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Category: Automotive

Cars like the Subaru Crosstrek

Cars like the Subaru Crosstrek

I like my little Subaru Crosstrek. It’s the right amount of offroad utility and daily driver. I’ve taken it up to the mountains to go snowboarding, through rough forest roads and trails, as well as use it as my daily driver. My only grips are that it lacks in storage space and is pretty underpowered. The later is a fair tradeoff considering the MPG I get from it.

But I was surprised to learn how many other car makers are now trying to capture that same form factor. Enter cars like Nissan Kicks, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, and others. Unfortunately, it looks like a fair number of them aren’t really good for off-road use. I guess I’ll stick with my affordable Crosstrek for now, but good to know there are other options. I hope they get better and give Subaru a run for their money.

Blackbird

Blackbird

The Mill created The BLACKBIRD, the world’s first fully adjustable car rig, that allows movies to film and insert any CG car. The Blackbird’s frame can adjust to mimic the dimensions and driving characteristics of any real car chassis. It captures accurate reflection and environmental reflection data while filming to allow the virtual re-skinning of almost any car in CG over the original modular frame.

80’s Miami Vice filming locations

80’s Miami Vice filming locations

I love visiting where my favorite movies and TV shows were filmed. This guy has put together the most comprehensive and detailed shooting locations website I’ve ever seen. In this case, it’s for every location in the long running 1980’s hit Miami Vice.

This page discusses one of the most famous scenes in all of TV history – the drive to a deal in Heart of Darkness episode. He breaks down where every single cut was taken – even to the point of confirming locations based off the reflections off the car.

Cars of the future

Cars of the future

Lots and lots of interesting innovations coming to a car near you.

Interesting Mercedes concept car: the Mercedes AVTR.

Or this new Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 concept car:

Or maybe the BMW Vision Next 100 with sealed wheel wells that morph and shift as you steer.

Audi Skysphere Roadster

There’s also some more whimsical and interesting stuff coming from mini that incorporates more of the idea of a lounge space:

Or uses side panel lighting effects to highlight interaction with the car:

Or give a look at this list of other equally interesting recent concept cars.

Crosstrek maintenance schedule

Crosstrek maintenance schedule

Oil change places and shady mechanics are all over in the industry. Oil change places especially LOVE to scare and upsell people on services they do not need. All one has to do is look in their manual to find out they’re being peddled services that are often unnecessary. The NTSB and various manufacturers even issued warnings that these services often damage your vehicle.

Honestly, this info is all over in the manual, but it was great to find this info in one place.