Nice Joe vs. the Volcano reference!

Nucbuddy,
Your solution makes absolutely way too much sense. Not only would making the use of highways more expensive encourage more carpooling, it would also have many side effects that might make driving a more pleasurable experience as well. I'm sure that part of the reason the Autobahn has such courteous drivers is because of the costs associated with using it, including licensing and training for the drivers. It also means that people who can afford to drive there usually use higher-end vehicles that are not only faster, they are usually more friendly to the environment because of their being newer more fuel efficient engined cars, and safer also. It's sad so many here in the states take the privilege of operating a motor vehicle for granted and feel that it's some sort of god-given right.

Of course the ACLU, and probably Rainbow Push as well, will be all over anyone who tries to force lower income out of the left-hand lane and onto the bus. Let them have the surface streets! Free the FreeWays!

This is great news! Finally our younger generations will find out what it's like to actually have an import that breaks more than a domestic, and costs three times as much to get repaired! Ah, the good old days of shady import mechanics fixing X19s and spyders, charging hundreds for things like fuel pumps that make even the British mechs feel ashamed...

Is this where we sign up to win a Sirius radio?

Clubhouse Games is bugging me right now, especially the dominoes, because I can't move my pile of dominoes to the other side of the screen. I have to hold the stylus uncomfortably to move my tiles and see the screen at the same time.

Other than that it's been a similar experience to any other controller. I've gotten accustomed to using everything else right-handed, guns, mice, scissors, etc. In the case of the keyboard/mouse I think it actually works better for me, since I can use the keyboard more naturally with the left hand while simultaneously using the mouse. It's also nice to be able to jot notes with the left hand while highlighting text or navigating a page with the mouse in the right.

That's all fine and dandy, but these cars are NOT good for the environment, just for making the rich feel like they're doing something to contribute to society. I'd be more impressed if she recycled an old MB diesel and converted it to use biodiesel/veggie oil.
http://clubs.ccsu.edu/recorder/editorial/print_item.asp?NewsID=188

I'll stick with my Miele, thank you very much.

Crash tests and DOT safety requirements are also a great way to impose a tariff on foreign cars as well. If you can't get your congress to get your competition's product artificially inflated to match your overpriced product, then you just appeal to another governing body to enforce restrictions that only seem to apply to your competitor's product. After all, it's all about the children, right?

Make it a Bus, and put the TDI in the rear. Keep the feel utilitarian, like the original. Try to make it a reliable vehicle, for once.

mkbruin:
I am confused at your concern about an agenda. Is protecting consumers from poorly designed vehicles a bad thing? Is pointing out potentially deadly defects suddenly a negative thing to do?

It seems to me that GM has a long standing tradition of flatly denying any problems with their product. My 2000 Buick Century has a tranny problem. Think it's news to GM? No, they are well aware of issue with their 4T65E transmissions, and have Tech. Service Bulletins out addressing the very issue. Think they're going to fix a known defect? Nope, they'll be happy to take over $500 to replace a $30 failed part, but there's no way they're going to take responsibility. If my post can change just one person's mind about purchasing a GM product then I've already cost the company more in profit than they would have spent rectifying the problem in the first place.

So, mkbruin, what's your agenda in trying to call out the CAS or Autoblog on a safety issue?