I mean, it’s a sexy wagon and all, not gonna lie.

But would I to own such a beast, I don’t think I’d actually use it for much, you know, wagon stuff. One of the best things about owning a wagon is using that big ol’ booty to haul stuff, and I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not putting anything from the lumber yard…

I once hit a flying turkey in a Dodge Shadow.

...That’s it. That’s the whole story.

I dunno, I got a heck of a deal on my wife’s 2017 Cruze in Orange Burst Metallic. But that may have also been because it was a Chevy hatchback that no one really wanted, sitting on a CDJR lot.

And as far as resale value, if we ever decide to sell it (my wife plans to run it until the wheels fall off or it’s paid off,…

It’s best if I go by compartment:
- Front doors: flashlight, hand sanitizer, keys, tissues, tire gauge
- Center console, top front: Phone charger, box cutter, various cords, God only knows what else it’s like a junk drawer.
- Center console, top rear: Pens, pencils, cards, change, lens wipes, notepad, inhaler, gum, more…

I agree. Not only are 40-year-old C/Ks in fair condition still fetching absurd prices, but this was also the vehicle that defined my entire childhood. My grandpa bought a new ‘84 Silverado in red/white a month before I was born. I came home from the hospital in it, and rode in the front seat (sometimes in the bed) up…

Fruit so low it’s touching the ground:

My old Neon lacked working AC, so in the summer I usually drove with both windows down. However, it would get too loud and with too much buffeting at anything over 60mph. It was close to 100°F that day, and I had just gotten on the highway and had reached over to raise the passenger window (cranks, baby!) before then…

Southeast Ohio - basically Northwest West Virginia.

If you have money:

Any model that’s just an existing nameplate but with “EV” tacked on to it. It makes a little bit of sense when it’s a vehicle that looks much like the non-EV version, but less so when it’s a heavily modified or completely different platform with different styling. Also when it’s a vehicle with no brand cachet. I mean,…

GeriatriQ

Cynical adult me only remembers commercials that are easy to make fun of (i.e. “Real People”, actors shilling cars they’d never themselves drive, etc.) But adolescent me fondly remembers these two ad campaigns from the ‘90s:

First, the “New Dodge” ads from 1995-1996:

I want to know who at Toyota thought that this was a good idea:

There was also the Chrysler Imperial, which became its own brand from the ‘50s until the early ‘80s.

There’s also all of the performance arms, either which were created by then spun-off from the parent auto manufacturer or bought by them. It gets a little murky sometimes—I’m not entirely sure if Ford considers SVT its…

New cars often come with better interest rates, better monthly terms, and also a warranty. Certainly something to consider when shopping, especially with many vehicles not losing as much value when used.

I have a “30th Anniversary” Dodge Grand Caravan. Other than a couple badges, some contrast stitching on the seats, and a “unique” paint color that was made a regular option the next year, it’s just

Research the crap out of whatever it is you’re going to disassemble that day. I find that one video or forum post usually isn’t enough. I just replaced the oil cooler in my van. The first video I watched showed that the fuel rails had to be removed. The second one showed that they didn’t, and also that the clips for…

Depending on how big the job is, one of those small parts sorters with compartments works really well too. As I removed fasteners, I put each batch in one of the compartments with a small card. On the car, I wrote the quantity of the fasteners and the dimensions and other notes like torque specs (i.e. 8x - 7mm - use…

Why? Because humans, as a species, are tribalistic social primates. Chimpanzees kill the members of other groups of chimpanzees because fuck anyone who isn’t in your own group. And the kill and eat other monkeys because they’re not chimpanzees.

People have always been very murder-y. I read and watch a lot of history…

The Kona was an odd but endearing little bugger. But it just keeps getting worse:

SUVs are “Leatherman” vehicles. Good enough at several things if you can only afford one. A Polaris Ranger  isn’t ideal for driving the kids to school (unless you live in WV, where I’ve seen them with child safety seats strapped to the back).