Auto stop/start. From what I can tell it really doesn’t impact overall fuel economy that much and just makes for jerky starts at stoplights and stop and go traffic. It’s an automatic motion for me now to turn it off when I start the car. 

True, I’ll give you that. The old one got all sorts of hate because Show-Me wasn’t hyphenated. The bicentennial plate was doomed from the beginning. It started out as a public vote contest for these designs. I don’t remember which one actually won...but in the end MO State Highway Patrol vetoed them all because they…

Something German is probably the way to go. As a tall person myself 6'6" and 36" inseam, I have had the best luck with VW’s in terms of fitment and comfort, even if the car has a sunroof.

And...kinja’d. 

Missouri’s plates recently went from bad to worse as well too. I used to have a specialty plate to get around it, but MO makes getting specialty plates such a damn hassle I just went back to the standard plate anyway.

Wow, you’ve definitely got some stories!

Right, if you account for all of the idling, they really have about twice the miles than displayed on the odometer. 

It’s a pretty mixed bag when it comes to fleet vehicles. I work for a local government and I feel it comes down to if a vehicle is assigned to someone or if there’s a pool that is open to every employee. I treat my assigned vehicle pretty much the same as my personal vehicle (clean inside/out, minimal abuse) and I bet…

I briefly had a 2012 Honda Accord EX-L V6 sedan in Basque Red that my wife said looked like a grandpa car (and it previously was a grandpa car actually), but it didn’t drive like one. 0-60 in about 6.4 seconds. Unfortunately 8 months into ownership I was rear-ended and it was totaled. Looked like this:

Although it was a chase vehicle, not a getaway vehicle, it reminds me of the scene in Beverly Hills Cop II when Rosewood shows up with a cement truck.

Maybe one or more of them were purchased by travelers here on a 6-month visa, never registered them and abandoned at the airport when it was time to go back. Cheaper than a rental car in some instances.

Came here to say this. I’m 6'6" and for shits and giggles I tried to sit in a Miata at an auto show a few years back. Couldn’t even get my leg between the steering wheel and the center console. So I guess Randy Newman wasn’t completely right. Short people have at least one reason to live, to drive a Miata.

Improved efficiency for sure. Also better seating position and more head room. When I ride in my friend’s 2018 Tacoma Double Cab I feel like I’m sitting on the floor and my head brushes the ceiling (I’m 6'6").

I’m not sure if they still do it, but I used to see Sunoco stations sell fuel below 87 octane in the Midwest. They would have like seven octane ratings for unleaded. I think it was just a ploy to advertise a lower price on the sign. Otherwise I’ve only seen 85 for sale at elevation.

Most toll roads/turnpikes offer “oasis” type rest areas due to them being limited access in nature and having to pay additional tolls to exit and re-enter. In my experience Michigan generally has nice rest areas, but yes, they are just restrooms, travel info, and picnic tables.

Mazda CX-5 Diesel and Chevy Equinox Diesel for several reasons: both were too late to the party, had minimal efficiency gains, too expensive of an upgrade...and neither automaker really wanted you to know they even existed.

I had a ‘91 Escort, 2nd gen but it was a 5-speed, which made it pretty fun to toss around, you know within the limits of the 13" tires.

Should also note a parts washer may require permitting with your state or local air pollution control agency if it is used at a place of business. Solvent VOC contents and vapor pressures may be regulated.

You can also pop out the head rests and fold the front seats down, and recline the rear seats to basically turn the back seat into a chaise lounge for two. I think in the first gen everything folded flat and could be used as a lumpy bed.

I’m always amazed by how many 90's S-10 Blazers (and their badge-engineered siblings) I see on the road when I’m in Michigan. Mostly due to the fact they haven’t succumbed to rust and put out to pasture.