What do people think you’re going to do when they tell you stories like that, congratulate them? “Oh, that’s such a cool story, bro!” It’s bad enough they did it; why would they then brag about it?

Well, yes, but sometimes, that can be problematic. Especially for the German automakers, who have fifty billion disparate options on top of the powertrain trims and major packages.

Exactly. The whole reason I ordered mine was that the dealership wasn’t spec’ing its inventory with adaptive cruise for X5 s/xDrive40i and xDrive45e models. According to them, their customers didn’t see the point in it. Meanwhile, I refused to forgo that feature.

16 MPG is really good on one of those.

My 2022 X5 xDrive45e has the Drive Recorder, Driving Assistant Plus with Stop & Go, and Parking Assistant Professional packages. It’s irritating to know that if I bought another one, I’d have to pay monthly or yearly for these, rather than the once.

You’re right. It’s a weird phenomenon that both luxury-branded trucks (Escalade EXT, Mark LT) failed, but people are perfectly willing to spend quite a bit more for something with a Ford or GMC/Denali badge on it. Truth be told, I think people like the blend of a blue-collar badge on a truck that’s genuinely a luxury…

Not only that, the 32V was a complete and total gas hog. 12 MPG is good, and it’s not uncommon to get fuel economy in the single digits (in part, because of the inefficient 4AT it was yoked to). And, on top of that, I believe it was rated for premium fuel.

Nothing with a 5.4-liter 3V is worth that much, supercharger or not. No Dice, and I’m offended you asked. Lol.

They sure did. Moreover, the trucks didn’t even come from the factory as Lincolns. The “Mark LT” package was essentially a dealer-installed package that customers could get on their ordinary Ford Lobo/F-150 trucks.

An overpowered RWD car with staggered wheels and summer tires.

I bet that was interesting. Did you post a video of your autocross anywhere?

I don’t think that’s true.

That’s actually a very reasonable price spread. Now, how many of them will get marked up or saddled with mandatory addendums is the question.

My local Audi dealer can’t get enough Audis, so they’ve been buying base-model Volkswagen Jettas and Tiguans, which is better than nothing.

I have a 2022 X5 with wireless CarPlay, and it often drops out near power transformers. It’s a little irritating. I wouldn’t mind having a car with just wired CarPlay. On longer trips, you end up having to plug your phone in, anyway, because wireless CarPlay depletes the battery rather quickly.

It’s a $20,000 car, max. For $35,000, I’d expect it to have an M5 powertrain swapped in. And I am very familiar with going rates for post-2000 BMWs.

I’d rather buy this than the stupid overpriced 4Runner on today’s NPOND.

I low-key love this, but I think the enterprising teenager should have brushed up on his graphic design skills. Comic Sans and cartoon palm trees? Yikes.

At $7,500, it would be more enticing. But for $13,500?

I think my skin has turned green from envy.