Now, I don't mean to generalize here, Stephen, but if you're searching for a luxury SUV, I suspect you probably fall closer to the Doug camp than the Tavarish one. And even if you have some mechanical abilities, maybe you don't want to spend your weekends working on your car, sitting in your driveway, especially in…

Kosmo Kramer approves. . .

That's tough for automakers, who have spent the last few years burnishing their small car and hybrid lineup, reports USA Today. But due to ever-stricter fuel economy regulations, don't expect much to change planning-wise. Automakers just have to be flexible to meet changing demand across all markets:

I hate people like this. You just know he's trying to fake a warranty claim for those bent rims right now.

Because Ferrari!

Now I fear for my wallet, I am friends with the owners of a GM dealership. The texts have already started.

It was, but the jokes funnier this way. And besides, once Fox News went full Tea Party they decided to ignore facts like that.

I am not sure Saudi Arabia could effect the price of gas right now even if they wanted to, as external factors are playing a large roll in their decline. But its clear they are not willing to wreck their budget to do so. And if it wipes out some of their more poorly funded competition, so much the better.

That's where all the good stories come from!

My jaw dropped. Folks: a guy brought in a seaworthy, oceangoing, pleasure-inducing boat and a rare, desirable, low-mileage, high-performance Mercedes 500E … and he drove off the lot with a MINI COUNTRYMAN. I mean no disrespect to the Countryman here, but this is an awful trade. In fact, in the world history of awful…

What do you think of Ally repaying its TARP funds and more?

Now, that's not necessarily a good thing but cheap gas is helping to spur auto sales. The paradox that is lower oil prices might be able to help continue to spur car sales. And more car sales mean more money for automakers which means more performance cars and this is good.

And with that, TARP and the US government will totally exit Ally. And it's a great sign that they're getting back nearly $2.5 billion more than they put in. Perhaps this was a sound investment.

Beavers 1, Toyota 2

As we reported just the other day, the Ruble is on its way to losing nearly half its value, which is a big problem in Russia. Because of the loss of value, automakers are now shutting down sales of cars in the country to stem losses until the currency becomes more stable.

Faltering economic confidence, low energy prices, and sanctions all have contributed to Russia's economic mess. The ruble falling dramatically was the latest sign that all is not well in the country and the central bank acted quickly with a big rate hike. But, um, who ordered it?

$600 well spent. Tip of the hat to you.

Film the Smoking Tire podcast.

The reality is that, even if it's not Uber, it'll be someone else. The idea is out there. It's good. Someone will do it and the best we can do is get some kind of reasonable laws in place before they do.

Of course, the sell-off also has to do with sales number nonsense, but that is entirely Tesla's fault.