Robert Hall

The Mazda2 and Fiesta yes should have been part also. Their rationale was that the Fit beat them in last year's comparo, so why bother..though it would have been interesting to see where they ranked relative to the newer models. As far as 'hot hatches', the only models in the NA market today that fit that label IMO are the Mini JCW, Mazdaspeed3 and VW GTI.....the cars in the C&D comparo are more 'lukewarm hatches'. Will be interesting to see how the Focus ST and Fiesta ST turn out.

Went out for brunch late this morning and saw a gorgeous red w/ black roof '58 Imperial 2dr ht and a copper-color '75 Buick LeSabre convertible, top down.

Would be fun to have one of those and update it w/ a modern diesel and modern amenities...

'69 Tempest or LeMans...reminds me of PCS..haven't seen him around in ages... Same color as my Mom's '68 Cougar...Mercury called it Glacier Blue, Ford called it Brittany Blue IIRC..

I read the article the other evening...IIRC, they left the Fiesta and Mazda 2 out because the Fit beat them in the last comparo.

I understand it..get the.warranty and reliability of a new car and avoid the headaches of a used car. I'd buy a new Wrangler and take it off road, since I bought my Grand Cherokee new and took it off road a week later...

Reasonable or Dreaming? Dream Ride or Dreaming?

A new 2dr convertible 4x4 for under $30k, seems like a bargain..and it's the only vehicle of it's sort on the market today. I like that they have options and modern features available to make them more drivable on road...

Saw some strange stuff this morning.. Saw a white '72 Pontiac ambulance tricked out in 'Arizona Ghostbusters' gear. Saw a beige Yugo...first one I've seen in traffic in years. And the strangest sight of all...driving along a busy 6-lane street saw a older white Plymouth minivan driving along about 40mph w/ the sliding side door open--with two shirtless big bald tatooed guys in the middle seat holding cigars. WTF??? At Starbucks I was behind a Jetta with a 'Euskadi' decal in the back window..don't see Basques everyday..

Good luck and keep us posted.

I guess if you are so cheap that the cost of the oil change keeps you out of a Cadillac even if you can afford the car, then you probably should check out a Kia, Toyota, Chevy, etc. If you spring for a premium brand car at a premium price, expect to pay a premium on the service and don't whine about it.

Perfect cool fall day here in Phoenix, cool and breezy this evening...A/C not running, windows open..

Ah..the 'brony' phenomenon.

Into the 7th month of my current contract, glad to be working a steady 40 hrs now w/ little or no overtime..the 80+ hr weeks in July were rough. One project went into production tonight w/o drama, another on Monday. And I have 2 more projects to work on through the end of the year, so nothing to worry about right now on the work front. But there is some drama in the real life, but mostly positive..

And with this we have two very different threads in one. One of those is for people to vent frustrations with the serious problems life presents. The other is first world problems. And some of us have both of those.

I'm having lousy connectivity at home tonight...trying to connect to the work VPN to check on some deployments. And my sister's flight is delayed getting in by at least 45 min, so my weekly airport run is later than usual. Looking forward to watching F1 practice from Japan later.

Pointy. Probably the most badass car of 1915. I'd like to have a model of it.

The side window treatment of the Crew Cab reminds me of the Tacoma..

Well if people cannot do a simple math that $90 synthetic oil change every 15,000 mile interval is actual cheaper than doing regular oil change at $20 at every 3,000 mile interval then something is wrong with them. Well, the general public--regardless of level of affluence--can't do math very well. Maintenance costs on old Mercedes and BMWs are high, so I would think it would be high on new ones also...(and don't new BMWs come w/ free maintenance for a year or two?)

Had a fright last week with a near drowning in my pool. And the oldest of my dogs is not long for this world, I'm afraid.

Looking forward to watching some of it this weekend.

572??????? BBC crate motor, IIRC

I remember the Chevette...back in '81, my Dad bought a 2dr Scooter as a tow car for the family motorhome. Cheap and nasty inside. The Escort it was replaced with in '84 was a much nicer subcompact.

Strange...seem to recall a mention of it in Collectible Automobile or another magazine. I wonder what's up with the drapery on the right side of the dash? I tv screen behind it, maybe?

all right hand drive Yeah..I've seen those in the UK, branded as Chrysler Neons..