#I have a compact SUV so it’s not like I’m low to the ground by any means.

[cinebration]

Written in DNA (Booker x Reader) [Part 9]

You embark on the mission for Quynh.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Epilogue

Tagged: @lucy-sky​, @city-of-weird​, @all-the-right-regrets, @alannister-always-pays-her-debts​

Warnings: brief violence

Gif Source: boydswan

“You should stay here.”

Booker stared at you in disbelief. The anger radiating off you sickened him, his stomach clenching as you stormed across the pavement.

“No,” he said, trying to match your unforgiving stride. “I should go with you.”

“It’s better if I go alone.”

He managed to cut in front of you, stopping you in your tracks. “What does she want you to do?”

The muscle in your jaw jumped. “I have to eliminate a target.”

“Who?”

“I don’t ask the who. I just do.” You moved past him.

He grabbed your arm and was almost dragged away by you, your stride not once breaking. “Stop!”

“The sooner I get this done, the sooner you can reunite with your family.”

His chest constricted, but he stepped in front of you again, forcing you to stop. “I didn’t ask you to do this for me.”

“I told you I would do it.”

“You said you would meet with Quynh to fulfil my end of the bargain. You didn’t say you would do what she asked.”

Your face darkened. “I have no choice.”

“What does that mean?”

“Stay put. I’ll be back.”

“Stop it,” he snarled. The frustration in his voice surprised him. Why was he doing this? “I broke you out. All of this is my fault.” The moment the words left his mouth, he felt ill, guilt clawing through his guts.

“Don’t do that.”

He blinked, focused on you. Your frown matched his own, scoring deep lines in your face.

“I have to do this,” you whispered.

“Why?”

“Because she will turn me in and torture you for centuries if I don’t.”

Booker’s stomach plummeted. “She said that.”

“She means it. So I’m going to go do the job, and you’re going to stay here.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“Booker—”

“Where are we going?”

For a moment, he glimpsed the predatory glint in your eyes, could almost see you weighing the options to keep him there by force. But then you relented, though you looked worse than before. “Germany.”

~~

The drive from Paris to Munich passed in silence. Booker had never seen you brood before, though to him it looked akin to murderous intent. You sat motionless in the passenger seat, your face a hard mask, anger rolling off you palpably. He had felt rage, had experienced it firsthand and from others, but yours seemed magnified, like a beast you weren’t that keen on reining in. It permeated the enclosed space, agitating Booker. He fidgeted and struggled to find something to break it, but each time he opened his mouth, your eyes slid sideways, silencing him.

Shortly before Munich, you told him to pull off the road. He happily obliged, eager for a chance to stretch his legs. He had driven for the whole nine hours it had taken to reach the city, too hesitant to ask you to take over at the halfway mark when fatigue had begun setting in.

You unfolded yourself from the seat, stepped out of the car. Booker did the same, watching you warily. Yanking open the trunk of the sedan, you hauled out a duffel bag, unzipped it. Pulling out a change of black clothes, you turned away from Booker and started to strip.

Booker pivoted sharply, trying not to look at you—but not before he glimpsed the curve of your spine as the shirt came off over your head. Shaking his head, he focused on the ground beneath his feet, fighting the strange feeling in his chest.

Anxiety, he told himself. Nerves before battle.

“Are you going to tell me the plan?” he asked.

“You are my backup. That means you watch my back but don’t make a move unless I tell you to.”

Booker frowned. “I don’t need to be benched.”

“Really? Because you’ve got the withdrawal shivers, and I don’t know how you’ll hold a gun.”

Heat flooded his face. His hands had begun to shake during the drive, some twenty-four hours after the last time he had had a drink. He thought he had hid them well, but of course you had noticed.

“I’m fine,” he lied.

You tapped him on the shoulder. He twitched in surprise but turned to find you fully dressed in black, a holster slung over your shoulders. You had two guns, the one beneath your arm and another strapped to your thigh. A tactical knife was strapped to your other thigh. Everything was black—black steel, matte paint. Nothing that could reflect light and give you away.

You pressed a Glock into his hands. “You’ve only got the one mag in it. Stay behind unless I say otherwise.”

He didn’t like it, the cold edge to your voice, the flat expression on your face. Like you had become something else, a machine. Only your eyes were alight with that predatory look that sent shivers through him.

“Let’s go.”

He followed you across the field and into the woods. The shade provided welcome relief from the sun. Sweat poured down Booker in rivulets. He tried to ignore what that meant, what the itching of his skin was saying.

You can drink after, he thought. Focus.

You walked for half an hour before coming to a stop at the edge of the trees, crouching low beside some shrubbery. Booker dropped down behind you, peering over your shoulder at the hut huddled low against the base of a small hill. A shiny compact SUV peeked around one corner of the hut.

“There are up to four in there,” you informed him. “Follow me to the hut but hang back while I breach.”

You hurried across the field before he could answer, slicing through the grass like a lioness on the prowl.

Booker scrambled after you.

Before he reached the hut, you were already breaching, kicking the door off its hinges and into the room. Shouts rose up inside, bullets flying. Booker rolled inside, disregarding your order, popped up onto his feet and aimed.

Right into Joe’s face.

“Joe?”

Joe met his gaze, stared in disbelief. “Booker?”

“Stop!” Booker’s voice tore from him in a ragged cry. “STOP! They’re my family!”

You froze, your knife buried in Nicky’s chest, a gun trained on an angry Andy. They all looked at him, bewildered.

“They’re my family,” Booker repeated, distraught.

#Booker x Reader #Book #Booker imagine #Sebastien le Livre x Reader #Sebastien le Livre #Sebastien le Livre imagine #Matthias Schoenaerts x Reader #Matthias Schoenaerts #Matthias Schoenaerts imagine #The Old Guard

[mxchellesworld]

𝟑 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝 - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑 

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐝 𝐱 𝐂𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: smut, fingering, degradation, exhibitionism, use of toys, oral (male and female receiving)

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫

***

They walked you over to an SUV which would have seemed suspicious if you weren’t so amped up on lust. Spencer held the door open for you and Cat to get in the back before he slid in. He confirmed the location with the driver before you took off towards your destination. 

You sat in between the both of them, hoping they could sense the heat radiating off your body and make the first move. As if he could read your mind, Spencer’s hand started to trail up your right thigh. You tried to glance at him when a dainty hand pulled you to the left. 

Cat’s lips teasingly pressed a kiss on your pouted lips before moving back in for more. The large hand on your thigh inched higher and higher until it reached your clothed core. You moaned into Cat’s lips at the subtle touch on your cunt. 

You parted from her lips to catch your breath. Suddenly you felt another pair of wet lips press kisses on your shoulder and move up to your neck. They were in sync as they switched actions. Spencer now using both of his hands to pull you into a heated kiss as Cat let her hand rub circles over your clit. 

You opened your eyes and saw the driver looking straight on the road. This probably wasn’t the first time the older man saw something like this. The sounds of hitched breathes and sighs filled the back of the car. 

You let out soft gasps at the teasing pleasure. You could feel them everywhere in the compact space. Their hands kept on roaming all over your body. Your head moved side to side as you switched from soft strawberry flavored lips to rougher peppermint tasting ones. 

Finally Cat’s hand pulled at the hip of your panties to tug them down your legs. You lifted your hips to help her get them down. You could barley step out of them with one leg before Spencer’s grip on your thigh pulled your legs apart. 

Your eyes widened at the driver right in front of you. Sensing your worry Spencer leaned forward to press the button rolling up the screen which would do little to hide what was going on in the back seat. 

Suddenly Cat spoke up. The first words exchanged in the whole ride. 

“Did you like having him watch you act like such a desperate slut for us?”

Remembering the demonstration from earlier you knew better than to leave her with out an answer, “Yes Mistress,” you mewled. 

They shared a giggle, returning to their lingering touches all over your steaming body. 

“You’re such a quick learner princess,” Spencer said lowly in your ear. His hand trailed down the inside of your thigh, avoiding where you needed him most. 

“Thank you Sir.” 

“I think she deserves your fingers,” Cat said as she grabbed a handful of your hair. She pulled your head back leaning to talk to Spencer as if you weren’t a soaking mess sat between the two of them. You let out a moan at her words, which caused her to look back at you. 

“Did you hear that Spence, I think the little slut wants you to stick your fingers in her dripping cunt. Isn’t that right?” 

You swore you could cum at her words. You nodded frantically as you responded, “I want your fingers so bad Sir!”

“You can beg better than that princess,” he said gathering some of the slick leaking out of your tight hole. He rubbed his fingers up your folds making it difficult for you to from a sentence. 

Cat’s lips went back to your neck. Sucking on your pressure points and adding to the distraction making your task of begging even harder. 

“Fuck,” you sighed, “I want you to fuck me with your fingers so bad Sir, please! I promise I’ll be good for you!”

Before you knew it, two of his long fingers entered your heat. He expertly started to curl them, trying to massage the spongy spot inside you. Cat moved your head to start kissing you again. She swallowed the loud moans that were trying to slip past your lips. 

Her delicate fingers moved down to rub your clit. Spencer could feel your walls pulsing around his digits. 

“I know you’re close princess. You wanna cum? Hmm?” he asked mockingly in your ear. 

You parted from Cat’s lips and let out a small, “Yes sir.” 

You were so close to the edge. Just a little more and you would reach your peak. When suddenly the car came to a stop. You let out a protest of whimpers as their hands left your body. You felt cold at the loss of contact. Spencer leaned forward to press the button to drop the partition, pulling out his wallet to pay and probably tip the driver extra for what you had put him through.

You looked down trying not to let the driver see you in such a disheveled state. You could guess your lipstick was smeared down your chin. Looking at your shoes you saw the lace around your ankle and went to pull it off to tuck in your bag. As your hands reached your lap, Cat swiped the material from out of your grasp and stuck them in the pocket of her coat with a wink. 

“Lets go,” you heard Spencer say. 

He got out first and held the door open for you to get out. His hand was on the small of your back leading you to towards the elevator of their apartment building. Cat interlocked her pinky with yours which brought a small smile to your face. 

She spoke over the low music playing in the elevator, “When we get inside we’re going to lay down some ground rules then we’ll give you exactly what you want. How does that sound angel?”

“Really good Mistress,” you said eagerly. 

A ding signaled you had arrived to the 5th floor. Cat stepped out first with you trailing behind her still attached by the pinky. You looked back at Spencer who gave you a kind smile. They seemed much more forgiving when they weren’t teasing the life out of you. 

Cat unlocked the door and led you to their wide living room. She let go of your pinky and motioned for you to sit on the plush leather couch. She took a seat on the coffee table before you, crossing her legs and shrugging off her coat. 

“Would you like something to drink?” Spencer offered as he walked over to where you sat. 

“No thank you,” you said shaking your head. 

“How about we do some introductions then we can get into the rules.”

You nodded at her and set your purse down next to you. 

“My name is Cat Adams,” she said with a hand to her chest, ”besides owning the lounge I am a lawyer.” She looked over to Spencer for him to give his introduction. 

“My name is Spencer Reid and aside from also owning the lounge, I am a professor.” 

You could’ve guessed they were both highly educated based on the large shelves spilling with books around the room. 

“My name is Y/n L/n, I just moved to Virginia and work as a receptionist.”

There was a small pause before Cat spoke out, “So you say you’ve never done this before, right.”

“Mhm”

“I need words angel. Unless you want to add on to your punishment,” she said with a smirk. 

You gulped before responding, “I’ve never done this before. But I’ve read some stuff and done a little research.” 

She took in your words as Spencer spoke this time, “That’s good. Is there anything you’re most interested in trying.”

You felt your cheeks heat up at the thought of spilling your deepest fantasies. The things you spent nights looking up and hoping you could try outside the bubble of your dreams. 

“I uh, I’m interested in impact play, degradation, knife play, bondage..yeah” 

You looked at him with wide eyes as he took in the information. Cat spoke up again, “Do you have any limits?”

“Not that I can think of. But probably nothing to do with feet or body fluids,” you said scrunching up your face. 

Cat moved to sit next to you on the couch. “Any questions so far?”

“Yeah um have you guys done this before? Bringing in another I mean.” 

Spencer took her spot on the coffee table and rested his hands on his knees, “We have experimented with another but this is our first time asking for a sub to join our.. dynamic.” 

You took in the information before responding, “What makes you think I’m a sub?’ you said which a challenging voice. 

They shared a look and laughed before looking back at you. “Cmon angel you really think you can convince us, you’re anything but a pouty little sub.” 

“Whatever,” you mumbled, “Are you both doms or switches?”

“Spencer is a switch with a dom lean but I am just a dom,” Cat said licking her lips. You nodded in response. 

“Ok so rules,” Cat said excitedly, “First of all we go by the traffic light system. Green for good to go, yellow means slow down or try something else, calling red means that the scene ends completely. No punishment will ever come from you calling out yellow or red. Are you alright with this part?” 

“Yes thats fine,” you said looking into her eyes. 

Spencer cleared his throat before speaking, “If we plan on doing continuing with this dynamic, we ask that you cut ties with any other partners you may have. Just keeping everyones health and safety in mind.” 

“Of course,” you said looking back at him, “I haven’t been with anyone for over six months and I was tested earlier this month. All clean.”

“Lastly,” Cat spoke again, “Don’t expect much of a relationship. Of course we will provide aftercare and all that good stuff but remember this is a partnership. Don’t expect any dates.” 

You nodded slowly taking in what she said, “I understand.” Of course you knew this was going to come. That didn’t mean it hurt any less after she made it clear you really were just a plaything for them. 

There was a shift in the air. Once the rules and acknowledgements were set you knew you had started playing again. 

Cat brought her hand to your chin making you face her, “Six months is awfully long time to go without being fucked. Tell us, do you stuff your little fingers in that tight pussy to get off? Or maybe you use a toy to mimic the real thing? I bet you’d look real pretty taking the head of my strap.” 

Before you could respond Spencer pulled you by your hair down onto your knees. His hand bringing you closer to rest your cheek right next to his hardening cock contained within his pants. 

“I bet you’re so desperate for the real thing you would cum just gagging on my cock. Those pretty lips are just begging to be used princess.”

You were practically moaning at the mix of his words and the pressure in your skull from how many times they’ve tugged on your hair. You could feel Cat’s hands playing with the straps of your dress before pushing them down your shoulder, causing it to slip and pool down by your knees. Her hand glided down until you felt a smack on your behind. 

“Answer him when he asks you a question, whore.”

You mewled at the degrading title, “I am Sir! I’m so desperate for your cock please. I promise I’ll be good,” you said looking up at him, hoping he’d take mercy on you compared to his female counterpart. 

“Color?” Spencer asked 

“Green,” you said smiling up at him.

He let up on your hair before speaking, “Alright princess, take my cock out. No teasing.”

You quickly did as you were told, trying hard not to fumble with the buckle on his belt. You felt Cat’s hands disappear from your body, turning you saw she was gone all together. 

Putting your attention back on the man before you, you unzipped his pants and pulled his boxers down to pull his length out of its confines. You were drooling at the sheer size of it wrapped in your hand. Long and pink, weeping with precum already. 

To avoid any teasing you quickly gave it a few strokes before eagerly taking him in your mouth. At least as much as you could. You suckled on the tip before moving down his length, hollowing your cheeks as you went. You could hear his groans and sighs above you as you worked your mouth on his aching cock. 

“Fuck thats it princess. Your mouth was made for my taking my cock,” he gritted. His was rough compared to the way he was soothingly running his thumb across your cheek. 

Lost in the motions of pleasuring Spencer, you failed to hear a low buzz fill the air around you. Spencer pulled your head off his cock, a line of spit trailing from his tip to your lips. He nodded his head for you to look behind you. 

Cat was spread out completely naked on the couch, sleek black vibrator pressed against her clit. She curled her fingers commanding you to move over to her. You did so quickly, trying not to trip over the dress that was still around your knees. 

“You looked so pretty taking his cock like the little slut you are,” she said between a moan, “But now you’re gonna make me cum with your mouth angel.”

“Yes Mistress,” you said pressing kisses up her thighs. You trailed your tongue to where she wanted you, quickly licking a strip up her soaking folds. She let out a moan above you. 

You wasted no time diving into her heat. Switching between long strokes and sucking on her bundle of nerves. You looked up to see her chest heaving, a sheen of sweat covering her body. Turning your head to the side you could see Spencer pumping his cock over the scene below him. 

You moaned into her pussy which caused the vibrations to add onto her pleasure. 

“Shit you’re doing so well pretty girl,” she mewled trying to keep her commanding voice, “I’m gonna cum on your tongue, you want that?”

You moaned a response in her heat, giving her the answer. With a few more strokes of your tongue and your mouth wrapped round her clit, she went through with her promise. You groaned at the sweet taste of her release on your mouth. You helped her ride out her orgasm before she pulled you off of her and leaned down to meet you in a heated kiss. 

Turning over to Spencer you sat in front of him with your mouth open waiting for him to also spill in your mouth. You were so blown out from lust you would do anything they told you to do. 

“That’s it princess. Such a good fucking girl. Just a mouth for us to fuck use whenever we want,” he tried to grit out, quickly tugging on his cock to milk his orgasm out. 

You closed your eyes as you felt his ropes land in your mouth and drip down your chin. You happily swallowed and licked the corner of your mouth to not waste any of it. 

“Get on the fucking couch,” he said motioning back behind you. 

You took your place next to Cat who was smiling blissed out from her recent orgasm. She got up on her knees, turning the vibrator on and trailing is across your tummy. 

“I think she deserves to cum now. Don’t you think Spence?” she asked as he moved to sit next to you. Once he was settled he pulled you to sit on his lap with your back pressed against his chest, making you yelp at the sudden movement.

“She definitely deserves a reward for how good she’s been tonight.” 

Again they spoke as if you weren’t even there. The thought of finally getting a release made your insides churn. Spencer pulled your thighs open as Cat set the vibrator on your stiff clit. You let out a loud moan at the sudden pressure. 

“Make all the noise you want angel, let us know who makes you feel this good,” Cat said trailing kisses on your chest. 

“Fuck, thank you Mistress,” you whined out. 

Your hips were trying to buck to meet more of the vibrator but Spencer wrapped an arm around your waist to keep you from moving. 

The hand that wasn’t preoccupied moved down like it had earlier in the car. His long fingers dipped into your leaky folds. They easily slid in and he wasted no time in pumping them in and out, combined with curling to rub your sweet spot. 

You were a mess of moans and whimpers. Spilling out ‘thank you’s’ and curses. The knot in your belly was tightening and you knew you were about to burst soon. As if they could sense it, Cat upped the vibrations on the toy and pressed it firmly against your clit. You all but screamed at the pleasure taking over your body. 

“That’s it princess be a good girl and cum for us,” Spencer cooed in your ear. 

“Let go angel we got you,” Cat said rubbing your thigh tenderly. 

In no time you felt your orgasm wash over you. Your body twitched as white hot coursed through your veins. You were thanking them repeatedly as you tried to catch your breath. 

Your head fell back on Spencer’s shoulder with a dazed smile on your face. 

“I’ll go start a shower,” you heard Cat whisper. 

Spencer got you to sit up and pushed some of the hair out of your face, “Let’s get to the bathroom pretty girl. Can you stand?” 

You nodded weakly. He put your arm around his waist for support to walk though the dimly lighted apartment. 

Once in the bathroom, Cat extended her arms for you to take. She pulled you in and moved you under the shower head to let warm water run down your body. You saw Spencer get undressed then soon joined you in the spacious shower. 

They moved again so you were in between them. Spencer’s hands lathering shampoo in your hair as Cat was whispering reassuring phrases in your ear. 

“You did so good for us tonight angel. We are so proud of you baby.”

Soon after you were all clean, they wrapped you in a fluffy towel and led you to their bed. You sat down quietly as they moved around their familiar space, redressing into pajamas. 

You spoke up timidly, “Do you guys um want me to leave? I can just call an uber to go home.” 

Spencer sat next to you and handed you a large tshirt, “No just stay the night. It’s probably 3 am already.” 

You took the shirt and slid it over the towel before pulling down. You silently folded the towel before speaking again, “I can sleep on the couch if you want. I don’t wanna intrude on anything,” you said biting your lip. 

Cat slid into the bed and held the sheets open for you, patting the open space. It was a large king size bed with soft grey sheets and equally fluffy pillows. She pulled you into her arms and let her hand run though your damp hair. 

You let out a content sigh and felt a pair of strong arms reach around the both of you. You were snuggled into their warm embrace and fuzzy off the high of lust. If this is what it meant to be part of their dynamic then you had no problem following through. 

Or so you thought. 

#spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid smut #spencer reid x reader #mgg smut #mgg x reader #Criminal Minds Fanfiction #criminal minds smut #cat adams x reader #cat adams smut #chellewrites

[noisystatesmanbakeryfriend]

2020 Toyota 4Runner Review

2020 toyota 4runner: 5 pros and 4 cons. Toyota has actually given its 4runner a number of updates for 2020, bringing this suv's rugged appearances and off-road capability into the new decade. Related: 2020 toyota 4runner review: in your home. Find out more. Need to purchase a car during the covid-19 coronavirus outbreak? read this prior to you do. 10 biggest newspaper article of the week: 2020 chevrolet corvette trounces telluride. 2020 toyota 4runner: everything you need to understand. 2020 toyota 4runner evaluation: at home where the sidewalk ends. 10 most significant chicago auto program stories: 2021 genesis gv80 quits little ground. Within toyota's lineup, the 4runner is positioned above the rav4 compact crossover and along with the highlander midsize crossover. Cargurus has evaluated the toyota 4runner numerous times in current years, recognizing it with the following overall scores: 8. 2 (2014 ), 7. 3 (2015 ), and 7. More about the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Conditions apply. Crawl control is designed for driving on challenging terrain at low speeds. It helps the driver by managing acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering. The toyota 4runner is designed to fulfill off-road driving requirements, but off-roading is naturally harmful. The original 4runner was a compact suv and bit more than a toyota pickup truck with a fiberglass shell over the bed, however the model has actually since gone through significant independent advancement into a cross between a compact and a mid-size suv. All 4runners have been integrated in japan at toyota's plant in tahara, aichi, or at the hino motors (a toyota subsidiary) plant in hamura. The 4runner was available in at number 5 in a 2019 research study by iseecars. Com ranking the longest-lasting vehicles in the us. The 4runner had 3. 9percent of vehicles over 200,000 miles (320,000 km), according to the research study. The trekker was among the first prototype walk through conversions done to toyota trucks in the early 1980s. They resembled the successive 4runner conversions done by toyota, which started production in 1984, however were designed and built by winnebago markets with the approval of toyota. The trekker was no longer viable when toyota started producing the 4runner in 1984, having in essence functioned as a marketing test vehicle for that car. Thus, the very first generation is almost mechanically similar to the toyota hilux. All very first generation 4runners had two doors and were indistinguishable from the pickups from the dashboard forward. Almost all changes were to the latter half of the body; in fact, since the rear springs were not updated to bear the additional weight from the rear seats and fiberglass top, these early models tended to experience a drooping rear suspension. Related 2020 Toyota 4Runner details All 2020 4runners receive toyota's safety sense p (tss p), an integrated suite of driver-assistance features including a pre-collision system with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure caution, and automatic high-beams. A brand-new infotainment system increases in screen size from 6. 1 to 8. In our very first drive review of the 2020 toyota 4runner trd pro, we were impressed by its off-road capability, stating that "'although the 4runner is old, it showed to be plenty capable on the trail." we were also pleased with the enhancements made to the vehicle's driver's assistants and infotainment systems, and felt that those looking to purchase a 4runner should absolutely wait for the 2020 model, as these updates actually make a difference in the interior and safety. Read what other owners consider the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. Shoppers also think about. Toyota's old-school 4runner hasn't changed a lot for many years, but its competitors have. Vehicles such as the nissan pathfinder, when an authentic suv ready to take on gnarly terrain, have actually given that morphed into crossovers with less off-road capability. The 2020 toyota 4runner keeps its status as a tough, off-road prepared suv that uses a more civilized option to vehicles like the jeep wrangler, particularly when discovered in trd off-road or trd pro trims. It's likewise a fairly comfy daily driver that can seat up to 7 passengers throughout 3 rows, and it can tow approximately 5,000 pounds. Toyota 4Runner vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee The same can be stated, to varying degrees, of models like the ford explorer and chevrolet blazer. That leaves just 2 primary rivals: the jeep grand cherokee and jeep wrangler unlimited. Offered the shift in buyers' preferences, its shrinking segment, and its antiquated style, one would presume the 4runner's best days were in the past. Get the base 4runner in gray, beat the hell out of it and keep it for 20-plus years. That's what i suggest. Your other options are the jeep grand cherokee ($32,150), which is even more refined and outsells 4runner by a nation mile. Toyota 4Runner vs. Toyota Highlander 2020 toyota 4runner trd pro: 3 things that make it a pro in the city. 10 most significant news stories of the week: 2021 genesis gv80, gmc yukon do it. 2020 chicago auto show: everything you missed out on. 2021 toyota highlander xse and unique 4runner, tacoma tundra identify themselves. While more recent midsize trucks are much smoother on the road, the 4runner is stiff and bouncy, jouncing along the highway. If you prepare to use your brand-new suv for travelling, something like the brand-new toyota highlander or smaller rav4 are most likely a much better bet. Toyota 4Runner vs. Toyota Tacoma But, that's exactly for how long it's been considering that toyota introduced the latest version of its venerable midsize suv. The fifth-generation 4runner debuted for the 2010 model year, using rather tighter interior accommodations compared to its predecessor and sharing various bits and pieces with the tacoma pickup an fj cruiser suv. Our experts' favorite 4Runner safety features: Rear spoiler, mp3 player, privacy glass, keyless entry, child safety locks. Toyota limited with magnetic gray metallic outside and black interior features a v6 cylinder engine with 270 hp at 5600 rpm *. Choice packagesrunning boards. Serviced here, locally owned and traded here!experts conclude'the 4runner's v6 produces a healthy 270 horsepower, ideal when you need to pass slower traffic or tow heavy loads. What do individuals consider the 2020 Toyota 4Runner? The 2018 toyota 4runner is a body-on-frame sport energy, meaning it's truck-based instead of car-based as would be a crossover-suv. This indicates that the 4runner might not be for everyone, but it does fit a specific market and segment of needs. The 2018 4runner needs to be thought of as a pickup truck with more seating capable of bring a fair variety of people and pulling a fair amount of trailer and cargo. As such, the japanese maker didn't change much of anything on the 2013 toyota 4runner. Many people would neglect this midsize suv at first glance, however it does have some extremely rugged and useful features that might attract buyers searching for recognized dependability. What's an excellent price for a New 2020 Toyota 4Runner? Different package updates followed in 2018, and after that a black-accented nightshade special edition showed up for the 2019 model year. Cargurus tested the 2019 4runner, eventually recommending the sr5 premium 4wd model based on its available features and sub-$40,000 starting price. As the toyota 4runner entered the 2020 model year, it went through a host of considerable upgrades, the least of which was the introduction of a venture trim level accented by distinct wheels and a standard roofing system rack. I finally get the love for the toyota 4runner. I almost got it in the past, now that i have actually spent a week in one, i'm feeling a connection to the loud, unrefined, semi-slow, old suv. Beginning with the excellent, the 4runner's looks are simply traditional and identifiable. Should I lease or buy a 2020 Toyota 4Runner? Such has been the appeal of the toyota 4runner, a rear-wheel-drive (rwd) or 4-wheel-drive (4wd) model that has actually filled that function since it was initially introduced in the mid-1980s. Now, as one of the couple of midsize suvs still on the marketplace, the up-to-7-passenger 4runner continues to bring in buyers who want to venture far off the beaten course, or a minimum of would like to know their vehicle can do so at a moment's notice. A new, sixth-generation 4runner is stated to be in development but, at the time of this writing, no details have actually been launched. 2003-2009 toyota 4runner: 4th generation. Aside from pickup trucks and some very popular cars, couple of vehicle nameplates have been around regularly for more than thirty years. Up to $500 refund on a new toyota 4runner. Not valid on unique lease/preferred choice deals, apr programs or vehicles otherwise omitted based on the terms and conditions. Must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver's license.

#toyota #4runner #review

[a-painful-mess-of-code]

2020 Toyota 4Runner Review

2020 toyota 4runner: 5 pros and 4 cons. Toyota has provided its 4runner numerous updates for 2020, bringing this suv's rugged appearances and off-road capability into the new years. Related: 2020 toyota 4runner evaluation: at home. Learn more. Need to buy a car during the covid-19 coronavirus outbreak? read this prior to you do. 10 greatest newspaper article of the week: 2020 chevrolet corvette trounces telluride. 2020 toyota 4runner: everything you require to understand. 2020 toyota 4runner review: in the house where the walkway ends. 10 greatest chicago auto program stories: 2021 genesis gv80 quits little ground. Within toyota's lineup, the 4runner is placed above the rav4 compact crossover and along with the highlander midsize crossover. Cargurus has actually examined the toyota 4runner several times in current years, acknowledging it with the following overall scores: 8. 2 (2014 ), 7. 3 (2015 ), and 7. More about the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Conditions apply. Crawl control is designed for driving on tough terrain at low speeds. It assists the driver by managing velocity and braking, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering. The toyota 4runner is designed to satisfy off-road driving requirements, but off-roading is naturally unsafe. The original 4runner was a compact suv and little bit more than a toyota pickup truck with a fiberglass shell over the bed, however the model has actually because undergone significant independent development into a cross in between a compact and a mid-size suv. All 4runners have been integrated in japan at toyota's plant in tahara, aichi, or at the hino motors (a toyota subsidiary) plant in hamura. The 4runner can be found in at number five in a 2019 study by iseecars. Com ranking the longest-lasting vehicles in the us. The 4runner had 3. 9percent of vehicles over 200,000 miles (320,000 km), according to the research study. The traveler was among the very first prototype walk through conversions done to toyota trucks in the early 1980s. They were similar to the successive 4runner conversions done by toyota, which started production in 1984, however were designed and built by winnebago industries with the approval of toyota. The traveler was no longer practical when toyota started producing the 4runner in 1984, having in essence served as a marketing test vehicle for that car. Hence, the first generation is nearly mechanically similar to the toyota hilux. All first generation 4runners had two doors and were indistinguishable from the pickups from the dashboard forward. Nearly all changes were to the latter half of the body; in reality, due to the fact that the rear springs were not updated to bear the additional weight from the rear seats and fiberglass top, these early models tended to suffer from a drooping rear suspension. Associated 2020 Toyota 4Runner details All 2020 4runners get toyota's safety sense p (tss p), an incorporated suite of driver-assistance features including a pre-collision system with self-governing braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beams. A brand-new infotainment system increases in screen size from 6. 1 to 8. In our very first drive evaluation of the 2020 toyota 4runner trd pro, we were impressed by its off-road capability, mentioning that "'although the 4runner is old, it proved to be plenty capable on the path." we were also pleased with the enhancements made to the vehicle's driver's assistants and infotainment systems, and felt that those wanting to purchase a 4runner should certainly wait for the 2020 model, as these updates really make a difference in the interior and safety. Read what other owners think about the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. Shoppers also think about. Toyota's old-school 4runner hasn't altered a good deal over the years, however its competitors have. Vehicles such as the nissan pathfinder, when a real suv all set to deal with gnarly terrain, have since changed into crossovers with less off-road capability. The 2020 toyota 4runner preserves its status as a tough, off-road all set suv that offers a more civilized alternative to vehicles like the jeep wrangler, especially when discovered in trd off-road or trd pro trims. It's also a fairly comfy day-to-day driver that can seat approximately 7 passengers throughout three rows, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Toyota 4Runner vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee The exact same can be said, to differing degrees, of models like the ford explorer and chevrolet sports jacket. That leaves only two main competitors: the jeep grand cherokee and jeep wrangler unlimited. Offered the shift in buyers' preferences, its shrinking sector, and its old design, one would assume the 4runner's best days were in the past. Get the base 4runner in gray, beat the hell out of it and keep it for 20-plus years. That's what i recommend. Your other choices are the jeep grand cherokee ($32,150), which is far more refined and outsells 4runner by a nation mile. Toyota 4Runner vs. Toyota Highlander 2020 toyota 4runner trd pro: 3 things that make it a pro in the city. 10 biggest news stories of the week: 2021 genesis gv80, gmc yukon do it. 2020 chicago auto program: whatever you missed out on. 2021 toyota highlander xse and special 4runner, tacoma tundra identify themselves. While newer midsize trucks are much smoother on the road, the 4runner is stiff and bouncy, jouncing along the highway. If you prepare to utilize your brand-new suv for travelling, something like the new toyota highlander or smaller sized rav4 are most likely a better bet. Toyota 4Runner vs. Toyota Tacoma But, that's exactly for how long it's been given that toyota presented the latest model of its venerable midsize suv. The fifth-generation 4runner debuted for the 2010 model year, providing rather tighter interior accommodations compared to its predecessor and sharing different bits and pieces with the tacoma pickup an fj cruiser suv. Our professionals' preferred 4Runner safety features: Rear spoiler, mp3 player, privacy glass, keyless entry, child safety locks. Toyota limited with magnetic gray metallic exterior and black interior features a v6 cylinder engine with 270 hp at 5600 rpm *. Alternative packagesrunning boards. Serviced here, locally owned and traded here!experts conclude'the 4runner's v6 produces a healthy 270 horse power, best when you require to pass slower traffic or tow heavy loads. What do individuals think about the 2020 Toyota 4Runner? The 2018 toyota 4runner is a body-on-frame sport utility, implying it's truck-based rather than car-based as would be a crossover-suv. This indicates that the 4runner may not be for everyone, but it does fit a certain market and sector of requirements. The 2018 4runner must be thought of as a pickup truck with more seating capable of carrying a fair number of people and hauling a reasonable quantity of trailer and cargo. As such, the japanese producer didn't change much of anything on the 2013 toyota 4runner. The majority of people would overlook this midsize suv initially glimpse, however it does have some extremely rugged and useful features that might attract purchasers trying to find known reliability. What's a good price for a New 2020 Toyota 4Runner? Different package updates followed in 2018, and then a black-accented nightshade special edition arrived for the 2019 model year. Cargurus evaluated the 2019 4runner, ultimately advising the sr5 premium 4wd model based upon its available features and sub-$40,000 beginning price. As the toyota 4runner got in the 2020 model year, it went through a host of considerable upgrades, the least of which was the introduction of a venture trim level accentuated by unique wheels and a standard roofing system rack. I lastly get the love for the toyota 4runner. I nearly got it previously, now that i have actually spent a week in one, i'm feeling a connection to the loud, unrefined, semi-slow, old suv. Starting with the excellent, the 4runner's appearances are just timeless and recognizable. Should I lease or buy a 2020 Toyota 4Runner? Such has actually been the appeal of the toyota 4runner, a rear-wheel-drive (rwd) or 4-wheel-drive (4wd) model that has filled that role since it was initially introduced in the mid-1980s. Now, as one of the few midsize suvs still on the marketplace, the up-to-7-passenger 4runner continues to bring in buyers who want to endeavor away the beaten course, or at least want to know their vehicle can do so at a moment's notice. A brand-new, sixth-generation 4runner is stated to be in development however, at the time of this writing, no details have been launched. 2003-2009 toyota 4runner: 4th generation. Aside from pickup trucks and some very popular cars, couple of vehicle nameplates have been around consistently for more than thirty years. As much as $500 rebate on a brand-new toyota 4runner. Not valid on unique lease/preferred alternative transactions, apr programs or vehicles otherwise left out based on the conditions. Must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver's license.

#toyota #4runner #review

[ghosteyesfoxwrites]

Ignite

Chapter 2

Yang woke up the next morning to light knocking. She got up and shuffled to the door. She eased it open. Expecting to see Klein, Yang was snapped awake when she saw Blake standing at her door, tray in hand with mugs and the addings for coffee and tea. "Blake? What are you doing?"

Blake tilted her head, her ears flat against her head, "I figured that a nice cup of coffee or tea would be appreciated after last night." Yang hurried out an agreement and moved to the side, letting Blake come through. She set the tray down on a small table and went about making the drinks. "Do you prefer coffee of tea?

"Coffee. Will you be ok if I keep my arm off? Right after waking up, it doesn't fit right," Yang asked behind a yawn. Blake turned around and saw Yang, fully, no longer hiding behind a tray. Deep red orange tank top, black sweat pants with a yellow checker patter going down the side, rolled up a bit. Yang looked half asleep and sleepily smiled at Blake.

Blake relaxed, "Sure. If it makes you comfortable. Cream or sugar?"

Yang hummed, "More cream than sugar."

Blake walked over and sat on the bed, a hot mug of coffee for Yang, steaming tea for herself. Yang took her first sipped and let out a content sigh. "You didn't burn yourself?"

She chuckled, "I always run hot so warm coffee in the morning is nothing." Blake was a bit envious, left blowing on her tea to cool it off. After a few quiet moments of enjoying the hot drinks, Yang spoke, "So. The White Fang."

She felt the bed shift as Blake moved, trying to find a comfortable position, but it wouldn't help when it was her heart that was unsettled.  Blake stared down at her tea, er ear flattened then twitched. "What about them?"

Yang put her mug on the nightstand next to her bed and moved so she was leaning against her pillows and propped up her knee, resting her left arm over her knee. Her lilac eyes searched Blake, but the girl was good, her mask unreadable, Yang couldn't find any cracks. She pressed.

"I can almost see why they wouldn't want Schnee and Menagerie not working together. Does their pain run that deep? I know Weiss's dad was a prick, but she's different," Yang watched. She could see Blake's neck tighten, her shoulders pull back a fraction, her ear turned up, her left trained on Yang. Her hands gripped the tea cup, almost shaking.

Blake let out a shaky breath, "In the beginning, the White Fang stood against for all the right reasons. Us faunus are people, we have lives, loved ones, dreams, hopes. Jacques Schnee exploited the racism, and we.... We didn't have any backing to get him to change his mind. SO my... My father started the White Fang. At the time, a non-violent protest. A gathering, a community of faunus to help and support each other."  Blake took a breath and sipped at her cooling tea. Yang sat up, crossed legged now, wake, listening to Blake was and wasn't telling her.

One doesn't become an expert Huntress by taking things at face value. There is always the underlining story.

Yang watched as Blake stood and walked back toward the table, placing her tea down and paced the room slowly, taking in the photos and knick-knacks Yang had scattered. As much as this was a guest room, it was almost always reserved for Yang. A home away from home. She traced the wood, and that’s when she noticed. Almost everything in Yang's room was wood, almost no metal furniture.

"Why is everything wood?" Blake asked, her ears perked as she looked around, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Yang was taken back by the question, "Uh, because, I like wood furniture? It reminds me of my old home on Patch."

Blake turned back to a shelf and smiled at the pictures. "Menagerie's architecture is all wood frames, beautiful trees." She headed back toward the table and sipped at her tea.

Yang chuckled, "Are you asking me to go to Menagerie, Blake?" The sound of a snort and tea spilling a bit onto the wood was Yang's response. The blonde was up and laughing as she helped Blake clean up. "You ok?"

Blake nodded, sputtering a bit, "Yeah, yeah. I, uh, I mean, if you want." Blake's ears twitched and kept her eyes off of Yang. She shook her head and looked up at Yang, still with no heels, nothing but house slippers and bare feet, Yang looked down at Blake. Eyes soft, quickly darting over Blake's face, keeping eye contact, trying to read what wasn't being said. Blake opened her mouth to be more clear, but Yang's door slammed open and their stood Ruby, already dressed for the day, Crescent Rose in her hand, still in it's small, compact form. "Yang! I can't find--- Oh hi, Blake," Ruby stood more relaxed. Blake hid a chuckle behind her hand while Yang looked a bit more surprised to see Ruby. The outburst not unusual, doesn't mean Yang was ever used to them. Ruby looked about, and noticed the moment was possibly private, and Ruby started to match Crescent Rose. "I will leave you to it, then. Um, Weiss is with Mr. and Mrs. Belladonna, so-"

"You can call them Ghira and Kali, Ruby," Blake interrupted.

Ruby nodded, "Right, right. So, I'll go hang out with them. There's left over chocolate from last night and there's waffles and..." Ruby noticed the quirked eyebrow from her sister. "Ri-ight," she dragged. "Bye." And in her blur, she was gone, rose petals left to drift to the ground.

Yang sighed and went to put on her arm. "She's energetic," Blake commented, following Yang. "Want help?"

She sat on the bed and held on her bed, "You could give me a hand," Yang's grin split her face in two.

Ear flattened against her head, "This is just your life now, isn't it? Hand puns?" Blake stepped over and flopped on the bed. She took the arm and went to attach it.

"I'm always armed and ready for a good joke," Yang snorted. "You gotta hand it to me, you think it's cute. With it, I can definitely keep you out of 'arm's way. You don't have to worry about me getting strong-armed. I can-"

"Yang!" Blake stopped her. She hadn't even gotten to attach her arm. Blake was holding her stomach, shaking, tremors ripped through her as she tried to hold back the laughter threatening to spill over. "You have to stop or I'll leave you, alright?" Blake was chuckling. She reached out and gripped Yang's bicep steadying her arm. 

"Wouldn't it be all left?" 

Blake stopped. Her left ear twitched, her eyes closed, she bit her lip to keep her laughter at bay. She slowly looked up at Yang, her bangs shadowing her golden eyes, the look stopped Yang. Whatever joke was coming next died in the back of her throat, along with her breath, her heart. Blake smirked, clicking her arm into place. She got up and leaned over, gently lifting Yang's chin, closing her mouth. "Alright." And with that, Blake left Yang's room. She closed the door and leaned against it. Her face burning as she held it, letting out a breath. Her steps matched her heart as she headed toward the kitchen. Yang was left in her room, still staring at the door, the usual low hum of her arm rang louder than ever. Or was it her heart pounding in her ears?

That afternoon,Yang was walking around the mansion, familiarizing herself with it. She could almost see a younger version of herself, Weiss, and Ruby running down the halls. It helped her dad's team, STRQ, got hired so often by Jacques. The kids had the run of the house until Jacques had important meetings, then they were confined to one part of the mansion. They loved the mansion at night though. The three of them would quietly travel through the house, excited that the neon colors from the city would bleed into the house, splashing and spilling color all over the white marble, almost as if painted by the shattered moon.  Walking the halls had put Yang at ease. Her and Ruby knew this mansion inside out, backwards and forwards. She stopped in one hallway and looked both ways down the hall, making sure no one saw her before she moved one of the paintings, a giant one of Weiss and her two sibling, Winter and Whitley. Behind was a secret door and she slipped in.

Ruby was out with Weiss and one of the guys in black suits. Weiss' snow white SUV hovered above the ground. An older model, but she couldn't part with it. Her sister had gifted it to her when she first started to drive. Now, she left it in the capable hands of Klein or one of her snowflakes. Ruby would keep eye contact with Weiss for about thirty seconds, then she'd look outside. This repeated during the fifteen or so minute drive from the manor to the city. Weiss was meeting with some politicians about some business Ruby didn't really care about. She just wanted to keep her friend safe. And the stuff she learned from Ghira and Kali that morning, didn't exactly set her on edge, but it did keep her alert. 

It was a few hours later, the meeting had ended, the papers signed, the sacrifices made, Ruby guessed. Some of the stuff Weiss pulled off in the short amount of time she had taken reign was amazing. Ruby was convinced it was black magic. The big guy in the black suit, nicknamed by Ruby as Ice, stepped out first, then Ruby, then Weiss. Ice pulled out a key and hit a button, the SUV made a noise and flickered orange. Ruby's eyes flashed, and time seem to slow. She turned and scooped up Weiss and Ice, and she flickered out. The next thing Weiss knew she was on the roof, Ice on his backside, and Ruby with Crescent Rose open as a large sniper rifle, rose petals everywhere, and then the noise set in. The echoing of an explosion, car alarms going off, muffed voices, large hands on her shoulders, Ruby's back to her, calling to Ice.

"Wha-" Weiss croaked.

"An explosion, miss," Ice's voice was deep. Weiss looked up and blinked once, twice, and on the third blink, she was up and at Ruby's side.

"See anything?" Her right left hand waved and a small glyph appeared. From it, a long, silver rapier appeared with what looked like a six-shot revolver for the hilt. She loaded in several different colored shells, filled with Dust.

"No. I'm sorry I didn't check the car first," Ruby held her weapon in a tight grip, her knuckles white. The street was a bit darker, the explosion shattered the lamps and signs, killing the neon light.

Weiss put her hand on Ruby's shoulder, "You saved both me and Ice. You did your job."

"Miss, you really don't have to call me that," Ice had his back to them, his small hand cannon out.  

Weiss let herself indulge in a smile, "No. It stays." Once the police arrived, Weiss relaxed, a fraction. Next would come questions, EMTs, news, more questions, press, coverage, news, news, news. Weiss dismissed her rapier and sighed. "C'mon, we might as well tackle the next part.

Yang wandered through the secret passages that never left her memory. Ice white and sky blue neon lights set low colored the dark halls. Yang let her left hand drag along the dusty, dull stone walls. If memory served her true, she was behind the library. She felt along the wall for the trick brick. With an little push, the stone sunk into the wall and  the wall groaned, dust fell, and afternoon light ran into the secret passage. When the wall fully opened, Yang stepped out and patted herself off. "Just like old times," She chuckled to herself.

She looked around and saw she was, indeed, in the library. She went to close the wall when she caught a scared Blake in the corner, eyes wide, ear pulled back. Yang froze, surprised herself to see someone else. "Uh, hey, Blake."

"Where... Where did you even come from?" Her ear flicked up fright wearing off, seeing it was Yang. Curiosity slowly taking it's place.

 It was like the sun came in from outside and filled up Yang as she smiled. 

"Secret passage. Wanna come explore?" Blake got up and slipped past her, looking up and down the hallway. "Where are your parents?" Yang asked before watching Blake tentatively step into the passage.

"With almost all of Weiss's snowflakes, going over plans and such. They're in one of her secured rooms." Yang nodded to Blake's explanation. "Where does this all lead?"

Yang stepped through, reached out, hesitated then swallowed her nervousness. She gripped Blake's hand and lead her along, "Let's go find out."

#bumbleby #blake x yang #blake belladonna #yang xiao long #ruby rose #weiss schnee #rwby #rwby fic #multichapter

[gnusnoteunuchs]

2001 Mazda Tribute FWD V6

Its lines are identical to the Escape; my confusion is understandable.

What is it?

When I first saw this Tribute I thought "the poor thing looks like a bootleg Ford Escape," and then ate my words as soon as I found that the Tribute and Escape are in fact exactly the same car. Every time I try to say Mazda Tribute, I almost say Ford Escape instead. Both the Tribute and Escape were the product of a collaboration between Ford and Mazda in the early 2000s, a marriage that also produced the Ford Probe, and resulted from a collective desire from both manufacturers to make a modern and relevant crossover compact SUV. Did it work? I don't know.

The Tribute ends up being a "crossover" not because of its looks or its styling; it really isn't just a jumped up hatchback like many modern crossovers are; rather, it used a Mazda floorpan design along with a powertrain developed jointly with Ford to make a monocoque SUV with a transverse engine and transaxle. Why did they do that? I don't know.

Doesn’t it look sportier than its Ford cousin? I hope it does; it’s a Mazda.

What is it like? The Tribute isn't a very big SUV, but it has the boxy lines of its larger siblings like the contemporary Ford Explorer. Unlike the Explorer, it uses a lighter monocoque chassis that belies its road car origins; though all SUVs are ultimately made to cheat CAFE regulations by being built as light trucks, the Tribute has very little truck-ishness about it. Like other early 2000s SUVs and crossovers, the Tribute doesn't put much effort into looking good; as this was still a time when the Utility in Sport Utility Vehicle really mattered, it was more than acceptable to have it be boxy and businesslike, as opposed to the heavily stylized crossovers of today. The "Sport" comes through in the plastic lower body panels and more aggressive-looking headlights and grille that the Escape forwent, in favor of familiar blocky Ford styling. Mazda had a reputation to uphold with the Tribute, after all. Did it succeed? I don't know. Another crucial difference the Tribute has against its bigger brother the Explorer is its suspension; the Explorer is a good stodgy old body-on-frame truck with a live rear axle, while the Tribute has fully independent suspension, front and rear; in the rear this was likely done so as to maximise parts commonality between the front wheel drive and all wheel drive variants; the only difference between the two on the rear end is the fact that one has got a propeller shaft and differential under and the other hasn't; all of the actual suspension linkages are common with both. It's not the cute, low-slung multilink suspension of the Civic though; the Tribute has a unitized long-travel multilink suspension with nice big coil springs that is installed as a single unit onto the monocoque body. This means that unlike some crossovers, the Tribute really does have an actual SUV suspension. Jeep purists will scoff and say that anything without two live axles and multiple Panhard rods or Watts linkages aren't real offroaders but they forget the caveat here: the Tribute isn't an off roader. It really isn't. It's built on a sedan platform with a transverse engine and 4WD as an option. It's a road car that happes to have some SUV components. So, unlike a Jeep, the Tribute isn't going to be a great offroader. However, with its 200hp V6 and light monocoque body, it'll be great on roads, won't it? Or it'll at least be comfortable on roads, right? You'll see.

It’s cute that you can see exactly where the driveshaft and differential would go.

The Tribute is reasonably spacious inside, and has front bucket seats separated by a center console for ample cupholding and CD storage space. The front seats have integrated headrests that were made for people with shorter spines than myself; I found myself worried about the car's ability to prevent me from snapping my neck in a forward collision. Strangely, it has a column shifter, but a console parking brake, which I found a disorienting combination. My old third-generation Dodge Caravan Sport had a column shifter, but a pedal parking brake that left a huge amount of open space free between the front seats; the Tribute was given the truck-style shifter but then doesn't have the free space it might if it had a pedal parking brake. I sincerely do not understand why Mazda/Ford did this, but as with all cars, you get used to it. At least it isn't as confusing as the Kia Niro, that has a console shifter but a pedal parking brake. The Tribute is pretty easy to get into because of its high stance and its trunk is generously sized, and the one I drove had an aftermarket CD/DVD player that made it a little easier to work the stereo. The seats are comfortable enough, and the upright sitting position and big steering wheel, as well as good visibility, make it easy to drive. Overall, the Tribute functions as a pretty decent crossover, from the days when "crossover" either meant whatever the Aztek/Rendezvous were supposed to be, or meant monocoque, front wheel drive small SUV.

How does it drive? It drives...like an SUV. The monocoque design that does away with a heavy chassis frame doesn't really make it any lighter, and the steering wheel is loose at all speeds, but the power assist makes two-finger driving a possibility. The vague steering wheel is complemented by the loose suspension that soaks up all kinds of bumps; the Tribute actually seems happy on rough, little-maintained roads, as its soft springs and long-travel suspension eat up even the deepest potholes. The jerkiness of rough roads is little diminished, but there is much less bouncing and worryingly heavy thumping than lighter cars like my Civic experience. The soft, high suspension of the Tribute naturally lends it to not want to corner; the rollover risk sticker on the visor says everything you need to know. Body roll happens and the car doesn't really seem to want to keep its grip, but let's be honest with ourselves; nobody who buys an SUV is interested in cornering. The Tribute's one saving grace is its fully independent suspension, which is probably less likely to make emergency maneuvers result in a rollover than a larger or more specialized SUV's live beam axles. Emergency maneuvers might indeed be necessary; the brakes are decent, but can't shake the fact that the car is quite heavy, and between the weight and the rear drums, heavy braking on downhills could quite likely lead to brake fade. Fortunately, the overdrive lockout is an easy to reach toggle button that makes engine braking easier. The Tribute I reviewed came with the 3.0L Duratec V6, developing 203hp. The V6's extra 50 hp over the I4 option doesn't seem like it matters too much though, except for high-tourque applications like towing and off-roading where the car is stuck in first all the time. The somewhat apathetic transmission eats up the engine's revs and prevents the car from really accelerating too hard; putting your foot down results in the throaty V6 roar and...marginal acceleration. I think getting the I4 version with the 5-speed manual would actually be quicker than the 4-speed auto with V6 engine. But again, remember the car we're talking about; this isn't a sporty grand tourer or an offroader begging for boulders; it's a road-going light SUV. Handling isn't really a concern, acceleration is neither expected nor provided, and power is useful insofar as it makes you better able to haul whatever you need, when you need to. The Tribute gets decent city gas mileage, quoted at about 23mpg, and the later hybrid version probably does even better. This isn't great, and highway gas mileage is actually quite bad, but for in-town trips, it's certainly good enough, especially considering how much space you have.

Look how much higher its floor is off the ground than that Passat. Easy to load.

Who is it for? I spent the entire time i drove the Tribute wondering who Mazda sold it to when it was new. It isn't made to be an offroader, but it's still tall, top-heavy, and hefty. It doesn't get amazing gas mileage, partly due to its big, slow-revving V6, but its mileage also could be a lot worse. It doesn't really accelerate, largely due to its transmission, but also partly because of its weight; but the engine offers a good deal of torque which probably makes the Tribute pretty good at towing if it really had to. It has a lot of space inside, but the floor is extremely high off the ground, which is both good and bad for ease of loading. The Tribute is basically a taller minivan with less space and worse handling. Who the hell is this car for? It's for workers and old folks. Think about it; the elderly don't care so much about handling and braking, since they don't drive too fast, and they do enjoy having seats that are high off the ground and easy to get into and out of. They certainly enjoy having lots of space for...whatever it is they do, and having a V6 option harkens back to the old days of high-displacement, slow engines that were the hallmark of true American cars. On the other hand, the Tribute has a lot of space, it's pretty efficient, has more than enough torque for light towing and hauling, and its tall suspension lets it handle dirt roads better than a normal car might; throw in the all wheel drive option and I'm certain the Tribute would shrug off any dirt road short of a rocky fire road. This makes the Tribute/Escape an appealing option for both fleet service and for individual use for contractors, utility workers, and other salt-of-the-earth types who need a light truck but want it to be comfortable and have an enclosed cargo area and four seats. The zero-effort driving style and good in-city mileage make the Tribute a reasonable choice for anybody who prioritizes space and comfort over performance. The Tribute/Escape isn't a bad SUV; on the contrary, it's a fine example of what SUVs truly are when you peel off the aggressive branding. Maybe that doesn't mean it's a good car, but for a lot of people, it's definitely good enough.

#sophie reviews cars #mazda tribute

[siberiablog]

Mountain Altai, country of the spirits.

Greetings, my dear reader! Today I would like to tell you on my blog page about the region of the country that is popular in Russia and is loved by all Siberians — the Mountain Altai. Perhaps in this difficult time for the whole world, we need reasons to distract from sad thoughts, to dream about future trips, when the Covid-19 epidemic will finally be defeated by humanity and all roads and borders will be opened to us again.

So, this is a post about natural and tourist attractions. A kind and dreamy topic that I would like to write about in my blog first of all.

Everyone loves the Mountain Altai. Perhaps outside of Russia this area is not as well known as for example the same lake Baikal or other business cards of tourism in Russia. Or am I wrong, and this is a fairly well-known topic? My dear reader, feel free to write about it ;)

In any case, I hope you will be interested to learn something new. Or just look at photos of nature. This is a review post, it will not contain much specifics, if you want to find out more, write to me, and I will try to cover the topic that interests my reader in more detail.

Mountain Altai is an amazing and very beautiful region, about which many enthusiastic words have been said and written. Golden mountains-this is how Altai is translated from the Turkic languages. Mountain Altai is located in Central Asia, Siberia and borders countries such as China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The capital of the province is Gorno-Altaysk. The most popular place to start a trip to Mountain Altai, where there is a major transport hub and an international airport — the city of Barnaul.

Residents of the European part of Russia sometimes confuse the Mountain Altai with the Altai country. These two regions border in the Siberian Federal district, but they are quite different: mountain landscapes are typical for the Mountain Altai, but the Altai country is green steppes and Terry hills. 

Mountain Altai is probably one of the favorite vacation spots of my countrymen.. About 700–800 kilometers from my hometown is just a day’s drive away. You can have time to go to the Altai for some long weekend. It should be noted that Mountain Altai is one of the cleanest regions of Russia. There are no industrial enterprises or Railways. Only infinitely beautiful and fascinating nature. It seems impossible to remain indifferent to the natural beauty of the Altai mountains.

The nature of Altai is not just diverse, it is extremely contrasting. Taiga forests quickly give way to dry steppes, low mountains and hills change to snow-capped peaks, among other things the highest in Siberia, and rivers and lakes here change their color depending on the time of year. The weather and climate in the neighboring valleys can vary greatly — Altai is striking for its variety of nature and landscapes on a relatively compact area of the planet, which is of course extremely convenient for tourists.

At the same time, the tourist infrastructure is relatively well developed (in the whole Eastern part of Russia). First of all, of course, tourists should count on an inexpensive and unpretentious level of tourist bases, especially far from civilization. But there are also more expensive hotels for the demanding traveler. I am glad that here you can arrange a vacation at any level of available funds, while the prices IMHO are the most honest and balanced in Siberia.

It is worth noting that the Altai mountains with their natural attractions are included in the UNESCO world heritage list.

This is the Land of seven thousand lakes, turbulent rivers and silent landscapes. Here rises the largest mountain in Siberia, and passes one of the most picturesque roads in the world, archaeologists find ancient artifacts in mounds, and shamans conduct their mysterious rituals in places of power.

In ancient times, the paths of nomadic tribes crossed in the Altai mountains. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, people already lived in this area, and traces of them are found throughout the territory: unique rock petroglyphs, burials in places of power, and Parking lots.

For centuries, this harsh but picturesque region was part of the great Mongol Empire: the horses of Genghis Khan’s army trampled the delicate bowls of Edelweiss in the valleys and overcame steep mountain passes.

Altai is an ideal place for eco-tourism. The main value of the region is its nature, and the path to the most picturesque places is often thorny, but the effort is worth it. Here you can organize a week-long hike, swim in one of the crystal-clear lakes, go fishing or pick berries.

Another format of travel in the Altai is ethnographic excursions. For example, in the Yurt-gallery of Kalambina Zheltkovskaya, guests are introduced to traditional felt products, and in the ethnomaster “Aychus” they are told about Turkic patterns, learn to make amulet dolls and play national instruments: Komus and Topshuur.

national musical instrument Komus:

national handmade guardian amulet Aichus:

And, of course, extreme tourism! Ascents to the peaks, rafting of any level of complexity on rough rivers, skiing: there are good trails on the shore of lake Teletskoye, and the resort “Manzherok” is not only the slopes, but also the first professional Bike Park outside the Urals. 

What to see in Altai? Cascades of rivers, mountain tops, crazy passes. What to do in Altai? Wake up with the sunrise, wash with cold water from the stream, admire the views from the car window, conquer the mountains, breathe deeply, listen to the legends about the eternal lands that the locals love to tell in the evenings.

Who is suitable for a holiday in the Altai mountains?

This region is for those who are willing to sacrifice comfort in order to see the incredible landscapes and pristine nature with their own eyes. There is often no net, you can only drive an SUV, and from the nearest village to the next lake or mountain you need to walk for several days. But it is in such places that you relax from the city, put your thoughts in order and get charged with energy!

The best way to explore the Altai Mountains is to travel by car along the Chuysky tract. This is a Federal highway with a length of 968 kilometers that crosses the region from Novosibirsk to Mongolia, it is called the most picturesque road in Siberia, and the magazine National Geographic Russia even included the Chuysky tract in the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world!

In places, the remains of the old road remain near the new highway. The Chuysky tract has existed for many centuries and in ancient times was part of the Great Silk Road from China to Europe!

ancient and modern photos of the preserved section of the old Chuysky tract:

In the year of Gorny Altai is visited by about two million people! Today I’m talking about what is interesting in this region and where to look for the most-the most places.

The mountain Devil’s Finger

On the way from Biysk to the Seminsky pass, make a small stop and climb the Devil’s Finger. The ascent will not take much time, but you will get a stunning view — it is not for nothing that it is included in almost all the lists of “What to see in the Altai”.

There are many such “magic fingers” all over the world — a giant rock ledge on a mountain, pointing to the sky. But ours is also with a marigold, so they love to look at it in the Altai.

According to legend, this is the finger of a villain named the Devil. He came to these lands to capture them, but one of the brave Altaic warriors was able to fight back. The devil was trampled into the ground, and only his petrified finger remained on the surface. According to another version, the enemy was repulsed by the Moon itself — it descended to the Earth and drove our enemy so deep that only a finger and a nail remained.

The Devil’s Finger is really an amazing place — esotericists believe that a great power is stored in the rock, which can cure infertility and energize. Do not be lazy to go up and see what kind of view opens from the observation deck: the valley of the Katun river and the entire Altai at a glance.

the rapids of a mountain river:

How to get there: from Biysk through the village of Souzga about 114 km. The reference point will be a telephone tower installed near the mountain.

The Katun river — the hostess of Altai

“Mistress” — this is how its name is translated. The largest river of the Republic originates at the slope of Belukha and rushes away for 688 kilometers. On its way there are rapids and boulders, which then turn into flat areas, and the total height difference along the course of the current reaches two kilometers! This is due to the” restless nature “ of Katun: it flows softly, then rumbles between the stones. The river crosses all types of Altai landscape, so the animal and plant life along it is very diverse.

In the area of Biysk Katun meets Biya — the confluence of these rivers is considered one of the most picturesque in the Altai! Katun changes its color throughout the year, acquiring the famous turquoise hue in early autumn.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Katun every year: some-to relax on its banks in a tent or at a recreation center, others-to test their strength by rafting on the river. Most rafting routes start in the Katun nature reserve.

rafting on the Katun river:

Katunsky reserve is a border area, so you need to get a pass in advance before visiting it. To enter the reserve, you also need to get a permit — you can do this in its administration, which is located in the village of Ust-Koksa. Most of the river downstream has free access.

The coordinates of the source of the Katun: 49.779 318, 552 86.592.

Chike-Taman Mountain Pass

Mountain pass… ract. Now a new, good road has been laid here. At the same time, the preserved old trail, which zigzags along the neighboring slope, almost overgrown, adds color to the already gorgeous view of the huge Terektinsky ridge, which opens from the observation deck.

the old road of the Chike-Taman mountain pass, it is still possible to drive along it. It is part of the ancient Great Silk Road:

How to get there: the Pass is located on 685 km of the Chuysky tract, 320 km from Biysk and 75 km from the Seminsky pass. The ascent, as well as the descent, is four km.

sightseeing tour of tourists on horseback along the preserved from ancient times section of the Great Silk Road from China to Europe in the area of the Chike-Taman pass:

Geyser lake

This small lake, located near the village of Aktash, does not freeze even in winter. Its water has an unusual pattern formed by circles of blue clay-they are carefully “laid out” on the bottom of the underwater keys. The drawing is not static and changes throughout the day.

Now the lake is the property of the camp site “Little Paradise”, which recently leased it for 20 years. Every year this place becomes more and more popular with travelers, so you should come here early in the morning to catch up before the arrival of tourist groups. And it is best to stay for a day at this camp site, then you can easily choose a time period for viewing the Geyser lake more convenient. The camp site is not expensive, spending will not hit your pocket. Passage to the lake is paid: about 50 rubles (less than one Euro), guests of the camp are free of charge.

Coordinates: 50.290 140, 87.673 125.

The Ukok high plateau — is a mysterious place of power

It is located in the very South of the Altai Mountains, near the border crossing of four countries: Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Here, at an altitude of more than 2200 meters above sea level, 150 archaeological monuments were discovered: prehistoric rock paintings-petroglyphs, deer stones, burial mounds of the Pazyryk culture, Scythian graves.

In 1993, archaeologists unearthed a mound that perfectly preserved the remains of a female mummy more than 2,500 years old. She was named the “Princess of Ukok” and taken to the soran Museum of archeology and Ethnography in Novosibirsk. In 2012, the “Princess” was returned to Altai, and since 2014, the local Council of elders has been seeking to re-bury the find: according to the elders, natural disasters have struck Altai because of the mummy being disturbed. 

On the territory of the plateau there is a natural Park “Ukok”, which is divided into three zones: one of them prohibits any activity other than scientific, the other allows only limited and regulated access, and only the third is available to travelers. The fauna of the plateau untouched by civilization is very diverse: here you can easily see a wild horse, a wolf, a Fox and even a snow leopard! And in the sky above the silent landscapes soar eagles, Golden eagles and black storks. 

Walking tours and yoga tours are organized on the plateau, esotericists often come to this place, and shamans conduct their rituals here.

Coordinates: 49.360 813, 88.76 642.

Lake Teletskoye

Perhaps the most popular attraction of the Altai mountains. It is the largest lake in the region and the second largest freshwater reservoir in the country after lake Baikal. The depth of the Teletskoye reaches 325 meters. Three small villages Nestle on its banks: Yaylu, Iogach and Artybash. To relax and swim, choose one of the hotels on the southern shore: in summer, the water temperature rises to +17°C — + 20°C, but in the North, in the area of Artybash, the lake remains cold even in hot weather-about +10 °C.

The water in Teletskoye is so clear that even at a depth of 15 meters you can see the stones lying on the bottom. You can set up a tent on the beach or enjoy the scenery of the lake by going for a ride on the ferry: it follows from Cape Kyrsay, which is on the southern coast, to the pier in Iogach — 78 kilometers of the way along the water surface will give you a pleasant experience and gorgeous photos!

Coordinates of Cape Kyrsay: 51.363 980, 87.760 251

Teletskoye lake is famous for its cold water at any time of the year, its gigantic size, many types of fish and amazing landscapes. Here you can come to one of the camp sites or savage, you can fish, go on excursions to the nearest mountains, admire the cascades of waterfalls or even meditate-choose what you like, just do not forget to take warm clothes! Despite the fact that Teletskoye lake is one of the most popular places in Altai, many travelers are forced to avoid it if they choose attractions only along the Chuysky tract. Those who get to Teletskoye lake do not regret the time spent on the road. Even hotels and camp sites that have grown up like mushrooms on the coast do not violate the special atmosphere of this place — it is easy to let go of worries, forget about sorrows, and learn to recharge from nature. 

The locals consider the lake Holy and call it the Golden lake-Altyn-Kel in the local dialect. Esotericists believe in its magic power, tourists come from all over the world to Altai, just to see Teletskoye lake and experience its magic for themselves. Do you want to see what this place does to you?

Golden lake-sunset on lake Teletskoye:

Most of the lake is included in the Altai State Natural Biosphere Reserve, so to visit it, do not forget to issue a pass — it is easy to get it in the village of Artybash or the village of Yaylu.

What to see in the surrounding area: Korbu and Chodor waterfalls, Karagay Bay, Chulyshman valley, zoo and ethnopark in Artybash village, Tilan-Tuu and Kokuya mountains (the latter can be reached by lift).

How to get there: the most convenient way to get to Teletskoye lake is from Gorno-Altaisk-it is 269 km to the nearest village to the lake, Artybash. regular buses run along the route. You can get to the South Bank by ferry, which runs from Artybash a couple of times a week, or by a beautiful circular road through the entire Chuisky tract and the terrible Katu-Yaryk pass. The last part of the path is accessible only to all-terrain vehicles.

Multinskoe lake

So we got to the most popular place among tourists in the classic lists of “What to see in the Altai” — the Multin lakes. There are five of them: Lower, Middle, Upper, Transverse and Strong (very logical, Yes). Most often, tourists include the first three in the route. At the same time, the most popular is the Lower Multinskoe lake. It is the largest, it is easier to get to it, there are camp sites nearby and everything you need for a comfortable stay by the water.

The most beautiful thing is waiting for you between the Lower and Middle lakes — this is where the water cascade “Multinskiye shumy”is located. Then the road leads to the Upper lake. It is located on the territory of the Katunsky reserve, so you will need to pass through the cordon, coordinate the route with the Rangers and pay a small fee.

How to get there: from Biysk to the Multin lakes 535 km through the Seminsky pass.

Take care of your documents in advance! Don’t forget to take your passport — there is a Kazakh border near the lakes, they can check your documents. Citizens of the Russian Federation need only a passport, but guests of the country will also have to get a pass. It is issued on request in the Department of the Federal security service of Gorno-Altaisk.

The Petroglyphs Of Kalbak-Tash

A large complex of ancient rock paintings has more than 5 thousand images. According to scientists who have studied Kalbak-Tash, the drawings were created by people who lived here from the Neolithic era (IV-VI centuries BC) to the middle ages (VIII-X centuries ad). on the stones you can see figures of animals that inhabited the Altai several thousand years ago, hunting scenes and various, including solar, symbols. The people who carved them on the rocks used both stone and metal tools. Researchers refer well-preserved runic inscriptions to the ancient Turkic epoch. Some of the depicted stories can be easily correlated with the well-known Altaic myths.

How to get there: the rock art complex is located on the right Bank of the Chui river near the Chuisky tract. After the “723 km” mark, turn left between the fourth and fifth poles of the power line and walk about 20 meters to the rocks.

Katu-Yaryk Mountain Pass

Ready for the most spectacular serpentine ride of your life? The pass is only thirty years old — until 1989, there was only a steep horse trail, now there is a dirt road. Climbing it is wildly scary, but all this will be forgotten as soon as you can look at what opens from above — the winding path of the road, colorful mountains, stormy mountain streams, waterfalls and the tops of centuries-old trees. It’s breathtaking!

Katu-Yaryk in numbers:

Height from the bottom — 892 m;

The average slope of 18% (10°);

Slope steepness-70% (35°);

Length-3.9 km;

The number of turns is 9. 

How to get there: by ferry across lake Teletskoye (the cost of crossing one car is 10,000 rubles). Then go along the Chulyshman valley for about 20 kilometers. The second option is from the village of Aktash, which is located 100 km from katu-Yaryk. Accordingly, this road leads to the southern shore of lake Teletskoye. It is desirable to go in high-traffic vehicles. Low cars often lose their bumpers on the road, and non-four-wheel-drive cars are not able to climb to the top of the katu-Yaryk mountain pass on their own due to too strong a slope and rocky obstacles on a narrow road cut through the rock. However, in the tourist season, a four-wheel-drive truck from the nearest tourist base is always on duty at the bottom of the pass,which for a small fee will drag the monoprivod car up.

Big Chulchinsky waterfall or Uchar

The highest and most unusual waterfall in the Altai mountains! Its waters loudly and spectacularly cascade down from a height of 160 meters. It is located on the territory of the Altai State Reserve.

“Uchar” is translated as “unapproachable”, and the waterfall justifies this name: the way to it through the picturesque expanses of the reserve takes about four hours and requires good physical training — the trail is quite steep, some sections are duplicated by safety cables. However, you can often meet children and elderly people at Uchar. No special skills are required for visiting.

Coordinates: 51.118 079, 88.91 675.

Shavlinskoe lake

They were formed as a result of the melting of ancient glaciers. The lakes are located in the heart of the North Chui Mountain Range and are considered the most picturesque in the entire Altai! Their water has a fantastic bright turquoise color, and from the banks there are incredible views of three Altai peaks at once, whose names are Dream, Beauty and Fairy Tale.

You can get here as part of walking tours organized by companies in Biysk and Gorno-Altaisk. The route starts from the village of Chibit and lasts about a week.

Coordinates: 50.106 689, 87.410 589.

Kek-Tash cave is one of the deepest in the country

Kek-Tash, translated from the Altai means “Blue stone.” This name was given to the cave because of the unusual gray-blue color of its limestone vaults. Bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, labyrinths of caves with dead ends, lakes-inside Kek-Tash a whole underground world with fantastic landscapes! There are several large halls that are connected by narrow passages. This is the deepest cave in Siberia, its length is 2.3 kilometers, and the tunnels go deep into the mountain for 350 meters.

Kek-Tash is located in the North of the Shebali district, and you need good physical training and special equipment to visit it. Basically, come here if you like sports, tourism, diggers and explorers.

The coordinates of the entrance to the cave: 51.728 933, 85.656 417.

Belukha mountain is the main peak of the Altai

The highest peak in Siberia got its name because of the non-melting snow cap on the top. The locals also call it Uch-Sur — “Home of the Three Gods”. This mountain can be seen on the coat of arms of the Altai. The famous Russian traveler and esotericist Nicholas Roerich depicted its southern slope in one of his paintings. He was sure that the entrance to the mythical land of Shambhala was hidden here. “Lady of the Altai” — so the artist called his mighty snow-covered Muse.

the chapel under Belukha mountain:

The beauty of Beluga is best viewed from the Akkem lake. Climbing to the top with a guide costs about 30 thousand rubles per person. You can also see the mountain from a bird’s-eye view by participating in a group helicopter tour from Gorno-Altaisk. It lasts 7–8 hours, and the cost per person is about 28 thousand rubles.

Climbing Belukha will not be easy, but the tests will pay off with a vengeance — on the way to the top (height-4506 m) you will meet blue lakes with crystal-clear water, unique plants — at the foot of the mountain there are dense coniferous forests, birches, tundra lichens, berry bushes and flowers that are included in the Red book.

The best season to climb the mountain is summer, but even in July, be prepared to get caught in snow. The climb will be difficult and exhausting, and if you are not lucky with the weather, it will be delayed. Yes, it is better to go on such a trip with an experienced instructor or group.

Apart from the road to the bottom of the mountain and the time for acclimatization, the ascent takes about two days. On the first stage, pass the “Watermelon” glacier, Delaunay pass and Mensa glacier, and on the second day they already storm the top.

The coordinates of the vertices: 49.807 679, 023 86.590.

How to get to Altai?

From Moscow to Gorno-Altaisk. Almost all domestic airlines have direct flights to Gorno-Altaisk, and if you buy tickets in advance, you can snatch quite profitable tickets even for direct flights, and with a transfer so much the more. The flight duration is from four to five hours.

From Moscow to Biysk. An option for romantics and lovers of sleeping under the sound of wheels: by train to Biysk, the road will take almost three days, but when did this stop us? When you look at the ticket prices and calculate how much you will save in comparison with the plane, do not forget to add the expenses for food on the road. And in General, familiarity with Russian Railways will expand your horizons and prepare you for difficulties :)

From Saint Petersburg to Gorno-Altaisk. There are no direct flights to Gorno-Altaisk, so you will have to go with a transfer in the capital. If you can snatch cheap plane tickets (in the spring of 2020, there are many such offers), it will be both fast and profitable. If there are no successful plane tickets, then choose a train — one night, and you are there.

Via Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaisk. This option is ideal for tourists who start their journey not from Moscow — flights fly to Novosibirsk from almost any city in Russia (and besides, they fly for cheap!), and then you can get by plane or bus to Gorno-Altaisk.

Especially worth noting is Barnaul — the largest transport hub relatively close to the Altai Mountains.

Going on a trip to the Altai is easier than it seems — in Biysk, Barnaul and Gorno-Altaisk, you can rent a car (with or without a driver), roads to the main tourist sites are paved, camp sites, hotels are built, and camping sites are equipped. This world is waiting for you! 

[durenjtmusings]

10 Baby Facts for SPN Fic Authors

[I swear this is not a rant - it ISN’T. Honest.]

It is actually kind of cool to realize that you possess specialty knowledge that may be of use to others. Stuff that you didn’t really KNOW you knew, until, of course, you are reading along in a fic and something the author describes (or the character says) brings your brain to a screeching halt. “That’s not right – it can’t possibly happen that way…” And then you go and do actual research to back up your gut knowledge. This little FAQ is the result of one such realization.

My dad fixed antique and classic cars for a living from 1964 – 1978, owning his own showroom for 3 years near the end of that time. Born in 1966, I grew up playing in old cars, hiding in floorboards and exploring them to my heart’s content. Our family car for several years was a 1966 Thunderbird, but when dad went to car shows, we rode in whatever he wanted to show off. I’ve been in rumble seats, hard top convertibles, cars with windshields that laid down flat, and cars with no roof, doors, or walls of any kind. My 1st car was a fully restored 1966 mustang. Without really realizing it, I soaked up a LOT of inherent understandings about older cars. The information below is based in that knowledge, backed up with some internet research.

The following is true about Baby (the character in SPN, not necessarily the actual cars that play her): 

1) Compared to most modern sedans, Baby is BIG. Like REALLY BIG. She is 17 and ¾ feet long (5.4 meters) and 7 feet 8 inches wide (2.03 meters). Allowing for door thickness on either side and the gaps between doors and bench seat, I’m betting the front seat is a little over 5 feet wide. Given basic geometry and human skeletal limitations, this means it is not possible for the passenger to have their head resting against the passenger door/window AND place their hand on the driver’s thigh. If the passenger is in this position, the driver can,  at best, entwine fingers with the passenger’s outstretched hand. That’s IT (even with Sam’s monkey arms). Sitting up straight, yes. Slumped over, no. On the plus side, this is why the guys can, in fact, get some sleep in her (and have fun in the back seat).

2) Despite how big Baby is, she is kinda short. Baby is only 54 inches high (4’6” or 138 cm). INSIDE the car, she is slightly less than 4 feet tall total. This means that the following actions WILL make you bump your head (or butt or hands or feet) on the ceiling unless you are very very slow and careful: climbing over the back seat, straddling someone’s lap, taking off your pants or t-shirt (unless nearly lying down in the seat), and lunging across the front bench seat to attack someone bodily. And you will look graceless doing it. [Ahem, trust me on these, I KNOW.] Additional negative modifiers for Sam due to height.

More below the cut.

3) Baby HATES crappy roads. Her big body has an all steel frame and body panels plus a very large engine system. Baby is HEAVY. She weighs a *minimum* of 3704 lbs empty. With equipment and the boys in her, she is over 2 tons. Oh and Baby is LOW. Her ground clearance is slightly less than 6 inches. This means an 8 inch deep pot hole (like the one in episode 11.01, above) can bottom out her axle and stop her in her tracks.  She SUCKS on rough terrain. Oh, and getting her OUT of said hole? Will require a JACK and a lot of swearing. (Baby is rear-wheel drive – her front wheels aren’t getting her out of anywhere). There was NO way the boys lifted her out of that hole in that episode (especially since they showed up in the next scene NOT covered in mud).

4) Baby is, in fact, good to have in a wreck. That all steel frame means she can practically bounce off of most modern cars. You’ll note they use large SUVs and tractor trailer trucks to hurt her. The fact that she makes it through the bumps and bruises she does is relatively accurate. In addition, Baby’s model had shoulder* seat belts in the front driver and passenger sides ‘standard’. Now this doesn’t mean the guys have to wear ‘em, or that Dean/John didn’t take ‘em out, but they were a standard safety measure. If you are wearing them, however, all movement described in 1 & 2 above is even MORE limited/complicated. Wearing them should keep you from getting thrown out of the car in an accident. Without them - you are the rock in a slingshot, out you go.

5) Baby’s model ONLY had a full, flat, smooth bench seat all the way across (front and back). She should NOT be drawn or described with a split front seat or (shudder) bucket seats of any kind. Sliding across this kind of seat from one side to the other was, in fact, a fun game for us as kids. Again, this makes her relatively ideal for napping…kinda. The backwards tilting angle is weird to sleep on and the seat itself is narrow front to back. it isn’t ideal, just possible.

6)  Baby’s gear shift is on the steering column (and she is an automatic). While there is a hump in the floor boards for the transmission, there is exactly zero to climb over for anyone who might be…shifting positions for activities in the front seat. In fact, given #1 above, it is possible for three grown adults to sit in the front seat, although the floor bump makes the middle person uncomfortable (unless they are short). Leg crowding and hip/elbow bumping will occur, but it can be done without too much discomfort. This means Baby can seat 6 with only mild discomfort (and in fact, has seat belts for 6 standard - see #4 above). You could do 7 if the four in the back are small (or someone lays across the other three – What? I’ve done it). OK, if later season Sam is in the front seat, the person in the middle better be Claire or Jody.

7)  Baby, as portrayed on screen, has lots of “optional” features. Most likely, John and Dean have been regularly ‘upgrading her’ over the years. For example she has “all vinyl interior” (standard was cloth and vinyl combined). The extra headlamps in early seasons are another example (and of course the trunk modifications). The ‘67 impala came with a wide variety of transmission and engine options. Even before the Season 1 finale, Baby likely had a “non-standard” engine system. Who KNOWS how powerful a system Dean put into Baby in the FIRST reconstruction (because, trust me, she needed a new engine) and what he might have done since then.

8)  Baby is OLD school rock and roll. *NEW* for the 1967 model year was the option of a tape deck – an 8 track tape deck. Dean’s ‘compact cassette’ deck is an after-market modification, likely sometime after John bought it in 1973. The compact cassette player is not “authentic” or “original” for Baby. (Although Dean may say or think so, he, in fact, knows better.) John likely listened to 8-tracks or to just the radio if the previous owner hadn’t put an 8-track in her.

9)  Baby is EXPENSIVE to maintain: > At best, Baby gets between 10-15 miles to the gallon (4.26-6.19 kpl), depending on the size of the engine Dean put in her most recently (and the tweaks he has made to it). As a corollary, Baby’s top speed is between 95-130 mph (152-209 kph) also depending on the engine. Top speed is inversely proportional to gas mileage. The bigger/faster engine Dean uses, the crappier the gas mileage. > Baby’s engines – ALL of them – are designed for ‘leaded’ gas. To get the most out of her, Dean has to regularly give her additives. > At this point, parts for Baby are either original ‘leftovers’ from the manufacturer (and very expensive) or from junk yards (used) or from online specialty stores (or Dean machines them himself). Glass, in particular, is going to be a special order. This means that ANY fic you write can include gripes about the COST of Baby (or the challenges in finding parts for her). Really, If I was FBI/enemy hunting Dean, I’d haunt the 67 Impala online groups  - which is where Dean’d go to find parts for cheap. They’d all know each other – classic car enthusiasts are a small close-knit community.

10)  Baby needs LOTS of regular maintenance. The mileage on baby, at this point, is almost a moot number. She’s had at least 2 new engines and one new transmission. She’s had just all sorts of parts replaced. Dean can tell you what’s still truly original, but for the most part, consider only the mileage you see from seasons 2 on when considering wear and tear. That said, Baby is FIFTY years old this season. Yet, as depicted, her interior and her engine are PRISTINE. Dean must spend TONS of time regularly detailing her inside and out. I mean LOOK at the carpets in the image for #5-6 above. There is NO MUD or dirt anywhere. The dashboard isn’t all faded or cracked from sunlight, and the vinyl hasn’t any rips or stains. Now, granted, likely most of that was all replaced with as new as Dean could get in 2006, but still, it takes a LOT of work to keep a car looking like that even if you keep her under a cover in the garage all the time. Baby is an actively working classic car, with the added bonus of blood and other nasty goo all over her on a regular basis. Any time a fic writer needs something for Dean to do, he can be working on Baby. There is ALWAYS something for him to be doing. [Heaven forefend he lube the damn door hinges.]

Bonus Facts: Baby is HOT. No, I mean it, all black vinyl seats and steering wheel sitting all day in the sun – is scorching hot. Like “I can’t touch anything without yelping” hot.  The 67 Impala had air conditioning as an option, so the guys likely have it, but it will still take a while to cool her down in the summer – especially in the southwest.  She will likely also take a bit of time to heat up from dead cold in the winter – especially for those in the back seat. And she isn’t air tight or well insulated, she’ll have subtle drafts. Which also means she’ll fill up fast and sink like a rock if she goes into water (2 TONS – see #3 above).

I hope this is helpful to SPN fic writers. I certainly feel better for writing it - this was fun! :)

*Updated - *brackets* for shoulder seat belts were standard - the belts themselves were an option.

#Baby is my hero #spn baby #impala #impala meta #67 impala meta #just the facts #spn fanfic writer support

[jobsearchtips02]

2021 Ford Bronco: A Big List Of Alleged Options And Specs Has Been ‘Decoded’

Press image thoroughly futz with in Photoshop by the author

Image: Ford

Truck YeahThe trucks are good!

The 2021 Ford Bronco is scheduled to drop Monday, July 13, 2020, but eager enthusiasts over at the Bronco6G forum have been discussing a huge alleged leak detailing specifications and options all week. It can’t be confirmed with 100 percent certainty, but it’s certainly interesting enough to discuss.

In a forum thread that was started on Tuesday by Bronco6G user 72roadster, you can see a very long list of Bronco features and buyable options that most folks on the forum seem to think is legit. Another user, Toccoa, added some context and helped “decode” the list of options from a few Ford codes into plain English.

Everything here pretty much does track with what makes sense for the Bronco and what we know about Ford options, so I’m inclined to think this list is accurate. Or, at least, was at one point.

So first, I’ll just copy over 72roadster’s top-level summary from the forum:

Engines

2.3L EcoBoost

2.7L EcoBoost

Transmissions

7-speed manual

10-speed automatic

Axle Ratios

3.73 Open Style Rear Axle Final Drive Ratio

4.27 Locking Rear Axle Final Drive Ratio

4.46 Rear Axle Final Drive Ratio

4.7 Electronic-locking Front and Rear Axle

Tire Sizes

P255/70R16 All-Season (A/S) Tires

LT315/70R17 BSW Mud-Terrain (M/T) Tires

P255/75R17 All-Terrain (A/T) Tires

LT265/70R17 All-Terrain (A/T) Tires

LT285/70R17 All-Terrain A/T Tires

LT285/70R17 Mud-Terrain (M/T) Tires

P255/70R18 All-Terrain A/T Tires

Colors

Black Onyx

Shadow Black

Oxford White

Rapid Red

Antimatter Blue

Iconic Silver

Area 51

Carbonized Gray

Cactus Gray

Race Red

Cyber Orange

Velocity Blue

*unknown name (PN3XX)

*unknown name (PN4JR)

*unknown name (PN4JT)

Trims/Packages

Base – Standard Package

Big Bend – Standard Package / Mid Package

Black Diamond – Standard Package / Mid Package

Outer Banks – Mid Package / High Package / Lux Package

Badlands – Standard Package / Mid Package / High Package / Lux Package

Wildtrak – Standard Package / High Package / Lux Package

First Edition – Hood and Bodyside Graphic Package

Special Packages

Towing Capability

Mid Package

High Package

Lux Package

Sasquatch Package

Tops

Top – First Row Soft Top Conversion for Hard Tops

Top – Bimini Soft Top

Top – Bimini Soft Top and Canvas Soft Top

Top – Bimini Soft Top and Mesh Shade Top

Top – Bimini Soft Top, Canvas Soft Top and Mesh Shade Top

Top – Mesh Shade Top

Top – Canvas Soft Top and Mesh Shade Top

Modular Hard Top, Body Color-Painted

Modular Hard Top, Shadow Black-Painted

Dual Tops – Modular Shadow Black-Painted Hard Top – Black Soft Top

Dual Tops – Modular Body Color-Painted Hard Top – Black Soft Top

Dual Tops – Modular Body Black-Painted Hard Top – Black Soft Top

Soft Top, Black Cloth

Hard Top, Carbonized Gray Molded-in-Color (MIC)

On Wednesday even more info came through the Bronco 6G thread, including some accessories, but let’s zoom in on the important specs from the original post and see how they might translate to real-world performance if this alleged option sheet proves to be accurate.

G/O Media may get a commission

Again, while I’m fairly confident there’s truth to the claimed specs here, Ford’s people officially declined to comment when I reached out so we can’t say it represents the Bronco’s final form for sure. And, of course, the company’s not looking to scoop its own big reveal party next week.

Engines Discussed

A 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder and a 2.7-liter turbo six-cylinder make sense for the Bronco since those engines should both be compact enough to fit in a medium-sized SUV and are both already made by Ford. The 2.3-liter I4 EcoBoost makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque in the current Ranger, while the 2.7-liter V6 has been in the F-150 for a few years now and currently claims 325 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque.

So I think it’s fair to figure the base Bronco will have about 300 lb-ft of torque while the bigger-engined option will step to over 400 lb-ft. Of course, Ford already offers a more powerful tune for the small-engine Ranger, so it should have no issue getting bigger numbers from the 2.3-liter if it wants to. I guess it will depend on what kind of mpgs are being targeted.

Transmissions Discussed

The seven-speed manual, as bonkers as it sounds, has basically been confirmed by photos of a shift lever. Folks are figuring it will effectively be a six-speed with an ultra-low gear for crawling, which is exactly the kind of cool gimmick this truck’s going to need to stand out.

A 10-speed auto makes sense, as these are already ubiquitous in Ford’s truck lineup. I’m not a fan myself. It’s a clunky transmission in town in the Ranger, but should help get some gas mileage back on highway cruising.

Axle Ratios Discussed

So you don’t have to scroll back up: The Bronco6G forum said the 2021 truck will get four different final drive axle ratio options: 3.73, 4.27, 4,46, and 4.7.

Axle ratios don’t seem like a particularly sexy topic… until you understand just how important they are to a vehicle’s performance. It’s a very big deal in the off-road world, especially once you start messing with big tires and need to put down lot of power at low speeds.

My colleague David Tracy did a great writeup explaining crawl ratios and off-road gearing, so please give that a peek to understand the science here.

To lay it out a little more expediently, the axle ratios written like “X.XX” mean “X.XX:1,” which means the vehicle’s driveshaft turns X.XX times for every one turn of the wheels. Even simpler: The bigger the X number, the more powerful the vehicle feels. Of course, you pay for it by burning more fuel.

So if the axle ratios posted above for the Bronco are accurate, the “3.73 Open Style Rear Axle Final Drive Ratio” would be the base, more-efficient option while the “4.7 Electronic-locking Front and Rear Axle” would be the most capable. The 2020 Wrangler Rubicon has a 4.1 final drive ratio, so everything else being equal, it seems that the top-end Ford might be more aggressive than the top Jeep on its power-to-efficiency equation.

There’s more to it, including wheel size and of course HP, that will dictate which setup is objectively “better” though.

Tire Sizes Discussed

Hot dang, tires, my favorite topic! I love tires because they’re the one piece you can change on a vehicle and change every aspect of said vehicle’s performance. When it comes to 4x4s, you want something big for ground clearance, but not obscenely big if you want to hang on to daily drivability and efficiency.

This alleged spec sheet claims that the Bronco will have seven stock tire sizes. That would be a lot for a Honda Civic, but it makes sense for a mass-market 4×4. There are four LT (“light truck”) options, and three P (“passenger”) options. The significance there is basically that LT tires are chunkier, more ply, harder to pop, heavier, use more fuel and handle worse. P tires are lighter, so they’re better for road driving, but may puncture more easily. They can still be knobby and be decent on dirt, though.

As for the difference between all-terrain and mud-terrain tires, the MTs tend to be the most off-roady road-legal option available with really deep knobs for paddling through thick mud. All-terrain tires are a little more balanced. All-seasons, of course, are road tires.

Tire size are usually expressed as “letter, number, slash, number, R, wheel diameter” but discussed in terms of overall diameter, so I used the handy wheel size calculator at tiresize.com to translate the coded sizes into overall diameter for you here:

P255/70R16 All-Season: 30.1-inch overall diameter

LT315/70R17 BSW Mud-Terrain: 34.4-inch overall diameter

P255/75R17 All-Terrain: 32.1-inch overall diameter

LT265/70R17 All-Terrain: 31.6-inch overall diameter

LT285/70R17 All-Terrain: 32.7-inch overall diameter

LT285/70R17 Mud-Terrain: 32.7-inch overall diameter

P255/70R18 All-Terrain: 32.1-inch overall diameter

There will be some variance in those diameters due to inflation level and tread life remaining, but that’s the baseline. For those of you unfamiliar with the off-road scene, 34.4-inch tire is pretty darn big. In fact, LT315/70R17 is the same tire you’ll see on a stock Ford Raptor.

The 30.1-inch option will be most efficient, and the 33-inch options should provide a decent balance.

Colors, Trims, Special Packages Discussed

Who wants to guess what the Sasquatch Package is?

This would be a good crop of colors if it turns out to be real. Hopefully, there will be a green and tan in the mix, too.

Tops Discussed

I’m really into the idea of a “mesh shade top” but mostly I’m just excited about the prospect of variety. From the teaser images we’ve seen so far, it’s clear Ford’s committing to open-air off-roading, which is huge.

I’ll state one final time that the specs and options discussed here are conjecture, and unconfirmed by Ford. But it’s all plausible enough to warrant the discussion I’ve presented here. I’m confident the Bronco’s final form will be pretty close, at any rate.

Now we just need to see some honest images of the thing throwing sand, already!

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from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/2021-ford-bronco-a-big-list-of-alleged-options-and-specs-has-been-decoded/

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Celebrity Drive: Jonathan Scott of HGTV’s “Property Brothers: Forever Home”

Quick Stats: Jonathan Scott, host, HGTV’s Property Brothers: Forever Home Daily Driver: 2018 Tesla Model X (Jonathan’s rating: 10 on a scale of 1 to 10) Other cars: See below Favorite road trip: Trans-Canada Highway Car he learned to drive in: 1975 Oldsmobile Omega First car bought: 1975 Oldsmobile Omega

Even as a kid, Jonathan Scott was conscious about the effect cars have on the environment. Now that he can buy any car he wants, he still opts for something that is eco-friendly.

“When we were kids, we had one truck that was really smoky and we would always say to dad, ‘Dad, that can’t be good for the environment!’ So eventually he sold it and he got another truck that wasn’t a big polluter.”

Jonathan got his 2018 Tesla Model X after trying his brother Drew’s Model S (read about that Tesla in his Celebrity Drive feature here).

“I find Drew’s car is a little hard to get in and out of. I’m not as limber as he is because he goes to the gym every day, so I like having the crossover—and it’s got more space for me to haul stuff, too,” Jonathan says.

He gives his Model X a perfect 10. “It’s hands down the best vehicle I’ve ever had. The interesting thing is I’ve never experienced power like that in a vehicle before. I’ll be on the highway at full speed, and you have to be careful—if you just touch the accelerator, it will whip your neck back,” he says.

He adds that since his house in Las Vegas runs off solar, it charges the car at no cost. “I never have to fill it up. It’s always topped off, so it’s really taken the hassle of having to stop and fill up completely out of my life.”

But it’s not just about doing right by the environment. For Jonathan, the Tesla’s design and interior space attracted him, too.

“I found for the longest time that a lot of the electric vehicles didn’t look very impressive or didn’t have the storage capacity that I would want,” he says, “so the Model X was the first one that I was like, ‘Wow it actually has a lot of storage room.’ We have a lot of equipment to haul around.”

Jonathan appreciates that his brother bought a Tesla first, so he could figure out whether he wanted one, as well. “I did let Drew be a guinea pig. Same way when we were kids, when we were going to get braces, or get bonding to fix the gap between our teeth, I thought, ‘I’ll let Drew go and test it first.’ It looked perfect, so then I did it after. I let him get it first and it turned out to be a great car, so when they came out with the model that had more room for me, it was perfect.”

After Jonathan recently worked with Jaguar, the automaker offered to give him a car. Initially, he said no: “I already have a vehicle and I like electric vehicles. Nobody ever told me that they had an electric vehicle,” he says.

When he was shooting the campaign, executives told him they just launched the I-Pace. “I was like, ‘What?’ They sent me an I-Pace so I’ve been zipping around in that,” he says.

Now that Scott has the I-Pace plus his Model X, he sees some clear differences between the two electric cars.

2019 Jaguar I-Pace

Rating: 7.5 for maneuverability, 10 for design

“They promote it as an SUV, but I don’t see it as an SUV at all. It’s a more compact vehicle than the Model X I have,” he says, giving it a 7.5 in maneuverability and a perfect 10 stylistically.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful vehicle. I love the big rims, I love the curves, it’s a very sexy vehicle,” Jonathan says. “When I have my Tesla and my I-Pace parked next to each other, everyone always comments immediately on the Jaguar first. Visually, it’s gorgeous.”

Technology-wise, Jonathan likes that he can control the Tesla essentially from his phone. “I can summon it, I can open doors, I can unlock it. The technology on the Tesla seems a little bit more modern—the big screen and the ability to control absolutely everything from it, though the I-Pace has the heated and cooled seats, whereas I don’t have the cooled seats with the Model X.”

Jonathan says the regenerative braking is a little more involved with the I-Pace. “I pretty much never even have to touch the brakes. … On the Tesla you have the ability to turn that off. So you have it either on or off, whereas on the I-Pace, you can control the intensity of what you want,” he says.

“And as the battery starts to get lower, the regenerative braking naturally increases, which is interesting.”

Inside the Jaguar, Jonathan really likes the materials. “It just seems like a cool vehicle and quite elegant, soft finishes throughout,” he says. “The power is fantastic. … I may test 0 to 60 every now and then, [and] it throws your head back. The front of the car actually raises up and it goes.”

He chose the Model X because his brother’s Model S is too low. “It’s hard to get in and out of,” he says. “Even though the I-Pace is a little bit higher, I still find it fairly compact. One thing I notice, when I have construction boots on, I can barely fit my foot where the pedals are, between the edge of the brake pedal and the wall on the right, so I keep clipping the brake when I’m trying to push on the accelerator. Everything is just a lot tighter.”

He says the Model X is a bigger vehicle, so the storage and spacing is better. “From a storage and function capacity, I prefer the Tesla Model X. From a style perspective and that initial punch, I prefer the Jaguar,” Jonathan says. “I think this is the perfect vehicle for me to have if I’m not in boots and I’m just zipping around or if my family comes to visit. My family doesn’t want a bigger vehicle like my truck; they want something smaller that they can get around easy in.”

Jonathan says the Jaguar also feels more like a conventional Jaguar than an all-electric car. “If someone was just getting in it and turning it on, I don’t think they would know right away that this is an electric vehicle, whereas with the Tesla you actually can’t even figure out how to turn it on and off unless you’ve taken a course and you know how to do that,” he says, with a laugh. “I do find that the I-Pace feels a lot more like what you’re used to in a sporty, elegant vehicle.”

He says the Jaguar is a fantastic vehicle but hopes consumers just know what to expect with the I-Pace. “It’s a fantastic vehicle if somebody realizes that it is a smaller vehicle than the Model X,” Scott says. “I think it’s beautiful, but it’s a little confusing when it’s promoted as a crossover. I don’t see any part of it being an SUV. To me it’s a sporty, sophisticated, sexy car. Wait ’til people see a new all-electric Lamborghini. I think I may have to get that.”

2016 Chrysler 300

Rating: 8

Before Jonathan got the Tesla, he had a couple 300 sedans. He keeps his 2016 300 for when friends and family visit and need a car to get around in. “I really like it. It almost felt to me like it’s a much more luxurious vehicle than what I paid for it. It’s got all the finishes that I really like.”

He also likes the “amazing sound system” and that it has a lot of space. “I have a lot of big friends, and that’s why I was with the 300 for the better part of a decade.

I always said it’s the poor man’s Bentley. It’s the ‘fake it ’til you make it’ Bentley,” he says, echoing another Celeb Drive, the late Adam West, who also had the same car.

Car he learned to drive in

Scott learned to drive in his very first car, a 1975 Oldsmobile Omega. “My dad had a rule when we were kids, that they wouldn’t just buy us a car; they would pay up to 50 percent of the value of the vehicle up to a max of $2,000.”

Jonathan and his brother worked out the math to think of what would be the most car they could get for that. “Drew and I at that time were living in difference cities because I moved to Alberta to help my dad build a ranch,” he says. “I didn’t want to invest in our $4,000 vehicle until we were back, so I just picked up a total beater and that’s what I learned in. I would go out in the field of the neighboring ranches, and I would drive it in circles and learn how to do everything, and park it.”

The Oldsmobile is also the car Scott got his license in. Although he jokes his original horsepower was a quarter horse, since they had horses on their property, the Oldsmobile was a fun ride to have. “Our friends, everyone had their own beat-up vehicle and we’d tow around in the fields. Probably the safest way for teenagers to get out and be reckless is to do it in an open field where you’re not going to cause any trouble,” he says.

Photos courtesy of HGTV

The fields were also a good place to practice parallel parking. “We’d take a couple of logs and set out the logs and then I would parallel park between them,” he recalls.

Jonathan got into an accident with the Oldsmobile after having it for less than a year. “The vehicle was totaled, but I walked away totally unscathed, and that was a testament to it,” he says. “It’s a pretty bulky car. I was fortunate enough that I didn’t get injured. Good thing I wasn’t in a tiny little Datsun or something.”

Following the accident, he got a Chrysler E-Class. Once he and his brother were ready to get their $4,000 vehicle, they chose a used 1988 Ford Thunderbird.

“It had leather seats, powered seats, it was just a really sexy-looking car,” Scott says. “We had never had anything like that, so that was what we pooled our money on. We drove that until we drove it into the ground. We had that forever. The first thing that sold me on it was that it had leather seats and it was all powered because my dad never believed in having powered seats or powered windows because he thought it was just one more thing to break down.”

Jonathan doesn’t have regrets and nostalgia about past cars such as that Thunderbird. “I’m not a very materialistic person that way, so I don’t hold sentimental value in things like a vehicle. For me it’s more about ‘Does it do what I want it to do?’” he says. “Drew and I could go out very easily and buy ourselves a $400,000 car. But we’ve never been that type of people. I want something that’s safe, something that looks good, and something that functions. For me, I put a lot more value in experiences, getting out and spending time with friends.”

One thing his friends want to experience, though, is test-driving his Tesla. “They want to go for a ride in it, and they love the falcon doors,” he says. “It’s always fun to just go and joy-ride with friends and have them test it.”

Favorite road trip

“I love going up into the mountains. We lived on the edge of the forest growing up, just outside of Vancouver, before we built the ranch in Alberta,” Jonathan says. “It’s the most magnificent drive up in the mountains. The whole city was basically carved out of the forest. Thick, big trees, they’re hundreds of years old. Just an amazing drive.”

Jonathan and his family would do that drive through the mountains on the Trans-Canada Highway. “You pass through the Rockies and you see mountain sheep, bears, and elk,” he says.

Those are the road trips he remembers fondly. “You go from where we were, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, and we would take it all the way across through the Rocky Mountains, through Banff, into Calgary. That’s magnificent.”

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[OC] Let's talk about CAFE, how it is killing cars in favor of crossovers, and the definition of a truck. via /r/cars

[OC] Let's talk about CAFE, how it is killing cars in favor of crossovers, and the definition of a truck.

TL;DR at bottom.

So think back to the 1970s, back when land barges were in fashion, big block v8s were used for commuters, and fuel economy wasn’t really something people thought about. In 1970, cars like the Cadillac Eldorado were flying off dealer lots, it had an 8.2 liter v8, paired with a 3 speed transmission, 221 inches long, weighing nearly 4700lbs. To put that in context, the standard Escalade is 202 inches long, and the Eldorado was a coupe! The Eldorado’s fuel economy, was, ehh, whatever. You didn’t get EPA fuel economy ratings back then, and I’m pretty sure buyers weren’t asking their friends what fuel economy they got.

Of course we all know what happened next, war broke out in the middle east in 73, leading to multiple energy crises and massive hikes in gas prices. As a result, Gerald Ford introduced Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), a law intended to reduce fuel consumption in the United States. With the introduction of CAFE, reducing fuel consumption became law, and it, alongside market demand for smaller vehicles, pushed the downsizing of full-sized vehicles, and popularized the compact vehicle segment.

So what is CAFE? It its original form, CAFE weighed the average fuel economy of all vehicles under 6000lbs, and set out fuel economy targets for each car corporation to hit. Vehicles were divided into two categories: passenger cars (sedans, coupes, hatches, wagons) and light trucks (in addition to trucks, this category included vans and SUVs). A weighted harmonic mean of the fuel economy for all the vehicles sold by a corporation (This means companies with multiple brands were treated as a single entity). Minimum CAFE averages were created for each category, and companies that cannot hit it were fined. Exemptions were given for small boutique automakers, and vehicles above 6000lbs (eventually this changed to 8500lbs).

CAFE remained mostly unchanged until the Bush administration. In the beginning of 2003, George W Bush outlined 3 goals that he hoped to achieve in his state of the union address, one of which was energy independence. Bush believed that CAFE would help achieve his goals of “energy independence for our country, while dramatically improving the environment”.

Additionally, there was the issue of the Chrysler PT cruiser. Chrysler classified the PT cruiser, an odd looking hatchback, as a light truck. They argued that if vans were considered “light trucks”, then the PT Cruiser, a hatchback that looked like a van should be able to count too (interestingly enough, Chrysler never did make a factory PT Cruiser van, but Chevy’s PT Cruiser ripoff, the HHR, did have a panel van body style). I mean, if the guy who designed the PT cruiser calls it a van, who’s the argue otherwise?

Therefore, in 2006 and 2007, the NHTSA and the Bush administration tried to reform CAFE. The reform process was really slow, and there were multiple court challenges, but overall, there were three major changes: First of all, CAFE now takes into account the footprint of the car, smaller cars have to hit higher targets than larger ones (although the footprint scaling tops out at 52 square feet, you cannot make an infinitely large car with an infinitely bad fuel economy). So yes, you can call a PT cruiser a van, but because it is a tiny van, it is expected to hit much higher fuel economy numbers than a Ford Transit. Secondly, the NHTSA is instructed to continually raise CAFE expectations to the “maximum feasible” level, whereas CAFE standards didn’t change at all since inception to 2007. Finally, automakers can now trade their CAFE credits, automakers who come in lower than the CAFE weighted average can sell their credits to those who are over (something Tesla used to their advantage I believe).

Finally, the 2009, the Obama administration and the Department of Transportation devised a new roadmap leading up to 2025, which has proved to be controversial, and is something that the current Trump administration is fighting to roll back. Under Obama era CAFE rules, full sized sedans (IE: S Class) are supposed to hit 34mpg mixed, while full sized trucks (IE: F150) need to hit 23.

Ok, so to summarize, according to the law, there are two different CAFE numbers that automakers are expected to hit: Passenger vehicles, and light trucks. Heavy duty trucks and other vehicles above 8500lbs are exempt under CAFE. Passenger vehicles are expected to hit a much higher MPG number than lights trucks are.

But what is a light truck? Well, according to the CAFE regulations, this is the official definition of light truck:

“Light-duty truck means any motor vehicle rated at 8,500 pounds GVWR or less which has a vehicle curb weight of 6,000 pounds or less and which has a basic vehicle frontal area of 45 square feet or less, which is:

(1) Designed primarily for purposes of transportation of property or is a derivation of such a vehicle, or

(2) Designed primarily for transportation of persons and has a capacity of more than 12 persons, or

(3) Available with special features enabling off-street or off-highway operation and use.”

​

You have to remember that back when CAFE was created, essentially there were three types of vehicles that fit into the light truck category: Pickup trucks and pickup truck based SUVs (think Suburbans), cargo vans, and offroad focused SUVs built on their own platform (think Wrangler, G class). Over the years, vans with a passenger capacity below 12 people started appearing, like the Sienna, and Pacifica, and they were categorized as light trucks, but nobody really disputed it since they were large and were designed to transport large numbers of people.

The issue lies in the third criteria. What do you consider to be an off road feature? Is an extra 2 inches of ground clearance? Is it AWD? 4x4? All terrain tires? Hell, does simply adding a “offroad” mode that changes traction control behavior count?

Remember, CAFE was created before the crossover was. Back in the day, the “offroad” provision really only really applied to the Wrangler. But today, more and more automakers are blatantly abusing the offroad categorization, by classifying their crossovers as trucks. So yeah, a Jeep Compass is a truck, a Ford Escape is a truck, a Toyota Rav4 is a truck, hell, the Subaru Outback is technically classified as a truck.

A modern crossover gets only negligibly worse MPG than its mechanically similar sedan counterpart. For instance, a FWD Ford Edge gets 1mpg worse than the FWD Fusion (AWD models are identical), while a FWD Flex gets 2mpg worse than the mechanically identical FWD Taurus. But the thing is, a similarly sized sedan often needs to achieve up to 10mpg better than a similarly sized “truck”. For instance, in 2025, CAFE requires an average full sized sedan to achieve 34mpg mixed, while a full sized “truck” only needs to hit 23mpg. Obviously, automakers have found it much easier to hit those targets with crossovers that they categorize as light trucks than with sedans. You can drive an Explorer off the lot today that gets 20mpg, 23 is within spitting distance, while there is only a single full sized sedan on the market that can possibly get 34mpg (Avalon Hybrid), every single other full sized sedan is still far away.

You also have to consider, that every single crossover that an automaker sells helps drag up the company’s truck average. After all, those body on frame trucks are definitely doing much worse mileage wise than a crossover. So yeah, high Compass sales allows FCA to sell their highly profitable RAMs, and high Escape sales helps Ford sell F150s.

So essentially what this means is that CAFE has created a massive market distortion, where automakers would rather sell you a crossover than a sedan. This means that more R&D funding is going into crossovers, and more marketing budget is being spent pushing crossover SUVs.

Of course, this would explain a lot of the decisions that automakers have been making recently. Ford most definitely will see a sales decline by dropping sedans, as only a portion of buyers who wanted a Ford sedan would switch to a Ford crossover. However, because sedan profit margins are very low, Ford probably would rather see a smaller number of potential sedan buyers buy their crossovers instead, as every crossover sold drags up the truck CAFE average, allowing them to sell more of their highly profitable F150s and Navigators.

Similarly, this is probably why Subaru, Audi, and Buick only sell “offroad” versions of their wagons in the United States. Sure, the only real difference between an Audi Avant and an Audi Allroad is an extra inch of ground clearance and some plastic cladding, but remember, the Allroad is an offroader, which means it’s a truck, not a car, and therefore, it counts towards truck CAFE.

​

TL;DR

So yeah, in conclusion, I think it is very apparent to everyone that current CAFE regulations are broken. The definition to what is a “light truck” is just too broad, and includes far too many vehicles that really stretch the definition of truck. By doing so, CAFE is pushing automakers to abandon traditional car body styles (sedan, hatch, coupe), and make everything a crossover.

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The world may have embraced the practical charms of the SUV but, as the 2018 Jaguar E-PACE demonstrates, there’s still room for experimentation when you’re building a compact crossover. Second in the automaker’s SUV line-up, and arriving just ahead of the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE, the new 2018 E-PACE is an unusually thoughtful take in a segment jam-packed with options. Indeed, a whole lot more thought has gone into the E-PACE than the tiny footprint might suggest.

The obvious option – certainly, the route most automakers have taken when designing smaller crossover versions of their larger SUVs – would be for Jaguar to have shrunk the F-PACE. Blame British obstinance, a lingering obsession with sports cars, or a design team that skews to the young side, but the E-PACE actually shares more cues with the F-TYPE coupe. With its oversized grille, headlamps that stretch up into the front fenders, and low glasshouse, that’s no bad thing.

Indeed, it’s a masterclass of misleading proportions. The E-PACE is about a foot shorter than the F-PACE – it’s even a few inches shorter than the F-TYPE itself – but look at it in isolation and you’d never suspect that. It’s actually about as wide as the larger SUV, giving it the stance of a beefier vehicle from the front or back. The wheels are pushed out to the extremes, literally in the case of the very short rear overhangs; at the front, Jaguar shaved away at the corners of the car to visually lessen them. Viewed from the rear three-quarters, the front overhang practically disappears.

The proportionally long wheelbase pays its dividends in cabin space. There’s more headroom in the back than you might expect from the tapering side glass, another stylistic trick, and while you’d not want to share the rear bench with two other adults, there’s plenty of space for a couple of grown-ups there. The trunk offers 24.2 cubic feet, or 52.5 cubic feet when the 60/40-split rear seat is folded.

I far prefer the E-PACE’s dashboard to that of the F-PACE, too. The larger SUV’s console is a sober affair, with stretches of shiny black plastic and dull switchgear. The E-PACE isn’t short on plastic itself – the transmission shifter is particularly underwhelming, for a control you touch so frequently – but the circular HVAC dials with their inset displays, chunky drive mode toggle, and chrome paddle-shifters are far more engaging visually, not to mention reminiscent of the F-TYPE. The wheel, indeed, is lifted wholesale from the sports car, and though the inset swathes of leather across the dashboard aren’t, in fact, real hide, they do look great.

There’s a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, and a wider 12.3-inch upgrade along with an optional head-up display. Jaguar’s InControl Touch Pro is thankfully speedier than previous iterations, though still reserves the right to be a little temperamental at times, particularly when all you want to do is pipe your smartphone’s audio through the otherwise fulsome Meridian audio systems. That can be had in up to 825W form. You can also switch the analog/digital driver instrumentation for a fully-digital version, though honestly there’s not much customization in the graphics between the drive modes.

Unlike international markets, which will get both FWD and AWD options and a choice of engines that includes turbodiesels, Jaguar is keeping it simple for the US. Every American E-PACE will be all-wheel drive, and there’ll be just two engine options, both using the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. One is tuned for 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. of torque; the R-Dynamic, which I spent my time in, bumps that up to 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft.

Either way you get a ZF 9-speed automatic transmission as standard, and a little torque lag at low engine speeds. It’s disguised somewhat when the gearbox is in Sport mode, though that’s a fairly frenetic experience not best suited for everyday driving. Despite the F-TYPE connection and a 5.9 second 0-60 mph time from the 296 HP model, there’s still no disguising the 4,000+ pound curb weight, though the E-PACE does its best to offset that in Dynamic mode.

It sounds better inside than out – probably the way you want it, really, if you had to choose – and in Comfort mode the ride is positively supple. On 20-inch wheels that’s absolutely not a given, normally, but the E-PACE has the poise to carry them off. ECO mode, meanwhile, seems to mostly just deaden the throttle disconcertingly. Still, with estimated EPA economy numbers coming in at 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined in the 296 HP model, you’re probably safe to avoid it altogether.

Then there’s the rough stuff. The E-PACE, with its true off-road underpinnings borrowing from Land Rover’s Evoque and Discovery, has an advantage over rival car-based crossovers, and Jaguar is hoping to capitalize on that for those who might find the front-wheel drive bias – even in AWD form – to smell just a little bit like blasphemy for the brand. Up to 90-percent of the power can be pushed forward or back, though most of the time it’s the front wheels doing the work for economy reasons. That’s not to say the E-PACE isn’t equipped for the mud.

Torque vectoring can push extra power to the corners with the most traction, or the outside wheels in aggressive turns; there’s a nifty little display that shows you just where the grunt is going if you’re so inclined, but the overall upshot is that the E-PACE feels sure-footed even in curving mountain turns. The rear axle has twin wet clutches which can be locked for a more rear-wheel drive feel, though that’s a decision left to the computer, not driver’s choice.

There’s no dedicated off-road mode – you’ll still need to look to an Evoque if you want a crossover with hill-descent, for instance, and the baby Range Rover’s 8.5-inches of ground clearance towers over the Jaguar’s 6.4-inches – but even in Comfort the E-PACE handled an extended foray away from the asphalt handily. I’m not talking anything too arduous; think along the lines of poorly-maintained sand and rock tracks, rather than something Dakar-worthy. Nevertheless, I suspect it’s more than most E-PACE owners (or crossover drivers in general) would typically tackle, and the Jaguar scrambled over it without pause.

Wrap-up

I confess, I didn’t expect to especially like the E-PACE. It’s a car that really does look better in the metal than in pictures; Jaguar’s big reveal was overshadowed by the I-PACE electric SUV, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this smaller, cheaper, gasoline crossover was a fairly calculated price play intended to share its EV sibling’s style and halo, only without the next-generation powertrain. As is so often the British way, though, the charm only really comes through in person.

It may not match the driving dynamics of a Porsche Macan, but with pricing kicking off from $38,600 the Jaguar starts out almost $10k cheaper than its German counterpart. There are playful features too, like the “Jaguar and cub” graphic discreetly woven into the windshield, a reference to this smallest Jaguar’s “cub” nickname from company design chief Ian Callum.

Of course, for the “cub” you really want, you’re looking at a fair amount more than that starting price. R-Dynamic models begin at just over $47k, and the HSE trim car you see here is $53,100 before extras. That’s not-inconsiderable money for a crossover on the small side, particularly when you start cross-shopping that sort of cash and find it’ll get you a well-equipped Volvo XC60 or Audi Q5 from the segment above.

Jaguar expects, though, for drivers to feel the charm, and I wouldn’t bet against it. The F-PACE is already the automaker’s best-selling car, its reputation for sinuous coupes and rakish sports sedans be damned, and the 2018 E-PACE looks set to follow suit. Compelling styling, enthusiasm on the road, and attainable luxury in the cabin add up to a crossover with personality, even if it might not be the cheapest route to practicality.

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The turbocharged Camaro isn't a muscle car — but it's the perfect beginner's sports car (GM)

A turbocharged Camaro doesn't have the same oomph as a traditional muscle car, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a closer glance.

The coupe still has plenty of zip for beginners looking to drive their very first sport car.

Here's what the heretical Camaro was like to drive from someone who has always wanted her own.

I'm not above saying that, like many others, I've long romanticized the concept of driving a Camaro.

To me, it's one of those quintessential American cars that perfectly symbolizes everything that's great about driving: endless speed on open roads in the middle of nowhere.

That's really an image I've conjured over a number of years without any experiential basis. In my day job, I tend to find myself behind the wheel of electric vehicles or crossover SUVs. My first and, so far, only car was a 1998 Subaru Forester. My only experience with a classic "muscle" car is a bright yellow Mustang I rode shotgun in throughout high school.

So when an offer landed in my inbox to drive a red Camaro with a black interior for a week, I was all in.

The 2017 Camaro I drove is likely not up to snuff to true muscle-car enthusiasts. It's the base coupe (there's also a convertible) with a 275-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. That's an immediate dealbreaker for most who want actual muscle in their muscle car — say, the bonkers 650hp supercharged V8 in the Camaro ZL1. In fact, there are some folks who wouldn't look twice at the available 3.6-liter V6, which makes a mere 335hp. 

However, I wasn't testing the Camaro for someone with a deep appreciation of muscle cars who is looking to make a new purchase. I was approaching it from the perspective of someone who wants a little extra speed but might be shy to take a real plunge. Maybe this is your very first sports car.

The Camaro starts at $30,405, but options like the eight-speed automatic transmission (yes, this Camaro can be had stock with a six-speed manual) and additional safety tech bumped the price $38,130. We had the LT with the $1,950 RS package, so we at least got our hands on the sportier 4-cylinder.

I took the car upstate to the Dia: Beacon museum in Hudson River Valley. It didn't necessarily match the vibe of the rest of the parking lot — I spotted a lot of Honda Civics and Subaru Outbacks — but the highways were empty and I had plenty of winding roadways to explore.

Downshifting in manual mode will raise the engine's blood pressure, and that certainly helps with bouts of speed. Still, you can feel a bit of a lag when you really punch it. There's this tugging feeling that prevents acceleration from feeling as smooth and potent as it would in a car that wasn't getting boost from a turbo, but rather from two-to-four additional cylinders under the hood.

That being said, the lag really isn't so perceptible that it's an outright dealbreaker. Keep in mind that for a $30,405 base sticker, you're compromising on power with the weaker engine. And the 0-60 isn't exactly wimpy, at 5.4 seconds. In some worlds, a lighter, peppier Camaro performs better duty as a true sports car.

The Camaro is a dream to drive once you hit the legal speed limit. It had amazing handling on narrow roads with twists and turns. Low to the ground and tight to the pavement, the suspension rewards when you press the car into a corner, but it isn't race-car stiff. My bones weren't vibrating every time I hit a bump or pothole.

As someone who was nervous to drive a Camaro for the first time, I was surprised by how easy it was to manage behind the wheel. The entire experience was downright effortless. I got to really book it without feeling like I was fighting with the car. I had the style without too much power for a beginner to handle, but still enough oomph to have some fun.

Inside, this base-ish Camaro doesn't feel cheap. It has a hot red paint job (that's the actual color's name) and a jet-black interior. You do not sit in a land of endless plastic, and and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter add a premium feel. The dashboard is clean and evocative of the Camaros of yore, and there's no attempt to overly jazz up the interior to match head-turning exterior, a good move.

The Camaro does theoretically seats four, but I wouldn't attempt to put adults in the back. Even throwing a backpack in the rear took up the whole seat. Trunk space is also limited at 9.1 cubic feet, so this isn't a great car for hauling cargo. If you want to bring a kid along, it'll do the trick. But as with many vehicles in this segment — 2+2 sport coupes and convertibles — you'll be buying a two-seater.

The rest of the coupe isn't at all fussy. The Camaro has an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment screen running Chevy's MyLink system. It supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and it comes with Sirius XM radio. There's the usual Bluetooth connectivity, along with USB and AUX ports to plug in. You can also pay extra for a 4G LTE wifi hotspot, operating via General Motors OnStar setup. GM offers the feature across its entire range of vehicles.

The real takeaway is that the Camaro 2.0 Turbo is a great beginner's sports car and a perfectly acceptable entry point for the the whole Camaro experience and the realm of rear-wheel-drive machines. There's no steep leaning curve, the car is tossable in a way that beefier-motored versions don't want to be, and sure looks nice. The turbo four is heretical, but it's up to the job, even if it takes a few gears to come into its own.

(Business Insider's Matt DeBord also drove the car, and he found the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and the manual mode to be completely disappointing — just give him that old-school six-speed stick.)

The price is attractive and if nobody looks close or has been fixated on Camaro's since childhood, they're not going to know or care what's under the hood. If you've always wanted a Camaro but thought it was just too much car, this one is definitely worth a look.

SEE ALSO: We put the Chevy Equinox against the Toyota RAV4 in the battle of popular compact SUVs — here's the verdict

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High-altitude balloons are the average person’s SpaceX

A high-altitude balloon bursts at 113,690 feet over the Grand Canyon, Arizona.

Image: John flaig

Space travel today is largely ruled by government agencies and billionaire tech magnates. But for the average person, it’s much easier to reach Earth’s outer limits than you might think.

All you need is a big weather balloon, some helium, a camera, and a dose of good timing.

High-altitude “ballooning” allows hobbyists, photographers, and students alike to view our planet from as high as 100,000 feet. These balloons can capture the curvature of the Earth and fields of endless clouds from greater heights than drones, and with richer detail than a satellite.

SEE ALSO: The 2017 total solar eclipse will be livestreamed from 100,000 feet

John Flaig, a photographer in Wisconsin, calls this the “democratization” of technology.

“Right now, it’s the closest a regular person can come to touching space,” said Flaig, who has launched around 20 high altitude balloons since 2012. “There’s no other accessible mechanism that will take you into that environment.”

A sunset view of Sonora, Arizona.

Image: john flaig

Meteorologists use latex weather balloons every day to gather data on the upper atmosphere from almost 900 locations worldwide, including 92 spots in the U.S. and its territories. Such balloons are launched twice daily, with the information they collect going into computer models to help forecast the weather.

But the DIY space race didn’t really take off until around 2009, after two MIT students built their own makeshift rig for just $150.

Justin Lee and Oliver Yeh filled a latex weather balloon with helium and attached a styrofoam beer cooler, which held a cheap Canon compact camera and a few instant hand warmers. A prepaid, GPS-equipped cell phone in the cooler helped track the “payload” after the balloon burst at 93,000 feet and as the box plummeted down on a parachute.

Their popular YouTube video and widespread news coverage sparked excitement in garages and classrooms in the U.S. and worldwide. The Global Space Balloon Challenge, for instance, now includes over 450 teams in nearly 60 countries.

Marshall Dias said he was instantly hooked after seeing the MIT experiment. An Iowa banker, Dias said the balloons appealed to his inner “computer nerd and tech nerd.”

However, he wanted to take a slightly more sophisticated approach. As a licensed pilot, he knew that launching balloons into the sky could create some serious air traffic risks. He also wanted to be sure the payload wouldn’t crash onto an airport runway or a busy road. Plus, if you can’t find the package, you could lose all your expensive camera gear.

“I learned very quickly if I was going to do this at a more controlled level, I’d have to get a ham [amateur] radio license to put radio transmitters in the balloon,” he said, rather than “using some burner cell phone” like the MIT students.

License in hand, Dias next helped form the Iowa High Altitude Balloon Project with about five other hobbyists. The team studies wind and weather forecasts to calculate the best times and locations for a launch and to project where the payload will land. Once the balloon pops, a couple of members will hop in a car and drive anywhere from 30 to 200 miles to chase the package.

The team has launched 16 balloons since 2010, with each cooler carrying cameras, transmitters, and a little something extra. On the first flight, that extra was a Morse Code beacon that sent signals as far away as Russia. They’re now considering adding 360-degree cameras into their coolers, bringing the latest in camera technology tens of thousands of feet in the air.

Kindergartners have also added grapes and marshmallows to see how the pressure differences at high altitudes can transform their snacks.

“Outside of our own geeky, technology-driven desires, we’ve had just as much fun engaging young people, the next generation of scientists,” Dias said.

Painted Desert in Arizona.

Image: john flaig

So far, Dias and his friends have only had one near-mishap: A payload with two GoPros sat in an Iowa cornfield one winter, until a farmer found the foam box three months later.

Flaig said he’s only had one big loss so far: a payload containing thousands of dollars’ worth of cameras. His costs are also notably higher than the $150 MIT experiment. The photographer said he spends about $500 to $600 per launch just on the latex balloon and helium.

Still, high-altitude ballooning represents a big professional advantage for Flaig. Photo-snapping drones and airplanes can only fly so high, and satellites and rockets aren’t exactly easy to procure.

“The altitude that these balloons go, between 90,000 and as high as 130,000 feet, is an area that’s not really covered by other mechanisms,” he said. “This is an area that’s totally unexplored in the atmosphere, in terms of aerial photography.”

Over in the U.K., Dave Akerman said he’s launched 70 weather balloons so far. Like Dias, he first learned of the activity online, although in his case it was on a photography forum. Two British men had assembled a low-cost rig and captured breathtaking views of the Earth below.

Sangre de Cristo mountains over Colorado.

Image: john flaig

“As I have a keen interest in space exploration, dating back to watching the moon landings as a child, this immediately appealed as something I should do,” he said.

Akerman said preparation for a flight can take from a few hours to build a payload, to as long as several months if he’s flying something more complicated. For instance, he’s sent live images from near space to a receiver on the ground. He’s launched multiple balloons that can communicate with one another, and used guided parachutes to control the landing position.

His old SUV is “kitted out” with radios and computers for chasing the payload the part he says is most exciting, since you never know exactly where it will land. He keeps a collapsible ladder, telescopic poles, knives, saws, and other objects on hand in case he has to free the payload from a tree.

“What keeps me involved is that there are so many aspects,” he said. “I’m still thinking of new things to try!”

With the balloons, Flaig has captured unparalleled vistas of Arizona’s orange-red Painted Desert and the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Colorado and New Mexico. He’s photographed a rainbow Pride flag from near-space on behalf of the progressive nonprofit Planting Peace. On the other end of the political spectrum, a gun holster manufacturer recently approached him for a high-flying gig.

“It gives you a view of the world that is essentially completely unexplored, because there is no platform from which to see it unless you’re on a rocket, but then you’re just passing through,” Flaig said.

“It’s a unique perspective.”

Take a ride to space in VR

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