Fixed that for you. Warming over the same STI that they’ve sold for the past God-knows-how-long is not worthy of the heritage on display. They used to push the envelope.

If the latest Lightning Lap is to be believed, the Kia Stinger GT is a dog around the track, and the Civic Type R spanked even the STI Type RA.

I feel like recently, the E-class & GLE have been getting more focus. I mean, for example, which car in the lineup is getting the new 48V hybrid system or E-Active Body Control that they’ve just developed, first? It doesn’t appear to be the GLS or S Class, at least not in the US.

Funny you mention Goldhofer. I am literally in the middle of reviewing and signing-off on a purchase spec. for an 8 or 10-axle, low profile, self-propelled transporter from them to carry 200+ tons up a not-insignificant incline.....or I should be, but I got distracted by this article.

I don’t know if they simply have poorly aimed headlights from the factory, but almost every time I’m blinded from behind by someone who doesn’t seem to have their brights on, it’s a goddamn Nissan CUV/SUV/truck. It’s way too consistent for it to be accidental.

That’s too bad. Volvo’s CPO program was ‘secretly’ the best deal in the industry, and what justified my decision to buy one. Now it’s essentially equal to what is offered by Mercedes, except without the brand cachet.

Jesus, we’re talking about a car that already feels like it’s bolted directly to your spine, and you want to give it STIFFER springs and swaybars? Just looking at the car will cause a disk herniation.

Maserati has much worse reliability, worse fit and finish, worse overall quality, worse day-to-day livability, worse/smaller dealer network, and more or less the same performance as their German counterparts; why would you get one again? The whole “Italian passion” thing they try and sell on doesn’t seem premium…

I sold my STI to a lawyer buying his 17 year old son a first car.

You may have been going for ‘mocking’, but it definitely came out as ‘bitter’. Because there’s ‘mocking’, and then there’s ‘I don’t have nice things so I’m going to mock people who like to enjoy their money’ resentful. Stereotyping the owners and their reasons for purchase really drove that home, as did your…

They’re only investments if you don’t drive them, which completely defeats the purpose. You’re better off putting your money elsewhere if you’re looking for investment returns.

For the prices these things command, you could purchase a new sports/sporty car and embarrass it in every measurable performance metric......with a warranty. Mustang GT, Camaro SS, Corvette GS, 370Z, STI, Focus RS, C63 Coupe, RS4, M2 Coupe, etc, etc, etc.

https://jalopnik.com/1829639332

I design welded equipment (ASME Section III, NB & NF) at my current workplace, and I think a lot of people would be surprised at how much load a properly applied weld can take, even one of a relatively small nominal size. Just for example, 20 inches of only an 1/8" bead can take ~37 kips in shear. The vacuum …

I’m surprised no one has recommended a used Ford Flex Ecoboost. It doesn’t hit his manual requirement, but neither does the BMW, and it makes up for it with surprising quickness for its size, plus utility second only to a minivan.

Height is not the defining factor between being classified as a wagon and a CUV. Keep in mind, even at the same height, the Outback is also 9" longer than the CRV, and has 1.5" more ground clearance. That alters the shape significantly.

I feel like calling it a “worldbeater” is being generous. It was a competitive Sporty/GT car of its day with a really stout engine. It feels like it’s becoming a victim of its own mythos.

I’m not cheap, but I am reasonable.

You rang?