Hudson

Check out this article on a one-of-a-kind Corvette that's going up for auction in May http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/1694

So the ALLEGED (we don't know if he paid for it at this particular "you-pull-it") theft of a gearshift knob is a big enough problem to pull an ad? I agree that myopic lawyers have pulled or changed such questionable ads as the Corvette dream ad for tiny things, but picking on this ad for an alleged theft of a $10 gear shift knob is a bit much.

Not entirely sure what you're getting at with your analysis of this "guy" from a 30-second commercial, but the wrecked car in the commercial is a manual. You can clearly see the shift lever boot in the commercial, you wouldn't be able to just twist off an automatic shift knob, and you can clearly see the 6-speed shift pattern in the commercial's final shot.

No, but close. It was actually very similar to the theme of this thread. The Bel Air was a Colorado chassis with a (turbocharged, I believe) inline-five engine. But it definitely had a car body on a truck frame.

Good question. It's either a Chrysler or a DeSoto.

The X-Type is based on a front-drive (CD132) platform and the S-Type is based on a rear-drive (DEW98) platform. They do not share transmissions.

That may be true. The few that I have driven have been solid...and lower mileage than your example. You can find a rare 3.0/5-speed around, although I have no problems with my 2.5/5-speed. I do, however, wish it were a wagon, but try finding a 5-speed wagon in the US.

I was thinking PhotoShop.

The Explorer/gas tank reference isn't so much a dig on the value of the Explorer as much as it was a dig at the price of 22 gallons of gas. I don't see why it should make you mad. The point that should make you, as a car aficianado, mad is the point about the 1997 F-150 and "the most sought-after...7.5-liter fuel-injected big-block V8." While the 460cid V8 was offered in the F-350 in 1997, the F-150 only had a choice of the 4.2L V6 or the SOHC V8 (4.6L or 5.4L). Even the short-lived non-SuperDuty 1997 F-250 didn't have an engine larger than the 5.4L. It's that kind of lack of basic automotive knowledge that should make readers (and does make writers) mad.

I'm not looking for 0-60 in the 5-second range, but the high 7s that I'm getting is quick enough for any place I'd need to go. The steering and suspension are what I'd expect from a Jaguar...sporty without being racing-car harsh. I can't imagine what I'm doing different in adjusting my seat that you couldn't do in the car you drove. And the interior is far from noisy...I like the hushed tones of the engine providing the sporting air that a Jaguar should have while allowing conversations at normal tones at extra-legal speeds. The Fusion I drove when contemplating my car purchase wasn't as quiet as my car is (nor was it nearly as enjoyable to drive). As I stated before, I was against the X-Type as I saw it as a watering-down of the Jaguar brand. I'm glad they got rid of it from the lineup, but I'm glad to own one as well. It's a hidden treasure that was unceremoniously beat up by the press for no good reason other than it's mundane paternity. It's an even better hidden treasure when you can find a lightly used one at such a bargain...that will bring many years of enjoyment with very little downside. It's not a Lexus or Mercedes-Benz or Cadillac or Lincoln or BMW....and thank god for that.

I've been a life-long Jaguar fan and I was rather upset when Ford spun off the Mondeo into a Jaguar. But having owned a 5-speed/2.5 for nearly three years, I can say it's a great car. The 2.5 is far from underpowered and does not need "to be wound up a bit" to get power. It's smooth and quick; not loud, but muscular...no, it's not a Honda. It's a Jaguar. I don't know how tall you are, but I sit up straight without any problems. The power seats allow for comfortable seating for many different frame proportions. And there's still room in the back seat for adults. The suspension is excellent. The front weight bias is modest and the suspension keeps up with the car's balance very well. It handles great. The problem I have with the AWD system is that it's too bias toward the REAR wheels. This emphasis on the rear wheels makes for great power and great handling but make the car a little hard to deal with when the road gets sloppy. reg: the arguments you've made against this car are very similar to the ones people on this site complain about when people review GM cars. My X-Type was an incredible bargain and three years later, it's still the best car I've owned and one of the best cars I've ever driven (and I've driven hundreds of cars in my jobs in the automotive industry).

Found on another site: Aside from "Stacy's Mom" and "Double Vision", this one's not making me want it (and I have all of them). The Sammy Hagar era was my favorite Van Halen period. Leaving out "Why Can This Be Love," "Poundcake," "Runaround," "Can't Stop Lovin' You," "Humans Being," "Right Now," "Cabo Wabo," "Finish What Ya Started," and "Summer Nights" is a crime.

Hopefully to encourage your purchases of print magazines, there's a new magazine coming out in November. Chevy Enthusiast should be right up the alley of many of the people on this site. And, hopefully, not to put any damper on the enthusiasm for this new magazine...I'll have an article featured in the second issue. Check it out.

Please check out my article at: http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/1091 Let me know what you think.

Yes, but you might not want to align your tastes to mine. Did you miss the Pacer wagon in my list?

I try to attend as many car shows as possible, especially ones with obscure and odd vehicles. Check out my pictures and articles on these shows: 2009 Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/924 2009 Deutsche Classic http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/1019 Ugly Car Contest http://www.automotivetraveler.com/index.ph...&Itemid=194 Tell me what you think.

I'm looking to head up to Macungie this Saturday as well.

I'm with you...but it's like a who's who of cars I'd LIKE to own. Including the Checker (although I'd prefer a Superba wagon). Add in the AMC Pacer Wagon, deTomaso Deauville, original MG TF, Northstar Cadillac Allante, Shelby GLH-S, and a Bugatti Type 42 Royale, and you'll get the idea of what my Billion Dollar dream car collection would be like.

I liked PETA when they chased down people who beat their pets and even when they prevented cosmetics companies from testing makeup on rabbits. Lost a little respect for them for their vegatarian points, but to each his own. THIS, though, puts them on par with the worst right-wing or left-wing extremists in the US...perhaps globally.

There are some bad looking vehicles out there, but I think the Lancer is a good looking car. If it goes to "vehicle," I have to say the Ford SuperDuty trucks (van and pickup), as mentioned above, has the worst front end design. As for "car," the EPA classifies the Cube as a car....so I'm going there.

The Routan is one of the BEST minivans on the market today. It should not be lumped in with any "loosers" [sic] on this thread.

A page and a half of discussions of Members Only jackets (yes, I had one) and not one mention of the MINUTE AND A HALF commercial for the PLYMOUTH DUSTER?!?!?!? I like the pictures in the background of the earlier versions of the Plymouth Horizon TC3 with its dual headlight front fascia instead of the Duster's quad headlight setup. And that Dodge Omni 024 deTomaso edition was the stuff back in the day (and predated this car by five years).

Actually, the F40 (and prior 288 GTO) were powered by 2.9L twin-turbocharged V8 engines, not V6s. And the earlier Italian market 208 (sharing a body with the 308) had a 2.0L turbocharged V8.

Through April 2009: 2,188,305 - North American-sourced (72.3%) 836,060 - Imported Last year through April 2008: 3,632,282 - North American-sourced (75.2%) 1,195,122 - Imported

Automotive News reports sales by "region" or origin. It's not perfect, but it's probably as close as you're going to get. What time frame are you looking for? This year (four months)? Last year (12 months)?