I seriously considered this option as well - if nothing else than to embarrass my friend with a Golf R by having a GTI with more power. :D

Neutral: I take most news reports I read these days with an F-150 load of salt. Many auto news outlets (not Jalopnik) are presenting the decline in sales as “The sky is falling!!!” or “It’s 2008 all over again!!!” But like you said, that’s just not true. Record sales can’t last forever. They have to slow down…

This. Absolutely this. It no longer matters how much you know. All that matters is how well you take the test. I realized this early on, maximized my grades for the minimum effort, and was considered one of the smart kids as a result.

Plus blue collar workers don’t have that lifetime of debt to pay off from overpriced colleges.

Society is all about sending kids to college. Blue collar work is thought to be for those who can’t hack it in college - in other words, the “dumb kids.” Nothing can be further from the truth, especially these days when you have to be a computer technician as well as a traditional “mechanic.” But college is The One…

I agree, but I think there’s an even better solution.

I really didn’t think you were going to make it to Moab, let alone successfully go off roading there. Despite your minor setbacks while you were there, this is the ultimate tale of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Nice going!

I think we can look forward to smoky ute burnouts from another source.

Ironically, shortly before the VW purchase, Ducati collaborated with another German manufacturer - AMG.

Rally wagon!

Obligatory.

That’s what I do, especially in a tricky car or motorcycle situation. Calm and collected, get through it, THEN freak the fuck out when it’s safe to do so. Because freaking out has to happen too.

They say that shared misery, trauma, and near death experiences can bring a couple closer together...

I think you read WAY too much into this. Never stop being you. :)

How long until a GoFundMe pops up from fans to cover his fine?

Oh, I love this idea. The NASCAR invasion. Prove to the world that these guys are legitimately great drivers. And that they can turn both left AND RIGHT!

I don’t even like NASCAR and I like Dale Jr. I can’t say I’m surprised he’s retiring after his concussion incident last year. Hopefully he’ll continue to use his fame and influence to keep pushing for concussion care even after he retires.

Dude, my second car was a 1995 Tracer!

Also true.

Canyonero!