I was 100% with you until I saw the passenger side. That’s some Tom’s of Finland shit right there.

As a diagnostic tool designed to improve  the process, dealer surveys are virtually useless, as the goal is divorced from any realistic expectation or reality. 

Isn’t the big difference that Carvana isn’t trying (at the current moment, at least) to compete with dealers on new sales? I’m no expert on dealerships, but I’d guess most dealers generally are happy to have the “trade in / getting rid of the trade in” part of the sales process outsourced to someone else.

As a former European who moved to the US in my 20s almost three decades ago - Europe is a very densely populated place, the US much less so. There are a ton of things that made me feel at home in the US when I came here as a student in a way that my native Germany didn’t. That doesn’t mean, however, that I think we…

I think a more appropriate competitor for the VW Taos would be the Hyundai Santa Fe?

I think that’s just the name of Elon’s next kid.

If you’re stuck being able to change the attack angle of the rear wheels could be EXTREMELY useful.

This is old news.  My dad bought an HHR back in 2010 and it had the ability to crab walk to the left on the freeway fresh from the assembly plant.

I think it would be more useful to spin in place.

Weird, mine was an 05 ASSPAT...could only be driven gently.

Growing up in the 1980s, I *adored* CART racing. I felt everything else was a pale imitation, especially NASCAR. Like, these guys are the fastest and best racers in America, if not the world.

It’s got a cop motor, a 130 kilowatt plant, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks...

Just cuz you said CX-9: We bought my wife a 33k mile 2018 CX-9 touring back in February for $21k, with decent down payment its onyl $300/mo.

I’m a huge B5 Passat wagon fan. I owned one for 4ish years. I loved it. I always wanted a W8. But to be honest, if you just want performance and less pain in the ass, find a 1.8T 4Motion and go to someone like APR. It’s much lighter and you can get higher power numbers without much trouble. Maintenance is still a…

Never attribute to incompetence when it can adequately explained by malice. 

the whole concept of it being “ride sharing” was farcical from the start. it was always a taxi service, and “do it via a smartphone app” doesn’t make it somehow revolutionary and a totally different thing.

Drivers are contractors because Uber/Lyft is a BROKER. That’s the important part that everyone keeps leaving out. 

Ah, the old Harley-Davidson competitive strategy.  Worked out great for them, right up until it didn’t.

Have you considered the Ford Flex? These cars are seriously great. Lots of awesome options including power folding 3rd row, tons of storage, heated and cooled seats, unique styling, pretty solid power train, and if you get one of the ecoboost models? Surprisingly quick! $24k can get you a very clean and well equipped…

Looks like it’s 2015 Cayenne Diesel time for you !