I agree that paddle shifters are better in theory. I've just never warmed up to them. I'm just too used to a gear shifter.

Recent rentals I've had (Focus, Malibu) had the radio stay on even after removing the key. I found a menu setting for the Malibu, but not the Focus. But Ford's stereo systems are the complete opposite of simplicity.

I think the Prius & other Toyota hybrids are similar. However, that did lead to some problems with the unintended acceleration fiasco. People said they didn't know how to put their car in N, which on the surface seems implausible, but after getting in a Prius for the first time, I realized it wasn't obvious like most…

I have never warmed up to paddles. They aren't for me.

Who has me believing what? All I can speak to is my own personal experience and the experience of those I know. My comments are true to those experiences.

That's the first half of what I said. Mechanically, it's simpler.

Texas is a land of opportunity. There are plenty of people who are able to start businesses and be successful, and that's very appealing to people with money. But, if you have so much money that you don't feel any need for any more, then sure, move to CA or some other gorgeous place and live comfortable.

"requirement for private schools because publics are crap"

The difference is you can choose how much house you buy, and if you are willing to live more modestly, you are rewarded with more money in your savings account. But if you want to own the biggest house you can get, then you get to pay the taxes for it. Obviously, YMMV, but I like having that option.

Weather in TX isn't as nice as CA or even CO, but it IS sure better than the rust belt or the northeast.

Not really. The ratio of pay to cost of living is usually quite good in Texas. I'm not sure what all these "employee protections" are that we live without, but when I look around and discuss such things with my friends who moved from CA, no one complains about being exploited. I don't deny it happens, but it's too…

And you can always choose to buy less house. That is a benefit of consumption taxes—you can choose to keep more of your paycheck by not 'living it up.' Income tax doesn't afford you that leeway.

I call this the 'Ooh, shiny!' principle. People buy new cell phones every year not because they need (or use) any more functionality, but because it's new and shiny. We increasingly see people buy cars based on the same principle.

... and I suspect many posters are only 13, so they have no real experience with cars.

It exchanges a mechanical system for a computer/electrical system. Sure, there's less to mechanically fail, but there's more that is subject to programming and electronics. Repairs go from looking for a broken part to looking for bugs & glitches.

Back-up cameras are being mandated because of a sob story of someone backing over their child. But even that took years.

Are all manufacturers on board with that system? The last time I checked, everyone was doing things a little differently.

I've always had a philosophical problem with requiring an automatic to go through reverse. I've thought a shift lever that works like

that image makes me sad

It's easy to say "best chance," but few know what that costs.