I remember reading somewhere that there’s a company that writes all the goofy radio show call-in bits where the caller admits to something psychotic, tells a ridiculous dating story, etc. Like it all comes from the same place. 

Not sure if you’re a Sopranos fan, but Phil Leotardo approves this message. 

Two thoughts here:

There’s kind of an underlying point here worth making that way more of this type of content is fake than people care to realize. Even if this is an exception, and most people will say “oh yeah of course I know its fake”, you’re still better off being conditioned to assume pretty much everything on the internet is a…

1. There is probably a technical reasoning why the sort of imperfections we keep seeing reported on aren’t “rust”. They’re probably right too, and calling it rust also builds a misconception that every one of these will be completely orange by this time next year. 

Interesting. I wonder if a NA hybrid is in the works too.

This is probably the best rationalization I can think of. Maybe the long game here is the 4Runner becomes an FJ replacement? I don’t hate the idea in theory, but the shame of that would be that the *current* 4Runner is basically getting 15 grand more expensive.

Right? The 4Runner was always basically a unique version of the Prado made specifically for the NA market. Now they are brining the more expensive actual Prado here to replace the J300 LC, and keeping the 4Runner too? What’s going on here?

I think the point is in that market, having a turbo-4 in a big offroader is an outlier even with the Toyota badge. Their reputation in this space is built on the back of NA engines with rather unimpressive specs, but are as reliable as sunrise. Turbos aren’t as unreliable as your goofy uncle wants you to think, but an…

And nevermind that this is in service of competing with the Chinese, who are literally the posterchild for state-backed industry. Massive investment from governments in this setting is literally your only way to a level playing field against them. 

Big ups to this. None of my closest friends are remotely car people, and seeing how they respond to car related stuff provides a lot of perspective.

Similar to #2: using a fast car for runabout duty is unexplainably awesome even if you aren’t even being reckless in any way. My Mustang puts a smile on my face when I’m just farting along side-streets to go to Walgreen’s.

and hopefully current drivers are more cognizant of dumb kids on scooters because that might be their kid.

I don’t know if it was your intention, but you are paraphrasing one of the late, great, George Carlin’s *best* bits:

Worthy of note: I’m 99% sure the Silverado EV parked 15 feet away was the *exact* same one we saw last year, and was more of an afterthought than the center of attention it was in ‘23. I don’t know what the original timeline was for that thing, but it’s not comforting that the Blazer was announced and went on sale in…

Heh, different issue there: That’s somebody who can afford an Escalade but doesn’t want to flash their money. So they hide it behind a Chevy badge.

Markup from a salesman who is furious about even needing to move this product, and intends to take it out on you.

Yes, but that’s back to the shareholder issue: Tesla’s stock has gotten spanked harder than anyone’s the last few months because they cut their prices with aggression that the established manufacturers never will. Even though Tesla probably has the leanest per/unit cost for EV’s, and thus can go cheaper than anyone…

I went to the Chicago Auto Show on Tuesday with a friend of mine. The Blazer EV was something we took our time to look at, and we found it quite nice! Then came the fun part:

dudes rock