Where I lived Japanese imports were all the rage. So when the 4th gen Supra was introduced it was an instant hit. Except that nobody could afford them. So instead everyone stuck Supra wings on anything with wheels.

This is far from the first time this sort of thing has occurred in Asia, let alone Thailand. It stems from two things: first, most countries don’t enjoy the cultural sensitivity of the US or Western Europe. Secondly, the Nazis are not a part of their cultural history and schools only covered the holocaust in passing,…

For years my father’s brought out the same joke when I or my siblings get in a car:

I have to say, rain makes drifting far more engaging. It looks harder and you don’t have the annoying sound of cars banging off the rev limiter. It helps that these guys look like they’re just having fun.

OLEDs aren’t necessarily more energy efficient than LEDs. When displaying bright images they can consume quite a bit more energy. Although, more problematic is that OLEDs still suffer image retention. It’s definitely a concern when you have static UI elements for hours on end.

I’d argue that the Civic Type R looks even busier in person. On the other hand, it does look a lot better than it does in photos. Somehow all the elements comes together in a way that just works.

The German automakers all do this and that’s arguably a good thing. It means this is the model to get because BMW has worked out the major kinks. Wait a couple of years and you get a new engine that will almost definitely suffer some kind of major problem.

I find it odd that Nissan wouldn’t update the UX on the infotainment system. Not to trivialize the effort involved, but it’s not like re-engineering physical components. Automakers seem stuck in the mindset that software is fixed and static, upgradeable only with a completely new model.

Why do Americans think it’s a good thing to be an inconsiderate, self-centered asshole?

Evidently it wouldn’t make a difference. I constantly see drivers in big SUVs as timid around potholes as drivers of small cars.

I love the repainted Nerf blasters.

People are really good at rationalizing bad financial decisions. There are plenty of great new cars in the $25k range, many of those come with a wealth of features. Unfortunately, people will invent a litany of reasons to justify a far more expensive car when they’re really just worried about what the neighbors and…

What is Toyota’s rationale for continuing to cover up a car that basically looks production-ready? Is it some weird agreement with BMW to avoid stealing attention away from the Z4? Or is it a scheme concocted by some marketing twit in a misguided attempt to generate buzz?

Adjusted for inflation, a 1995 Supra ranged from $50,000 to $80,000. Given all the tech in the new car, and pricing for BMW’s variant, you can be sure that the Supra will be on the high side of that range.

I just bought a car that has the infotainment screen stuck on the dashboard like so many have criticized. I like it; the screen doesn’t intrude into my line-of-sight but is still easy to reach.

So this summer I learned that in Taiwan, and possibly elsewhere in Asia, if someone spots you doing something wrong they’ll take a video and send it to the cops. This includes stuff Americans would find benign like: smoking while riding a scooter, dumping trash in the street or eating on the subway.

More subtle than other techniques? Perhaps. But no, it’s not impossible to catch. It takes a second to realize that fewer words fit on each line. Once a professor catches wind of this all they have to do is ask for the Word file; then you’ll know the truth as quickly as you can open the file.

If the black plastic were body-colored the side profile would look even more like a Ford Edge than it does now.

It is me or was the leather not properly stretched over the steering wheel? There are a few odd bulges around the rim.

To be fair, that’s a nice color.