Northstar

Depends how you define 'better vehicle.' This has a better interior (which it should given the CTS's interior isn't too good and is 4 MYs older), but the CTS is faster, will certainly run circles around it when it comes to cornering, and IMO looks better (though that doesn't really make a vehicle 'better' IMO). I probably wouldn't chose either at the price point, but if I wanted a vehicle that was engaging to drive, it'd certainly be the CTS out of these two. If I wanted a more luxurious vehicle, I'd take the ES. I don't like comparing vehicles that really don't have the same intended market. I don't think many people are going to cross-shop the CTS and ES, more likely the CTS and IS.

I hope that is the production Aura, because the concept was in Chicago last year and it's rather lame for Saturn to have the same concept two years in a row at the same show. The concept also had a little badge denoting that it was a GM-designed concept (or whatever the little thing says) that's not on this car. I guess we'll find out in a couple days...

Cool! When do you hope to have it finished by?

caddycruiser: Did they not have an Escalade at the autoshow or were you just not able to inspect it? Also, did they have a Yukon Denali?

guionM: So we could be seeing a new GTO by the 2009MY and the Camaro could possibly be here for a 2008MY intro?

They said the only thing that wouldn't be under warranty would be the camshaft, but I really doubt it will break as that's pretty rare. Everything else is still under warranty.

Complete pricing is now available on Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/cadillac/e...s.html?action=1 A loaded one with 22's is $66k. Without the 22's it's $63k. I think that's really a pretty fair price considering what you get.

Well, when the dealership changed out the spark plugs when we first got the GTO, they drove it around for a minute to make sure everything was okay. Anyways, they said the instrument cluster glitched while they were driving it, so they ordered us a new one and said they'd call us when it came in. We noticed that when the GTO is just sitting at a stoplight or in park it idles a little rough (just a slight shake every few seconds, nothing too major). So, when my dad brought it to the dealership he asked them to see if they could figure out why it did that (they said it wasn't normal). It turns out the guy before me put in a performance camshaft and some lightweight pullies on the serpentine belt (which are just for looks, don't add any power). So, the new camshaft adds 30-40 HP or so, so I figure I'm around 385HP instead of the stock 350. I thought it was interesting that the former owner would modify and then sell it after only 6k miles, and he didn't tell the dealership it was modified either. So, I'm pretty happy I guess, since I don't much mind the tiny little shaking action that happens every so often.

Maybe I'm biased, but I don't see any reason for a Firebird/TA. Give Pontiac a new GTO that's upscale like the current one, but offer options such as a sunroof and heated seats that it doesn't have now. I think it makes more sense to let the Camaro take any bottom-feeder V6 sales and then let the GTO accomodate those people who want a more luxurious vehicle.

The F150 is a better truck than the Silverado is right now. The Sierra also steals a lot of potential Silverado sales as others have said, and the Avalanche probably takes a few as well. Really though, you can't expect an 8-year old model (even if it has significant updates) to outsell a 2-year old model unless the 2-year old model just flat out sucks. I don't think a difference of 300 dealers really matters... not when you have 3800+.

Since the GT is going to be made in the US, are the parts really EDM? I would assume it will be basically identical to the SKY.

If it's a subject that interests me then I generally like to read, but otherwise, it bores me.

Sales were pretty strong in terms of percentage increase, but last January was terrible for Honda. 15k Civics and 20k Accords? It's not good if your two top selling vehicles only combine for 35k sales when you're a mainstream brand.

MT said that the Yukon and Escalade both use higher-grade materials, so I assume it means the regular Yukon too.

How many waiting lists have there ever been on an SUV or truck? The F150 was probably the hottest newly-released truck (when it came out) in the last couple of years and I never heard about any waiting list on them. You only hear about waiting list for Hybrids and aspirational cars such as the Solstice because they don't produce them in nearly as high of numbers. GM sold more Tahoes in January than it produced (some were produced in Dec. but not sold) so I'd say when selling rate is outpacing production that it must be doing pretty well. If GM can sell them at the price it is selling them at (and doing well at that price) then I see no reason for GM to slash prices while it's making a fat profit on them. If sales start to slow then they can just lower the MSRPs.

Well, maybe GM will have some positive momentum for once. The key in gaining momentum is stringing together positive months; if February is a down month than the gain in Jan is meaningless. Sales seem to be pretty strong for January: - 6100 Lucernes makes it the top-selling Buick, but it needs to be around 8-10k monthly (in the summer months I expect it to hit 10k). - The DTS more than doubled last year's Deville total. - Did Aveo production stop or slow down for the new one? All other Chevy mainstream cars were up with the exception of the SSR and discontinued models. - The coupe really seems to be helping the G6. Solstice was solid again (as expected). - The Enclave can't get here soon enough for Buick's truck side. - Equinox and Colorado apparantly could use a refresh. - If you add HHR sales to Cobalt sales the total is over 25k units; very impressive consider it is January - The 2007 Tahoe hasn't even been on sale for a month and appears to be a hit. - I didn't expect the Torrent to almost hit 3k sales, much less in January. Overall I'd say it was a pretty good sales month for GM considering all of the negative news surrounding the company.

I don't like how it looks like the center stack is recessed because of the half-circle thing at the top. It looks like it was designed before the current one's interior because it looks recessed. I agree the current interior is better. As for the exterior: The front actually reminds me of the pre-2007 Camry and the profile looks like a stylized Camry. The rear looks okay, but nothing about the rest says "I'm a $40k car." It just doesn't look that substantial compared to other luxury makes.

I think this is the first place this has been posted, but in a GM ad in the Jan 30, 2006 Automotive News it mentions that the Escalade will start at $57,280 including destination.

2007 GMC Yukon Denali: The Very Best Just Got Better DETROIT - GMC's most premium full-size SUV offers enhanced features and craftsmanship in 2007 that distinguish it from other models in the segment. It is a comprehensive package of performance, amenities and style that delivers a powerful statement that is unique to GMC. GMC today announced that the all-new 2007 Yukon Denali will be offered with an MSRP of $47,990 (including $875 destination freight charge), $3,070 less than the model it replaces. As announced previously, pricing for the base Yukon begins at $34,690. Yukon Denali exterior styling cues include the iconic chrome grille, different front and rear fascias, tasteful use of chrome in the front fascia, body side moldings, door handles and roof rack, and specific Denali head lamps and rear tail lamps. New interior styling cues unique to Denali include the center console design, use of wood trim and interior color scheme. In addition to all the standard content on Yukon, additional standard content on the Denali model includes 18" wheels and tires, a segment-exclusive power fold - and -tumble second row seat, heated first and second row seats, head curtain side impact airbags for all rows, all-wheel drive, a 6.2 liter, 380 horsepower V8 engine, six-speed transmission, power liftgate and remote start. Optional content includes a navigation system with an available rear view camera system, rear seat entertainment system, power sunroof and uniquely designed 20" chrome aluminum wheels. "The Yukon Denali is the ultimate in Professional Grade and sets a whole new standard for the GMC brand," said John Larson, Pontiac-GMC General Manager. "The Denali price is consistent with our competitive pricing strategy while offering consumers the best in a premium full-size utility." The 2007 Yukon line includes Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali and Yukon XL Denali. Yukon Denali begins production in the second quarter of 2006. About Denali GMC Denali vehicles are the ultimate expression of Professional Grade engineering delivering capabilities and amenities to an all-new level. The Denali brand, first introduced in 1998, continues to attract higher profile customers to GMC. Denali sales reached record levels in 2005, comprising more than one-third of Yukon sales and nearly a third of Envoy sales. GMC is a division of General Motors Corporation. The division markets the Sierra, Yukon, Envoy, Canyon and Savana. GMC's lineup of Professional Grade trucks deliver outstanding capabilities that exceed customers' expectations with unique features and design elements. GMC sold more than 566,000 vehicles in 2005, and has set divisional sales records 12 times in the last 14 years. More information on GMC and its products can be found at www.gm.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you can get a Denali for $48k, what's the point of the Tahoe LTZ? Unless you just like the looks better, I see no reason. Plus, you get 380hp and a six-speed auto in the Denali.

Automotive News / January 30, 2006 - 6:00 am General Motors' product czar Robert Lutz doesn't want car clinics to dilute the Chevrolet Camaro concept's styling if the vehicle gets the OK for production. "There will be no clinics," he told employees at GM's tech center in Warren, Mich., a few days before the concept car's Jan. 10 unveiling at the Detroit auto show. One source said designers gave a collective sign of relief, since car clinics often have been blamed for watering down the styling of GM's vehicles as they morphed from concepts to production vehicles. http://autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?...2/1003&refsect=

If GM is to be saved, it will be saved by the 900s, Lambdas, new VUE and the Aura. The Solstice and Sky aren't going to save GM even if they help to turn around it's image. If GM is Personally, I don't think GM will die before Ford, as I see GM's future as much brighter than Ford's.

Isn't that pretty similar to the % they sold to fleets for the first 6 months of the year? Either way it's too large of a percentage, I'd like to see it at about 20%.

Why are you comparing them if they're going to be bought by totally different buyers? I don't care if Toyota makes a Camry that's faster than my GTO in a straight line, my GTO will still be way more involving and fun to drive, and the same goes for a 3er. Car enthusiats don't buy Camry's or ES's, they'd rather have something that's actually fun to drive and doesn't feel like it's floating over the road.

I'd wait 6-7 more month and go with an Aura with the 3.6 and 6-speed auto. If you want the best MPG you could get the Aura will the 2.4. Or, I suppose you could check out the Vue Green Line, but I think that will be out a bit later than the Aura (don't remember exactly). Waiting a little while would also help you figure out if you owe more than the Malibu is worth on trade-in and give you a chance to catch up if you do owe more than it's worth. Then again, the Aura may be similar to the Malibu if you don't go for the 3.6, so you might not want to get it.

20hp isn't going to be enough to offset the added weight of the ES350. The 330i will beat it in a straight line and the ES350 will be spinning out trying to stay with the 330i in the corners. Oh, and the 330i will actually be engaging to drive.