Solar roof:

They’ll likely end up being used more for issuing traffic tickets than for reconstructing crashes. When you go to renew your registration each year it will be easy to download the last year of vehicle data and know when you were speeding, where you ran stop signs, etc. Instant revenue source.

Man, I see this all the time. We’ve had DRLs up here for over 26 years now, but it’s really only in the last 3-4 years that it seems like 10% of the cars on the road don’t have their lights on at night.

Here’s the thing: in the software world, accelerating development is exactly how you reduce defects. Can it work in manufacturing? Wait and see...

A couple of corrections for you:

- Always have a “cheap” set of tools in addition to your good ones. Need to modify a wrench, bash on a socket, or grind down a screwdriver? You don’t want to do that with your good tools.

The open end of those wrenches also “ratchet” but without any moving parts. Don’t try using these on stubborn or stuck bolts, though!

I lusted for one of those inclinometers for my first get 4Runner...

This problem is solved by increasing the cost of the parking permits. Subsidized on-street parking was nice while it lasted...

We live in a world where “just use GPS” is the SIMPLE solution...

The most insane vehicle to take your kids to school is any personal vehicle. The kids should walk, bike, or take the bus to school.

Everything you need, nothing you don’t. I loved my 2000 Xterra. Recently ran into the family I sold it to, and it they took it on some big adventures for a few years before selling it on to a little old lady. Maybe I need to go see if she wants to sell it back to me...

So slightly worse gas mileage than an F-250 with the 6.2l engine. Put some different tires on that beast (is that even possible?) and you’ll be right in line with an F-250.

Have these been banned at demolition derbies yet?

#4 is a lie. "Difference between sale price and the residual value" seems like it should be the way that a lease works, but if you crunch the numbers it doesn't add up.

It's a tough call for sure, but in the end going "new" is going to be better. I had a 1971 Super Beetle for a very long time. It was my first car at 16, I "restored" it in my teens and moved it across the country with me twice. After 20 years of ownership, the poor thing was beat. It wouldn't pass the safety…

Interesting. When my luggage was damaged beyond repair, I was given a big ol' fuck you and told I should be happy that my luggage even arrived. Some people are getting new bags?

Reminds me of Stephen Colbert interviewing Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones:

I didn't think it was possible to love the Syncro anymore until just now. I had no idea.

My dad actually drilled holes in the floor of his Beetle (a sweet early 60's Baja shortened by 1' in the middle!) to prevent it from floating. There was one too many cruising-down-the-river moments for him I guess.