The problem with that assumption is that acceleration (and depending on conditions) and a degree of stability under steady state throttle are the only times where an AWD car really has an advantage over any other drivetrain configurations. (Reread that last sentence because it’s real important.)

Does a decked out version like this make an entry level luxury car seem silly?

Bowel movements were very boring pre smart phones.

Literally company policy where I work. Ironically, the parking lots at both the head office and main field office are designed to make this impossible, requiring us to back in instead. (Company policy is to pull through if possible, back in it not, only pull in if it is angled parking).

Minor point: -7 F doesn’t seem unusual for Blue River BC in January. https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-22_metric_e.html

Alright, this one made me laugh. Well played.

Alright, this one made me laugh. Well played.

For most people, I guess not. But limited slip differentials transform the character of a car when cornering. I would pay for one on anything; I had one added aftermarket to my own vehicle at significant expense. Differentials are one of those things that even car journalists consistently underrate. It can be…

I mean, friends and family are still getting notices to not carry passengers in their front seats until the recall is performed...and then told there are no loaners and the recall cannot be performed for 6-12 months. So ‘finally coming to a close’ is still a reach :-)

No limited slip diff in the Sport though :-(

Cheapest way to get two doors, 300 horsepower and a sweet ZF 8 speed transmission. I have been toying with getting a loaded AWD model-new.

Sell the '04 XJR and get a more reliable land yacht.

Goodness gracious Gordon. This is the writing I come here for.

Just use a bicycle bell, works dandy.

Winter is when I am allowed to embark on significant work on the summer car. Because winter is long, and I don’t know what I’m doing. 

The black storage bags are. Thankfully when I see them parked in the grocery store lot they aren’t deploying them. 

Wait, wait. If you overland without a shiny new rooftop tent, does it even count? How would anyone know that you overland?

I was really shocked when I rented a Highlander with cloth, non-power seats and it came with radar cruise control, lane departure warnings, etc.

A thought:

You should google ‘Chuckwagon Races’. Very fun to watch. 

At least that oil would be coming from a peaceful democracy with enforced environmental laws and an incoming carbon tax. I mean, Canada isn’t perfect, but oil is a market. That pipeline at least allows someone other than the US to buy that oil, and provides an option other than two railroads to ship said oil. Finally,…