The O.C.

He may be referring to the fact that the new Impala is really just a new body on an old platform. The W-body architecture dates way back to 1988 with the intro of the new Regal/Cutlass/GP W-body coupes. It's almost 20-years old.

Yes, she is. And no, it doesn't factor in. I'm also vested.....I'll receive (maybe? ha!) a tiny GM pension when I get older too, but I can't allow that to dictate my vehicle purchases unfortunately......

Can you believe it....? I am one of the rare kids that never caught the Pox......and now, at 35 years old, I've got 'em BIG...! I must have caught it during my heavy travels over the last month or so.....in-and-out of airports and airplanes and stuff. It started out with heavy chills, fever, and night sweats on Monday and Tuesday (3-27, 3-28) and then Wednesday morning, the little red bumps started showing up. By Thursday afternoon, I was returning from a meeting in Nashville....and the red bumps turned a nice shade of NASTY....! I was SO humiliated flying home from Nashville thru Las Vegas to Los Angeles. I was broken out ALL over my face and head....but it looked like really bad acne...not the tiny red bumps. I went straight to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo Thursday night when I got close to home and they confirmed that, yes, I had the Chicken Pox. Today is Sunday and I'm broken out all over, however, many of the bumps have started to crust over, which means I'm getting closer to being done with this. The word is....the uglier and nastier they begin to look, the closer you are to being healed. There's no medication and no treatment. You basically just let them run their course (7-10 days according to the doc.) Other than looking like a FREAK from the circus, I feel pretty good. It's a beautiful day outside today and I'm thinking of taking the 'Vette down and washing it and detailing it. I just can't get around anyone. I really haven't had any itching either (Chris knocking on wood.) Although, they could begin to itch as I get to the end of all this. Because of the contagiousness of this, I've been in the house since Friday and have really enjoyed doing nothing but tearing through old car magazines and stuff, watching The Golden Girls DVD sets, and playing with the dogs. Hopefully I'll be cleared up by mid-week (that's my hope.) Any other entertaining experiences with this cute little virus....?

It seems to be right in the same league as anything else comparable out there......I'd be thrilled to get low-to-mid 20's in a Cobalt SS Supercharged as well...

Jeep is doing SIMPLY what they HAVE to do in order to survive. Is building a Jeep Compass any worse than Porsche coming out with an SUV.....? Well Porsche certainly hasn't been hurt by the Cayenne...... Remember this.....Compass may not be "Trail-Rated" but you can probably count on the fact that it WILL be the most off-road-capable of the "cute-ute" AWD crossovers....(Escape, RAV-4, etc.) Caliber is getting really good early reception at the dealerships, and is getting decent reviews in the mags. This only bodes well for Compass. About Jeep "heritage." I LOVE my Liberty because of it's sturdy feel, off-road capability, towing capacity, torquey 3.7L, and chunky looks (compared to Escape, CR-V, etc.) However, even I can admit that for the vast majority of consumers out there looking for an SUV in this size and price class, Liberty is too small inside, too overweight, and too thirsty to be a class-leader. Compass will help to pick up some of those consumers that want the Jeep style and image, but with more car-like attributes.

Sounds like yet another variation of GM's pushrod V6.....

They DO...! I had a '93 Blazer 4X4 that was a NIGHTMARE......... After THAT Blazer, I can understand why all these people shy away from GM products.... <ugh>

I'd be thrilled to have a 200hp sports coupe that ran from 0-60 in less than 7secs with an average fuel economy of over 23mpg (in varied driving.)

I think you missed the point...... If Jeep can put better plastics in a lower-priced offering (Liberty) why couldn't they have put more upscale or better stuff in the Commander? It's similar to the LaCrosse/Lucerne debate......LaCrosse has soft-touch, nice, plastics on the lower portion of the dash....while the more-expensive Lucerne has shiny hard stuff across the passenger side of the entire dash.

You're right.... But do you REALLY understand the level of significance of the challenge to change these peoples' perceptions....? Do you understand the fact that vast generations of young people now.....(say my age...35...and younger) GREW UP in import-dominated familes.....and have NO understanding or realization of GM's "glory days" like many of us enthusiasts on here do...? Or understand the fact that a vast, growing majority of ELDERLY consumers (in California, for example) are driving Camrys and Accords as opposed to Chevys and Buicks? In many cases, now, you are not trying to just "change" consumers perceptions....you have to convince them to try something (domestic, or GM, automobiles) they've never even considered before! One example from me......my Mom worked for Buick for 16 years and retired from GM. (They have retired in Tampa, FL.) My parents (who drive a 2000 Regal GS, 1999 Corvette coupe, and a 2004 BMW 330Ci convertible) said they were looking to trade in the Regal for a midsize SUV. I was so excited about the new Enclave, that I told my Mom to wait until later this year to look at the new Buick because I think it's SO hot and a great new product from GM. My Mom's response? "I don't want another 'Buick'....I've worked hard in my life and I'm ready for a 'luxury' car." They are looking at Lexus RX330s. So....quite a statement, eh? And this is from a woman that ALWAYS drove GM vehicles. If it's that tough to change HER perspective, how are we gonna do it for all these people that have NO allegiance to GM...? (and by the way, she's OVERJOYED with her new BMW convertible.....even at 63 years old.) My point....GM (and Buick) isn't even appealing to the over 60-year-old set like they used to....

When a consumer buys a new car, the actual CA tags take 60-90 days to get shipped to the consumer from DMV. The dealer provides, at time of sale, a temporary registration that gets attached to the lower passenger-side of the windshield.....and the dealer installs "temporary" plastic "tags" in the front and rear (usually sporting the dealership's logo/name, etc.) That's how you can tell (usually) that someone has a new car.....in THIS case, the 750Li had "Irvine BMW" plastic tags in back.....that's really how I knew his car was new.

Jim, Your statment just PROVES to me that you don't "get it." Also referring to Turbo's post a couple of posts back, it seems like we (those of us in coastal CA) are doing nothing but but unless you live here, and see it daily, months and years on end, you really can't understand what the automotive market out here says about the industry in general. I'm not saying GM's performance (or lack thereof) on the coasts is the single most important factor, but it IS a vital factor that needs to be addressed (along with their other challenges of legacy costs, etc.) A couple of notations.......a few months ago, I did an experiment where I counted over 200 cars in a parking lot at a middle-to-upscale shopping/dining/entertainment center here in south Orange County. Of all the cars I counted, not a SINGLE NEW DESIGN GM CAR was found. No LaCrosses, no Impalas, no G6s, no Lucerne's, not even any late model Grand Prix, Malibus, etc. (Not even any rentals.) The only GM products in those 200 cars were either full-size SUVs and/or trucks, or significantly older models. In fact, there were more Mercedes-Benz products and almost as many BMW products in the count than TOTAL "Big 3" models. THIS was an (admittingly non-scientific) study that really opened my eyes. As soon as I get some free time, I'm going to do my same experiment in part of the parking structure for John Wayne Airport (Orange County.) I think you all will be AMAZED at the results. Cadillac HAS started to break into this market with cars, but ONLY with the CTS. The STS isn't even a competitor in California and the DTS still only seems to appeal to older clientele. The CTS, however, is a viable competitor in CA for import brands. One friend traded in his Audi A6 2.7T for the CTS and is very happy. So, GM can do it! Also, I get NUMEROUS positive comments regarding my C6 convertible even in the toniest of southern California beach cities.....some of these comments coming even from jaded Porsche and BMW owners. One BMW 750Li driver stopped me at the grocery store parking lot and asked me how I liked my new Corvette. (He still had the temporary tags on his new BMW.) Of course, I glowingly praised it and he said he was really impressed with the car. However, he said (GET THIS) ...."but I'm a Porsche guy and couldn't imagine ever buying a GM car again after the experiences I had in the past..." SO....all his approval for my C6 was just thrown down the drain by his overall perception of GM vehicles. That, Mr. Dollinger, is the challenge the GM is really facing. (And he drove away a VERY happy camper in his new, $80K BMW.)

Balthazar, In the past, I've presented on here (numerous times) a COMPREHENSIVE review of Buickman's "20 Points for a Return to Greatness" and would be more than willing to share those comments of mine again, should you wish to see them. I have no problem with someone that has ideas, however, Dollinger presents his 20 Points as a way to "save GM." In THAT context, it appears as a child's-like view on the overall General Motors struggle for survival. My criticism on Jim is not on him as a person himself, but on his very narrow level of experience in this industry (contrary to what he portrays himself as) based upon his carrer as a top-selling Buick salesperson in Flint, Michigan. This experience level certainly doesn't reflect the car industry in the majority of the U.S.A. and doesn't even begin to reflect what GM is facing (as Turbo said) in California, the east coast, and other import-dominated markets. JMHO.

Thanks Turbo....! I was getting sick and tired of countering his bantering, so I'm glad you did it...and I agree 100% with your assessment.

I got caught too....! That was until I read the part about "Buickman." Then I knew it was a joke....

I guess it depends on the unions. I guess they COULD vote to strike that soon and not wait for the hearings in order to try to get Delphi to fold before the May 8 hearings....and to make a "statement." ....or they will wait until they hear the judge's decision after the May 8 hearings before they decide if they are going to strike or not.

Instead of the Hybrid, I'd rather order a Camry SE with the 2.4L and 5-speed manual. You get maybe a bit less fuel economy, but ultimately still pretty good mpg AND a more fun-to-drive midsize sedan. (but then again, I LIKE manual trannys....) And the SE has better suspension tuning and larger wheels/tires.

These two write the WORST reviews I've ever read..... Do they think their little "he said" "she said" thing is cute? Nah...it's NOT. To me, they hold NO credibility.....

The Liberty's plastics are better than Commander's.....so BrewSwillis' arguments above don't stick..... Jeep's doing better with cheaper......

......yeah......Buicks.......in Flint.....

It's not leaving the "automotive industry" that has been a good thing.....for many of us, leaving GM (and Ford, etc.) has been THE good thing. I quit GM in 1999 after that last big reorganization where they got rid of the divisional sales & marketing groups (when I went from a Buick employee....to an employee servicing ALL GM divisions.) I've stayed in the automotive industry ever since.....(albeit here in southern California, not MI) and my career is going better than ever....! BOY of boy did I make a GOOD decision way back in 1999.......I could see the writing on the WALL....!

Where did you hear THAT? That's NEVER been policy at GM (or any other company I'm familiar with that has company cars.) Too much liability..... I'm more inclined to believe Evok's reports of taxis waiting outside the offices....

In a car, while not segment-leading, is a vast improvement over the Grand Am....!

Maybe.....but it all depends on what stat you wanna look at. Nearly fully equipped, all three are in the same price range ($36k - $39K.) SO, if you are shopping for a vehicle in that price range, you are presented with two V6 offerings that perform far superior to the V8 GM product......with supposedly superior fuel economy. That's my point. Now, maybe that's not the final deciding factor in your decision, but it is an interesting point to ponder.

I think the 3900 VVT pushrod V6 eclipses any 3800 I've ever driven.....it felt as punchy as my parents' SC3800 Regal GS....if not more so.