On one hand, the layout is a hot mess. On the other, it seems like cross posts from Jezebel and The Root have been minimized (at least on the home page). So not all bad.

It’s typically the factory cross bars that are the weak point, so you need to get a real rack to distribute the load. I can’t speak for other cars, but 160lbs on our Landcruiser is not a problem...there are people out there with much more serious loads. 

No need to get into a huff. I didn’t say I had a problem leaving it on, I just gave a reason why we do so.

The problem is they are heavy and big, so can be a pain to put on/take off. Mine weighs 160+lbs and takes 3 people to lift to that height. It’s easier just to leave it on for the season, and take off during winter. If that offends someones sensibilities, that’s their problem not mine.

Musk/Trump/Racism/Sexism. Each day, Gawker requires you to read one from each category before you’re allowed to read about cars. If you don’t eat yer meat, you can’t have any pudding.

It doesn’t have to be that way. My kids (4 and 7) have been conditioned to know that there is simply no eating or drinking in Dad’s car, period. Mom’s car has different rules, and it’s the hot mess you describe. But Goldfish in dad’s car? Nopety nope nope.

Great post. To add to this, the cars should bright neon or some other high-visibility color. The Police need to be seen as a beacon of light and safety that citizens should feel protected by, not as something dark that skulks in the shadows trying to catch you.

117,00 is an interesting number. 

I’ve had good luck with two separate Volvos too (with plenty more miles). In the end, it’s of course all anecdotal, and someone probably has had the opposite experience to mine, but for me it’s been Porsche/Volvo good... BMW/Saab/VW bad. 

About 25K. Less than a typical daily, but even in that range it was a clear cut above all the European cars I’ve owned (I’m looking especially at you Saab!). 

I had an off-warranty Porsche Cayman for 5 years. It was the most reliable car I’ve had to date. The only thing I needed to do besides yearly maintenance was replacing the stupid TPMS sensors.

“Suddenly, cars everywhere were sporting Dordt plates”

Man, that first-gen Rav4 is such a great design in retrospect. Great combination of personality without going overboard. 

Now do the opposite. Biggest engine in the smallest car. 

These sure would be nice to peruse in a static image format.

I hate when they do this. Cars like this need to be happy and bring joy into the world. Making them angry takes away what makes them great, and it’s not like anybody will respect a tiny little pissant anyway.

Good luck in your new adventures. I will miss your knowledge and coverage of motorsports. The gender-focused stories (many seemingly half-copied from Wikipedia)... not so much.  

My central-european dad had this very Simca, so the country must be Czechoslovakia. Who knew dad was into spoken-word math sex.

What a beautiful illustration. Definitely a bit of a lost art.

The reality is that car manufacturers are no longer prioritizing design for tastes in North America or Europe, but the ones in China. And the market there prefers this more ostentatious LOOK AT ME styling. If you want tasteful, teutonic design in your next BMW...better buy vintage.