Automobiles

[lumpy]

IMG_1799 by Jon Mandel, on Flickr

His or her car length/boat length ratio is fully sorted (It's like saddle/bar drop).

[guido]

His or her car length/boat length ratio is fully sorted (It's like saddle/bar drop).

For a little while I used to carry a 21 foot surf ski on top of my prius. It actually boosted gas mileage.

[Blue Jays]

"...It actually boosted gas mileage..."

One would think Toyota would shape the roofline to best maximize fuel mileage.

[j44ke]

I probably shared this years ago, but what the heck. I like the sound.

The 510 always looks a bit like a Dodge Dart and a BMW 2002 went to Japan and had a baby.

Really has that nice ratio of window glass to body that (at least) I like in cars of that era. Like you can see 360' from the driver's seat.

[j44ke]

For a little while I used to carry a 21 foot surf ski on top of my prius. It actually boosted gas mileage.

A little down-force on a light car helps?

[dgaddis]

A little down-force on a light car helps?

Probably created lift, therefore reducing pressure on the wheels/tires, and lowering rolling resistance.

(mostly joking)

[davids]

In other automotive news, the folks at Audi are reportedly considering A6 Avant, S6 Avant, and RS6 Avant wagons for North America market.

Yes please.

I need something to cross-shop with the E450.

[Blue Jays]

"...Yes please..."

Agreed. Hopefully it is not just the ultra high-zoot RS6 Avant version and they also offer a modest variety.
Given crumbling road/bridge infrastructure, many of us need more utilitarian wagons without 35-series tires.

[Matthew Strongin]

Where's the manual?

I'm not really joking. I love wagons and I love fast cars. But my plan is to drive a stick until I switch to electric.

[72gmc]

For a little while I used to carry a 21 foot surf ski on top of my prius. It actually boosted gas mileage.

Saw a small SUV the other day with a tandem bicycle on the rear rack. The tandem was sticking out 3' to either side of the SUV. I wonder if that helped mileage.

[72gmc]

Where's the manual?

I'm not really joking. I love wagons and I love fast cars. But my plan is to drive a stick until I switch to electric.

I agree, but if I was seriously considering the AMG wagon, I'd consider the RS6 Avant. Swap out wheels and tires for something good with sidewall and maybe I'd be OK without the stick. (imagine that last sentence turning into a whisper, then a sob)

[davids]

Where's the manual?

I'm not really joking. I love wagons and I love fast cars. But my plan is to drive a stick until I switch to electric.

Well I guess you'll need to settle for the 2020 Stingray.
Oops.
I guess you're some weird relic of an obsolete age.

[twowheels]

I don't know Matt. The dsg in my 2018 Golf R kicks the ass of the manual I had in my 2017 R. The times are a changin'.

[guido]

One would think Toyota would shape the roofline to best maximize fuel mileage.

Well, the rest of the story was that with the roof racks and kayak saddles alone it lost 15 MPG. With the ski it got 16 MPG back. A net improvement of 1 MPG over no toys at all... With a bike on top it lost over 20MPG... (Eeek!) Hitch mount racks rule...

With no toys, my current 2015 prius gets 60-65 MPG.

[Matthew Strongin]

I don't know Matt. The dsg in my 2018 Golf R kicks the ass of the manual I had in my 2017 R. The times are a changin'.

Get off my lawn!!!

I actually don’t care much about the performance. I just like how a manual keeps me engaged.

[NYCfixie]

Get off my lawn!!!

I actually don’t care much about the performance. I just like how a manual keeps me engaged.

Enjoy it while it lasts because this will be your "electric" experience.

[guido]

Saw a small SUV the other day with a tandem bicycle on the rear rack. The tandem was sticking out 3' to either side of the SUV. I wonder if that helped mileage.

A fast surf ski makes a fighter jet look blunt and slow. It smoothed the airflow over the whole car. The prius is very quiet and the ski added no turbulence noise. Not sure the tandem would have the same effect...

[rwsaunders]

That VW looks like my van every time that I’ve taken a kid to college and back.

[rmplum]

I don't know Matt. The dsg in my 2018 Golf R kicks the ass of the manual I had in my 2017 R. The times are a changin'.

I'm with you on the Golf R. The manual is long and ropey with no feel. We've had a handful of these in over the past few years and in this case, gimme the DSG.

RP

[Matthew Strongin]

Enjoy it while it lasts because this will be your "electric" experience.

I can assure you I'll never drive a Tesla. By the time I make the switch, pretty much every other company will have a better looking, more refined product available.