pow

Even Cadillac themselves (www.cadillac.com) say that the STS's competitors are the Audi A6, BMW 5, Infiniti M, Lexus GS, and Merc E-class, while the CTS's competitors are the Audi A4, BMW 3, and Mercedes C-class.

$2.99/gallon for Chevron today :(

No, it's the STS's class.

I think its more anti-unibody crap. The Volvo XC90 is probably the safest SUV you can buy, and gasp, it's not BOF. Ditto overweight (but sturdy) pigs like the Cayenne and Touareg.

Back to the question, the Equinox is one of my favorite Chevys in that it does every right. It looks sharp, has an inoffensive interior, and drives well enough. While some trim levels are ridiculously overpriced ($30K+), a "simple" LT with cloth upholstery and the mandatory beige interior and 17" wheels (it looks drab with grey interior and the base wheels) is good value after discounts and incentives.

The Equinox isn't based on any GM car. Theta is original, unibody or not.

Merely pointing out flaws isn't "bias." However, I'm not familiar with NY Times car reviews, so I don't know if this is consistent.

Let's see... a 2000, 2002, 2003, and soon a 2006.

It seems like Lexus's new styling identity, L-Finesse, essentially exploits a few traits that found its way onto older Lexuses, and combines them all into one cohesive package. The Grand Prix-like rear window and rear door cutline came from the ES, and the curve of the door skins came from the SC. I guess the grille design (square edge + squircle interior) and front fender design (flat topped) are the original cues found on the LF-S concept.

I prefer the shape of the Centieme's grille... it just seems more Buicky. The other one is more generic, and it reminds me of an Infiniti Q45.

I don't have any opinions of it so far, because it all depends on how well it matches the car. What if it ends up looking pig-snouty like the Lucerne or Terraza? I think the current Lucerne would look hot with a chrome mesh grille that was pushed in a bit deeper.

Oh, I thought the "W-O-W" was for the seeming complexity of the manual. Sorry to drag this any further, but isn't that what an Oil-Quality Indicator is for? :P I've found Mobil 1 turns dark after a few miles, so it's difficult to judge the quality of oil just from looking at it, short of sending it to Blackstone Labs for an analysis. But, yeah, I agree... they should have left the dipstick.

Most yuppies wouldn't be caught dead in a Toyota, but I don't think the techies would mind. I can understand the Yaris's appeal to The Real World-type people, but not A&F... Okay, okay, I know what you mean.

Owners manuals always overcomplicate things. Checking oil without iDrive is standard on-board computer stuff... it's just that in addition to choosing between fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, fuel remaining, miles to empty tank, outside temperature, etc, there's an oil level one.

No, the "status" part.

Sorry, I don't see the connection between your concluding sentence and the stuff before it. But, yes, the amount of oil in the engine is displayed on the computer. Oh, and I forgot to mention, this is all integrated into the BMW Assist (OnStar) system, so that a service adviser can contact you to schedule a service appointment when it's needed (as determined by the car). It constantly sends data regarding brake pad/rotor life, oil changes, etc. It's kinda like an OnStar diagnostic check via satellite, plus a concierge service.

Since when did the middle class work in factories churning out whatever tasteless crap it is that people buy at Wal-Mart?

How to they tamper with the Yen?

I see a lot of "Toyota Truck" ads and "Chevy Fuel Economy" ads, too.

Then nor would taxing Japanese cars exclusively, as suggested by a few members.

I believe the tarrifs are applied to all imports, not US-specific.

There were cars before the Corvette that had round taillights.

That looks exactly like the $22K Passat, except we have the US-spec seats and steering wheel.

I think its because the whole front structure is aluminum, which has to be welded onto the rest of the chassis, which is steel. I assume this helps to ensure a proper repair... restraightening some beams might compromise energy absorption the second time you crash.

According to the trip computer... '02 Passat 1.8T, ~43,000 miles, 18 mpg '00 528i, ~72,500 miles, 17 mpg