pow

Ironically, that's one of my favorite parts of the interior. I don't know if it was intentionally done in the name of styling, but if it wasn't, GM is lucky. I love how the console shoots forward, teasing with the idea it goes on forever. It reminds me of the lower consoles of the Touareg, Phaeton, 5-series, R-class, and A6, if you know what I mean.

The Avalon is significantly lighter and significantly more fuel efficient, though. Still, $31K for a V8 powered Lucerne is very good value for money. The V6 versions could be cheaper, or offer the HF3.6 as standard. I'm surprised the "simple and cheap" 3800 is only $2000 less than the "complex and sophisticated" V8. I predict rebates for the V6 models soon... they probably couldn't price it lower because of the LaCrosse.

That passenger footwell area looks ragged... why doesn't the center console plastic cover extend further?

Manual transmissions with a robotized clutch, controlled with flappy paddles:

There are noticeable exceptions. I'd be bored stiff in an automatic econobox, but would much prefer a sequential manual in a Ferrari F430, Enzo, or F1 car. Oh, wait, they only come with F1-style gearboxes.

Meh, the "Li" makes the 7 look like a limo. The only LWB luxury sedan that looks right is the Jag XJ, IMO.

The 3800 doesn't do any better... in the Lucerne, it gets 19/28 MPG.

Yawn... Edmunds may be biased, but those are all legit points. That's exactly what automotive writers are for, or else we'll be just studying spec sheet. My beef with Edmunds is that they combine enthusiast journalism (think EVO or Top Gear; mags that concentrate on the art of motoring) with a consumer-type resource.

My next car will definitely have Bluetooth compatibility and/or some sort of OnStar-like sat communication.

Yeah, my cousin has a '97 ES300 with 100K+ miles, and it's absolutely incredible how new it looks and drives. The engine and transmission is smoother than most brand-new cars I've driven. Everything about it is incredibly refined and precise. In fact, I'd say his is more well-made than new Camrys. Of course, it helps that he takes prestine care of it; he changes the oil every 3K, and it has (quality) cloth upholstery, and not wrinkly leather. Yes, it's devoid of any passion, and yes, it's Japanese, so I'm prejudiced against it, but even I have to admit its quality is amazing.

Do you even know what you're talking about...?

You're disgusting...

I think he's talking about the G6's ginormous overhang:

I think it looks fine. I can see why it doesn't fit the US manufacturer's product lines... it'd be foolish for Pontiac to make the Torrent a one-year run.

Maybe it's just the picture, but something about it is very Aston Martiny. Reminds me of the DB9 press release photo for some reason.

I think that's very fair pricing. You'd have to be a monumental idiot to buy a CXL V8 Lucerne instead of a CXS LaCrosse at MSRP, IMO. The Avalon fares better if you compare base models ($26,990 192-hp CX vs. $27,165 268-hp XL, $28,990 192-hp, leather-appointed CXL vs. $29,415, leather-appointed 268-hp Touring), but they're very close with more equipment ($35,990 275-hp CXS vs. $34,355 268-hp Limited).

Beats me... Anyway, the MX-5 may be a better "roadster" in the traditional British sense (telepathic controls, top-down motoring, nimbleness), but the Solstice is more of a "sports car", almost like a cheap Z4 or SLK. It might not be as delicate, but its limits are higher, particularly with the upcoming GXP version. I know they're both in the same price range, but character-wise, it's like comparing apples to oranges.

Quattro/4Motion, like most other AWD systems, sends power to the wheels with the most traction through the use of complex differentials, which makes them ideal for snowy conditions. SH-AWD, on the other hand, concentrates more on dry weather performance, and calculates/sends power to certain wheels in order to make it rotate and behave more neutrally. Torque is used not only for propulsion, but for cornering as well... either rear wheel can get 100% of the power depending on driver inputs.

The air vents are made from brushed aluminum, not molded black plastic. Here's your favorite reviewer's review of it, by the way... <_< http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0...1783736,00.html

The fortwo is a rather old design, and it only got 3-stars from EURONCAP.

Now that's understeer...

Hey, it's comparable to a 2005 Astro... http://www.iihs.org/ratings/image.ashx?rh=66&id=1 http://www.iihs.org/ratings/image.ashx?rh=66&id=2 ... and as Brian pointed out, to the Rodeo it was based on. Looks on par with the 95-04 Blazer, too: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/image.ashx?rh=54&id=1 http://www.iihs.org/ratings/image.ashx?rh=54&id=2

Interior looks like it came from a 3 year-old Nissan. Maybe it's just the color, though. The shapes look fine, if a bit Asian. Love the exterior though!

Hmm, it's interesting how Lexus uses rubber between door panels... I haven't seen that before.

Nor is the GS interior perfect. There are exposed screwheads and dead buttons in the traditional Toyota fashion. Still, compared to the STS's, it's a world of difference.