Neutral: I keep hearing that graphite may be the next “big thing” in battery technology; supposedly it will take seconds to charge, and last for months... I honestly don’t know anything about this stuff, and it all sounds a bit sci-fi to me, but fascinating nonetheless. 

Not sure if I can say if this was embarrassing per se, but it was certainly dumb. Right out of high school, I decided to buy my first car; a 2000 Impala LS. I then proceeded (after months of obsessing over it) to blow all my remaining moneys on a custom dual exhaust system, setting me back around $1,200 (CAD). The…

Proximity to U.S. or not, your scenario is still very likely though. I of the belief, (sadly) that this will happen, perhaps not anytime soon, as it did in Australia and other places major automakers pulled out of. 

I’m more so worried for the Durham region (about 90 km east of Toronto) where the GM plant in Oshawa currently has a lot of economic involvement. When it goes, so will the region’s stability, as there is nothing out there (some manufacturing, but again, that manufacturing is largely tied with GM’s existence there) -…

Sounds like an awesome deal man. I got mine with 2,200 km on the odo since it was occasionally used as the dealership’s car (still pretty new) for about $30K fully loaded; they gave me about 9K off the price since it wasn’t “new” new, so I was okay with that since I got upper-range trim (Touring) with all the kit on…

I hear ya - I was more so referring to AWD and turbo engines because those are the most common options they pair with CVT’s or automatics, and leave the shitty stuff for the manuals.

See, that would make more sense. We’ll give you manual, because you’re an enthusiast who’s willing to pay extra for it, so here’s a little extra AWD and turbo power for ya.

It does OK in the corners; better than most mid-size sedans I’ve driven in comparison. But you’re right on the power. Every time I got anywhere near the redline the thing just didn’t know what to do, either spinning wildly or the TCS kicking in to ruin the fun. And no, there’s no limited-slip diff :/ 

I’ve driven the 2018 Accord with the 2.0L Turbo and 6 spd. I couldn’t call it super lively, but couldn’t call it boring either, as it had a decent transmission (similar to the R, but longer throws and just less refined) and the engine pulls really well. It was actually quite a bit of fun to drive around in and toss in…

It’s worth mentioning that Honda gambled with the then-new 2018 Accord, which was a supposed darling of the press. But when it came time to sell the Accord, Honda outright refused to offer any incentives on it, because they were sure the customers would flock back because A) It’s a Honda, and it’s an Accord, B) it has…

Yeah lol I’m not really a fan of the vents either. Indeed, the UR-V looks a lot cleaner. 

Good points, but it still bothers me just how alike they are beneath the hood. They’re essentially the same vehicle powered by the same engine and features the same mechanical architecture. But like you said, it’s all about the options and where it’s slotted in their lineup. 

To add to your point, Honda abandoned the HR-V in North America. What we see is the same tired (but reliable) model fitted with the 1.8L in either FWD or AWD trim. In Japan and everywhere else, it’s got a turbo set up and all-new aesthetics. Fucking Honda. I don’t understand how they think at all.

I bought a 2018 Outback with the 2.5i; I don’t have a wife and kids to lug around (just the gf, for now) and had many other, “more exciting” vehicles to choose from. Outback was also the hardest to get, at least here in Canada, so I had to lease mine just to afford it.

Good thing I didn’t wait for this thing and bought my Outback instead, because I would have been bitterly disappointed. But I should have figured... why would they do anything other than another boring crossover?

I know Hackett (or Ford) will never read this, but the mediocrity is on YOU, Ford. You and your executive/management team who made dumb decisions and had severe lapses of judgement in terms of product management, quality and market placement. Don’t blame the workers who keep you in business and do all the dirty work,…

And the Canadian way, unfortunately. 

Hahaha love their comparison to a Mercedes-Benz. That must’ve been a dark era to work as an ad person in the automotive industry... 

Your first car was a Celica All-Trac?? That’s freaking amazing man. Love those things.

Indeed, those were the days. I know this is even earlier, but I also remember Volvo’s 740 turbo posters, which would poke at Porsche, Lotus, even Lamborghini.