I had a 2001 Escape and it was really great the few times I took it off-pavement, but I was on mostly-flat surfaces still. Would love to see photos or video from those tests!

(is the Crossfire fun?)

Nice! Mom’s has 19k (really) because it only goes out on perfect days. Mileage is going up now that they live near the beach though. There are a few failure points of these cars, all well-documented on CrossfireForum.org. Lots of avid owners and DIYers there. The factory security system and chipped keys are the worst…

I’m sure you could fit something else under the hood of the Crossfire, but at this point, they are pretty rare and special cars (however strange and middling to drive). One with a manual transmission in the shape his is in ought to be kept stock, or at least stock-ish. The Mercedes V6 in there isn’t bad, it’s fairly…

The only vehicle in this whole list that’s actually interesting is the Crossfire, because it’s a weird vehicle that’s not totally ugly, totally awful or totally busted.

The Freelander was 100% Rover and widely known for not holding up very well. They have more in common with a Honda Civic (truly) than any Ford at all.

LOL. The Ford-era Land Rovers were 1) not Fords at all save for some random parts like coolant hoses and 2) actually quite reliable. But go on, sis.

When EcoDiesel was announced for Gladiator, it was mentioned that towing capacity would be LESS than that of the Pentastar/Automatic/Sport S combination, which is the only way to get that maximum 7,600 lbs number. David Tracy did a big writeup on it and I believe it came down to the intercooler reducing radiator flow.…

It does contain coolant passages, which is absurd. Thankfully the electric water pump makes it easy to re-bleed the system when you’re done. Do a little dance with the start button and throttle pedal and it wooshes away.

NP. I owned one of these and it’s a brilliant little car that looks a bit like a fish.

My 2016 Ram 1500 uses a 3G cell connection for UConnect updates and the if-you-pay-for-it iPhone app. I wonder how long it’ll be viable as the new trucks use LTE. Hopefully all these manufacturers are thinking ahead and understand old modem/cell tech will get phased out, and implementing in such a way that allows a…

It’s worth noting that this makes every new BMW more of a throwaway product. How long is the ConnectedDrive app and related subscription service going to be supported so buyers 20 years from now can have a fully-functioning vehicle?

Hey Jalopnik! This is a great step one toward supporting a community that can feel unwelcome or unable to be their full selves among fellow gearheads. Step two would be to elevate the voices of those working to bring more LGBT+ folks into the mix.

I’m guessing it’s the lighting. Given it’s got blank plates instead of fog lights and cloth seats instead of leather, I’d bet heavily that it’s a Base and either lighting makes those vents look silver or they were swapped on for some reason.

You’re correct. Automatic only, which my mom saw and said “well, sports cars have manuals” so she purchased the N/A Crossfire instead. She wanted the SRT (330 hp vs 215) but mandated three pedals.

I mean I love Celine but it was questionable marketing for sure.

There should be a little plastic piece that says “SRS Airbag” on it. Guessing it covers a bolt/screw holding the door panel on.

Thanks! I would be happy to, but it’d have to be on a freelance basis. I have a day job and my own website/social channels for LGBT car/motorsport enthusiasts that I run. But would love to contribute here and there.

Chrysler also spent the entirety of their marketing budget for this poor thing to hire Celine Dion to sing I Drove All Night while manually shifting the “AutoStick” automatic in flashy cut scenes. And then they had the audacity to wonder why the cars didn’t fucking sell.

#nerdalert over here! Hah, thanks though. These aren’t bad cars, per se, but they are very misunderstood and I’m a fan of cutting through the BS hot takes with facts from someone who’s kept one going for ~14 years.