pow

Surprisingly, this is my favorite Escalade. The SWB version doesn't do it for me.

Once the car culture develops more strongly in China, and as the public becomes more educated through the automotive press, I think Buick's popularity will decline unless they develop better products. I know in Hong Kong, Chinese Buicks are viewed as hick vehicles.

And most of the maintenance and repairs, at least for our car, were secondary or preventative. Despite the minor clicks, noises, etc, it was still quieter and better screwed together than most brand-new cars. We could have probably ignored 75% of the issues, and the car still would have gotten us from A to B like a truck would have, but we chose to take advantage of the factory warranty as much as possible. I continue to be impressed by the completeness of the driving experience, how well it tackles both twisty roads and the highway, how all the controls are direct and precise, how much confidence and gratification each component contributes...

Suddenly, the H3 seems really underpowered.

$14K is too much for a Yaris when you can get a Sonata, Stratus, Malibu, or another bottom-feeder midsize for that much.

Most new car comparos compare the newest additions or updates to the segment. The 3 and IS are new for '06, and the C received a new engine, whereas the CTS, 9-3, A4, TL, G35, X-type, and S60 were largely unchanged. I continue to be unimpressed by the new IS's interior design, which is too parts-bin Toyota. The CTS's is more original, despite the cheapness.

Oh, I'm going tomorrow morning with gramps, m'dad, and maybe a cousin.

Last time I forgot to tell the dealer not to wash our black minivan, it came out looking something like this: :o

I don't mind the exterior apart from the front grille. The interior, on the other hand, uhh... looks "worse than shit." :lol:

I'd go with a Lucerne as well, just from this observation: yesterday in tourist-crazy Las Vegas, I counted about thirty-five '06 Impala rentals, but only one Lucerne, a white CX model with dealer plates.

Strange... around here, most Volvo drivers are conservative, safety, family-types who want an unassuming station wagon to transport their 2.5 kids from Suburbia to the local church or school.

My bad... add "sensor" after generator.

Here goes the official C&G "How reliable is your car?" maintenance thread/survey/poll/thing... 2000 BMW 528i 12,044 - Oil Service ($0) 18,682 - Replaced front brake pads and rotors, camshaft sensor/pulse generator replaced ($0) 24,104 - Inspection 1, thermostat recall, final stage replaced, broken cupholder, burnt brake light, power outlet door stuck ($0) 33,187 - Burnt brake light, emissions recall (crankcase vent hose), door panel noise ($0), Yokohama AVS dB tires (~$500?) 35,804 - Replaced front brake pads and rotors, replaced wipers ($0) 38,467 - Oil Service ($0) 39,323 - Burned left headlight bulb ($0) 39,880 - Replaced rear brake pads and rotors, performed brake flush, replaced broken trunk catch ($0) 42,325 - Replaced camshaft pulse generator ($0) 47,472 - Replaced DSC module, broken cupholder replaced ($0) 49,643 - Inspection 2: incl. replaced leaking power steering hose, replaced alternator belt tensioner; noisy door panels (replaced clips and seals), creaking/clicking front seats (resecured seatback panel, replaced seat rails), faint clicking from front seatbelt anchor (replaced new-style spacer rings), wipers replaced, replaced front brake pads and rotors, replaced rear pads ($0) 52,876 - Replaced camshaft pulse generator ($394.27) 53,920 - Alignment ($100), Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires ($490.90) 55,000 ~ Self oil-change: preventative maintenance (~$40) 60,000 ~ Replaced front rotors ($135) and pads ($46), labor (~$50), self oil-change: preventative maintenance (~$40) 60,208 - Coolant flush ($135.79) 65,000 ~ Self oil-change (~$40) 65,124 - Brake fluid flush (~$50) 69,604 - Stealership suggested $3,100 in repairs (replace front control arm bushings, replace valve cover gasket, replace front sway bar links, replace driveshaft coupler, replace upper wishbone boots, replace idler and tensioner pulley, replace wiper inserts, replace shock absorbers) and required a minimum of $300 for the diagnosis of what was to be an irrelevant noise from the pulleys; went ahead and changed the pulleys and valve cover gaskets ($608.86); the rest of the repairs were deemed unnecessary by an independent shop 70,000 ~ Self oil-change: preventative maintenance (~$40) 75,000 ~ Self oil-change: preventative maintenance (~$40) That's it... I know it sounds ridiculous, but during the ownership experience, it didn't seem unreliable at all. It started every time, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a long trip. The engine and (GM) transmission are flawless, and the interior and exterior quality is holding up.

They made a Saab out of that???

I've never liked old exotics, but modern remakes, like the Ford GT, seem to float my boat more. This is no exception, though it's definitely not the prettiest supercar in the world.

Looks kinda cheap and generic-Euro.

The pricing is excellent... I've seen the SKY in person, and that's a small price to pay for better interior quality and, overall, a more complete car.

I like it... much better than the original orange "coupe" version of the Solstice concept.

I have to say, though, that this concept is the first Chrysler product I've seen with a decent interior.

The wheels look Photoshopped on... IDK, it's nice, but there's nothing about it that makes it more appealing than its competitors, particularly the new C70. Even the traditional appeal of a Saab, its rarity, doesn't work because the 9-3 Cabrio has always been popular... because it's cheap.

Yes, that pic does scare me, especially how it missed the front structural beams. The passenger cell would have held up much better if the impact was a few inches to the right.

F430, hands down

If you've got high quality sheetmetal and a light exterior color, most dents don't show anyway.

All EPA MPG figures w/ automatic transmission Malibu 2.2L, 144-hp: 24/32 3.9L, 240-hp: 19/26 G6 2.4L, 167-hp: 23/34 3.9L, 240-hp: 18/26 Camry 2.4L, 158-hp: 24/36 3.5L, 268-hp: 22/33

Land Rover LR3 with the engine from the Range Rover Supercharged....