I think it’s mostly the “disposable society” theory and less about stagnant wages. You’re saying that “real wages” are stagnant adjusted for inflation. But then, adjusted for inflation, the price of cars are about the same too. So why are people buying cars every 3 years exactly? Especially in a time when cars last…

I thought you were going to end your story saying that your friend just paid it off at the end and got the 0% loan to keep her money liquid. I guess not.

Wait, why can’t we say that F1 cars have automatics? The clutch and the actual gear shifting is done by a computer. Sounds like an automatic to me.

Torque converters have had lockups for a long time. Since the turn of the century, only the cheapest oldest cars didn’t have them. Virtually all modern >7 speed transmissions have fairly aggressive lockups.

Drive a modern ZF 8HP like in the M5 and tell me there’s any discernable difference between the DCT and the “conventional” automatic. If you have fun driving a car with a clutched automatic (DSG, DCT, MCT, SMG), then you’ll have the same amount of fun driving the new M5 with a torque converted automatic. New torque…

Pretty much all cars have shift paddles though. Would you classify ALL cars as being manuals? Of course not. The distinction is that manual transmission cars require manual shifting. The car cannot be shifted automatically. DCTs, DSGs, MCTs, SMGs, they all allow full automatic operation just like a ZF 8HP. They also…

I mean, there’s no luxury off-road vehicle like it. A Land Cruiser or Lexus LX is much closer to a G than a Jimmy with an LS. The Jimmy is more like an ugly Wrangler. The G is an ultra premium ultra off-road capable true SUV. The Land Cruiser comes close to the G, but it’s maybe not quite as off-road capable. I’m not…

That wasn’t a reply to the thread starter. It was to a guy that wrote this:

Just trying to get a handle on that “never ever” thing. Looks like I struck a never. Sorry for your butthurt.

I think it’s because all of this stuff is much more automated than I think you realize. Equations are made based on a bunch of criteria and they can’t just “fudge” the numbers. If they can legit add in criteria that will lower risk, then they can justify handing out lower rates. Public companies have to answer to…

G wagon is more like a Wrangler than a Grand Cherokee. It’s got BOF construction and is extremely off-road capable (minus the AMG wheels/tires). The X5 (again with better tires) can probably handle some off-road trails, but nothing like what the G wagon could do.

5 pounds? You should split that up with someone else. Seems like a lot of candy for one person even spread out over a couple months.

School busses must be built very high so that the chassis is at or above the level of most cars. In the event of an accident, so it’s unlikely that a vehicle will intrude into the cabin of a school bus. That’s how they get away with not having seatbelts for so long, although many busses have seatbelts now.

Aren’t you lugging the engine in your car at pretty much any speed?

Wow, convincing arguments there. Can I try?

I knew this was a Japanese race. The japanese always seem to pit some awesome somewhat unrelated cars to race against each other.

I’m not trying to say that Jeep is squarely responsible. I’m just curious who made it. I’m sure there’s a very good chance it was a third party supplier. I just don’t think it was Hyundai Mobis.

Actually, the decision to conduct a recall is on the car maker, not the parts maker. Also, do you have a citation that Hyundai Mobis made the frames other than some forum rumors from actual fanboys that want to blame anyone other than Jeep/Chrysler?

Fanboy? I have never owned a truck or a Toyota vehicle in my life. Trying to accuse Toyota of deflecting and FCA of accepting responsibility is almost ridiculous based on their history.

Did you get the Chrysler Max care warranty? Or a third part warranty?