That's how it works in the MINI, which I guess is kinda sorta Germanish.

Huge fan of the Giant Bombcast, and your work dating back to 1up (I was even a forum mod there around the time you started). Not as big a fan of Kotaku, but it can only be made better by your inclusion.

Anecdotally, several co-workers bought XBOs for their kids this Xmas. The primary reason seemed to be the ubiquity of the 360 and "this is the new one." The price drop certainly helped, but the bundles have been almost aggressively ill suited for children.

I have an idea for a QotD poll, based off of the idea that SUVs got popular by being sold to people who needed a minivan:

Of course. You're right.

"Just mix with eggs, flour, and salt!"

Why not B-segment with mild sporting pretensions, and an interior that doesn't make you want to kill yourself? That will always be where my interest lies.

Pete Rose played five positions, and managed, but was never a pitcher.

If you made a chart, with "How much shit can I carry" as one axis and "How many miles can I drive on a gallon of gas?" as the other, the Prius V would be awfully lonely up in the top right.

Doesn't matter, brown wagon.

I dig the looks — especially that long swoop that lasts 3/4s of the length of the car.

Nobody does interiors that look and feel better than their pricetag would suggest like VW. Most of their lineup is a bit of a snore these days (hey, remember when the Jetta had personality, even if the Passat never did?) but jeez, they know how to outfit the inside of a car.

Oh, come the fuck on. This would 100% be on my short list for my next car if I could row my own.

Yeah, the Enclave is the one my friend has. It's a total mom-mobile, but it's a really NICE mom-mobile. I drive a MINI. One of the ones no one else likes. So obviously I'm not really the target market, but when I was crawling around in that Enclave shooting a video on how to install car seats, I was impressed.

Yeah, though Lincoln hasn't handled it especially well. They had a promoted tweet a week or two ago that was along the lines of "Haha, all joking aside the MKC is a really good car, you guys." Compare that to Chevy leaning HARD into the "And Stuff" jokes.

I'm seeing references to everything from an A4 to an S5 to an A8L. So...I have no idea what I'm talking about.

I think that's right. Now I have to go double check.

Yeah, materials matter. Almost everything that matters (to me, anyway) has already trickled down to even the most budget models, so choice of materials is one of the few places left to really create some differentiation.

If I were shopping in that segment, it would be on my short list. Also, a friend of mine has the big three row Buick and I've been impressed enough by it that I would also take a look at whatever the smaller one is called. Encore? Is that the little one? Neither brand carries much cache with me, but I once heard it…

I actually kind of wish that more manufacturers would do stuff like this for a broader range of models — not just thing that are already at the near-luxury end of the market. There are a lot of interesting and attractive vehicles out there that are undercut by having exceptionally cheap materials. I'd gladly pay extra…