"

Except for the fact that they crap on the Prius c and the new civic. Oh and cars like the Mazda3 are recommended and they like Miatas as well. So yeah they tend to have a more utilitarian viewpoint but call a spade a spade.

Yes, but that has more to do with driving a raptor in NYC.

Perhaps because the two most recent sedans (which are a big part of their sales) are tweaked for the US market and lose a lot of what makes/made VWs 'nice' cars. Seriously go check out a new Jetta and then a Golf. The golf is the better car, more expensive too.

But how does 4WD/AWD benefit in this situation? Heck if anything it is actually worse because in the event that you engine brake too much (say by downshifting) and overwhelm the tires you could break traction on all 4 tires at once where if you were in a 2WD car it would only be the drive wheels.

Right. I guess my point was that since it no longer has anything to do with Dakar geographically they could call it something. However, I guess they have chosen that the 'Dakar Rally' is now branded.

You are still limited by the traction between the tires and the road surface.

The thing with the fuel is pretty much just to use what the engine was tuned for or "recommended."

Isn't Dakar in Senegal...in Africa?

Well I was both agreeing and disagreeing with you. Perhaps a better phrasing would have been:

Yup. But is sure is fun driving by them when they are in a ditch and you zip by with your snow tires (regardless of drive wheels)

AWD gives you more traction.

Manual transmissions ARE more efficient. It is true that the manual transmission/transaxle option in a vehicle may not deliver better mileage than the automatic but that is often due to gearing.

Well I think the real rule of thumb is run what the car is tuned for. If it is tuned for regular use that. If it is tuned for premium, use that. Sure you don't have to but your mileage and performance may suffer.

Isn't there a point where the combined weight requires a CDL?

Great News.

Port Richey? The cops can probably find him smoking meth in a trailer park.

Save the manuals

That is a big bump over the 2.5l/6-speed manual in the current car.

#COTD