pow

Interesting article on the state of manufacturing in the US... http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-manufacturing10-2010mar10,0,5701749.story?page=1

The Focus is next. MY 2012, Ford says. There will be both an all-EV model and a hybrid. If the FusionHy is slightly more expensive and efficient than a CamryHy, I'm guessing 60 MPG and $23K for the FocusHy.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but is it me or are most of the claims of unintended acceleration from older drivers? The CHP officer didn't use his patrol car as a brake, as was stated in earlier reports; all he did was use a bullhorn to instruct the driver on how to turn off the engine. The driver couldn't get the instructions over the phone because he dropped it while trying to control the vehicle...

Most FWD-based vehicles have AWD systems that only send power to the rear wheels when the fronts start slipping. Sounds great in theory, but often such systems don't deliver because they're 'reactive' rather than 'proactive.' Subarus and most Audis (not the TT or A3) have permanent AWD systems that distribute power among all four wheels all the time.

FWIW, the LaCrosse with the V6 gets 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, compared to 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway on the Malibu. Of course your mileage my vary, but the EPA numbers are still relevant for comparison purposes. If you can get 30 mpg in a 4,000-lb 3.9-liter Lucerne, then it's possible you will get 38 mpg in the lighter four-cylinder Malibu under the same circumstances. The Lucerne is also an older design, so it only gets an "acceptable" rating in side crashes ("marginal" structure rating) and a "marginal" rating for rear crash protection. Stabilitrak may also be difficult to find (not available on CX-1 or CXL-1). The Malibu (and most other midsizers) get "good" ratings all around and have stability control as standard. And the cheapest Lucerne starts at $29,995; if you can really get $11,000 off MSRP, I doubt the resale will be that good. That said, I do agree the Lucerne has nice door panels. The LaCrosse and XTS appear to be replacing the Lucerne and DTS.

Did you read what followed in the parentheses? The only fact-checking fail I found in the article was calling Palos Verdes Drive East "Portuguese Bend", which is in fact an area, not a road.

My grandpa had a green dually V6 Truck with a wooden crate bed, which was later replaced with a ginormous yellow ex-Ryder box. I recall going through the owners manual as a kid and thinking how odd it was that "Truck" was its name. My uncle had an '80s Toyota "Van."

Audi Quattro

X3 is on the way out. The X5 will be replacing its NA 3.0L inline-six with a turbocharged version in a few months. X5, Q5, and MDX seem like the obvious targets, though they all vary in price and size.

Does it feel like a $54,000 vehicle? Or a $24,000 vehicle gussied up to $54,000 levels? How would you compare it to the Terrain?

The new wheels on that Cruze are a huge improvement. Hopefully they make it to production. Doesn't look like there's much legroom in the back of that Caprice.

February 23, 2010 Lawmakers’ Ties to Toyota Questioned at Start of Inquiries By ERIC LICHTBLAU WASHINGTON — As Congress prepares to open hearings on Tuesday into Toyota’s rash of safety problems, government watchdog groups are questioning whether the deep financial and personal connections between lawmakers and the carmaker could taint the inquiries. Toyota, as both a major employer in the United States and a major lobbying force in Washington, has staked out a position in the capital unlike almost any other foreign corporation, with close ties to a number of the lawmakers who will lead inquiries into the safety defects that have led to the recall of more than eight million vehicles. Federal disclosure records show that Toyota, with 31 lobbyists in Washington last year, has spent nearly $25 million on federal regulatory and legislative lobbying matters in the last five years, far more than any other foreign automaker. That amount is certain to grow this year, with Toyota in full damage-control mode in the face of myriad federal investigations. “Toyota has lobbied to a degree that no other foreign automaker has,” said Dave Levinthal, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics, a research group that has analyzed Toyota’s record in Washington. “They’ve built up years’ worth of connections with federal lawmakers, and that counts for something, when you know the people who are waiting for you on the other side of that door in a contentious situation,” he said. “Now, does that mean they’re going to get off easily? That remains to be seen.” He added, however, that the potential for conflicts of interest was significant. Toyota’s registered lobbyists include at least eight former officials from Congress and the executive branch. The company also employs former engineers and officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal regulatory agency faulted by some critics for failing to spot a pattern of safety problems at Toyota. A number of lawmakers have personal financial ties to Toyota as well. More than a dozen members of Congress have owned stock in Toyota since 2008, valued, in some cases, at tens of thousands of dollars. Representative Jane Harman, a California Democrat, led the way, with Toyota stock valued at $116,000 to $315,000 in her most recent disclosure report. Ms. Harman serves on the House energy committee, which will begin a public examination of Toyota’s problems at a hearing on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the House oversight committee will hold a hearing of its own on Toyota. The ranking Republican on the committee, Representative Darrell Issa of California, has pressed Toyota for a fuller accounting of the safety problems, but he too has a history of financial connections to automakers. Mr. Issa, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, became rich making auto alarms that his company sold to Toyota and other manufacturers. He valued the auto-alarm stock that he owns at more than $55 million in his most recent Congressional filing. Kurt Bardella, a spokesman for Mr. Issa, said that the company that Mr. Issa founded had never had any exclusive contracting agreements with Toyota and that financial connections between the company and any lawmakers should not hinder the examinations by Congress. Mr. Issa “has been the most aggressive person in Congress in this investigation, and he has no vested interest in Toyota’s success or failure,” Mr. Bardella said. The third committee examining Toyota — the Senate commerce committee — will hold its hearing next week, and its chairman, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Democrat of West Virginia, has extensive ties to Toyota as well. Mr. Rockefeller helped Toyota establish one of its fastest-growing plants in West Virginia, and the company honored him for his support with a lavish dinner in 2008. At the time, he said he was proud to call Toyota a friend and added, “We boast of the 1,500 jobs and more than $1 billion in investment they’ve brought us.” Toyota employs an estimated 172,000 people in the United States at plants, dealerships and suppliers. With a steady stream of damaging stories coming out publicly in recent weeks about Toyota’s years of knowledge of safety problems, the company’s supporters say its employment record should earn the company a fair and even-handed review by federal officials. “Toyota has unquestionably placed the safety of its customers above profits,” Gov. Steve Beshear of Kentucky, which is home to a Toyota manufacturing plant, said in a letter to Congress this month that was signed by three other governors. “At the same time, they have not laid off a single employee, despite the impact these concerns have had on sales,” the letter said. “All of these actions are representative of the valuable friend we have in Toyota.” Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a consumer group that has examined Toyota’s safety record, said he hoped that members of Congress would be able to set aside their connections to Toyota and undertake the kind of tough examination seen a decade ago in a controversy over Ford and Firestone tires. Ford and Firestone “had very close ties to Capitol Hill, too, and that didn’t prevent Congress from fully examining the situation and coming up with some pretty strong recommendations,” Mr. Ditlow said. “When you’re in a public crisis like this with Toyota, your lobbying contacts aren’t going to save the day.”

Yeah, they look pretty dumpy without: ... though you Europeans got them as standard.

For what it's worth, I immediately liked the current CTS but over time I tired of it. The MKS I first ignored when it arrived, but when I checked one out at the auto show, I grew to like it, especially the 'contemporary American luxury' themed interior. Overall, I still give the CTS's exterior the nod, particularly in terms of imagination. I'm not a fan of its front end, but I love the side, especially a silver or white one viewed under the sun. The 18" wheels, HIDs, and foglights are a must, though. It would be awesome if Cadillac would make a bright white (not yellowish pearl), gloss or matte CTS-V with black chrome. Like this:

Back from a week in mainland China... and as expected, saw a number of new LaCrosses, Regals, and Park Avenues. Interestingly, I haven't seen any of the three (especially the new LaCrosse, which has been sale for a while) driving in the States. Have to say, the LaCrosse does justify its existence: the rather subtly styled Regal is smaller than expected, and the somewhat gaudy LaCrosse does have presence on the gloomy and rainy streets of southern China (and I suppose Detroit, as well). It's interesting how some car designs work better in certain environments than others.

I've never met a cuisine I've tried that I didn't like... as long as it's done well! A Taco Bell bean and cheese burrito is very different from good barbacoa de borrego. Fresh, sweet oysters are nice, whereas gross canned ones are... gross. There are certain elements of food that are universally tasty, IMO. It probably helps that during my childhood I was exposed to a lot of different Asian foods. That said, I've never tried Ethiopian food. Completely raw chunks of meat and textureless bread don't seem all that appealing...

$37,000 for any Equinox is madness, IMO, and bound for instant end-of-the-year incentives. Her 4-cylinder LTZ model seems like a good buy though.

TBSS? The poor man's Cayenne? I was going to suggest Touareg - 11+ in ground clearance with air suspension, locking rear diff, low range - but its fun level is nowhere near the G8's or Cayenne's.

Way to be drama queens, BMW owners! Stealerships usually charge an insane amount for maintenance and repairs, both during and after warranty. Find a good independent BMW specialist and running costs will be reasonable, likely on par with a $6,000 Jeep. That said, if you're in a lot of debt, I'd go with your original plan and sell the Mustang. How much more can you get from it?

Maybe it's the Freestyle, then.

I've got a feeling the Explorer will be a game changer. If they can keep it under 4,000 lbs - like they did with the Taurus X - it's going to be awesome with the EcoBoost 4.

Rawr. Subies love snow... I've driven a WRX, and the improvements they made for '09 are quite nice. For $25K, you get something tough, utilitarian, all-weather capable, economical, and more importantly, a blast to drive. Surprisingly comfortable, too. Or how about keep the G8, and find a used turbo 'Rex?

I love beans. They're versatile, inexpensive, and tasty. I don't have a proper kitchen right now, but during the fall, I would make a simple chili from leftovers and whatever is in the pantry.

Some Mercs are E85-capable, including the C300 in the US.

I've had suspiciously friendly people trying to introduce me to their religion, and when I decline, they're no longer interested and stop talking to me.