Robert Hall

I like the styling and shape of the Lyriq, esp from the rear..

Not sure...I'm not using it, so apparently it wasn't that useful to me...wherever I've gone, I've been there. Having on the phone only makes sense because you have to have location services turned on for it to gather data, and your phone is always with you, so...

Had to look up what Google Timeline was... apparently a feature of Google Maps. I think I've used it, but several years ago...not something I actively use. I mostly use Waze for navigation. I use Google Maps at home on my laptop when exploring an area/planning a trip then Waze when I'm in the car.

Neat pics. I've never been to Kansas, only been through Missouri on I-44 and I-70 a few times, never visited any tourist locations or anything away from the freeways.

Alas, I'm too embedded in the US to leave. I like my house and cars, my dogs, my job, my stuff. If I didn't have any stuff, I'd love to be able to emigrate to either the Yorkshire Dales or Devon coastline of the UK. I love gray, rainy maritime climates. And I am of 99% English ancestry, though going back to the 1700s in the US. Ride the trains around the UK and Europe. Get an old Range Rover and Jaguar XK8 convertible to drive around in. In the US, I have thought retiring to the coast of Massachusetts or Maine could be quite nice also. Also thinking about an RV. And figuring out how I can retire in 6 years when I'm 60. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of retirement, but my investments are doing well, so it's definitely doable.

I miss the colorful interiors and comfortable seats older cars often had.

3rd gen CTS was about the same size as the last STS...within 2 inches of wheelbase and length. I can see the appeal of the smaller 1st gen CTS for nimbleness and parking. With the length, long wheelbase, width and AWD of the CT6, I'm becoming accustomed to making 3- and 4- point turns in parking lots. Down the road I'm thinking I wouldn't mind an XLR-V or 2nd gen CTS-V coupe for another fun car...

I do miss the seats of my old '00 WJ Grand Cherokee. It was more comfortable on long trips than my '14 WK2 Grand Cherokee that replaced it. The newer GC is larger outside, but feels smaller in the front cabin than the old one (smaller windows definitely are part of that). The seats seem to not be as well padded as the old one.

Recently watched HBO's 'The Penguin' series with Colin Farrell--excellent spinoff of 'The Batman' movie, and the lead woman in it would make a great Bond villian--Cristin Milioti--she was very convincing as a psychotic mobster/megalomanic. The show had a great soundtrack also. Speaking of music, listened to a lot of The Cure on my road trip over the weekend... a lot of dark, gloomy yet beautiful and cathartic music..perfect for a dark weekend.

Had to make an impromptu road trip to Louisville, KY and back this weekend for a funeral..drove down Friday evening (dry and sunny) and back yesterday (constant heavy rain up I-71`). Saw a few interesting cars out and about-- a dark colored AMG GT cabriolet and dark Aston Martin DB 12 convertible near Columbus, a couple new generation Mustangs (a bright blue Dark Horse, a bright red convertible). Louisville and Cincinnati were easy to get around, Columbus was a mess--soggy and sloggy, tons of construction and closed ramps to other freeways--couldn't get on the 270 belt line going north from the southwest on 71 so had to go all the way across the city to 270 northbound on the east side--took an hour to traverse the city (3 lanes narrowing to 1 for construction, accidents everywhere in the heavy rain). Once again, the CT6 proves itself as a great road trip car..750 miles round trip, averaging 29.5 mpg. Felt solid and secure in fast traffic in heavy rain. When I filled up Friday as I was leaving, it said my range was 525 miles. Not sure it's quite that good, but yesterday after driving about 375 miles since filling up yesterday morning I still had about 1/4 tank.

And the Browns, predictably suck as usual. Off to a 2-7 start.

Listening to the new The Cure album, first album in 16 years..has a similar sound to 1989's classic Disentegration...several of the new songs were premiered on the tour in 2023 when I saw them at Blossom. Great band, still making great, gloomy atmospheric music...love the new track 'Alone'..great long intro. Good November music.

Didn't Ford put their giant EV truck plant plans in the Memphis area on hold? Sometimes it seems some automakers EV plans are reminiscent of a classic South Park meme.. 1. Invest heavily in new EVs 2. ? 3. Profit

Working from home, I'm at about 7k miles for the year..and that was inflated by my 2300 mile road trip. I think I'm set for winter w/ my 10 yr old 4WD Jeep Grand Cherokee and 5yr old AWD Caddy CT6. Both have all season tires. And both paid for, so I'm content. Next car purchase down the road will be for fun.

Back on track, the Mach-e Rally looks good. I like the changes compared to a standard Mach-e.

With the usual dealer 'market adjustments' they will probably start at $75k or more.

That doesn't seem likely. Anything metal is going to be susceptible to corrosion, and wiring, etc don't do well being submerged. Best to recycle such damaged vehicles.

Water and electronics don't mix well....think about the cabin electronics...it's scrap. .isn't any flood damaged car usually issued a salvage or scrap title in most states?

Random aside, I'm not into Costco, never saw the appeal.(buying in bulk would make sense for families, though)....there is one a couple miles from me, and they always seem to have long lines at their gas pumps on Sat/Sun mornings..couldn't imagine waiting in line to get gas, I'm in and out of my local Shell in a few minutes..

Yeah, I remember spending a lot of time in local non-chain coffee shops in Ann Arbor and Colorado Springs in the 90s and early 00s..in grad school spent hours in one w/ friends when preparing for exams, and in the 00s planning the launch of an ill-fated startup w/ some friends. In the mid-00s, it was the 'company pub' next door to my office in Denver..had so many late afternoon work meetings that became happy hours there. Good times.. seems like a lifetime ago.. Just can't see hanging out at a convenience store/gas station/EV station or a big box retailer like that...

The profile reminds me a lot of the Taycan. The Taycan is the shortest of the 3, the Model S the longest, though all 3 are within a couple inches of overall length.

The profile reminds me a lot of the Taycan.

The Xiaomi Speed Ultra 7 Farley is driving has a mix of McLaren and Porsche styling cues, with Lincoln MKZ-inspired taillights.

Yeah, this is what I'm used to...cupholders, room for my cell phone, nav screen and Apple Car Play.. all the usual modern conveniences. But sometimes I'd like an '80s interior w/ bench seat and column shift and those comfy sofa seats...

It's a novelty...I suppose some would like it, I'd prefer have buckets and a center console with storage space.