#Compact off road suv

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Renault 4 Savane 4x4 Concept, 2025. A version of the 4E with a second electric motor on the rear axle, providing 4-wheel drive. Additionally ground clearance is 15 mm higher and special Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ 225/55 tyres are fitted to “Savane” wheels, while the front and rear tracks are 10 mm wider on either side.

[savageonwheels]

2024 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road

Army Green is new and so is the TRD Off-Road high-end trim for RAV4. Otherwise, it's still a solid compact SUV choice.

Muscular RAV4 TRD adds a new higher end trim level … Success breeds trim expansion. Say what? Hang with me here. In the car world the more successful a vehicle is, the less likely it’ll be changed much during a long product lifecycle. But what will happen is new trims will appear. In the snowmobiling world I used to work in we called it BNG, Bold New Graphics — in other words, minor…

[carbt2]

CAR HİRE DALAMAN AİRPORT (3)

Are you planning a trip to the stunning coastal town of Dalaman? To make your journey seamless and enjoyable, our premier car hire service at Dalaman Airport is here to meet all your transportation needs. Whether you're seeking a stylish sedan for a romantic getaway or a spacious minibus for a family adventure, we have the perfect vehicle waiting for you. Our dedicated team is committed to providing excellent customer service, ensuring you have a hassle-free rental experience. Dive into our wide range of options, including competitive rates and convenient pick-up locations at the airport. Discover the beauty of Dalaman on your own schedule with our reliable car hire solutions.

Dalaman Rent a Car

When planning your trip to the stunning Dalaman region, securing convenient transportation is essential. A Dalaman rent a car provides you with the freedom to explore the beautiful coastal towns, pristine beaches, and breathtaking landscapes at your own pace. No longer will you have to worry about bus schedules or restrictive tours; with a rental car, the journey is entirely yours to control.

There are numerous Dalaman airport car hire companies that cater to a wide range of preferences and budgets, ensuring that you find the perfect vehicle for your needs. From compact cars ideal for solo travelers to spacious SUVs for family adventures, you have the choice to match your travel style.

Utilizing airport rental services means you can pick up your vehicle immediately upon arrival, eliminating any delays in your travel itinerary. This hassle-free experience allows you to hit the road and start your vacation right away, maximizing your time enjoying all that Dalaman has to offer.

If you're traveling with a larger group, consider the convenience of Dalaman airport minibus rental. This option ensures everyone can travel together comfortably, making your journey even more enjoyable as you create memories with friends and family.

Dalaman Airport Car Hire Companies

When you arrive at Dalaman Airport, choosing the right car hire company can significantly enhance your travel experience. With numerous Dalaman rent a car options available, you are sure to find a reliable provider that meets your needs. Here are the key features to look for when selecting Dalaman airport car hire companies:

Variety of Vehicles: Whether you need a compact car for a solo trip or a spacious minibus for a family vacation, the best hire companies offer a diverse fleet to cater to different preferences and group sizes.

Competitive Pricing: Many Dalaman airport car hire companies provide attractive rates without hidden fees, making it essential to compare prices to find the best deal for your needs.

Convenient Pickup and Drop-off: Look for companies that offer hassle-free pick-up and drop-off services at the airport, ensuring that you can begin your adventure smoothly.

Customer Support: Reliable support can make all the difference when dealing with unexpected issues. Opt for companies known for their prompt and helpful customer service.

Flexible Rental Options: Whether you need a vehicle for a day or a week, check that the companies offer flexible rental durations to fit your travel itinerary.

Insurance and Safety Features: Ensure that your chosen rental includes essential insurance coverage and modern safety features for peace of mind on your journey.

Choosing the right airport rental service is crucial for an enjoyable trip. For an extensive selection of top-notch Dalaman airport car hire companies that address these key features, visit Car Hire Dalaman Airport today and prepare for an exceptional experience on the road.

Airport Rental

When it comes to convenience and flexibility, airport rental services at Dalaman Airport provide an unbeatable advantage. Imagine stepping off your flight and having immediate access to your vehicle, eliminating the hassle of public transport or taxi waits. By choosing a Dalaman rent a car service, you can embark on your holiday or business trip directly on your own terms.

Our partnered Dalaman airport car hire companies offer a wide array of vehicles to cater to every need, whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or in a group. From compact cars perfect for solo travelers to spacious minivans that accommodate larger parties, you can select the ideal car that suits your requirements.

For larger groups or those requiring additional space, consider our Dalaman airport minibus rental options. This service allows you to travel together comfortably, ensuring that your whole group arrives at your destination without the need for multiple vehicles.

Take advantage of these convenient airport rental services today and experience the freedom of exploring Dalaman and its beautiful surroundings at your own pace!

Dalaman Airport Minibus Rental

Traveling in a group can be a hassle, but with our Dalaman airport minibus rental services, you can make your journey seamless and enjoyable. Whether you’re heading to a resort, exploring the local attractions, or simply need to get around town, our minibuses provide the perfect solution for larger parties.

Our fleet of minibuses is modern, spacious, and equipped with all the necessary amenities to ensure your ride is comfortable. With multiple seating arrangements available, you can choose the option that best suits your needs. Plus, our minibus rentals come with flexible rental terms, allowing you to enjoy the freedom of making your own schedule without the stress of public transport.

When you rent a minibus from us, you benefit from competitive pricing that won’t break the bank. Coupled with our exceptional customer service, we strive to make your airport rental experience as smooth as possible, ensuring you get to your destination safely and on time.

Don’t get stuck trying to coordinate multiple vehicles during your vacation. Opt for our Dalaman airport minibus rental to keep everyone together and enhance your travel experience. Book now and take the first step towards stress-free group travel!

[hi-sierra]

Introducing: Sue, the Subaru Outback 2017 3.6R! (name subject to change)

Basically, what happened is that a family member needed a sedan, and bought my old hybrid off me. To replace it, I wanted something better for camping, road trips, and outdoors stuff in general.

So I gave myself a set of simple criteria: I wanted a car I could lie down and sleep comfortably in the back of, while still being as small as possible to use as a regular car as well. If I can have as many SUV features in it as possible, then that's an added bonus.

As much as I wanted to avoid the stereotype, the Subaru outback met these criteria quite nicely. There's some maintenance concerns that are a bit more than other similar compact SUVs, but I thought they were well worth it for the wagon form factor, which was ideal for me to slowly convert into a mini sleep-in camper in as compact a way as possible.

As is painfully obvious from my multiple flannels, I can't really avoid the stereotype though LOL

And wow, after an inspection, and testing this thing on roads of various type and quality, I'm absolutely loving it. No regrets about the purchase.

The name comes from possibly the most famous individual dinosaur of all time: Sue the Tyrannosaur. There's some history of calling wagon style cars "dinosaurs" from my childhood, and Sue being an abbreviation of Subaru leans into that, so I personally like that car nickname a lot. I'm open to suggestions, though!

My toolkit for a summer, and a lifetime, full of adventures is coming together nicely!!! I'll be documenting how I build this thing out, but the first step is slapping down a foam mat in the back and taking it somewhere nice. Stay tuned.....

[jessicafangirl]

Under The Mask Chapter 2

Hey Kids. Glad to discover there are more Special Ghoul Phil lovers out there than myself. I've created my own take on the ghouls and their lore here. So just know this is my little take and I'm not trying to say it the one everyone should have. Let your lore be yours. And thanks be to Tobias Forge for nearly killing himself to give these seeds of magic to us all. I'm hoping to finish this tale in the 3rd chapter...but I'm a wordy bitch and this may be 4 parts. We shall see. Sorry this is sort of...long.

You can also read this here at AO3. If you like it please comment, kudo, share, send me Diet Mello Yello or Coke Zero...or you know...a Phil.

Stevie looked out the windows of the darkened glass of the black SUV as it drove slowly through the parking lot.  It wasn’t stopping and at this point was passing carefully through the crowds walking into the venue.  She smiled at the sight of probably 50 Papa Secondo’s in various sizes walking with significant others or parents.  Some ghouls were there too.  Mostly though it was a sea of black Ghost shirts and a few other bands.  Everyone looked happy.

She had barely made it within her allotted time.  Her attire this evening was a pair of black jeans, black Doc Martens with silver skulls stitched into the material and a slightly off shoulder Kiss t-shirt with the cover of Dynasty on the front.  It wasn’t vintage but it was distressed and had black and white rhinestones along the top.  Nervous, she double checked her make up hadn’t melted off in her panic.  Nope…still hanging on for dear life as she checked her compact, also double checking she hadn’t mismatched her earrings.  Nope, still the small rhinestone skulls with the little black stones for eyes. 

Stevie shoved the compact back in her small leather concert bag.  It didn’t take up a lot of room and held the necessities: compact, lipstick, cards, and phone.  She could strap it across her chest and the little bag hung down and out of the way.  She’d murder anyone who ever tried to take it from her because she’d never find another like it.

She shouldn’t feel this nervous…she worked in this world and had met a lot of famous musicians in the rock and metal scene.  But as the car drove through the now open gate to the back of the venue, Stevie felt out of place.  She didn’t get to do the backstage thing at these shows much less be invited to it by someone with the band.

Reminding herself not to chew her lipstick off again she was surprised to see a masked ghoul come over and open her door for her almost as soon as the SUV had stopped.  The ghoul held out a hand for her to hop out.  “Miss Morton, I’m going to take you backstage.”  The tall, thin ghoul said.  He then held out a lanyard.  “Please put this on.” 

The green and black Ghost logo was prismatic on the plastic and in big bold letters it stated VIP above the name and below it was BACKSTAGE ALL ACCESS.  Her eyes widened.  “Uh, thank you.”  She replied and slipped it on over her neck. 

“Follow me please.”  The ghoul said and turned to head into the venue. 

Stevie noticed the oddly echoing sound of the ghoul’s voice then.  She wondered if he had a microphone or something that was causing the oddness of tone.  Or maybe she was just overwhelmed by literally everything happening. 

The backstage area was organized chaos.  She saw techs running around, road crew and assistance with headsets shouting back and forth.  The opening band was just starting to perform, a good one that she’d listened to with a black magic vibe perfectly paired with Ghost.  The ghoul turned back to her, noticing she was lagging back as she looked around at everything.  He stopped and waited for her to realize he’d done just that.

“Oh…sorry….I…don’t get to go backstage much.”  She told him.  He nodded slightly and then gestured again for her to follow him.

He led her to a room that had the bands logo printed on a piece of paper and beneath it Green Room.  Someone had added in cursive black marker the words “Black and” before the word Green.  Somehow Stevie knew that Papa Secondo had made his presence known with that. 

“You can wait in here and someone will take you stage side before the show really starts.”  The ghoul said and waved her inside. 

She told him thank you and headed into the room.  It was a large one with a few couches and a long table laden with small sandwiches, bottles of wine, water, soda, and what looked like butter cookies with powdered sugar on them.  On one of the couches Stevie recognized two of the trio that had been hanging with Secondo.  The older one was asleep, mouth gaping a little.  The younger one was tapping away at her phone. 

Stevie figured it would be for the best to stay at a safe distance.  She picked up a Coke Zero and started looking at the numerous concert posters that covered one whole wall of the room.  Some of them went as far back as the 60s.  She was smitten by the designs and thought for a moment of pulling out her own phone and snapping pictures of the wall.  One of them showed the Rolling Stones and her eyes widened a bit.

“That was a good show.”  A familiar voice spoke softly near her, causing Stevie to jump in surprise. 

She turned and saw Phil was standing there, a different suit, this one a bit more formal looking even down to wearing spats over his black dress shoes.  His silver mask reflected the soft lights of the room as did the jade green of his eyes as they watched her. 

“You were there?”  She asked him after trying to calm her heart down after her mini stroke.

Phil turned to the poster, hands behind his back and leaning down.  “Oh yes, fantastic show.  Only one tiny riot to distract from the performance.” 

Stevie raised an eyebrow.  “What were you like…a year old?”  She asked him.

The ghoul leaned back up and turned to her.  “I’m older than I look.”  He told her. 

“Are we talking maskwise or?  She asked him, taking a drink of her soda. 

“Maybe you’ll find out.”  He replied.  He caught himself then, being a bit too forward.  He needed to focus on the goal which was…having her join their ranks.  Also, making sure her current employers realized their mistake and what they were losing when she quit them and joined the project.  And she would indeed do that if he had any say in the matter. 

Phil remembered the discussion with Secondo earlier that evening.  He’d been leery of going to the Papa with the idea that had been plaguing him when he’d realized what was happening with Stevie.  He couldn’t stop thinking about the treatment and unfairness and just the simple using of her talents for someone else’s gain.  It rankled him greatly, going against the teaching of the church in so many ways. 

He hoped Secondo’s predilection for a curvy woman would play in his favor as he found the Papa sitting in the back of a tour bus reading an Italian comic book while drinking a glass of white wine.  For once his harem was nowhere around. “Papa, may I speak with you?”  He had asked, hands behind his back and waiting patiently.

“Ah, Phil, come join me.”  Secondo gestured to the couch.  “Would you like a glass of wine?  It’s nothing compared to the vineyard at the Ministry but alas we must make do.” 

Phil shook his head.  “Grazie Papa, but no, I’m fine.”

Secondo raised a dark brow.  “You seem troubled Phil…what is it?”  He closed the comic and placed it on the side table. 

Phil sighed.   “I discovered something today and I want to help if I can…if we can I should say.”  He said. 

“Vai avanti.”  Secondo gestured for him to proceed; his interest piqued. 

“The woman from Plug and Play…”  He started.

“Ah, si…la bella dea.”  Secondo made a chefs kiss gesture. 

Phil shook his silver masked head.  “Yes, that’s the one.” 

He paused for a moment and then proceeded to tell the Papa exactly what he’d witnessed.  Secondo’s face had turned a shade of red that Phil didn’t know could exist in nature.  A vein started pounding on the side of his shaved head.  Finally Phil detailed the conversation with Stevie and as he watched he saw the white of Secondo’s infernal eye distinctly start glowing. 

“Quegli idioti fottuti non sanno cosa hanno!”  The Papa looked dangerously close to exploding, his voice vibrated in the enclosed space of the tour bus like a growling echo.

Phil nodded.  “I’ve come up with a solution to help her.”  He said in a far calmer voice.

“We kill the fucker.”  The Papa cut him off.  “Si, this is a good plan.”  Secondo grabbed his wine glass and downed its contents in one go.  “I will help.”

While the ghoul wouldn’t normally mind such a thing this would cause more issues and draw unwanted attention.  Also, it was too quick.  He really wanted them to see her succeed and be appreciated.  That would be the best revenge.  “Actually, I had a different idea.”

“Oh...” Secondo looked disappointed.  “What is your idea then fratello?”

Phil was glad he was still listening and not grabbing a sword from the small collection he always brought on tour.  The ghoul had always been nervous about that quirk of the Papa’s. 

“I want to offer her a job with the ministry and the project.  Make her be the go-to for information on the band, the face of the socials etc. when it isn’t you.  Let her be our press guru…don’t hide her away, let her do what she’s good at but for us.”  Phil sent a quick prayer to the dark lord that Secondo would see this was a great idea.  Or at least his lustful soul would.

The Papa had smoothed his fingers over his mustache and hummed thoughtfully.  “Hmm.  I like this idea.  She deserves to be appreciated.  And she would be with us...”

Phil’s tail flicked nervously as he saw the lustful gears working in the Papa’s head.  He felt a stab quickly of jealousy and batted it away.  That wasn’t what this was about…no no…he…he wasn’t in competition with Papa for this woman.  He’d lose anyway, wouldn’t he?  The tall, handsome, broad-shouldered head of the clergy vs. the demon who was on the shorter side that was in fact a demon and not human and whose face she’d never seen.  Sure, who would the woman run to?  Phil tried and failed to ignore the sinking feeling in his chest. 

“Si, lets do it.  Offer her the job.”  Secondo slapped his gloved hand on the couch’s arm rest emphasizing his decision. 

Phil let out a relived sigh.  “Thank you Papa.  I’ll invite her backstage to the concert tonight.”  The ghoul stood to leave but Secondo’s voice stopped him.

“Phil…do you…have another interest in this bella donna?”  The Papa’s voice was a mix of teasing and curious as he raised a dark eye brow. 

The ghoul stiffened, his tail whipping nervously and he couldn’t stop it.  “What…what do you mean Papa?”

“You know what I mean.”  Secondo pursed his lips and then gave a rather diabolical grin.  “I give you tonight to make a move fratello and if you don’t…I will, si?”

Phil’s green eyes widened in his mask.  What did he say to that?  Rather than having spoken a response he simply gave a nod and headed out of the tour bus.

And now here he was standing next to the bella donna in question and realizing…he really did want to make a move apparently and had no idea how he was supposed to do that AND offer her a job…while not getting into the whole 9 levels of hell that was human resource violations.  From somewhere in the back of his mind a voice said “well, you aren’t human…so those don’t apply.”  Phil sighed. 

“Do you ever take it off?”  Stevie asked him.

Phil realized he’d dazed out for a second.  “Take it off?”  he asked.

“The mask, is it like a Mandalorian thing or just for while you are working?”  She smiled at him, trying to see if she could see more than just his eyes and failing.

Had she really just made a Star Wars reference?  Oh…his tail was really trying to pull free from the belt holding it in place against his back.  It was really liking her at the moment.  “Uh…it’s complicated.”  He replied finally.  “But we do take them off…we don’t wear them all the time.”

“Ah, okay.”  Stevie wasn’t going to push it.  Artists had their own sorts of rules, and she wasn’t going to push him.  But the curiosity was eating her alive.  “I…I did want to thank the band for the invite to this.”  She paused, not sure who had sent it.  “I mean, as crazy as it sounds, I’ve not been backstage like this before.”

Phil smiled at the fact this was a treat for her.   Then realized why it was a rare thing, and he frowned, of course she couldn’t see that.  “Well…I’m happy you accepted.”  He said giving a slight bow.  “You did great work today and I feel you deserve a peek…behind the mask…so to speak.”  Oh, stop this you idiot.  You’ve been around long enough you should be better at this. 

Her grey eyes widened a little.  “Oh you pulled this hat trick off?”  She asked him surprised.

He was blushing and she couldn’t see that either…thank the dark lord.  “I guess you could say being the “special ghoul” has privileges.”  He winced internally.  Phil…you are not a young ghoul.  It may have been a while since you’ve swam in the relationship pool…but Satan’s balls you can’t strike out here.  Secondo would not strike out.  He couldn’t remember a time the triple B had ever failed in that pursuit.

Stevie grinned.  “I mean, it’s in the title.”  She said and took another drink of her soda.  “Do you ever get to play on stage?”  She asked.

Phil was surprised by the question.  No one had asked him that before.  “It’s been a while, but back in the early days I did a few things.” 

She cocked a brow.  “What sort of things?  Did you sing?  Guitar?” 

His tail was going insane, and he was thankful he’d made a point it was strapped down as well as it was.  Phil glanced away, taking a breath to calm his nerves.  It had been a while since he’d talked about this sort of thing.  He didn’t want to admit how much he missed being on stage with his fellow ghouls.  “Back up singing, guitar, even got to play a pipe organ once.”  He said wistfully but with a bit of pride.  He missed it truly, but his path of service had led him to a different path. 

“A pipe organ?”  Stevie’s eyes widened.  “How very Phantom of the Opera.  What was that like?” 

Thank Satan for the mask.  He was sure he was blushing furiously now.  “Intimidating.  But…I’m a quick study.”  He stood up a little straighter as he saw in her gaze a look of being intrigued and…dare he think…interest?  “But enough about me.  Would you like a quick tour before the show starts?”

Stevie quickly drank the last of her soda.  All she’d need is to trip carrying it and causing herself to be electrocuted next to a sound set up.  The equipment was her biggest concern.  “I’d love it.”  She said tossing the can into the recycle.

Phil gestured toward the door, noticing the two of Secondo’s harem watching their interaction.  He heard them mumble something under their breaths in Italian.  He caught something along the lines of “What the fuck is she doing here?” and “When did they start letting farm animals come in the backstage?”  The Ghoul turned as soon as Stevie was out the door and let his demonic side out for a moment.  Green eyes blazing in unholy light, he hissed at the two of them, causing both women to let out tiny shrieks of fear and surprise.  They clutched each other on the couch trembling. 

Well…he still had it in some areas it seemed.  With a final low growl of warning, he shut the door.  He found Stevie looking around enraptured by the simple amount of activity and things happening around them.  She turned back to him at his approach.  “Everything okay?”  She asked him.

Phil straightened the cuffs of his jacket.  “Yes, quite alright.  Come along and I’ll show you around.  No wandering off though, it’s easy to get lost back here.”  He offered her his arm and she took it.  Phil could feel the warmth of her through the satin of his jacket.  And this close he could smell the perfume she was wearing, something spicy and sweet. 

He couldn’t be distracted; he needed to focus on making a good impression so she said yes to the offer.  The job offer.  That was the important thing…not…not the fact he was he wanted to rip his mask off and shove his face into the exposed skin of her neck and shoulder and…Dark Lord give him strength.  He needed to not fuck this up.  For various reasons. 

They walked past some of the other ghouls who made some interesting gestures when Stevie wasn’t looking.  Phil made a very specific gesture back at them, also when she wasn’t looking to get them to screw off and leave him alone.  Phil pointed out some interesting points, especially when they got to the guitars which Stevie was cooing over. 

“Oh my god these are beautiful.”  She said, staring but afraid to touch them. 

“We’ve got quite a variety for the band ghouls.”  He said, a teeny bit of envy crawling down his spine as he looked at them. 

She turned with bright eyes at him.  “Do you still play?”  She asked him.

Phil glanced at the beautiful purple and black axe that was laying in repose in a velvet lined case.  His fingers itched for a moment.  “Not…not regularly.  And not on stage anymore.”  He said, voice wistful. 

Stevie could hear it in his tone, he missed being a part of the music.  Maybe not necessarily the band but she could tell in one way he was like her.  He wasn’t allowed to be on stage in a way.  And she knew the sting of that.  She turned back to him with a soft smile.  “I’d love to hear you play sometime.  I mean, if you strum the strings a certain way does a band of demons show up to play along?”

Phil’s head whipped up quickly to her.  She was joking of course…at least partially but he could scent out a lie just like any good ghoul could.  She wasn’t lying.  She actually wanted to hear him play.  “Uh…certainly.  I mean…” 

Stevie realized then she’d probably never see the guy again after tonight.  They’d be heading off on the rest of the tour.  And what was she even thinking?  What kind of line was that…did she mean it to be a line?  Asking to hear a guy play guitar sometime.  Christ, she really wasn’t trying to flirt with him because that just didn’t happen with her.  Stop embarrassing yourself Morton… “I’m sorry, I forgot you all will be gone tomorrow.  Rain check for the next time you’re in town maybe.”  She said, glancing away, cheeks warming.  Now she was blushing like an idiot.

Phil’s lips parted in surprise.  The scent of emotions on the chilled air had changed.  His nose picked up the essence of doubt, embarrassment, and…dare he hope…was that…smitten?  He nearly tripped over a cable.  No, no…he needed to keep this going.  Dark Lord he hadn’t expected to have this be happening so…easily? 

The ghoul realized though that this was not so easy.  Stevie had no idea what he and the rest of the ghouls were.  She didn’t know the reality of the Ministry either and that would all have to be explained when he offered her the position.  It would have to be explained if he tried to ask her out.  She hadn’t even seen his face and when she did it would be fairly obvious, he wasn’t human.  And what then?  If she ran away screaming and everything fell apart? 

He couldn’t wear the mask forever.  If he wanted an actual relationship with this woman who had him making deals with Papa and wanting to save her from the dipshits who were using her, he needed to be honest.  He didn’t want to hide what he was; he wanted to show her who he was and guide her through a world where magic was real…music was the heart of it…and the dark could be beautiful.  He wanted her to become part of the project where she’d be accepted (he’d have a talk with Secondo regarding his harem’s treatment of her) and he knew…if she gave it a shot…she’d be happy.

Phil felt the doubt trying to take over.  Maybe he should let Secondo do this…at least the Papa was human.  Mostly he supposed.  The Emeritus line had a touch of the devil in them and always had.  But other than the infernal eye they were for all intents and purposes human.  Phil didn’t know how he’d react if she was terrified of him.  Probably curling up in a ball and crying would be the most likely outcome.  But he needed to try.  She was worth trying for. 

As they’d been walking in silence for a couple of minutes, Phil didn’t notice he’d walked right by her as she stared into a sectioned off area.   He quickly came back to her side.  “Ah, you’ve found the wardrobe area.”  He said.

There were masks here like his own on tables and the ghoulettes masks as well.  Secondo’s robes and headgear, suits for all the band and additional designs hung around them. 

“This is beautiful.”  Stevie sighed.  The work on the costumes and designs was lovely.  The green and black silks, the shiny black suits all caught her eye.  The masks were gleaming under the lights, nearly mirror like in their shine. 

Phil smiled at her expression.  He pushed the curtain aside further and gestured inside.  “Come with me, I’ll show you around.”  He said. 

She was hesitant to touch anything he noticed, her fingers reaching out to run along one of Secondo’s more elaborate robes then stopping.  “Here, like this.”  Phil came to her side and took hold of her hand, lightly placing it against the silken layers and the crystals embroidered there.  His gloved fingers rested above hers.  He managed to speak again while trying not to stutter.  Her hand was so warm.  “You can touch them.  They’re made to live through the performances, so they are hardier than they look.”

Stevie nodded, her mouth suddenly dry.  She hadn’t noticed before how she could feel a coolness, almost a chill from his hand where it touched her, even through his glove.  No wonder he was wearing them.  But even with the cold she found herself growing a little flushed.  Oh don’t do something stupid…she thought to herself.  “The work on these is amazing.”  She said slightly breathless.

“To keep the attention of the public sometimes it requires a bit of flash.”  Phil reluctantly removed his hand from hers, moving to another rack of costumes.  “It just so happens we have a current Papa who wants to make sure the world appreciates his style.”  He gestured towards yet another set of robes in green and black encrusted with giant green stones making up the grucifix designs along it. 

Stevie laughed suddenly.  “You mean like the music video with the uh…flash?” 

Phil shook his head sighing.  “That was…a choice.”  Secondo and his exhibitionist side on full display for the world.  Of course she’d seen it. 

Stevie moved over to the table with the ghoul masks.  Phil followed her, picking up one of the ghoulette versions.  He glanced at her through his own mask, green eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.  “Did you want to try one on?”

“Am I that obvious?”  She asked him chewing her lower lip as her gaze looked at the distorted image of herself reflected in the chrome mask.

“I wouldn’t say obvious.  Maybe excited?”  The ghoul replied.  Very gently he lowered the mask over her hair.  She’d closed her eyes as he’d done so.  “Ah, there we go.”  He said and at the words her eyes opened.  Phil felt his chest tighten for a moment as he saw her pale gaze looking out from the chrome mask.  Oh…she’d make a lovely ghoul…

Stevie felt the soft lining of the mask against her skin, the chrome like metal surprisingly light.  The scent of incense seemed to be embedded within the velvety material.  “How does it look?”  She asked him, glancing around for a mirror. 

Phil took her hand and led her to a corner.  “You tell me.”  He said, gesturing to a full-length mirror. 

She looked at herself in the glass.  The mask might have been a little large, but it looked neat as hell.  Not seeing her own chubby cheeked face looking back at her was a welcome change.  The mask…  She supposed the one she wore was a 20 something goth waif.  She looked at her wide hips, the rest of her body that didn’t fit what was considered attractive and behind the chrome she sighed.  “Too bad you don’t have a full body suit.”  She muttered to herself. 

The ghoul caught the scent of her spiral, like choking smoke and burning leaves.  He heard the whisper of her words, and he felt the ripple of anger rush through him at her bosses and anyone else who had made her feel like this about herself.  His fingers flexed in his gloves, and he had to resist a sudden urge to just…hug her.

She glanced up at him.  “It’s beautiful Phil.  Really, everything is out of a dark fairy tale.”

It shook him back to himself.  “Our designers will be glad to hear that.”  He told her.  “Here, let me help take that off, we’re getting near showtime.” 

Stevie lowered her head a little bit and the ghoul carefully pulled the mask off.  He placed it back on the table and turned back to her.  Before he could stop himself, he gently brushed a lock of her hair back from her forehead where it had fallen.  “Pardon me…”  He muttered, pulling his hand back like it had been scalded.  He needed to control these overly familiar urges until…well…he just needed to. 

She tried not to blush again, but it was really difficult when he was doing things like that.  She wasn’t used to any of this.  And she refused to let her thoughts lead her to some insane notion that he was actually interested in her.  That didn’t happen, not to her.  Not with the dapper guy in the silver mask with the longer fingers wrapped in black leather and eyes that looked like they were made out of the greenest leaves ever.  Oh Christ Stevie…what is wrong with you?  Honestly…what the hell?

Phil glanced over into a box that was sitting nearby.  He reached in and pulled out something.  “Here…a memento for going behind the curtain.” 

The ghoul took her hand and placed in it an embroidered and bejeweled patch that matched the one on his suit jacket.  The grucifix design was intricate and stunning.  “Oh…Phil, I can’t…”  She said, shaking her head.

He closed her fingers over it.  “Yes, you can.  Special Ghoul has special privileges, remember?”  he said grinning though she couldn’t see it. 

Stevie found herself chewing her lip again.  Her lipstick was going to be gone in no time if it wasn’t already.  “Thank you Phil.”  Her voice was soft and after one more glance at the patch she placed it into her bag. 

“Prego cara.”  He replied, voice equally soft and slipping into Italian without realizing it.  She glanced up at him with a curious expression on her face and he realized what he’d said.  Oh.  He needed to be careful.  Maybe.  Maybe just to hell with it, that’s what Secondo would say. 

Suddenly Phil’s head turned, and he looked up.  “Oh, the show is going to start soon.” 

Stevie looked at him strangely.  She hadn’t heard anything announcement, but maybe he just knew from experience.

The ghoul offered her his arm once again.  “Come along, you’ll have the best seat in the house.”  He said and led her out into the wide hallway that led to the stage. 

The band ghouls were already near the stage entrance, a couple already wearing their instruments.  Stevie could hear the crowd, and it sounded massive even over the speakers playing loud metal overhead. 

The ghouls glanced at Phil and noticed immediately he had the woman’s arm locked in with his own.  One of the taller ones with a bass nearby him caught Phil’s eye and immediately formed a heart with his fingers, batting his eyelashes under his mask.  Phil made a throat cutting gesture at him, hidden from view of Stevie.  The bigger ghoul laughed. 

That was when Papa Secondo emerged flanked by two ghoulettes who were helping him ensure his miter and robes didn’t get caught on anything. 

Secondo’s harem was with him of course.  Before they got near to the ghouls and Stevie though, he appeared to dismiss them with a pat to the backside for all three.  “Dolce amores, off with you.  Papa must perform without such distractions.”  

The imposing figure of Secondo was made more so with the height added by his mitre.  One of the ghouls took the staff he was carrying so he could ensure his robes were in order.  He glanced over and saw Stevie and Phil and immediately he smiled, which was unnerving with the skull painted on his face.  “Ah!  Bella!  You are here to see Papa rock the pants off everyone here?”

Stevie couldn’t help it she grinned.  He was unashamedly cocksure and overt in everything he did.  “I am indeed Papa.”  She replied.

He quickly came over and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips and brushing them against her knuckles, glancing quickly over to Phil who was standing as stiff as a board.  “Bene, bene.  I shall make this performance extra special for you cara.  Perhaps you will…lose your pants.”  

Phil let out a small growl and quickly interjected.  “No one will be losing their pants…”. 

Stevie was still laughing and noticed the Papa was still not letting her hand go.  “Well…the pants will be staying on Papa it sounds like, but I look forward to the rocking.”  

Secondo had heard the growl, and he could tell that his attentions to the lovely woman were rankling the ghoul.  Good, he needed to be rankled.  She was worthy of jealousy, of being fought over if needed.  Secondo was not cruel, but if Phil wanted such a woman, he needed to earn her.  He needed to realize if he felt truthfully this desire.  This was as much for her sake as for the ghouls.  The Papa would not allow her to be hurt by anyone, that included a ghoul who could become fickle.  And Secondo was more than willing to give attention to the principessa who was as charming as he remembered and who stirred more than a little interest in himself.

“Grazie cara.  I promise to rock you…like a hurricane.”  He winked at her placing one more kiss on her pale knuckles, leaving behind two black lip prints.  He turned then, taking his staff from the ghoul.  He quickly spoke in Italian to the band ghouls, and they moved to an area away where they gathered in a circle for their pre-ritual ritual of prayer to the dark lord for a good show.

Phil stayed near Stevie, trying not to give in to the urge to throttle his Papa.  Firstly, he’d get in trouble with…well…everyone.  But also, he needed to perform tonight, and Phil didn’t want to deal with the riot that would break out if that didn’t happen.  

Stevie was still grinning at the interaction.  “He’s quite the character.”  She said, turning to Phil.

“That’s…one word.”  He replied, noticing the lip prints on her hand.  He held back another growl and then pulled the handkerchief from his breast pocket.  “Here, he…left some of his face behind.”

Stevie glanced down.  “Oh, he did.  Thank you.”  She wiped away the kiss prints and handed the silky cloth back to Phil.  

“Prego.”  He replied, putting it back in his pocket.  “They will be heading on stage soon, come with me and I’ll take you to your seat for the show.”

Phil led Stevie to an area just on the other side of the curtain where there were some seats waiting.  Secondo’s trio were sitting in the back row of the six total chairs.  Phil gestured to Stevie to take her seat and he settled next to her.  From the angle they had they could see the stage slightly off to the side and part of the audience.  The crowd were excited and then the lights went off and hell broke loose to rock the beaming faces of the fans to their souls.  

Stevie was in awe of what she was seeing.  The music was amazing and felt like a living thing in her chest.  Secondo knew how to play a crowd.  He was sinister, seductive, and a showman.  

Phil watched the ritual, not even sure how many he’d been witness to in his time.  He glanced over at this guest and raised a brow behind his mask.  She was mouthing along with the lyrics, eyes shining in the limited backstage light.  Stevie was rocking back and forth in her chair to the beat and for a moment he was concerned she’d slip.  He leaned down, having to speak a little loudly.  “Enjoying the show?”  

Stevie turned in surprise, finding his mask very near to her ear.  “This is freaking fantastic!”  She grinned, eyes wide and gleaming with happiness.  She’d forgotten the bullshit from earlier in the day, the depression spiral left behind for now.  She was focusing on the performance and just letting herself enjoy it.  “Thank you so much for inviting me!”  She never did have very good control of what she called her squee level.  This was a 10 for sure.  Secondo had an amazing voice on top of it all and the ghouls were maestros with their instruments and voices as well.   She’d have kicked her own ass if she’d skipped this like an idiot.  

She reached over and gave the ghoul’s arm a squeeze.  “Really, thank you.  I…didn’t know how much I needed to just have fun.”  She said, leaning close to his ear.  

Phil felt a shudder rundown his spine directly to the end of his tail.  Her fingers on his wrist, her warm breath against his ear and her equally warm voice was making his thoughts not appropriate for public. 

Ghouls were very much physical affection creatures.  Phil hated to admit it, but it came from being considered pets to so many of the infernal kingdom’s inhabitants.  Millenia spent finding solace in packs, being used for pleasures by those that summoned them, the frequent worship orgies that would break out and the ghouls would be asked or required to join.  This added up to within his demonic DNA there being a lot of need to touch and be touched. 

He’d tamped this down over the years with a lot of concentration and focus.  It had been…a long time…since he’d had a relationship with anyone, ghoul or human.  And right then, this innocent gesture was breaking down every carefully constructed control he had within himself.

“You’re welcome, Stevie.”  He replied.  Oh Dark Lord, let me have this go well.  Don’t let me fuck this up royally.  Phil settled back into his chair as Stevie turned back to the stage.  He did not though watch the concert.  Instead he watched her watching it, a steady warmth running over his normally cool skin at her excitement and joy. 

When the concert was over after three encores (he was sure Secondo would be bringing that up constantly over the next few days)  Phil stood up and offered a hand to Stevie.  The director chairs while comfortable where not the most stable things in the world. 

“I take it that the concert met all expectations?”  He asked her.

“I would say for certain it did.  Again, I can’t thank you enough.  I can’t believe I was going to just…not go.”  Stevie’s eyes fell to the scarred black floor of the backstage.  The magic was going to be over soon, and she’d have to go home from the ball.

Phil looked at her strangely.  “Why would you not want to attend?”  He asked as he led her back towards the green room. 

She shook her head.  “It had been a long day and…well…typical depression spiral stuff I guess you’d say.” 

Phil detected an opening.  He had a feeling he knew what the depression spiral was from.  They arrived at the green room, and he was happy to see it was empty.  The band ghouls would be heading to their hotel rooms for the night and Secondo would be going to his suite after getting his paints and wardrobe changed.  They actually had a day off tomorrow as the buses needed to be tuned up so Phil had no doubt that Secondo’s suite would be party central in a couple of hours. 

“Would you like a drink?”  He asked her, “I figured your throat might be a little parched after all that whooping.” 

Stevie nodded laughing.  She had no doubt she’d have a hard time talking tomorrow.  “Coke Zero is fine.”  She replied, “Thank you.”  She flopped down on the couch.  Looking around she realized she hadn’t been alone with her host ghoul this entire time really.  It was ear ringingly quiet now with the concert over and so many people off taking down equipment or recuperating from the performance. 

Phil walked back over and handed her a cold can of soda, his own opened with a straw sticking out of it for ease of drinking in the mask.  He sat down a respectable distance away though he felt that internal need growing to be closer.  He gripped the can in his hand tightly as a thought of nuzzling her neck entered his head and he quickly punted it away.  Apparently this attraction was awakening all of those instincts he’d buried down to do his job properly over the last few decades…and they wanted to make up for lost time.

“It’s amazing that your crew is able to tear all of this down so fast.”  Stevie commented as she glanced over at Phil.  He seemed..tense?  Even if she couldn’t see his face his body seemed coiled suddenly.

“They’re fantastic at what they do.”  He worked the straw under his mask and took a welcome swig of Mello Yello.  “We’re lucky that we have tomorrow off while the tour buses are getting checked out…so it’s not the normal chaos of packing up and then driving out the same night.” 

Stevie looked surprised.  “Oh, so you all are sticking around here tomorrow?” 

Phil hoped he wasn’t imagining the tone of being pleased in her voice.  He swiveled himself to face her on the couch.  “The city is not free of us yet…and Satan help us Secondo has a suite.”  He told her.  She laughed and Phil was quickly finding that a favorite sound.  He’d heard laugher many times during his many years existing  and probably even more screams.  But Stevie’s laughter was genuine, pure, and as warm as she was. 

What no one outside of the Ministry knew was that ghouls were inherently cold.  They were cool to the touch and their bodies were simply cold-blooded.  Phil didn’t care for the way some of the clergy described it as being like a lizard…even if he did have some scales here and there.  Hell was a warm place.  It wasn’t a secret.  So ghouls taken out of that environment had to deal with the fact they were no longer in that climate.  They felt cold or chilly to many, hence the gloves and typically wearing long sleeves and jackets.  Why would they want to be warm blooded when they lived in hell? 

This was also tied to that desire for physical contact so many had.  Body heat, warmth, ghoul piles, dark lord help him, snuggling and cuddling.  Ghouls were attracted to the warmth, and he was very much a ghoul.  And right now he was having a hard time fighting the urge.     

“I do have to admit I had an ulterior motive for inviting you to the show.”  He said carefully.  He noticed immediately when her eyes widened.  “I wanted to ask you something.”

Stevie was glad she’d swallowed her sip of Coke, so she wasn’t choking at the way his voice managed to drop an octave to deliver that bit of news.  “Oh…uhm…okay?”  She placed her can on the table and turned to face him as he had done for her. 

The scent of nervousness mixed with excitement and curiosity was suddenly flooding his senses.  And he thought he caught the faint deliciousness of a sudden…arousal?  Control yourself Phil…don’t you dare scare her off. 

“I wanted to offer you a job.”  He said carefully.  “I’ve spoken with Secondo, and he agrees it would be a good fit for you and…us.”  His green eyes watched her expressions carefully. 

Stevie was shocked.  This was not what she had expected at all when she’d come to the show.  If anything she was readying herself to go back to the real world after tonight.  But here was her masked host offering her a chance to stay in Wonderland.  “I…wow…uh…what, what job?  I mean…I have a job already, but you know that.”  Oh god why are you being an idiot.

Phil nodded.  The nerves were becoming more prominent.  “Yes, I do know that.”  He placed his can on the table next to hers.  “And that’s partly what motivated this.”  Carefully he moved a scoot closer to her.  “They aren’t treating you well Stevie.  I saw this.  You told me all I needed to hear.”  He glanced away for a moment, seeing in her eyes a sort of embarrassment at the truth.  He didn’t want to make her feel bad, just the opposite.  “And in all honesty, you deserve far better than them.” 

He turned back to her.  “I want you to be the face of our press.  I want you to talk when it isn’t Secondo or one of the band.  I want you to be the other face of Ghost.  You pick who gets to talk to who…you are in control.”   Phil watched the surprise fill her eyes, her expression.  For a moment he thought he heard her heart start thundering in her chest. 

Stevie let his words sink in to her brain and she was speechless.  What he was offering was massive.  It was everything she’d ever wanted and more.  But in the back of her mind she could just see three letters.  WHY.  She took a breath, glancing down at the cushions and then back up to him.  “But…I…why?”  She finally asked him, and the words were as fragile as glass.

Phil swallowed at the sudden feeling that slipped like a needle into his chest.  His fingers gripped the back of the couch where he’d rested his arm to keep from trying to pull her into a hug.  Not appropriate right now…no…that’s a no…no hugging. 

But his other hand reached out on instinct.  He stopped it before he could caress her cheek though he wanted to so badly.  His voice was softer when he answered her.  “Because you should be seen Stevie.” 

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Mini Countryman X-Raid Concept, 2025, by Delta4x4 and X-Raid. Off-road specialists Delta4x4 and the Dakar-winning team X-Raid have created a Dakar-style package for Mini's compact SUV. Modifications include front and rear fender extensions adding 200 mm of width, extra LEDs on the grille and roof, a bull-bar and 18-inch Delta4x4 Hanma alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres. The concept is based on the full electric Countryman but the package should be suitable for all versions.

[valuedeversourcecustomer]

inventing a new type of guy who has a shazamed playlist called "boys night" containing nothing but the royalty free instrumental rock music from truck/brewery/hardware store ads. he puts it on in his 2013 suburu forester and says "hell yeah brothers" but everyone asks him to "turn that shit off". begrudgingly, he passes the aux only to be inundated with 40 of the same sounding country songs with trap hi-hats on their road trip to see every bar with a foosball table in the tri-county area before they're all removed because of the state legislature that passed that accidentally banned them, and the subsequent inaction of their local politicians in the reversal of it. through the haze of the black market cereal milk flavored vape cloud the passengers have hotboxed his compact suv with (without asking), he doesn't know which is more difficult, the realization that these might not be his friends, or being able to see the road in front of him. "if I'm going to be living in a state with no foosball, i at the very least deserve to be surrounded by people who can tolerate hearing the song from the home depot and sam adams commercials and maybe even the one from that one tv spot for pizzeria uno" he thinks to himself, now struggling to see the speedometer in front of him and yet, not slowing down. he drives perfectly, gliding like astral travel. he makes it soundly to his destination. everyone is delighted by between 2 and 5 guys spinning in unison on 8 soccer kebabs for the last time.

[awning270awning]

270 awning | 270 degree awning | batwing awning | truck awning

Why a 270 Awning Is the Ultimate Truck Awning for Outdoor Enthusiasts

If you’re an overlanding enthusiast or simply someone who loves spontaneous road trips, investing in the right gear can make or break your outdoor experience. Among the must-have accessories for your rig, a high-quality awning tops the list. And when it comes to coverage, convenience, and rugged versatility, the 270 awning — also known as the 270 degree awning or batwing awning — stands out as a game-changer in the world of truck awnings.

What Is a 270 Awning?

A 270 awning is a wraparound style awning that provides up to 270 degrees of shade and shelter around your vehicle. Unlike traditional straight pull-out awnings, this design swings out in an arc from the side and rear of your vehicle, covering a much larger area. Whether you’re cooking, relaxing, or setting up camp, a 270 degree awning offers protection from the elements without needing extra poles or complex setups.

270 awning

270 degree awning

Why Choose a Batwing Awning?

The term batwing awning is often used interchangeably with 270 awning. It gets its name from the unique wing-like shape that unfolds around the vehicle. Here’s why a batwing awning is a top pick for adventurers:

Quick Setup: Most 270 awnings can be deployed by one person in under a minute.

Massive Coverage: Enjoy up to 129 square feet of shelter — perfect for large groups or gear-heavy camps.

Built for the Elements: Made with heavy-duty materials that withstand wind, rain, and UV rays.

Freestanding or Pole-Supported: Depending on your setup, some models can stand without poles, making them ideal for quick stops or compact spaces.

batwing awning

The Ideal Truck Awning for Overlanders

When it comes to finding the best truck awning, compatibility is key. Most 270 awnings are designed to mount on roof racks or roof bars, making them a natural fit for trucks, SUVs, vans, and 4x4s. A truck-mounted awning turns your vehicle into a mobile basecamp, ready for any environment — from sandy deserts to mountain forests.

Benefits for truck owners:

Integrated Storage: The awning folds into a compact, weatherproof case that stays mounted on your roof.

Increased Functionality: Add-ons like walls, mosquito nets, and LED lighting expand your outdoor living space.

Ultimate Mobility: Wherever your truck can go, your shelter goes too.

truck awning

Choosing the Right 270 Awning for Your Needs

Not all 270 awnings are created equal. Here are a few things to consider before buying:

Material Quality – Look for ripstop canvas or reinforced polyester for durability.

Mounting Compatibility – Ensure your vehicle’s roof rack can support the weight and mounting system.

Left vs Right Swing – Depending on how you camp or cook, the swing direction can matter.

Extras – Some models come with integrated walls, windbreaks, or even solar panels.

Popular Brands:Leading brands in this space include Rhino-Rack, Darche, 23ZERO, and Oztent, each offering different features tailored to off-grid explorers.

Final Thoughts

Whether you call it a 270 awning, a batwing awning, or simply your truck’s best camping upgrade, this versatile shelter solution is a must-have for outdoor adventurers. With unmatched coverage, durability, and ease of use, it’s no wonder why more overlanders are opting for this style of truck awning. So next time you head off the beaten path, let your awning unfold and enjoy the great outdoors like never before.

contact us

OPENROAD INDUSTRIAL INC https://openroad4wd.com/ Address:188 MONTAGUE ST STE 404,BROOKLYN, NY, 11201, USA Customer Service: info@openroad4wd.com

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[hiteshrivani]

Renting a Car: Tips for a Smooth Experience

Renting a car can be a convenient solution when traveling, replacing a vehicle temporarily, or simply trying out a new ride. But without preparation, it can also come with unexpected costs, confusion over policies, and unnecessary stress. Knowing what to expect and what to check can save you time and money.

Start by choosing a rental company with a good reputation. Compare prices online, but also check what’s included. A cheaper daily rate might not be worth it if the company charges extra for insurance, mileage, or roadside assistance. Always read the fine print before booking.

When selecting a vehicle, consider your needs—fuel efficiency, space, and terrain are key factors. If you're driving in a city, a compact car might be ideal. For road trips or group travel, an SUV or minivan might make more sense. Reserve early, especially during holidays or weekends.

Insurance is one of the most misunderstood parts of renting. The rental company will likely offer their own coverage, but your personal car insurance or credit card might already include protection. Contact your provider before you rent so you don’t pay for duplicate coverage.

At pickup, inspect the vehicle carefully. Check for dents, scratches, and interior damage. Take pictures and have any existing issues documented before leaving the lot. This can protect you from being blamed—and charged—for damage you didn’t cause.

Make sure you understand the fuel policy. Some companies require you to return the car with a full tank, while others charge you to refuel at a premium rate. Also, check for mileage limits and whether there's an extra fee for additional drivers.

When returning the car, allow extra time to re-inspect it with a staff member. Keep your fuel receipt and take photos of the car's condition and odometer. If you're returning after hours, follow the company’s drop-off instructions exactly.

Renting a car doesn’t have to be stressful. A little research and attention to detail go a long way in ensuring a smooth experience. For more travel driving tips and rental car advice, check out licenseprep.ca.

Tags: #CarRentalTips #DrivingAdvice #RentalCarChecklist #TravelTips #licenseprep #SmartDriving #VehicleRental

[blurban-form]

Pushback on American-style large pickup trucks in Australia

The topic of how the vehicles have progressively grown on “Bluey” is something I’ve noticed and commented on a few times. Vehicles in early Bluey episodes were uniformly compact…

But we started seeing more examples of larger vehicles in later episodes. Rad’s oversized pickup truck is an example of this.

In real-life Australia, there’s now pushback on the profusion of these large vehicles for safety and environmental reasons; measures are being proposed to restrict their import into Australia, and increase taxes on those on the roads there.

It will be interesting to see if this gains traction, or is dismissed as unrealistic eco-extremist thinking in the short term.

Some cities on North America are also talking about similar ideas, like increasing taxes on vehicles that take up more space or banning the advertising of large trucks and SUVs. I think we’re still some time away from banning large vehicles (pushback from manufacturers would be strong, and it would be politically divisive) but who knows what will happen in the next decade… change is accelerating WRT transportation and it would just take a couple of cities to take this on…

[snaillamp]

Sicktember - day 3

3. "What happened to your phenomenal immune system, huh?”

Leader sniffed slightly, wiping their nose. Right-hand shot them a look as they peered through their binoculars at the chemical plant. “How silent of you…” They teased, only for Leader to shoot them an equally dirty look back. They put their hand to their lips, gesturing with their eyes at the plant, before returning to watch it.

Both of them were lying on their stomachs, peeking through a rather thorny bush at a chemical plant rumoured to be manufacturing illegal substances, substances that could cause havoc if released into the general population. It was imperative that they were not caught. However, the night was cold, and the compacted dirt had been warm when they arrived, just after sundown, but had now become freezing.

‘Guess that’s the desert…’ Thought Right-hand as they glanced at Leader. They looked a bit pale, that was probably the moonlight washing them out, but something was off in their eyes, they weren’t looking as sharp as usual.

After a couple more minutes of watching the plant, the two of them decided to leave, making their way to the pickup point. Soon they were far enough away from the plant to be able to walk, Right-hand picked up their pace as Leader tagged along behind.

“You sure you’re okay?” Right-hand asked, wiping some dust from their front. All it did was smear the mark further into the fibers of the fabric. “Hmm?” Leader looked up, sniffing again. “What? Yeah, no, I-I’m fine, just tired and cold.” Right-hand frowned, walking up to Leader and wrapping their arms around their shoulders, pulling them closer to their own body heat. Leader felt pretty warm already, maybe slightly too warm as they leaned into their friend.

“Are you sick?” Right-hand asked, looking at Leader. Leader blinked, looking up at them in surprise. “What? No, like i said, just tired. It’s been a long, boring, cold night so…” They smiled at Right-hand. “Besides, you know I never get sick, I have a phenomenal immune system.”

They flashed their signature grin, as the two of them wandered over to the rock by the side of the road they were supposed to wait by. Leader sat down on it, wrapping their arm around their stomach and hunching over, trying to keep warm.

“You sure you’re not coming down with something?” Right-hand asked, sitting beside them. Leader nodded, “Yeah. I’m fine. The cold ground just... made me cold.” They sat up straight, trying to look relaxed as they waited for the pickup. In the distance, they could see a pair of lights flick on.

The large, black car pulled up, the door opening quickly. Leader and Right-hand piled in, smiling at the team inside, who clapped them on their backs and cheered. The driver took off down the dusty road, back towards their base, the mission had been a roaring success. Leader and Right-hand sank down into the leather seats at the back of the SUV, speaking in hushed tones to a guy with a laptop, sharing everything they had seen.

“It looked like a shipment of chemicals came in at 22:4-” Leader was suddenly cut off by a small hiccup. They blinked in surprise, looking at Right-hand who melted. “Aww, did you hiccup?” They teased, “I had no idea your hiccups were so adorablllllllle.” Leader shot them a dirty look going slightly pink. Right-hand was like an annoying older sibling to them, they teased each other relentlessly, and it seemed like Right-hand had just discovered new ammunition.

“It’s not -hic- cute…” Leader grumbled, crossing their arms over their chest and pouting. Leader felt a little self conscious, they had an image to uphold. They couldn’t be Leader, the fearless fighter, skilled tactician and the adorable hiccups… The computer guy smirked, his face illuminated by the screen. “They are pretty cute.” Leader was glad the car was dim, as their cheeks burned with embarrassment.

They sighed, trying to swallow their hiccups as they recounted the rest of the information.

“As I was saying…” They began, glaring at both Right-hand and the computer guy.

“At 22:46, an unmarked, white -hic- van came into the fac -hic- facility.” They scowled at the interruption of their hiccups. “It had -hic- not plates and no identify -hic- identifying marks.” Leader rested their right hand on their stomach a little, noticing that it felt strange. ‘Probably just from lying on the ground in the same position for hours.’ They told themself, but they couldn’t help the feeling creeping in the back of their mind.

Leader got the hiccups every time they got sick, but that never happened. They were healthy, they kept themself to a strict schedule of rest and training, they couldn’t have caught something… Their stomach seemed to say otherwise, as it growled quietly. Right-hand looked at Leader, who looked down at their abdomen. “You hungry?” Computer guy asked, picking up a half eaten burger from a fast food place.

It seemed that the SUV had made a quick pitstop.

The thought of eating something right now made Leader feel slightly woozy. They shook their head, “I’ll have something later. -hic- Anyway, the van was -hic- full of barrels, and they ha -hic- had what appeared to be some kind of war -hic- ning labe -hic- label on them -hic-.” Leader sighed and hiccuped as the computer guy and Right-hand quietly snorted. This was hilarious, at least to them.

All it did was fill Leader with a sinking feeling of dread. ~~ When the SUV pulled up at their destination, everyone clambered out, tired from the long trip. Leader’s hiccups had ceased about an hour before, but now they were beginning to feel jittery. They followed everyone into the debrief room, their head feeling thick. Coughing a little, they felt their throat begin to ache, but they pushed it down and plastered on a serious face as everyone sat down for their debrief in the conference room.

It only lasted 10 minutes, but they were 10 long, agonising minutes. Leader wrapped their arms around their middle and hunched over as everyone began speaking, discussing further plans and strategies., whilst Leader focused on trying to swallow a rising coughing fit.

“What do you think Leader?” One of the people who had been talking asked them, Leader looking up, not realising they had zoned out. “Huh?” Their voice was quiet and hollow sounding as they sat up straighter, looking at the plan doodled on the white board behind the speaker.

They flashed over the plan with their eyes, nodding, the motion making their headache worse. Clearing their throat and trying to sound as normal as possible they spoke. “It’s good. Though I think you need to infiltrate from the west. That way their defence will be looking directly into the setting sun. It’ll give us the advantage-“ They were choked off by a rising cough, harsh and deep. They covered their mouth with their elbow, before clearing their throat again.

“That… that’s actually a really good idea. Thanks, Leader.” Leader nodded again, grimacing as they felt headache knock around in their skull. They gripped the edge of the table they were sitting at, trying to ignore the annoying buzzing coming from the light above their head as they listened. It was all becoming a bit of a blur.

The next thing they knew, everyone was standing and leaving the room. Right-hand inched over tentatively as Leader pushed themself up onto their feet, trying to stop their arms and legs shaking like jelly. The world felt strange, tilting slightly as a cold flush washed down their body.

“Leader? Are you sure you’re okay? You look a bit… pale.” Right-hand chose their words carefully, trying not to suggest the ’s’ word.

They knew Leader would refuse to admit they were sick to Right-hand, even if they were puking their guts up in front of them. They had known Leader long enough to know that they hated being sick. It rarely happened, but when it did, it hit Leader harder than most people. They would jokingly brag about how they never got sick, but Right-hand always got the feeling it was partly to hide their anxiety about it.

Right now, Leader was swaying slightly, staring blankly at the table below them, pressing their fingertips into it. They were still slightly coated in a layer of dust, specks of it dusting their messy hair. Right-hand watched as Leader turned their head slowly, inhaling deeply and looking at them square on. “I’m fine.” They lied. “Just tired.” Right-hand looked skeptical.

“Come on, I’m taking you home.” They wrapped their arm around Leader, guiding them on their shaking legs towards the door. They could tell by the way Leader was tensing their muscles that they were trying to stop their body shaking. Leader leaned into Right-hand a little, sighing, their hot breath tickling Right-hand’s skin... It was very hot breath... It shouldn’t be that hot.

“You are sick!” Right-hand couldn’t stop themself, their accusing tone rising, as they looked at Leader’s glassy eyed stare.

“‘Nnnnuuhh ‘mmm not…” Leader mumbled, taking another step. Their legs fell from under them as they shuddered, sniffing hard. Their nose was clogging up rapidly, and all the sniffing was making it worse. Right-hand steadied them before pulling them close. “Hold on.” They said, trying to keep Leader from pulling away.

Right-hand managed to get Leader to the car, strapping them into the passenger seat and shutting the door. When they got around to the drivers side, Leader was leaning their head against the cold glass of the door window, their breath condensing on it in slowly forming clouds. Their eyes were shut as they sat there, Right-hand unsure if they were even conscious.

Leader jumped when the car rumbled to life, ‘Wait… when did I get in here?’ They thought to themself looking to Right-hand with bleary eyes. Nausea hit them like a wave as they slumped back into the seat, half lidded eyes staring at the road in front of them.

The sun was rising and the sky was slowly turning from back to a dusky blue.

~~

When they got back to the barracks, Leader pushed themself out of the seat and stumbled inside. All they wanted was to shower and sleep.

“Hey!” Right-hand called out.

“What?!” Leader whirled around, stumbling as they became unbalanced. They steadied themself, before glaring at Right-hand. “What…?” They breathed, chest rising and falling rapidly as they tried to catch their breath.

Right-hand shook their head. “Leader… Please, just admit you’re sick and let me help you. For god’s sake, you can’t do this on your own, you can hardly stand!” Leader grimaced, scowling. “I just wanna have a shower and sleep…” Their hollow whispering voice wavered, making Right-hand concerned.

Leader turned and staggered slowly through the door, leaning on the walls to get into the living area. They collapsed on the sofa curling up and hugging their stomach, shaking badly. They couldn’t move, they were so achy and cold. They felt so lightheaded, they could hardly see. A blurry shape appeared in their vision, getting closer and closer. “Leader?” Right-hand’s voice broke through the ringing in their ears that they hadn’t noticed had started.

All Leader could do was softly moan, the nausea overcoming them as the world tilted around them. “I thought you were going to have a shower?” Right-hand prodded their shoulder. Sweat was pouring from Leader’s forehead as they looked up at Right-hand, slowly rolling onto their back. It was more comfortable like that. “Yeah… ‘m jusss… restin’ my eyes for a seconmnnmmmgghhh…”

Leader’s lightheadedness seemed to get worse and they squeezed their eyes shut, their arms squeezing their stomach harder. They gritted their teeth and groaned softly, shuddering as a cold chill overcame them.

“Hhhgnn…” The sound slipped from Leader's lips as they shook, making Right-hand touch their chest, feeling their racing heartbeat.

Leader thought it was nice, feeling something so warm on their body.

Right-hand hummed, picking up Leader and carrying them to their room. Leader was half aware that they had been picked up, weakly mumbling as they tried to twist out of Right-hand’s arms. “Mmm…no… put me down… I can… walk my…myself…” Right-hand held them tighter to their chest, hushing them.

“Shh, sh, sh, shhhh. You need to be in bed.” Leader whined, their chest rising and falling with great effort as they tried to breathe through the waves of nausea, threatening to make them hurl.

~~

Right-hand got Leader to their room, gently laying them out on their bed and removing their shoes. Leader jerked suddenly, feeling their left boot slide off. They turned their head, looking around in confusion. “When did I get in here…?” They glanced at Right-hand, who pulled their right boot off. “Right-hand…? Whaddareyoudoing…? When… when diiii I ge… ngh…” A coughing fit surged up Leader’s throat, making them hack up their lungs violently.

Their head felt funny as they finished coughing, sniffing a drop of snot back up into their nose. Right-hand helped Leader shift under the sheets, Leader not even having the energy to fight anymore as Right-hand lay a blanket over them. They felt cold, making Leader shake even more, but their weight was comforting to Leader, who’s eyes slid shut. They were vaguely aware of Right-hand brushing a hand over their forehead, the sensation sending prickles over Leader’s skin.

“Get some sleep Leader…” Right-hand whispered, before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind them. They walked over to Medic’s door, timidly knocking on it. They knew Medic liked their sleep, and felt bad for waking them, but they needed them to check on Leader.

The door swung open suddenly, revealing a pissed Medic. They were wearing an oversized t-shirt that hung off their frame and sagging sweatpants, loose around their hips. They narrowed their eyes, “What? It’s 5 am. I swear to everything that is sacred if you drank another smoothie, I will shove the lactase up your ass…” They trailed off as they saw the look on Right-hand’s face, their own face suddenly looking scared.

“Right-hand…” They whispered. “Where’s Leader… A-a-are they okay?” Medic’s hand’s shook as they took a step forward. Right-hand nodded, lifting a finger to their lips and leading them to Leader’s room. Medic let out a sigh of relief when they saw Leader sleeping in their bed, safe and warm. Something seemed off though, and they looked to Right-hand frowning. “Why are they breathing like that?” They murmured, venturing into Leader’s room, being careful not to wake them up.

Right-hand hovered in the doorway, anxiously waiting as Medic brushed their hand over Leader’s forehead. “Shit.” Medic whispered. “They’re burning up. Help me cool them down.” They beckoned Right-hand over pulling back the sheets and wrestling Leader’s drenched shirt off them.

Leader turned their head, mumbling in annoyance, sleepily trying to push Medic’s hand away, but they only managed to lift their arm before it flopped onto their soaked, heaving chest. Right-hand watched as Leader’s chest rose and fell, Leader’s gasping breaths filling their ears. A moan broke them out of their stupor as Leader opened their eyes.

Almost immediately, they rolled back again, Leader’s head lolling to the side as their body went limp. Medic was checking their pulse and breathing, Right-hand standing around awkwardly. “Go get me my notebook, it’s in my first aid kit under my bed.” Medic ordered, not looking up from Leader.

Right-hand returned, Medic reaching out for the notebook. They jotted down some numbers before sighing, opening the curtains so they could see. The gentle morning sun lit up the room and Leader groaned, lifting their arm and resting it over their eyes. Their cheeks were flushed pink, their exposed chest shining with sweat. Right-hand had never seen someone this sick before.

~~

The rest of the team soon woke up, passing by Right-hand as they went to bed. Right-hand had left Medic to keep an eye on Leader in case they got worse, but what they needed right now was to shower and sleep, just like Leader had wanted. Leader had taken to passing in and out every few minutes, mumbling deliriously about something unintelligible. They kept kicking their sheets off and crying out quietly, squeezing their eyes tighter together as they rode out the nausea.

Right-hand awoke hours later, shuffling into Leader’s room to check on them. Medic was no where to be found, but Leader was lying there, half conscious and moaning softly. They turned their head and opened their eyes a little as they heard Right-hand enter, staring vacantly at them. "What happened to your phenomenal immune system, huh?” Right-hand teased, chuckling nervously.

Somewhere, deep down, Leader knew they were trying to ease the tension. “Hhhhhh…” Was all Leader could manage to answer, sounding half amused at the joke. Leader’s breath was hot against there lips as they parted them, fighting to stay conscious. Right-hand came over, looking down at them as they smiled weakly. “Fuck off…” They whispered, their voice hoarse.

Right-hand smirked, “Glad to see you’re feeling better.” Leader closed their eyes slowly. “Nnnnh…Medic… gave me… something… Makes me feel weird…” They whispered, opening their eyes again. “Did you… sleep?” Right-hand nodded. “Lucky… bastard…” Leader choked on a cough, wheezing as they pushed themself up with Right-hand’s help. They gasped for air between coughs, trying desperately to calm their breathing, their head spinning.

Medic came hurtling into the room at the sound, rushing to Leader’s side. They looked into Leader’s desperate eyes before the coughing seemed to calm, and Leader collapsed forwards, wheezing as they caught their breath. “Leader, I don’t like this… You should be in hospital.” Leader shook their head. “No…” They rasped, “No… hospital…” Their pleading eyes looked at Medic, who clicked their tongue and lay Leader back down. “I’m gonna run you a bath, you’re still caked in dust, it’s making your coughing worse. Right-hand, get them some new clothes ready while they wait.” Right-hand nodded, going to Leader’s closet.

Leader groaned, pushing themself up. “Nah… Let me… do it… You don’t… you don’t have to…” They were overcome with another coughing fit, the coughs reverberating in their chest. “Ugh…” They moaned, wiping off the mucus on their elbow with their shirt.

Medic materialised out of nowhere, piping up from the doorway and causing both Right-hand and Leader to jump. “Bath’s ready.” Leader sighed as Right-hand and Medic helped them walk to the awaiting bath. Leader had their arms slung over both their shoulders, their legs shaking as they walked. The rest of the team was hovering nearby, looking worried.

Leader hung their head, ashamed. They didn't want the team to see them like this. They were supposed to be the leader of the team, unstoppable, infallible and strong, not weak and hardly able to walk. How were the team supposed to take them seriously when they were so weak? They shuddered, cold rushing over them again. This was hell.

~~

Medic and Right-hand helped them slip from their sweat stained clothes, causing Leader to blush.

They didn't want help, they could undress themself. They weren’t a baby. But when they lowered Leader into the warm water, Leader sighed. They lay back, closing their eyes in bliss as their friends gently worked the dust out of their pores and hair, and breathing in the steam that cleared their sinuses a little.

The next thing minute, they were being wrapped in warm, fluffy towels and being slowly dried. It was so nice to not have to do anything and just… relax… The world stopped spinning as they were helped into their new, fresh clothes and practically carried back to bed. Their head nodded as they were carried, eyes fluttering in an effort to keep them open.

When they awoke again, it was dark and their chest was feeling slimy. They let out a wet cough, trying to sit, but they were so comfy and warm… they could afford to stay under the sheets for a few more minutes.

Medic peeked around the door, checking in. “I though I heard you wake up. How are you feeling?” Leader groaned, their throat hurt too much to try and speak and their arms were so heavy…

~~

“They keep passing out. Should we be worried?” Right-hand’s voice echoed somewhere over them. “Hmm, if they deteriorate any further, yes. I don’t want to upset them further, you know what they are like with hospitals.”

Right-hand hummed in agreement, their voice getting more and more distant. Leader tried calling out for Medic and Right-hand to help, managing to open their eyes briefly. All they could see was bright blur pass by their vision before their eyes slid shut.

“Nnhhghh…”

The blood suddenly drained from Leader’s face as the world faded from their vision. Right-hand’s eyes widened as Leader’s eyes rolled back and their head lolling to the side as they went limp. “Shit.” Medic shook Leader, trying to wake them, but it did nothing.

“Help me get them up.” Medic spoke suddenly, pressing a finger into Leader’s neck. Their eyes went wide. “Now Right-hand!” Medic barked at Right-hand making them jump, before they scooped Leader into their arms, rushing for the door. They carried their team leader out into the hallway, looking at Medic, who ushered them on. “Car, hospital, now!” They snapped, rushing to the barracks door and ripping it open.

The barracks were really small apartments that the teams lived in communally. Everyone got their own small room and shared a bathroom and kitchen. That meant that everyone hand seen what had just happened, glancing nervously at each other from across the apartment.

Throwing Leader into the back of their car, Right-hand raced over to the wheel, Medic climbing in the back with Leader. “Their pulse is shit, resps too. God dammit Right-hand drive!”

Leader managed to open their eyes, suddenly aware of sounds around them. They couldn’t hold them open for more than a few seconds, even though they could hear someone telling them to stay awake… They could have a little nap. Just a few minutes… they were so tired… they just…just a couple of minutes…

Leader hummed as they fell back into oblivion, feeling like the world had disappeared, replaced with a rollercoaster that was suddenly flying down a steep dip.

“No, no Leader, stay awake for me.” Medic begged, jostling Leader as they passed out again. Their body was radiating heat, they were flushed and sweating… Their heart was threatening to jump out of their chest and their breaths were faint and gasping. Medic began feeling sick as they looked at their friend in front of them, unable to do anything.

~~

Looking up at the sensation of the car stopping, they glanced out the window. They were here. The tension their backflipping stomach eased a little, at least Leader would now get some much needed medicine. Right-hand yanked Leader out of the back of the car and carried their body towards the door. Their head and limps dangled heavily, swaying with each movement of Right-hand. Medic was by their side in an instant, rushing forwards into the ER.

When they got in the door Medic was arguing with the receptionist, who’s jaw dropped when she saw the state Leader was in. Picking up a phone, she called someone, speaking quickly as she eyed Leader’s condition. Right-hand looked at Leader’s exposed neck, their muscles contracting with every breath. Usually, when they were sick, they out for the count for a week and then right as rain by the beginning of the next, maybe with a remaining sniffle. But this… judging by Medic’s reaction was worse than bad…

Leader was deathly ill, and there wasn’t anything they could do.

They looked up at the sound of a stretcher being wheeled over, and a masked clad doctor muttered to Right-hand to put Leader on it. They carefully lay them down, watching as they were whisked away, an oxygen mask already slipped over their face. Medic came to their side, panting. “Come here…” They mumbled, pulling Right-hand into a hug.

They waited together as the rest of the team arrived, all looking pale and scared. The doctor came out to speak to them, Medic pulling them aside and talking in hushed voices. They nodded, coming over and taking a shake breath. “They’re okay.” The team let out a collective sigh, “But… they have a pretty brutal infection in their lungs, they’ll have to be kept under until the infection clears, and given the state of them right now, it’s gonna be a while.”

~~

Leader awoke, feeling strange but nice, so they kept their eyes shut, enjoying the fuzzy warm feeling washing over them. They could hear a beeping in the back of their mind. Medic but be hate watching another hospital drama. They sighed, thinking about how they would have to get out of their warm, comfy bed to drag them to their room and force them to sleep, trying to prevent them from ranting about how the surgeon had his stethoscope on backwards again.

They sighed, opening their eyes and looking around.

This didn’t look like their room… “Huh…?” They mumbled quietly. They coughed, reaching up to rub their throat. It felt like they had swallowed a cheese grater. A tug on their hand made them glance at it, and they froze.

“Medic… why is there an IV in my hand?” They whispered, voice hoarse and hollow. Medic sometimes liked to practice doing IV’s on Leader cause they apparently had ‘difficult veins’, but they didn’t remember giving Medic permission to…

It dawned on Leader where they were when a nurse walked over. “Hi.” She whispered. “I’m Jane, I’m your nurse. We thought you’d be awake soon.” Leader stared at Jane’s face, blurring in and out of focus as they sank back into the bed, hoping it would consume them.

“Your friend said you might not be having such a great time when you wake up, but that’s okay. If you want anything, just call me by pressing this.” Jane placed a button in Leader’s hand. “You’ve been very sick. Do you understand?” Leader blinked, thinking over her words. “Sick?” They tried asking, but their voice could only croak.

Jane smiled, exhaling softly through her nose. “Yes. You’ve been very sick. They put you on a ventilator until your infection cleared up. You’ll have to hang out for a few more days, but then we can let you go home.” Leader felt their stomach sink. “How… long…?” Jane patted Leader’s shoulder. “Apparently you were pretty sick for two days before you were brought in. You were on the ventilator for a week.” Leader nodded, half understanding those words, right now they wanted nothing more than to sleep and pretend they weren’t in hospital. That way they could go home…

They blinked a few times, tiredly, before jumping slightly. Jane had been replaced with their team, all sitting silently, waiting for them to wake up. But they hadn’t even slept? Jane the nurse was with them two seconds ago?

“Wait… where’s the nurse?” They rasped looking around for her. “What are you talking about Leader?” Medic chuckled, “You’ve been asleep all day.” Leader blinked in surprise, looking at their team. They felt fine, so they sat up, only for a headache to immediately set in.

Groaning, they lay back down. “Take it easy.” Medic murmured, placing a comforting hand on Leader’s shoulder. They could feel Medic’s fingers squeeze them gently, sighing as they closed their eyes. “I feel… like shit…” They croaked.

The team all smirked, “Yeah, that figures.” Right-hand muttered.

“Well, glad to see you on the mend Leader, oh and… I thought you’d like to know, you’ve been selected to lead the raid on the plant. The higher ups like the idea so much that they want you in charge. When you're better, of course.” Leader felt a zing, they had been hoping that would happen.

They grinned, the nasal cannula on their nose slipping a little. They hadn’t realised it was even there. Pushing it back up they looked up at Right-hand with renewed vigour. “Well, that’s all the motivation I need.” They glanced at an alarmed looking Medic. “You better help me rest up. I wanna be ready for this.”

Medic’s shoulders dropped with relief, “Anything you need, Leader, you just let me know.” Leader chucked, “Good… Now fuck off so I can sleep…” They groaned, getting comfy.

They pulled their blankets up higher, shutting their eyes and sighing. Maybe hospital wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

~masterlist~

[automotivealchemy]

Volkswagen Off-Road Thing Compact SUV Concept

What if...Volkswagen made an off-road oriented version of the Thing with a few configurations? This version would have a solid top, removable hardtop, and a targa top version of it. The ride height would be a lot taller than the standard gasoline and electric Thing, with larger wheels and tires and all wheel drive for that offroad conscious enthusiasts.

[excelsior9173]

ew i am being an adult (sort of) and researching vehicles… (under the cut cuz i’m just rambling lol)

i have no idea what i’m doing and i still have like, half of my car to pay off yet but i want to get an idea of what i would like to drive next

i am over sedans. i loved my first car, my current car is a fickle beast who i either adore or want to send to the wrecker. i am ready to move on to something more practical for 1) the weather and 2) my desired lifestyle

i am looking into a compact suv! i drove one once while my car was in the shop and i adored it. i loved that it wasn’t much larger than my car but it felt so much more capable. i like the option of awd in the winter- we get so much snow at a time that having something with awd and a little more clearance is desirable.

i also would love to be more outdoorsy- i love camping and fishing and never get away to do either because a lot of good fishing spots require some off-roading and my dear frankie could never. she also doesn’t have a ton of space for me to load up for a camping trip

so now i search. i am going to build a pros/cons list i think, try to narrow it down to my top 3-5 choices. i have a few years before i need a new vehicle (hopefully) but if i can have an idea of what i want when the time comes that’d be cool.

[whiteoakford]

Compare 2025 Ford Escape vs. 2025 Ford Explorer

Choosing between the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2025 Ford Escape can be tough. Both SUVs offer unique strengths in design, performance, technology, and safety features, appealing to different types of drivers. Whether you're seeking a spacious family SUV or a versatile compact option, this detailed comparison will help you decide which one is the right fit.

2025 Ford Explorer Design

The 2025 Ford Explorer stands out with its bold, rugged design and commanding road presence. With a larger body, the Explorer is ideal for families or those needing extra cargo space. Its modern grille, LED headlights, and sleek lines give it an upscale yet tough look. Inside, the Explorer provides generous seating for up to seven passengers across three rows, ensuring ample legroom and comfort.

2025 Ford Escape Design

In contrast, the 2025 Ford Escape takes a sportier, more compact approach. The Escape's design is aerodynamic and modern, perfect for city driving or small families. It features a clean exterior with sharp contours and a sleek front fascia. Inside, the Escape offers a refined cabin with seating for five and versatile cargo space, making it practical for daily commutes and weekend getaways.

Performance

The 2025 Ford Explorer offers powerful performance options for those who love driving confidently. The standard 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine delivers 300 horsepower, perfect for smooth highway cruising. For those who crave even more power, the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine, available in the ST and Platinum trims, delivers an impressive 400 horsepower, making it one of the strongest options in its class. With standard 4WD on most trims, the Explorer is ready for Canadian winters and off-road adventures. Fuel efficiency remains competitive for a midsize SUV, with the base engine achieving approximately 11.7 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 L/100 km on the highway.

On the other hand, the 2025 Ford Escape emphasizes fuel efficiency and versatility, making it perfect for daily drivers. The standard 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 engine balances power and efficiency with a fuel economy of 9.2 L/100 km city and 7.4 L/100 km highway. The 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 engine provides extra punch while maintaining solid fuel economy for those looking for more performance. The Escape shines with its hybrid options, including a 2.5L iVCT Hybrid and a Plug-In Hybrid variant, which allow drivers to reduce fuel costs and their carbon footprint. The Plug-In Hybrid even offers electric-only driving for short commutes.

Technology Features

Both the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2025 Ford Escape come packed with advanced technology to keep you connected and entertained on the go. The 2025 Ford Explorer boasts a spacious, tech-forward interior with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system available in higher trims. The system features SYNC 4, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice-activated navigation, ensuring seamless connectivity. Features like the Bang & Olufsen premium audio system and wireless charging enhance the driving experience. FordPass Connect allows remote vehicle access, including start, lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks.

The 2025 Ford Escape is equally equipped with technology but caters to a compact SUV audience. It includes a standard 8-inch touchscreen, with a larger 13.2-inch display available on higher trims. SYNC 4 is standard, providing intuitive controls, smartphone integration, and cloud-based navigation. The Escape offers a head-up display in select trims, keeping key information within your line of sight. Like the Explorer, the Escape features FordPass Connect for remote access and convenience.

Safety Features

Safety is a top priority in both the Ford Explorer and Ford Escape. Each SUV comes equipped with Ford's advanced Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist technologies. The 2025 Ford Explorer includes Pre-Collision assistance with Automatic Emergency Brakes, Blind Spot Monitoring, an ane-keeping System, and an ear View Camera. For added safety, the Explorer offers Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Evasive Steering Assist, and Reverse Brake Assist in higher trims. With its robust frame and comprehensive safety technology, the Explorer provides peace of mind for families on long road trips or daily commutes.

Similarly, the 2025 Ford Escape includes the Ford Co-Pilot360™ system across all trims. Standard features include Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross-Traffic Alert, and Lane-Keeping Assist. Higher trims offer Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Parking Sensors, and a 360-degree camera for added awareness. The Escape's compact size makes it particularly easy to maneuver in tight spaces, adding an extra layer of convenience and safety in city driving.

FAQs

What are the key engine options for the 2025 Ford Escape? The Escape offers a 1.5L EcoBoost I-3, a 2.0L EcoBoost I-4, a 2.5L Hybrid, and a 2.5L Plug-In Hybrid engine.

What are the engine options for the 2025 Ford Explorer? The Explorer features a 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 and a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine.

What is the cargo space difference between the Explorer and the Escape? The Ford Explorer offers up to 2,486 litres of cargo space, while the Ford Escape provides up to 1,851 litres with the rear seats folded.

Contact Us

Still unsure which SUV suits you best? Experience the 2025 Ford Explorer and the 2025 Ford Escape at Whiteoak Ford. As your trusted Ford dealership near me, we'll help you explore available options, trims, and features. Whether looking for the perfect Ford Escape for sale or considering the latest Ford Explorer price, our team is here to assist you. Visit us today to test drive your next SUV and find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

[georgecarsblog]

How to Choose a Car for Monthly Rental in Dubai?

Opting for a monthly car rental in Dubai is a convenient and cost-effective choice, whether you're staying for business, leisure, or long-term purposes. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you choose the perfect car for your monthly rental:

1. Define Your Needs

Start by assessing your requirements:

Daily Commute: For regular city travel, choose a fuel-efficient and compact car like a Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, or Nissan Sunny.

Luxury Lifestyle: Dubai is synonymous with luxury, so if you want to blend into the city’s glamour, opt for a premium car like a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, or even a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Family or Group Travel: If you’re traveling with family or colleagues, consider spacious SUVs like the Toyota Prado, Kia Sportage, or Nissan Patrol.

Adventure Seekers: For off-road desert adventures, 4x4 vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota Land Cruiser are ideal.

2. Consider Your Budget

Determine how much you're willing to spend on the rental. Monthly rentals often come with discounts compared to daily rates, but prices vary depending on the type of car:

Economy Cars: Affordable and cost-effective for those on a budget.

Mid-Range Cars: Ideal for a balance of comfort and cost.

Luxury and Sports Cars: Higher costs but perfect for an indulgent experience.

3. Evaluate Fuel Efficiency

Gas prices in Dubai are affordable, but choosing a fuel-efficient car can save you money if you plan on extensive driving. Compact sedans or hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius are great options for daily commutes.

4. Check Insurance and Extras

Ensure the monthly rental includes:

Comprehensive Insurance: Covers accidents and damages.

Maintenance Services: Some companies offer free maintenance for long-term rentals.

Salik (Toll) Charges: Understand how toll charges will be billed.

5. Look for Features

Depending on your preferences, check for:

Comfort Features: Air conditioning, cruise control, and spacious interiors for longer trips.

Technology: GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and reverse cameras for ease of use.

Safety: Advanced safety features, especially if you're new to Dubai's traffic.

6. Verify Documentation

Before signing the rental agreement:

Ensure your driver's license is valid in the UAE (International Driving Permit may be required).

Check for any mileage restrictions.

7. Plan for Return and Extensions

If there's a chance you might extend the rental, inquire about extension policies beforehand. Many companies allow seamless renewals for monthly rentals.

The right car for a monthly rental in Dubai will depend on your lifestyle, travel requirements, and budget. From economy sedans to luxury vehicles and robust SUVs, Dubai offers a wide range of options to ensure you enjoy your stay in comfort and style. Always book in advance and read customer reviews to secure the best deal.

[phoebified]

So it's clear. My unyielding stances on cars:

Toyota: older ones are frequently christlike, newer ones should have a brick placed gently on the gas and sent into a canyon. you should mourn it but move on. the older ones are easy to maintain, rugged, reliable, and iconic. the newer toyotas have a nice styling but after a certain year their desperation to make their cars luxurious has had a backwards effect and has made them complete dogshit and has made their more affordable cars actually more desirable than their fancy cars. the 2024 camry is complete dogshit and i've never disliked a car more in my life, except for this one piece of shit jeep suv i don't even recall the name of, which i flat out refused to drive. they didn't have to do all that bullshit to the 4runner

BMW: for asshole shitheads. this is neither an accolade nor a condemnation. i admire the resolution of the BMW fanatic to adhere to a brand that HATES when you work on your own car and wants you to never be able to touch your oil or transmission fluid or any fluid at all. like i don't even think they want you putting new windshield wiper blades on your own shit tbh

chevy: i hate you. mostly out of spite, but for select few out of seething jealousy. it is MOSTLY out of spite, though. silverado owners should be crucified.

ford: you should hate yourself for being stupid. mustangs are cute and fun but honestly i only ever see fucking idiots drive them. admiration for their aftermarket support though. the f150 is such a piece of shit it's unfuckingbelievable

dodge: 9.8/10 i hope your head explodes but for that .2/10 i feel a deepseated and unending longing. if you drive a stock charger or challenger you're committing a grave and reprehensible sin.

subaru: it's fine it's literally fine i just don't really give a shit either way

honda: you probably drive like an idiot but it's a fine car. you know what you're getting, they're easy to work on. you might not be getting like, the car of your dreams, but it's a fine beast

nissan: oh my god stop speeding and weaving in traffic you're going to fucking die!!! when you do can i have your car please [THIS EXCLUDES ROUGE DRIVERS. YOU NEED TO HAND IN YOUR LICENSE]

gmc: either a reliable and beautiful truck for grandpa or a house on wheels for someone who seriously needs to get their license and children and maybe house taken away

scion: there's something irreparably wrong with you.

jeep: fun. hateable. understandable as to why people drive them. you Are a freak though i'm sorry. they have so many fucking problems with them like they serious are like fucking rescue dogs with 12 cancers even fresh off the lot. their compact suvs are perhaps of the devil

saturn: [Looks around scared in an empty room] Did you guys hear that

mercury: i really cannot believe people still drive these but it's always a surprise and a treat to see one. beyond that i have no opinion

oldsmobile: yeah that's -- do -- okay. sure. it's a gm car and it's cute in its styling but i think this car is really for a specific kind of person...

pontiac: owners are weirdly stoic. have had fun with pontiac drivers. they're whatever cars it's sad they don't make em no more but i don't blame them neither

volvo: I miss you baby but you are truly a grade of shitbox unlike any other. when people do love them enough to keep them up it's a beautiful thing it's like when a hound loves a farmer

volkswagon: man. whatever. the jetta and the golf attract very mysterious and enjoyable people in the US but i feel neutral if not slightly apprehensive towards the car

mitsubishi: my stupid delight. i keep trying to hate mitsubishi but i really can't

mazda: ...i'm... i'm not sure.

buick: please get off the road

cadillac: I really think something BAD should happen to you. I'm not sure if I even say that playfully

mercedes: weirdly cute cars for fucking idiots and the new ones just seem like such pieces of shit

audi: i have yet to see an audi driver that hasn't thought they were jesus christ or charli xcx despite audis being midtier fauxluxury vehicles

lincoln: cute. weirdly lasting, but i'm not sure that i mean in how their engines are built up. uncertain how i feel about the lincoln demographic. not a fan of their new shit. it's fine but you need to be rich to own one because them parts ain't cheap

suzuki: Falls to my knees. I miss you baby. Fuck...

lexus: the car is neither comfortable nor sleek enough, which makes me not think it's very luxurious. basically lived in one of these for a long time. Hated it. it lasted i guess but when it died jesus christ

hyundai: MAN THEY'RE ALWAYS DOING SOME FUCK ASS SHIT WITH THEIR FUCKING CARS it's always like Here's my car that looks like a Bubble. Or a Dragonfly. And you can't see out of it

bentley: the amount of times i've considered rear ending one of these

kia: cute, useless cars

fiat: cars for smug people

mini: cars for slightly less smug people

lucid: YOU BOUGHT A FUCKING LUCID??? I can't lie that's funny. cute styling i think it seems like a halfway decent ev but i've never studied one hard i just went to a mall exhibition on them so i'm talking out of my ass here

ferrari: not dignifying this with a response

acura: does anyone remember the acura

aston martin: similarly to the bently, ironically enough, the amount of times i've considered rear ending one...

alfa romeo: oh fuck off you rich asshole

bugatti, hummer, land rover, tesla, lamborghini, porsche, ram, RIVIAN, and ESPECIALLY MCLAREN: i hate you. with a burning passion, actually.

chrysler and infiniti: this is like the kind of car they animate in 3d disney movies

jag: you think you're so cool don't you

maserati: unfortunately you are actually cool

maybach: You hurt me so

isuzu: I LOVE YOU BABYYYYY YOU'RE SO CUUUUUTE mostly for their commercial trucks and this is mostly honorable mention but their cars have cute styling. i don't know if the personal vehicles are any good sadly

daihatsu: i really know nothing of the engines but the styling of these cars is really something special

takeoka: i have a hard time giving an opinion on these because any time i look at one i start freaking the fuck out

hino: i have 0 opinion on this.

SEAT: como crecí con estos automóviles, mi opinión es muy subjetiva pero i think they're cute classics. modern versions are hit or miss but isn't that the nature of nostalgia

mitsuoka: biased based on kanji i won't lie but also biased based on that stupid fucking styling i wish i could pop the hood on one of these fucking freaks