Owned one in Germany. One of the very best automobiles I have ever owned. It ended up sacrificing its life in order to save mine in a horrendous crash involving a semi and my beloved CX2000. She was faithful unto death. I would gladly own another at any trim level so long as it is a true CX.

Back in the day, we used to refer to these types as “squids” When did that term go out of common useage?

Not better by any means. Just different. I am also 69 years old and come from another time and place. Been riding since 1970. It’s been a glorious ride!

I fit none of the nine categories. Why, you say? Because I am a hardcord biker who loves long solo rides as much as riding with the club. My bike is a 1987 Harley FXR that I have had since new. I am not an elitist but I don’t suffer fools gladly. Keep it honest and in the black.

Truly excellent, thoughtful writing. The story is poignant but still left open to the reader to decided how it continues. I also applaud the amazing breadth of the vocabulary as well as the easy flowing construction.

“sounds like the people hocking pickup trucks.” I think the word you were looking for was “hawking” an old term for selling, as opposed to “hocking” which is to temporarily trade an item for money or goods that is intended to be repaid.

When I think of Beechcraft, I think of really nasty chewing gum.

I was thinking more in terms of a trash compactor that would fit in the console or floor or wherever. I am sure that one could be built using DC voltage that could be an option that shouldn’t cost more than $100 - 200, installed.

As noted by another contributor, the safety of the truck is the driver’s responsibility as federal law is currently written. If you do a full and proper pre operation inspection, you will have spent the first 45 min to an hour of your job, working for $0.00 as you aren’t rolling. You only earn when the wheels turn.

So, extrapolating, we can say that most humans should be fine but you are going to kill every pet in the neighborhood except Rottweiler’s, goats, and mountain lions. I think it needs a bit more work!

I have never heard an explanation or even the source of this same abhorrence of green when applied to Harley Davidson. I would guess it was probably just a case of monkey see, monkey do. Every Harley I have ever owned has been painted green, usually by me, with no ill effects.

Amen brother.

The only civilian Jeep that I ever owned was a 2009 Commander. Wonderful car and very very capable and comfortable as hell. Wish I hadn’t sold it!

If you are wearing a full face helmet with a visor that is a couple of years old and covered with scratches, I can guarantee that not only will the sun will blind you, so will lots of other things that you really want to see.

During my 18 year stay in Germany while in the Army, I was never without a bike. Along about 1985 I had a nifty little Honda CB400. I didn’t have a garage at the time so I put it in storage in a farmer’s barn about 20 miles from home. In mid-March I went to retrieve the bike. Did some basic maintenance and headed for…

It appears to me that the giant compass is also an inclinometer. That is a very worthwhile instrument for real off roading. Many times I wished by military vehicles had one. When you’re facing an arroyo or canyon climb they are nearly essential.

Similar to another posting, when we bought our 2003 Porsche 911, we went for the wheel and tire thing. Very smart move. Less than a year later someone in our household who will remain nameless scrapped hell out of 3 of the 4 rims. The repair guy came to our home, worked in my driveway and was finished in about 4…

However, this is not taxation. Rather it is a single fine levied against a single individual because of his use of a state run utility. See my earlier post for more of my rant.

I am no great fan of electric cars but this is absolutely absurd! If they want to fine someone, fine the utility company for excess emissions. Or, better yet, fine every household and industry that uses that electricity. This is a money grab pure and simple.

I was never a huge fan of BMW automobiles. Then around 1981 I was in need of some reliable wheels while stationed in Neu Ulm, Germany. A couple of weeks after I began my search, I happened across a 1977 BMW 520 (never sold in the states). It was a very nice 5 series with a small but willing 4 cylinder engine, tied to…