Drew Dowdell

You might be able to join a local credit union. There are two credit unions available just based on where I live. This one is available to anyone living in Jefferson or Clearfield counties. which means you're eligible. It's probably your best bet as far as getting approved and getting the lowest rate possible. I don't see the minimums for joining, but with my credit union they required a $50 deposit to join which was then placed in my savings account. If you get direct deposit, you can get their debit card and then have the payment deducted straight from your account twice a month or whatever payment plan you want. Credit Unions are waaaay better than banks because they are not for profit and don't gouge you with tons of fees. They also tend to be more flexible. Your loan will be decided by a real person rather than a computer.

Oh wouldn't that be a hoot. AMC acquired by Renault Renault divests AMC to Chrysler Chrysler acquired by Mercedes Benz MB divests Chrysler to Cerberus Cerberus divests Chysler to Citroen. Though if that means they bring the Citroens and Peugots here, I'm kinda all for it. and v. and :scratchchin:

it'll probably come out thick like molasses

Comfortable? dunno, haven't sat in one. Safe? apparently they do fairly well in a crash. I guess I'll have to let you know. If Zipcar brings one to Pittsburgh, I'll do a review of it.

I would expect that to be the case, however DCX had the entire development cycle to get vehicles like the Sebring and Avenger right. The only family sedan I can think of where less apparent effort was put into it was the last generation Galant.

Remember the days when you could get a sedan, coupe, hardtop, convertible, and wagon out of one model line? I think the most recent occurrences of that would be either the A-bodies <coupe, sedan, wagon> or J-bodies <coupe, sedan, wagon, convertible>

Or by, ya know, making cars that didn't suck.

Happy Birthday Fly, I got you a Cadillac convertible...... I don't think it came out quite right...

don't have to imagine.... :AH-HA_wink:

I agree with all the points in your post except this one. The difference between the CTS and the 3-series in terms of handling is so marginal that it would only be noticed on the track. The 3-series has been so successful because it's the cheapest car with the blue and white rondel on the hood. I highly doubt that Suzy McMansion who gets a 328i for highschool graduation will be pushing the car past 7/10th of it's capabilities. She is just happy that she has one and Shirley Trailerpark doesn't.

I said "used inappropriately on anything in the 30k-50k range". Do you really think that it's appropriate to compare it anything in that range? The 328i is a basic RWD compact sport sedan yet it gets compare to everything from near full size luxury sedans to FWD midsizers to your everyday De Lux family car simply because they all share a price point. The truth is, only Audi, Infiniti, Mercedes, and maybe Lexus play in the 3-series class. The CTS plays at the lower half of the E-class, 5-series, GS, A6 range.

It may surprise all of you, but I don't really have anything against the 3er other than it being used inappropriately as a benchmark against anything in the 30k-50k range.

Why do you challenge me on numbers? You know I pwn you every time....

is it because it has stability control?

Where was MB's cajones and intestinal fortitude with Chrysler? Step 1: Share some old Mercedes bits with Chrysler and Dodge. Step 2: ????? Step 3: Profit! Where was that double standard again? That said I think MB will sell every one of those 30,000 SMARTs but they'll all be concentrated in urban areas. I'm betting the car sharing companies will gobble them up too.

oh here we go.... *arms photon torpedos*

Apparently something up with the AWD system + transmission... from the sounds of it either a sensor went bad or the AWD is a goner. I'm guessing just a sensor because he was able to drive it home ok.... just under 25 mph.

I don't think either of us is holding out on the other.... I'm just gettin a little extra

Whatch you talkin about Willis? I better be gettin nookie for rescuing him today. he can drive whatever he wants during the day as long as he knows what he's gonna be ridin every night.

possibly, but I don't care... I'm still gettin laid tonight out of this.....

all you guys harassing fly with your unrealistic requests distracts him from working on my list. I need a 1985 Toronado Caliente, loaded, digi-dash, black w/grey interior, less than 30,000 miles.

Toyota doesn't have a bad Camry or Corolla from 25 years ago because they built in the "self destruct by rust" feature. Try and find an 81 Cadillac with an 8-6-4.... you'll find a bunch... you might even find a few with the 8-6-4 mechanisms still operating. Now... try and find an 81 Toyota. You want historical context? How about they talk about the ES250 or Echo or Tercell or just about any >'99 minivan or Corolla's "historical" sludge problem.... or hey... at Nissan where is the mention of the G20, J30, QX4, Stanza, just about any Quest.... or Honda, there's the original Odyssey, the Vigor, the RSX, the Passport, the SLX. I love how the fact that Acura's flagship sedan had 225hp until 2004 is never mentioned. Oldsmobile was getting 215 out of a 3.4 litre in 1989! If the reviewers really wanted "historical context", every RL review should start off with "Acura's flagship sedan, which until 2005 only had a lowly 225hp, ......."

So this guy I'm... uh... spending quality evenings with.... has a Honda Pilot. He likes to brag about how reliable Honda is and tells me I should trade my "unreliable domestic" in on a Ridgeline. This morning I get a call asking for a favor. His Pilot has broken down and could I take him to work. Apparently all the idiot lights came on and he's stuck in limp home mode doing 25mph. Pilot 43,000 miles -limping home with all dash lights lit Avalanche 84,000 miles - oil changes and tires only, taking his ass to work So the day after Thanksgiving, he gets to eat crow. I just hope he likes stuffing with it cause he's gettin that too when I pick him up tonight.

To start... yes. and you're so full of it. The Camry V6 loaded MSRPs at 35k. The 328i bases at 32k. Is that where BMW should be? If not, why are they building the 1-series?