This is gold. Good on you for sharing this, David!

“motorcycle endorsements are on a tiered system so new riders don’t exceed their riding skills on machines that could potentially hurt them.”

At least 400!

Brando, the comparison is really against cars of similar investment. There’s a saying, as I’m sure you know, to the effect of “don’t put it on the track if you can’t accept writing it off.” Of course, you could get track insurance.

This was a fun and interesting piece. Well done!

We named our found/adopted kitten Sergio, in his honor.

I recall 4-5 years ago hearing that Sergio Marchione asked how long he could purchase EV credits for (along the same vain of paying penalties for not meeting fuel economy standards). The answer was that it was indefinite. So, he decided, “I’m just going to do that.” And now we have Hellcats in everything.

This is just embarrassing.
Also, why are the security guards speaking perfect English? I call quatsch.

There are good leases and bad leases. Just like there are good buys and bad buys. One huge variable that the dealers will try to have you overlook is the down payment. In general, I would put $0 down (or only 1st payment). Do this when pricing every lease so that you’re comparing apples to apples. But, for reference, e…

We have a nearly perfect little roadster, called the 124 Spyder. It’s not QUITE perfect, though. You know what it needs? AWD, a foot more ground clearance, and 3 more seats. Scrap the 124 and let’s get to work!

What a great story! Good on Subaru to step up to preserve their... legacy.

Thanks. So it’s likely 9X7-based. Meaning that it was designed after the 986 Boxster, but may have led to the 2008 987 Boxster S 550 Spyder edition. I almost bought one, but it really is just a high-spec trim level, specific silver paint, and slightly different bumpers.

Nice try, Officer Westbrook.

You should listen to or watch the Dinner With Racers episode with Bobby Unser. He’s got some rental car stories!

When was this concept created? It looks like a 9X7 or 9X1 generation platform that it was built up on.
I agree that there’s good reason this didn’t go to production. But this is the purpose of the design studio. To put together concepts “in the flesh” and learn what works and what doesn’t.

This is very true!

I think the title says it all. Just please bring us CARS. Not cute-utes. Real cars. Wagons are preferred. Manual transmissions are even better!

Getting an Atom 4?

You can actually get a new full-size pickup truck without power windows. I know... Hard to believe its even worth going through the design and manufacturing complexity to offer manual windows. Especially when you can’t even reach over to the passenger side to roll it down!

Is it better than it’s twin, the Ford Escape, which removes an entire digit from the end of the cost figure? If so, is it ~$180,000 better? Please be objective :)