The O.C.

Hmmm.....I think the Impala instruments look cartoonish (marking colors, font) while the Malibu, while showy, look much classier. On fuel economy.....it's hard to compare. The Malibu with the 3.6L gives you far superior performance with much greater refinement, NVH, smoothness. To many people, that's worth a supposed drop in some fuel economy. (The '08 3.5L is listed at 18/29 on Chevy's website versus 17/26 for Malibu....not as big a difference as you claim above.) Upholstery......I guess that's subjective.....I don't have a huge problem with either. On being "traditional" to drive......that typical GM driving feel has been one thing that's sent people scampering to the imports....hence the Malibu's more import-oriented ride-and-handling setup. Trunk size? Can't argue there.....but Malibu is MORE than competitive in the segment. I'm glad you are happy with your Impala. That's really what matters. But in the grand scheme of things, it's a dinosaur who's time came-and-went a long time ago. For the market in general, Malibu is such a far superior choice.

....but the proportions are MUCH better on the Malibu......and I think the Malibu rear seat roominess is far superior after sitting in both at the recent auto show......BUT I think the Impala interior dash/door panels are executed much more nicely, if not as outright stylish. Look at the cleanliness, fits, and lack of cutlines in the Impala versus the hodgepod Malibu....!

It's those "special performance brake pads" that are on this "Sport" package....they simply wear faster.....they are like the ones on the v-Series, but not Brembo brand....

Yeah it's wierd.... In Europe, diesel is priced about the same as premium-octane gas (what we would consider 91-octane.) For that price, I could easily justify driving a diesel......but when you start getting more expensive than even 91-octane, it makes it tougher to justify. However, at least diesels offer something that hybrids typically do not......performance and driving enjoyment.....

Can you just put the money into the Cutlass? I'd rather have THAT car......

I actually like the X6......and it's getting good reviews for it's outstanding ride-and-handling. For me, it's just BMW's version of the Infiniti FX.....but I think the BMW looks way classier. My prediction is that they will sell every one they can. Look at it this way.....it's way sportier than the bastard-child Cayenne....and looks way prettier too IMHO. It's for someone that wants an SUV-like driving position, SUV-like ground clearance, and SUV-like towing capacity in something that drives like a BMW. Sure the X5 is close to that as well....but the X6 does bring a sexier profile to the X5 idiology....

I'd say it would be a GREAT bet. With all the good press GM is getting for the (lack of) NVH in the Malibu L4, I'd think having the 6-speed would only make it better. Better fuel economy, most likely improved performance, etc. Like someone else said.....makes the Malibu Hybrid kindof pointless......

OK......as small a show as it was, there were a few interesting cars to see in person now that they've debuted at much larger shows. Here are my random thoughts on the I.E. Auto Show: (Some positive, some negative.) * Chevy Traverse: HOT.....something about the front end seems too bulbous and bulky compared to it's platform-mates. But overall, a winner. I especially like the combination of Enclave-like beltline that sweeps up at the rear with a blacked-out "C" pillar (compared to Enclave's body-color "C" pillar.) Interior looks like a better-executed (re...less cutlines in the dash, etc.) version of the Malibu interior. * G8 GT: They only had one, a grey one with the black/red leather interior. I have to seriously admit that, yes, this interior looks better and feels better than the original cars I looked at in Detroit. Perhaps those WERE pre-production units. The interior isn't class-leading still, to my eyes.....but definitely good for the price....and actual STYLE-wise, I think it looks very good. This car's pricing structure makes it an absolute STEAL when you see what you get at Dodge for so much money more (Charger R/T.) * Cobalt: Absolutely the cheapest and nastiest interior in the class (or even below the class.) This has been my major harping point on this car for years now but yesterday just reinforced my opinions. I'd strongly argue that even the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio have superior fit-and-finish, switchgear, and overall design. Spectra and Elantra are even better. I will say that I like the Cobalt's seats....seems supportive with decent cloth, and I think the instruments are nice to look at and easy to read. The rest is damn near garbage. Comparing it to the Astra's interior only makes me wanna pound my fists even harder..... * '09 Sonata: Talking about interiors, this Hyundai upstages Malibu and AURA easily. I still can't get over Malibu/AURA's cheap door panels, poorly thought-out center stacks, and details like lack of rear-seat armrest, etc. The new Hyundai looks and feels like a class above. (Although I'd still ANY DAY take a new Malibu over a new Sonata because overall I think the Malibu's a much better car....and the Malibu interior IS stylish....just not that well put together IMHO.) * '09 Acura TSX: OK....looks pretty good in person, but there are some very bizarre styling lines/details that pop out at you depending on where you stand beside the car. Interior is nice, obviously....well put together, attractively styled. AWESOME 6-speed shifter that looks and feels like it came right out of an S2000. But this car makes me beg the question "why?" Why not save $5,000 and get an Accord EX-L NAV with the 190-hp L4 and 5-speed manual transmission? You'll really have to want the sharper TSX handling and "Acura" badge to fork over so much more dough. Get your Accord in a color like black and put some "bling" wheels/tires on it....and you have your "cut-price" TSX. Especially with the Honda having an interior just about as plush and stylish as the Acura. * '09 Nissan Maxima: This car I LOVED way better in person. The car they had was a deep red and it really looks imposing in person. The headlights ARE wierd, but somehow seem to work. The profile of the car, and the surface details along the beltline are really attractive. Second-guessing I don't see this car competing with the G8 too much.....it's too "Asian" and FWD. But, I do see it putting some scare into the Infiniti G35 sedan! To me, the new Maxima looks way more imposing than the G35...and looks way more unique.....and it's got an interior just as nice as the Infiniti's. So, take the FWD/RWD difference out of the occasion, and I'd take this new Maxima ANY DAY over a G35 Automatic......even with just a lowly "Nissan" badge. (Then again if I wanted a RWD sport sedan like the G35, I'd never get a Japanese one. It would be American or German......) * '09 VW Tiguan: Saw this in Detroit....and I still like it. Why get a RAV4 or CR-V over something German-engineered? Well I guess many people would....but not me. I like this new little VW SUV....seems small and maneaverable, yet has decent interior room and cargo capacity. Interior is up to usual VW Group standards.....and of course I love that VW Group 2.0T engine. * '09 Lincoln MK(whatever-the-f*ck-the-correct-letter-is): The new sedan looks imposing when you are standing up next to it on the floor. I still don't like the FWD, or the heavy-looking sides.....but I like the car. It's BIG. And in many ways outclasses the new Jaguar XF in some details. The interior is okay.....nice....but doesn't necessarily excite me. This car's pricing could be it's biggest asset. The guy said it's supposed to start at around $36K. For that money, it's a much-more imposing and impressive car for the money than the more-expensive STS (even if STS is proper RWD.) And it's scary to think you can get such a bigger, roomier car for CTS money. I'd still get the RWD CTS any day....but in the marketplace, it could put up a good sales fight scare for the Cadillac......(non-enthusiasts looking for as much room and "luxury" for the money.) * Rest of GM: The rest of the GM stuff was there and we're all familiar with it...the excellent CTS, full-size trucks and SUVs, and the new Saturn products. (EDIT: Chevy HHR SS: What's with charging $95 on the window sticker for a "Driver Sport Seat" that looks oddly different than the non-bolstered passenger seat? Who in the industry does this? Was cost-cutting such a big deal? Then charge me another $95 and give me a passenger seat that matches....! Wierd...strange....odd.....)

We can all go see "Speed Racer" on my birthday!!!!!! (It opens 5-9-08.) (j/k I think.....you guys are prolly way too young to appreciate.....LOL)

I'm amending my response...... The $600 will put new brakes on the CTS.......(34,000miles and I haven't touched them. They're squealing like stuck pigs!!!)

Yesterday, on the 405, I saw two Hyundai Genesis sedans with the badges taped over and MFR plates on the back........

Thanks Enzl..... I, for one, WOULD be interested in hearing the OP's thoughts and rationales for the Camry Hybrid purchase. I'm going to guess a couple things come to mind....... * Decent-sized car with class-leading fuel economy? * Quiet, cushy, soft, almost Buick-like ride? * Styling maybe even? (REMEMBER styling is subjective....) * Decently-priced? (A fully, and I mean FULLY loaded hybrid I looked at at the auto show recently barely topped $31K) If he was into the Lucerne......chances are the Altima Hybrid MIGHT have been just a bit too hard-edged? (re: sporty) And clearly Malibu and AURA hybrid, attractively-priced as they are.....are not in the same league as the full-on Camry Hybrid (versus their "mild" status.) But....alas.....I don't think we'll hear back from him in this thread......

Don't forget......some of the people on here, like me and Enzl, who are EXTREMELY critical of General Motors.......are also some of it's biggest fans.......and want to see them prosper just as much as ANY of you...... "....we who love GM cars....." extends to people like us as well. Doesn't mean we won't criticize the product if we think it's deserving.......

Or....heaven for bid.....going outside to play games and be active..... When I grew up (obviously...I'm 37)....there was no internet....and there weren't any home computers! You know what we all did after elementary school? We went outside (gasp) and played dodgeball, hide-and-seek, and other games outside in our col-de-sac. Today's kids sit inside on the computer, in their rooms, on their cell phones texting each other.....no wonder our country has gotten so overwhelmingly FAT and LAZY....

Agreed! The hideous two-tone interiors on the LTZ absolutely kill that car for me. Would much rather have the LT2 with ebony interior and the silver-plastic dash trim (in place of the woodgrain.)

Cars make ME eat......I'm all excited 'cause I get to go spend the afternoon at yet another car show......I'll probably collect all the brochures (I always end up just throwing them out) then will most likely find some good italian restaurant this evening to sit down, pour over brochures, and stuff myself silly...... LOL

I've seen at least 3 new SMARTS in the span of the last week or so....! Saw a new retail Malibu and a retail Enclave.

Not to change the subject.....but on your above post......there was a very interesting article in my recent AutoWeek about automatic transmissions and dual-clutch transmissions. It showed alot of data supporting the fact that significant increases in fuel economy were, in fact, achieved by moving from a 4-speed auto to a 5, 6, 7, and even, yes, an 8-speed automatic. It was a very interesting article. Basically it said that, due to the fact that DCTs are basically manual transmissions at the core, the same fuel economy realities would most likely not be achieved as in multi-speed automatic transmissions.....and that normal "slushbox" autos with torque converters would most likely remain the overwhelming favorite for mainstream products in the U.S.....leaving DCTs for more "sporting" applications like some of the VW and Audi products, along with the upcoming M3 and Porsche DCTs.....

You're being sarcastic.......right?

LOL....and it's going to be like 100 degrees out there today. At least I can go, look at cars, then go back home to my Orange County paradise.........

Spoil sport..... Let's hang out again soon......we must....especially if I'm gonna make the move to Lost Wages.......

Bush is an IDIOT......(surprise, right?) People are going to use the money to pay down credit card bills, or other bills.....I suspect. (EDIT: It's not gonna stimulate the economy one iota....although he'll try to claim it is....<his final "win" as he goes out of office.>) Mine? I don't know......my ex fuc*ed me so bad with my credit, it's not worth even trying to pay down his bills with my measly $600......I'll most likely put it in the bank.

Uh.....you need to wake up to today's diesels...... This VW diesel will be quick......strong and torquey........I think what was it? 140-ish horsepower, but a &#036;h&#33;load of torque. No Prius (or Civic Hybrid) will be able to keep up with it.

Oh, certainly the Enclave is a great CUV......but how many actual RXs have been traded in on Enclaves? OR, how many Enclaves have actually been cross-shopped with RXs....? I'd LOVE to see those numbers (and I KNOW GM tracks them religiously.) I STILL bet those numbers are far lower than any of us would like to believe.

That's just NOT cool to say.......I don't care who he is or what he bought. People don't make huge purchase decisions like which car to drive lightly...... Some of the responses on here are the most immature I've seen on C&G in a LONG time......