The physics get better for orbital rocket launchers the closer you get to the equator, which is why the French Ariane rockets launch from French Guiana. Moving launches from the Cape to Bermuda or any points north is suboptimal.

I must confess to an irrational love of the Reatta as I’ve always found it to be a quite attractive car. Although I don’t see myself deliberately buying one if I had one fall in my lap due to some strange circumstance I’d probably happily keep it and drive it.

I think it looks fantastic in person and has tremendous presence. It’s the only Lexus with a predator grille where the design actually works, and it’s a striking, beautiful car. The LC and the GR Corolla are the only two current Toyota products I could see myself driving (I have immense respect for their products but…

I had a C1 once as a rental and it served just fine, although all my driving was at low speed on small, tight roads. It’s a crapbox, but I’m not sure it’s any worse than many other similar cars.

Absolutely. I had a serious jones to get one until I found out they were basically only sold in the UK and I wasn’t up for the combination of cost AND trying to get a “substantially similar” waiver from the gubmint to do the import.

Between you and me, I completely agree about the personal preference. I drive to where I’m going and hit the trails with a backpack. If it’s a car camp I’ll still sleep in a tent, thanks, and travel with a vehicle that can get into lots of gnarly places at somewhat more than 8 miles per gallon.

I’m a huge fan of manuals, and have dailied a manual for about 25 of the last 30 years including my current FiST. However, V12 in long wheelbase form? Naaaah, that’s speedy luxo-barge territory and I’ll stick with an automatic, thanks.

Speaking as someone who ran a 5-speed 2002 SL2 for 16 years as his daily driver, I couldn’t slam on the Nice Price button hard enough. There is nothing sexy about these things but they are cockroaches and run forever. Also, it is absolutely no surprise the interior has held up - those Saturn interiors are obviously…

With an efficiency of only 2-4 percent these printed panels may not be ready for prime time as the primary charging mechanism for propulsion purposes, but it feels like there could be other applications for this printed solar panel technology.

We went offroad in a Suzuki Samurai during a visit to Aruba. We were stuffing that little monster into places a Wrangler wouldn’t get through due to width. Ever since that day I have had the utmost love and respect for the Samurai/Jimny platform.

The most popular street name in America is apparently not “Main”, but “Elm”.

At a local car show I was talking to a guy with a ‘70 or ‘71 C-40 build and man, was that thing pretty. There are so very few of these, but a build done right is a super-attractive proposition.

Malaise indeed, but still a most attractive car in my eyes. I prefer the ‘81 Imperial, though.

The Suburban is long but it needs that length to do the job. That’s why I have one. The Tahoe would be a bad compromise for my situation as I need to carry 6-8 people at times + gear. The Tahoe will do 5 + gear or the people but not both.

Loved Sheryl’s input - hilarious! Looking forward to more of her contributions.

It shouldn’t be a nice price, but in today’s market and in that kind of shape it legitimately is worth the NP vote. There is a huge fan club of Rangers from that era and the seller will have no problem finding a willing new owner.

Love seeing the 850 back in action. I considered buying one about 5 years ago but lacked the courage. You are a hero.

When you fill up an average-sized fuel tank in an average car that has average fuel efficiency, you can cover an average of 500 miles. Average.

“Every previous owner has had a beard”