As it turns out, I spent some time in the UK during the summer of ‘80 - and remember the local ads for the Honda MB50. The large text read something like “Power when you need it - at 16.” As I recall, laws then in the UK meant you could drive at scooter at 16 - but not a “real” motorcycle with a larger engine. This…

One upgrade I did on my ‘95 GL was to replace the wheels with the seven-spoke alloy wheel from the SE of that era. I always thought it was a really clean looking wheel that worked well with the car’s design.

A few years ago, friend needed help getting a sailboat from New York City back to the Chesapeake Bay, so my son and I took Amtrak from Baltimore to Penn Station. The train ride was great; plenty of leg room and everything was on schedule. We took the NYC subway to the 79th Street Boat Basin, and spent the next few…

I had a ‘95 Contour; it really was pretty decent for the era. Mine was a lowly GL - but had the 2.5l V6 Duratec, 4 wheel disc brakes (all four vented; a rarity back then), ABS and traction control. Virtually nothing else in its price range could offer such a combination at that price point.

Hmmm.... You call it a Wrench Buddy? I call it a pipe...

Just curious, for the Volvo crowd: I’m well aware of the reputation of things like the legendary 240 (drove a friend’s example; slow, but durable!), but do more modern examples have a similar reputation? When Volvo started adding AWD to many models - and lots of tech - I started wondering how they would do as they age…

Yet - when I lived in places that got consistent snow - I was always surprised just how many people seemed to forget these obvious rules that should be common sense...

Having grown up in Ohio - and driven a bunch of other places...

For me: When the used EV market gets to be more like the used ICE market.

Because Elon!

I had a ‘90 Trooper (still the very boxy body style) with an automatic and the GM 2.8 V6, so I have a soft spot for these. All of the engine options in that era were underpowered - but the American pushrod V6 was cheap to maintain and surprisingly durable given how much it had to rev.

Driveway currently has 5 cars (all running!), though that doesn’t include two trailers (one utility trailer; one camping trailer).

Highway miles!

Seconding this: My credit union - as of today - still offers 1.99% APR on all car loans, for new and used vehicles (I hope they can continue to offer this rate as markets change). Find a good credit union. Many traditional employer-centric credit unions have opened up eligibility requirements; you might be surprised…

Where are you finding 20" wheels that weigh well over 100 pounds? A quick look at TireRack wheels for recent model Suburbans reveals choices that weigh from about 30 to 41 pounds. Even pushing up to 3500/F-350-class vehicles only got the results in the mid-40-ish pound range. If you also add the tire (TireRack lists…

It seems to me that the primary reason most cars get custom front end treatments is because accident damage made repair necessary.

I had a ‘90 Trooper, with the GM 2.8 V6 and the automatic (the stick would have been better). It was reliable, though under powered. The engine had to rev pretty high to get decent acceleration - but it did so pretty happily, in spite being a basic pushrod design. The arrival of a third kid - all three in car seats -…

Even more so: Take a close look at the Google Maps view of the area. One of the remaining suspension towers is over what appears to be apartment buildings. At least two of the buildings are partly under the bridge decking. If that tower had failed, this would likely be a far worse tragedy.

Yes, I do. Actually, we still use it.

Can’t upvote this post enough...