Variance

Debadge the "Taurus" and slap on the "Five Hundred" lettering from an older 500.

I guess one of mine is the 3rd-gen Avalon: First, it's not what I'd call bland (unlike the 1st and 2nd gen). I think it could look pretty hot in the right color and wheels. I've always liked the Avalon Pursuit car as well: I don't think the interior's half-bad, either. I've definitely seen worse.

Gonna SSify it?

I wonder how the guy who bought the "last Taurus ever" feels.

If you're going to post this, post the whole thing or at least a link to it: Ninth Place (tie): 2007 Pontiac G6 GT 3.9 Ninth Place (tie): 2007 Saturn Aura XR Eighth Place: 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Seventh Place: 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT Sixth Place: 2007 Volkswagen GTI Fifth Place: 2007 Saturn Ion Red Line Fourth Place: 2007 Nissan Altima 3.5SE Third Place: 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 Second Place: 2007 Toyota Camry V-6 First Place: 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX http://www.caranddriver.com/features/12396...0-to-25000.html

What tailspin? Their profit dropped some in the 3rd fiscal quarter; they aren't losing money.

Would you believe that was my reaction exactly when I first set eyes on these?

A Toyota trifecta of disastrous design. The only good-looking part of any of them is the Highlander's interior.

Because I'm bored and have nothing better to do (if Camino still cares)... Black '96, 53K miles and I think I can barely make out barn doors from the one pic. $13k though. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...amp;cardist=470

Edmunds review added to first post.

It's going to have to be used. Here are my realistic choices: 5th-gen Nissan Maxima 3rd-gen Nissan Altima 3.5SE/SE-R 2004+ Pontiac Grand Prix GT/GTP 1st-gen Infiniti G35 (preferably AWD)

You can get a Titan with a column shifter (and bench seating). They've had it available from the beginning. Dreaming.

Infiniti Planning Hybrid M Nissan is planning a rival for the hybrid powered Lexus GS450h. The green machine will debut sometime after April 1, 2010 and use Nissan's own hybrid technology. While Toyota and Honda have pushed ahead aggressively on hybrids, Nissan has deliberately held back, probably for three reasons: 1. Cost. Hybrids are generally not thought to make money yet, or not enough of it; 2. There's still considerable debate inside Nissan whether hybrids really are eco-friendly “the answer”, as opposed to diesels, fuel cells and plug-in hybrids; and, 3. Why promote a technology in which your two main rivals are already so far ahead? Still, the wheels of change are rolling at Nissan and a recent speech to the media, Nissan COO Toshiyuki Shiga admitted that, yes, the car-maker would develop a hybrid with its own technology. But which model? All he would say is...."we are thinking of F/R”, meaning a front-engine, rear-drive configuration. Investigations can reveal however that the car Nissan is thinking about is the next Fuga/Infiniti M35/M45, a direct rival to the Lexus GS. Wheels Magazine

Preview: 2008 NISMO 350Z Nissan's performance arm, NISMO (Nissan Motorsport) recently released the NISMO 350Z for sale in Japan and soon it will make its way stateside, debuting at NYIAS. This is the press release for the Japanese launch: Based on the new Fairlady Z, the Version NISMO fuses NISMO's extensive racing expertise, gained through competing in SUPER GT and other race series as the Nissan works team, with the Autech Japan’s extensive experience in manufacturing completely customized vehicles. The new model provides a heightened dimension of sporty driving pleasure, backed by the Fairlady Z's renowned performance capabilities. The customl1 Version Nissan can be purchased at Nissan dealers nationwide and receives the same after-sales service as regular Fairlady Z models. To help enhance driving performance, the Version NISMO’s body stiffness has been improved by increasing the welded area of the body panels and adding additional reinforcement bars and panels, among other measures. High-grip Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tires have been adopted to absorb high input forces from the road surface. In addition, the suspension system has been totally retuned to further boost cornering performance. An optimum balance of handling and driving comfort has also been achieved by adopting Performance Dampers*2 that effectively damp force inputs to the body. The exterior design was developed on the basis of meticulous studies conducted by the Design Group and the Vehicle Performance Testing Group. A supercomputer was used to run design simulations based on aerodynamic data collected with SUPER GT race cars. The distinctive body form obtained as a result provides superior handling and stability, together with aerodynamic characteristics for creating effective downforce. The interior is also distinguished by its unique, premium-quality ambience, resulting from the use of exclusive metallic-looking genuine leather trim. Seats are upholstered with a perforated Alcantara®*3 center section that holds the body more firmly during sporty driving. *1: Customized cars require on-site registration at a vehicle inspection and registration office. *2: Manufactured by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and developed exclusively for the Version NISMO. The dampers connect the right and left side frame members at the front and rear of the car and serve to absorb body twisting and vibration. *3: Alcantara® is an artificial suede leather manufactured by Toray Corporation.

Spied: 2008 Saab 9-3 These two photos are the ones that give us the most insight into what we'll be looking at with the MY2008 Saab 9-3 range. I've got to say, the first impression is bloody striking and just magnificent. This is just the aggressive look the 9-3 needed. The latest incarnation of the 9-5 was a little divisive (to say the least!) but so far, every reaction to this image that I've read has been totally positive. The Aero-X influence is unmissable and beautifully applied to the car. Not only does the rounded pressing on the hood give the headlamps some aggressive eyebrows, it is also reminiscent of the old clamshell hoods of Saabs past (Vector 220 points oout in comment that it may actually be a clamshell and looking closely - he may well be right). IMHO, this car looks hotter than the new CTS, which quite frankly is leaving me colder by the day. Trollhattan Saab

Reviews: 2008 Dodge Avenger Avenger will compete in a tough market segment, going up against leaders like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, as well as the newly-improved Malibu . It will be a tough fight. The new sedan may slip in a few categories, but it definitely stands out on the design front. And for many potential buyers, we think that will more than overcome its shortfalls. The Car Connection --- For all its newness, the Avenger assumes much the same place in the automotive sky as the Stratus. It's got some style and it's got some space, but this Dodge is built to a price, and you can tell when you put it next to a Honda Accord, Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry. Even Dodge admits to us that the Japanese-label competition has a stranglehold on the market for midsize sedans, and the 2008 Dodge Avenger will have to scrap with the Ford Fusion and Pontiac G6 for what's left over. This doesn't sound very aggressive to us. Edmunds

Spied: BMW 1-Series Coupe 2Addicts Forum

You'll be the first to know.

I actually like the interior. It appeals to the tech-head in me.

Looks like the swelling has gone down on the fat lip.

Somewhere in Auburn Hills, Chrysler Group execs are cheering and popping champagne corks: "Merely cheap, not embarrassingly so! w00t!!"

Interesting to see that the Titan holds up pretty well to newer competition.

They'll probably announce changes for that (and the Xterra) at a later date.

Grand Prix Investigated for Engine Fires General Motors Corp.'s Pontiac Grand Prix cars are being investigated by a U.S. safety agency for engine fires that ignite after the car is turned off. The study covers 1999-2002 models of the Grand Prix GTP equipped with supercharged V6 engines, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today on its Web site. Of the 21 consumer complaints, 16 involve fires that began five to 15 minutes after ``the vehicle was parked and the ignition switched off,'' the safety agency said. Bloomberg

Well, it looks like a $40-45k interior now. Which is suppose is better than looking like a $20k interior as the old one did.