I've posited here before that only Volvos and Benzes will truly save your bacon in a catastrophic accident. This is based on the experience of friends and family with these cars, seeing cars post accident, and of course, lore.

That said, I had (and will have again!) a Se7en, so obvs, I don't care too much. However, I do have a "perceived safety" factor that comes into play. For example, you could tell me the Tata Nano has a 5 star (does the rating go that high?) rating and I'd still feel scared. This sort of thinking put us into a Civic over a Fit.

Any alternative wiper arrangements win bonus points, IMHO. Like the Mercedes single eccentric cam one. Or even the symmetric "wipe from the inside out" ones on the new Navarro Honda Civic Hybrid (no I don't get paid per mention, but I should!).

So, do as Volvo and theoriginalwheelstvtells you and look for fun close in your neck of the woods.

If your neck of the woods is on the above list, all the better!

FYI, that new motorsports complex in Millville NJ is opening in August for a vintage meet. Could be good Jalop rendezvous.

Also the folks at Tapoco Lodge...

Jonny's posts on Sevening down at Deals Gap are here:

[jalopnik.com]

[jalopnik.com]

My suffering fairly blatant racism from "natives" here and skepticism of unions notwithstanding, I think the real reason I am not compelled to buy American stems from the interior design and quality of plastics of the American cars of my formative years.

Seriously, the stuff was crap. And while it's getting better, the interior of the HHR I rented was NOT kitted out nicer than the Civic I own - from a subjective POV. And when you are young, you spend a lot more time looking at the inside of cars than the outsides (at least I did).

Here are the American-brand cars I've had as a college student or adult:

• First-gen Explorer...ground breaking at the time - the right size and price. And not built like crap either IIRC. Loved that car. Might consider a new one if it were priced competitively to new Pilot (it does have a better tow rating).

• Ford Focus ZX-3....that little car was awesome for a $13/14k vehicle. I got the stripper model, without power windows and it was a hoot.

No GM and No Chrysler, though...I honestly can't say why.

[said the Honda loyalist]

I think this is the exact question my biz partner is asking himself. He used to have a G35x that he loved and with the TL-S, he can't wait for the lease to end.

My big beef with Acura is that the base Hondas are so damn competent. (I do like the MDX design vs. our Pilot, though.)

Seriously, if one stops to think about the concept of hotels in general, and the wide range of people that have laid their head where yours will go, it's not so pretty. Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts.

I've got a bridge to sell you.

Ash, didn't you have a star at one point? WTF? I'll give you mine.

Numero Uno: Hummer

You are right though, unless you stay in the national parks lodges themselves, you're generally a few clicks out to have an option to fabric walls and roof. I'm headed out to Glacier and Yellowstone pretty soon and will be staying in the lodges - had to book very early and pay $$$.

And here's the reason why you should want one, too: the ability to "drop the kids off at the pool" and any other activities best done in privacy - without stopping.

I happen to like the Sprinter-based vehicles. And yes, I would be open to doing Winnebago's advertising.

But I still love you.

I'm not saying the tase was warranted, but the guy was an idiot for A) getting out of his car and B) not listening to the officer.

Well done and keep up the fine work, gentlemen.

The definition of the word "vacate" is "to cease to occupy". Perhaps "holiday" or "break" would better describe the set of events that include "vacations" and "staycations".

If any readers do not know what I am talking about, you must get up to speed on Initial-D, both the anime and the live action movie. Like call out sick soon and watch as much of it as you can.

My wife asked me the other day how people react to my new style of driving...she wondered if people tailgated. I told her most people end up passing me.

I'm turning into my mother (at least from the driving style POV).

'cause I know that's how I'd roll if I had this hachi-roku.

Speaking of people who need to get a hobby, check out this "homage":

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Love the additional "staycation" examples. And the cited source. keep up the great work Hardigree.