Duncan

The funny thing is that Porsche will probably get more coverage in January for NOT showing up at the NAIAS. I guarantee they'll have a big presence in Los Angeles, though...

Geez, you're SO last year. Nissan's on LAME_2.0 now...

An almost-perfect '84-85-vintage Corolla, many older Geo Metros ('89-94), my favorite generation of Colts ('89-92) and the occasional Excel. Also, not quite an econobox per se, but I've been seeing a lot more older 626s ('83-87 and '88-92) popping up these days. Simply cheaper than an Accord, maybe?

Bull. A large number of the people who buy big SUVs and trucks on the assumption that "they'll need that capacity someday" are lying to themselves, and would most likely be better served by an AWD minivan or a good-sized wagon. Now, if those people want to continue lying to themselves, whatever - so long as they at least buy a diesel hybrid version of that truck. Then, until the day they "need the capacity", they'll at least be running as efficiently as possible. I still think straight-up diesels without the hybrid parts are a better option, mainly for the fact that the replacement battery costs are eventually going to bite the industry in the ass where customers are concerned. (Thus Toyota looks really good now, but might have been better off spending all that money on diesel engines that are worth a damn. Honda's possibly got them beat on that front, at least if Euro reviews are anything to go by.)

That's because it's Mitsu's platform, and they did what was best for them - letting Chrysler, of course, have the scraps. The guys at Daimler could have maybe been a little more flexible with the purse-strings on what is supposed to be a high-volume car. But now it's not their problem anymore, and I suspect they never did see it as their problem anyway. (But that's okay - I'm not entirely convinced by the new C-Class either, so maybe they just don't care in general.) In regards to the Malibu-looks-like-whatever question... That's more like it, and I don't think that's a bad thing at all. Now, granted, the rear fascia is not similar, but otherwise, there you go.

Come to think of that, the Tundra that Car and Driver just did a comparo with was noted as a "near-production" example...possibly some strengthening being done by those magical Kaizen engineers for the press models? I had no idea the 4.7 used belts - that's sad. I'm sure it's quieter (it is based on the old Lexus design, after all), but I think most of the engineering world has begun to agree that powerful multi-cylinder engines deserve chains these days.

And the Chrysler Neon was there for Europeans or Australians who were curious what the Americans were up to. (And Canadians, too, but they have weird branding strategies up north.) After which point, most people probably walked straight out of the very same showroom and bought a Focus or an Astra anyway.

Really? Chevrolet Cavalier Pontiac J2000 Oldsmobile Firenza Buick Skyhawk (I know, I know) Cadillac Cimarron (groan) Isuzu Aska (yes, seriously) Holden Camira (and I've got more) Opel Ascona (yup, even the Germans) Vauxhall Cavalier And to top all that off, Daewoo later made a revised version on the same basic platform...but that might be piling on.

Hey! Put a set of wings on that, and you might have something...

GMC Sierra - Play up the now-familiar "Professional Grade" theme with a head-to-head comparison of the Sierra and the Tundra. Stage all the same stunts Toyota's been putting on with a Sierra 1500, then up the ante: "Now, let's see the Tundra tow this 16,500-lb trailer - oh, wait. Toyota doesn't have a heavy-duty version of their pickup. Of course, GMC does [rolling out the Sierra 3500, pulling the aforementioned trailer] - and we've had one for over 90 years now." Chevrolet Malibu (the '08, that is) - I read somewhere that Chevy was telling its dealers to put a Camry in their showrooms for buyers to be able to make easy comparisons with the new Malibu. I can only hope they do - because the Malibu, from what I've seen, puts the Camry's interior to shame. Never mind the powertrain. Buick Enclave - More power and more usable torque than either Lexus RX 350 or Lincoln MKX, and with the third-row seat neither of those vehicles offers. And more room than BMW X5 or Land Rover LR3, at a cost that's thousands less - but with all the legendary quality and luxury you've come to know from Buick. Get Tiger Woods to say all that (in an ad that's not just being played during a golf tourney) and you'll have something. Pontiac G8 - Do it just like they did in the 1960s. Stage a no-holds-barred performance contest between the G8 GT and the Dodge Charger R/T - dragstrip, high-speed oval, road course, skidpad. And of course, the daily grind. And make sure to mention the fact that you can't get the Charger with a manual transmission at any price. Saturn Astra - Start the ad with the familiar Honda-esque image of a Civic, in profile, in front of a plain gray backdrop. "If you're looking for the best small car on the market, look no further." Then roll in the Astra and park it at the jaunty front-quarter angle. "If, on the other hand, you want something more than that, then here's your car."

I'll give you the Accord, but I'm honestly not that impressed by the Camry. It's very, shall we say, "rough" in places.

I'm guessing the Caliber made it in there for its high gadget-to-price quotient (flashlight/dome lamp combo, glovebox cooler, cooled cup holders, etc.) rather than on a materials basis. Because it certainly wins the prize for "least forgiving textures", assuming that was awarded this year. I don't understand OC's gripe on the Aura - everything seems to fall readily to hand when I sit in one, and the materials feel great. Could just be personal preference, or maybe I wasn't looking close enough. I dunno...

I'd rather see the Malibu and Aura (especially the Aura) with clean turbo-diesel power. And why the HELL don't the trucks have a small diesel yet? (Same could be asked of all the fullsize truck builders out there, really.) As technically interesting as hybrids are, I think there's about to be a lot of sticker shock once all those Li-ion batteries have to be replaced in a few years or so. Unless Toyota's willing to take the next step and recycle the whole car, of course, but that's a pretty massive undertaking.

I dunno. I will definitely be seeing the movie (possibly even in a theater), and I could easily consider a Camaro once my Mazda love starts to wear off. If the price is reasonable on the V8 version, I could easily see myself in a black-on-red coupe with a six-speed - no stripes, please.

You're right, they both look better than a Corolla. However, that is so minimally impressive that I'm not sure why I just brought it up. (Hell, the Ford Focus looks better than a Corolla...)

Gotta love the Omni GLH. Not just for the name (literally, "Goes Like Hell"), but for the fact that it existed at all - it was truly the proto-SRT4. The Spirit R/T, boxy as it was and is, is definitely not a car to be trifled with. That sucker (and the related Daytona IROC R/T) pumped out 224hp from a measly 2.2 liters, thanks to impressive variable-nozzle turbo technology and a DOHC cylinder head designed by no less an authority than Lotus. I'd buy one of those, today, in a heartbeat. If only the Avenger was as gutsy - where's the SRT6 version of that car at?

My prices are from Consumer Guide Car and Truck Test, June edition (with an Acadia front and center on the cover). I've always liked to have the complete listings to flip through.

Agreed on the Saturn and Chevy points, though I'm curious as to how GM wants to split up the brands between FWD and RWD in the midsize arena. I would argue that Buick, Cadillac and Pontiac all need rear-drive intermediates - Chevy really doesn't, but I suppose they could share a W-body replacement with Saturn if GM wanted to go that route. As for Saab, I think a serious rethink is in order. Getting back to their unique roots - rally inspiration, powerful turbo engines, solid FWD platforms, aerodynamics - would be best in the long run. But a new Regal? I'm more inspired by something like Centurion or Skylark. Centurion in particular, for the brief period it was offered in the 1970s, was a nice blend of power and comfort. That seems relevant today, just so long as that "classic" B-body size and inefficiency aren't in evidence, too.

First things first. Before getting any special editions out there, let's see a solid, quirk-free launch of both the coupe and convertible styles, with a real advertising campaign and some solid real-world buzz. Then, in order of appearance, I'd like to see: * Race-spec model, possibly with those 6.0-liter V8s the Corvette won't be using anymore. Something to challenge Ford's FR Mustangs in SCCA Speed GT, Rolex Sportscar, etc. Call it the ZL1 if you want, what the hell - it would have an aluminum engine, after all. * B4C police option, since I strangely don't see Ford jumping on that market anymore. And since the Dodge Charger now seems poised to take over as THE cop sedan of choice, GM's gonna want to offset the creeping loss of fleet Impala sales with something. Also, this would be a great way to build heavy-duty quality and reliability for all Camaros. * Berlinetta interior option, offered in combination with any other package (like RS, SS, Z28) save the two mentioned above. This would be a truly plush set of features, such as soft-touch leather, upgraded headliner, and buyer's choice of wood or stainless accent trim. Expensive, yes, and I would actually prefer to see something like this on a Pontiac rather than a Chevy, but there doesn't appear to be a Firebird revival effort at present. * Very limited revival appearance packages, farmed out to SLP or somewhere similar and funneled back to dealers. A blue Penske Sunoco Z28 would be an obvious first choice, as would a classic black-and-gold Yunick. Or how about a customer-specified set of options under a COPO plan (within reason, of course - no Camaros with Ecotec turbo motors, please). Limited anniversary paint and stripe schemes would be cool, too - for instance, a Z28-77 option with 1977-style stripes, badges, wheels and color choices. * The Motion Performance group is still around - they apparently have something in the works for the new car, and they already build custom cars with Lingenfelter Engineering based on original '69 Camaro bodies. And does anyone own the rights to the Yenko name, save for the family? Yes, this is the only rendering Motion has... That should be enough to keep GM busy for a while. I'd still like to see a new fastback Firebird, though.

I just did - posted in your Millenia love-fest thread, too.

Much Mazda love in here! Someone else mentioned that the Millenia has aged well - I have to agree, since I crane my neck every time I see one. Then again, I may be biased. I recognize some of your gallery shots from MazdaWorld - MillyOwner's in particular: No offense, but I still think his is one of the best-looking Millenias I've ever seen. (Yours does clean up really good when you want it to, though - kinda like my Sixer.)

My comparison, based on what I have generally observed to be the best-selling model in each line. For greater ease, I've totaled up both the four-cylinder and V6 variants. Optional equipment - usually just automatic transmission or required packages - has been added if necessary to keep things fair, and will be noted. Incentives and freight costs have not been calculated into these figures, however. Your mileage may, as always, vary. Specifically not included: the Volkswagen Passat, which has recently priced itself into entry-luxury territory and thus out of this low-end league. FOURS: '07 Kia Optima LX (161hp 2.4 DOHC I4, 5A): $17,650 '07 Chevrolet Malibu LT (144hp 2.2 DOHC I4, 4A): $18,375 '07 Hyundai Sonata GLS (162hp 2.4 DOHC I4, 4A): $18,445 '07 Pontiac G6 (167hp 2.4 DOHC I4, 4A): $18,730 '07 Ford Fusion SE (160hp 2.3 DOHC I4, 5A): $19,005 (including $850 for automatic) '08 Dodge Avenger SXT (172hp 2.4 DOHC I4, 4A): $19,120 '07 Chrysler Sebring Touring (172hp 2.4 DOHC I4, 4A): $19,520 '07 Mercury Milan (160hp 2.3 DOHC I4, 5A): $19,595 (including $850 for automatic) '07 Nissan Altima 2.5 S (175hp 2.5 DOHC I4, CVT): $20,300 '07 Mazda 6i Sport Value (160hp 2.3 DOHC I4, 5A): $20,330 '07 Honda Accord LX (166hp 2.4 DOHC I4, 5A): $20,925 '07 Toyota Camry LE (158hp 2.4 DOHC I4, 5A): $20,975 '07 Mitsubishi Galant ES (160hp 2.4 SOHC I4, 4A): $20,999 '07 Subaru Legacy 2.5i (175hp 2.5 SOHC H4, 4A): $21,495 SIXES: '07 Chevrolet Malibu LT (201hp 3.5 OHV V6, 4A): $20,085 '07 Kia Optima EX V6 (185hp 2.7 DOHC V6, 5A): $20,400 '07 Ford Fusion SE V6 (221hp 3.0 DOHC V6, 6A): $20,880 '07 Hyundai Sonata SE (235hp 3.3 DOHC V6, 5A): $21,345 '07 Mercury Milan V6 (221hp 3.0 DOHC V6, 6A): $21,765 '07 Pontiac G6 GT (224hp 3.5 OHV V6, 4A): $22,310 '08 Dodge Avenger R/T (235hp 3.5 SOHC V6, 6A): $22,870 '07 Mazda 6s Sport Value (215hp 3.0 DOHC V6, 6A): $23,040 '07 Toyota Camry LE V6 (268hp 3.5 DOHC V6, 6A): $23,540 '07 Saturn Aura XR (252hp 3.6 DOHC V6, 6A): $23,945 '07 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE (270hp 3.5 DOHC V6, CVT): $24,500 '07 Mitsubishi Galant GTS (230hp 3.8 SOHC V6, 5A): $24,999 '07 Chrysler Sebring Limited (235hp 3.5 SOHC V6, 6A): $25,070 (including $1750 for 3.5/6A combo) '07 Honda Accord LX V6 (244hp 3.0 SOHC V6, 5A): $25,200 Feel free to analyze as you see fit...

Heh. That's the welcome I should have expected...! Good to be here regardless.

From the reader comments - Now, granted, I haven't driven an Avenger (or a Sebring), so I can't comment on the engine noise. But this guy seriously needs to re-evaluate his standards for interior quality - the Corolla he mentions actually has a MUCH BETTER interior than the Avenger, regardless of whether you're talking about this year's Corolla or one from, say, eight years ago. (Read my previous comment about my seven-year-old Mazda above.) And since when was "light beige and stone" ever an upgrade in color from gray? Far as I'm concerned, it's the same thing...

So, this topic dates to February. Has the upcoming Cerberus buyout changed this forecast? 'Cause last I heard, the Cerberus people were saying something about not having to cut jobs with the transition...