WTF?

We lost the space race back on July 21, 2011 with the final flight of Atlantis. We handed over the space crown to Russia there and then. We should never have stopped launching orbiters without a functional replacement on deck and ready to go.

We’ve been overtaken in the space race by both Russia and China. That is fucking depressing. We gotta start funding NASA properly, and stop relying on the “free market” and billionaires to make up the difference.

So... China has a more modern space station in place now that the ISS is projected to be deorbited in 2030 with no replacement planned.

They aren’t great. Google all the service bulletins and warrantee extensions on them from multiple manufacturers including Subaru. Honda and Toyota do OK with them but that is primarily because they limit them very specific underpowered cars.

This is standard industry practice. Every new car review you’ve read happens this way, only we disclose it up front.

In my experience the only journalist I’ve seen on a press trip who paid for airfare and lodging was WSJ. We don’t have WSJ money, so we accept Audi’s invitation and disclose it up front.

I didn’t love…

Sorry, I didn’t test that. 

added some Microsoft AI bullshit...

The buyer for an S5 will be found somewhere in the middle ground.

And then felt like an idiot because I didn’t know a Rolls from a Bentley even as a car enthusiast to be.

It makes a pretty big difference, especially in noisier, less balanced engines. I've taken off the cover on my 4 cylinder cars just to see how much louder it would be, and it's a noticeable difference. Also, direct injection is a LOT louder than port. There's a lot of higher frequency clatter that can make it through…

I’ve always had a soft spot for Bentley. They’ve managed to maintain their character, unlike Aston Martin, especially in the interior. Cover up the logo on the steering wheel, and I would still guess it was a Bentley. Aston Martin’s interiors are lovely, but VERY generic looking. I think part of it that AM had a lot…

There is a biiiiiiiiig difference in quality between a wrap and Rolls-Royce paint.

Rolls Royce is a company that has perfected the art of being almost-but-not-quite gaudy with their designs. They toe that line perfectly.

Excellent write-up. Yes, a car breaking down at a crucial life moment, when you’re really depending on it, can sour a relationship. I’ve bought enough troublesome cars to know that.

That was a great read Peter, I’m laughing at the situation but with knowing empathy hidden inside.

I have, unfortunately, been there.

I appreciate that write-up, Rory, and have nothing to add other than...

I’ve always had an irrational attraction to the 505 diesel. A good paint job and euro headlights would be the cat’s pajamas.  NP.

Yesterday was HELL NO! But today, it’s a HECK YEAH!!