I commiserate with you. I have seen a couple of Land Rover Defenders recently. One was from the last year of manufacture with TD and Mexican plates. The owner imported it form UK and had fun going visiting San Diego to demonstrate what we can’t have. Then today another Defender, but a 90 short wheel base also with TD,…

In ‘89 I drove one of these, although with a 4 cylinder, as a rental car in Europe. A lot of fun, and really neat styling for the time. 

In SoCal this thing would have been so gone! Assuming there are no rust issues. 

This certainly is another reason why I am not looking forward to the cars of the future. I am guessing that the perfect vehicle for a car enthusiast, who likes to do his own maintenance, has already been made some time ago. Also, it likely was not a GM product built in this century.

I was just thinking about that mutual aid failure, or rather, feature to some. Not cool given the wildfire situation in California!

Ouch!

Anything in the survey about how Americans are perfectly satisfied with 3 colors besides white and black?

Well said. The best reviews are those where the product is still in the box! Something like - I haven’t had a chance to use it, but it looks sturdy. It brings to mind how diverse users expectations may be.

Agreed, though the GTI might need a few HP to keep up.  At least it proves that the engine can take a Stage 1 or 2 upgraded.  Else, just go R2!

I take it your not a fan of Top Gear. Though very nice car and you have likely found the only one with a manual ever produced, it is too much of a divorced realtor’s car.

The tractors may be tough, but a good thing the founder had a thin skin!

Well said. I have no inclination or guilt to even consider a Ford or GM product, though I have driven and liked their products overseas. I don’t have a need for $50K for an SUV, nor do I need one. Instead, I will actually take my 20 year old Montero off road camping and complete my errands in a 20 year old VW, all with…

Thank you for pointing out the issue! As a bicycle commuter, I am not sure if helmet laws are a good idea. That doesn’t mean that I would ride ut a helmet. Then again, I recall seeing all the riders in Amsterdam without helmets. Nothing like seeing a man in a suit holding an umbrella in one hand while riding the wet co…

Well written. I couldn’t agree more. Last month I saw a unmodified 240Z with a driver of the appropriate vintage. I had forgotten how small those vehicles were and how fine the chrome bumper pieces were. Unfortunately there is a price for all the safety we have now come to take for granted. 

I had one for 12 years, or about 170 miles. Easy to service, with lots of room in the engine compartment. Great balance and decent economy in a traditional front engine / read drive layout. Hard to beat for a first BMW! I loved the hatch. 

I was just wondering if this is just marketing talk because it certainly does not clarify the nature of the product. And yes, I do know that the E30 could have been a sedan, as there was a two door variant.

Does it matter that it is Gran or not? Just a quick look-up confirms my understanding that “coupe” is a car with a fixed roof, two doors, and a sloping rear. What gives? Call a duck a duck and this a sedan. Please!

Why is it not available in the US? After all, why call it “California”? I have been considering a ‘86 or new Westfalia and the prices are absolutely nuts for anything that is not ragged out. In SoCal, $30K+ and 200K+ mi are common. Same for the ones based on the Eurovan.  There are very few vehicles that can compete…

This makes common sense to me! I was trying to hold-off for the MK8, but this may be a signal that now is the time to settle for a MKVII GTI. 

You might consider the support vehicles for the Paris-Dakar rally. They have their own race and have amazing speed.