So, DeMuro got a lot of things right in that article. What he didn’t mention is that governments like China and Brazil can seriously penalize an automaker along many different channels for just the perception of turning a blind eye to illegal imports that result in massive tax evasion. IMHO I think that that is a much…

So, I did some work as a picture car mechanic. They usually need multiples of cars that are more than just static background fixtures, particularly if they’re hero cars and/or appear in multiple scenes or chases. And all of those cars need to look the same on camera, even if they have wildly different demands in…

Oh hey, since you’re here - thanks for doing the work on OnStar - I feel better knowing that my elderly mom gets hit in her car that someone will check on her and send the ambulance. Which has happened, actually, although I don’t know if Onstar got involved on that one or it was passing motorists that called for help.

Nope. Although I’d be curious to hear about that episode too, from a JLR dealer insider perspective

Former dealer service manager here (NYC, L.A., SF East Bay area). I can’t speak for Toyota policy but for the major brand I handled, knowingly selling any units for export out of the US was explicitly prohibited by our franchise contract. Selling multiples for that purpose was even more of a no-no. That didn’t stop it…

IIRC Toyota licensed OnStar some years back to use in their vehicles in certain markets. Not sure what they called it or how available it was, though.

It’s probably gonna get blown up in short order, why waste the work? :P

“if you do not have $20K and are buying a $20k item”

Item doesn’t just mean car. And if you don’t think houses can depreciate - disastrously, even - I have several housing crashes to remind you of, since you seem to be too young to remember them. Your lack of perspective and experience are showing here.

So only the wealthy should own houses. Got it.

Your argument is wildly oversimplified, ignores the big picture completely and is tremendously bad advice.

You are presenting a false choice though - people on a budget making that choice between a cheap used car and a new car don’t have to overspend, and many people don’t - they buy things like Honda Fits, Corollas, Civics, 4 cylinder Nissan Frontiers, new Hyundais or one of the many other decent, reliable new cars that…

Thanks! I loved the car for what it was good at, and I still recommend them wholeheartedly for people who live at sea level and need an excellent, versatile city car on a tight budget but don’t do a lot of highway miles.

That’s easy for you to say. But that’s a losing proposition financially for lots and lots of people of modest means who can only afford one car and they need that car to be reliable so they can get to work and all the other essential tasks requiring a car in much of the USA. Especially if they have to pay someone else…

For people who think outside of the box and buy a car instead of a SUV, $28k (or less!) gets you - for example - a loaded, german built AWD 250hp/295 lb-ft 2.oT midsize wagon, brand new with a 4 year bumper to bumper warranty. So if you have to have payments, you can have 4 years of them without running out of…

Those are great bikes, good choice for long term ownership.

I love these bikes but the cost to fix the electronic suspension can be eye watering. The early Multistrada 1200 electronic rear shock was $4800 list. For just the shock. I know because we had one that was throwing a persistent DES code and we were directed by corporate to replace it. The idea of paying those costs…

^^^ this. A lightly used, babied Multistrada PP is a great value. And the first owners of those bikes typically take really good care of them, and don’t ride them much as they often have a half dozen bikes at a time and no time to ride any of them much.
(source: I service managed three Ducati dealerships)

I has a ‘13 Fit Sport 5MT. Bought new. Daily’d it for 75K miles and 5 years.

It’s interesting to see which intentionally awkward and ugly parts the company has designed purely for regulatory compliance that seem likely to be immediately removed and thrown in the trash bin by owners.

The license plate/rear turn signal/side reflector carriers and the mufflers, for starters.

None of the Gen 1 and 2 Sprinters sold in the US were FWD.

What are you talking about? None of the first two generations of Sprinters sold in the US were FWD.