AAA ran some tests on some cars and trucks that were “Premium Recommended”. One of the cars was a NC Miata. The difference in power and fuel economy for Premium vs Regular was around 1% or so. And my NC Miata runs fine on regular.

I notice that the poorer resale cars generally had higher initial purchase prices. And the more unusual colors might not be available on the more mainstream cars.

Porsche. As part of Volkswagen/Voltswagen you would think that they could get ahold of whatever batteries they need.

On the other hand, easily swapped batteries are easily stealable.

The best way to save money on car repairs is to buy the top level trim on a mainstream market car.

Take an Alltrack.   An ECU flash, IS38 turbo, and big downpipe and you’ve got over 300 HP.   Lower the suspension and add in some Golf R variant suspension parts.     Now you’ve got essentially a Golf R variant.

Copper is toxic to certain plants and animals.   That’s why antifouling paints that I use on my boat contain high levels of copper as the active ingredient.

I bought a 2012 Miata 5 years ago.   I liked the styling except the smiley grill.  Now that so many of the cars and trucks have an angry look to them I’ve grown to love the smile.

But somebody has to buy that future used car......

“and phase out unprofitable sedans.”

I’ve got a base model Alltrack with a manual. I wish it had climate control and keyless ignition, but to get that you have to spend $6K-$8K more and you are stuck with the panaramic sunroof that is notorious for leaking.

WRX, 86/BRZ, and Miata are not mass market cars, and sales combined for 2019 was around 30,000 in the US.   the $25K Tesla would be aimed for the mass market.   Apples and oranges.

I’d be leary of buying any car built during the pandemic. The high absenteeism results in cars assembled by people unfamiliar with their jobs.   Sort of Monday or Friday cars......

Add in the fact that most people aren’t driving as much right now, so the break even point is further  away in time.

Can confirm.  Bench seats + Drive In = heaven.

I had a 1974 Superbeetle.   I always thought it was a map light and a cool little detail.

There’s already an Infiniti killer out there - it’s called Genesis.

“’ll see many of them in my small New England coastal town. Sailers *love* AWD wagons”

Bought a new 2019 Alltrack S manual last October for $21,800.  While the stripper model, it came with blindspot monitoring/automatic emergency braking and automatic windshield wipers.  The only other things I would have liked was keyless ignition and climate control, but that would have taken another $7K for the SEL.

Outside of Telsa, sales of expensive EVs have not been all that exciting. So while Cadillac will be late to the party, the party really hasn’t started.....