These trucks don’t sell at sticker. Believe it or not, you can plunk down about $30k and end up with a F150 XL 4x4 Supercab Sport longbed with rubber floors, automatic headlights, SYNC, trip computer, locking differential, Class IV hitch, among other things.

Exactly. I drove the ‘big blue’ buses for students (as a student myself) 20 years ago when I went to Michigan. The amount of people going from Lurie to NCRC back then was exactly zero...so today probably 1-ish. If they really wanted to prove this thing, then I say set it on a 9AM-3PM Bursley-Baits run and let it deal…

100k on my 2013 1.6 Turbo Fusion without any engine modifications. If it needed a catch can, they would have installed one.

I know it is a sample size of 1, but my 2013 Ford Fusion with the 1.6 Turbo passed 100,000 miles 2 weeks ago, with the only engine-related things that I have done to date are 9 oil changes and about a pint of coolant at 70k. And still turning in some pretty good MPG’s. And I accelerate like a hooligan, for what it’s…

Adjusted for inflation, the unicorn 1987 AWD model would reatil today for $21,714 ($10,138 then). A 2017 Subaru Impreza AWD starts at $18,395. Progress.

Well, the short answer is that it decided for you - and you had to know how the system functions. AC ran the AC through the panel vents. Max AC ran the AC through the panel vents with recirculation engaged, so more airflow. Or if you wanted recirculation, you had to pick Max AC. Vent is panel only with no AC. With…

I drove a 2001 Focus with the 2.0 CVH engine (same as that vintage of Escort) on US-14A over the divide in Wyoming. 2nd gear at 25 MPH all the way up to 13,000 feet. Aaaand it overheated at the top.

I bought as bare bones F150 I could find. Rubber floors and vinyl seats, but the level of power accessories and what-not puts it solidly in the late 90's luxury cars arena - trip computer, one touch up/down windows, auto headlights. And some modern stuff like SYNC and back up sensors. Can’t really buy anything with…

I drive a big car for one reason. I commute over 100 miles everyday and it is comfortable. Give me my soft suspension and elbow room for 2 1/2 hours everyday, and I’ll save the vibrations and cramped quarters of the sports car for the weekend trips to the market.

But but but TURBO! That would be a unicorn find today.

Maybe its nostalgia for me. I would really like a cherry 86-88 Escort GT or EXP. Have rose-tinted memories of my 88 GT. At least the junkyards were full of them 20 years ago so parts were easy.

I had MG’s before so for the last one I thought, this time I’ll do it right. I bought an unmolested, 2 owner, running and driving, 99% rust-free MGB. I learned that Victoria British (parts company) will send you a personalized card in the mail if you order over $1,000 from them at one time. I have 3 tacked up in my…

“You see that board over there? We sold 3 cars today. You buy this one right now, we’ve sold 4. When we sell 4 in a day we all get a bonus. Help us out, say yes.”

I’ve found that it varies by the transmission whether or not floating gears is approachable. One I had would only cooperate 3rd gear and up. One would do 4th to 5th only. One was difficult all around. The latest I have found I can float it like a trucker all the way to 6th and back down to 1st. It is correct that…

I gotcha. Come to think of it, yea. I can picture it now. Detective Martin on a stakeout at a hotel, chatting up the period-perfect desk clerk lady. Deep pile avocado shag as far as the eye can see. Perp runs out the bathroom, past them, and out the doors. She says “Mr. Martin, should I call the valet to bring your…

My dad had a 77 Thunderbird he bought brand new in dove grey with red velour interior. Sharp car, for the Malaise Era.

Thunderbird!

Or the infamous “neutral slam.” I witnessed a fella in a ‘98-or-so Explorer do a full-throttle neutral-to-drive. The Explorer was all “clunk-clunk I’m broke” and the crowd had a good laugh!

While driving my 4-speed MGB, I went to downshift from 3rd to 2nd...and overshot into the dogleg reverse, because there is no lockout. Everyone in a 3 block radius heard my mistake.

Ironically, this is the same answer to when I get asked “What car do you recommend I buy for my son/daughter?” The 2000-08 Ford Taurus with the 24v V6. Solid, safe, reliable, boring, and absolutely no resale value.