If you enjoy it, that’s really all that matters.  I LOVE my car (is’t not a CTR).  Every time I look at it, I smile a little.  

Makes me think of F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.”

clearly COTD

The thing is, you make a good point but I’m not sure that H-D has adopted and embraced that same point where they are creating a new culture/image.    Right now, I’d be more inclined to look at an Indian than an H-D because Indian seems to have less brand baggage.  Another view is that H-D sells bikes that have old…

too funny!

@amiriteagain:  I’m not sure that I’m making an argument as much as that’s how I feel about H-D at this point.  So if H-D (the company) doesn’t want to alienate people like me, then there’s something wrong with its marketing.  But H-D’s kind of boxed itself in.

Honestly, I hesitate to characterize all (or even most) H-D riders in a negative way. I’m sure there are tons of great people who ride H-D’s, just as there are punks who ride Japanese bikes, or arrogant pricks who ride BMW’s. But it seems like H-D’s branding is not helping matters.  Bummer about your story, SbAB,…

Summer shanty (shandy?) has some lemonade mixed into the beer.  Very refreshing on a hot summer day.  

I love ‘Gansett beer!  One of my neighbors is a part owner.  Super nice guy.  My wife and friends especially like the summer shanty.  To be clear, the beer is not very good per se, but it’s summer for us.

I think I’m an example of the problem that H-D has. I’m an Asian-American and I just don’t feel welcome in H-D shops or within the H-D crowd. I suspect (but I don’t know for sure) that other minorities and women feel the same way as well as men who don’t fit a certain “image.” Then add the fact that their products are…

At least once a summer, I’ll buy my lobsters off the fishing boat in Narragansett.

Nice car, nice pics.  Well done.

The guy who wrote about the Stinger reminds me of the Adam Sandler character in Uncut Gems. Always scheming for an easy way out, and so many things have to break his way to avoid the house of cards from crashing down on his head. In my mind, the Stinger owner should stick by his decision and drive that car for the…

Another terrific, in-depth article. You are on a roll, Kristen.

@Kristen: Nice article! very interesting.

The issue, I think, is teh bidding process.  Government has to go with the lowest bid.  That encourages contractors/manufacturers to cut corners.  Instead of paying a bit more for long term quality.

@Jason:  This space is already taken by Iain M. Banks.  His ship names are funny and clever.

To start with, Infiniti seems to have a major branding issue. What distinguishes an Infiniti from a BMW, M-B, Audi, or Lexus? What is the point or unifying theme or organizing principle that Infiniti is highlighting in lineup and design? I have no idea, and that’s part of their problem.

Get my car to a PDR and then FINALLY get a ceramic coating on it.

Oh yes - so much yes!