The ES recommendation is so close. GS or LS is better, and Lexus provides maintenance for the first few years. They even have hybrid models. 

I’m ok with many fasteners being covered.

Hadn't seen it yet, guess I don't have to now 😕

It’s like the designer/design team wanted to make a 7-series look like Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “Silence of the Lambs” when he's being transported, complete with straight jacket and muzzle-mask.

Nice Price.

It appears to be from a last-gen Dakota. The inset center (vertically-speaking) section is a giveaway. Spoiler section seems added on pretty cleanly. Not sure why they didn't use Dakota tail lights, which would have been easier to mold into the bed sides. 

They’re unique to Kizashi, but there’s similarities to the Mazda CX-7, Civic, and a bit like the later Hyundai Genesis.

Kizashi and SX4 were good cars for what they were, especially at their price point. Fairly inexpensive, available AWD, available manual, good features list (including a removable GPS unit), etc.

So why do you want to do a backwards conversion on the front? The newer style benefits from being able to install standalone bulbs instead of whole headlamp units if/when they fail, better illumination with the newer design (plus other drivers can see you better), replacement parts will be more readily available as…

Volvo C70 was pretty good.

That's not unusual for Oppo. 

I’m not a big fan of the styling, but I think you’re being a bit too hyperbolic.

In fairness, Jalopnik isn't centered around one location (a lot of the magazines/magazine-based sites are based in - surprise - Michigan, notably Ann Arbor), they're not a review site per se (more like a car-encompassing blogging site and community), and pandemic rules affected a lot of outlets for reviewing new…

You seem overly sensitive about it. Are you a shareholder or something? Gm has a well-deserved reputation among objective evaluators, and if it’s not to your liking, maybe you’re the one who needs a change of perspective?

Fine, fine, no U-Hauls...

Well it’s missing most of the body, so that’s already in his wheelhouse.

Modern hondas are a mess of questionable and even awful design choices.

Amber turn signals, especially in the rear of the car.

I was with you until you said "new impreza". 

Not if it blew an engine, and sat for a decade waiting for a replacement...