That’s a lot of car for the money, so I voted ND.

And almost identical hp in the base engine without having been ‘massaged’.

Jeebus, and in that color.

Holy crap, that went to a dark place at the end!

That is not the case.  Chrysler is my specific experience, but their 80's 5sp had reverse in the same spot as 1st, just with a lock out ring.

User name checks out!

Neutral: ish? We were at 90.89% totality here. Skies were relatively clear until about 10 minutes before maximum and then the clouds rolled in. Went to a local park to check it out and ran in to some old friends.

IIRC it was not uncommon to take the 5th gear out of a Saturn SL1 and transplant it to the SL2 for better highway cruising and mileage.  Apparently they would pretty much just drop right in.

Yeah, my Subaru is my first non-motorcycle that actually tells me what gear I’m in.  Of course, it doesn’t actually tell you until *after* you release the clutch.   As part of the transmission failing me at point the reverse lock out failed, so that was exciting.

Almost anything with a rotary would qualify, right?

I grew up mainly driving 5spd manuals. Reverse was always back to the right, or shared a slot with 1st provided you lifted the lock out ring.

Mercedes, I’ve seen your career as an automotive journalist blossom and grow, and I respect your opinion, but I have to disagree even on the latest model. Several of my coworkers, who are not car people in the slightest, hate them with a passion. The quality of life aspects of the vehicle are just beyond sub par.…

As the current operator of a 2020 Rogue, I disagree.

Yeah, Subaru did these well. The original owner oped for factory ones in my 2011 Outback, and they’re great even now.

Based on the timeframe how much of the dip was due to COVID? Less people were driving, so...

Sadly, not the first time I’ve heard that kind of thing either and I feel for you.

Some people hate the Grapevine, and they should be removed from the road anyway.

I used to look upon heated seats with absolute disdain. “Why the hell would anyone need that kind of frivolity” I would wonder? You’re already (probably) wearing pants, or something similar to cover your ass, what’s the issue?

“lotion”

I wanted to like these because I am all in on campy, silly things like this, but they look like shit.  Like dollar store, shut your wailing toddler up because you’re too down on your finances to afford anything else kind of quality.