Intrepidation

It's also reasonably powerful with 255 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and like I said, not to costly to maintain, pretty easy to work on by modern car standards, and parts are easy to get (besides plenum badges and rear sway bar bushings for whatever reason). 2002 is the year to get ideally. After that Daimler cost cutting and decontenting came into play. Can be remedied by some parts hunting, but with an `02 you're already there. What about an Aurora? I know nothing of them, but I'm sure Croc does and they fit the bill for what you're looking for too.

It would be nice to see more body styles, however the problem is that the masses, people who actually buy new cars, don't care. They're more concerned with fuel economy, practicality, and technology. Its the age we live in, and the automakers are going where the money is. I personally have no desire fore Malibu coupe but I'd love to see a Focus coupe. Having the choice would be nice.

I've always had a soft sport of the Bonneville, although I never cared fore its 26 air vent interior.

300M Special can play with the premium marques of the era, yet won't break the bank like say, the VW or BMW will when a repair may be needed. It's also a great handling car for its size, and you can upgrade lots of things on it using other Chrysler components (like installing an RB1 navigation system) There are a few areas where things can get expensive. 300M Special bumpers are quite pricey, and struts, springs, and sway bars are dealer only. Rear sway bar bushings are difficult to find. However, most of the parts are shared with its platform mates. VWs... not my thing and they can be a pretty big PITA to work and be expensive to repair, but you do like your VWs. That generation 3-Series is still my favorite, but repair costs and reliability would be my concern. TL's are handsome cars and they have nice interiors. I've heard things about the transmissions in those, and I know someone who hated theirs, but that's all I really know. I'd image a well kept one would be pretty reliable. I don't know how premium I would classify the Bonneville, but I have always liked them, besides the interior. That was major put off for me. Of the listed cars the 300M Special is the only one I can offer any meaningful insight on, but I can offer a fair amount of it. So if you have any questions feel free to post or PM me.

Next up, Apple will announce the iPad Mini Tools everywhere will fight each other to get one.

The design phase of mine is coming along.

Spent yesterday clearing off as much as the garage roof as I could. Yesterday I had off thankfully, but despite being sick I still had to help clear this crap. At least yesterday it was light and fluffy. This morning its heavy, wet, and now its sleeting. And I have to go to work for 10 hours.

Malibu is unsurprising. Really needs a refresh rather than going a full year as is, but oh well. Camaro is unsurprising. Little doubt that demand would fall off a bit now that the car has been around for over a year, and people who were dying to get one already did. Convertible should help sales though. LaCrosse is a bit surprising. This isn't surprising. The MKZ Hybrid is something of a bargain, since IIRC yo don't have to pay a big premium to get the hybrid model compared to most cars. lol -- Don't forget: So even without counting the Caravan Chrysler also is ones again the sales king of minivans, and the new ones are only just now getting to dealers. It's going to be interesting to see how sales respond once all of the new models are on the showroom floor.

There is no "investment" needed. For one, the Malibu's radio is positioned well up the center stack, plus all of the other reasons listed above.

Here are the many complicated things you need to install an RB1 in a 2002+ LH. Like I said, putting a Nav system in the Malibu is easy, especially since the center stack isn't integrated like on say, the LaCrosse. Disconnect Battery Remove trim panels necessary to access radio screws. Remove square Radio Plug in adapter harness and receiver antenna Put it back together Reconnect battery So a GM unit could easily be installed at the factory.

Exactly. This is no more complex than putting in an aftermarket in dash nav system. They don't rewire the whole body harness to install it. And, shockingly, he didn't have to rewire the entire car to do it.

Unless you have a more credible source, I don't buy it. For example, LH cars never came with a navigation unit from the factory, yet RB1 or RB4 navigation units from other Chrysler products, such as the last gen minivans and the Viper will fit right in and only require a wiring harness adapter on pre 2002 models and the antenna.

Highly doubt it. One all those models the Nav is it's own module the fits right in where the "black tie" radio fits. The 9-3 for example, has a black tie radio and an optional Nav that fits in the same slot. All that's required is a harness adapter and an antenna, which mounts inside the car. It's not an issue of GM couldn't they just didn't, either because at the time they thought OnStar was enough or for cost cutting reasons (which makes no sense).

Hey Chris! Nice to see you around. I don't really get why the next Malibu is another year off. I doubt the current car will get a refresh it needs to stay competitive before then. The Malibu was near the top of the class when it came out only 3 years ago, but the competition has moved on, especially the Fusion and Sonata. If the Avenger has upped the ante with a powerful new V6, more refinement, better interior, and better handling.

I like the tail. Wish it wasn't just camo. But yeah, not much point in disguising a 911 prototype.

Well sure there are common themes, but then again... Plenty of commonality there too. 2 spoke wheels with some chrome inner rim or half rim connecting them. Horizontal expanses of dash. Some sort of horizontal trim in the middle of the dash that runs the length. Gauge pod. Etc.

Where do you want the Nav? Floating in space? I see plenty of unique interior design elements here. They certainly don't look the same. On a related note, It's so nice to see that the 300C's dash is basically completely different than the Charger's. The Charger's is more distinct but the 300C's looks properly luxurious.

That's real wood. Fact checking, you should try it. Garmin happens to be a world leader in Satellite navigation for both boats and airplanes. Their systems are quite flawless and are highly respected.

Not Your Typical Volt Review Gene Weingarten is not your typical automotive journalist. that's because he isn't one. In fact by his own admission he has very little knowledge of the automotive world. What Weingarten is however, is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for The Washington Post. He also has a preexisting bias against American cars, and went into the review with a disdain for the Volt. He wanted very badly to hate the car. However what he found in actuality was not what he expected. Head over to his review, and have a good read. Its worth the five pages. Gene and the Machine: The shocking truth about the electric Volt

You do realize what you're saying is that the vapors should be vented out the back. Which means we might as well go back to the old style ones. Screw the environment, save the people unintelligent enough to know not to start fires with gas cans!

I'm almost never in the backseat because I enjoy driving my car, and I don't really care if people in the back suffer, they can walk. However on the rare occasion that I do sit back there it is a nice place to be. I have acres of room even with the front seat all the way back and I'm 6'1". Like I said, rear seat room is nothing new in big cars.

Part one I find to be pretty ridiculous. Its a piece of paper. I'm amazed Top Gear didn't get arrested for shooting photos of The Stig with real guns.

I don't know what you're talking about. IIRC the LH cars had more backseat room. Also I find its lightly disturbing that you would get "wood" from rear seat space, a place you wouldn't even spend much time in if you owned the car. But whatever gets you off I guess.