Drew Dowdell

Let's not pretend that Ecoboost is anything more than a nice turbo setup. GM is getting 300hp out of it's 2.8 liter "ecoboost" engine in the Cadillac SRX. Some quick math tells me that Cadillac is getting 107hp/liter while Ford is getting 104hp/liter. What would happen if a turbo were put on the 'Vette? More power of course.

How is your mobile signal out there? Sign up for sprint/verizon/att wireless broadband?

The only FWD mid-size coupe that deserves more than one look is the Accord. The poor sales aren't the cause, they are the effect.

GM posts $1.2 billion loss, says it will begin to repay U.S. loans DETROIT -- General Motors Co. posted a $1.15 billion loss during the third quarter following its exit from bankruptcy and spelled out plans to begin repaying $6.7 billion in U.S. loans. "We have significantly more work to do, but today's results provide evidence of the solid foundation we're building for the new GM," CEO Fritz Henderson said in a statement. The "managerial net loss" was for the period of July 10, the day GM exited 39 days of court protection, through Sept. 30. For the full quarter a year earlier, GM had an operating loss of $4.2 billion and a net loss of $2.5 billion. Discussion - GM posts $1.2 billion loss, says it will begin to repay U.S. loans

Time to Vote on Volt Nearly 13,000 consumers submitted entries Every state represented with at least one name entry Consumers vote Nov. 16 through Dec. 1 to decide the winner Winning name will be announced Dec. 1 in Los Angeles DETROIT – “Chargetruse,” “Recharge Silver,” and “Voltaic Platinum” are among the nearly 13,000 entries consumers submitted in Chevrolet Volt’s paint color name contest. Chevrolet has named three finalists whom will compete for a chance to be the first consumer to test-drive a pre-production Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. Chevrolet selected “EV-ergreen” offered by Devin McQuarrie, 30, of San Jose, CA; “Viridian Joule” submitted by Dave Thomas, 40, of Sanford, FL; and “environMINT” entered by Matthew Valbuena, 30, of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Chevrolet chose the three finalists based equally on originality, creativity and the ability to capture the innovation and spirit of the Volt. Consumers now determine the winner by voting for the favorite name of the three at www.chevroletvoltage.com through 8 a.m. ET on Dec. 1. The finalists and a guest each will travel to Los Angeles where the winner will be announced by Chevrolet on Dec. 1. Votes are limited to one per person, per internet protocol address during the voting period. About 27,000 people – or half of all visitors to www.chevroletvoltage.com during the entry period Oct. 22 through Nov. 4 – submitted a color name. The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It can drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the total driving range to more than 300 miles before refueling or stopping to recharge the battery. Production for the Volt is expected to begin in late 2010. Pricing has not been announced.

As always, dwightloo puts them succinctly in their place.

I'm calling dibz on the Blazer for the moment.

should be fixed now. let me know

This might end up staying in the C&G family if Camino will let it.

I'll say this. The Regal seems to have changed my vehicle strategy from purchasing a 2007 or newer Avalanche to purchasing an older beater SUV to do apartment work with and saving my sheckels for a new Regal. A Regal coupe would cement this strategy change.

+1 +1 +1

you don't think adding direct injection, an 8-speed DSG, and VVT would add a bit of fuel economy....

Welcome to the Cheers and Gears Garage! Cheers and Gears Garage We now have a place where you can create a profile for each of your vehicles just like you would create a profile for yourself. Only, in this garage, you can upload pictures, keep track of maintenance costs, modifications, and even list your vehicle for sale. So head on over to the new Cheers and Gears garage and setup your vehicle profiles today!

"most exclusive" = "hardest to find parts for" It was fastest for it's generation, but it's not the fastest of the naturally aspirated ones.....

at first.....

The torque numbers answer this question.

And it's not offered anymore... replaced with a pushrod.

Incredibly Stupid Designs of the Mundane What designs of every day things to you encounter that just make you stop and seriously contemplate looking up the designer so you can give that person a good slap across the face while shouting "What were you thinking?!?" I'll give the example I encountered to as a starting off point. As many of you know, my partner and I share his 2004 Honda CRV. Today I was doing an oil change. The oil filter is located at the rear bottom part of the engine block. In order to access it you must reach around the CV boot. When you pull the filter off, the remaining oil that is still in the block drains out through the filter hole directly onto the rubber boot of the CV joint. But wait, there's more. After the oil has finished coating the CV joint boot, it drains further down into a recessed pocket of the lower suspension arm. The Honda engineer who designed this tried to redeem himself by putting about a 1/2" round hole in the suspension arm so the oil can continue to drain to it's final destination in the collection bucket. We're not talking about some strange design for a relatively limited production product, just an oil change for one of Honda's best sellers. So what strange, stupid, design flaws of everyday items have you encountered?

You gonna call out Nissan on that one too? Dual exhaust is not absurd on any 4-cylinder that is going to have a turbo. Turbo engines are all about breathing... both in and out.

We will be re-doing the skins for the site to address most of those issues. By "we" I mean Dodgefan.....

Saw a Solstice GXP Coupe at the dealer yesterday. And a '89 or '90 Grand Prix Mclaren turbo in rather sad shape at a local bodyshop

That is a very nice example, but Hazelwood has it's bad areas. You can find real estate that cheap in some more reliably nice areas if you look. If/When you're interested in coming to take a look, I'd be happy to take you around town.

We have a really high ratio of attractive females to attractive males. Seriously, being gay in this city is difficult because most guys don't take care of themselves.

I always go with the Diehard with the best warranty.