pow

I think it's weird, because usually its either a letter (C/E/S, IS/GS/LS, G/M/Q) or a number (3/5/7, 4/5/8) that signifies the model, with additional numbers signifying engine size. This appears to be a combination of both letters and numbers for just the model. AT1 2.8D? BT3 3.6DI? CT5 4.6? DT7 4.4TT?

One with a history of untreated mental illness?

Completely agree. If you choose to pollute, at least you should be held accountable for it. I was talking to a friend about buying imported foods the other day. He argued that poor countries growing food for export (yet relying on food aid, as opposed to being self-sufficient) and excessive food miles were some of the consequences. While I agreed that, ideally, seasonal and local-grown foods are best, as a consumer I occasionally want to indulge in, say, some EVOO imported from Greece. I should have the choice to buy from where I please, as long as I pay the true cost of my actions (carbon tax). If anyone wants to do something that reduces GHG emissions yet doesn't require you to accelerate more slowly or enjoy less headroom, buy local.

The IIHS performs crashes and seat simulations. They don't test vehicle dynamics. If a vehicle gets... "Good" frontal offset, 40 mph "Good" side, 31 mph, 3300 lb, SUV-height barrier, small dummy "Good" rear, dynamic seat test for whiplash ... and is available with ESC, it becomes a Top Safety Pick. Here are the results for '08: 11 NEW WINNERS FOR 2008 Midsize cars Audi A3 Honda Accord Small car Subaru Impreza equipped with optional electronic stability control Minivan Honda Odyssey Midsize SUVs BMW X3 BMW X5 Hyundai Veracruz built after August 2007 Saturn VUE built after December 2007 Toyota Highlander Small SUV Honda Element Large pickup Toyota Tundra ALL 34 WINNERS Large cars Audi A6 Ford Taurus with optional electronic stability control Mercury Sable with optional electronic stability control Volvo S80 Midsize cars Audi A3, A4 Honda Accord Saab 9-3 Subaru Legacy with optional electronic stability control Midsize convertibles Saab 9-3 Volvo C70 Small car Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control Minivans Honda Odyssey Hyundai Entourage Kia Sedona Midsize SUVs Acura MDX, RDX BMW X3, X5 Ford Edge, Taurus X Honda Pilot Hyundai Santa Fe Hyundai Veracruz built after August 2007 Lincoln MKX Mercedes M class Saturn VUE built after December 2007 Subaru Tribeca Toyota Highlander Volvo XC90 Small SUVs Honda CR-V, Element Subaru Forester with optional electronic stability control Large pickup Toyota Tundra ALSO RANS Twenty-three vehicles earn good ratings in front and side crash tests. They have ESC, standard or optional. They would be 2008 Top Safety Pick winners if their seat/head restraints also earned good ratings: * Acura RL, TL * BMW 3 series * Chrysler Sebring convertible * Infiniti M35/M45 * Kia Amanti * Lexus IS 250/350, ES 350, GS 350/460 * Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra both with optional side airbags * Nissan Quest * Toyota Avalon, Camry, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Prius, RAV4, and Sienna * Volkswagen Eos, Jetta, Passat, Rabbit

Thank you.

The auto gets only 2 more city MPG and 0 more hwy MPG than the AURA XE-4. With its smaller engine and lighter weight, I'm sure it has the *potential* for far greater fuel economy in the real world though. But I agree with you; I'd much rather have an ASTRA than an AURA. It's better looking and it's better made, but then there are other buyers like reg who value size.

It's a great car, but like most European mainstream cars (VW), it's too good and too expensive for its segment over here. I'm not sure how it'll sell; a comparably equipped AURA is only $2K more.

It's all about the Cafe St. Eustachio in Roma, although I heard Tazzo D'Oro is pretty good, too. I mistakenly ordered a cappuccino after noon, which is apparently sacrilegious.

It's not exactly good looking, IMO, so you might as well get a Charger SRT-8 or 300C SRT Design for more utility at the same price. And you can get a base Corvette after incentives for that much.

I let people in my lane 99% of the time. If you don't let them it, someone in front of you will let them in. I've seen far too many last minute attempts at exiting the freeway, which often end up in close calls. And besides, not having one additional car in front of you saves what, 30 feet and .15 of a second?

I don't see how it's any different from having a door handle on a door. It's annoying to have to get back inside the car to open the trunk, or to fumble around with a keyfob, if you're standing next to the trunk and want it open. Practically all minivans, SUVs, hatchbacks, and pick-ups have 'em.. I don't get why more sedans don't have have it. As far as security, you could always lock the trunklid, as you would with any door.

I think it's an attempt at "sarcasm"

What's really annoying is not having a trunk "release" or "open" handle/switch/button on the trunklid itself.

Awesome. This is basically a preview of the family sedan in 15 years.

See some blue, save some green... 10,000 of them, to be exact.

Is this like SH-AWD + the AWD on a HiHy/RX400h (separate electric motor-only power for the rear wheels)?

The Malibu is definitely a surprising one, considering 10Best's emphasis on driving dynamics, the fun-to-drive, and often times, manual tranny availability. The LT 4-banger I drove didn't seem as responsive or agile as an Accord, Altima, or Passat 4-banger... the tall, widely-spaced gearing killed acceleration and the EPS still had a numb, disconnected feel. Perhaps the V-6 models with better suspension and better steering are a different story, and C&D likely factored in the Bu's significance and its overall value equation.

Agreed. Citibank Ultimate Money Account. Takes 3 minutes (online), 4.5% APY, reliable, and convenient. I was lazy for over a year, getting a miserly 1% from an old Citibank (local) savings acct until I switched.

Just get a GTI or R32. Same car.

Okay... maybe I want Leopard. It's only $37.80 if you share a family five-pack.

OK, I've bought my first holiday-season-related item today... 5 qts of Valvoline Synpower and a Fram oil filter (ew) for $17.99, x 2. And a lightbulb... for the car. How festive.

Factory tour + Zentrum? Pics of the 507 please...

Really nothing... except for probably some good food. I'm making veal shanks osso buco tonight.

Ahh. Perhaps because the base of the A-pillar is so thick, particularly from the side view, the designers didn't want such a lengthy cutline. Or maybe they didn't want the seam so close to the hood cutline or the beltline crease, for fear of cluttering things up. That's one of the things that always irked me about the 3 sedan... If the seam were slightly higher on the A-pillar, the transition between hood and A-pillar would be smoother. It also looks awkward because it's so close to the front door cutlne.

Yeah, and to get a 5-series with the same power as a G8 GT, you'd have to spend twice as much.. In the same way, the CTS *is* a compelling alternative, though it's in a different segment.