pow

Back to the original subject, I wonder if the current fires of Malibu have anything to do with this latest advertising blitz? "Malibu is hotter than its rivals!"

The Fusion and Sebring have nav, too. In fact, all midsize sedans do, except for GM's and the Koreans.

It looks quite German for a Frenchie. Almost like an A4.

What did you expect instead? A city made up of only rich white people who only have adorable blue-eyed kids who only drive 3-series convertibles shaded at all times by palm trees with the Hollywood sign always visible in the distance? I think you'll be "frankly shocked" to learn that the founders of Los Angeles were never white, and that, in fact, most of them were "obviously Spanish peoples". California has always had a rich cultural history with Mexico (after all, L.A. was part of Mexico), and "white L.A." is a relatively modern and short-lived phenomenon. Hispanics make up the majority of the population in Los Angeles (we have a Hispanic mayor, an Austrian governor, an Iranian Beverly Hills...) and we seem to be getting along just fine. There's a huge, perfectly normal Hispanic middle class in CA, with enormous buying power, enough to afford the same $650K 3-bed tract homes and Tahoe LTZs that white middle class families buy, yet somehow that's inferior or threatening because they speak Spanish at home or use salsa instead of ketchup? The majority of Hispanic population growth within the state comes not from immigration, but growing families through several generations. Frankly I'd be completely bored without the multiculturalism of LA. Los Angeles is not a city about its landmarks or resources or even popular culture (all of which rightly exist for a global identity), and no one here gives a damn about Hollywood, except for maybe the transplants. Los Angeles is not like Paris or London, cities that will always maintain their historical allure regardless of events. No, the soul of Los Angeles lies in the people who shape and change it everyday. Honestly, though, having your city explained to you by others, "most frequently by those who jet in for a week or two and report on the world they find a few miles from their hotel suites", as Jonathan Gold says, never ceases to amaze.

The 9-3 and Vectra have available nav.

With the US's air quality regulations, hybrids are far more cost-effective than diesels. I can only imagine diesel-hybrids from expensive luxury makes like Mercedes.

2LT with Power Pack

Paula Deen always talks about it.

fixed

Drove 57-63 mph on the right lane today. The instantaneous fuel consumption meter showed a continuous 52 MPG for almost a minute! I was quite proud... I ended up averaging 31.5 MPG over 28.4 miles freeway, 7.3 miles city, including two uphill stretches (1.9 mi and 2.3 mi). If I drove according to the original EPA estimates (which itself is hypermiling) of 21/30, I would have gotten 28.15 MPG. Usually I get about 23-25 MPG, so I saved ~$1.20 today. I used Tiptronic to shift early, built momentum downhill so I could go uphill without changing throttle position or losing too much speed, and switched off the engine at one particularly long light, which probably saved me .5 MPG. At no point did I exceed 2000 rpm (except for maybe the few uphill stretches), and I did pretty good with traffic lights, "missing" only three (probably worth 1.5 MPG). At the end of the trip, I filled up with premium at the Valero by our house. It was cheapest... $3.34/gal.

Yeah, my ACCD Saturday High instructor told me that lots end up teaching or doing general industrial design. You need to have (or form) a passion or interest in industrial design besides for just cars. Would you still be interested if you had to design a Toyota or Kia or skateboard?

Not that impressed... there's really nothing special about it. I'd say the Pacifica, or even the Crossfire/Airflight, with their art deco cues, are far more original.

$3.29 here. Recently I've started driving less, trying out something called walking. I consolidate trips and hypermile when I do have to drive.

It kinda reminds me of the Lucerne, in that GM did what they could with existing hardware. It's interesting how the development of the Malibu went a full circle, from the first (Epsilon) one in '04; to the G6, which improved on the Malibu's quality and marked the beginning of using the Maxx wheelbase on a sedan; to the AURA, which added a competitive powertrain and award-winning styling; and finally this new Malibu, which adds to the AURA a more extensive dealer network and greater brand recognition.

Art Center College of Design www.artcenter.edu

The lack of Bluetooth is arguably a more serious (practical) omission than nav, especially with states banning non-hands-free cell phone use. Even the Versa and Focus have BT.

There's nothing wrong with either, IMO. The CTS is priced well competitively, and who cares if it's in the larger end of its segment. The end result is a sleeker, more coupe-like design anyway.

Woah, woah, woah, I never said anything against the CTS. I think it's a fabulous car, and no one has sneered against it. Even Edmunds realizes that the CTS offers more style and size than the 3er in exchange for handling, and that's a perfectly fine compromise. Every car offers something unique to the segment. The 5er is priced in line with every other mid-lux sedan: STS, E-class, A6, GS, M, S-type, and S80. All of them offer luxury-oriented V8 engines (non-M, V, AMG, RS, F, R), greater sophistication, and mid-lux features like adaptive cruise control. Again, I'm not "complaining" about the CTS. But there's more to a segment than dimensions alone.

CTS = 3-series competitor STS = 5-series competitor Cars like the G35, TL, A4, etc are also "midsize", but still considered entry-lux ($35K-$45K). The "V" series is equivalent to BMW's "M"; there's no non-V CTS with a V8, unlike the STS or 550i. Cadillac's own website lists the A4, 3, IS, C, G35, TL, and ES as competitors to the CTS. Every comparison test I've seen, except for maybe one, compares the CTS with the 3-series.

CHRYSLER 300 - the sort of people who like it already bought one Aspen - dump Pacifica - worst in class PT - see "300" Sebring - worst in class Sebring cabrio - always popular T&C - will sell well, regardless of quality Crossfire - see "300" DODGE Avenger - worst in class Caliber - Thrifty, Dollar, National Charger - see "300" Grand Caravan - see T&C Magnum - see "300" Viper - low-volume Challenger - niche Dakota - not bad Durango - outclassed Nitro - outclassed Journey - has hope Ram - not bad Sprinter - not bad JEEP Wrangler - cool Patriot - not-so-cool Compass - not-so-cool Liberty - cool Grand Gherokee - always sold OK Commander - pointless Being bold with design is OK, but being the outlier in a segment isn't. The Sebring is too small for a midsizer (Camry, Accord, Fusion), the Caliber isn't available as a sedan (Civic, Corolla, 3), the Patriot and Compass are too small (RAV4, CR-V, Escape), the Nitro is too trucky (RAV4, CR-V, Escape???), the Durango isn't a proper full-sizer (Tahoe, Expedition, Armada), the Aspen is too cheap (Escalade, Navigator, GL450)... They have very few products that fit easily into segments, meaning very little will show up on the radar of comparison shoppers. It's okay for icons like the Wrangler and Viper, but hard for new products.

Extended cab, standard bed Turd 2WD 5.7 starts at $26.7K.

Riviera Concept is too blue-silver and not cocoa brown enough for a US Buick.

FIXED. BTW- the Silverado standard gas 6.0L offers 353 HP, not 315. Optional Sierra gas engine offers 403 HP & 417 torque. toyoda optionally offers.... 271 hp. Oh what a feeling... You're comparing apples to oranges. The Turdra goes up against the Silverado 1500, which does have a 367 hp, 375 lb-ft 6.0L/four-speed, but that's optional, not standard. Chevy additionally offers 195, 295, and 315 on the 1500. There's no "half-ton" diesel from any brand. GMC does offer a 403 hp 6.2/six-speed half-ton, but only on the $39K Denali. Tundra's 5.7 starts at $24K, and Silverado 1500's 6.0 starts at $29K.

Hi-po V6 Camaro sounds intriguing... that's definitely good planning, considering the price of gas these days. It makes the Camaro more of a broad-appeal modern performance car than purely a muscle car (Challenger). The current 3.6 DI makes 304 hp; retuning it for more revs and more power would easily make it competitive with a 335i or G37. Except the Camaro will be a lot better looking...

Basically the Japanese facsimile of the 911 Turbo. Same 3.8 liters, same twin turbos, same 450 hp, same DSG. Not a fan of the retro interior, though.