Drew Dowdell

no! please!? take me with you!

LXes are old news... and that interior..... Altima doesn't bring anything new to the table that wasn't there in the previous version..... 'cept maybe it's ability to catch fire from a stray cigarette butt.

how can I miss you if you won't go away?

I did not change my statement at all. Handling and comfort are not mutually exclusive. Two cars can handle quite similarly while one is more comfortable. In fact, that was my point exactly. The difference in handling is rather small in favor of the 3er while the difference in comfort falls in the CTS's favor.

Compared to what else out there? The Accord is already on the list and the Camry is getting knocked regularly now.

yes. While 540hp is a bit excessive, that concept has proven that such a system can exist in one of the smallest cars around this side of a SMART.

there is an incredibly simpler design that would/could achieve the same goals you are going for here; Motor in wheel. that's not to say this isn't a very well thought out concept.... I don't quite follow some of the arrows though... shouldn't the arrow direction for the driveshaft always point the same direction if the car is going forward?

I've driven the 3-er compared to my '04 CTS. No I wasn't pushing the 3er hard because it wasn't mine... I have driven the CTS fairly close to it's limits. In everyday driving, of which 99% of either of these vehicles will be doing, there is little discernible difference. The CTS does feel bigger because it is. The BMW's suspension is tauter... a negative for me living in Western PA. A taut suspension isn't a benefit if the only time it will make a difference in handling is at 9/10ths. The CTS is the car I'd rather commute in and roadtrip in because it is more comfortable than the 3-er and offers 95% of the handling. The next time I'm buying a car for the Nürgburgring, I'll re-evaluate the criteria for buying a car. Point is, most people who buy the 3er don't buy it for the handling... they buy it because it's a BMW and their co-worker told them it had great handling.

Some of us do happen to like the W-body... even if it is a bit old. I've found that nearly every W-body felt like it was designed with my body size in mind. Everything is in perfect reach. There is nothing wrong with choosing old reliable.

Try here

Wait a mullet! BV you still have the GA?

407 coupe is teh sex.

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.