The Civic Hybrid Hatch is top of my list although I haven’t driven it yet. It has flippy paddles that provide engine braking and battery regen (and also simulate shifts). I rented a Kia in Europe with that arrangement and I think its a decent setup for the type of car. Yeah it’s not a manual, but you still get…

Be square. I would totally buy an affordable, comfortable, retro-boxy car like a 240, Acclaim/Spirit, or Ciera.

In the US context, there is also the matter that during the dealer markups and price-gouging, a lot of people got pushed into big loans and are now underwater. We can argue all day about who’s fault that is, but I’m sure there is an impact at a macro level.

Ugh. Scotty. I hate that boomer so much.

Eh. The Yamaha engine is what really counts.
Mercury trivia: I once looked at a used Tracer GS (top trim) station wagon with typical power goodies, alloy wheels, leather and a manual trans. Can’t been many of those ever built.

If you haven’t seen it, find the UK show (Top Gear? Fifth Gear?) where they crash the Volvo 740 wagon and the Renault Modus. That one is very interesting and more instructive in explaining modern car safety in the more-recent past. Especially when it involves the car (and brand) that was considered the pinnacle of…

Just lose the “luxury” pretensions, up the budget a tick and get a new Civic under warranty, or a slightly used Camry.

Subaru’s brilliant marketing convince normal people they need AWD just to drive when it rains.

“but the Bel Air was rusting from the inside out”
“but it didn’t have a V-8, a straight six doesn’t offer enough protection”
but, but, etc.

To your point, I hear a lot more about problems in Focus than Fiesta, but that could just be because a lot more Focus were sold than Fiesta.

It goes against all my instincts but I'm saying NP. Car has been well-loved and it shows.

i’m from a trumpy low-education area and grew up hearing this

it’s not like putting olive oil on a salad!

Some people are just clueless. Acquaintance bought a CRV last weekend. Walked in to dealer, no appointment or previous contact, on a Saturday. Didn’t have financing lined up, nor did he know his credit score. FICO came in way lower than he thought it would be. Several texts later I advised he walk and reconsider…

20 years ago, overheard at workplace:

But the chutzpah is the officer will sue Amtrak for *his* PTSD and the union will push for him to get early retirement.

I’m not anti-cop, but yeah some meathead just cost taxpayers an Explorer.

GM Cruise isn’t exactly critical to most people, but lately you’d think CEO’s would work a little harder on learning how to read a room.

Guys like Timmons (R-SC) are why I hate that party so much, and congresscreeps in general. He wants to end the USPS contracts and the “mandates” but the factory in his district should be spared.

I’d personally add the Ioniq5. Like the style and form, but all-EV just doesn’t work for me. HEV or PHEV.