was a widower), the "mother" in them comes out. In fact, she didn't think I was taking good-enough care of myself, so she'd tell me to go into the kitchen and help myself to peach juice, taralli (for those who don't know, they're the Italian versions of pretzels but have a texture of like a cracker), cookies, etc. Southern Italy has become more like home to me (aside from my fiance being buried there, it reminds me of my own family). My only hatred is for the blistering sun and summer heat.
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Toyota News: 2026 Toyota RAV-4: All-Hybrid Lineup, GR Sport PHEV, 7 Trims & Specs
Honestly, I like it. Am I wowed beyond belief? No, but I think it'll sell like crazy. I appreciate a lot of the upgrades to the interior. I wish the release came with more details. The interior tech upgrades got my attention. That's what is holding me out of a CX-50 (well, that, and one larger detail that I'd have to check out myself, and one really small thing that shouldn't bother me, but it does 😉). Just curious--not that I'd ever take something off-road, but how to CVTs fair with off-roading?
- Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
- Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
- Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
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Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
Lexus, year after year, styles in ways that make me wonder how people are buying them. Each generation gets a little uglier. At one point I really liked their designs (although I tend to prefer conservative designs). I'm not quite sure what's going on with the doors... is that like a combination of woodgrain and plastic? Different types of woodgrain? Like the exteriors, the interiors of this and the current generation lost me...
- Lexus News: All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models
- Tariff Tuesday - Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S.
- Buick Electra Sub-Brand Launches in China with the Electra GS Concept :Discussion
- VW News: 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo: 268 HP at New York Auto Show
- VW News: 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo: 268 HP at New York Auto Show
- Subaru News: 2026 Subaru Outback Transitions from Wagon to SUV
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Hyundai News:The Big Hyundai Palisade gets a Big Makeover
Great updates. That interior, though... not at all a fan. Reminds me of something influenced by early 90s Saturn Ions or the 96 Taurus... I think it's the circles/ovals...
- Kia News: Kia EV4 Brings New Affordability to the Electric Vehicle Market
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Cadillac Announces the 2026 Vistiq
New images really show it off... I love it... interior especially.
- 2025 Buick Enclave Goes Bigger With a Turbo-Four and SuperCruise :Discussion
- 2025 Buick Enclave Goes Bigger With a Turbo-Four and SuperCruise :Discussion
- 2025 Buick Enclave Goes Bigger With a Turbo-Four and SuperCruise :Discussion
- Rivian Unveils the R2: $45K, 300+ Miles, and Built for Adventure
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GMC News: GMC Acadia Joins the List of Models with Huge Price Increases
I love me a GMC.
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Ford News: What Changed in the 2025 Ford Explorer and Is It Worth the Price Bump?
Nice update. The only thing I'm not 100% crazy on is the way the dash swoops down to reveal the rubber tray (I assume also wireless charging) in the center stack.
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- bluecruise
- ecoboost
- explorer
- ford
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- Honda News: Honda Will Upgrade your 2018-2022 Accord to Wireless CarPlay / Android Auto