pow

It's odd. A lot of the GM cars that are appealing have crap quality, while the ones you cannot destroy, like the LaCrosse, are so forgettable.

The Lucerne's tails bear more a resemblance to the '06 Passat's, IMO, which debuted only a few months before the Lucerne did. Come to think of it, both cars are remarkably similar, from the pseudo-Hofmeister kink C-pillar, to the awkward proportions that require big alloys to look right. I think it's a coincidence and not plagiarism; it's like the designers went through the same thoughts. Both were limited with platform and dimensions, and both designed a car solely to fill a gap in an established segment.

Actually, putting wider front tires only magnifies the torque steer. The reason why it's mild on the GXP is because of tire design, "the way the piles were wrapped", that prevents the "sidewalls [from distorting]... affecting directional stability". :AH-HA_wink:

Okay, the details, then.

Well, before we scream "BIAS!", they loved the Grand Prix GXP.

The Vectra is really dated, but it's sad how the front clip looks newer than our '07 AURA's.

A Crown Vic detector.

I think he's complaining about the driveline shutter that accompanies it. That's the only advantage of FWD I can think of, well, apart from economy and snow performance.

Link?

It's cool because it's cheap and bare-bones and utilitarian... it can be Saturn's Aztek or something.

I meant to say that increased photosynthesis is a good thing, a "pro".

My worry about ethanol and other alternative fuels is that it'll divert attention away from the level of consumption. People will think "Oh, it's good for the enviroment" and continue driving their 11 MPG E85 Suburbans to get groceries. Growing more corn has many environmental impacts, and it's all up to how you rationalize it. Grow more, increase photosynthesis. Grow more, increase fertilizer run-off. Or use less, use less.

Electronic power steering is only as nasty and light as the engineer who programmed it. The MINI has EPS, which is very heavy, as does this Honda S2000, which is very precise.

No "Safety Package" is going to make it safe enough. RELAY 1 sounds cool, though, if it's priced right, short-wheelbase (is it?), and has the standard 3.9.

Those wheels are going to look hideous on the VUE, which benefits more from a blockier design, like with the 17's. Too bad it's not getting Stabilitrak like its Theta cousins.

It makes since, if the 3.9L was indeed tuned for 227 horsepower. Hell, now the 3.5 gets 224.

True, since its Theta cousin's Grand Vitara and S3X have it.

So.... have you yourself driven the ES350 yet? Or just the Camry XLE V6 with different suspension tuning?

The trunk may be small, but the interior feels HUGE.

Don't tell anybody, but I'm a closet Torrent fan. I know, I know, it's the opposite of The New GM, and I know it's a pile of junk. I drove one at ASIM and the "sport-tuned suspension" (which Pontiac advertises as "something the imports don't offer", even though it's identical to the Equinox's) was wallowy, the steering was rubbery, the seats were flimsy, and the build-quality was horrid. But I really like the look of it. I really like the Pontiac-specific details -- the grey-painted center stack, the HVAC controls, the gauges, the two-tone black/cashmere scheme, the three-spoke wheel, muah. Rare for modern GM, all the shapes and everything look correct, not over-molded or cheesy. Maybe my expectations for a badge-engineered Equinox were low, but I'm very impressed by the Torrent's aesthetics, maybe because it fixed every one of the 'Nox's interior design problems. Stabilitrak and sat nav only make it more appealing.

Almost every old-gen GS400/430 had a spoiler, though I haven't seen any ESs or LSs when them. This one isn't so bad, and it'll keep the hip, sophisticated, accessorizing, 97-year-old Floridians happy.

I know this might be detrimental to HUMMER's image, but they should offer a road-oriented H3, with larger wheels, lower profile tires, lower suspension, and maybe 2WD. It's not like the majority of H3 buyers are keen off-roaders; no, they would benefit more from better fuel economy and economy, and still be able to drive to Mammoth in the winter or whatever.

What about the 'Rent's three-spoke steering wheel?

No, my bad, I was talking about the door panel design being unoriginal, not the window switches.

I know what you mean. Self-control is tough when you've got lots of power and a sensitive throttle. I've gotten 14 MPG out of our Odyssey because it's just so much fun to floor-to-pass and peel out of stop signs, even when it isn't very neccessary. I like the BMW approach best, which is 2nd gear starts, looong-range throttle, and a heavy pedal. You get good economy and a smooth drive, but when it comes time to pass or drive sportingly, you get the power. Back to GM's approach, the only thing I'm afraid of is convincing the buyer from a four-banger.