Unpainted pine is the Prius of coffins.

@Straight6er: Great in theory, but overspending on a car because it's a "good deal" is a big part of what got us here in the first place.

I don't need convincing that I want a BMW diesel, I've been begging for them for years.

I actually think that the E39 is the low point in this pic. The E60 headlights are ridiculous, but the design has aged much more gracefully to my eyes. Its taut lines continue to be attractive and only the details bug me. I still admire them on the road.

@pauljones: I believe that Nuccio, not Giovanni, can be credited with the best angular metal ever.

@Mobius: That's what I've always thought about rallying - it's the closest thing to what auto racing was in its "glory days".

He'll probably enjoy himself more and is still being paid $15m by Ferrari for walking away. I'd say that's a good deal.

@Elhigh: I agree. I've been public in my opposition to the way they conducted the project, but regardless, I thought it would end up looking better in the end.

@VeeArrrSix: It's because, like the questionable styling of the car, they were chosen by the crowd.

@mechimike: They actually didn't. I worked for Amtrak's insurer at the time they were testing and one of the reasons for the many delays was that the trains were hitting things when they tilted. Luckily, no severe accidents, but I think some poles were taken out. #rants

@gdiamond: There technically is a 150+mph train (Acela) running between DC and Boston, it's the infrastructure in CT (track) and NJ (level crossings) that isn't up to the speed of the train. Also, at 200mph it would still take nearly an hour to get between NYC and Boston, which are about 190 miles apart.

@Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est: Like the Northeast corridor, where the Acela uses just such a system. Unfortunately, you still need jointless track to attain high speeds (from what I understand). #rants

@BaconSandwich and the generic grey civic of doom: Which one's the crashed one? I can't tell. #subarulegacy

@Detroit Velvet Smooth aka Panzerwagon: The new Legacy makes a Kia look like it belongs in MOMA.

They've also managed, much to everyone's surprise, to move the front end of the Legacy from "kinda f'ed up" to "completely awkward and fugly". #subarulegacy

@FrankGrimes: I used to be a car designer (but haven't been for a long time). Theses days I'm mostly an illustrator. #localmotors

@d3c509b aka Steve: This is a vehicle designed to make a profit. It won't be free to download or built for the masses as a non-profit organization like Mozilla or XBMC. So you volunteer your time, and Jay Rogers makes that more cash on each 50G car. If that sounds good to you, go for it!

@FrankGrimes: They do give away prizes to the winners, but that doesn't mean that the others participating didn't essentially do tons of development for them with no compensation. That means those of us trying to earn a living as designers won't generally participate and students have the most to gain.

@Franzouse: I think that sums up the "genius" of the committee" right there. #localmotors

It's an interesting start.