The cartridge used (in a non-realistic fashion) in the stationery logo looks more like a .380 or a 9mm.

A graphical demonstration of how poorly most people understand firearms and ammunition? Not so unusual...

Aerostars used to populate bottom of the used van market - but they’re getting pretty tough to find these days; I rarely see one on the road. The cheap beaters seem to have rusted away; a quick search found only a couple for sale within a hundred miles of my suburban Baltimore/DC area, both looking for well over $300.

I’ll admit I don’t know the rules - though I’ve seen competitors towed.

So: They knew there would be a penalty - but were surprised at outright disqualification.

Hmmm... VW made the engine, not Porsche. Are there legal/other implications of Porsche developing a fix separately from VW?

BTW: Looks like a mid-70's Ford Torino (or corporate twin Mercury Montego).

Awesome! Pascal helped teach me the importance of logical code structure, something that’s an afterthought in many other languages.

My family had a ‘75 or ‘76 Vega Kammback. It was purchased used, right before one of the late 70's oil price shocks hit - and my father was pleased that it was worth more than he paid for it just a few months after purchase. As a new driver, I recall that the manual transmission made it fun to drive, though it was far…

I’ve heard of people changing engine oil - and only changing the oil filter every other oil change - but this is the first time I’ve seen it as a factory recommended practice. And a 7500 mile oil change interval, with 1970's oil? This helps explain why Vega engines didn’t last long (as if a non-lined aluminum block…

Hmmmm... Are Fiat models allowed in the “Chrysler Only” area, or is the corporate umbrella not that large for this lot?

Maybe Demuro got a “bumper-to-bumper unlimited mileage warrranty” on a Lambo and didn’t tell us yet...

Interesting. I wonder if there’s been a situation in CA where a retrofit wasn’t available for a truck model - yet the fleet owner wanted to keep using it. What enforcement mechanism would they use? Would the same approach work for personally-owned vehicles? We may find out soon...

And - in places like California - this could become an interesting issue if VW opts to not develop a remedy for some TDI models/years, and many of those owners don’t take the buyback - and decide to keep driving.

This was the question I wanted to ask. And, more to the point: Can owners be *forced* to turn in non-compliant TDI’s? Yeah, this would require government involvement...

Very sad. I’m a fan of the Dakar - and it’s always been a dangerous event, both for competitors and sometimes even spectators.

<sssiiigghhh> I - and many others - look forward to the day when the political situation in Africa allows the rally to return to the desperately difficult terrain for which the event is famous. Until then, I celebrate that the event lives on in a different location that thankfully offers a challenge worth of the name.

Don’t forget that the Dakar starts this weekend!

I suspect the basic lease *cost* is covered by the dealer - but the lease terms must be agreed to by the buyer - who would be responsible for all the additional fees hidden in the fine print. The dealer isn’t interested in taking a loss...

> ...this two-wheeled demon is just about useless.