pow

And Honda recommends changing the oil filter every other oil change - so every 15K, in the case of our V6.

Extended maintenance intervals are industry-wide nowadays. Lots of manufacturers - rather foolishly, I might add - have "lifetime" transmission fluids, coolants, brake fluids, and "extended life" oil change intervals.

Date posted: 06-17-2008 WASHINGTON — Executives of the Ford Motor Company and General Motors on Monday signed deals with China government representatives aimed at sending more than $1.8 billion worth of U.S.-made vehicles and parts to the automakers' joint ventures in China. The two Detroit-based automakers in recent years have been aggressively buying components from China to help reduce their production costs in North America. The new deal will see products — and revenues — flow in the other direction for a change. Ford said its agreement calls for the export of more than 30,000 North American-built vehicles to China, beginning in 2009. Ford also will send transmission components to Changan Ford Mazda, based in Chongqing. GM said it will ship $1 billion worth of vehicles — including some Cadillac models — as well as components, machinery and equipment to its Shanghai GM joint venture between 2008 and 2010. Shanghai GM has been exporting V6 engines to North America for installation in the Chevrolet Equinox since 2004. What this means to you: The latest deal will barely put a dent in America's burgeoning trade deficit with China. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=127287

That interior looks awesome. It's like a more compact conversion van... from the factory.

But you can get a depreciated 3.5 AURA now... whereas if you want a $14K four-banger, you'll have to wait another year.

Arnold's Hydrogen Highway hasn't quite been realized, because attention has been diverted to plug-ins instead. They are limiting it to So Cal because Honda's own solar-powered hydrogen filling station is located inside one of their LA R&D facilities. Previous-gen FCXs are quite a common sight here, as Honda's NA headquarters are ~5 miles from my house.

Really? I like the Element's outdoorsyurbanjunglearchitectural design, regardless of who makes it...

Very nice. A white or black TDI with 18" Karthoum or BBS CHs would make it the ultimate road trip vehicle. I have a picture of such a car but can't seem to find it... edit... Ah ha!

A silver Citroen SM, I think it was? It was very flat, very long, and very cool.

FoMoCo, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG, Honda, and of course, the exotics

It took years for the major Japanese automakers to earn the reputation they have today. Likewise it will take years for domestic automakers to regain the trust and interest of this supposed 54%, as there will always be a lag between perception and reality. Eventually buyers will take note of Toyota's declining quality, growing recalls, fleet sales, and incentives, and the recent strides made by GM and Ford. Build better, cooler vehicles and consumers will come irrespective of HQ location - but it won't be immediate. To enthusiasts, the Sunfire and Windstar seem far, far away, but to the infrequent observer, that was just five years ago.

The four bangers should get decent fuel economy, but it's hard not to resist a slightly-used '07 V-6, considering how quickly the AURA depreciates. The local Saturn dealer here has a CPO AURA XE 3.5 with 20K miles for $15K. There's one on eBay B-I-N for $14K... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks...0228919652& The only new midsizer for that price would be an Optima.

I have to say this makes the Vette look much, much better, especially with those new wheels. The ZR1 (also available in gray) is no longer the only C6 I like styling-wise... http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/13/pics-ap...lor-and-wheels/

The distinctly Chevy (Equinox FCX?) front clip really helps an otherwise generic looking car.

I checked one out at the dealer a few weeks ago... I love how it looks, especially the 135i Sport in black. I'd honestly rather have one over a 335i Coupe, which is sleek and attractive but by no means as distinctive. The 3-series coupe looks like a whale of a car parked next to the 1.

A luxurious sports sedan that gets from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for $35K... sounds like a good deal to me.

Rover SD1... I never knew they were sold here.

I wouldn't call that lunacy... it's just that we Americans in general are not accustomed to sleazy British tabloids and their sensationalist stories. With time you might find them entertaining instead of outrageous. I do understand your disgust at such ridiculous reporting, though. Hopefully newspapers here never become as tabloidy and libelous.

The GMT900 hybrids now come with a $4,000 rebate. Regular Tahoes and Yukons get $6,000 off.

Totally agree... that never works. This still looks a bit GMDAT, but it's not bad.

That's awesome. I wonder if you can get some surfaces to ripple in the wind at speed.

I wonder about city mileage... traditionally large engines like the Cobalt's (or even the Corvette's) can get surprisingly good highway fuel economy with a low final drive ratio. It's city driving where small engines usually have a greater advantage.

Fuji

It's actually not too bad. What sucks instead are paint chips and swirl marks. Black paint looks nice - there's a nice slimming effect on minivans - but it's a PITA to maintain.

37 mpg and five doors... Starting at $20,600.