Automobiles

[ides1056]

I am waiting for an electric utility vehicle like the Kawasaki Mule. Drove a Tesla, briefly: gave my brain whiplash. Recently drove a Porsche GT-3: holy smoke what an insane car.

[rmplum]

I haven’t looked at a Leaf but did talk to an owner a few months ago and he loves his Leaf.

One of the things that appeals to me about Tesla is their Supercharger network. I’m not a huge road tripper but that seems like a pretty solid system they’ve developed.

Jim, track down an e-Golf and drive it. As a GTI guy it'll fit like a glove. If you can use your EV as a 2nd city, runabout car those things are the bees knees.

Only bummers are range, and they weren't sold in every state.

Ryan
-eGolf evangelist (and works for a competitor)

[rwsaunders]

In my hood this morning complete with The Club locked on the steering wheel.

[ides1056]

why do I remember this was called a Brat

[rmplum]

why do I remember this was called a Brat

It was indeed the Brat, and as a matter of fact before the Baja became the Baja back in 2000 or 2001 that version was also going to be the Brat, but was changed due to image an marketing reasons most likely.

The first prototypes that came to our office for testing actually had BRAT embossed into the leather seats in the same font that eventually became Baja.

[robin3mj]

I look for Bajas every once in a while. Seems like a fun little car to own for a bit.

[rmplum]

I look for Bajas every once in a while. Seems like a fun little car to own for a bit.

The premium they ask for over a mechanically similar 2000-2004 Outback is a little insane. Only one I'd consider in this case would be a 2.5L turbo model that the PO upgraded with an STI 6-speed manual. A few are out there.

My wife thought she wanted one and we test drove a few, but asking $10k for a slow-ass 165hp 20 year old car with a toady 4-speed auto is insanity. Plus it will need all new bushings, suspension etc to even drive halfway decently. Meh.

[j44ke]

The Brat was the one with rear facing seats in the bed, wasn't it? With handlebars for safety!

14 year old me wanted one.

[robin3mj]

The premium they ask for over a mechanically similar 2000-2004 Outback is a little insane. Only one I'd consider in this case would be a 2.5L turbo model that the PO upgraded with an STI 6-speed manual. A few are out there.

My wife thought she wanted one and we test drove a few, but asking $10k for a slow-ass 165hp 20 year old car with a toady 4-speed auto is insanity. Plus it will need all new bushings, suspension etc to even drive halfway decently. Meh.

Sorry- I meant the original, Brat not Baja.
Always thought the Baja looked really odd with the 4 doors.

We had an Impreza wagon around 2008 for a couple years and while I largely liked it, the clutch was at such a weird angle, it almost gave me shin splints, no matter how I oriented the seats.

[rmplum]

Sorry- I meant the original, Brat not Baja.

Give Bucky Lasek (they skateboard guy and fomer Subaru factory Rally-X driver) a follow. He bought one last year? and is rebuilding it. He also has videos on his youtube page. He does a LOT of the work himself.

[rwsaunders]

I should have included the rear photo…yep…The BRAT.

[rwsaunders]

When I graduated from engineering school, a BMW 2002 was my dream car. I read the catalogs, stopped by the dealers, took a few test drives and I had my mind made up. Then I took a job with a US steel manufacturer and sadly came to the realization that there was no way that I would permitted to drive a “foreign car’ in the mill. Spotted this gem Thursday evening downtown in PDX and if I had seen the owner, I might have made an offer on the spot.

[rmplum]

Insert every overused comment about how car design ain't what it used to be.

Damn is that gorgeous.

[Too Tall]

You have good taste. The handling and 2nd gear ability of that car gives me the sweats.

[Tom]

My nephew had one he bought used and he said it was the best balanced car he could imagine.

[rwsaunders]

Big week in Pittsburgh…the Pittsburgh Vintage Gran Prix is back on. Well worth the trip if you haven’t been there. If the rain holds out, I will be at the Walnut Street event on Monday, where the “invitation only” cars are on parade…photos I promise.

https://www.pvgp.org/

https://www.pvgp.org/about-us/history/

[j44ke]

Nice explanation of something I've wondered about - solar panel charging of electric vehicles. Also there is a link in the comments to another good explanation. Both basically say that while in principle this is possible, the currently available tech doesn't get there without extraordinarily long charge times.

https://bikerumor.com/2021/07/14/van...-solar-panels/

[htwoopup]

When I graduated from engineering school, a BMW 2002 was my dream car. I read the catalogs, stopped by the dealers, took a few test drives and I had my mind made up. Then I took a job with a US steel manufacturer and sadly came to the realization that there was no way that I would permitted to drive a “foreign car’ in the mill. Spotted this gem Thursday evening downtown in PDX and if I had seen the owner, I might have made an offer on the spot.

I had a 1972 2002tii in light metallic blue that I bought used when it was one year old with 7000 miles on it. From the father of a friend. For 2000 bucks which was a stupid high amount of money to me at the time/ my age. No other car that I have ever owned has come close to how perfect that one was.

Bob, interesting that the post on it is from you as it also brought back memories of the woman in my life at that time who, oddly, was from Pittsburgh and whose father I believe you knew.

[rwsaunders]

Bob, interesting that the post on it is from you as it also brought back memories of the woman in my life at that time who, oddly, was from Pittsburgh and whose father I believe you knew.

Jon...sometimes when you sit back and take a look around, it's a small, small world. I'll keep my eyes open for that blue one tonight when I'm on Walnut Street.

[rwsaunders]

Tonight on Walnut Street…1966 (Porsche…need I say?) 912.