Oh yeah. Because no matter how new the project is you WILL need a new bottom bracket doohickey. 

Back when I had a bicycle problem like David Tracy has a Jeep problem, I finally figured out that any project I was contemplating, I needed to just double my expected budget. The cables, adapters, brake pads, grips, tires, and shit I never expected to have to replace always had to be replaced, and it always added up.

I don’t know what it is about two door SUVs that absolutely does it for me. I guess it’s part of going to high school in the 90s.

I picked up a used Subaru Outback a couple of weeks ago. I managed to find a “Limited’ edition with the leather and stuff, and it sort of fascinates me that it added so much to the upfront cost of the car, and now 6 years later I didn’t even really look at it when choosing the car. Thousands of dollars spent to make a…

I’d almost say the decision is Trail vs. Gravel. And after that how many Adults you’re hauling with you. 2-3 adults, forest road, go for the Subarus. Trails or 3-4 adults and you really need the bigger rig.

The 2010 and (I think) 2011 Outback 3.6Rs had regular Automatics instead of CVTs if people are feeling iffy about the CVT.

You don’t want to be stupid about it, but my 2010 3.6 is listed at 3,000lbs.

Dating at 30+. Kids, Religion, Moving, Politics all on the first date. If we can reasonably tick those boxes we can move onto everything else. Honestly, it’s great.

I was in this position with a 1987 944 that my ex got from her father. It was going through a phase where it was costing a ton in upkeep and repairs for a car that was certainly not worth those repairs(monetarily). It was truly a white elephant.

So you know what parts cost in time and dollars. You know what the…

My Suzuki Sidekick.

It didn’t have power, or handling, or safety. But the gearing, cable clutch, and steering made it just fun to drive. There was a constant feeling that if I didn’t stay on top of it, I’d totally roll it just like in consumer reports. It was so direct in everything it did it was satisfying to drive…

I think that German Engineering is remarkably average, but German Manufacturing is pretty amazing. It’s a great combination for new things, and kind of tragic for long term care and reliability.

Especially given the number of times since I’ve started using GPS that I have actually had to trust the instructions, especially around complicated exchanges or steps. It’s been hard to get in the habit of listening to AngryGoogleLady tell me what lane to be in, but she’s generally been right.

When I was younger I very nearly drove down a boatramp. I was leaving a campsite in the dark, and kinda knew the way out. I was headed down an incline when I suddenly got nervous and turned my high beams on and realized I was at the boat ramp and not at the exit to the site.

It seems really stupid now, it’s hard even…

I doubt it will create more work for mechanics. I’ve got a coworker who’s father has had our highly skilled and trained attendants gas put in his Diesel TWICE here in Portland.

Honestly, I’d love a Cherokee with Toyota build quality. Heck, I’d settle for a Renegade. FCA quality for something I want to put a lot of miles on seems like a bad idea.

I loved my Sidekick. It was a ton of fun to drive slow, as silly as that might sound. Ton of fun off road or in the city, any time I was using first and second...

Right there with you. Ready to head to the dealer if it gets there. 100% what I need to go to one vehicle.

I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody half-assed a body lift. Either that or they half-assed removing the lift to sell the truck “stock.”

That mirror is tiny, Is it all camera? Is that a mirror at all? An ear?

Sure. But that driver wishes he could snark like you. And let’s face it, that’ sway more useful at a dinner party.