pow

I don't like almond butter... too dry. And it's not obviously fatty like PB is... nom nom nom.

I'd rather have one with a normal Megane front end and a Saturn badge.

Quality is more important for this car than the Camaro... good decision.

I've seen a few Transit Connects running around, already spiffed up with business logos and graphics. Nice looking van.

If you're concerned about estrogen, then avoid any dairy products from pregnant cows: http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/12.07/11-dairy.html Meanwhile, the phytoestrogens in soy block excessive levels of the body's own estrogen: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/...en-and-soy-milk The most important thing with any food is moderation. I happen to enjoy eating a bit of everything. All foods have unseen benefits and side effects... so just don't overdo one ingredient. And for the record, all the people I know with man boobs are ravenous carnivores. For lunch I think I'll have some mapo doufu with ground pork and extra Sichuan peppercorns...

Right when I get up, it's usually a cup of soymilk. Then an hour or so later I have breakfast - lately it's been warmed leftovers - with which I have water, milk, OJ, or POM. I'm usually parched by morning, and soymilk works well cause it's essentially water, but filling enough to stave off hunger for a while. When I start school, usually I have Naked juice smoothies, which is insanely expensive but I need it to use up my meal plan money anyway...

CNG reduces both PM and NOx pollution compared to diesel...

Congrats! The Passat is arguably the best midsize family sedan out there. Do your own synthetic oil changes and that will save you lots of money.

SL1s are nice. What about a used Focus?

What a difference the Aero-X paint and wheels make... and what a fabulous looking car. Like the G8, it's a shame how GM loses a breakthrough car shortly after its debut... http://jalopnik.com/5346842/2010-saab-9+5-...bos-all-swedish Edit: Apparently this is the Aero model, which also gets different front and rear fascias.

G6, if you're talking about the old VUE.

Active head restraints for the win...

I'm talking about IIHS, not NHTSA. The government's tests are less demanding; hell, an Aveo optimized for NHTSA tests has a 5-star frontal rating, while it does much worse in IIHS/E-NCAP offset tests.

Exactly. Nobody wants to be electrocuted. I've always wondered what effect EMFs have on people... apparently, if you put a florescent tube close enough to some of the power lines around here, you'll get a few flickers.

Volvo likes to talk safety, but if you want to talk about structural rigidity, VW/Audi and Mercedes are tops. The Tiguan has the strongest roof tested so far (strength-to-weight ratio of 5.82), and the C-class has the least intrusion of any car tested in the IIHS side crash test. Most Volvos only have "acceptable" side structures in that test. Practically all newly released cars now score well in crash tests, Volvo and Ford included, but IMO VW/Audi has been leading the pack. When the IIHS releases a new test (first the side test in 2004, then the roof test in 2009), usually it takes manufacturers until the next generation to do well, but the Jetta, for instance, aced the side crash from the test's inception.

His bio: "James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trend and European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911." The loft-living coffee drinkers of the world demand an apology, or at least request the creation of a different, more accurate stereotype for amends - preferably, one of Euro trash or Asian ricers instead...

It's a shame they lost the reputation in the '80s and '90s with disasters like the Astro, Blazer, and Grand Am. Their newer cars tend to do better in crash testing, but they're not all class-leading. For mainstream cars, the Germans (basically VW) still do safety best.

When the Regal comes (hopefully, looking more Insignia), the LaCrosse CX needs to die.

Agreed. The 5-cyl competes against the 2.4/2.5 upgrade motors in the Corolla, Mazda3, Sentra, and Impreza, and it's actually very competitive in terms of hp and mpg. But a base high-mpg motor would be nice to have. The 1.4 TSI probably costs as much as the GTI's to make. VW has a naturally aspirated 102 hp 1.6L in the European Golf, and you can get that with a 7-speed dry clutch DSG.

Only if you get the TDI or GTI.

This, the Regal GS:

International Ford Focus hatch with Michigan MFG plates and a tow hitch. Wonder why it's in the US, since we're only getting the next-gen model...

Great job! I wish my 8 year old car were as ding-free as yours.

FWIW, the new facelifted Jetta SportWagen is just that - a face-lift, with a new front clip and different dash. Its changes aren't as extensive as the MK6 Golf's, so you won't gain much waiting an extra year.

Sweet! Congrats.