Well Jack, I call it now unavoidable connection every time I read your article. My father's first foray into German cars was a first gen Audi. The car was such a failure that the family has eschewed Audis for three generations. He traded the Audi for a 240D and never looked back, passing each replaced upgraded model on to a family member. He didn't have a SUV when my wife and I started our family, so we bite the bullet and bought a new ML320. While the drive train was typical MB quality, the rest was not. Needless to say, it kind of soured our opinion. My patience paid off when Dad decided it was time to part with his prized 560SL. My Dad thought he would be buried in it but now I need to ponder that. I love that it has all the old school MB features (none). The power windows take long enough to move that you need to decide beforehand if you really want them up or down. No, it's not for sale. ... View more

I got the car gene from my uncle. He worked on cars his whole life. He owned a couple of small dealerships that sold mostly used cars. Some of the stories were pretty unbelievable. He said that when he wasn't busy turning back odometers, he was doing battle (literally) with the other used cars lots. He also found a many interesting items that were left in the vehicles. Money, guns, liquor, condoms, marriage certificates, glass eyes and dirty underwear. I've paid handsomely for my car education but kept making "new" mistakes. Just this last week I added the experience of "buying a wrecked car through an on-line auction" and picking up said car that started but didn't run. Fun times. Sadly we left a dealership that we bought 6 cars from (same salesman) , because we couldn't stand the service department. The wife's latest SUV has "lifetime oil changes" (another lesson) but she despises taking it to the (new) dealership. Maybe I told this story before but I have particular good luck in getting car sales people to leave their jobs. This has happened no less than 5 times. I buy a car, go back for service and the salesperson is gone. Some of them had been there for years. No, they didn't die, they just started a new career. ... View more

Always a connection with your articles and I appreciate your insight. Raised two sons that both drive VW GTI (manuals). The oldest is very familiar with Ableton and almost went completely that route. Thankfully he settled into the software industry. The youngest is a drifter and I am the the drift warranty. I do enjoy a "perfect" restoration and others collections. I have a small accumulation of Z cars and Harleys and they make me happy. ... View more

As I contemplate my Ram 2500 DIESEL!!!, I feel your pain. It's a Tradesman with no creature comforts whatsoever. But, there's no substitute for torque and this thing pulls like a train. I got it to tow our 24' enclosed car trailer. Our previous truck had plenty of power but no mass and I didn't want to be wrung out at the end of drive from being on the wheel full time. The first thing my buddy asked is if I had it lifted. Nope, that's the stock suspension. You can almost walk under it. It is so tall, (how tall is it?), the first options were running boards and a drop down step for the bed because no body wants to watch an old man try and crawl his way into a truck. There's serious capacity with the crew cab and the eight foot bed but you better plan your routes as this thing won't turn around in anything less than a Roman coliseum (sans trailer). Do I love it? Not so much with fuel prices these days but I didn't buy it as a daily driver. I would buy another if it was a Longhorn but I expect this thing will outlive me. Cheers! ... View more

I hope you're wrong Jack. When EV's are more than a (well to do's) second car and all the virtue has been gathered for electrifying the deserted highways there may be some technical magic discovered that will give pyrotechnical vehicles real range. Look, it's Halley's Comet! ... View more

Something in this story nags at me. "Our" count is ten and according to my wife, 2 are "usable". One is a Telluride the other a Scion XB. The "Telly" has one of those big class II hitches but folks keep running into it and now is due for a 2 week stint in the body shop if/when parts arrive. To be fair, my wife's nickname is Danger Prone Daphne (Scooby Doo). Our son's daily Golf starting that ticking sound, so it's off the usable list and the XB is his daily. It's a logistical nightmare when the Telly needs service/repair. Sure the son could commute in the Ram or the Porsche (no way in hell) but my wife will probably never drive the Ram (too big) or the Porsche (too small) and certainly none of the "others". The Telly is "just right". I was going to take the winter off but I guess I'm the designated driver for the foreseeable future. ... View more

I prefer to live by the Makers creed. I void warranties. ... View more

While I distain the car buying/selling experience, I've met some fine folks along the way. However, I have to warn the salesperson that I have a curse. In six times so far, the salesperson was gone within 2-3 months of my purchase, many of them long tenured. I'd go back for the first service and they'd be gone. ... View more

I have a 560SL as well but when it rains, I just drive the Porsche. Value doesn't concern me as I just love to drive them. ... View more

When you try to dress up a Neon... ... View more

Ditto - twin sons from different mothers ... View more

read, "mileage tax" ... View more

First bike was a '79 750 Super Sport. I had no business buying that as my first bike but hey I was fresh out of college. My mom sold while I wasn't looking. A few years later I'm a Harley guy about your age. We're probably twin sons from a different mother. No regrets, that vibrating sawhorse would have probably killed me. ... View more

I like it but I already have two rolling rolling frames I park my bikes. ... View more

Great article and interview. I love wrenching with my kid and I'm sure her dad is proud of her passion. ... View more

First truck, 250 work truck, lumber rack, not 4X4 was big mistake, gone early. Second truck used to tow uhaul for son's drift car. Truck was fine. Tired of uhaul hassle. Decided an enclosed trailer was best for father/son race team. Finally got the right 2500 diesel 4X4 truck. It all boiled down to time and my lack of extra. ... View more