I saw him about 4 years ago at 100aw, and the car looked brand new. Seeing it made me miss the metallic brown 78 242 I had. Wish I hadn't sold that car! He finished that rally, but had a tree branch through his grill during the closing ceremonies. I've got a photo somewhere!

I feel you are reading too much into the N2Skylark's original use of the word independent. He was merely referring to the fact that they were not owned by GM or Chrysler (at the time), as other posters previously asserted. I don't think he intended to comment on the nature of the company or their size, or whether they…

You know that thing people do with their hand when the person they are talking to has no idea what's going on? You know, they literally throw their hand OVER THEIR HEADS? I am doing that right now.

Wow, that sounds pretty terrible. If I had those issues, I wouldn't be a fan either.

Honestly, I have met so many people that have no idea how to work modern automatics with "manual" modes. My wife included. She got her first car with one 6 months ago, and I have been bugging her to figure it out since then.

As a former owner of 3 Mazdas, I am going to have to strongly disagree with you.

They are definitely an upgrade from the previous model!

Reasons to upgrade to the STI were the much stronger DCCD transmission with an active center diff, front and (better) rear LSDs, and some trick suspension components (like 2 piece inverted struts). And the brakes.

I think you missed the Honda emblem on the pictured car, and therefore the joke.

It's a trap!

Your brain failed you right now.

Well, if you check the settings on your Android Hangouts app, there is a place to confirm your phone number. My GV number was already confirmed. If I had to guess, I'd say you will be able to choose a reply address (or phone number) for your SMS messages. That's what I am hoping for.

Does that mean you have to Ram the daughter... and the father?

facepalm

Raised compared to what? Although it looks like a Cadillac DTS, it actually is much larger. Everything is scaled up. I believe it's rumored to be built on a GM medium duty truck chassis. Like a 11/10ths DTS limo with odd proportions.

Ha, my cousin is named Blaze. Blaze Coyote (middle name). His mother droves a Prius though.

As someone who just got a fantastic deal on a 2006 Sport Combi, I have to agree. It is not a 32-35k car new, but it's a great car none the less. I was pleasantly surprised by the 5-speed auto (wife's car, easy guys), whose manual mode is about as manual as I have ever experienced in an auto, and the 220ftlbs at 2500…

Yes, it's on my short list for sure!

Yes, in fact only as a 5 door in the US.

I have a 95 SR w/ 190k on it. Other then aggressive 31" tires and some decent shocks, it is bone stock. The locker and tires make it fairly unstoppable, lacking only in ground clearance (which I will address when it needs new tires) . I have climbed out if muddy ravines I couldn't have walked out of and forded rivers…