[www.oursl.com]

And let me just say, if the QOTD is "wacky colors," we are WAY overacheiving here.

I lack faith that a vehicle designed for the American market will have much identity. Any car, mass produced for the American market, seems pretty much a warmed over, inverted bathtub. Yes, there are exceptions, but by and large...

@mchale2020: I'd propose most of CNN is Exhibit A in abuse of the 1st Amendment. And cable bandwidth.

I think there's a place for the ratbike in the PCH modified category. Except that it's probably a hands down winner.

Nice one' guys.

Under this premise, I'm guessing the informed, conscientious buyer would pass on this car. Conversely, the vain, hollow-valued rich guy who's tying ego to a number will love it. I used to believe Mercedes-Benz wasn't playing to this crowd, but maybe I'm off the mark. Lastly, I admit this is a strong opinion and we all know what those are like...

Uglier? No. Emotionless? That's a little more accurate.

The Aztec and Z4 are examples of styling that evokes, even if we didn't the feeling. I believe most of us would prefer three or four Aztecs striking our emotions over a single Accord which inspired nothing. To quote the mantra of "Automobile" magazine, "No Boring Cars." 'Lop on.

[www.builditsolar.com]

For the record, I'm one of those who preferred Saab before GM stepped in. Unless the Swedes want us overlording their brand, I say "give it back." They deserve their freedom from our wavering (not sinking) ship.

Graduated speed limit? Under what criteria? Fuel economy? Road conditions? Decision points? Driver experience? Assessment of distractions?

This is nothing more than a values question. What's more important: getting from point A to B safely, quickly, with the least amount of fuel consumed, with the least amount of stress incurred, some other factor? Once everyone is in agreement on this (pipe dream!), then you could move forward.

I propose an efficient infrastructure and a society with road discipline is one combination that may best answer the majority of issues.

Odds are good my other ideas will piss people off, so I'll withold them.

--Grumpy

Imagine: efficient infrstructure and a society with road discipline. Very simple.

I suppose that's asking too much of the USA, so we'll let another country help us out with some solar panels. Good push Toyota; appreciate the enabler. Sort of.

Opinion: The American automobile industry has not, in recent memory, experienced the necessary challenge to sustain world-class efficiency, innovation, quality, and long term vision. I believe this lack of foresight correlates to our love for immediate gratification; "get it while the gettin's good..."

Further Opinion: followership, leadership. American manufacturers have tended to the majority so adherently, they've failed to effectively lead the market. Somewhere, the future was compromised for the present and as a result, manufacturers are now scrambling for a chair as the music stops. We're largely responsible for setting these conditions through establishing tariffs and then relying on them. Kick that can down the road! Ironically, those tariffs forced conditions for foreign manufacturers to learn all the things we didn't want to.

"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."

Galpin Auto Sports made the Impala Duramax.
[www.galpinautosports.com]

I like the idea of a 300HP t-charged four banger. I'm just sayin'... big cars deserve big engines with big toque and if you can get back some mpg, why not?

Ever seen "Pimp My Ride's" 1965 Chevy Impala with the Duramax or the DieselPower Magazines' 1970 Chevy Chevelle, also with a Duramax?

I can easily visualize the stoplight confusion. Muscle car rolls up and the guy in the next lane starts looking around for a truck. Whazzup!

A strong, new turbodiesel could sit very well in one of these new revival muscle cars...

@mzs: Uh, maybe. But it's a stretch.

This analogy falls apart when you apply the concept of test drives. That's dangerous turf with real sisters, but with cars, it's encouraged. So, don't diss the younger sister until you know what's she's made of. When she comes around, try her out. You WILL be tempted if the performance matches the looks. Just be certain to look into the maintenance costs...

Just kidding.

If I had to pick a manufacturer to go, I'd say GM. Sure, we'd lose some good, relevant products. But in the aftermath of a deceased GM, demand would revive the relevant brands and styles, we'd lose a stagnant financial goliath, and resulting competition would offer long term benefits. If nothing else: if you're gonna make the call, take balls in hand and go big.

Lest I remind us, our views are biased towards interesting cars, not "bread and butter" cars. After all, we like dragons, Daryl Hannah, The El Camino, and have a strange, masochistic obsession with the Malaise era. If that ain't bias, I don't know what is...

@Lord Dearthair of Caledonia, First Earl of Awesome: Also, Hear Hear! Well done!

Perhaps realtors should receive a portion of their pay after their buyer proves their worth; say, after three years of ownership without default, the realtor gets the other half of their commission. That way, realtors are paid for selling homes to people who can afford to keep them (concessions allowed for reasonable external or unforeseen circumstances). Realtors succeed when the market is busy. People have to live somewhere, and if they can't afford it once, they'll have to try again someplace else...

All hail the God-almighty Dollar! Er, well, it was the God-Almighty Dollar... *Poof* there it goes.

Not like we need reminding, but having money doesn't mean you have class or taste. Class comes with stuff like character and integrity and respect for history and humility and interpersonal skills and the like.

Money no object? I'll supersize that order, thank you.
I'd like the multistory parking garage, the replica Nurnbergring, a Paul Russell Restoration Shop special, a few of those Bayonne oil/fuel storage tanks, and oh! -- a double order of anything covered in Jalopnik or Sports Car Market Magazine in the past 7 years. To go.

I loved my Super Car and would, even at my mature age, get back into the physically operating things like suspensions, transmissions, engines, steering, and other MECHANICAL functions.

Over time, Lego seems to have accentuated the fantasy, movie connection, and parallel markets at the expense of "real world," operating, items.

Why?

Used lawnmower: $10, 5hp. $2/hp.

Segway sure doesn't work: $5k/2hp. $2,500/hp. Ouch.

Ride the lawnmower.

Utterly reliable. Built in a time when cars were engineered for long term durability and sold when people maintained cars and rebuild components instead of replaced them.

[www.zcars.org.uk]

The answer to this question depends on how you define performance. If it's acceleration, that's one thing. If it's top speed, that's another.

If I can get great handling with my lower top speed, count me in. It's not like you can really speed in America anyways.

Shoot. Repower a MG Midget with a 'Busa engine. Economy and performance.