Flybrian

The only 'uniqueness' Saturn has lost that is tangible to consumers are polymer panels, but most people were too ignorant to realize the panel gaps on plastic-bodied Saturns were the result of using polymer panels, not poor fitment.

Well, I'm going in at 4PM today for an interview for a part-time sales associate at CarMax. I figure that's the most convenient way to dip my feet in the water and see if I like it. I filled out an online resume Tuesday, and they got back to me Wednesday and scheduled me for today, so that's pretty quick!

Shift quality has nothing to do with the number of gears.

Tundra 2WD V6 Reg Cab 5ECT - $22,290 Silverado 2WD Reg Cab WT - $17,860 +Power windows +Power locks +Power mirrors +Keyless entry +Air conditioning +5.3l Vortec V8 +Cruise control +AM/FM stereo w/CD +Stabilitrak (standard, btw) - $20,730 You just have to option it out smartly. Also, the cheapest V8 Tundra is $23,430. The cheapest V8 Silverado is $18,460.

Who wants to bet the 4-speed shifts smoother than Toyota's 6-speed?

My mother died raised her prices three years ago. NOS' mom needs to cut back on fleet sales. Its affecting her resale value.

Hmm, speaking of the SRX... New SRX Impresses Across the Pond - Autocar review

Cadillac SRX Test date 24 January 2007 Price when new £29,895 What's new? Cadillac was uncharacteristically quick to the seven-seat crossover market. Its SRX was among the first examples of the species to go on sale in the UK back in late 2005. However, until now it's only been available in left-hand-drive form; as of March, you'll be able to get a proper right-hooker, and that's not the only improvement. What's it like? Firstly, huge advances have been made with the SRX in the quality of its cabin. Its fascia is now much more appealing to the eye and, covered in carefully-stitched leather and soft-touch plastics, it also feels better than almost any American car we've driven recently. On the road it's pretty impressive too. The car-like driving position makes it feel more agile than you're expecting, and the clever magnetic damping counteracts body roll well without sacrificing comfort. It feels very much like a Jaguar in fundamental dynamic character; there's a lightness to the control weights, and a gentle lope to the ride quality that's instantly familiar, and there's plenty of enjoyment to be had in using the car's four-wheel drive system to find traction where others wouldn't, and in flowing from corner to corner. The telling factor is this; when you get out of it, the SRX's size surprises you because, from behind the wheel, its bulk is masked very well. There is a more powerful V8 option, but we chose to try the cheaper, more frugal V6, and, barring a little poor refinement at high revs, it was smooth and gave up its power freely. It also works well with the car's four-wheel drive system, although a rear-wheel driven V6 option will also be available and, depending on how much cheaper it is, may well be worth further investigation. The car's five-speed automatic gearbox is a poorer companion for the engine; it can be slow to shift and slow to lock up, but you can telegraph shifts in yourself using the car's manual shift mode. If you do, the 'box holds the appropriate gear much more satisfactorily when cornering. Should I buy one? This is easily the most talented car Cadillac currently makes. If you've got seven to ferry about, you're attracted to modern, eye-catching design and you don't object to low 20mpg fuel economy, it might well be your cup of tea. It might not hold its value like an XC90, but for less than £30k, a V6 SRX will definitely make an appealing alternative to taller 4x4s and more conventional MPVs. Matt Saunders

Man, those are the wheels I like, too...

Uh, how is this not "focusing on its core business?" Some people buy GM HDs solely because of the Allison/Duramax combo.

Thought this was going to be about your Dodge.

Again, read the links to the other reviews I've posted. You'll find that its competitively-priced and well-appointed and they even like the powerplant choices, it just needs help in the suspension area. Apparently, its wallowy in the corners but choppy over uneven surfaces. The latter shouldn't occur, even in a traditional Cadillac.

The '58s looked better for one reason... ...the rocket.

AWD, yes, by virtue of all four wheels turning instead of two. RWD, not so much difference in economy, but slightly more power lost through the driveshaft.

Look, okay, when you say 'want' to need to follow it with 'to buy' 'cause I sure want that car, but I can't buy it.

NOS already has...

So, 1964-1999 Rivieras are all fake. Ohkay. Since this is a design contest submission thread, I'm not going to carry this on any further than pointing out that Buick itself didn't take your definition as gospel since they chose to forego it and name an entire model line after it. A Riviera is a large, graceful luxury coupe and since the loose definition of 'coupe' seems to have lost all meaning these days with the CLS and X6, then why not bestow a beautiful name on a rightly-beautiful car?

Top Gear video reviews are infotainment. How about some other reviews? EveCars - 3/5 AutoExpress - 2.5/5 Parker's - 3.5/5 Glass's - 3/5 WHATCAR - 3/5 You'll find that the general sentiment is that its a likeable in terms of its interior, economy, equipment, price, trunk space, and distinctive looks, but that its hamstrung by the Epsilon underpinnings (slowish, lots of bodyroll, choppy suspension) that make it more of a cruiser than a sport sedan. Tighten up the handling and ride quality and expand the dealer network and you'll see a difference.

Deadline extended until THURSDAY, 1.25.06.

That's actually exactly what I mean. Elantra Wagon Syndrome strikes when designers poorly integrate the roofline after of the sedan's C-pillar making everything from there back to the D-pillar look awful and tacked on. The affliction is named for the most pronounced case, that of the Hyundai Elantra where even the body-colored portion of the sedan's door is kept exactly the same... Anyway, with the chrome band and off-colored C-pillar wrap that typically adorns Imperials, I think it would've looked awful. On a normal Imperial, that 'headwrap' really classes up the design and recalls the traditonal landau, much like the '53 Pontiac Parisienne concept did. With a wagon roofline, the effect would've been lost and IMO looked misplaced.

Not everyone wants a BMW. Some put comfort and a smooth ride over on-rails handling but would rather not sacrifice luxury (Impala) or brand snobbery (Lucerne). DTS would be their car. BLS CTS DTS STS A bit of a reversal in the last two depending on whom you ask, but it works. The DTS would be off a 'less-premium' platform, but would slot nicely between the CTS and up-upmarket STS (or whatever you call it). A car like this within the $42-60k price range would truly be an American-only phenomenon, but it would sell nonetheless. How to deal with the perceived overlap you ask? The G-body cars handled it well as long as you talked about the higher-end trims. A similar breakdown would follow: Impala - SWB Zeta - highest volume, popularly-equipped, most generic styling - versus Charger/300/Maxima G8 - SWB Zeta - lower volume, performance-oriented, polorizing muscular styling - versus SRT/BMW in a budget muscle sense Lucerne - LWB Zeta - middle/high volume, premium-equipped, progressive but tasteful styling - versus soft luxury cars DTS - LWB & ext Zeta - low/middle volume, luxuriously-equipped, dynamic A&S styling - versus Town Car, lower end of high-lux cars It could work. There's export/commonality potential for half of those cars instantly, maybe even the DTS depending on how it looks. I hope it ends up that way. I know I'd be interested immediately in three of those four cars.

I think the main point we can take away from this comparo is that there may be an engineering deficiency or misprioritization in regards to power delivery. With everyone used to American cars and trucks delivering InstaTorque with fuel consumption and refinement be damned, this could be an issue.

Those figures are prior to the BLS, so both of those combined make up a very healthy percentage. Looking at the number Evok just posted, its clear the trends are very, very similar. Both the entry-level sport sedan (IS/BLS) and midsize crossover (RX/SRX) are the most popular. You can explain the RX's higher numbers since its been there longer and its more suited for the European market in size and engine choice (smaller displacement, no V8). Given that the SRX they're referring to in the article as 'debuting' is our 2007 model with interior upgrades, I wouldn't be surprised to see a reasonable increase. Combined with the new CTS making its way over there in less than a year (and with a Diesel engine soonafter), I expect the gap to close further. Notice Lexus also sells the rest of their lineup almost with a come-get-them-if-you-really-want attitude since the GS, LS, and SC sold like $h! (and the latter two still do). Besides, the SC doesn't have to compete with the Corvette (~1800 sold for 2006) while the XLR does. Looking at the big picture shows Cadillac isn't doing bad at all with a limited dealer network selling a completely US-centric lineup and one FWD SAAB remodel jousting with A4s, 3ers, and C-Classes.

From SAAB's website: Purchase Offers 9-2x - $5,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash = $5750 Total 9-3 2.0t - $4,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash + $1000 Owner Loyalty Cash = $5750 Total 9-3 Aero - $5,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash + $1000 Owner Loyalty Cash = $6750 Total 9-3 SportCombi - $6,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash + $1000 Owner Loyalty Cash = $7750 Total 9-3 Convertible - $6,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash + $1000 Owner Loyalty Cash = $7750 Total 9-7x - $6,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash + $2000 Owner Loyalty Cash = $8750 Total 9-5 - $8,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash + $2000 Owner Loyalty Cash = $10,750 Total 9-5 SportCombi - $8,000 Customer Cash + $750 Bonus Cash + $2000 Owner Loyalty Cash = $10,750 Total My local SAAB retailer is also offering an additional $750 as a Grand Opening Bonus ($11,500), which means I can get the cheapest 9-5 they have on the lot for about $28k. Damn.

Add to that this... Jan 06-Aug 06 - 3,272 And for HUMMER... 2005 - 622 Jan 06-Aug 06 - 1,848 I'm wondering how Lexus' growth was during its early years. Also, isn't/wasn't the RX sold as the Toyota Harrier in Europe? Are those figures just folded over?