Audi S4 (B5). Terrible in the sense that it was always going to be unreliable in any form, and a total pain to work on. But I’ll be darned if someone found a better looking sedan in the early 2000s, that had legit AWD, 6 speed manual gearbox, well-appointed interior, and an insane Twin Turbo V6. Sky was the limit with…
“Our budget is up to $40,000 but we can stretch a bit for the right car.”
Nothing feels more fun to drive in the “under 40K SUV” category. And the 2.0T / ZF auto is a reliable / fun combo. Meet the Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Agreed, but many will tell you that KISS means touch screens with “set it and forget it” functionality, because the accountants know that putting screens in cars are cheaper lol
Ferrari has been doing turn signals and steering wheel controls for over 2 decades, but that’s Ferrari. And a Ferrari is not a cheap vehicle or a daily driver (for 99% of the buyers anyway). To each their own. I didn’t buy an MK8 VW GTI / Golf R because of the whole touch interface / haptic ‘buttons.’ Glad to see…
That’s all true, until you get hit with something like the Takata airbag recall. Safety issues in automotive are big cost hitters, even more so than a lot of the quality / manufacturing issues for which recalls can be issued. Obviously, they’re looking at the smaller picture here. Recalls for an OEM and their…
HVAC (including heated seats / steering wheel), turn signals, wipers and frequently used stereo controls should ALWAYS be physical buttons. Any items that drivers interact with on a regular basis should be physical buttons / stalks. It’s like we want to move to everything automated / touch-based, but then realize that…
Worse thing about my E39 M5, is that EVERYTHING I’ve owned alongside it, before it and perhaps after it, will NEVER feel the same. It’s just pure perfection out of the box, as it literally ticks EVERY single box for a car enthusiast, daily driver etc. I’ve owned mine for 8 years now (longest I’ve ever owned a car) and…
It’s literally just a few Japanese OEMs, which isn’t so many tbh. I’d be surprised if BMW starts making Anime ads. It’s cool, because it’s all Japanese culture and Toyota GR86 and Honda Type R ads were quite cool. They’re definitely trying to grab the purist millennial market, the one’s that cry about cheap stick…
I should’ve made it clear, that it’s the USED car market that’s been going crazy for a manual. I’m sure there’s no more than a handful manual-equipped vehicles you can buy now in the market brand new. But used manual cars, especially popular sportscars, have gone into hyperspace prices
Here in Detroit, there were a couple of nice “warm-ish” days. I went in and fired up the Honda CBR 600RR. I had it on a tender and up on stands. Corrected tire pressures and was ready to go. Always put your bikes up on stands (or raise the wheels somehow) and put it on a tender. I’m always prepared to take the bikes…
Preach !
I am an automotive engineer currently working in Motor City. I know the industry inside out. The cost cutting measures in manufacturing, R&D etc are atrocious, and that’s why I said people are unreliable. However, recalls is a real thing, along with TSBs. There are major repercussions involved when OEMs, their…
Fellow Michigander, link up !
When are you selling your manual-Euro-wagen ? I’m getting in line. I haven’t found a manual E46 or E90 anywhere near me for years now. Though I did just sell my E83 X3 with a 6 speed manual, so that’s kinda the same thing as your 328i wagon. Also, I own a Triumph motorcycle and loved their cars, good on you for…
We must be friends. I’ve also got a minivan and a BMW (amongst 2 other vehicles and 2 motorcycles). But If I had to do the 2-car garage thing, I’d keep my E39 M5 and Honda Odyssey.
Bring Steam back !
A regular CVS pharmacy disposable shaving razor involves less effort / skill / risk factor to use than a straight-edge safety razor to your face / head
At least your honest about your personal situation, on the internet :)
Not true. A manual Corolla from the 90s does not command the same price as a manual BMW M3 from the 90s. Wanna know why ? Because the 90s Corolla wasn’t a fun car with the manual (or auto for that matter.) A lot of the fun cars with manuals are the ones commanding huge premiums. It’s also not necessarily because of…
