I had a V8 e38. I’ve since decided that 6-cylinder BMWs are the way to go. I’m currently in a e46 330Ci convertible.

The shorties are actually worth more in the V8 e38's (don’t think they sold a shorty V12.)

Restaurant employers are worried about employees infecting each other, and thus not being able to come to work.

Key being should.  If they  don’t, however, you wind up with the situation of the rear LED lights of the Cadillac XLR where the tail light going out effectively totals the car.

I’ve owned several Japanese vehicles from the early 00's that had massive oil consumption issues.  For both vehicles it was attributed to the reduced size of the holes in the rings (reduced for emissions purposes) leading to to be more easily clogged with carbon deposits.  Once clogged, oil consumption skyrocketed.

Some GM cars used to have the fuel pump wired through an oil pressure switch such that if oil pressure dropped the fuel supply would cut off, shutting off the engine.

A Nissan manual transmission. They are all weak. I’ve owned 2 Nissans, and had to replace the transmission in both, one in a Stanza, and I had to replace the transmission in my 300ZX multiple times.  The 300ZX one I solved by putting in a T5 from a turbo 300ZX (so transmission not made by Nissan) and it lasted until…

Nothing wrong with that 4 speed, I had one in my 78 F-150.

Haven’t had much problem hauling stuff in my short bed crew cab Ram.  I’ve hauled 4x8 sheets of plywood, and 12' long boards (load them diagonally.)

Depends on the terrain, for some terrains a longer wheelbase is more desirable.

Lost my folding box cutter/utility knife a couple of weeks ago. Was looking in my truck yesterday and found it - just where I last put it under the back seat!

This isn’t viable daily transportation, either. It’s a HD work truck from back in the day. A modern 1/2 can probably tow as much as this thing is rated for. The cab is tiny. The ride is rough. The passenger safety isn’t there. The fuel mileage is abysmal. It will, however, make a great weekend project truck or weekend…

I would blame it more on overall inflation than just gas prices.  But for the restaurant I work at, it’s been a blessing in disguise for the workers.  We have been short of staff for a year now.  Plus the first people to stop ordering are always the people who don’t tip anyway.  So we have fewer customers, but better…

I had a similarly pleasant experience at a local Hyundai dealership for a used Hemi Ram truck. Called for an appointment, salesperson was there ready to go. I looked at the truck, we haggled a bit over price; then to get my payment lower they actually beat my credit card company’s low rate with one about a point lower…

And we pay registration fees as well.

Lol, if you believe that I’ve got a bridge to sell you.  It was done to increase the sales of a overly expensive option, and encourage people to buy new cars when they discover it’s going to cost more than the car is worth to get the radio working again.

How about they investigate having to have the car manufacturers audio system at all?  I remember when there were just a few standard sizes and you could put in whatever system you wanted.  Now they are so tied in to the car for some you are stuck with the factory system.

North Carolina.

Simple solution, change the tax law such that boats over a certain length are charged property tax.  In my state (NC) was pay property tax on everything with a title.

I have to pay property taxes on my boat(s), at the same rate per value as my house.  Same with my cars.