The O.C.

The Cobalt I rented in Nashville was an LT coupe......

Aww....but there's only a few big cities to choose from.....

I'll admit the X3 is not my favorite BMW.....but if I could afford both cars, I'd take an X3 ANY day over a Fusion. I'll estimate that you haven't driven an X3....or really even sat in too many of them. Yes, interior materials leave something to be desired compared to most other BMWs, but the little SUV reaks of "BMW" when you drive it. It handles like a sport sedan and has that super-smooth BMW inline 6. C&D road test......0-60 in 7.4secs with the 3.0L and 6-speed manual. 0.88g (!) on the skidpad with the sport package. It may be ugly, but it's a rockin' little SUV.

Point #1 - I've had the pleasure (and experience) of owning four different BMWs as well as countless GM products (when I was working for GM, etc) and even sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic there is a quality and feel to a BMW (or an Audi, etc.) that is simply lacking in most GM cars. That's not a dig at GM....just that in some ways the extra costs of the German makes ARE accounted for in certain ways. A BMW is not JUST about "opening it up on a back road." Sure affordability comes into play.....but for people that CAN afford the German brand....they will most likely pay for it if they like the car. Point #2 - Here in southern California, it's the LX Civic that makes up the vast majority of sales of Civics on Honda lots here. I haven't even found ONE DX-G on the lot..... The LX is the comparable volume seller in the Civic lineup.

Northie, I just stumbled upon your post......and the timing is PERFECT...! I just finally decided to get an '07 CTS Sport just like the car in your pictures! The order will probably go in tomorrow or this weekend at the latest....at Allen Cadillac in Laguna Niguel. I ordered..... '07 CTS 3.6L Sport Black Raven Ebony Interior 6-Speed MANUAL transmission 18-Inch Wheel Sport Appearance Pkg/Wheel Performance Pkg Luxury Package XM Satellite Radio Delete option Split-Folding Rear Seat Infotainment System w/Bose stereo and 6-disc changer Power Sunroof MSRP: $40,115 ('06 pricing) I was strongly considering a 5-Series but decided since I'm starting a new job with a new start-up company, I'd be a bit more realistic in what I spend for a new car. The CTS will be about $250 less per month in lease payment. I thought strongly about a 3-Series....but the CTS is a bit bigger....and to be frank, as AWESOME of a driving car the 3-Series is, they are a dime-a-frickin'-dozen here in Orange County. While CTSs sell pretty good here, you don't see nearly as many of them....and definitely not too many Sports (probably 'cause it's relatively expensive for a V6 CTS)....and the CTS is a bit more of a "unique" choice out here...as everyone seems to want a 3-Series, C-Class, or A4. Those cars are almost the new "Secretary's" car. (The Bimmer and Audi are still awesome cars though....) SO....one of GM's biggest critics on here will have two GM products in his driveway! (granted probably two of GM's best-executed products.) I almost ordered Diamond White.....but after seeing Northie's post, I changed my mind back to black. It just looks so TOUGH.

You are smoking crack..... There is no way you can compare a BMW....ANY BMW to a Fusion, Impala, or LaCrosse. People may like the BMW badge but there are way more substanital reasons why a good portion of the public likes driving those cars. People don't necessarily drink as much "kool-aid" as you think.....

Am I the only one that thinks the LaCrosse looks WAY better WITHOUT the optional chrome appearance package? I think the car with the standard chrome door handles and around the greenhouse is the right amount of chrome....and I particularly like the body-colored bumper and bodyside moldings....even on an upscale CXS.

Nice....! VERY nice....! It can't come too soon......

I'd rather have all those buttons.....than I would I-Drive, or MMi, or Comand.....

You can't make any judgement about interior materials....unless you've SAT in the car...AND the car you sit in is a PRODUCTION model. That being said....I've never been able to get too excited about Infiniti's vehicles. I don't know why but they've never seemed much more upscale to me than a nicely-turned out Nissan product. Yes, this car is attractive and the interior seems to be a major improvement over the old car....but I still don't get a big yearning to go out and own one. I'd take the NG CTS also.....even just based on what we've seen of it....

I like it. It looks like they are making the shifter a console-mounted version of the column shifter on the 7.....in other words, no shift gate....gears being selected electronically. I think I'd still prefer a shift gate....but at least it's down on the console. BMW interiors are still constructed with the finest materials and fit-and-finish (minus the X3) so this one I'm sure will be just as nice. I think the dash is a bangle-ized update on the current X5 dash....that's what it looks like to me.

Chrysler brought the pushrod 3.8L engine on board to compliment the new base model, 5-pass, fwd model they introduced. I'd assume they saved some money using the "old" 3.8L versus the 3.5L found in the higher-line models.....

I think I'm beginning to really like you........

Well maybe mounting the engine transversely put a crimp on some underhood breathing.....? Like the same reason Pontiac de-rated the 3.9L in the G6 convertible to only 227....?

I agree.....I think this car will do well. It is truly unique looking and that interior looks to be one of Chrysler's best designs. We'll have to wait and see I guess on how the materials will be.....will they be decent (LX cars) or awful (Caliber?)

Oh PULLLLLEEEEZZZZZZZZ You KNOW what I mean.......

I see that they were actually posted a few posts back by Mr. Krinkle...... BM....go take a look and review....I'd LOVE to hear your comments....point-by-point! (Thanks, Krink....)

(OK...here I go again...) In general, GM's pushrod V6s are not as powerful as most DOHC/multi-valve V6s....and the fuel economy debate is arguable..... (I averaged 21.5mpg over 300miles in a Grand Prix 3800 V6 in mixed driving that had actually very little stop-and-go. This is consistent with what I used to average with my Mazda6's 3.0L V6.) Yes....they are reliable....but so are most modern engines these days. What they are not, is as quiet, free-revving, or as smooth overall as the more modern DOHC counterparts. BUT....people mostly rag on GM's pushrod V6s because most consumers today PERCEIVE the competition's DOHC motors to be more modern, efficient, powerful, and reliable. Whether that perception is true or not, it does not make logical sense for GM to pursue a powertrain strategy that goes contrary to the rest of the market (domestics included) and contrary to what many consumers relate as "superior" or "up-to-date." And.....BTW.....there's NO way a 3.4L Impala could outrun an Altima 3.5L. The Nissan driver was certainly not racing. Look at horsepower and torque specs....or look at buff mag road test acceleration numbers....there's no way it would happen. Even the fastest time a SC w-body has ever shown (0-60 in 6.6secs) in the buff mags is not as quick as what automatic-equipped Altimas have shown (0-60 in 6.2 or so....manuals dipping below 6.0 flat). And you mean to tell me an 185hp 3.4L Impala out ran one? In any event, GM has shown they can build a masterful, world-class DOHC, multi-valve V6 in their great 3.6L HF V6.

<groan> BM.....would you like me to post my responses to your "20 Points" again so that we (YOU INCLUDED THIS TIME) can "discuss" how your "Return to Greatness" will "provide the impetus necessary to jump start sales...." ??

....."buicktroll?"...... LMFAO.......

.....not to mention the new CTS and NG Malibu, which are rumored to be damn-near class-leading.... .....or the Opel-based Saturn products..... .....or the new Lambda SUVs...... Fact is GM is at a product LOW....with the exception of the Corvette, Kappa roadsters, GMT-900 SUVs, and maybe the current CTS still being competitive...... There are great things coming.....even a critic such as myself can see that.....

You quoted me.....but failed to respond to my point about the fact that the nature of the business dictates that those in the retail industry, for the most part, depend on income from holiday sales such as those being developed around the 4th of July. This is not a GM phenomenon.....it's industry-wide.

BM, that's the NATURE of the retail business. You out of anyone should know that and appreciate that. When I was a sales manager working retail, I was on the desk EVERY holiday. Fact is, people buy cars during holidays. I would be disappointed in ANY salesperson that didn't want to be on the line during a big holiday sale.

I think Hertz/Avis rental agencies probably have way more reason to be excited than Pontiac dealers..... I smell a new Rental Queen.....!