Love it. Have never driven one, but always strongly suspected these are solid, even desirable vehicles maybe because of all the histrionic shade thrown their way for “retro” styling (which never seemed offensive to me).

My Fiesta ST has been an absolute dream. And I think most of that has to do with the powertrain and the fact that I recognize it for what it is, an overpowered lunchbox. I do not mind the squeaks and rattles as they come, and I also have just enough power to get out of my own way. Also if you drive around with the…

That’s actually the opposite of what the Fiat is doing. That’s flipping up - which is the HOLY SHIT WORST POSSIBLE WAY TO HANDLE THAT OPENING (former grocery store bag boy who had the great misfortune of having to load a PT Cruiser convertible and still is haunted by it) - while the Fiat is going down with an…

Next week’s Torch article:

The weird trunk/flap combo isn’t limited to just this particular Fiat

I just wish they would stop with the stupid $1000-$2000 surcharge to get a non-boring color. Of course the other auto manufacturers aren’t much better since a decent color often requires buying an options package that is as much or more of an upcharge.

I learned on heavy, old things (197-something Chevy dump truck, among other things), then made an ugly transition to sometimes driving an early-90s Accord or a Tacoma.

I wouldn’t punch anyone. In this district the right wing stupidity is so ingrained that I would simply imply the velociraptors are vaccinated and their bites and scratches transmit that vaccine to their victims. I’d then remind them to stand their ground and slink away as they stand there defending their right to be…

Seems a little inappropriate for a teacher to pit on the test, and quite likely will get the teacher in trouble. Though it is funny and seems like something I would put on a test (one of the many reasons I am not a teacher).

Dang it! I wanted to go New England but I was afraid it was too much of a cliche.

The Netherlands also has a high investment in infrastructure for cyclists. This incident occurred on a road with a 60mph (100kph) speed limit, no hard shoulder, and curves to obstruct sight lines. While the driver is at fault, this is (by design) not a safe place to ride a bike, aside from the low traffic. If FM roads…

Not true. I bought a new Hyundai earlier this year, and Bank of America was nearly a full point cheaper to get a 60 month loan over a 48 month. A 36 month was worse. Basically they were changing their cost to borrow, plus overhead/profit, and chopping it into X or Y number of payments with no penalty. If they wanted…

“48 of 50 Democratic Senators have expressed their favor of the bill,”

I remember this too; it seemed odd that American cars retained a complex, double-belt solution when a simple three-point belt was available.

Good take. The Prius is cool in the same way a minivan is cool - it is pure, unashamed utility. They are super reliable, cheap to own, have great cargo space, and get good mileage for an overall low price. I like the styling of the second-gen ones too.

I think that if the average consumer truly understood that:

“I was on the market for an X5 diesel with the comfort seats, a black interior, and blue or black on the outside and were only half a dozen options across the entire country.”

Do NYPD retire from one Nassau to another? 

The Ford EcoSport exists, so not EVERY other option.

The weird part is that the enforcement has actually caused more disruption to the businesses. People used to show up by 7:30 a.m. and leave by 9-9:30. Sone (a tiny percentage) of businesses would start opening up around 9 or so and the people visiting would patronize them. I’m not sure Starbucks is complaining, with…