Being a hedgehog doesn’t get you rich quick or get a slice a that billion dollar AV/electric money

See also the underperforming Mazda CX-3 (based on the Demio/Mazda 2 platform) being replaced by the highly-reviewed Mazda CX-30 (based on the Mazda 3 hatch)

when my C-HR transmission shit itself and had to be replaced at 76k miles, there was a 4 month backorder for them. this was pre-covid when there were backorders because of high demand rather than no supply.

It was relatively cheap, it looked “fun”, and it wears a Toyota badge. That’s enough to convince an awful lot of people to hand over their money.

This is just one of those cars that doesn’t do what it says on the box. “sporty compact car” = lethargic 1.2 turbo or lackluster hybrid with a CVT. “Practical small SUV” = postage stamp rear window, tiny boot and really high sill lines in the back with no leg room. It just doesn’t work on any level. 

Magic crystal; just wow. 

The (understandable) guilt trip: “I didn’t think quickly enough, and the result was a destroyed Chevy HHR and a bruised up Lincoln MKZ.”

Porsche does not want self-driving features? I find this to be a wise stance. If you want to get driven to work while snuggled in a blanket, nursing a hangover in the back seat, you probably won’t do it in a Porsche.

correct answer is to have a winter survival kit in your trunk. a gallon of water, a few bags of nuts, a couple blankets or sleeping bags, a flashlight, first aid kit and a few pairs of dry socks.

the key thing is to keep your feet warm and dry. every winter when I lived in North Dakota, someone would lose several toes…

Can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught a fatigue crack on my 8 hour pre-grocery store drive 500-point inspection in my honda civic. I do it every time I go anywhere, it’s only an extra days labor to any chore.

I’ll probably never buy a car off BaT. But I go there all the time because it’s a fascinating glimpse into cars. I really enjoy the community there. 

Yes, the majority of big tech’s “innovations” are old ideas done worse. 

Waiting for Teslastans to say. “The Tesla is so smart it knows that’s a fake child. That is why it didn’t stop!”

Right, those wheels are “concept car” sized. I suspect the final base model will be proportioned more like this

I saw it being presented live online. It was an attractive looking vehicle. I SERIOUSLY doubt it will be 30k. If so it will be the option that has a steering wheel, four seats and AM radio.

I had a 2010 4 door Tacoma TRD Off Road, I went to Namibia and my rental was a 4 door Hilux with the turbo diesel and a manual trans. I would’ve traded it right then if such a thing was possible. I came home and sold the Taco

Yeah, give the PR guy a raise. This was probably cheaper than buying a TV ad and I’m sure will sway a lot more buyers to shop at their dealership instead. 

Nice! And a Kia Soul. I was a bit down on these cars until I got one as a rental. tl;dr they’re great. Honestly it’s a little better for a teenager than a SUV IMO

I’m sure the PR value they’ll get from this is far above what the car cost them.

Let’s not kid ourselves that this isn’t (at least in large part) an opportunity for good PR for Frank Kent MC.
 
Still, motives aside, good on them for stepping in to help out.