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this to the medieval fortification, where a desirable land (the bailey) is abandoned when in danger for
the more easily defended motte. In Shackel's words, "The Motte represents the defensible but undesired
propositions to which one retreats when hard pressed."
On The Motte, always attempt to remain inside your defensible territory, even if you are not being pressed.
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Notes -
It appears that this forum is filled with city slickers in fancy German cars. What cars have you driven on a regular basis? If they were expensive, have you found them to be worth the extra money?
I have driven the following cars on a regular basis.
2023: 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage (purchased new for 18 k$)
2019: 2015 Honda Fit (purchased from my mother for 14 k$)
2017: 2007 Pontiac G6 (borrowed from my father for free)
I have been driven around by my parents in the following cars.
The aforementioned Fit (mother's) and G6 (father's)
2013 Honda Civic (mother's)
2001–2010 Volvo S60 (father's)
2000–2005 Dodge Neon (mother's)
1993–1997 Mazda MX-6 (father's; manual)
1993 Toyota Tercel (mother's)
I have never found fault with these cheap (not including the S60, I guess) cars (other than the Civic's poor rear visibility; I prefer hatchbacks to sedans) or seen any reason to get anything more expensive.
(Note that I purchased the Mirage, not to replace the Fit with it, but so that (1) I could sell the Fit back to my mother, and then (2) she could expunge from our household the Civic that I disliked. Another motive for getting the Mirage was FOMO on a car that was soon to be discontinued in the US market despite obviously being the best car there.)
Dacia Logan. It’s a spacious station wagon I can comfortably sleep in. I like the idea of potentially driving away without organizing anything. Even though I could have had an old diesel for free, I splurged on a new one for 8700 euros 5 years ago. No climate control, no little electronic motors everywhere to roll down windows for you and spare you the the anguish of having to move a whole arm. 63 HP. Wish it had less, always a pleasure to hear the strenuous effort this minuscule 3 cylinder-engine brings to push this huge car along. Apparently only 10% of logans sold had this hardcore ‘access’ option, everybody else went with decadence. So it’s a collectible, value can only go up. Although I did install a radio and speakers, to my shame (that lawnmower engine provides enough melody).
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