Once you drive them, there is no question that the Spark is the more enjoyable and livable car. But alas, the Mirage is significantly cheaper to own long term, thanks to the much better fuel economy, twice the warranty length and better overall reliability.

That will never happen. Either he goes to jail and becomes a martyr, and Don Jr fills his shoes. Or he gets off free and is just as destructive over the next 4 years, running again in 2024.

The Chevy Spark LS Manual has manual crank windows, manual door locks, and no cruise control. It’s the least well equipped car on the market, but even that is legally required to have a backup camera and has bluetooth.

Designing tech products that you (and a majority of Americans) may very well use on a daily basis. But that’s neither here nor there.

Pointless, yes. But I understand why it exists. It’s from a simpler, purer time. When BMW clearly needed to expand the Mini range, but didn’t want to dilute the Mini character (i.e. don’t make them larger than necessary).

The original is a disaster, and I don’t think there are many critics - nor the general public - who would agree with you that it’s a cohesive design and one of Ford’s best designs.

Tell me about it. Was trying to find a bottle of Blanton for my whiskey-enthusiast brother... But ended up settling on Breckenridge Reserve. It’s unique at least, and something he’s never seen in the Midwest.

It was a federal ban on movable headlight fixtures that forced it. The body shape was really not able to fit anything other than pop-ups. 

The 4 headlamp Mercedes models did not work, IMO. It felt like a retro 80s styling cue, forced upon an early 2000s blob design. I see a Jellybean Taurus everytime.

I agree, it was a step backwards. But when GM decided not to update the truck in the face of the new F150 and Ram, they had to do something - anything to not get clobbered. 

I disagree. The update is inoffensive, if painfully bland. The original is a horrendous and incongruous mix of round, sharp and flat angles, with no visual direction. The only thing cheap, corporate radio console is awkwardly off kilter. Really, one of the worst interiors I've ever seen. At least the update was…

I think the new one is a major improvement

Mondeo was sold unchanged here as the Contour and Mercury Mystique. You’re correct that the Cougar was based in the Mondeo.

Both reputations were rightfully earned. BMW seems to take it as a source of pride. “There is no such thing as a cheap BMW” and “The most expensive BMW is the cheapest to buy”.

These were generally reliable cars. Finding one under $4k that isn’t tasteless modified, beat to shit or has 200k miles is getting harder.

It’s nice that there are more options for WAVs now than just minivans. While a minivan is obviously the most practical choice for disabled drivers (and families, small businesses, contractors... The majority of Americans, actually), you may be surprised to find out that they’re not cool or stylish. And yes, disabled…

Snow Destroyer and Ice Destroyer are references to the queer British viral video “c*ck destroyers”

The Foose option is somehow worse. There are some decent aftermarket concepts already. Particularly this 8 series graft.

Waiting for this aftermarket nose job to launch. 

It was a totally acceptable crossover. It was very spacious, extremely practical with clever features, excellent visibility when driving, and better road manners and fuel efficiency than contemporary BOF SUVs (which was a very low bar).