Screw the prognosticators. Spend your hard-earned money on something you actually like to drive. The bonus may be that, (like an Abarth) it's still just under the radar of all but the true car geeks and poised for rapid appreciation once discovered. ... View more

We had a '71 Westfalia for years and crossed the country at least 3 times. One trip took us to Mammoth Mtn in the Sierras for a winter ski trip. With 10-12" of stock ground clearance and the weight of the motor over the drive wheels, we were able to traverse around 10" of snow getting up to our lodge and then used the bus going to and from town that week with few issues. While 4WD might have offered some additional traction, driving all 4 wheels, (especially with a parasitic auto trans) would have sapped even more precious power, not a good trade-off. Snow tires are key. ... View more

Sharing platforms with the Audi Q7 and VW Touareg provides for stable on/off road capability. A stock Touareg with adjustable ride height, (over 12") and 2 locking diffs will actually out-perform a stock Jeep Wrangler off road. The Cayenne may be less sophisticated, but the more powerful engines offer more fun... with much higher maintenance costs. Ultimately, there will be few bargains, as restoration costs for a turbo Cayenne can easily exceed appreciation potential. Find a nice V10 Touareg! ... View more

The Ferrari GTC4Lusso is the most lamented casualty. A unique machine designed for not just power, but sheer handling prowess gives way to a one-dimensional, top-heavy, generically-styled, glorified station wagon to satisfy the "follow the sheep" market mentality. One of the auto mags should probably take the new crop of high-end SUVs to a track along with the sedans they replaced from the previous year and run some objective laps. Let's hope the bloated beasts don't hit any curbs mid-corner! ... View more

Upon winning the auction, the only modification I would approve would be bagging the suspension to make it jump. ... View more

Beautifully crafted piece. Those "originality fanatics" are certainly missguided when they decry such modifications. For one, they're just jealous they can't afford one and two, their ire should be directed at those deranged hoarders who let original cars rust out next to their barns. THEY are the ones depriving future generations of these rare cars, not Rod Emory, when he's building what the factory never could! ... View more

Like any new(er) tech, the key is engineering to increase reliability and reduce cost. If done right, complexity isn't an issue. Finding ways to re-use existing components, (CPUs, wiring, sensors, activators, etc) and spreading the cost over thousands of units will allow adopting 4WS to less expensive cars.  Both Crosley and Chrysler tried disc brakes around 1950, but the cost and complexity kept this option out of reach of most US consumers for another 15-20 years. I suspect the same will happen with 4WS tech. Old-school guys like me still drive on drum brakes... but my '55 Beetle won't ever be a daily-driver! ... View more