Not for the snarky reasons mentioned, but an external communication system would do a ton to dissipate road rage. I've actually been looking for a simple LED system I can mount in the back of my car that allows me to simply send two basic messages at the touch of a button: THANKS and SORRY. I know I've accidently cut…

Got any evidence for this? I've lived in seriously cold climates for my entire life and NEVER heard of anyone cracking a windshield with a wiper arm. Sounds like an old wife's tale...

Warranted for at least 4 years just like the rest of the car. Considering it's integral to the running of the vehicle, I'd be surprised if it wasn't built to last more than 10 years - especially as its software is remotely up-gradable.

Your GPS display is on the left side of the main gauge cluster in front of the steering wheel. The steering wheel has buttons and click wheels that can control the radio. They're even programmable, so you can set them to do whatever you want. Great complaint, otherwise.

I'll quibble with your complaint about fuel availability. You can charge the Tesla off an electrical outlet and there are billions of them everywhere. Yes, you'll wait a whole lot if you're plugged into a standard 110v, but a 220v dryer plug will give you a reasonable charge overnight. If you are going to spend the…

Sorry, I'm calling bullshit on this. In the 45 years I've lived on this continent, I've driven across the country exactly once. I've done a few multi-day trips up and down the east coast, but otherwise 99% of my driving has been within about 200 miles of my home. I semi-regularly visit my in-laws who are about 170…

I bought its non-SVT twin the Mercury Mystique (which I later learned was called the 'Mistake' by Ford insiders). I wanted it because after driving an Eagle Talon for four years I wanted something with four doors, a bigger engine and a manual tranny. It was fun to drive, but I was plagued with electrical problems. It…

Incorrect. I've regularly carried 5 adults and my daughter's car seat in my Mazda5 and the third row is more than roomy enough for adults. I'm 6'1" and my father in law is 6'2"; both of us have spent over an hour in that third row on long-ish road trips without any difficulty. My 6' mother has been in the third row…

Incorrect. I've regularly carried 5 adults and my daughter's car seat in my Mazda5 and the third row is more than roomy enough for adults. I'm 6'1" and my father in law is 6'2"; both of us have spent over an hour in that third row on long-ish road trips without any difficulty. My 6' mother has been in the third row…

Says someone who never drove one while also needing to pick up and drop off their kid at daycare.

The back seat is pretty ingenious: the headrests recess into them to keep them out of view and if you fold them down they provide a cavernous cargo area. With the second row seats folded flat there's almost as much flat cargo space behind the driver as a small pickup. With a lower load height as well...

I came her to post this. I just had a kid and after a summer of trying to fit her infant car seat into my convertible Mini Cooper, I decided to trade it in for a minivan (and yes, it still hurts to type that). The wife and I looked at every minivan on the market and even some oddballs like the Honda Element and the…

Exactly. I wear a thin silver chain around my neck that's usually not visible underneath my shirt. You only see it if I'm in a swimsuit or if my toddler pulls it over my head to play with it. I have a matching silver bracelet on my right wrist. I also wear a platinum and sapphire wedding ring on my left ring finger…

Ah, the classic American response: Damn you Jack, I'M ok!

Mea culpa completely on pointing at CAFE standards - they're the first thing that came to mind and I didn't do my research. What I meant to imply was that Republicans have a long history of opposing any regulations or laws that would in any way require improve mileage or lower pollution standards, or that would in…

Absolutely. The US pays less for gas than almost any other western country. Try filling up in Canada (our largest oil supplier, BTW) to get a taste of what the rest of the world deals with. Europeans pay a completely different magnitude and as a result tend to drive highly-efficient vehicles. The gas tax lets the…

I've got a 2012 Mazda5 GT and I really wish I'd been able to get the manual. Unfortunately, it's only available on the lower trim levels. Want heated seats and leather interior? Gotta go automatic. Those were musts (especially as we have a 2yr old who spills stuff everywhere - leather's a LOT easier to keep clean) so…

I thought this was useless on my Mini when I bought it, but soon learned to appreciate it and love it. The Mini has lousy rear visibility and the convertible is even worse. Despite the fact that you can park it just about anywhere, it's tough when you have no idea how close your rear end is to that other car. The…

Sadly, they're either not available or prohibitively expensive after-market add-ons for manual transmission cars...

I grew up driving in Canada and learned on an overpowered 1979 Mercury Grand Marquis with numb power-steering and very touchy power brakes. I learned winter driving the HARD way. Then a few years ago in my 2005 Mini Cooper Convertible, I first experienced the glory of traction control. In the middle of the worst…