Sidestepping the NPC concept a bit, I just lament that the road is a less colorful place than it used to be. It’s just much less interesting and it affects everyone’s options. My daily driver is grey because I literally couldn’t find one in another color.

Let’s not downplay the role of giant conglomeration companies like VerticalScope coming in and buying all of the car forums ~10 years ago. Most forums started as passion projects and when the owners understandably wanted to be compensated for the work they put into their successful project, The Man came in, bought them out and then pissed all over it, leveraging user knowledge to (overly) monetize the forum with too much shitty advertising.

Yes, social media absorbed a lot of the user base, but corporatization of forums in general are the real villain.

I realize that, but I suppose I didn’t expect it to be the kind of thing that would spark a lively discussion. Seems like a car that is popular, but popular does not equal good fuel for discussion. I sure don’t mind being wrong about that. Just an observation.

Who’s saying you’re not allowed? I’m just surprised at the level of engagement, that’s all.

I’m just here trying to figure out how +/- 100 people care enough about a Camry to comment within 45 minutes.

I’m sure somebody has an opinion about the latest Whirlpool dishwasher too, I guess, but at the end of the day they’re both just appliances.