Over 10 years or so, the VW will probably make up that $6k deficit in repairs versus a Honda. 

The grill is worse than the wheels, which are terrible. 

Yeah, you offer me a 5-door or long roof version and I’ll forget the sedan exists. 

Good point.  Reminds me of a review I just read on another site where the PHEV vehicle was noted to “only” go 0-60 in 7 seconds.  What is the expectation here for a $35k PHEV that gets 50 mpg otherwise?  Should it be drag racing a Ferrari?  7 seconds is pretty damn respectable for a fuel sipper. 

From being on the other side of a car sale, a lot of people “just want the car”. They aren’t the most financially astute people on the planet. That is why selling on monthly payments work. Can they really afford it?  Maybe if they pinch their pennies.  Did they think that hard about it before signing on the line? …

FWIW you can get a new Malibu LS, which is hardly a “stripper” model, for $22k these days. Might have cloth seats but decently equipped otherwise.

I’ve seen them with markups....so dealers are making that “less cheap” for you.  What would we do without those friendly neighborhood dealers?!

Would it be a stretch to say Tesla would just ship the car with a crappy liftgate handle, while GM is holding back production for it?

Speedometer wasn’t properly calibrated a the factory, it is BMW’s fault.

Fairfax County Parkway is 45-55.  People speed, but not 80-90...usually. 

Pre-COVID, there were certainly lease deals out there that were a real inexpensive way to have a new, under warranty car in your driveway if you weren’t picky about what it was.

I’d love to do my own work. I’ve watched videos for some of these “basic” jobs likes brake pads, and it doesn’t look like rocket science, but I’d much rather do it for the first time with someone to bail me out nearby.

Certainly the Harley owners who can’t keep up with the payments.

I’d have to imagine a bike is harder to repo.  It is far more likely to be hidden away in a garage.  Especially someone’s Harley that they probably value more than most people in their lives. 

If it was a stick, I’d be in.  Throw the wheels in the trash and get something OEM with a bit more sidewall.  Love the color combo. 

The hybrid or the regular one?

I’m not delaying for lack of funds, I’m delaying because it is inconvenient and need to pick a good day. I’d also still love to find a independent mechanic, but that continues to prove to be a pain in the ass on its own.

Yes, the Highlander (or Sienna) is certainly not the passionate purchase.  A Toyota that gets good gas mileage, that is why you buy it.

It is rated at 36/35, and it doesn’t really have a peer in that respect. I wish it did, because otherwise it is nothing to get excited about.

Yeah I was about to look at the X5, but they were tough to get when they had the tax credit, and now its gone.