This is excellent writing. It is clear, concise, and flows logically from point to point. Each of those points is clear and well-developed. Each is supported by background and facts used in such a way as to prove it logically against other reasonable assumptions.
I find the content to be fascinating. I too, have had a couple of favourite vehicles. Having read this article, I now want a Lada. I've long heard that many sturdy and stylish vehicles are produced in Poland, but I'd never heard about any specific models. The Lada sounds great, but unfortunately, it's highly unlikely that any exist in this country.
In my humble opinion, the fault of the rear-end accident lies mostly with the driver who struck the author's car. Part of driving is to watch other drivers and their vehicles for signals including directional signals, brake lights, speed changes, and even the position of the other driver's head. That makes it incumbent upon each driver to position themself and their vehicle in such a way as to be able to see the necessary signals. The Lada doesn't seem to be a particularly low-set vehicle, and in any case, the driver who was following was doing so too closely if she could not see the signals of the author's car. In this country, "Following too closely" is a ticketable offense and is often used to determine responsibility for the accident. Well, that's my two cents worth about the rear-end incident.
This reviewer concurs with the author's assessment of modern cars as being "...computers on wheels..." The designs are intended solely to prevent vehicle owners from self-servicing their vehicles by making repairs as difficult as possible for non-professional mechanics. Vehicle computers frequently require servicing only at the manufacturer's designated service centers. So, this reviewer perfectly understands the author's beliefs and is sympathetic with same.
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