Wow, kind of a polar opposite to my experiences. My VW dealer was about the coolest salesman I ever met (former pilot and Air Force career man), and the service department is top notch. Palisades VW, Nyack NY.

I feel compelled to repost my VW America recommendations, as they really need them:

Apparently, I'm not alone as Bernd Osterloh, head of VW's works council and a member of VW's "power supervisory board" dropped to reporters that he thought VW's performance here blew, and that it wasn't going to get better anytime soon.

Hey, what a coincidence! I just bought these at Autozone and put them on my '98 Corolla. Cuz that's how I rolla.

Dear Jerry,

You are right, and it isn't just German cars. Since it's a marketing department decision, and they do homework, I would say a reasonable guess is that "green" has a liberal stigma attached to it (at least in the USA), and they would not want to risk turning off half their potential customers.

COTD, nearly did a coffee geyser onto my monitor.

I have nothing but respect for the performance these cars bring, but damn, it looks like a model from 10 years ago. Get with it Subaru.

What if I'm driving alone and I want to change the temp of this vent?

This is me, while driving it.

10/10, would buy.

Looks like a bigger, heavier 4-door american sedan from the turn of the millennium, a police model popped into my mind (not to suggest it was a cop, just the same model). Maybe a Chevy Lumina? The window line looks distorted in the photo, which makes things harder.

Parents, talk to your kids about the dangers of irony. It can go too far. Too far!!

It's a big boy, 4 doors, 4387 lbs.

It's possible but kind of a hack. Login sounds and everything else are as simple as choosing a file.

Somewhat related, as in great V12 sounds: on the company page for the Aston Martin Rapide S, they give a little sample of the sound of the car going to 100. If you right click on the player, you can "save audio as..." a wav file.

Tip for Windows 7+ users:

I used to take this highway home after work, but it seemed like every damn day there was a problem slowing everything down. I see things have not changed much.

Some cars have appreciated in value way more than any typical retirement fund. While it's risky to be sure, it's certainly possible to anticipate what cars will be loved by jalops in 30 years. The first round of Alfa Romeo 4Cs to hit the USA comes to mind. The biggest risk, really, is resisting the urge to…

Harsh windstorms? Really sharp rocks? Alien rednecks breaking beer bottles everywhere?