pow

The LaCrosse is pretty pointless when a comparably equipped Lucerne is not much more.

A non-greasy interior protectant/dressing takes care of scuff marks, too. http://www.detailersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15 > all

Damn, that interior looks spotless! The paint looks really good, too.

I used a drive-thru touchless car wash today... did a decent job, though it's overpriced at $7. Still, it's better than paying $12 for swirl marks (hand wash), $45 for a professional wash, or baking under the 90 degree sun (black cars suck).

To make way for the ottoman, the front seat has to move foward.

It's so cheap I can't imagine an Astra being considerably less.

True, the fact they're an upstart luxury brand motivates them to try harder than anyone else. A Lexus will never be a Merc, so they have to "one up" them. Essentially they're saying "screw history, let's make the best car in the world," which really is quite admirable.

The press release didn't mention lane-keep assist. Coupled with active cruise control, it essentially makes the LS an autonomous vehicle on the highway.

As a piece of engineering, this looks damn impressive. It seems so good that I have to remind myself that "Lexus" is still and always will be a name coined by focus groups and other marketing research, the consequence of reverse engineered S-classes and the subsequent clones sold at bargain-basement prices. What a self-made American phenomenon.

'07 Siennas will be available with the 3.5L 270 hp V6 and six-speed auto. M/T should do a follow-up comparo with the two leaders.

Isn't it a bit late? The '08 CTS looks completed to me. A telescoping wheel, Bluetooth, keyless start, rain sensors, and adaptive lights are given, IMO.

Most modern cars allow you to operate power windows a minute or two after the key is removed.

Me too! Having grown up with German and Swedish cars and their austere coal-bin interiors, I find the cheesiness and character of the GP exotic and entertaining. Here's something I found on the 'net that really captures it all:

I finally "get" the looks of the X3, and this facelift only makes it better. It's not muscular like the X5, but light and airy instead.

An anti-bling package... a CTS in shadow grey with brushed aluminum as opposed to chrome.

Rough translation of test from German to English: A multi-ton off-roader rams a weedy VW Golf. A nightmare scenario on the road that the OAMTC simulated in this crash test. “Both drivers, including the Golf driver, would have survived this accident. Compared to earlier tests, this is a huge step forward,” reports OAMTC Chief Technician Max Lang. However, there is still room for improvement in the compatibility of SUVs with other vehicles. The Golf V (1,480 kg) had to take on two giants – the 2,340 kg Volvo XC90 and the 2,270 kg Kia Sorento. Both vehicles were travelling at 56 km/h (35 mph), with half of the Golf’s width against the larger vehicle. Volvo XC90 v Golf: The Volvo represents the modern concept of compatibility and, according to the manufacturer, is constructed so as to spare a smaller vehicle in a crash. However it doesn’t quite add up, as the Volvo rips through a crossmember and so the Golf can only support itself in points. The Volvo rises up in the collision and climbs up the front end of the VW. The dashboard is pushed back into the cabin and the driver’s knee experiences strong forces. However, the Golf’s own safety system succeeds in preventing very serious or fatal injuries to the head or chest. “This shows the progress that has been made in passive safety over the last few years. The Volvo passengers have only minor injuries,” says Lang. Kia Sorento v Golf: The construction of this off roader is characterised by a massive ladder chassis. However, the ladder frame suddenly gives way in the crash so that the Golf can no longer support itself and bores into the “soft space” of the Kia’s front end. For the Kia driver, this means a higher risk of injuries to feet and lower legs. The occupants of the Golf are less severely injured than in the Volvo crash, however, as the dashboard is not pushed as far back. “The Golf owes the fact that it is not overridden to its safety concept,” says Lang. There is still enormous room for improvement in compatibility between off road vehicles. In summary, “What are required are front ends that are equally stable throughout,” says the OAMTC’s chief technician. “It should not be left to chance whether the front holds out.” For off roaders, this means a crumple zone that is softer at the front to protect other vehicles with a stiffer part at the rear to protect the vehicle itself. Furthermore, the 'overriding' of cars by 4×4s must be ruled out.

Also, while cars may be getting smaller, they're not necessarily lighter. A Ford Five Hundred weighs about the same as a much larger '62 Galaxie 500.

In side crashes, weight seems to be less of an issue than strength of the passenger cell. With the IIHS side test, all cars are struck by identical SUV-like trolleys, and the results are eye-opening.

Curb rash is a lot easier to get with these steelies, because like all covers, they protrude out past the tires.

Personally I think it's a successful design. It's unique and unlike any other car, but it still looks balanced and finished.

Look again. They're "styled" five-spoke steelies with a plastic cover on top. It saves GM $100 per vehicle. http://www.autoblog.com/2005/08/31/gm-stru...ix-than-alloys/

I think those are the new "styled" steel wheels with more convincing plastic covers. The new Malibus have them, too.

That's why they can be options... Oh, also, AWD.

As far as feature content goes... Telescoping steering wheel Hill-hold assist One-touch windows Adaptive Xenons Keyless start Active cruise control (dual-radar would be awesome) Free scheduled maintenance Rear sunshades Ventilated seats Heated steering wheel Power folding mirrors Panorama sunroof And technology trends that are becoming popular... maybe make them options? Blind-spot detection Lane-departure warning Collision mitigation braking Infared headlights (a bit like NightVision, but not heat) Rear view camera Interior colors beyond charcoal, grey, and neutral Selection of convincing woods and metals