Most Commented Automotive Blogs (377)

Yeah, I know the first thing that pops in your head when you hear that phrase: Once you go black. Summer in South Florida can be brutal. Over the years, I had one white car and usually the others were silver. The one I bought a year ago is a dark graphite color. Depending on the lighting metallic charcoal. In the middle of the day, it's as good as black because you cannot touch the exterior without burning your hands. Mazda didn't offer silver in my model. They did have white and that would have been my second choice, but the feature package (for what they had in inventory) was a step down and didn't have leather seats. I would have to wait 6 weeks to order one and the dealer made the right price for the one I bought.

A friend has a black Honda and it gets so burning hot you can grill steaks on the hood!

I'm already shopping for a new car and thinking of returning to Toyota. Last year, they had a wait as long as 4 to 6 months for cars, depending on the model and were taking non-refundable deposits to order one.

Things are returning to normal and deliveries of dealer orders are arriving weekly.

Do I need a new car? No
But the 2024 Prius is their 4th generation hybrid and I've seen a few videos about it being Toyota's best mechanics and technology they offer. The Prius was always designed as a hybrid, unlike a Camry or RAV4 where they added the hybrid features to and existing model. This information came from a few YouTube videos where mechanics who often post new car reviews all had the same opinion about the Prius.

My finger is on the trigger... doing research and comparisons.
It's a 2-liter engine and I'm currently enjoying the power of a 2.5-liter engine that has a longer wheelbase to ride like a larger car. I won't know if the ride of the Prius can compare without a test drive.
Silver being my preference... I'm thinking white could be the best choice.

I was the first car at a red light.
My bumper was at the line that indicates where to stop.
A car behind me was really close, so I moved up about a foot.
He moved up a foot too!
I moved up another foot... and he moved another foot.
I moved about 3 inches and... he moved 3 inches.

Serious... this guy has some issues.

I took my foot off the brake, didn't move this time and applied the brake again.
Thinking I was moving up, he moved even closer!

My plan was to see how many times I could get him to move up but the light turned green.
Yeah, I was tempted to wait a few seconds... but I didn't.

I almost got 2 sales. I know, almost, but it was fun! My coworkers said I did a good job and getting to know people's stories are an interesting side to this meal. I drove 2 big trucks and keep learning stuff. Automobiles are fascinating to me. I don't know why I didn't try this sooner.

Before I had a drivers license, I fell in love with the Mini. Made in England by various manufacturers in the 1960's, there were several different styles and models. I recall names like Austin Mini, Morris Mini and the Mini Cooper S.

Weekend activities in Miami always had something interesting and when a parent volunteered to drive kids to see car races... there were more kids than room in the car and usually the older kids got first choice to go. On my first trip to see a race, they had the mini-class and a handful of Mini Coopers were on the track. Small, low and fast. If you have seen any British spy movies, a mini was usually the getaway car of choice!

I wanted a Mimi and every weekend I'd scan the Sunday newspaper looking for a used one. Typically, they were already sold before I could get there to make an offer.

One problem with Mini's were emission controls... they didn't have any!
Imported to America prior to regulations, the older cars were exempt from having add-on devices to pass the pollution standards of the newer vehicles. As far as I know, no new Minis were coming to America. If you had the money and connections, you could import a used one under the 'grey market' and get around some of those regulations.

As a touring musician, I was 'star-struck' when I traveled to Canada and saw Minis everywhere. By then, emission control standards were getting difficult so It wasn't practical to bring one to America. Life changed for me and I purchased a Honda. :-(

One of the amazing things about Minis is their engineering. Up until that time, car engines were inline... the cylinders were arranged front-to-back. When you revved the motor, the car often shook sideways from the torque. The Mini engine was transversely mounted (as in sideways) so the torque pulled forward and the side tilting was eliminated.

Mini production halted more than a generation ago and only in the last decade did BMW bring a redesigned Mini to market. While it shares the name and some visuals, we all know it's not the same car.

My car is in the repair shop this week and the rental company offered me a Mini. It's the Countryman, a longer hatchback model. While I've only put 20 miles on the car Wednesday, I've got 3 outside appointments today and expect to have the car for the weekend.

What do I think so far?
Solid, quiet interior, lots of gadgets. All wheel drive so I wasn't able to screech tires on the takeoff!



My immediate dislike are the small rearview mirrors. Fashion over function. I consider them a safety liability as the view is limited. Also, the short doors make getting in and out a time consuming squeeze.

I have been watching a pretty good horror film. I’ve seen it before so i’m thinking about other things while watching. Thinking stuff like, wouldn’t it be nice to watch with someone? Maybe if there was a someone here, there’d be some cuddling or snacking on junk from the kitchen. We might talk of eating out but things go heywire and the lovemaking gets in the way. Maybe talk of stuff but one thing always leads to another and the lovemakng gets in the way.

You take a moment and read the mail. You stack it in the “later” pile and sit down, next to your hunny and the lovemaking gets in the way.

I have been pondering and reflecting on life. How the different elements mingle and swirl, forever being connected. How something I thought was scary or weird, well, I've discovered a new appreciation.

I will tell you about my thoughts on what I always thought was strange and scary.

It's understandable that one might be frightened if not informed. Knowledge sheds light on mysterious things. There is a thing that I didn't have much knowledge of. From what I'd seen in pictures, no two were alike and likewise for good looks. Then, I thought to myself, what if I have a similar shape, hidden. How amazing is that? I'm always surprised to watch an object change before my wide eyes. Nature is truly astounding. To think, I have been formed to fit an other person. Isn't that mind-blowing?

Being female, I don't know what this thing likes. I have been fortunate to meet someone who candidly suggests and coaches me in the art. As if I have a sculpture in my hand, I stroke it, feeling the smoothness. I examine it while tracing every curve. It's not ugly at all. It's beginning to grow on me

to be continued

hello,
it's been a few weeks since i've been on. i finally got a wifi provider but as you've heard, you get what you pay for. i'm trying to stream a movie that has frequent pauses to load during the evening, leaving me the opportunity to post in the pauses.

i was fortunate to find a job while my present job winds down. the doors are expected to close, forever, in 8 weeks. i'm feeling a bit sad that it will end. i finally thought this may be my last job. it wasn't easy to find work and i feel so happy to have something lined up. the thought of going on unemployment and the red tape that is attached was not desirable at all. it was pure timing and chance. the opportunity snuck up on me and i got it without much time to worry.

i will say farewell to my Very Reliable Associate and this also makes me sad. life goes on. life just keeps going on and on and on...like it or not.

Two of a kind, you and I
Though my age betrays a maturity
Your guidance directs me to my soul
To be lost for so long, a kind gentleman showed me the way

I was out walking. I pushed myself, heaving
The sun pulled all moisture from me
The clarity was like cheap vodka in a plastic bottle

That walk produced bug bites, infected
By a hair removal cream, chemical
Dark spots, as if I had a case of the pox
I remember how he paid no notice

Two of a kind if there could be
The gears always moving, puzzle pieces turning, or Skelton keys jangling
To find a matching groove consoles me

If and since I do not wish to be a romantic unit
And if blessings aren’t reserved to God
I hold you as a blessing, in the most primal sense

lots of blocked areas to talk..some dont want to reply too..some take as a person from third world...but i dont mean to complain them..they will all understand one day..i know the world is beautiful with lots of good people..i love u all the people and all the cs members...after a very long period im posting my blog so MY VERY WARM HIIIIIIII TO ALL THE CS MEMBERS!

Lately, I have been wondering how products can be described as one thing in marketing, and be something different in reality. Of course I am talking about baked beans. A more accurate description would be beans boiled/stewed in a tomato sauce, as they show no signs pf being baked as such. I never heard anyone say "I'm baking a cake, and I only used 2 bottles of tomato sauce", and at the supermarket the tomato sauce is nowhere near the other baking ingredients.