Flybrian

Variance is right. Check out the government website, too. If Hyundai claims greater volume than the 760Li, its a 'Li'. And, yes, Brewswillis, I saw the same. Like a reshapeed LaCrosse with a goofier front end.

The GTO has a Blaupunkt stereo system, which is worlds better than the junky Boston Acoustics 6-speaker. I've heard it, it sucks. I don't understand why you'd have to pay extra for the speaker upgrade and side airbags in a car of that price range ($40k+). Huge wheels aren't an outright advantage unless you're Xibit, so... As far as the moonroof and heated seat options, I agree those are deficiencies, but ones that can be forgiven for a near $10,000 price advantage. Sit in an SRT-8 and sit in a GTO and its obvious which one will be more enjoyable day after day.

I've seen a SMART around here with Quebec plates. For one, what a brave soul to drive from Montreal or wherever to Florida in that dinky little box. Second, there is a limit to how small we'll take our cars. I could see traditional SMARTs being used at hotels, resorts, or small communites like Sanibel Island for people to rent and run around and also for trailer park seniors for the same reason. But in general, its too small and no matter who you are, you look like a total asshole driving one.

Naturally-tanned chicks are hot

Like most performance cars of Dodge ilk, its mostly engine with a total lack of sophistication or desireability beyond it. Fine for some, but not for me. Look at what kind of package you get with the GTO in terms of interior accruments and equipment.

Not if they're using EPA interior passenger volume ratings which they most certainly are. A 1995 Buick LeSabre is 'more spacious' than a 760i, 760Li, Audi A8 L, and a Vanden Plas L.

Hey, Stabilitrak is now standard on all RELAYs?

I'd give the Azera a C+/B- as well for more or less the reason you've already listed. As I've said in the past, too much Korean-ness to the interior.

Um, according to their respective Build n' Price sites, the Charger SRT-8 starts at $38,095 while the 300 SRT-8 starts at $42,695. I still find it stupid you have to pay even more to get a decent sound system (6-speakers?) or side airbags at this price level.

I really don't see how this differs greatly from the five or six other completely random threads we have active right now, but I hope it will all now be kept within this one thread.

Trailer

Deadline Announced: Friday, March 3rd, 2006 @ 11:59PM

Very nice and with the supercharger, it isn't Grandma's church ride.

No. You say DTS, likely referring to the current DeVille, in which case, absolutely not. In relation to a '97 DeVille, I can't say exactly as NHTSA star ratings aren't available for any Q for some reason. 1997 DeVilles received 4-stars all around. As far as the the Q itself, check to when exactly yours was made. If manufactured in March, 1997 or later, then it apparently was built with more safety enhancements than those manufactured before including side airbags. In either case, it earned a Marginal. 1997-2001 Q45 @ IIHS

I see I was right and you chose the Japanese Buick.

You forget the key word - cheapest...of the brands. Remember, for most they're nimble and sporty, but for some, they're just cheap Caddys and Lincolns.

Its not bland at all. Its definitely a sleeper, there's no doubt about that, especially compared to the bulgy Trans Am and other more ostentatious sports cars on the market.

This and a photo thread are C&G's version of leaves turning. Go for it.

The ones that graced the old 560s and CLs were very obnoxious... ...though I'm sure we're close to surpassing it today. Mercedes did go too far at one point...

And the winners are... 1st - GMan (26pts) 2nd - Innotech (18pts) 3rd - Ashinyobject (13pts) 4th - Wiserocz (12pts) 5th - C.H.U.D. (11pts) 6th(t) - Dr. Sketch (2pts) 6th(t) - 04monteintimidator (2pts) Congratulations to all and thank you to all who entered. I hope everyone (and more) will return for the next sketch competition which will be announced shortly! The 1st-place winner receives a Pontiac-logo'd keychain :sign0200: as well as having their concept featured on the Cheers and Gears homepage.

Tire learning. Learning what? I, like most, are concerned with what exactly my tires are learning...and from whom. My last set of tires loved metalwork and shop because they picked up on nails quickly. Seriously, beautiful pictures. Some deatilas are obviously not as suitable for production, such as the front seatback map pockets with the purse-style latching. I really hope the roof-mounted 'clouds' stay. They're very ornate and beautiful.

Yeah, the inflated pricing structure before incentives makes people who would otherwise want one - like my father - strongly consider a used or leftover fullsize pickup instead.

Yours wasn't the last, though it was the last of the Regal line to carry one. Cadillacs and Buicks had them until 2005 one base DeVilles and Park Avenues, respectively. Chevrolet's Caprice had them until 1996 when the line was dumped. For Olds, you'll have to go back to the '91 Custom Cruiser and for Pontiac even further back, probably to the RWD G-body Bonnevilles (final year of '86). Actually, the only cars with a hood ornament for sale today are the Phantom, a handful of Mercedes sedans, Jaguars, and the Lincoln Town Car. Fact is, traditional stand-up hood ornaments don't look right on today's cars which are far sleeker and lack the ornate grille and hood decoration cars of the past had. I've seen them screwed onto some Regals and even an LS and they look awful because they're not only mounted incorrectly, but they don't fit the lines of the car. You would have to design a fascia with one in mind, not tacked-on like aftermarket ones or that cheesy one on the Chinese Buicks, and you'd have to do it right. Jaguar manages to keep 'em classy as does Benz, but they know when and where to use them - on more formal sedans and not sportier models. I sure wouldn't look toward the Town Car for any styling ideas.

Ironically, the 20+ year-old pushrod V6 in question is one of the cleanest V6 for sale today (in Series III form shared by the LaCrosse, Lucerne, and NOS' Camaro)

Ironically, the 20+ year-old pushrod V6 in question is one of the cleanest V6 for sale today (in Series III form shared by the LaCrosse, Lucerne, and NOS' Camaro)