Best of Oppositelock: January 23-26, 2014

"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
01/29/2014 at 20:00 • Filed to: Best of Oppositelock

Gathered here are the Oppositelock posts that people put a good deal of effort into writing last Thursday through Sunday. It includes the 2015 Navigator, elitism in car culture, Formula 1 aesthetics and more.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Mailbox Cancer

It appears the 2015 Lincoln Navigator has broken through the various automotive press quarantines, and now it is open season for the sarcastic journalist folk and anyone with an asshole opinion to shit all over LiMoCo's Escalade-wannabe. Great, let's begin.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - [Mighty Car Mods]

There's a culture that we often see in the modified car scene that maintains that unless you have [insert turbo car here] with [insert cool list of JDM mods here] that you are somewhat a second rate citizen.. It's a culture that we believe is unhealthy and not serving anyone well, except for the egos of the elitist minority who feel that their way of modifying cars is the only way it should be done.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French

Two decades ago, I was a F1 fan. I would watch the races on TV, most of them live. (Though not the Asian and Australian ones, my parents weren't fan of the night time local time idea.) That was a time, that, to me anyway, Formula 1 cars still just looked great.

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

I want to take a moment to remember my 2009 Ranger that I recently traded in for a 2012 Fiat. The Ranger was my first ever brand new vehicle, and it rescued me out of a bad financial place. First, the backstory. I was driving a 2005 Dodge Caravan SWB. It had a noisy 2.4l 4-cylinder and a 4-speed automatic, and not much else. I had bought it because my previous car, a '98 Buick LeSabre had developed ECU schizophrenia. The Caravan was nic.... fun to dr.... I owned it. It was a vehicle…

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

With the exception of NASCAR and F1, nobody watches racing anymore. There used to be a love affair with speed, driving, and by extension, the automobile. Racing used to be awesome. Now it sucks. I've figured out a way to fix that.

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

So Lamborghini is due to release the next "Gallardo" aka the Huracan, sometime soon. It will be fast, it will be loud, and it will be somewhat bonkers in typical Lambo fashion. And you know what?....I don't care.

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

Are you sure NASA discontinued The Space Shuttle Program? What is one word that best describes a vehicle with 550 Horsepower, 502 lb-ft of torque with the wheel-base, and an overall length of 124.3 and 206.6 inches, respectively? SPACESHIP! I recently test-drove The $124,000 XJR-L (L=long wheel-base) in a "Storm Trooperesque" Polaris White color, which only added to its interstellar travel illusion.

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

The IMSA Tudor United Sportscar Championship sees two of the biggest forms of motorsport in the USA amalgamate for the 2014 season. TUSCC brings together the ALMS (American Le Mans Series) and Grand Am the IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) to create one giant endurance series giving worldwide fans the best of both former classes.

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

The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 14 was built in Germany and sold in the USA from 1955 to 1974, but its planned replacement, the type 34, was never imported to the US market. It is a shame we never got the handsome Type 34 because it looks like a sweet mix of Chevy Corvair and a Lancia Fulvia. Also !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Dusty Ventures

The first rally of the 2014 season is in the books and boy was it a doozy. Monte Carlo is always a difficult rally, but this year unpredictable, constantly changing weather conditions made it an even tougher event than usual. Drivers lost minutes on stages due to the wrong tires or deteriorating roads (the gap from first to fifth at the end of the rally was six minutes, first to tenth was 25), and thanks to "super rally" rules not existing at Monte drivers like Sordo, Delecour, and Kubica found their rallies ending early.

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

Earlier, on Oppositelock, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Typically when I see any sort of '70s Japanese car, I crack a smile because, to me, they're the automotive equivalent of lava lamps and "earth tone" fabrics — they're novelty items.

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

It's not patriotism. That only helps to a certain extent in the US, and Cadillac needs global growth to rival Ze Germans. IMO the #1 reason Caddy has a chance is this - many luxury buyers want to stand out in a crowd.

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

When I was 11 I saw a rusted-out straight-piped gold 1978 Trans Am idle past me in a parking lot of the local diner. I realized then I needed a 2nd gen. I needed one so much I looked on craigslist, ebay, forums, newspapers, etc. for several years until I was 15 when my parents said I could finally buy my first car. I used the best method possible to find the right car for me, print out all 2nd gen ads within 500 miles and judge them based on price and quality.

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

The internet backlash against the new IIHS test is pretty insane. I'd have to point out that this test was developed entirely because so many fatal accidents occur during off-angle collisions in smaller or older vehicles. Is it so surprising the IIHS would want to test for strength in a situation where occupants could be seriously injured or killed in certain cars?

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

(Welcome to Power Explained, a new multi-part series where I explain the tuning process and mechanics involved and how they affect your horsepower numbers). Lets start with the most difficult part of this all. How to say dymanom..., no dyno-mo-meter, wait, no that's not right either. Dynamometer (Die-nah-mom-a-ter), but seriously, just call it a Dyno (Die-no), everyone knows what you are talking about.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - mikecyc72usa

The 2013 MX-5 Clubsport Edition. Beautiful. Reliable. Weathertight. Comfortable. Economical. Quick. Responsive. Everything the British cars that inspired it never were. Or were they? I bring this up because I am in the fortunate (in my opinion) position of having access to not only the exact MX-5 pictured here, but also to a 1962 Triumph TR4, 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500, and a 1971 MGB. First, let's look at the similarities.

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

I got the Cayenne with about 40k on the clock. I first had it in San Francisco which made it feel huge – if the mirrors did not fold I would not have been able to back into my garage. On that note … it is a big car – but big inside as well. The back seat can be a little tight but only when you let the front seats stretch all the way out – really get that gangsta position. Though the Cayenne is big for the world of Porkers, it really is quite an easy car to drive.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - Sn210

Some say it's just beefed up Honda Accord. Others think of it as a sexy sport-sedan; Acura's e39, if you will. I decided to trade in my Civic for one to inject more sport, comfort, and luxury into my daily commute. Is the TL Type S the last great car Acura offered?

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

In the mid-90's my first two cars were VWs, clearly showing the kind of insane brand loyalty in the face of a clearly inferior product that only a teenager, or Apple enthusiast, can manage. I remember learning of the crazy mash-up Golf around 1998 when my MK2 Jetta was slathering Los Angeles's streets with approximately a half quart of oil a day.

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

I've seen the future, and there are no analog gauges in cars. The future of automotive dashboards and displays is digital displays, fully configurable and programmable. I am not saying that capacitive touch controls will be the dominant human interface in cars, as that is far from certain at this point. But I am saying that the gauges and information will be rendered on digital displays.

The Best of the Rest

MrZoglog !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Distraxi !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Rb1971 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . twinturbobmw !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from Portland C&C and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Audi For Life !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Tomtom615 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . One Quick Turbo Brick !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Gizmo !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . TheD0K !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Nibbles !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The Dummy Gummy !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Oppositelockers attended ALL the auto shows; !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! visited St. Louis, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! were in DC and Boxer_4 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Ricepuddin !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Heliochrome85 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . A few Ottawa Oppositelockers got together to cross the frozen Ottawa river; Zipppy !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and thebigbossyboss !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . DAMG0014 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

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

Fun Discussions

There were several posts that asked questions and sparked some good discussion between last Thursday and Sunday. Take a peek and chime in on some of those listed below:

Top Gear: USA vs UK

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

What RPM do you usually shift at?

Whats the BEST Combination of Weird & Cool?

Would You Rather Own: SUPER JALOP BATTLE Edition (Op. 5)

Naming Car Models

What is the best non-factory design study?

Would You Rather: Gated Manual Edition

Wingless F40's

F-Type, The Best Looking New Car?

Which Would You Rather Own?

Help me choose a car!!

Which would you rather?

What is your car's good side?

What are the best driving gloves?

Which Would You Rather? Topless Classics Edition

What is the best Work Truck of all time?

What was your dream first car?

Which Would You Rather? The Saga of the Overpriced STI

Why do people insist that RWD is terrible in the snow?

Quick! Post Beautiful F1 cars here! I am getting tired of the ugliness!

Is there a particular car you'd be ashamed to drive?

Most unusual first car?

Help Me Recommend the Best 2+2 Sports Car!

Last minute drag strip noob advice?

1.4L turbo Gas vs DIESEL What to Buy?

Which Would You Rather? Old Rivals Edition

Cheapest car with a gated shifter?

What is your dream build for you current car?

What Car truly represents you best?

If you could spend an hour in a racecar...

What was the best steal ever?

Weirdest Race Liveries?

Show Us Your Favorite Rally Car

Which Would You Rather? GTLM Edition

Racing Wheel Recommendations?

What is the most industrial sounding sports car?

Good Automotive Academia?

What would Oppo be like if we all had the budget of $201,500?

Why The New F1 Safety Regulations Are Crap

Which Would You Rather? USC Prototype Edition

Buildsheet: A Game About Building Your Own Car

My Wendy's Meal: The OppositeLock Review

Daily Drive, Track, Burn: Bonkers German Supersedans

Just the #tips

Highway Safety Board Proposes Child Seat Side-Impact Rule

Winning at Passports

Nirvana - Smells like Teen Spirit... Auto Tunes

What do you get when you cross a gearhead with a hipster?

Hello, Do You Deliver?

Gran Turismo 6 gets supersized

This '80s Dodge Daytona Promo is Hilariously ... Well, '80s

A mean little Abarth with quite a sound

Huge gallery about a huge plane

Stock Miata drifting full speed on a race track

Simpsons Cars Art

DC-9-50, Final Days At ATL

Real Nice Rally Monte Carlo Photos

That Ain't Even Right

Capable offroader: Makes me want a Subaru impreza

Consumer Reports Hoon's a 2015 WRX in the snow...

Formula Hill Climb

How to pull a Land Cruiser from beneath the ice

How NOT to Spectate the Dakar

Here Is A 707 Barrel Roll

Top Gear Africa Special Deleted Scenes

VW Bug catches fire, it is extinguished with Classic Coke

In this series of Top Gear...

Planelopnik Reading Club

Proof that not all BMW owners are dicks

VTEC Snail

Pfft, Track Nerds And Their Dashcams

Meanwhile in Michigan (Part 2)

Honourable Mentions

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

Porsche Panameras are like the Camrys of rich people

How I Achieved An Automotive Dream

I Want VW to Make the Jetta R

The Myth of the "Real M Car"

The P15 is Coming to Save the Less Fortunate: McLaren Themselves

China's Cultural Revolution is the reason why we have Chinese Copycats (kind of, sort of)

Ranting Out Loud: A Four-Wheeled Four Seasons Dilemma

Cavallino Classic Concorso d'Eleganza 2014

Cosworth Turbo F1

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.