The air freshener is the big red flag to me. The speakers and stereo are dumb but forgivable, but the minute I see an air freshener I think mold and/or overpowering BO.

Right. So they’re acting like a consignor, but not actually doing the things a consignor legally has to do like assuming title and getting licensed and bonded. Sounds an awful lot like Uber’s “we’re just a technology services company” line, which hasn’t worked out too well for them in the courts so far. Not trying to…

So, it’s online auto consignment? How do they get away with not being a dealer, legally?

It is verifiably the worst. I’ve driven to LAX at 5 o’clock on a Friday, I drove across Portugal where they’ll pass your ass on a one-lane road (and have the unpaid speeding ticket to prove it), I’ve driven in freaking Honduras where I had to dodge a guy riding a horse bareback in the street. DC rush hour actually…

Switched to TaxAct this year. Just as effective as TurboTax, slightly less obnoxious, much cheaper (like 1/3rd the cost for me, at least). And I get the joy of putting Intuit on my spam filter list.

The awareness of Russian casualties is slowly improving, but it’s still incredibly unusual to find references to the huge number of Chinese casualties in WWII. I think it’s pretty evident in the way Americans tend to react to Chinese and Russian politics; when you finally grok how extensively those two cultures got…

If the Disco 5 doesn’t get the TDV6 as an option in the US, it will be definitive proof that God hates us. I just hope they can keep some of the chunkiness alive; I really like the looks of the new RRS and Disco Sport, but I’ll miss the boxy purposefulness of the older models.

CP

Here’s what’s unacceptable:

Yes, the wires are very fine, much finer than what you’re used to in a rear window defroster. Who knows what the actual marginal cost is - I think they do tend to be found more on “premium” brands like Audi, BMW, etc, but Ford offers their version on just about every European model they make, including their tiniest…

I’ve had a couple Land Rovers with the fully heated windshield, and I don’t notice the elements at all. I have to squint and concentrate to even see them, and they’re invaluable in truly nasty weather. I can see why they’re not a standard, but I don’t understand why almost nobody even offers them as an option in the…

I was shopping CPO Range Rovers recently, and more than one dealer told me they’re getting very hard to come by because lease residuals are turning out to be way below market value. In other words, the rate of depreciation on these things has changed so suddenly, people are coming off lease and finding out they would…

Enough about strategy and diplomacy- I want to know more about this Mooninite camo.

OMG, it’s full of leather.

I just still don’t understand how they justify a $45k vehicle with a cloth interior. Or any price point in a pickup, for that matter - who the fuck wants a 4x4 that can’t be easily cleaned? Leather, leatherette, old school burn-the-crap-out-of-my-thighs vinyl, anything but dirt sponge fabric.

Obligatory:

Drove one and it took some serious effort to talk myself back off the ledge. The GLA45 is stupidly fun, and it’s deep silliness just adds to the appeal to me. I shudder at the thought of owning one out of warranty, though.

As a bonus, enough off-roading body damage might cover up how hideous the thing is.

Every fucking day. Hell, that kid looks pretty respectable compared to most park rats.

Second only to Nogaro Blue