Abso-freakin-lutely.

What a load of criminal-apologist bullshit, Erin. Based on your history, I’d say you deserve to be fired once again. What a joke.

Very well written article, David. Thank you, man.

I don’t know, I want about half of those cars. Emphasis on the wagon/hatch forbidden fruit!

I offloaded a 2020 Civic Si coupe ((god I miss that car)) for $2,500 more than MSRP, which was radical! My current ride, a beat up 2006 CRV with 225,000 miles, is only worth about $1,000.

This is a Good Take, well said.

Neutral: The Toyota 4Runner.

I scored a 2nd Gen Honda CR-V (with a manual!) for $4,800 a couple of months ago. K24 engine is pretty stout, and hasn’t got any real issues! Spent $2,400 on a Ford Ranger too, and while it runs and drives fine it’s a total beater. There’s plenty of reliable metal for under $5k!

I paid $2,500 (wait no, $2,400 thanks to the apprentice discount) on a 2006. It came with a camper shell, had the Mazda-developed Duarte’s 2.3 four-pot, 5-speed manual (oh that’s Mazda’s too, good for them) and RWD. Mind, she had 238,000 on her when I bought her, but in spite of (or because of) her XL basic trim not…

Similarly to how I was taught to swim, I was put behind the wheel relatively early with minimal instruction. I was around 12, early for a city boy like myself, and my father wasn’t the most qualified instructor.

I miss my 2nd Gen Honda Fit Sport 5MT. I love that mini Party Wagon more than any other car I’ve owned to date, as it drove great for its size and helped me make so many memories. Oh, and it was blue. 🤩

Eh, last month I picked up a 2nd Gen Mazda3 hatchback, with sunroof and leather and a small dealer warranty, for $10k. Vastly better than nearly all of those offerings.

I did take my entire (most of it) dash apart to fix a broken knob earlier this year. Even then, after all that work, I jerry-rigged it with plenty of super glue. 

Intimidated by things like bearings (suspension and engine) and deeper mechanical stuff. I can do a step above basic owner maintenance, like shock absorbers and that sort, but my confidence level falls quick beyond that.

1st Gear: I’m working on finishing up my Tacoma TRD-Off Road to sell, and if it’s good timing it’ll affect my Neutral response as well!

Busy place, my garage. I’m learning to change the front suspension on my Tacoma, so it’s on stands. And my Mazda is on stands for a rotation as I prepare to return to 750 mile/week commuting!

Surely you still shop Amazon, yea? That world-swallowing corporation that is more notorious for union-busting than Walmart? It sucks, but that’s one facet where even Walmart is more honorable.

My mom deserves the fake Chinese Vespa she rides already. Agreed, not all moms are saints.

Neutral: I am definitely car shopping right now. I almost pulled the trigger on a leftover 2019 GTI S the other day, using their 0%/72mo. promo, but got cold feet. I’m saving and planning to pick up a Civic Si if they can offer better financing deals.

Not sure where you’re at, so I won’t call you out, but I’m Union in an otherwise essential business, and about everyone in my local (more than 1,000 folks) are off on unpaid furlough. So it isn’t universal.