Now, Dave and I were serious car nuts, and read every article in every issue of every car magazine every month, and we were quite certain that the appropriate nickname for a BMW was Bimmer. People, at least guys, who referred to BMWs as Beemers were, weirdo car-guy fakers just looking to be mocked. But Misty was a girl, and…how could we prove we were right? Life before the Internet was complicated.

The Tonale is not a “real” Alfa Romeo in the strictest sense, but it does ride and drive like one, and—in our opinion—it looks great, too. Is driving a Tonale a little like wearing a fake Rolex? Maybe a little, but with the money you save going Italian instead of German, you might be able to pick up a real Rolex—or two or three fakes. It’s really up to you.

The hosts welcome Toyota production engineers Samantha Barber and Becky Brophy to the show. Both guests are veterans of the Rebelle Rally, and share how Toyota learns from motorsports, and how returning to the event each year contributes to product development. 

With a looks that is both sporty and purposeful, and prices that come in well under those of stuffy Range Rover-brand models, the Defender has become the most popular ride in U.S. Land Rover dealerships.

I would like to add to Gen Z’s roster of noteworthy characteristics a general disdain for cars and driving. My daughter’s first car, a 2014 Nissan Juke, was foisted upon her by my wife and me because we didn’t want to drive the kid to 6:00 AM water-polo practice. She wanted nothing to do with it.