I walked by a Nissan Murano Cabriolet the other day. It was parked in front of a McMansion, the door was open, the top was lowered and the stereo was up with noone around. I can understand the person who authorized the Mini...

Nissan’s 510-derived IDX concept is one I’ve been livid to see die for several years. For a company that hasn’t done itself many favors in the last decade, that would seem to be a PR win, if not a super high-profit vehicle.

Well, it appears I now have two slots in the car nerd tee-shirt rotation that have opened up. Black Lives Matter.

In recent years I’ve been disappointed in BMW, but my dad gets credit for making me a fan with the cars he owned when I was young.

How about the Mezger Motor?

Outstanding call. If she can find one the rev-happy XRS trim can be had with a stick and a 8k rpm 2-zz engine they’re within budget for sure. Albeit, if you want all-wheel drive it can’t be had with that mill but still a great car. 

That’s technically just two five-cylinders, though. Don’t be fooled. 

Yes, and honestly good for them for borrowing the rule of thirds that Aston Martin has been acting like they invented for 50 years. 

I have to think that the tried-and-true Nissan SExterra woul fit the bill nicely here. Or if you wanted to size up, you could maybe find a pathfinder. The VQ has enough power to tow, they’re reliable and simple and un-special enough for serious off-roading and you can get a stick if you want it. 

I actually think BMW will start taking cues from the 90s-’aughts. They keep upping the roundy-swoopiness. It has to stop somewhere. The E36-46 design language would look great with modern body panel technology and be a return to classic Teutonic slab-sided goodness.

Does anyone other than Kristen Lee work at Jalopnik? Some serious long form pieces coming from Fancy Kristen. 

As the owner of a ‘17 car (not since new, since April ‘19) I’m consistently surprised at how much I enjoy it. The Hondata +6 PSI tune bumps output to a level where it feels just as eager as a GTI and the shifter/steering feel when in Sport are as good as anything on the market at this price.

If the rev hang could be…

This is the only correct answer

Right. The correct answer is manual. 

You forgot “miserable crunching sound as the fist-sized center diff consumes itself and your wallet at the same time”

I always appreciated the ST205's lines a little more than this car. The 165 is just a little too Jellybean for me. Not to say I’m beyond thrashing one for $6800 but...

Why sort of competition does the X4M compete in? Is there some new DTM Crossover class I’m not aware of?

It’s a solid color. For the hypercars, I’d argue a straight-up bright white would do better. 

I’ve got a pair of shaggy suede “Peaks to Streets” NB 574s and they are my favorite shoes. Lots of compliments, super comfy and the suede makes them stand out. Feels like I discovered an unappreciated sneaker release.

I’ve got a pair of shaggy suede “Peaks to Streets” NB 574s and they are my favorite shoes. Lots of compliments,…