BrewSwillis

As far as 3rd world customers being less picky.....like I said, our subcompact cheap cars, are their midsize premium cars. Cars like the Mazda 3 have DVD players and Navigation screens common in Europe and Asia. It is a premium car there, a cheap subcompact here.......which is why everyone is so impressed that this cheap car(premium in Asia) has such a nice interior for a "cheap" car. The key thing you said is that GM makes the Delta everywhere, not the Cobalt. Toyota makes the Corolla everywhere....not a different type of vehicle based on the Corolla. It's easier to get a good price on tooling and materials for just one vehicle than 5 different vehicles based on one platform. I don't care if Toyota assembles the Corolla in the US, it's still the best selling vehicle in Japan, also made in Japan. Here's proof: I bet the interior of the Japanese Corolla is more or less the same as the American Corolla, therefore making the interior cheaper to purchase/produce for Toyota. Where is the interior produced? Japan? America? I bet the Cobalt shares no interior bits with any of the other Delta's.....and if they did, they would get slammed for badge engineering. It's all about volume......and the Corolla, and many other global Asian vehicles, have that advantage over the Cobalt.

More than double, even though Toyota will probably have a larger US market share than Chrysler Group by the time the year is up (if it doesn't already). Way to reward Toyota for carrying the least amount of American employees as possible.

It's a race to the bottom folks! We will have to compete with 3rd world country's labor rates, and become a poor nation in the process. Won't the whole world be happy when the US is just as poor as they are? So screw Unions, tariffs, restrictions, actual "fair" trade, etc.......lets see if we can compete globally for the cheapest labor!!

Like most people, I don't have the cash to spend on a winter tire package.......I spend all of my money paying for the car! :lol: The V6 version of the 300 has a 53/47 weight distribution. Sure it's a little easier to just "stomp on it" in the snow with a FWD, but the traction control in the 300 makes it possible to just "stomp on it" too, and let the computer do the job. I think there is too much stress placed on starting traction in the snow. I think the most dangerous difference between FWD and RWD is loosing control or spinning out. The ESP system on the 300/Magnum/Charger/Grand Cherokee/Commander makes spinning out almost impossible.......unless if you are going like 60 mph and cut the wheel.....but then a FWD could spin out then too. But going around turns and entering entrance ramps, it is impossible to spin out. I have tried it many times. Alot of times I'll turn off ESP in the snow, because I want to slide a little around slow corners......and the ESP will simply not let you do it. Yes, the ESP could go bad some day.....but that's the chance you take on new technology. As long as it works while I own it. For 3 months a year, I will let the ESP nanny help me through the winter, and the other 9 months, I get to enjoy a well balanced RWD vehicle!

The reason that these small, inexpensive, Asian cars have nicer interiors, is becasue they are premium midsze vehicles in their country of origin. When you make a ton of these things in a country with crowded streets, this size vehicle becomes a premium vehicle in that country, and therefore requires a premium interior. Well, they can send a few to the US as a cheap small car, and people in the US are happy to buy anything that's the cheapest they can get.....even if it is produced with 3rd world labor. So therefore, the Asian subcompact has a very large volume of global sales, and GM has to deal with their low volume US sales, and maybe some Chinese sales. You can't really plan a very nice interior for a car with low volumes (comparatively speaking to global sales of Asian subcompacts), and still keep the price anywhere near what a 3rd world produced car is going to cost. It might be different if Japan, Korea, India, etc were buying Cobalts, but they wouldn't even think of it......and their governments probably wouldn't allow it. How do you expect GM to put a nice (directly translate to : expensive) interior in car, and have it compete with a car that's built with 3rd world labor, and has a ton more global sales?

It's an opinion piece.....if you are an import fanboy! :lol: Import fans will simply just ignore any factual data you show them, and will resort to saying things like "but the Big 3 built so many bad cars in the 80's", or "the Big 3 doesn't build cars that people want". What the hell does that have to do with Toyota's raping of this country?

$$$$$ :lol:

Missy (Misdemeanor) Elliott is featuring the vehicle in her new video, "Lose Control," and a Chrysler official confirmed that the automaker is in negotiations to expand her promotion of the SUV in an effort to paint a street-smart attitude for the vehicle. http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/missy28e_20050728.htm http://www.automotivedigest.com/view_art.a...rticlesID=16437

Who the hell would pay $20K for a new "old" Isuzu Rodeo? ........made in China??

Yeah, for some reason I don't see a 480 HP Camaro SS stomping all over the Corvette's 400 HP, for like $10K less.....and if so, it's gonna be one hell of an expensive Camaro.

Damn, I'm kinda late on this one.....but here he goes with his anti-RWD crusade again. It's like he has stock in FWD or something. :rolleyes: I have a 2005 Chrysler 300 Touring, and it's awesome in the snow and slick conditions. The ESP is simply amazing. You can't spin the car out if you tried......and believe me, I tried. Plus, it's fun doing donuts when you turn it off! Just wanted to respond so people didn't just hear one side of the story. I guess the hundreds of 300's and Magnums that I've seen in Northern Ohio and SE Michigan are all gonna be put up in garages for the winter?? I don't think so.

Even if the Raider doesn't get the HO 4.7L with 250 hp, and 300 ft/lbs. It still has the regular 4.7L with 230 hp, and 290 ft/lbs. The Toyota may or may not actually have 245 hp, and 282 ft/lbs.....after the corrected SAE hp ratings. I think the torque is more important in trucks. Especially for doing truck chores like towing and hauling stuff. So, I really wouldn't say it's exactly "underpowered".

That is true.....but that's not what he said. Here's what the guy had to work with. Feel free to take a shot at your own rendering: http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gal...ATSCESMBWEX.jpg

Yeah, and even if Honda does do the oil changes.....you are still pretty much f*cked if you burn alive......forget having your car replaced.

There's a well thought out comment about a drawing based on someone's guess at what a completely camo'ed car might look like. ;)

Can't say it looks much goofier than the Toyota or Nissan:

At least they are not showing it going anywhere unrealisticly offroad........rain, sand, packed snow! :lol:

That's pretty bold coming from someone who already claimed that they didn't what they were talking about:

That is the point, but apparently some people can't get over the feeling of the transmission "never shifting"......so they have a button the driver can push to make the CVT "feel" like a 6 speed that is shifting. I don't have a problem with that.....just as long as it's the driver's choice. I still don't see how anyone would have a problem with giving the driver the choice of feeling fake shifts or not. :(

I don't know what some of you people are not understanding. The old SAE regulations left some "loopholes" where manufacturers could "cheat" to get better HP figures. Things like piping cold air from outside directly into the air box, playing with oil levels, different octane fuels, etc........all of which were purposely done with the intent of raising claimed HP figures. How could any manufacturer consider these acceptable practices? The answer is, some of them thought it was just fine, and others restrained.......and guess who thought it was just fine???..........TOYOTA!!!!......and HONDA!!!!! ;)

From the SAE site: This states that "some manufacturers" were stating non-SAE certified horsepower ratings. I wonder which manufacturers those were? Linky: http://www.sae.org/certifiedpower/details.htm

What Edmunds.com Says: Dodge may have broken its promise of a Durango hybrid in the past, but this vehicle's chances of coming to fruition are looking quite good. What We Know: It was revealed toward the end of last year that DaimlerChrysler plans to go through with a production-ready Dodge Durango Hybrid by 2007. Sure, the company has promised such a truck before, but it is in a much better position to turn this into a feasible project this time around, especially given its new commitment to develop hybrid drive systems with GM. The last attempt at such a vehicle, the Durango TTR, was abandoned in 2002 after the powertrain system failed to deliver the desired fuel economy. Given its failure, it's doubtful that we'll be seeing the front wheels powered by an electric motor and the rear with a conventional gasoline version on this second issue. Instead, you can expect the engine on the tentative Durango to be similar to the dual-displacement hybrid V8 which debuted in the GMC Graphyte concept in Detroit earlier this month. The company boasts that this new system will reduce the Durango's fuel consumption by as much as 25 percent. Our latest spy photos indicate that a hybrid model won't be the only change for 2007. A facelift looks to be on the agenda as well although the changes look to be minor.

Chrysler to Unveil Record Number of New Models in 2006 Date Posted 08-17-2005 AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In his first major press briefing, Chrysler Group's incoming CEO, Tom LaSorda, said the automaker will continue its momentum with the rollout of "at least" 10 completely new models in 2006. LaSorda, who takes over January 1, 2006 when current CEO Dieter Zetsche returns to Germany to become chief executive of DaimlerChrysler AG, said next year's new-model launches will surpass the record set in 2004. "That's at least 10 completely new models, not refreshed ones," he told Inside Line and other media representatives, though he wouldn't confirm which ones. Among the new models Inside Line has learned will be coming are two car-based Jeeps — the Compass and Patriot. Jeep also sees the redesign of the Wrangler, with both two- and four-door versions, and the addition of the performance-oriented Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. Super-duty versions of the Ram are planned, as well. Inside Line has learned a car-based sport-utility — or crossover — will go to Chrysler, reportedly to be called the Aspen, and one to Dodge, to be patterned after the hot Nitro concept. The base for the new crossovers is the upcoming Dodge Caliber, a hatchback that replaces the Neon. Replacements for the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus are also planned. Beyond next year, LaSorda said Chrysler will introduce a Dodge Durango featuring a hybrid powertrain co-developed with General Motors, and more diesel models likely will follow the successful Jeep Liberty diesel. What this means to you: Looks like Chrysler has answered the question, "Can it maintain the momentum?' The hits should keep on coming to a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep showroom near you.

Get Your Kicks With Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition * New Chrysler PT Cruiser Edition introduction kicks off annual Woodward Dream Cruise * Limited-production Chrysler PT Cruiser dedicated to “The Mother Road” * First Factory-customized version of the newly refined 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser * Eleventh version of Chrysler PT Cruiser since introduction in 2000 Royal Oak, Mich., Aug 16, 2005 - Chrysler kicked off Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise today, introducing the all-new 2006 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition dedicated to “The Mother Road” on another famous road, Detroit’s Woodward Avenue. Announced in conjunction with the famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition will be available later this summer as a limited-production version of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2006 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition will be $19,185 for the manual transaxle version and $20,020 for the automatic transaxle model. Both prices exclude a $640 destination charge. “Like the historic highway it’s named after, the new 2006 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition celebrates the journey, as well as the destination,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President—Chrysler. “With its proud heritage styling, colorful exterior and fun-to-drive character, Chrysler PT Street Cruiser captures the adventurous essence of Route 66,” Bell added. “It’s Route 66 personified.” Aglow in an exclusive Solar Yellow paint, this limited-production vehicle features Solar Yellow brake calipers, body-color grille, solar-tinted sunscreen glass, liftgate mounted spoiler, 17-inch all-season performance tires, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with low-speed traction control, speed control and a sport suspension. 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The Street Cruiser’s standard AM/FM radio with six-disc CD player has MP3 play capability, as well as an audio-input jack that can be used to connect portable MP3 players or other auxiliary audio devices. The Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition has front-seat-mounted side air bags. It also includes many of the standard safety features found on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, including an enhanced accident response system, new advanced driver and front-passenger multi-stage front air bags with an Occupant Classification system, a driver-side inflatable knee blocker, theft alarm, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child-seat anchor system, brake/park interlock, lap and shoulder seat belts in all positions, rear door child protection locks, rear liftgate release latch, remote keyless entry, Sentry Key engine immobilizer and speed-sensitive power locks. The 2006 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition is powered by a standard 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 150 horsepower (112kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (220 N•m) of torque coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. An optional four-speed automatic transmission also is available. The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition will be available in some markets outside of North America, arriving at the end of 2005. The vehicle for international markets will be available in Solar Yellow and Black, and with a choice of the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine or a 2.2-liter common-rail turbo diesel engine with a five-speed manual transmission. “The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 edition is the first factory-customized version of our newly refined 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and the eleventh version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser since the vehicle was introduced in 2000,” said Larry Lyons, Vice President—Front-wheel-drive Product Team. “This Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition features the many interior, exterior and NVH improvements we’ve made to the refined 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, all of which enhance the customer’s overall driving experience, whether it’s on their daily commute to work or on a cruise along the famous road it’s named after.” 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER The Chrysler PT Cruiser continues to lead the segment in style, versatility, quality and performance with a complete upgrade for the 2006 model year. Starting at a U.S. MSRP of $14,210 (excluding $640 destination) the vehicle features across-the-board refinements, including updated front and rear fascias, featuring a new front grille with the Chrysler winged badge, an all-new interior and improved performance. The High-output Turbo engine on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT model also gets a boost of power, now rated at 230 horsepower (171.5 kW) and 245 lb.-ft. (332 N•m) of torque, up from the previous 220 horsepower. 2006 Chrysler PT Cruisers also feature all-new interiors and NVH improvements that reduce road, wind and powertrain noise by up to five decibels, depending on driving conditions. The new instrument panel features larger gauges, new flush shutoff, rotating air vents and a Chrysler signature analog clock. The radio also is mounted higher in the center stack for easier access, and a passenger grab handle is added to the right side of the instrument panel, making it easier for passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. The glove box capacity is increased, and the door now features a dampened movement. A new center console with a sliding armrest and covered storage space replaces the previous seat-mounted armrests and front passenger seat storage bin for all 2006 PT Cruisers and the Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition. This console includes a covered tray for concealing small items, a deep storage bin that holds six CDs, an available battery-fed power outlet for cell phone charging, a new coin holder and two fold-out cup holders for rear-seat occupants. New convenience features on all 2006 models include standard power locks, courtesy map lamps and rear window switches mounted higher on the back of the center console for easier access. THE CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LINEUP CONTINUES TO GROW The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition is the eleventh version of the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000. The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition joins the Flames, Woodie, PT Dream Cruiser Series 1, 2, 3 and 4, Two-tone, PT Turbo and Chrome Accents models, and the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. The Street Cruiser Route 66 Edition is the first factory-customization of the newly refined 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. CHRYSLER PT CRUISER PRODUCTION Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible vehicles are built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. U.S. sales of the PT Cruiser lineup in July totaled 13,077 units, up 54 percent from the previous July. Year-to-date, Chrysler PT Cruiser sales in the United States totaled 71,451 units, up 11 percent from last year. Since its launch as a production vehicle in February 2000 through July 2005, 894,186 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles have been sold worldwide.

I can understand the comment about the owners who want the 6 speed feel as being fools :lol: , but why does it make the manufacturers dishonest?