There is a low bridge on Storrow Drive in the Boston area. The bridge height is marked, but trucks OFTEN get hung up on the bridge. "Storrowing", it's called. A local brewery truck just got the top of the truck peeled off from trying to pass under that bridge. It's rather ironic that one of their beers is called "Storrowed."
Oops!

 

I am so glad we don't have to do "safety inspections" in this state, only smog checks every two years for older cars.

I have a 2020 Mercedes that started blowing warm air out of the driver vent so I took it in under warranty. I also thought the back end would lurch a bit over rough spots in the road. The car, a 450 GLE has electronic automatic body control (eABC), an option only offered one year on this model. Now the Maybach and S class have it. I had no idea the repair would entail this much work. If I had to pay for it, it would require a home equity line of credit!

 

The good news is it sounds like you have a good tech working on it.
It is a quite the level of effort.

 

Oh, those German engineers. Over at Audi, replacing the thermostat on a 2000 S4 means removing the timing belt, and a timing belt service on an Audi is just a hair more expensive than it was on that old Civic you had in college.

 

Cosmo, on cold mornings I can hear the drivers side HVAC control door on my S63 struggling.
I'm sure I just need to poke my head under the dash to swap it out.
I've frequented the shop areas of a few dealers and seen those deep surgeries.
I saw an early 2000's S500 with the entire interior removed to replace the main wiring harness.

 

I swear the first costly repair the P car needs, I'll hang a "for sale" sign on it.

 

I always thought that was a Ford problem as the adhesive used for the foam door seals degrades over time and becomes very sticky. Maybe manufactures don't care as they are in the business of selling new cars.

 

I hate to say it but my S63 coupe is now 9 years old.

 

I drove the Honda CR-V hybrid yesterday. Decent car and solid like a Honda but so slow. I would be afraid to be merging on a freeway in with semis.

 

Still considering the RAV4?