Category: All

Carscoops 

We’re almost ready to wave goodbye to 2022 and that means we’re almost ready to say hello to a new haul of classic cars that can be legally imported to the U.S. under the 25-year rule.

We’ve pulled together a list of some of the cars first produced during the 1998 calendar year that weren’t originally homologated for sale in America, but are now able to side-step those pesky safety and emissions regulations that kept them out in the first place. 

It’s worth remembering that you can only import a car that you can prove was built at least 25 years ago – there were plenty of cool cars launched at motor shows in 1998, which on the face of it appear to qualify, but many didn’t go on sale until the following year, and so won’t make the cut until 2024.

Honda Accord Type R $5,000-10,000

Related: Is This What A New Honda Integra Type R Should Have Looked Like?

Honda first three Type R cars – NSX, Integra, Civic – were all rapid, rabid drivers cars that prioritized driving fun above all else. But its next car, the European-market Accord Type R (not to be confused with the Japanese-market Accord Euro R!), had more space, a lower redline, and was a little more rounded.

Power comes from a relatively large 2.2-liter H22A inline four developing 209 hp (212 PS) at a relatively relaxed 7,200 rpm, so it’s less manic to drive, but a great choice if you intend to cover some big distances in your weekend car, or make it a daily.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V $25,000-35,000

Combining the huge circular bumper lights from the Evo IV and the aggressive fender flares from the VI, the Evo V is hands down the coolest Lancer Evolution of all. The 2.0-liter 4G63 engine was still underrated at 276 hp (280 PS) to keep Japan’s regulators happy, but another 50 hp (51 PS) is only a few laptop keystrokes away. The stripped-down RS version is so raw it makes sushi seem overcooked, so the more commonly found GSR, with its nicer interior, ABS and clever active yaw control diff, is the best bet for most drivers.

Subaru Impreza 22B $250,000-300,000

The holy grail for Subaru fans, the Impreza 22B got wider bodywork, a special hue of blue paint and a boxer engine bored out to 2.2-liters, but rated at the same nonsensical 276 hp (280 PS) as a regular 2.0 Impreza STi.

Only around 400 were ever made to celebrate both Subaru’s 40th anniversary and its success in WRC, and that rarity has enabled at least one owner to get around the 25-year rule by bringing a car in under the “show or display” exemption. Unfortunately, that loophole limits owners to a measly 2,500 miles (4,023 km) annually.

Alfa Romeo 166 3.0 V6 $5,000-9,000

Alfa Romeo’s answer to the BMW E39 5-Series looked gawky next to its cover-model 156 little brother, which was a shame given how cool it was under the skin. There were double wishbones at each front corner, a multi-link axle at the back and the top engine was a 223 hp (226 PS) 3.0-liter V6 not available in the 156 – but still available with a manual transmission.

Volkswagen Lupo $5,000-8,000

VW fans don’t exclusively equate speed with desirability, which is why we can imagine more than a few might be tempted to load a little Lupo onto a cargo ship from next fall when the oldest of these cut-down Polos become eligible for import. There’s a strong Lupo scene in Europe and a modified version of the 1.4 model would create more buzz on U.S. roads than 74 hp (75 PS) has any right to. 

Fiat Multipla $2,000-7,000

But if you really want to stop traffic rather than simply slow it down, what you really need is a first generation Fiat Multipla. Shorter than a Golf and wider than a BMW 5-Series, the Multipla’s unusual proportions were a result of an unusual two-row, but six-seat layout that made this minivan mutant incredibly practical.

But what really gets people staring is that face. That weird strip of metal under the windshield looks like a big roll of belly fat, and what’s going on with the lights at either end of it? The Multipla is one of those cars you can’t believe got signed off, and Fiat probably wished the same, judging by how boring and conventional the facelifted version looked in comparison. Give us the brilliant, butt-ugly original any day.

Mercedes CLK-GTR Strassenversion $9-11 million

FIA rules allowed Mercedes to build one road-going prototype of its CLK-GTR Le Mans car in 1997 prior to the races taking place, with the remainder of the necessary 25 units being completed in 1998 and 1999. Power came from a 6.9-liter naturally-aspirated V12 making 622 hp (631 PS) that drove the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential transmission.

Like the Impreza 22B, this one already qualifies under show or display rules, but now you can import one and take it on cross country road trips without worrying about mileage limits. Well, it is meant to be an endurance car, right?

Smart ForTwo $3,000-6,000

Smart’s ForTwo didn’t come to the U.S. until 2008, by which time the second-generation two-seater had already been on sale in Europe for a year. But for American microcar fetishists that means the original Smart unveiled in late 1997 and available in German dealerships the following spring has so far been off the menu. Though the first and second generation cars look similar, the original is even shorter, measuring just 98.4 in (2.5 m) long.

Lotus Elise Sport 190 – $30,000-40,000

Related: Fully Electric Lotus Elise Successor To Retain Sharp Driving Dynamics And A Focus On Lightness

Between launching the original 118 hp (120 PS) Elise in 1996 and the 177 hp (179 PS) track-ready Exige coupe in 2000, Lotus produced something that had a foot in both camps: the Elise Sport 190. The 190 wasn’t strictly road legal, so Lotus registered the cars as standard Elises then applied the upgrades, which were clearly aimed at heavy circuit users.

The suspension was stiffer, lower and manually adjustable, the brakes upgraded with Lotus AP calipers and the the wheels were an inch wider and wrapped in semi-slick Yokohama rubber. But what made it really fly was the 190 hp (193 PS) engine that later became an optional upgrade on the Exige.

Peugeot 306 Rallye – $6,000-10,000

Back in the late 1990s the Peugeot 306 GTi-6 was the family-sized hot hatch to beat on Europe’s roads thanks to its sweet Pininfarina styling, fizzy 167 hp (169 PS) 2.0-liter atmo engine and a chassis that took its steering instructions as much from your right foot as your hands. And the Rallye offshoot was even lighter and faster.

The Rallye treatment was like Porsche’s old Club Sport Philosophy: less about adding fancy, expensive materials than stripping out luxuries and actually charging you less for the result. So there was no air conditioning and the plastic steering wheel was rental-spec, but the driving experience was as pure as they come.

Read More 

The Points Guy 

Technically, it’s beer made with “purified condensate.”

In laypersons’ terms, the water used to make two new seasonal beers being served at San Diego International Airport (SAN) comes from water that drips from the bottom of air conditioning units attached to jet bridges; this water would otherwise land on the ground and go to waste.

Water conservation is an ongoing concern in Southern California. So, as part of the airport’s water stewardship program, SAN collects jet bridge air conditioner condensate in big barrels, purifies the drippings using reverse osmosis and ozone disinfection, and sends some of the remaining water off to San Diego’s East Village Brewing Company for use in special beers.

The rest of the reclaimed water is also put to good use for tasks such as cleaning airport equipment and vehicles; it’s also used in the cooling towers that help regulate the air temperature inside the passenger terminals.

But let’s get back to beer.

“The condensate water is superbly pure and ideal for brewing,” Aaron Justus, owner and brewer at the East Village Brewing Company, says. “Plus, it’s no secret that California is in the midst of a long-term drought, so water reclamation is a creative way to reduce our water footprint here in San Diego.”

With the condensate water from SAN, Justus and his team have brewed two special travel-themed beers.

Related: Local Beer Is Trending at an Airport Near You

Hoppy Travels IPA is a West Coast IPA with flavors of grapefruit and guava. PreFlight Pilsner is a German-style beer with bready and lemon zest flavors. As of Dec. 23, both beers are on tap in Terminal 2 at both Phil’s BBQ and Stone Brewing — which also has a few other specialty drafts on the menu.

Each restaurant received one keg each of Hoppy Travel IPA and Preflight Pilsner. While the airport hopes the collaboration with East Village Brewing Company will continue, the special reclaimed water beers are not going to be heavily promoted. They are available “while supplies last,” so travelers who are in the know can order them when passing through SAN.

This isn’t the first time SAN has served up beer brewed with reclaimed jet bridge air conditioner drippings. In 2019, the airport partnered with local brewery Ballast Point and an industrial water purification company to create a small batch of a special beer called SAN Test Pilot. It was a big hit and sold out quickly.

Here’s a video that explains how air-conditioning drippings at the airport become great-tasting, good-for-the-planet beer.

Other airports where you can grab great brews

Many airports around the country are now home to brewpubs and restaurants that make a point of serving locally crafted beers.

For instance, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is home to Cigar City Brewing’s Brewpub & Taproom while Portland International Airport (PDX) features Deschutes Brewery Public House and the Juliett bar. Juliett honors women in aviation with specialty cocktails and beers named for notable female aviators and their organizations. Stone Arch, at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), works with the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild to keep the can, bottles and taps filled with Minnesota-brewed beers.

Many people are going to spend time in airports this holiday season. So, let us know your favorite airport brewpub and share your suggestions on what to order.

Read More 

Well+Good 

Whether you ran a marathon for the first time, went on a hot girl walk with your besties, or embarked on a nature hike this year, your feet—quite literally—carried you through 2022. In an effort to thank them for all the hard work they put in, we’re looking back at all the foot health advice expert podiatrists shared with us this year. From how to pick out the best shoes for hammertoes to what exactly a ‘foot facial’ entails, we gained a wealth of information about how to best keep your soles in check.

Want to start 2023 on the right foot? Keep scrolling to see the best, most beneficial foot health tips we learned from podiatrists this year.

10 lessons we learned about foot health from podiatrists in 2022

1. Our feet can tell us about our overall health

Before your next checkup, take inventory of your feet. Apart from telling us if we have  dry skin or a fungal infection, our feet can reveal a lot about our overall health. Bluish discoloration in our toes and toenails can indicate cardiovascular disease, while tingly or painful toes can be a sign of diabetes. And while curved toenails can occur naturally, they can also be a sign of lung disease.

2. How to find our arch type

Unsure of what arch type you have? Grab a sheet of paper and a bowl of water to find out!

The “wet foot test” can tell you if you have normal, low, or high arches. Simply dip the soles of your feet in water, let the excess drip off, and step onto the sheet of paper. Podiatrist Yolanda Ragland, DPM, walked us through what each impression indicates and how to pick out the best shoes for each arch type.

“Understanding the biomechanics of the foot can guide what type of performance shoes one should select,” Ragland previously told Well+Good, “and leads to how a medical professional approaches…patients with common foot complaints directly.”

3. Exactly when we should toss our old sneakers

Sneaker manufacturers recommend throwing out your sneakers after 300–500 miles of wear, and podiatrists agree. The midsole (cushiony part of the footbed between the bottom of the sneaker and where your foot sits) begins to wear down at this range. According to podiatrist Bruce Pinker, DPM, you definitely don’t want to wear shoes past this point. Without this support, you open yourself up to stress fractures, shin splints, and runner’s knee.

His pro tip: “Stay with well-known brands. Higher-quality shoes, such as those from New Balance, Saucony, Brooks, and Asics, often last longer due to preferred materials and construction,” Pinker previously told Well+Good.

4. What your ‘shoe wear pattern’ can reveal about your gait

Before tossing out your old sneakers, take a good look at their soles. Over time, the pressure between the ground and our feet wears down the bottom of your shoes in particular ways based on where you apply pressure and carry yourself consistently showing potential issues in your gait.

Surgical podiatrist and avid runner Jacqueline Prevete, DPM, walked us through exactly what each pattern means and how to adjust our strides accordingly for more optimal function of our feet (and the rest of our body).

5. Why you shouldn’t go through airport security barefoot

While taking off your shoes to pass through TSA is unavoidable sometimes, podiatrists say that you should keep your socks on. Losing that protective layer opens your feet up to bacteria and small, sharp items that may have fallen off the luggage of hurried travelers.

“Shoes and socks serve a protective function,” podiatric professor Mark Kosinski, DPM, previously told Well+Good. “Shoes protect us from injury, from things dropping on our feet, from stubbing our toes, and from stepping on sharp objects. We lose that protection when we go barefoot and need to be careful with each step.”

6. Foot health red flags you should look for at the nail salon

A good pedicure has the power to improve our mood and self confidence, but if your salon is slacking on its hygiene game, consider finding a new one. Podiatrists warn against frequenting salons with dirty workstations, no visible certifications, unlined foot tubs, and tools that haven’t been sterilized. Salons with poor hygiene standards put you at risk of getting ingrown toenails, fungal nails, and warts. Yuck!

7. How to relieve foot pain in a flash

Your feet support your weight all day, and as such, are easily prone to discomfort. Luckily, podiatrists say you can relieve most occurrences of foot pain at home—no office visit necessary. If you own a tennis ball (or really any firm, round ball like a lacrosse ball, for example), you can use it to roll out and stretch tight, uncomfortable soles. Meanwhile, toe spacers can offer serious relief from foot pain caused by poor toe flexibility.

8. The differences between walking and running shoes

Walking and running are two different forms of exercise, so it would make sense to wear shoes specifically suited for each. Podiatrists say your walking shoes should be flat, rigid, and heavy, while your running shoes should be flexible, contoured, and light.

As with all shoes, consider your own physical makeup and exercise habits when shopping for running and walking sneakers. New York City podiatrist Nelya Lobkova, DPM, previously told Well+Good that the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is her all-time favorite sneaker for running, while the wide ON Cloudventure sneaker offers great support for everyday walking.

9. The benefits of a foot facial

We treat our faces to luxurious skin-care routines, so why not do the same for our feet? Well+Good beauty writer Kara Jillian Brown revealed what it’s like to get a ‘foot facial’ from aesthetic podiatrist and podiatric foot surgeon Suzanne Levine, DPM. According to Brown, foot facials go beyond your standard salon pedicure.

During the 45-minute appointment, Dr. Levine carefully scraped off Brown’s old callouses and blisters, applied detoxifying masks to the entire foot, massaged hydrating creams into her skin, and examined her feet for signs of infection. Besides being a fabulous way to pamper her toes, Brown says this foot facial provided valuable insight into her overall foot health.

10. How to properly prep our feet for boot season

While we’re well into boot season, it’s never too late to adjust your boot and foot-care habits to be more comfortable and kind to your soles. Boots tend to be more rigid and constraining than other types of shoes and commonly cause blisters, cracked heels, bunions, and even pinched nerves, so it’s worth rebooting your routine to avoid such issues.

To that end, stretching your boots with a shoe stretching spray and stretcher tool can soften and loosen too-tight boots, preventing discomfort. Replacing worn-out insoles with podiatric Dr. Scholl’s inserts can add support with every stride. And aside from properly adjusting your boots, podiatrists recommend getting a pedicure to prevent ingrown toenails as well as slathering your feet in petroleum jelly to prevent dry skin during the colder months.

Read More