regfootball

i witnessed the end of an extremely brutal accident the other day. the victim was in a late 90's corolla. I think he would have fared much better in a newer rig. To be honest, apart from seeing blood streams run down his face, I am not sure if he was conscious and going to make it. With kids, yes, the safety factor increases. i like that with these national used car search engines, it means you can more easily find gems like those. And with reliability history and internet forums, you can know more about what you are getting into with older vehicles.

we bought our taurus x (one year old used) in late 08 right at the time of the banking crash so we were forced into (kind of) a 6 year loan just to get a better payment. We actually did pay off the vehicle and own it a little longer but then it started to nickel and dime us. So being familiar with the six year loan I think that's about as far as i would go on a new vehicle. I do think too for some people it can be justified on say a 3 year old lease return CPO. Under the premise that you truly believe you would keep the 3 year old car 6 years or more. And some do. It's just that you'll always be fully underwater on that. We're leasing currently, primarily because i didn't want to finance so much interest and tax. I figured i would get the buy down lower than my loan balance after three years, and i would have the option to see if the lease end value is less than the buyout. The bad part of leasing is you have a deadline, and you can risk getting caught in a situation where your credit tanks or something right when you turn the car in. Or the interest rates go up. Or you are forced to another vehicle you didn't really want. And there is the miles thing. The Malibu lease is a pittance so i don't feel like we are losing much on that. The van lease feels a little like throwing money out the window but its much less than the idea of owning something with a Chrysler tag on it and losing that much more. I don't have anything ill to say towards people who lease to manage their depreciation losses better. But i sort of think there can sometimes be instances where status seekers lease and i guess then it depends on how good a deal they get on the lease. And there are other examples, like people who have leased Volts with great deals and then have tuned them in and GM takes the hit for 10 grand or more. Our Chrysler van lease is due in 6 months or so and I've actually been shopping prices on new vehicles. I don't think I'll have the ability to buy anything new except for a Grand Caravan which is heavily discounted or maybe Pacficas as they sit on lots and weather the market of first year teething pains. I think leasing or buying will be out of reach for say a new Traverse...the thing is vehicle prices being what they are even a 5 year old Traverse or Explorer with say 80,000 miles will still be like 25 grand. And to finance that for 6-7 years is crazy i think. To pay cash up front for one like that is fine i think, if you have that cash for that example. I've thought a lot about just scouring the nationwide car sites and finding the diamonds in the rough....the 8-10 year old Taurus X or Flex that some old geezers had and maybe has like 60,000 miles on it and its still only like 14 grand. And save up more dough. And maybe try for a warranty. To avoid the servitude. When i sold cars it broke my heart that we would finance 9 and 10 year old cars for like 5 year terms. Crazy. Upside down forever. One of my biggest regrets when selling was we had a used Tahoe on our lot that was like 8 years old and high miles but was clearly well taken care of and spotless. It was 8 grand. Should have bought it. Neighbor actually bought a used Suburban similarly in the same timeframe and every time i see him pull in and out of the garage i know he made a great find because his ride looks new and its probably a 2004 or something, and he could probably list it on Craigslist some weekend and sell it immediately and make most back of what he paid.

i think if Buick really downplays the eAssist aspect and just markets it as the replacement base engine, then people may just think of it more as an extended stop start and not something that is supposed to compete with a full hybrid. So i hope they do not ever use the word hybrid. That said, I can't see wanting this in the LaCrosse. This is just to get the price down for base models. My guess is this will end up at the rental car place or fleets. This would be a better base mill in the Impala. I actually test drove a current gen eAssist 2.4 Impala and I sort of believed it was better than the 2.5 regular. Hopefully the addition of eAssist here makes the 2.5 implementation better than the plain 2.5. Try as they may, with the new LaCrosse, the styling is the problem they have to work around the most. The last gen was a sexy car and the new one flat out isn't. ---edit---- there is finally some huge cash on the hoods of the 17 LaCrosses now. Big discounts. If you like the car, we're talking 7, 8, 10 grand off some of them.

Congrats, that would be a hard choice, the Encore is a sweet vehicle (especially with the interior updates) and the Cruze hatch is great too. I love the wheels on yours! Great color too.! Enjoy the Cruze hatch, glad you got a hatch! I've seen a few now out and about. Had the new Regal been out by now I would have said try the Regal hatchback too just for kicks, even if it were some more $$$$.

DRIVEN: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T AWD LT HIGHS: 2.0t engine is relatively well behaved and mated well to 9 speed automatic. Move the Equinox pretty well and without fuss, four a four cylinder. Should be good for more than just in town errands. Rear row seats are very supportive, placed at a good height, and are nicely comfortable. Cargo area manages to be about the same as the previous version. Crazy considering how much smaller the vehicle is. Interior contains all the style and function upgrades of the new Malibu, like switches, gauges, etc. The size of the vehicle will work well for those who need something that is easy to get around town in and park. Some may like the new windswept, softer styling. OK, I'll say this will probably appeal to women more than men. Um,......... .................... LOWS: Despite how good the 2.0 is, this is no v6. Even the sales guy agreed with me, the front row seems much narrower, has less space, and compromised compared to the previous version. Trunk area trimmed out cheaply. No real gratification from steering, handling or anything vehicle dynamics wise. That shocks me because my new Malibu really has ride and drive down well. The Equinox got none of that. As a Malibu with an Ipod on the dash driver, I will even admit it looks cheap and in particular in the Equinox this Ipod on a dash design looks cheap. This is not a bad vehicle, in fact it is improved a lot but at the same time its very possible this comes off as a less of a vehicle than the Rogue, CRv and others. GM is failing big Amurchan butts in its newest seat designs. Too narrow, although it may fit women better. GM really has feminized this product. We'll see how sales are affected. Gotta fight back against automotive misogyny and all those CRv and RAV-4 sales. SUMMARY: I don't want to waste much more time on this one. Its almost like my view of the new Acadia in a way. GM did something to a good selling product to change it and I'm not sure if the market will take to it. This is a very much improved vehicle in a lot of ways...but there is nothing about it that makes me think its compelling to either classic GM fans or those who lean towards the import competition. Hate to say it, but not at the prices GM is asking. They botched the front row, it seems narrow and cramped. And it won't seem to outdo the fierce competition in any other ways. So, despite being pleasant and competent unto itself, i think Chevy had better hope the upcoming Blazer can pick up some sales that I think will get left on the table here. I may wait for full judgement until i drive the 1.5 in FWD guise, or the diesel, but its hard to go much higher than a C+ or a B- with a side dish of pity. Pass the GM dealer and head straight for the Ford dealer to find a nice buy on a 17 Escape 2.0 with a lot of goodies on it, and save yourself some $$$ in the process. And you'll get something that is nice to drive, too. And you'll be happy.

DRIVEN: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology A8 SUV MSRP $40,285 HIGHS: FINALLY something to drive real traffic in a VW showroom!!! Really, this (and the new Tiguan) will save Volkswagen and make them relevant again. After a second consideration, this is a very crisp, conservative shape that will play well in its market. Bland, sure, and a bit truckish perhaps, but that's what it wants to be. A+ on vehicle packaging. Considering the physical size, and usage of space; 3 spacious rows, usable cargo, great seating options. Second row slides forward and backward. Genius how it can tilt forward for good access to third row, which can have real leg room for adults when all three rows are set up well. Seating height in second row and leg and foot space is fine even for large Murchan midwestern men. Second row is wide, too. 7 out to lunch, no problem. Large windows and great visibility coupled with a just right stance and driving position. Center console is big and wide, despite wide seats, no loss of leg space due to console (CX-9 please take notes). Cargo area trimmed out decently with material that looks like it will wear a bit longer than some others. Third row seats easy to fold forward. 3.6 litre v6 and automatic transmission are smooth and seamless as a team. No bad behavior. Engine is not a crazy revver with a deep throat and lungs, but it does not fuss, and it dishes out torque nicely. Really makes the Mazda CX-9 four-pot turbo seem crappy and silly. Vehicle is very quiet inside, I mean VERY. Many space vessel vehicles are loud inside just because of so much surface area exposed inside, but this thing will be a great road cruiser. The available moonroof setup is really nice. If you are looking at this vehicle and it has it, it is a nice big size and it doesn't cut into headroom. Guess what. YOU CAN TURN OFF THE AUTO STOP START! (which by the way seemed to work ok when it did kick in). The heft of the vehicle makes it feel SOLID. Not maybe needed in this age of technology but it is nice to see CD drive and USB + SD card and other ports available in the glove box. For those of us who still occassionally by a CD and want to listen to it on the way home, thank you. LOWS: Like a lot of the 10's era VW stablemates, we can say there is interior cheapness and bland interior design. Most of it is due to plastics that could stand to be nicer, and a bit of a simple and dull looking main dash layout. Despite my compliments on the powertrain above, I do think it could display more reserves in top end power, willingness to rev, and a throatier sound. Hate to say this since VW's are supposed to handle German well, but the steering is loose and mushy and the suspension seems a bit floppy when you start working the steering wheel other than pointed straight ahead into the interstate sunset. In fact, overall, while trying to appeal to the trucklike wannabe crowd, VW fails by needing to inject more of a carlike ride, handling, and steering. DIC readings for MPG were not very good!!! But probably not worse than too many other competitors.... While feeling SOLID, the heft of the vehicle can be felt. Maybe not necessarily bad, but it does feel like the vehicle if it were 2-300 pounds lighter would help with what i mentioned in the line right above. The tan interior and leatherette saved this from the dour darkness of the standard black cloth interior. If you can avoid the black interior in the Atlas, please do. SUMMARY: I was surprised. VW has done their homework here and as a result, some other manufacturers who have made big $$$$ off the 3 row SUV segment should be worried that they will lose business to this newcomer. It doesn't blow you away with any one feature or performance,; it simply makes good on the formula for success. Good space and packaging, rugged looks and a tough stance, and comfort, quiet and amenities inside. It is unusual for VW to acquiesce; or shall we say, surrender to the way it is being done outside of their own way. I think the key here is the Atlas is tailored for North America, and the previous idiots at VW finally got a clue. Well, watch them sell cars. It's hard to say if this is the best in class, because it probably isn't....there is so much good competition. But to be honest, this segment is really about all the choices and VW finally has a seat at the table. A nice big comfortable recliner chair in fact. With cupholders, USB ports and wide armrests. So there will be plenty of folks that choose it. A- or B+? OK, because they did get basics right, A-. Slight knock below a straight A due to the interior blandness and cheapness. ------ Side note, the new Acadia just doesn't impress ME when compared to the Atlas. Mostly due to styling and packaging, but the new Acadia's powertrain isn't better. In fact it may not be as good either. GM really needs to figure out what the eff it is doing with that vehicle. And lets HOPE the new Traverse isn't a dud like the Acadia. For me, if it is, the Atlas will fight with a minivan for the spot in the garage in a few months.

insignia platform would actually be perfect for a more carlike crossover, not trucky, larger than the small equinox. Edge competitor. And it wouldn't handle like a turd. tinfoil hat to me suggests the 'sale' was not really a sale yet, but other than to say GM sold a dead weight asset......when in reality what is probably hapenning is an actual merger......

it was popular in these parts. particularly at the used auto broker dealers that sell lots of 1-3 year old luxury lease returns. lots of them available with crazy low miles for a good deal, in comparison to say, a toyota iM or prius

that's better than my cobalt manual.

Like the updates. More presence. Hope they have a new center stack with a decent new CUE. Hope the turbo six can stay. The XTS is something that someone like my mom would be good with. Something to replace the DTS although she would believe the XTS is small. She doesn't like the shape and beak of the new CTS and the ATS being of no size is not an option. It's ok to have the XTS hold down the cheapskate Cadillac buyers market. Caddy needs to fix all the CT6 problems in order to keep the prices up for that . It's too narrow the styling is bland and has some proportion issues the interior is cheap we may see an early rename and reskin back to DTS I would focus on making the CTS geared to those who have a higher sensitivity to sharp handling and tactile feel and performance they could invest in nicer seats and interior bits give us the twin turbo plus AWD The ATS it will be interesting they need to find a niche for the smaller size in the US and add some backseat room they would be better off cutting back us inventory for ATS and making it niche like try to guide those sales to the CtS crossovers are king but there are still people who don't want one my mom is short and small enough that she doesn't think an srx would work for her hard to step up into she still wants a larger car though even at her age she would probably benefit from the small downsize from dts to XTS for ease of driving and parking etc

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2018-cadillac-xts-leaked-in-china-117764.html# I like the new front and rear ends hopefully a new CUE too

Oh my! It's so big and so much girth!

you've got all those old Suzuki the SeX4's slaughtered......those wouldn't often hit 30 mpg.......the automatics often didn't hit 25 mpg. If for some insane reason I feel i need to drive stick ever again I will for sure take one of these out for a run.

AGREE i love those kinds of interiors too. The SS has a fantastic interior...quite possibly the most comfortable seats in a GM sedan..... SS is worth getting for the interior alone, apart from just the powertrain.

what is needed is a backoff from increases and new regs in CAFE and emissions and safety garb for 5-7 years. The automakers need a break from reinventing the wheel. Lets make it cheaper and more reliable. Save some of the investment dollars for moving to volt like or full electric powertrain development. Market deprivation from 2009-2012 or 2013 created a pent up demand when people actually saw a bit of light in their budgets and were able to replace old clunkers. the last 3-4 years literally made up for that pent up demand and therefore people voted with their dollars for crossovers and nicer cars. Those that could. I think the higher price market is tapering off and the automakers don't know it yet. I think there will be a cycle where those manufacturers can sell value and lower prices will see benefit. Its almost like no one is serving those customers anymore. They really believe that everyone in the market has the ability to get into a 37,000 dollar vehicle. The problem is now a used car glut that they think there's enough people that will pay 25 - 30,000 for a 3-5 year old car. Most folks can barely swing the interest and tax part of those payments........ Automakers love it when buyers abandon compact and midsize cars because they can't get the same dollars for them as crossovers and larger cars and trucks, but they really do need to continue to push these segments with new products. Case in point....a friend who is quite frugal her and her husband decided last week to finally trade off a mega years old compact. The type of people that abhor any car expense. They are in a much better place these days financially than 2009-2012 but still she refused to spend a lot. They got a Fit that had discount and finance deal, even though they probably could have used a much larger vehicle. Still an example of those pockets of people that will seek the good lower price options if the manufacturers serve those markets.

Well, Frontier = Raider. Altima = Galant. Sentra = Lancer. rebadge alert, Eclipse cross i think will do okay. The Outlander Sport does ok for itself. The outlander is the one that needs to be remade the most. Its actually a great value, highly useful vehicle right now but its deadly unattractive and spurs no desire from anyone and it can't decide which class it is in. Mirage caters to the down and outs. All that said and done, there is limited ability to penetrate the other Japanese brands and Hyundai / Kia are the competition for the perceived bargain seekers. there is only so much more that Mitsubishi can gain unless they develop a breakthough / signature product which honestly by 2018, everything's already been done. So Mits becomes the Japanese alternative to the Hyundai Kia low credit / big warranty set. Do you trust Japan or Korea more? And the rental car lots will be stocked quite well and parent Nissan doesn't have their brand take the hit. Believe it or not there are some Japanese car fans out there that truly only want a Japanese nameplate (won't settle for Hyundai Kia) but are really cheap with their $$$$ or their credit is not what the big dogs want.

well, actually if Chrysler and Dodge go to pasture, I don't see Muhrica latching any more to Fiat, and in fact, GM would probably be the biggest beneficiary. Which isn't saying a lot, if Ram and Jeep are still out there.

congrats!!!!

"it pays to buy at the end of the month"

AWESOME!!!! congrats!

this thread is worthless without pictures of the gearshifter! and CONGRATS have to admit.....if i were looking for a smaller 4x4 with stick, this would be about the best way to get it these days......

right. the big problem. the 2.0 is a good car, but its not amazing good. overall Chevy still has work to do on the chassis and suspension either way, and the powertrain is not totally smooth like glass either. the chassis is screaming for a performance version, or even a quality suspension, or both. no one should kid themselves into thinking this car has a big car ride either. They nailed it on the size of the vehicle....but it is still midsize and it lacks the plush ride of larger or more expensive rigs. it is commuter comfortable but that's about it. The value equation for this car does not mate at higher msrp's. If chevy had their stuff together they would start building more 2.0's and get them in the lower priced ones. And perhaps if i didn't keep getting check engine lights now all the time that would help too. I'd encourage people if they are buying vs leasing to take a hard look at the Impala or some of the used Cadillacs hitting the market for dirt cheap now.

I am thinking about weight distribution. the 2.0 malibu feels front heavy and unbalanced even though the front to rear is pretty close inbetween the 1.5 and 2.0. a heavier v6 may make it even more lopsided, regardless of how well they can tune it out.

ive driven manuals a lot and have had my fill. if automatics deliver better mpg, shift faster, perform as good or better, and i would argue are safer, then manuals are on their death bed.

Great find. I would have guessed you would have re-upped on Jeep. Classy looking one, congrats!