pow

(Side airbags are optional on the tC)

Interestingly, the 12.3/7.4 cu ft (roof up/down) trunk is larger than the E46 soft top's. This would work great for trips.

It might look like a disco glitterball, but I'm starting to like it... It's cheesy in a detailed, high-effort sort of way, and it has to be better than the drab production interior.

It won CR's, too, beating out the Q7.

It's okay... at least it gives you something to look at.

FWIW, the IIHS/EURONCAP 40-mph offset test... ...is much more difficult than the NHTSA frontal test.

UNmobile

Not bad. I like the long 'n low trunklid and the large greenhouse. It reminds me of the BMW coupes of old.

US YTD 2006 Small C: 36,771 CLK: 12,481 CTS: 42,794 Midsize E: 33,266 CLS: 8,156 STS: 20,002 Large S: 22,601 CL: 919 DTS: 44,555 Sports SL: 6,913 SLK: 8,623 SLR McLaren: N/A XLR: 2,487 Midsize SUV ML: 21,790 R: 14,313 SRX: 17,229 Large SUV GL: 10,939 G: 494 Escalade: 27,259 ESV: 10,994 EXT: 6,572 Of course this isn't the best measure of profitability. Caddy's best-selling car, the DTS, is fleeted at 30%, heavily incentivized, and costs half as much as a S-class. Both a new C-class and CTS are arriving as '08s, and there will be a CTS coupe to compete against the CLK. Ditto the BLX to compete against the upcoming MLK. Merc also has the new '07 CL. A STS refresh is rumored for '08(?)

Our Odyssey was made in the Alabama plant and its a rattlefest. Then again, maybe those made in Ontario are, too.

Very nice. I wonder how it'll look with the hardtop up.

EURONCAP frontal = IIHS frontal offset

The Gentra simply isn't engineered to the levels of its first-tier brand competitors. Give Daewoo an extra generation or so... Chevrolet Aveo - 1.5 stars Toyota Aveo - 5 stars Opel Corsa - 5 stars Honda Jazz - 4 stars Kia Rio - 4 stars

I'm trying to convince my parents to forego the 3-series and consider a hardtop, pillarless, 6MT domestic instead... I saw one sitting in traffic the other day, in pearlescent white, top down, cream leather, with the sun shining down on it... absolutely gorgeous. It reminds me of the DB9 Volante.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bling

It must take extra effort to make it that bad...

Good idea. A cheap G35 lookalike will do far better than a Solara or Accord coupe.

Ooops, I forgot about the STS. Taste and common sense cost nothing, yet they screwed up the styling and rear seat. Why do I have to slouch and tilt my head in the back of so many GM sedans?

Used Vibe, CR-V, or RAV4?

Given that GM invested like $2.99 into Cadillac, their current line-up isn't a bad effort. They have more serious issues (like mainstream cars) to contend with first. Build the Camry-beater first before the S-class beater.

Hatch > sedan

The hatch kinda looks interesting and semi-trendy, but this four-door is just boring. The Astra was nice four years ago, but with the introduction of the new Rabbit, Civic, 3, and Sentra, it has lost its "premium" (for the US) distinction.

$29,990 isn't bad... Honda charges the same for a comparable Pilot. And it's $6K less than a Yukon, which the Acadia beats in every possible way, apart from towing or off-roading.

Hopefully the Malibu hybrid will get at least 25 MPG city.

The X3 feels well-made... like a quality product. The Impala doesn't. But since when did C&Gers start comparing $40K BMWs to $20K Chevys? The SRX would be a fairer match.