regfootball

impreza with a stretched wheelbase and raised roof. the dash is the same.

Tiguan drives like a turd.......

13 model year, the AWD GTS and SLS model lose the rockford forgate audio.......because the new radio / nav was not engineered to work together. Was at CHI last week to see and play with the new unit. It's a nice unit. Much easier than a myfordtouch, maybe not as wow inducing. Looks cheap due to an aftermarket look but that was simple to do. the only version of the 13 with rockford fosgate is the front wheel drive GTS-L, which has the standard radio. no powertrain, styling, or interior changes for 2013. There is no longer an S model automatic. All are SE models now. SE AWD gains bluetooth. 17" alum wheels standard on any other model that does not have the 18". base manual gets a standard radio. No rockford Fosgate on the most expensive model means if I ever get one I will prob have to look at used. Prior rockford fosgate plsu pre-13 navs had issues working with the subwoofer and other electrical issues.

my sx4's are pretty much the exact same size and have more hp and are like 7-10 grand less. Although yes, i know they are not as nice nor new. Still, it's hard to ask that much premium over the 'commodity' level. I'd say Buick is a bit ballsy here. I would have started the pricing at 23 or so for these things or upped the hp.

we had a cube on the lot for awhile. I just couldn't warm to it. Tinny, but spacious.

short term for a corvette will probably be 5 years. then they can bring out the 3.0tt vette. I am not an accounting whiz but i am guessing they were able to use this C7 development cost to justify and pay for a re-do on the entire small block design.

why are A5's any different as far as douchemobiles? Actually, what Dwight said makes a lot of sense.

and the version for the bass fishing crowd....... the Pro Master Baiter.

I think the Phaeton will be a good option to say, an A8. And considering how cheap ass the new Passat has gotten, it will be a way for VW to still have a luxurious feeling vehicle in their line.

add AWD, that's cheaper than a whole new platform and that will pick up sales in the cold climes.

not much on the market under 20k anymore, really. touched a Chevy Spark the other day. That's like 13k. I was amazed at the packaging for the tiny size. But if that is the future of cheap cars...........

i think they still see themselves as primarily against the camry and they did make it nice enough that now it looks better and has a better package than the camry. i still think Honda doesn't really see themselves vs. Hyundai and Ford or GM etc.

19 mpg is pretty good for a big rig. 20mpg on my TaurusX is tough to get at those speeds sometimes.

I know Buick is really trying to push up their prices to separate from being cheap Chevy's. And in this case with all the improvements and standard equipment......but overall, car prices are getting scary high. This is fine for the segment I suppose....when Explorers are pushing 45 and 50 g.....

my bad, looking at a Monroney yesterday on an LS. Apparently the LS does have an AUX in jack somewhere.....although I could not find where it may be. Still seems there is no USB port or bluetooth audio streaming on the LS.

IOW, G8, part 2.

No, not under-refined at all, to most. I think it is more appropriate to describe it as, the car is nicely refined now, and largely improved over the last gen...but there are just a couple noticeable areas that call attention to themselves as opportunity to improve, and remain competitive. Especially with all the newly redone competitive models out right now. I think the engine sound / noise, tranny, steering and suspension all could use some tweaks to bring it up another level with relative inexpensive ease. I think some interior issues could be addressed that would be minor. I would lose the straked dash, and get rid of plood. One big flaw that can't be fixed. There is like a foot between the engine and front bumper area of the car, wasted space....and there is several inches lacking in rear seat room.

Will start with this one now and fill in / edit more later. Tested 2013 Chevy Malibu 1LT Had a chance to put a few miles on a new Malibu yesterday. I probably did not get a chance to make note of all I wanted to. But in any case, it was a good drive. I really wanted to just test an LS, but the 1LT was what was available. I enjoyed the car a lot. I think there is just enough room left for improvement and it is improved quite a bit over the 2008-2012...which now seems not as appealing in pretty much in every real way. 13 is not quite as nice as the Regal, still (engine perhaps not withstanding). ------ HIGHS -new engine revs nicely and vibrations are damped. -plenty of power for everyday driving -really low rpm at interstate speeds -greatly improved dash and door panel materials -car is well suited for long distance driving or daily commuting -interior is improved and laid out better with more features -fantastic view and stance looking out the windshield (panoramic) -styling -trunk space (no trunk issues!, it's huge) -good steering wheel size -feels like the cliche'd 'four door coupe' -'good' steering and handling. about what the class expects -reduced wheelbase feels good. Car feels a little more right sized in the drive. -Car really feels very little like the 08-12, which is crazy since it shares a lot of the architecture. Good job, feels a lot less cheap. Car is improved in nearly every way. LOWS -new engine could use more torque down low-mid, engine sound is a little shrill, slight hints of coarseness -tranny sometimes hunts or takes a bit to downshift -side mirrors larger than expected, but still smaller than you'd want -gunslit / mailslot view out the rear window -limited and questionable color selections, inside and out -No USB or even AUX in on the LS. -dash design, where those strakes or whatever they are, really should be toned down or gotten rid of and made more simple....it's cheesy and busy -seats a little bit hard in the back and never quite got em adjusted right. -armrest could slide forward more and have more padding -a little more NVH may be nice -steering feel, while 'good', could be improved a lot I think with quicker steering and more feel -center console bumps your leg. -ride / suspension also could use a little refinement. it's probably stiff enough, it just feels a little unsophisticated -some folks may think the car is a bunker. (I actually did not mind it). A moonroof would lighten up the inside quite a bit. (edit)- no leather wrap on the 1LT steering wheel. i don't think it had remote start either. cloth heated seats would be nice too. (edit)- plood is terrible, has no business being in this car. FATAL FLAW -back seat legroom..really lacks and it would not keep ME from buying the car. But it IS tight, tighter than it should be. Look under the hood and you see the almost empty foot of space under the hood between the motor and front structure of the car and you can quickly see how the inefficient packaging took away the rear legroom. Darn near inexcusable. It's time for a new platform. A v6 WILL fit easily under this hood. I'll add more later. I'd say it's a B, ok maybe more of a B+. Some refinement issues, and other bits and pieces plus bad rear leg room ban it from getting an A.

was in a caddy store today.....as a 'by the way'...the CTS is leasing real cheap right now. Lots of untrumpeted incentives....... there was a 12 base AWD 3.0 CTS with pleather that was really a good deal right now.

i think chevy will be all in with some incentives to move these things and i am guessing a lot of them will be LS and LT1's. That leaves room at the top for the much more expensive Impala in the future. An LS manual 2.5 with some bigger wheels and Mylink would be about all I need. The automatic would work fine also. Moonroof would be a nice option. I'd like to see cloth heated seats on the Malibu. Seen a few 2013 Altimas, already tired of them. Not a fan of the grille and overall they look too similar to the 12's. Have to admit, a 2.0 manual turbo Malibu in basic trim I would like and I'd even prefer it over a Verano now.

i like your ideas to create a cost effective sport package. i actually stopped at the chevy place today and it was worth my while because they had a new 2.5 LS. MSRP was 23k or a little more. Looked really good for the price. Alloys and everything. The only real option you'd need that it was missing was mylink. Really liked the non-faux wood trim. My only real knock on the BU is rear leg room.

the midsizers really crossover into the large cars now also, and the lux / near lux. you can option a new fusion to 38+ grand..... Impalas, MKZ's Regals, TSX or TL, they all seem to crossover.

this is probably how i would slot them to my own preference today. very well could change. The Camry and Chrysler twins are prob the only ones you could not give me for free. 1. Fusion 2. Mazda6 3. Accord 4. Altima 5. Malibu 6. Passat 7. Sonata 8. Optima 9. Legacy 10. Camry 11. Avenger 12. 200 pretty amazing when you consider how many models got weeded out. Aura, Grand Prix, Galant, Milan malibu as high for me is a homer pick. it would probably make sense to have it a little lower but at the same time i think its refinement and quietness have to account for something.

BUMP is it time to revisit this thread for 2013/2014?

hybrid cimarron