If I absolutely needed to, I’d buy the cheapest, oldest, realistically reliable thing I could find until things calm down.

As someone who waited 18 months for a Focus RS that I ordered on day 1 and watched countless allocation come and go before my car finally showed up I salute you. If Ford could screw it up so bad without supply constraints, I can’t imagine how bad it is now. I would love a Bronco, it checks all the boxes, but I refuse…

And that’s after a special request to be on time... like WTF.

Yeah, 10-15 minutes late is one thing, shit happens, but 3 hours? That’s “I don’t give a damn” late. 

Theron’s description of the events paired with her apology (because of course she’s apologizing) sets you up for typical “actors being fussy dickheads with each other” nonsense, but it really does seem like Tom Hardy was a completely inconsiderate asshole who revelled in disrespecting the cast and crew by wasting…

Not sure why it is “unlikely”  I grew up there and visit occasionally to this day and cars have been a huge part of Phoenix for a LOOOONG time!  Low riders were popular there (and still are), super cars, drag cars, jalops and the list goes on.  It is a melting pot of culture and the availability of rust free old cars…

I bet a somewhat significant factor is the lack of humidity. Saw way more badass cars than I’d expect in Lubbock for that same reason 

The crackers are a $50 option. However, selecting them also requires the preferred equipment package that’ll run you $1500.

“2.5 Turbo Premium Plus”

There’s no reason whatsoever that Mazda should release a RWD/I6 sedan in this market, at least not from a business-sense standpoint. That arrangement will likely see the light of day in the upcoming CX-90 (the CX-9's replacement).

For anyone curious how the pricing compares to the CX-5 (which was refreshed for ‘22) beyond base price difference of $900-

See, I don't think people do their research. With the tow package it currently tows 7500 lbs, which is easily enough to tow a car on an open trailer. Combine that with the fact it's under $30k for a 4-door version and it's a way better deal than people think.

Screw the Raptor version....if the regular one looks even close to as good as this, has a decent interior, and can tow say....8k lbs this would be an awesome buy.

Ah, that makes total sense. Apologies as well. 

I think the rental idea is a wise way to go. I hemmed and hawed and weighed all my options for more than a year before pulling the trigger on this and i am still not totally convinced i did the right thing. If you can try before you buy it might help you come to a firm conclusion one way or the other. Good luck. 

Seconded!

My Xterra engine has similar output to your Taco but even w/the Tigermoth its hell on my MPGs and i get a lot of transmission heat when towing through the flaming gorge or just all the up/downs of desert/mountain driving. So, well done on feeling like the Taco handles it fine.

I was 99% going to by a mammoth and i called an audible at the very end mainly cause i camp out in the desert in off season when its constantly windy and in the mountains when it can rain/hail/mosquito apocalypse on any random afternoon.

Very true! However, there are no hotels anywhere near most of the places that I end up camping. And a few of the places would ruin a pretty Grand Design or similar in short order.

Mercedes, I enjoy your camper content.