If you’re parking at the pump and going inside then you’re the problem.

Despite the crowds, Buc-ees excels at getting you out the door quickly. Yes, they pay well, but it’s a pressure cooker environment, and not relaxed at all. They also aren’t the slightest bit lenient on their employees. Buc-ees figures that if they are paying convenience store people that much money, then they can beat…

Not just treading, full on stomping.

First gear — Towing someone’s car like that seems like serious overreach. I mean, you can’t compel a human witness to testify even if they were right there at the scene, so taking someone’s car seems like a huge violation. I mean, sure — ask the owner for the footage, and get a warrant if needed, but people also have…

I’m a broken record about the 996, but you can honestly get a driver in the teens. You don’t need a pristine example. Hell, I bought one with a rebuilt title. They’re absolutely fantastic things to drive.

I can’t speak to track experience, but I do have street legal seat time in several different fun cars in my life so far. Most have been as an extra car, and not as a daily driver. I’d have to go along with Miata given the criteria of this question. 

I feel like my car is always looked over despite it being pretty capable. I have a 2008 Acura TL Type S 6 Speed. With a new j-pipe, intake, and a tune it makes right about 300 Hp. I also have it on some mild Tein coilovers and it rides on rails. Mods, maintenance, and purchase price I am into it about $13k. With car…

I am still looking for one of these, specifically 128i M-Sport. Apparently those are unicorns... Or everyone that has one “knows what they have”

I might be biased, having owned this for nearly 30 years. About the most fun you can have with your clothes on, at speeds that fly below the radar, and far, far cheaper to run than anything modern ($100/yr insurance). And it is appreciating, not depreciating.

MX5 works as the best all round entry level sports car.

Porsche Cayman may cost $60k plus but they end production next year. More expensive up front but will hold its value better over time. The next gen will be an EV, so existing ICE will see a value bump.

Miata is still the answer, but BRZ works if you need/want a hardtop. 

This really is the best way to go about it. Way too many easy ways to scam a malicious QR code because they are so easy to create and stick in common places.

Yeah, there’s a mod people do to add just a hint of tilt to the seats to give a bit more thigh support. I don’t have a torque wrench, so I never tried it, but there are also cushions that attach to the seat bottom for that, if needed:

I don’t scan QR codes, ever, anymore. Even at a restaurant I’ll look up the menu on their website.  I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before some kind of malware is downloaded just for opening the QR code, so I’ve opted out of them completely.

I got my license in 1984. Same thing here.

Raph. This was easily one of the best jalopnik articles of this year. Awesome work.

Correction: I did not “run marketing.” I worked as a marketing manager for the VP of Marketing, John Kramer (formerly from Chrysler). I was just a 20-something “underling” at the time.

I salute you and the work you have done here. I hope to scrounge up the time and a respite from ADD to finish it.  

Fascinating!