When is this whole "rat rod" trend going to end? Either try hard, or don't care. Don't try hard to look like you don't care.

@I. Heart. Cars.: No, just one, because they'll likely only be available as an even more expensive assembly!

@Baby Beater Benz: COTD, IMHO. Can I get an Amen? H-click.

Somehow I just knew that bleach I put in an eye dropper would come in handy today. OWWWW! much better. Can't see it anymore.

@DoctorNine: Word. My wife loves her 05 V8. The only thing that's hard to live with is maintenance on it. Seemingly simple things are complicated, like having to remove the whole belly pan for an oil change, with two giant (M24 x 1.5) drain plugs that gush oil out like a firehose. Also, you have to remove all the…

@DoctorNine: The fully optioned V10's could get into 70k territory.

@DoctorNine: Hey, a Touareg with the right tires, air suspension and rear diff lock options will surprise the hell out of you. The real problem is nobody ever wants to beat on a ~$70k vehicle off-road, as opposed to a ~$30k Jeep.

@Turboner: The point of the Legacy GT was a car with the ability to avoid crashes. Once she proved that was not entirely possible, I figured dominating an accident needed to be part of the formula, so 5300+ lb. ought to help.

@Suby555: You have to appreciate it for what it is, regardless of whether you are into that. That is, a VAG no-compromises overengineering exercise to create the most capable all-around SUV, if you actually use it as designed. It runs triple digits, crawls, and hauls well, and is pretty damn nice to sit in, too. The…

@Suby555: Shitty regular version?When's the last time you drove one? My wife has one. For a mid/large SUV, with locking rear differential, low range, air suspension, and 7700# towing, they handle pretty well on and off-road. Parts are expensive, but that's the price of admission.

@Nayrlladnar: I love my manual transmission because it's got better performance and economy. I'm not all romantic about heel and toeing. If DSG's can deliver the performance, cool. For me though, my car's not likely to stay stock, and that fancy DSG's in for a world of hurt at power levels beyond stock. A…

I'll throw in a corollary to #2:

@Maxichamp: Are repairs expensive? Is the Pope Catholic? Awesome cars, when there are no problems. Wouldn't recommend one out of warranty to someone who doesn't intimately know their way around with VCDS (VAG-COM). I'd scan the car with VCDS before I purchased it, that's for damn sure. For reference, I have a…

@tonyola: I meant to attach an image of Tommy Chong. I quit that crap a looong time ago, and I'm 32.

@tonyola: Hey man, I take exception to..wait, what?

@JalopJeff: Someday I need to find that in frame-worthy condition. I'm so proud of my car. Same color, but now sporting WRX suspension (drops it 2.5"), "H6" rear brakes, and STI power (VF39, STI TMIC, STI ECU). One quick box of Legos.

@fhrblig: We asked thousands of women which compact car they prefer. They said "Volkswagen Beetle". They also probably slept with Wilt.

Put this powertrain in a Legacy Wagon (not the Outback) and I'd consider it my wife's next car. (She won't drive my 5MT '04 FXT w/ VF39 & WRX/STi goodies). Seriously SOA, you have all the legos, you just have to snap them together!

@Elhigh: I don't mean to be a pedant, but the 4L60E evolved from the TH700R4, which shares some hard parts with the TH350. Perhaps you're thinking of the 4l80E?

@sskkiilleeff: Learn left foot braking for the same effect (actually, better)