The White Rim and How to Become an Auto Journalist

"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
06/12/2014 at 12:00 • Filed to: Best of Oppositelock

Assembled here are the best Oppositelock posts from May 21st through May 25th. Today we've got a spectacular trip near Moab, following your journalist dreams, GM's customer attrition plan and buying a car in Japan for 10 bucks.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - HammerheadFistpunch

This last week I took the first major step towards this goal of mine, to be free, by biking/driving the white rim trail near Moab Utah in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National park. It's a 106 mile trail through some of the most spectacular terrain God ever did scribble out on this planet. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and also check out !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Collin Woodard

Like many of you, I have been a commenter on Jalopnik for many years. I don't remember exact numbers, but the site couldn't have been more than a few years old when I stumbled over here from a less awesome car site. About six months ago, after making a couple of popular Oppo posts, I started to get a crazy idea. S0mehow, I was going to become a professional auto journalist. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Automatch Tom

People hire me to to find deals on cars. Sometimes I save folks thousands off a new Mercedes or simply find the best value in the pre-owned market. It really all depends on the customer. However, all of those deals pale in comparison to these two dudes in Japan who bought a car for a 1000 yen, or about $9.80. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - GM Admits to Large-Scale Customer Attrition Plan; Promises Restructuring

General Motors yesterday announced a recall of over 200,000 compact Chevy Aveo models due to a possible fire from the daytime running light feature, or DRLs. A spokesman for the company admitted that GM intended for the DRL failure to create minor annoyances, hopefully resulting in the customer's intent to upgrade to a larger vehicle in the GM portfolio, such as the Chevy Cobalt. However, after months of investigations and lawsuits around deaths resulting from Cobalt crashes traced to inferior ignition parts, the company is in a difficult position. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - offroadkarter

If theirs one type of vehicle we don't talk about enough around here, its sport trucks. I know, I know, trucks don't have the handling dynamics of our lord and savior Miata, nor do they have those sexy body lines like a Volvo station wagon. Still, sport trucks need a few more features around here and I'm about to change that with today's subject. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Speedmonkey

We eulogise sports cars, luxury cars and supercars with powerful engines, razor sharp handing and the very best tech and engineering the car industry has to offer - for a price. But most people I know who call themselves petrolheads drive much more normal machinery. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - CAcoalminer

So, all of you probably already know that the GT-R is a fantastically quick car that is exceptionally capable, especially when being pushed hard. Keeping this in mind, I'll describe something that is rarely covered- how the GT-R handles mundane tasks like traffic and city driving. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - jbh

Karting is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to get your butt in a seat racing wheel to wheel, this much we know. Unfortunately most outfits run karts with massive variability in performance with is only amplified by weight differences between drivers. Endurance Karting has upped the ante this year with a tight performance spec and a minimum driver weight for each kart. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - AJTaylor

In merry old England, the Nissan Micra (known as the March in Japan) gets a bit of a rough time. Typecast as the wheels of choice for the old and slow or learner drivers, they are anything but cool. Maybe if Nissan had given us the turbocharged and supercharged version above, things would have panned out differently for the little hatchback. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - TheDailyTurismo

In the second cantica of the Divine Comedy written by Italian Poet Dante Alighieri, the author describes in great detail a trip through the seven terraces of Purgatory. Mid-way through the 5th Terrace the poem's hero finds himself surrounded by the souls of the covetous, folks who have sinned through embracing things in an unhealthy way. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Automatch Tom

Autoguide announced that GM is shelving a Cadillac 3-row crossover that was in the works. The new crossover was to be slotted below the Escalade, but the automaker was concerned that it would cannibalize sales from the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. They mpe have opted to replace the aging SRX with another 2-row model. I understand that GM wants to move away from the days of excessive badge-engineering but to deny your top tier brand an ability to compete with the other luxury automakers is foolish. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - NotInDetroit

So, Cadillac killed their three-row, Lambda-based (therefore presumably unibody) SUV as Zac Estrada reports here, where I shamelessly stole the top image from. This leaves a huge product gap in their line-up. But does Cadillac care? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Torque Affair

I have never considered the A3 as being something I would own. Mainly, because I'm not a big fan of wagons (or hatchbacks?). But after driving Mike's newly purchased A3, I walked away very impressed. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - BrtStlnd

We've all been there, you're waiting at a stoplight and there's a person holding a cardboard sign asking for help. Sometimes you've got a couple bucks in your pocket so you roll down your window, smile and hand them a fiver before pulling away in your chauffeured S-Class. We should all be so lucky to have the world's most fined organization come to our neighborhood and do the same. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - JonathonW8

Some of you may know that I have a 2013 Scion FR-S that I purchased around October of last year. It was my first brand new car ever and it came to me at a time when I needed to get rid of the most unreliable car in the history of the world. That Passat made me almost hate cars even with its redeeming qualities. I traded that car in so fast the dealer never even took it for a test drive. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Jeff Simmons

It's been awhile since I posted one of these, so there is tons to get to! Live And Let Die-Cast! is getting bigger than ever, we received a couple of prominent shout-outs, and the imagination of the custom-izers continues to impress. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Arch Duke Maxyenko

It was a perfect day to learn how to race, temperatures in the mid 70's and partially cloudy. I was in North Western Connecticut, at Lime Rock specifically. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - JayhawkJake

I think someone (DeMuro?) once referred to Carmax as the mall for car guys (and gals). Maybe I said it, but I'm not normally that creative. Either way it's a true statement: People go to malls to walk around and window shop, I go to Carmax to do the same, but the windows are way cooler. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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The Best of the Rest

Mark Linde !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Kyle Cheromcha !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . DylanToback !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . CPNSLOW !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Audi For Life !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Sm70 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Dukie !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . VincentvanCabrioW !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Motorsport Jedi !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Asphalt !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Joest !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Jbh !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Bird !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . F86sabre !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . AMGtech !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

WRC541 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Cherry_man1 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . J. David Buerk !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . DOMdotCOM !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Pabuuu !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). Nintondo-San !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Twinturbobmw !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . PetarVN !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . K-Roll !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . JayZAyEighty !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Yamahog !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Klaus Schmoll !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Mosqvich !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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As always, If I've missed something and you would like me to include it, let me know.

Discussions

There were several posts that asked questions and sparked some good conversation between May 21st and May 25th. Take a peek and chime in on some of those listed below:

Are You A Driver Or A Polisher?

WAGON vs. SEDAN

Coolest Car In A Random Ass Town: Zwolle (The Netherlands) request

Point / Counterpoint

What cars do YOU want to see photographed?

If Corporations Are People, Does That Make GM A Serial Killer?

Which would you rather, Boss stripes edition

Favorite Crossover?

Required/Highly Recommended Track Day Prep?

Coolest Car In A Random Ass Town: Linhue, HI (Murica)

What Car Is Perfect For Nebraska?

What rallylights does my BMW 2002 need?

Oppopininon: Mazda Eunos Cosmo

What would you pick: This has probably been done edition

What Is Your Car's Power To Weight Ratio?

iPotato appreciation post

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Coolest Car In A Random Ass Town: Mons (Belgium)

Trading My Car on Craigslist: Genius or Insanity?

What Car Is Perfect For Nevada?

Who started your car obsession?

Name the cars youve owned since you got your license

What's the coolest non-model badge?

Zenvo - A dissapointment

What's your favorite supercar?

Spec a Car! Stingray Edition

What Exactly Defines a "Muscle Car"?

Who in your family has owned the best cars?

Post-Race Analysis-Monaco Grand Prix

AERODYNAMITE Copies. Loath or Praise?

Craigslist Game: Most Expensive Car on your CL

Drive of the Race - Monaco Gran Prix

Game Talk: Stylized Games vs Simulation Games

Best Looking Minivan/MPV?

Just the #tips

Qashqai R

Kickstarter Dorifto Trike

Mclaren 650S Launch Control

Turner M3s Gear up for "Homecoming" at Lime Rock

Surviving Iceland in the Crosstrek Hybrid

So Where Can I Buy a Tesla?

Why maldonado was banned for life from Monaco and then unbanned

Next MazdaSpeed3 295hp AWD

VW Ring' Testing Golf R Wagon Prototype

BatDad Bought an M3

Fiat 500L WRC

Where can Tesla sell cars?

Carbon electric phallis plows a concrete wall (SFW)

Water cannot into engine oil

This Guy Restored Tarantino's Stolen Malibu

Have some stunt plane madness from Germany

Phenomenal NA Miata Craiglist Ad

1937: Germany Versus Britain

Flying Flags Void Powertrain Warranty Claim

2016 Cadillac CTS-V Spy Shots

Scuderia Ferrari: Silverstone to Monaco, 1956

Ithaca Volvo Ballet

Great news! Dacia made a Mercedes G 63 AMG 6x6 competitor

Seoul Launching Longer, Wider, Women-Only Parking

Perrinn myTeam shared ALL blueprints for their LMP1-H car

Watch a Hyundai i30 fail a Moose Test

A Cadillac turned into a Lincoln

Clarkson's Contract to be Renewed Until 2018

These posts have already been shared with Jalopnik directly but deserve to be mentioned again because they were first posted on Oppositelock:

Dodge is killin' it!

Sneaky speed camera placement

Restoring a Dollar-Store Supercar - The Story of my BMW E39 M5

The German road network is kaputt

K-Car Meets a Fitting End

Review: /Drive on NBCSports

Bad Crash In Indy Lights Today

Why The 1969 Lancia Fulvia Coupe Is The Most Beautiful Car In The World

Want to participate on Oppositelock? Check out the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! as well the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to help you get started.

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DISCUSSION (15)

HammerheadFistpunch > DasWauto
06/12/2014 at 12:19

You the man Daswauto. Thanks for putting this all together.

DasWauto > HammerheadFistpunch
06/12/2014 at 12:23

Sure thing. Took me long enough though... :)

HammerheadFistpunch > DasWauto
06/12/2014 at 12:26

hey man, life happens.

DasWauto > HammerheadFistpunch
06/12/2014 at 12:31

That it does. I had this one sitting mostly finished for at least a week. I'll have to decide what to do about the three weeks I'm behind now. I might have to skip some, get really picky or maybe even delegate a bit to someone else.

HammerheadFistpunch > DasWauto
06/12/2014 at 12:33

I'd be happy to help. I'm out of town until new Monday but I could pick it up then.

DasWauto > HammerheadFistpunch
06/12/2014 at 12:38

Thanks for the offer, I might just take you up on that. Until then, we'll see how far I get over the next couple of day.