Off Topic Archives - EPautos - Libertarian Car Talk

Reader Question: Tech for its Own Sake?

Off Topic eric - August 20, 2019

Here's the latest reader question, along with my reply! Richard asks: Your recent column reminded me of something that happened - either because I no longer have a key but a button...

Reader Question: Fiero Musings?

Off Topic eric - August 19, 2019

Here's the latest reader question, along with my reply! Kevin asks: Great show on Freedom's Phoenix (here). Thanks for reminding me about the Fiero. My favorite memory is of driving one on...

Broken Tail Light Hut! Hut! Hut!

Off Topic eric - August 18, 2019

A 65-year-old woman in Oklahoma named Debra Hamil didn't respond appropriately when an armed government worker used the pretext of a broken tail light to mulct her for more than $100...

Reader Question: One More Bullet?

Off Topic eric - August 18, 2019

Here's the latest reader question, along with my reply! Ron asks: One more bullet for your anti-electric car position. For obvious reasons, electric cars make more sense in urban than rural settings....

Reader Question: Air Bag Disconnect?

Off Topic eric - August 17, 2019

Here's the latest reader question, along with my reply! Mike asks: Several years ago I came across a company on the Internet that offered, for a modest fee, instructions for disabling an...

Reader Question: “Emissions” Just “Spin”?

Off Topic eric - August 16, 2019

Here's the latest reader question, along with my reply! Graham asks: I am a bit surprised that you are still in the "emissions" camp as the reason for going electric. You rightly...

AGW Slaps Woman, Orders Her to Take Off Clothes

Off Topic eric - August 15, 2019

Here's news coverage about the arrest of an armed government worker who took a "confidential informant" out for drinks - the bar tab paid by taxpayers - and then slapped her...

Reader Question: Is This EV Sensible?

Off Topic eric - August 15, 2019

Here's the latest reader question, along with my reply! Carlton asks: I enjoy your counter-cultural criticism of electric cars, but think there is a type of PEV (personal electric vehicle) I've bought...

My Kind of AGW Mobile

Off Topic eric - August 14, 2019

Here's some good news for a change: Armed government workers are apparently being Hut! Hut! Hutted! . . . by their own vehicles. Which vehicles you and I are forced to pay...

Reader Question: Trading in Pros?

Off Topic eric - August 14, 2019

Here's the latest reader question, along with my reply! Dave asks: Enjoyed your article. May I add two big reason why people prefer trading in cars to privately selling them? First, the...

12 3...262 Page 1 of 262

Latest Stuff

Mug: I have been driving Chrysler 300s (now a 10 YO ‘C’) for nearly 20 years. No, they get little respect or love from car...
bluegrey6124: “I’ve learned, through sad experience, that if a broad has two or more cats (often many more!), her wiring upstairs...
Brother John: I love rear-drive, always have. It just *handles* better. I also love real shifting – makes you a better driver. But...
Hank Ford: In my high school days, back in the mid-seventies, I was a dirt bike nut and drove a ’63 Chevy SWB stepside and have...
Nunzio: What’s the deal with all of these modern vehicles having these humongous center consoles?! Do people want top be cramped-in...
Crusty Old TV Tech: Oh yeah, agree there, they were nice looking cars. But the rust-o-matic fenders, and the self-destructing aluminum...
Nunzio: I’ve heard that Kia likes to deny warranty repairs. “Consumer protection” laws are usually much stricter in the...
Crusty Old TV Tech: Mother MoPar herself made them, so all that engineering stuff was attended to quite well I suspect…...
Crusty Old TV Tech: Well, we had a Pinto, and yes, compared to its contemporaries, it was shall we say, substandard. Mostly, the...
bluegrey6124: Nah! We can’t let the “proles” ride their bicycles. That would offer them too much freedom. Plus, it...
Shotgun Chuck: Not sure what this comment was about but I loved my 1993 V6 Sunbird (same car, different badge). Actually thought it was...
Jeremy: Hi Mike, Yep, nearly all of the “foiled terrorist plots” were manufactured by the feebs (cue Mencken). See Trevor...
Rachel Conerly: I don’t know anything about cars but I always read your column! And I drive old cars. Thank you!
Jeremy: Good God Grwwww, I know that “exhaust from gasoline and Diesel engines contain pollutants such as CO and other toxic and...
MikePizzo: At least a part of Kis’a growing success can be attributed to their excellent exterior designs. Styling wise, I think...
bluegrey6124: As the old saying goes: “Ignorance is bliss”.
bluegrey6124: I knew it! I was beginning to question the frequency of these “attacks” lately, and that’s when it hit...
David J Webb: I remember the FWD as a piece of junk. The transmissions did not hold up. I remember because I was stuck suddenly in...
Anonymous: Correction, 5 year / 100,000km (60,000 miles) in Canada.
Anonymous: “Telluride has the longest-running powertrain warranty of them all: Ten years or 100,000 miles.” (160,000km)...
Eightsouthman: I don’t see large EV use in Texas. When you’re driving a few hundred miles in a day in a one ton pickup, a...
dread pirate anonymous: Nice looking SUV except for those damn low profile tires 🙁
Anonymous: Grwwww, I like how you seem to continually mistake your opinion for fact. Déjà vu. Simply tell me this, where will all the...
Grwwww: Exhaust from gasoline and Diesel engines contain pollutants such as CO and other toxic and particular matter. If they did not,...
Eightsouthman: I still think Vega styling is nice. A friend bought a Vega the way they all should have been, the Cosworth powered job....
Eightsouthman: Couldn’t make it get out of its own way. Man, I gotta start re-reading…..and that’s what she said.
Eightsouthman: Can’t believe you included Cavaliers. Man, they were so….Cavalier. The SIL had one and she loved it. It was...
Eightsouthman: “Was” hurt very little.
Eightsouthman: It really hit me how they’d made everyone buy new cars when a friend his a deer, tiny deer, in his 07 Tahoe. It...
Bill Jones: ” Vengeful oil cartels ” Cmon Eric, you are better than that. “Tired of getting ripped off” tftfy
Shoal Creek: In high school, I had a friend that owned a 69 Cuda 440 that he had upgraded to drag race in. His younger brother had a (65?...
MarkyMark: A Hemi Dart would be a POTENT machine! I don’t see how it wouldn’t twist the frame though…
MarkyMark: Eric, I think that modern cars which were redesigned on or before the early 2010s would be safe also. These are cars that,...
ekrampitzjr: When it comes to children dying in hot cars, Eric, your title explains it, even though you weren’t necessarily...
Gary: I only found this link under “Latest Radio: David Knight Show 8/23/19”.
Ron B Liebermann: The statements from this auto-exec are easy to understand if you remember one thing: The key to making a profit is to...
Glenn: https://moparinsiders.com/jeep -europe-introduces-jeep-miles- pay-per-use-program/ Eric, I found this article on the site Mopar...
Anonymous: Presumptuous twit. “We are specifically talking about bigotry against people based on their ethnicity.” I like how...
Jason Flinders: Nice try yourself, Anonymous. We are specifically talking about bigotry against people based on their ethnicity. But you...
The Bobster: Cabela’s not exactly innocent. This week’s American Dissident Voices includes the creation of a website...
Anonymous: “Anonymous, I’ve been sitting here chomping at the bit just waiting for you…..” Then you really need to get...
Crusty Old TV Tech: Really Eric, a VEGA on the front page? Yeah, it’s RWD, but a VEGA? A Hemi Dart, a 440 Six-Pack Valiant, even a...
Jason Flinders: Anonymous, I’ve been sitting here chomping at the bit just waiting for you to make this asinine statement. Thank...
Anonymous: “Typical bigoted shithead.” The irony, oh the irony.
to5: Why, freeholder? If she collects it sooner she can spend it while she has some life left in her. And while she may have her mental...
shnarkle Von Barkle: We don’t need to apologize to the slime molds themselves Jason, just noting that they’re more useful,...
Jason Flinders: This is true, Shnarkle. I apologize to slime molds everywhere for having unfairly compared them to truly repulsive and...
shnarkle Von Barkle: if we’re going to talk about reparations, then we need to look at where it really began. Black and white alike...
shnarkle Von Barkle: While I agree with your sentiments Jason, I must take note of your unwarranted micro-aggression against slime molds...
Anonymous: Oh, sorry, virtue signalling childish rant then….. Just calling it like I see it too.
shnarkle Von Barkle: Hey Russel, the problem with your theory is that they have an obligation to their shareholders to maximize profits,...
Jason Flinders: I call ’em as I see ’em. You don’t need to be an “SJW” to despise malicious, hypocritical...
Anonymous: Triggered much JF? Someone found your sore spot and apparently it requires a foul SJW type rant to sooth it. You really do...
Jason Flinders: I’m sure it is impossible for the imbecilic, cowardly aryan warrior/white supremacist types who are always looking...
Thomas Chase: Thank you for being one of the few to call out Israeli technology that is on the brink of dominating the world. People need...
Eightsouthman: eric, surely you understand strapped into the nose of a cruise missile is a much faster mode of travel than a Bonanza. So...
Russell: Did you read the original story? The CEO of Ford Motors signed the same statement. His name is Jim Hackett. He does not bled...
Eightsouthman: I recall writing my first computer program in EA&D 101 using DOS and punchcards. At least, as long as you kept the...
richb: They aren’t doing that though, and never have. They aren’t keeping plants in the US to “protect” their...
Eightsouthman: Tom, I’d like to drag AOC and similar out to a location in the patch where people work all day in the sun and temps...
Eightsouthman: I much prefer black lagers of any brand to the lighter beers. IPA doesn’t do a thing for me. I got drug to a...
ken: They’re still computerized out the ying yang. Yes, they’re powerful and fast but they’re no fun. Like you wrote,...
Muggles: Gee, sometimes the comments here go off the deep end. But Eric has a great article today. The Ayn Rand comparisons are spot on....
SPQR70AD: it is impossible to detest the Israeli govt without being anti semitic being they are doing EXACTLY to the surrounding nations...
The Freeholder: The thing (other than rage) that hit me fastest reading this article was “This is another excellent argument for...
The Freeholder: The “Personnel Office” was based, to some extent, on “people”. A resource, human or otherwise, is...
The Freeholder: I’ve had plenty of both types plus an AWD, and I far prefer RWD. Somehow they simply feel like they drive better....
MIkePizzo: Well as you like to say Eric…..”different horses for different courses.” Obviously, trucks are RWD ( or 4WD...
Chris: I will only buy RWD based vehicles. RWD only for me, and RWD with AWD capability for my wife and daughter. I like her...
Rog: That’s where I keep mine for goodness stakes!
Eightsouthman: Jack, when I was young I heard the old saying that every month women bled “brain cells”. I can’t say it...
Eightsouthman: T, I took the 93 Turbo Diesel one ton 4WD up a mining road to a height above the clouds. I had to try and rid the inside...
Russell: Here is a thought experiment. You are CEO of GM. You have a choice. Keep a manufacturing plant in the US or move it to a 3rd...
Eightsouthman: Or you could just stick an old 454 in for over 500 lb ft and a mild cam. Or use a “learning” stand alone FI...
Swamprat: The Explorer was traditionally based on the Ford Ranger platform. When they stopped building the ranger, the Explorer became...
shnarkle Von Barkle: There’s a documentary on YouTube showing what you’re talking about Brent. It shows these huge cities in...
brazos_bend: There are tons of these guys on the road still. A high school coach down the street from me has two family cars (Honda pilot...
brazos_bend: FWD always felt too lurchy for me but when I had them for rentals like in a minivan it was great fun peeling out from...
Fred: Horst, is that C8 made to the same standards as everything else GM builds? No thanks. Get a Miata, it’s a far better car and...
JdL: Hey, look on the bright side! Her spiel was horrible, but not as sickening as the ads Gillette is putting out these days. So,...
JACK: This article is exactly why I frequently say, and append to my email, the comment that “Until we learn to say NO to women, nothing...
The Handler: Many of the whites I see on a daily basis have no business reproducing. They’re either hardcore trash (druggies) or...
Guerrero: The new FORD 7.3 gas engine is rated at 400 foot pounds of torque at 1500 rpm. It looks to be a throwback to better days and...
Eightsouthman: I reckon I’ve had few “legal” vehicles…..damn few.
Anonymous: Exactly right. Revoke consent. Make them resort to violence, because that’s the only real tool they have at their...
Jeremy: Ken, No “race” has ever accomplished anything, individuals, working alone or with others, have. This should not be a...
Anonymous: Great article Eric. I really hope all of this leads to some new startups that have the balls to stick a big fat middle finger...
ken: So that would imply that being proud to be Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Latino, African, Japanese, etc is also ludicrous? A nation can...
Jeremy: Hi Doug, You entirely missed Jason’s point. Individual people and groups of individuals working together have achievements,...
Jason Flinders: Come on Doug, that trap wasn’t meant for you. I said that only because the very concept is collectivist. Races...
Jeremy: Hey Eight, Yep, I don’t get the vicarious, collective guilt or pride stuff. Feeling either proud or ashamed of the...
Douglas L Self: If you live in the USA, you live in a country that is what it is PRECISELY due to the “White Race”, for bad...
Jason Flinders: Yes, it’s a Chrysler TorqueFlite A727, mated to an AMC 360 V8. This was the gold standard in automatic...
Douglas L Self: Whenever I hear of HR, instinctively I recoil (much like the late Herr Goering, when he heard the term...
Eightsouthman: My deceased FIL bought a K car and then a Grenada. I believe the Kcar was better since it cost nearly nothing. The Grenada...
Douglas L Self: Yes! And doing a fluid/filter change at 5 years or 60K miles is a PRUDENT measure for the gear box on that Matador (not...
Eightsouthman: Jeremy, I was in Mexico 15 years ago and some of the people were spitting something I couldn’t understand. When I...
Eightsouthman: T, yep, tires are very expensive now. If you can get a set of 10 ply load range E for less than $1400 you might want to...
Jason Flinders: Not really a new idea, the owner’s manual for my ’72 Matador specifies no fluid changes required on the...
Jason Flinders: CO2 is not an issue. Continuing to spout elitist lies about it does not make it so.

Off Topic

E-Rant: 2020 Kia Telluride

Reader Question: Avoiding Uncle-ized New Cars?

Reader Question: Vouch for Corolla?

Reader Question: Why do I Buy It?