Flybrian

You really, really, really need to learn how to read prior to posting. Variance said it the best and let me be candid with you: I need to justify nothing nor prove anything to you. If you feel I'm picking on you, that's your interpretation. I say its more calling it like I see it. And clearly, I'm not the only one. I'm calling an end to this line of conversation.

So you post a smartass comment to make yourself feel better. I have some eloquent words for you. Have a comment about the xB? No? Didn't think so. Bye-bye.

And I really must reiterate. The focus of this ARTICLE is about muscle cars and their market potential, not whatever the past 4 pages were about.

Are you claiming Honda is a woman and on the rag? Oh, that's right. I went there.

Remember when some listings included the Honda FCX as one of the 'greenest' cars...all 142 of them?

We're running out of land and food in this country, eh? Since when? Its not like we're busy making things like skyscrapers, freighters, bridges, steel, or electronics - you know, all the real industry we auctioned off years ago - so we might as well do something.

Hybrids like the Prius and Insight are image cars. You will never see you fuel savings surpass or even match your cost of entry (higher MSRP and 'market adjustments') unless fuel prices utterly skyrocket or you keep the car well beyond the normal 4-8 years. Virtually all hybrids for sale in America today get well below their advertised MPG ratings. You can blame Honda, Toyota, the EPA, Hirohito, whoever, this is still a fact. I'm making an educated assumption that this is due to their country of origin; Japanese sit in gridlocks and stop-n'-gos while Americans highway cruise. We also use a/c and accessories more frequently and we treat the throttle like its going out of style. Note one thing about the latest hybrids from Honda and Toyota - they focus on performance benefits and cutting-edge powertrain technology over raw fuel savings. They treat hybrids like Buick and Mercedes treated superchargers and Subaru, SAAB, and Audi treat turbos. They offer the performance of an 8/6 with the economy of a 6/4. People have stopped making pie-in-the-sky economy claims because they know they won't materialize. You don't see a commercial with the RX hybrid in a lush green meadow with fieldmice and Bambi; you see it colliding with an electric car and mixing technology. The best way to save gas is still to drive less, share rides, combine trips, cut down on a/c use, don't cruise on friday nights or at the very worst, buy a new/used economy car to complement your nearly-paid-off vehicle, which probably isn't that much of a guzzler in the first place.

This is only really possible if the car has been well under development by the concept's debut.

The claim that E85 is simply a way to mass-subsidize American farmers may be true, but that's the point. You want your money going to some foreign country (doesn't have to be Saudi Arabia...any country?) or to Americans? Look at it this way: the hybrids out now will never, ever save you enought in gas to make up for their MSRP and any 'market adjustments' over the typical period of car ownership (4-8 years), but alot of people don't buy them to save gas - they buy it because they're tech geeks or environmentalists and want to make a statement by driving one. Can't E85 make the same statement? "I'm willing to in fact spend a little more for a cleaner fuel grown domestically?"

I mentioned Honda. Honda commercials are extremely lame and often degrading of their owners, showing them placing a jacket over a puddle instead of driving their pre-owned Accord around it, cheese-stuffed taglines like "Above all, its a Honda," and of course Mr. Opportunity. The points these ads are driving home is clear, but I personally could think of better, more meaningful ways to express them. I'm not saying GM puts out glittering gold, God knows some of theirs are bad, too, but nothing is worse than the same blow-dried cartoon character knocking on your TV screen saying, "Its me again, and IIII'm knocking."

God help me if any more GM cars get this feature. I hate that its on the Malibu and I hated it on every other car I've ever sat in. Its such a pain the the ass and requires two hand and the car being at a full and complete stop if you want to adjust the tilt of the wheel. I don't care if I had three adjustments, I'd take a notched wheel over this. Agreed that tilt-'n'-telescope should be an option on CXL and std on CXS, though, since the Caddy has this feature.

I mentioned this "Super" to my father and we entered a 15 minute discussion about Buicks from his day. Compare that to ones I have with him about Nissans or Toyotas that are about 15 seconds and are pretty much "They had a GT or something and that Z. Those were great. But all that crap they have now is junk." Just a nice little thought I suppose. I suppose this is a 5.3l V8 shoehorn a la GXP and SS? Man, would I love for it to be a blown 3.6l, but I'm deaming too much. Who else hopes for ventiports?

I took my girl out to see Annapolis yesterday, before which we exchanged presents. I gave her a DVD of a Mexican singer she loves, some gel pens she loves, and a box of Dove chocolate hearts. She gave me a photo of us in a frame, a nice envelope organizer to keep our notes and trinkets in, and a Hot Wheels diecast car carrier 'cause she knows I have a bunch of them (you know, those Maisto DTSs and concept cars and the like). Tomorrow night, I'm taking her out to a nice seafood restaurant and giving her another thing or two. Our second Valentine's together.

I have lighter doors than most American fullsizers by virtue of its frameless glass. Most people tend to slam the $h! out of mine when they close it.

So, are we going to talk about that article or pony cars or the GTO or the Mustang or what?

I wonder if the King estate will sue. Seriously, they're pretty letigious over those use of the late MLK's image, likeness, speeches, etc.

Only if I can shoot my lawyer friends.

= yet another one of your worthwhile contributions that makes people think and "why are you even here?" Seriously, how many times do you speak of the topic and not of the poster?

The racing stripes are megalame. Otherwise, I have no interest in vehicles of this size or class.

The 'unoriginal' comments stem mainly from a design perspective. At best, Toyota designs are staid or derivative (2nd-gen LS).

Great. Worthwhile pics.

Ater a rather long hiatus, Cheers and Gears' popular design competitions are back...with a vengence, by which I mean prizes. You read right, starting today, the winner of each competition will recieve a small prize that relates to the subject of the competition if possible. Don't expect a car or a vacation, but there will be a little reward for your outstanding efforts as well as a little motivation to keep that mouse or pencil busy. Entrants in the onging RWD Pontiac sketch and Camaro photoshop threads are eligible for prizes, so good luck and let's see your work! P.S. If you have anything of interest that you'd like to donate as a prize for a future competition, please send me a PM. It can be anything GM-related - diecast toys, pens, vintage brochures, etc.

Now featuring prizes! This competition's winner will recieve a Chevrolet keychain that, while it doesn't morph like this is cool nonetheless.

Allrighty, guys, we've got 'till Friday, February 17th at 11:59PM to get your entries in. Voting will begin shortly thereafter.

You know what I mean. Words well spoken.