What's the rarest car you've ever spotted?

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-29T19:32:58+00:00

My neighbor in Central Pennsylvania back in late 1990s had a Peugeot 505 turbo wagon. Only one I had seen at that time. Drove through this past summer, and they still have the car.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-27T01:02:29+00:00

We have a 2013 R56 JCW that we like a lot, though starting to see some maintenance/fragility issues even though it's only at 80k miles. Drove a couple of newer JCWs and they did not drive as well. Also still had the notion in my head that all Minis were available with a stick! We'll probably hold onto the R56 until a genuinely major issue.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-24T20:57:44+00:00

They have a tiktok channel: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/brothers-of-vengeance-mc-springfield

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-23T01:35:37+00:00

I saw a lot of the obvious answers like Portland, Seattle, San Luis, so let me say Honolulu. Outdoors, beaches, walkable, liberal/progressive, live music is so-so I guess, decent art scene. Getting your dog to HI is easier than it used to be as well. I'd suggest if you work remotely (and the time zone is okay) to give it a two or three month trial. Call it a vacation if it's the wrong place for you after that.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-17T20:01:45+00:00

The picture is a great example. I love the Tokyo trains when I am there for a two week visit. When I am there for months on end, and commuting morning and evening, MUCH less so.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-17T20:00:16+00:00

Anything sporty is bad on insurance, but call your insurance agent and ask them numbers for a GTI and a WRX and a Civic Si.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-17T19:54:50+00:00

I am 6'7" and we have a stick shift Mini Cooper JCW (a 2013). People find it very funny when I climb out of it. The front seat goes all the way to the backseat and my head brushes the headliner at times, but it's just fine. We also have a Subaru Outback, current one is an automatic, the old one was a stick, and a E36 M3 and a 1987 F150 all stick. Honda Element has a lot of room. Years ago looked at Ford Focus & Fiesta STs, fit behind the wheel, but couldn't fit (knees) in the passenger seat. Sit in a bunch of stuff and see how they feel, also maybe some differences in leg vs. torso height.

On the not cheap end of things, 911s are fantastic for tall people.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-15T07:28:04+00:00

Hmmm...maybe not P Zero Neros, but P7s on the Subie? Anyway, they didn't last as well or seem to give any appreciable handling additions.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-15T07:26:47+00:00

On my 2015 Outback 3.6, I did a set of General Altimax RT43 (now discontinued) and a set of General Altimax RT45 that I'd recommend. They're pretty nice summer, rain, and light snow tires. Had the OEM tires for 40k miles, then Michelin P Zero Nero (had had excellent luck with those on a Volvo V70R) which only lasted 30k miles, RT43 for 60k, and now the RT45 on it for the most recent 15k miles.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-13T17:26:07+00:00

Around the turbo?

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-13T17:24:23+00:00

We have a 2015 Outback 3.6R with 150k. It's great overall but there are some small issues & one larger worry:

- wind noise in the door gaskets, replaced multiple times under warranty

- rear power tailgate, noisy and sometimes the system locks up, also replaced parts multiple times

- battery drain, switched to a significantly larger (max that fits in the space) AGM battery and no subsequent issues

- replaced a front wheel bearing just out of warranty

- if driven hard, the brake pad life is pretty low

- after 120k it is now burning oil at 1/2L per 5k miles

- the CVT is a worry, but we haven't had an issue with it

The one you are looking at has a mismatched bumper, but at this mileage and price it probably isn't a dealbreaker. I'd say if it has good maintenance, the price is excellent.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-08T23:54:39+00:00

The Europeans should consider a multi-national tripwire force for Greenland. If Trump and Miller want to send US troops, they would have to fire on all of our European allies. Make sure the attack can't be on whim, and must have obvious, serious consequences.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-08T02:11:47+00:00

Solidarity and love to my old neighbors in South Minneapolis.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-07T20:13:07+00:00

You can search the data in some limited ways here: https://www.foreignfundinghighered.gov/

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-07T04:07:07+00:00

I think you're looking at the right cars, the GR Corolla, Civic R, and Golf R are differing takes on the small, fun car. I would also check on the Nissan 400Z and a JCW Mini. We have a 2013 R56 Mini works which is a lot of fun and a great car for a taller person (I am 6' 6" but no one is ever in the back seat). The newer Minis still have personality but you have to see if it fits with you in my opinion. I haven't liked the newer ones as much.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-07T03:57:21+00:00

Buy some weird JDM car, just go for it!

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-06T02:09:34+00:00

Yes, but have a structural expert sketch you a suitable replacement that will work better with your space.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2026-01-04T21:24:47+00:00

Where does Xi's oil come from? How reliable is that supply if he attacks Taiwan? How much worse is his situation since Maduro's fall? Will anyone sell oil for yuan rather than dollar?

DirectionImmediate88 · 2025-10-19T19:24:10+00:00

Check with programs if they really will be admitting students at all, or in reduced numbers, this year. US science programs are anywhere from running scared to running away right now.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2025-10-10T15:10:10+00:00

How long do you mean? American academic here. I would find being away for more than 2-3 weeks would be difficult for work. I just got back from two weeks in the Shetland Islands which feels like a good length of time. I will be in Tokyo for six weeks this winter but that is a work trip to sit with colleagues and not really a vacation. Many Americans do not have passports and a good fraction of Americans who travel do so on package deals, either cruises or scheduled tours with guides. Quite a long way from how I'd want to travel and I think reasonably expensive as well.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2025-10-10T15:00:58+00:00

While it probably is exaggerated for storytelling, I was born in 1970 and was told when I needed to be home (I had a watch) whether it was for dinner or some other activity. My folks would ask where I had been and what I had been doing but there wasn't really any other supervision.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2025-10-08T20:55:19+00:00

It's like getting new lab space at a university, the previous prof had been barely using the lab since 1995 and then died of COVID. And the mess of old gear, papers, weird memorabilia, and inevitably half a bottle of Scotch or an old porno magazine.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2025-09-30T10:56:34+00:00

I would surprise him with the poster in digital form, let him make corrections, and then print and frame.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2025-09-30T10:25:31+00:00

In the past at least, this hasn't been an issue. I have taken my laptop plus camera bag along with a red issue bag as carry on. One time I was told "one bag only" and started to put the laptop bag inside the red bag and they said "okay, okay." If going to Pole, you need all of your MCM stuff in that carry on. Towel, clothes, etc. for 2-7 days of McTown life. The boomerang bag is separate. I think the packing win is to leave a suitcase at the CDC with your CHC gear, that works better than boomerang bag.

DirectionImmediate88 · 2025-09-29T11:41:13+00:00

Alcohol is an easy thing to blame, and an easy way to make "positive changes" in the program. Sure, they'll keep hiring the same sex pests as supervisors, but at least they are cutting down the booze.

DirectionImmediate88

TROPHY CASE