There used to be a lot more fantastic open-wheel races in the US, like the Phoenix Grand Prix on the street circuit or the one in Motor City. The Champ Car event in Cleveland was special because it was held at Burke Lakefront Airport.

So don't buy an SUV just to feel safe. There are plenty of smaller vehicles out there that are far more nimble, fun to drive and still incredibly safe. Subaru makes some safe cars, for example. Or just drive an armored truck. At least that's more cool than a Lexus LX570.

I went from a MT '07 Mazda3 HB to the '14 S60R, and I thought I'd really miss shifting. I do not...

Additionally, in some states you may also be liable for damage/accidents caused by any of that snow flying off...

White out conditions. Guess how many cars had their lights on. About 50% of them. I flashed my lights at every idiot driving without them. You can barely see in front of you so lets be even more difficult to see to those around you by not having your lights on.

...because sheeple.

It's an infrastructure thing. I also lived there for a few years, and the usual pattern was ice in the morning that melted by evening. There was a fairly nasty snowstorm the year I left—there are no city-owned plows, so the DOT had to work the main surface routes into their schedule....which worked about as well as…

I dont think it matters anymore where the snow falls. People just do not know how to drive for shit anymore.

Had the great pleasure of watching one of these type of aircraft land at BKL for the Cleveland Airshow a while back. The pilot made 2 very-low-altitude recon passes, and put the tires down within a meter or 2 of the beginning of the landing strip (6L) because he could—didn't even need the full runway, pulling in on…

Still not much better...

Yes, bad/unexpected design is everywhere...

They're steel loops that are attached to some part of the floor pan, which is why they're so much better than other methods of seat-attachment.

+1 on the Spaceballs reference....however open-face helmets are easier to put on and electronics aren't required for normal conversation.

So does that mean I've suddenly gotten better at writing since I traded in an '07 Mazda3 Hatchback MT in Aurora Blue for a '14 Volvo S60R in Rebel Blue?

You had me at Nokian. The first and only name in winter driving confidence.

Indeed. For all it's 1950s (converted to meet TSA standards) warts, it really isn't all that bad. The people? I make an effort to do as much as I can online so I limit interaction at *any* airport.

I think the worst offender would be the "old" section of SR-8 between 303 and Graham Rd.

No caravan-related conversation is complete until the Clarkson SadFace is presented!

Had my copy preordered on Amazon for a good 3 months now...

...So I guess this means I should stop toying with the idea of leasing a new 3-series and instead continue contemplating options like a Fiesta ST, BRZ, S70, or JCW Mini.