I'll agree that it has some sleeper cred, but no more than an S4 of the era, or a 3er wagon. If that's your argument, we should all be driving 6-cylinder Camrys and Accords; they're very quick, and nobody looks twice. Yes, the W8 is a very nice looking car, but it's not actually a great drive, nor is it actually very…

From what we were told at the time (I selling VWs then) the longitudinal VR6 was too long to fit in the Passat's bay.

Rose-colored glasses, my friend.

True, but Aston didn't build this; Toyota did.

That was exactly my first thought, too. I'd consider 150 to be a staggering success.

That Passat was longitudinal, so the VR6 wouldn't have made a lick of sense.

That's a very pretty car, with a so-so interior, and it probably drives really well.

Sorry, I'm much more interested in a talk-show guest that looks like this, and who can actually cook.

All of that sounds great, except the god-forsaken white pepper. That is a crime. Fine-grind black pepper if you want a little kick, but please don't use that evil filth.

So, what you're saying is that we should not stir, but, instead, hire a latin-american from the Home Depot parking lot to clean the pot.

Is anything on this earth not improved by a fried egg on top?

No it isn't? The BASE X5 is $52,800, and comes with nowhere near the same equipment. I agree that this is a big price bump, but a comparable BMW is over $60k.

This place is absolutely incredible. Ms. Pants and I were in Nashville back January, and spent almost an entire day at Lane. They have such an incredible collection of strange, rare, exciting and weird cars and bikes that even non-car people can get a lot out of it.

Wholly agreed. I got a five pound belly after a butchering class a few months ago. Two days vac-packed with herbs in the sous vide, then fried to get a crust. I think it's honestly the best thing I've ever made.

A lot, actually? You're giving that nice charred flavor to the meat, which will carry through in something as mildly seasoned as this.

Yes, but he's not even likely to continue at this level of performance.

30 is well past prime, these days.

Fuck Jim Bede.

That is not what Moneyball says.

The MSM was definitely a goofy looking little car, with the tiny intercooler and gigantic wagon-wheels, but I absolutely loved mine.