We like our ‘14 TDI Sportwagens (we have two) but my wife’s car has just under 50K from doing a lot of driving to school to finish her degree; if the deal is good enough, we’ll definitely sell it and buy a new car. I’ll also sell mine if the deal is good enough too (I only have 30K on mine).

The ad notes some rust underneath, which is to be expected as Karmann is the world’s leading provider of the stuff.

The first 4 wheeled motorized vehicle I drove was a CJ-2A (when I was 12, on a farm and, um, never on a public road), and someday I’ll find one to restore. Until then I will live vicariously through you!

The Stig has become an afterthought - can’t they figure out something more to do with him? I would have put the Stig on the train for the challenge and have him try to make sense of the opulence.

2nd gear: We’re doing exactly that; we own two 2014 TDI Sportwagens and waiting to see what the deal will be from VW. I’m not sure what we’ll do yet but I know we won’t be using our current dealer for service in the future - they are the slowest service department on the planet. I could be talked into a GTI or R for…

Just two words: Nissan Axxess.

It’s better to stop somewhere like that than in one of the “rest stops” (latrines) on some of the roads. The buzzing sound you hear isn’t electricity but thousands of flies...

I own a GM vehicle, and bought and service it at one of the dealers shown. When the ATS-V first came out the sales people would barely let you sit in one, much less give you a deal. Now they’re all probably a bit less finicky.

Did you pick what looks like an Opel for the intro picture because of Bob Lutz’s famous picture?

Awesome!!!!

That’s why I like my 12 year old Grand Cherokee and my Sierra pickup - large glass area and comfortable window sill, while my VW Sportwagen is not bad either.

Mr. Evans, implying that newspapers and overnight ratings aren’t relevant is funny coming from someone who has worked mostly in radio, a medium that is becoming less relevant all the time.

I’m waiting for the Dacia Sandero instead.

I loved my ‘99 E39 528iT, it was a wonderful car once I got it sorted (the previous owner had lots of paperwork but had neglected some important maintenance items like the front suspension bushings). It was fun to drive, held a lot of stuff and got good fuel mileage.

Harlan Ellison’s short story “Along the Scenic Route” will happen soon, I can feel it.

I have my shopping list ready and it looks a lot like yours Patrick: a DS (I miss my old one), a CX, a 5 turbo and a 205 GTI. If I could find another SM that I could afford, it’s coming too (I had a USDM SM). I will also import large drums of Citroen hydropneumatic fluid!

It’s amazing how big some of the SUVs have gotten. I have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) that always feels so tiny after I drive my pickup truck. Heck the WJ is 16" shorter than my daughter’s 2005 Taurus and only 2" longer than my VW Sportwagen.

Now this is one of my, um friends speaking of course, but if the Bimmer was only $4500, rent a ramp truck, pull up to the front of the dealer, set the Bimmer on fire and roll it through the front window.

‘64s had a leaf spring transversely-mounted to avoid wheel tuck under. I had a ‘64 Monza 2dr as a kid back in the 70s and it was a fun car - much faster than my friends’ Pintos and Vegas.

NP. I have a lot of nostalgia for those old tall wagons. They’re so much better than the current crop of CUVs (IMHO of course).