Drew Dowdell

I like the looks of both the 'Nox and Terrain, but it's not my call. I'm not going to tell him what car to get... just the ones he can pick from. (He's known me long enough to know that he'll never again own a non-GM car.... he's fine with that) I told him he can have any vehicle we can afford that GM makes. So, barring his sudden lust for an SRX, I'm guessing the 'Nox or Terrain will be the winner.... unless I can sway him into a CTS wagon AWD.... but I doubt that'll happen.

Haven't driven either to make a decision, but probably lean towards the I4. The way we use the CRV we don't really need more than that. I much rather spend the money on amenities.

I agree with you about not needing an SUV, but AWD is a major advantage for us because we live perched up on top of a steep hill. I'd like to see him get an AWD sedan or coupe, but he likes what he likes. It's his vehicle, so if he wants a cute-ute, that's what we'll get him. He likes the look of the Equinox, but just saw his first Terrain tonight. He thought it looks very expensive, like Cadillac money, and was surprised when I told him it was only marginally more than the 'Nox..... so we may have a bit of shopping to do now.

My driveway is extremely steep. AWD is rather important. With the CTS, I had to run the snowblower if I wanted to go anywhere.... but at least with the CTS, it was worth it.

or three? No, I doubt I'd ever appreciated vtec. My "ideal" engine is the direct opposite of Vtec... an LT-1. I want something that hits peak torque at about 750 rpm.

I spy with my little eye, someone who doesn't see the oncoming train.

Sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of the Honda CRV screaming at 6,000 rpm to produce a paltry 160hp. The '05 Equinox makes 50 ft.lbs more torque than even a 2009 CR-V and does it 400rpm lower. There's no need to wait for v'tec to kicketh in yo.

It'll probably be a new Equinox sometime late next year. He "needs" an "suv" to get the 7 miles to his job and back.

Most of the Cadillacs have the wreath & crest in their headlamps and tail lamps I'm pretty sure the Lacrosse and Enclave have Tri-Shields as well.

Yup. Avalanche and Escalade EXT were allowed. Silverado and Sierra were not.

GM can go it alone with Opel if they have to John Smith, GM Group Vice President, Corporate Planning and Alliances and Enrico Digirolamo, GM Europe Vice President and CFO, gave a news conference call today regarding the GM Board of Directors' decision to not sell Opel. Mr. Smith stated that GM's better financial status puts them in a position to be able to restructure Opel on their own if need be. GM is still going to work with the European governments and Unions on a restructuring plan, but the plan will be very similar to the private investor's plans that were all based on the GM Europe viability plan from earlier this year. The Opel Trust GM feels that Opel is so well integrated into General Motors with regards to research, design, and development that it would be very difficult for GM to succeed globally if two thirds of Opel operations were sold off. Unsurprisingly, the Opel decision was the largest decision that the new Board of Directors, which started work on August 1st of this year, has needed to tackle. Most members of the board were new to the automotive industry in general and wished to better educate themselves on the entirety of GM's and Opel's status prior to making a decision. Mr. Smith stated that Opel sales are performing better than plan and GM has already begun to repay the bridge loan extended to them by the German government. There is still roughly 900€ million left outstanding. He also stated that GM could restructure that loan in it's entirety if the loan was called by the German government. The reactions regarding this decision on Opel is not surprising, but the most important thing in any of the plans presented was to put Opel on a long term solid foundation. There may be disagreement on how to do that, but the end goal remains the same for all parties. - By Drew Dowdell

Compared to what? I'll give you that the pre-MCE interior was pretty lame, but the powertrain wasn't bad. It had more power than any 4-cylinder import cute-ute, a 5-speed auto, and got comparable fuel economy despite the larger engine. I can personally attest that the CR-V fuel economy should never be portrayed as "miserly". For the reduction in utility, size, comfort, and power, the CR-V holds no distinct advantage over an Avalanche in economy.

GM's Board Decides not to sell Opel. All Hell breaks loose. Yesterday, the General Motors' Board of Directors made the decision to not sell Opel. Most of the reactions around the world have been....less than positive. Here's the different chapters of the unfolding soap opera.... GM's Board Decides to Retain Opel GM will return Opel loan to Germany, economy minister says German Opel workers upset at GM; Union boss promises protests UK union welcomes GM's decision GM right to keep Opel, German politician says GM Europe expect countries to help finance Opel UK's Mandelson wants meeting with GM on Opel Russia's Putin signals battle for Opel not over GM must rebuild German trust if Opel is to survive - commentary From the Opel Conference call today - GM can restructure Opel on their own if need be GM's plan for Opel will be similar to Magna's Opel faces 'massive cuts,' Forster tells newspaper GM plans 10,000 job cuts at Opel GM CEO Henderson Says Opel Relation Repairable Reversal of fortunes sets back Moscow's plans GM Europe head quits following Opel U-turn: source Bob Lutz to Oversee Opel Operations

Any day of the week, I'd take the "old" drive train in the previous 'Nox over the "high-tech" drive train of the '04 CR-V I'm driving.

Silverado outsold the entire BMW/Mini lineup combined! Why isn't the new 5-series not here yet! </pointless baseless comparison> You're right! That was fun! I should to that more often!

Just a twitter rumor at the moment, I'll keep you updated!

Ten Vehicles That Don't Belong On BuisnessWeek's 50 Ugliest Cars List Jalopnik, not known for their GM love, pulls apart BusinessWeek's 50 Ugliest Cars list and goes to bat for the El Camino. Car:1) El Camino Place on the list: 1 Reason it's BS: Number one. They've got to be kidding. Two words on this one: Screw. Off. First of all, lumping the entire series into one big pile is just plain ignorant. Secondly, it's rude. The El Camino from the outset was a looker and stayed a dynamite design all the way until the fall in the 70s. But then again, everything was pretty fug in the 70s. If they even try to say the 1960 and 1972 were ugly, they might get a Jalopnik-shaped shoe to the butt.

Maybe it was Mr. Canadian Pacific.... or whichever railroad it was that ran into a parking lot full of cars.

More than 50% of 2010 Chevy Equinox customers traded in a non-GM vehicle

Tell you?! Where's the fun in that. I bought the site so I can make little changes like that to tweek you guys. ..... there's a reason my mom would never let me have a hamster BTW.

Oh that! I wondered what all the fuss was about. I changed the setting so that it only shows if there is a birthday that day. On days there aren't any birthdays, it disappears.

What birthday section are you referring to?

Anyone wanting more room.

it's a block at the host... I think you might have to take the !!! out of your name

That better be flexfuel. If she tried to use that on him we'd never get away from foreign oil even if GM handed out a free Chevrolet Volt to each and every licensed driver in the U.S.