USPS was the first place I checked, and when I was applying for a passport in October, appointments were booked out until mid-late November at every single location I checked (I’m in Phoenix, AZ).

Weird that they’re opposed to enhanced ID when that’s all they harp on about during election season.

Yes, but if your passport is very expired or you’ve never had one, getting one is an experience worse than the DMV... you have to make an in-person appointment at a passport office, which can often be weeks or months out if you’re in a major metro area. And once you do get to the appointment, the level of bureaucracy…

Oh for sure. But as a kid I didn’t know any better, haha.

1994 Camry LE (V6, auto) in the classic tan on tan color combo. Seemingly a reliable car, right?

There’s two parts to this— a car that’s simple/robust enough to make it that far, and owners that are willing to do the regular maintenance and repairs to help get it there. Plenty of cars get scrapped for seemingly minor issues like the AC going out or leaking oil.

Yes?

The real Goldilocks of Porsches is still the 924/944, because despite their recent price appreciation, they’re still some of the most affordable Porches you can get into, along with the first-gen Boxster. It’s a shame the 996 has gone back up in price, there’s not really an affordable 911 anymore (by affordable, I…

I’ve borrowed and rented modern cars before, and all I get is a stiff ride, creaky cheap plastics (even in higher end cars), shiny black plastic nonsense all over the interior, lifeless electric power steering, overly sensitive electronic throttle, and stiff rubbery shifters (in the few that still have a manual). I’ve…

I mean, I recently had a 2003 BMW 330i, and that felt way too modern for me so I sold it. I did own a 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT for a while, until I gave it to my girlfriend because I hated driving it.

Yeah but that’s boring and unnecessary for my lifestyle. I like having a cheap RWD manual beater.

Yes, it had a driver’s airbag until I removed it to install an aftermarket steering wheel. I wouldn’t trust a 30 year old airbag to do anything useful anyways, my seat belt did all the work when I rolled the car.

Sure, but I’m willing to accept that. And as far as old tin cans go, old BMW’s do quite well. I rolled my last 1992 525i which had zero airbags and walked out without a single scratch on me.

Yes and that’s why my shop is full of extra parts... I have extra engines, transmissions, differentials, wiring harnesses, etc. I’ve been driving the same model of car for a few years now, trying to keep it going as long as I can. It’s a 1992 BMW 525i with close to 300k miles and it just keeps on going.

I actually haven’t heard that one before, lol.

It’s a manual, yes. But it’s not brown, just a black 1992 BMW 525i with close to 300k miles.

You assume that I want to survive an accident, haha. I don’t plan on having kids so at least I’m only taking myself out if something happens.

Yeah, I like having an older car though. It’s got 292k miles on it now (and 314k on the motor) and it just keeps on going. I trust it more than any new car.

And that’s why I drive a car from 1992, where the amenities stop at ABS, power steering, power windows, and a digital clock. No need for silly features.

Low and slow, I dig it. Even though it’s a bit more than what I’d want to pay, I’m giving it a philosophical Nice Price because I agree with the concept of this slammed diesel cruiser. We need to slam more old German cars, they look great like that.