LosLobo

Your modus operandi: hijack a topic, denigrate HEVs, then redirect to EVs — particularly your MG — even when off-topic — says it all.

You now claim your October 2023 post was a compliment — but come on. You dismissed both the Yaris and Corolla Cross, called them “crap,” and redirected the OP toward MG EVs — and you posted it in a thread titled: “New Toyota Yaris Cross Question.” Now you say you “never commented on the ride,” yet you clearly said you’d “doubt it would be comfy.” That’s not neutrality — that’s a direct dismissal. This demonstrates your modus operandi: hijack a topic, denigrate HEVs with misinformation, then redirect to EVs — particularly MG — even when off-topic. This latest post followed the same pattern until it was called out. Fact check: Yaris Cross = DNGA-B platform Corolla Cross = TNGA-C platform Most Bangkok taxis = older MC-platform Corolla Altis Both models are modern, well-specced, and priced appropriately — not “cheap because of platform” You're entitled to your opinion — but don’t rewrite history. It wasn’t a compliment then, and it still isn’t.

Curious, what issues do you have with your BYD?

I notice you have edited your original post! Nevertheless, you’ve been trying to hijack nearly every post about the Yaris Cross since it launched in October 2023 — constantly steering people toward your EV topic with disingenuous, misleading information. It’s getting a bit tired. The Yaris Cross isn’t perfect, but it’s not a budget Vios with a facelift either. It’s a quality vehicle, built on a completely different platform and designed for a different purpose. And despite all your efforts to discredit it, it’s been the top-selling B-segment SUV in Thailand for the past two years. That doesn’t happen by accident. Maybe time to give it a break.

That’s a really good point. Honestly, a 4-door utility might be the best option, especially if it’s going to spend most of its time on rural roads and the farm and needs to carry passengers too. I've had two Toyota Hiluxes in the past, along with a farm, and they were virtually unbreakable — totally dependable no matter what the conditions were. These days I live on a rural road but don't go to the farm anymore, so I switched to something smaller. But if I were still doing farm runs, I'd seriously consider going back to a Hilux or similar dual-cab ute. They’re not the flashiest, but they do everything well and last forever.

You're right — the RAV4 isn’t officially sold in Thailand. Toyota already covers that space with the Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross. The Corolla Cross is closer to the RAV4 in size and comfort. It has a larger boot than the Yaris Cross (487L vs. 397L), more power from its 1.8L hybrid engine, and a smoother ride. Ground clearance is lower at around 161 mm, and fuel economy is about 23.3 km/L. The Yaris Cross uses a 1.5L hybrid engine and gets better mileage — up to 26.3 km/L. It also has higher ground clearance at about 210 mm, which helps on flooded or uneven roads. Being smaller overall, it’s easier to drive and park in narrow sois or tight spaces. Both are practical and efficient. It really depends on whether you prefer more space and power, or better fuel economy and easier city handling.

That’s a fair question — and honestly, Toyota doesn’t win on every feature or price point, but there are some solid reasons people lean toward them, especially for hybrids. For one, their hybrid system is just really proven. Over 25 years in the game, and they’ve simplified the design — no starter motor, no alternator, no traditional transmission — fewer things to break. It’s all about long-term durability and low running costs. When I was living in Phuket about 8 years ago, there were three Toyota service centres — and at one point, not a single Honda one. That kind of local support makes a big difference. Honda has always felt a bit more like a young man’s car to me — nice styling, a bit sportier — but not necessarily built with the same long-term mindset. I’ve had three Nissans over the years and honestly, I would never ever consider one again. Too many issues that added up over time — just not worth the hassle. MG? They’ve made a lot of progress and offer great features for the price, but I still question the long-term reliability, parts availability, and resale value. That’s where Toyota really shines — they hold their value better than most brands here, especially hybrids. Toyota hybrids may not be the flashiest, but they’re practical, smooth, and just work — which is what I value more these days.

Fair enough! The result could have been fatal. Thanks for the warning -- what car was it?

Yeah, it's a learning curve. I try to address at least one function a week — still a long way to go. Leaving adaptive cruise control till last! I find AI some help in understanding it, but sometimes it's as clueless as me. If your car has dual dash cams (front and rear) as standard, and two-tone leather seats, 18" wheels with 215/50 R18 tires, panoramic glass roof, Qi wireless charger, Panoramic 360 View Monitor, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and a powered tailgate with kick sensor — it's Luxury Premium. Otherwise, it's Premium or Smart. I would have loved the 360° view monitor, TPMS, and a powered tailgate with kick sensor, but I really didn’t want the unnecessary sunroof in this climate, and I’m not a fan of the low-profile tires either. The normal suspension on SUVs with high ground clearance is already firm enough. The manual tailgate is very heavy — burdensome for an old guy like me — and I’m currently looking into an OEM aftermarket solution to fix that. That’s Thai marketing for you — bundle the good with the bad! Though it's the top-selling B-Segment SUV in Thailand at the moment, I'm surprised there aren’t more posters on this board — the Yaris Cross led the B-segment SUV category in 2024, even outselling all EVs including the BYD Dolphin. The larger Corolla Cross continues to be a strong seller in the C-segment, though interestingly, the Yaris Cross has recently overtaken it in sales as well.

I’ve had my Yaris Cross HEV for a year now, and I tend to agree with everything you’ve said. Toyota really nailed it with their hybrid engineering—reliable, efficient, and low-maintenance. One thing I noticed recently was what I thought was an issue with the electric power steering. After letting a friend drive me in my car for a few days, I felt like the steering was a bit different when I got back behind the wheel—almost like it had adjusted to their driving. I looked into it, and amazingly it turns out the system does adjust based on recent driving inputs. So, with a few days of regular driving, it will eventually reset back to my style. I’m still getting to grips with all the functionality—such a giant leap in technology from my previous ICE Toyotas. It’s been a slow learn for me. The manual feels like War and Peace, and I haven’t been able to find an online English manual for the ASEAN version either. While Toyota has clearly focused on mechanical reliability and simplified systems under the hood, there’s definitely more driver-facing tech to get used to than in the past. What model have you got? Mine’s not the top-of-the-range Luxury—it’s the Premium.

“Good enough for Biden”? Funny — Trump flew on the exact same plane as president before and never complained. But now suddenly it’s beneath him? Maybe he thinks the presidential jet needs gold toilets to be “mission-ready.” If he wants a new plane so badly, he should buy it himself — not grift it. After all, he had no problem buying that worn-out Mexican airliner he’s so proud of. But hey, nothing says DOGE was a serious undertaking like demanding $1 billion in wasted taxpayer money for a vanity upgrade.

Obviously like The Leader you struggle with lots of words—maybe this is better for you! Big Beautiful Bill — LosLobo™ https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/05/21/winners-losers-trump-big-tax-bill/83744635007/

Trump’s personal plane? A 34-year-old, worn-out ex-commercial 757, once flown by a bankrupt Mexican airline — retrofitted with gold trim and ego. The current Air Force One? A 1990s-era but pristine, luxurious — albeit gold-plating-free — military-hardened 747, good enough for Biden, Trump 1.0, Obama, and more. But King Trump's ego wants to ditch it and spend $1 billion upgrading a 13-year-old jet from Qatar. “I want my new plane — let the voters eat cake.”

It just dropped!

Wait — you asked yourself a question just so you could answer it and call everyone else dishonest. That’s very clever. Then you said: “Saying tax rates are lower on the second is just dishonest.” But the second rate is 2%. The first is 5%. So you’re literally saying it’s dishonest to state that 2 is less than 5? That’s not an argument. If your logic can’t survive its own example, it might be time to rethink the point. Seems reality has been optional for some folks for a while now.

Venezuelan Deportees Sent to El Salvador – Key Facts (2025) In March 2025, the Trump administration deported 238 Venezuelan men to El Salvador’s CECOT, a maximum-security prison known for harsh conditions and indefinite detention. The Cato Institute reviewed 174 of these cases. Of the 90 with verified entry records, 50 had entered the U.S. legally: 21 at official ports of entry, 24 through parole, 4 as resettled refugees, and 1 on a tourist visa. CBS News reported that 75% had no criminal record in the U.S. or abroad. Many were accused of gang affiliation based solely on tattoos—such as “mom” and “dad” with crowns, soccer balls, or religious imagery. The Cato report concluded that these tattoos were culturally common and not credible indicators of gang membership. Most deportations occurred without court orders or due process. Authorities invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law rarely used in modern immigration enforcement. These findings contradict widespread claims that all deportees were undocumented, criminal, or gang-affiliated. Sources: https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2025-05/ProfilesVenezuelansFinal.pdf CBS News, El País

You're right to be paying attention. The sharp drop in the S&P500 last night did line up with the weak 20-year bond auction — a clear sign that investors are growing uneasy about U.S. fiscal policy. What’s spooking the market isn’t just the size of the debt, but who benefits from the proposed budget. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” pushes massive tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy while slashing key social programs. It's projected to add $4–5 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. Bond buyers are starting to balk — and when bond demand dries up, yields rise and stocks feel the pressure. It’s not just about one bad auction — it’s about a creeping realization that the U.S. might be entering a structurally unsustainable fiscal path. If that continues, we could see more of this volatility. Definitely a week to watch. And here’s the kicker: this legislation isn’t just fiscally reckless — it’s a full-scale economic realignment. It guts support for the working majority while handing windfalls to billionaires. That might please a few donors, but it risks hollowing out the base of the U.S. economy — the very people who keep demand alive. The market’s not driven by fairness, but it does care about instability. And right now, it smells smoke.

The aircraft in question is 13 years old and would require an estimated $1 billion in upgrades to meet Air Force standards. It is unlikely to be ready for use during President Trump’s current term. At the same time, Boeing is converting two new 747-8 aircraft into VC-25Bs — the military variant of the 747-8 and the designated replacement for Air Force One. However, the program is behind schedule, with the aircraft not expected to be operational before 2027 or 2028. Given the age of the Qatari aircraft, the substantial cost of retrofitting, and the timeline involved, waiting for the VC-25Bs remains the most secure and cost-effective course of action.

Something a bit different — I am watching Castle Impossible (TV Series 2025) - IMDb 7.8/10. It’s an interesting series about a Californian couple who unexpectedly inherit a crumbling Louis XIII-era château in France. Now they’re diving headfirst into restoring it—equal parts drama, charm, and chaos. Definitely worth a look if you enjoy renovation stories with a cultural twist!

I’ll help you understand. For many people, the combination of electric range plus ICE backup is a major benefit — especially if they want to avoid range anxiety or can’t always charge an EV. It’s not about being impatient or needing to save every minute; it’s about flexibility.

Toyota Yaris Cross HEV dominates B-SUV / Crossover Class

For all those who watched and enjoyed Season One: Nine Perfect Strangers (TV Series 2021– ) Season Two first two episodes has just dropped.

It’s true that DOJ policy prohibits indicting a sitting president—that’s part of why Mueller didn’t make a prosecution recommendation. But that wasn’t the only reason. The Mueller report explicitly says there was not enough evidence to charge a conspiracy, and even on obstruction. Also, Trump was impeached—twice. The first was in 2019, directly tied to abuse of power, and the second in 2021 after January 6. In neither case did the Senate convict. So it’s inaccurate to say Democrats were unwilling to impeach him. As for needing to impeach before prosecuting: that’s not a legal requirement. The Constitution and DOJ guidelines are separate. Once a president is out of office, DOJ can prosecute—and Trump has, in fact, been indicted on multiple charges unrelated to the Mueller investigation.

Neither the Hur investigation into Biden nor the Mueller investigation into Trump resulted in prosecutions, because in both cases the evidence was deemed insufficient to bring charges. No crimes were charged. The Hur report, along with congressional investigations, found wrongdoing by Biden but not enough for prosecution. Similarly, the Mueller report detailed evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 election and found some evidence suggesting involvement by Trump and his campaign, but concluded it was not sufficient to bring criminal charges.

Your correct very low margin 2.75%. Walmart operates on relatively low profit margins, typical for large-scale retailers that rely on high sales volumes to drive profitability. As of May 19, 2025, Walmart's gross profit margin was 24.88%, meaning about a quarter of its revenue remains after covering the cost of goods sold. Its net profit margin stood at 2.75%, showing that less than 3% of revenue converts into net income after all expenses. These figures underscore Walmart’s business model: keeping prices low while maximizing operational efficiency to remain profitable in a high-volume, low-margin environment. However, recent developments under President Donald Trump’s administration are creating new operational pressures. Tighter immigration policies—marked by increased deportations and visa restrictions—have contributed to nationwide labor shortages. For Walmart, this means greater difficulty staffing roles and higher wage costs to attract domestic workers.