Thank you for this highly informative and eye opening post. I genuinely did not realize there were so few owners of the dealerships now, nor of the level of corruption either. This simply reinforces my decision to buy used....yes, I know for me to have used cars to choose from, there needs to have been new cars bought…

Starred for Snake Plissken!

There’s a famous Chinese curse - “ May you live in interesting times”.

With the caveat that I do not live in a huge city like Houston or LA:

You are beyond kind! Personally, I’m a Jalop because our family’s belief that you can get a car for about $2000 USD and with a little know-how, can drive it safely for years has served us well, is a point of pride actually. I’m not sure what you could do with that tho, doesn't David Tracy have a corner on that subject?…

A Dodge Omni?!

I thought Dodge/Chrysler diesels were relatively reliable? Of course, the one I know of is the Cummins diesel used in the heavy duty pickups here, so of course these European ones may be completely different animals....

My father in law just died earlier today, so I understand......like you, Jalopnik was one of the first places I turned to for distraction and a little humor. Luckily for us, Torch was in top form today...he had some marvelously ingenious turns of phrase that entertained and eased the strain of the moment. Star 4-1, I…

My mid-50's ex- Sunday School teaching self was very nearly put off by some of the language used here and the middle finger emojis.....but honestly, the artful placement of said emojis on each listing, and the over the top vulgarity tickled my funny bone too much to take offense. Well played, Jason......well played.

David, you’re such a tease - why do we have to wait so long for more of the story? Loving the write up of the journey thus far! I love older pickups -so functionally minimalist yet so good at what they were designed for - compared to these modern day bloated monstrosities people are paying as much as a cheaper house…

David Tracy, is that you?

Well, this discussion got dark quickly.

I had no idea new cars could be had so cheaply in the UK; y’all are quite lucky. Around $14,000 USD is pretty much the bottom here.

Can't wait! 

I’m going to drive my 2002 model until the wheels fall off. If I happen to get into a wreck, at least I don't have to try to explain to either my husband or the nice police officer that no, it really wasn't my fault. Seriously! The car braked on it's own. I swear........

Have the brain cells of half of the readership Roved out of Range if common sense? I don’t get it; why is the voting almost neck to neck? Doesn’t everyone know Range Rovers out of warranty are a checking account implosion just waiting to happen?! Great Googly-Moogly.

Didn't we just watch the Rivian do this, only better?

David - don't ever change. 

Wish I had the extra cash, it’d be under my Christmas tree! Figuratively speaking, of course. May not be muscle-car fun to drive, but lovely to look at both inside and out. Can't believe there's any naysayers to this one....the spirit of Scrooge lives on!

Last year we bought a 97 Camry....good car. Only had just over 100k miles.....might try to find another. Sadly not beige, but it's an imperfect universe.