Drew Dowdell

But do you see my point as to how Turn-by-turn can be better? Always get up to date information.

Again, you aren't listening. I'm saying that not offering NAV will not significantly effect sales. I'm not against them offering it... I just don't see it as such a big deal that they don't. And yes, I do think onstar turn-by-turn is superior because I've used it's predecessor.

That's EXACTLY how turn by turn would help you. *Press blue button* Rep: Thank you for calling Onstar, how can I help you today Mr. Dude?" Bowtie_Dude: "I'm stuck in a terrible traffic jam on Interstate 75. What's the fastest way to Mr. Fantastic's Mexican Place in Tampa?" Rep: "Certainly. I can help you find that Mr. Dude. Would you like me to send the directions to your Turn-by-turn?" Bowtie_Dude: "Yes please kind Onstar lady." Rep: "Download complete, will there be anything else today?" Bowtie_Dude: "Could you change our reservation to 7:30, we're obviously going to be late. It's under "Dude, party of 4"" Rep: "Certainly, hold one moment" *elevator music* Rep: "Your reservation is confirmed for 7:30 under Dude party of 4, anything else I can assist you with?" Bowtie_Dude:"No, thanks that will be all" Rep: "Thank you for calling Onstar and have a great day" Now.... do that with your Garmin.

I want to see a NAV system make me reservations at Buca de Beppo and then give me directions to the new one they built out at that new mall I heard about on the other side of town.

Except... ya know... the actual number 1 auto company in the world.

I think Buick should base around 30k and move up from there. No, they won't do that with the current models. The Lacrosse should match or exceed the ES in every way.

Good god do you ever read a post all the way through? Maybe get your cat to help you. What do you think me typing ".... if done right" twice was implying. I've already said the Lacrosse was beaten with an ugly stick. Clearly the Lacrosse hasn't been done right. My point stands on why you'd buy a base Buick over a loaded Chevy... if the Buick is done right.

Same reason you'd want a base ES over a loaded Camry. Because if done right, the base model Buick has better hardware and more options standard, not to mention classier looks and a more upscale badge.. ..... if done right.

happy b-day

Cobalt Turbo. HHR SS?

Was she driving a Toyota?

Notice I even have my little language bar set up so I can type other characters. Apparently Alt-148 doesn't work unless the numbers are typed on the 10-key.

I never said they shouldn't. I said that it won't affect sales much and Turn-by-turn offers a less expensive alternative. Cost is important in this market.

Do you honestly believe... that if the Aura, G6, and Malibu had NAV suddenly people would stop buying Camcords? As of September 2007 Toyota has sold 365,140 Camrys and is on pace to sell 438,168 this year. G6, Aura, and the old Malibu sold 270,659 copies and are on pace to sell 324,791 G6 110,473 Malibu 102,955 Aura 46,062 Old Malibu was good for around 203,503 at it's peak. I'll bet money that the new Malibu is good for at least 250k in it's first full year. So if the Aura ever gets off it's ass and starts selling at the intended 100k per year, the epsilons will overtake Camry. If you're looking to point a finger, point it at the Aura, because the Malibu has been holding up it's end of the bargain. I'm not saying that GM shouldn't offer NAV. I'm saying it's not going to seriously effect the sales of the car. The Fusion, Milan, Taurus and Sable offer NAV. Ask Ford how that's working out for them. As bowtiedude mentioned, things like a manual transmission are much more important to offer. But wait, there's more. The current LaCrosse outsold the ES in 2005 and matched it in 2006. Sales are tanking in 2007 because it's been beaten with an ugly stick, but once the EpII model comes on line, all it has to do is match the 2005 sales numbers to outsell the ES. In 2005 GM sold 502,216 W-bodies. Toyota sold 498,980 Camrys, Solaras, and ESes. That's right.... the old W-body. Oldest platform in GM's lineup... and not even offered with NAV, outsold all of the Camrys, Camry Coupes, and Camry De Luxes combined. But apparently I'm too thick to look at the numbers.

350,000 people don't up and abandon Ford, GM, and Chrysler just because of a lack of NAV. These are people that have bought into the CR group think that has been pumped into the media over the years. These are the same kind of people who, when I recommend a CTS, say "I'd never buy an American car, I want something German.... like a Saab"* or like all those guys over on that Tundra site talking about their Best Truck EVAR. Facts don't matter to these kind of people. They are too stupid. I don't want them driving a Malibu because when they don't change their oil for 30,000 miles and the engine goes they'll blame it on shoddy American quality. NAV is bling... plain and simple. It's a penis waving contest that goes right along with 7-8 speed transmissions and DOHC engines. The Malibu is about value. And like it or not, Onstar turn by turn is a BETTER value than a NAV system. *actual quote.

90% of those Camry buyers wouldn't buy a Chevy anyway simply because it's a Chevy. And if their V6 Camry sludges up and throws 3rd and 6th gear out, they can go buy "One of dem German Saabs" with Nav for 25k.

Tailgate warping and splitting under rather minor loads is a much bigger issue than cables maybe snapping if they are rusty. BTW, Chevy did issue a recall. What has Toyota done besides blame owners?

Lucerne is also quieter inside. It's vault like quiet in there... almost spooky.

Oil prices give Toyota a dash to the top because they invested a huge amount of money into a truck plant that turns out defective trucks.... what? edit: while letting the Corolla wither on the vine. For those of you playing at home, the current Corolla will be in it's 6th model year before it's replaced in MY 2009. Cobalt will be in it's fifth model year when it's replaced in MY 2010.

Was sacrificing their reputation for outstanding reliability worth it to reach #1?

There was actually a recall for those cables I think. I don't remember exactly, but I think my avalanche has metal supports in place of cables.

Don't let her sit on the tailgate of a Tundra!!!!!!

For those of us who work in real estate, when we hear that question it feels like we're wearing night vision goggles and standing on the prow of the Titanic while the Captain shouts down "Do you see anything ahead?". We're shouting back, but he can't hear us. Since December 2006, 170 mortgage lenders have shut down. The job loss involved in that is simply staggering. Many of these companies have anywhere between 100-500 employees, some are much larger. Assuming 300 as an average, that would mean at least 51,000 people have lost their jobs since December 2006. If GM or Ford fired 51,000 people it would be front page of the New York Times, but because the losses are spread over 170 companies no one notices that they're all in the same industry. Here in Pittsburgh, the real estate market never had a "bubble". Market values remained steady and quite low throughout the time the bubble was inflating elsewhere. Over the past six months the market for $200k plus homes here has completely collapsed. Today there are 9654 single family homes for sale in a county with a population of 1.2 million. That is 1 house for sale for every 124 people in the county. This is the same ratio many "bubble" markets experienced when the bubble first started to pop. Again, we're not talking Southern California or Miami here.... this is Pittsburgh. Now wait till January when many of the adjustable rate mortgages sold in 2003 being to adjust and the people who are just making it suddenly see their payment jump by $300 a month. The foreclosures will start in mid June and hit record levels in late summer early fall. For those that can avoid foreclosure, that $300 per month has to be taken out of the economy. Watch sales of vacations, automobiles, appliances, computers, and home improvement supplies all tank. Imagine how Joe and Jane Suburb are going to feel in October when their McMansion has been foreclosed on, they can't buy that new truck, they couldn't go on that vacation they took every year. By next November it'll all be over but the shouting and who are they going to blame when they go to the polls?

*makes some popcorn*