traumadog

Gee - I'd have thought that the Caballero would have worked out nicely - especially since B-P-GMC is now under one roof anyway (and I wonder how many would remember that as a GMC product, anyway...). And I hope they at least have an extended-cab version (I know the original is a 2-seater), but it'll broaden the appeal somewhat if it could carry more than one passenger. I do remember seeing a crew-cab (Holden Crewman) version of it:

+1 This car could be such the underground hit with the LNF turbo 4 and a manual transmission option across the board to differentiate it from the other Ep-bodies (and maybe eke out a few more in CAFE numbers). Besides, the G6 started off with a M6 option - just tweak the sloppy action a bit and it'll be better perceived in the eyes of some performance junkies... especially now that some of the imports are becoming auto-biased as well. I'd say give the G5 the turbo 1.4, and the G6 the LNF as the up-motors and let the tuners take a shot at them. As for the rest, have the interiors mimic the G8 and save the plood for Buick. (I'd also say ditch the alphanumerics and bring back the real names, but that's neither here nor there)

Of course, you should read the comments they put on Autoblog after the posting... talk about GM hate! Makes me almost regret sending the link. But yea, I remember seeing the commercial live during the Olympics... thought it was more personally involving than the one with the music.

IIRC, I think Ahnold tried to reign in state spending when he was first elected by taking on the teacher's union (which got a law mandating certain expenditures linked to state income) and failed horribly. Obviously, that same teacher's union had issues with home-schooling, which makes me wonder who's really in power. As for what's going on now in California, I think at some point, it's relevance on the US/world stage will change, depending on how these new policies are carried out. Even the Hollywood types are mobile enough to leave - and places like Vancouver could take over (not to mention Bollywood, etc...)

And the lowest it's been since Eisenhower (Sept. 13, 1954, to be exact - not adjusting for inflation, BTW). Edit - oh, and I was wrong - the current market capitalization for GM is now $5.65 billion, not $7B.

My understanding is that the problem with Volt engineering is not with the batteries and control systems, but integrating that "range extender" into it - where you have to worry about the thing starting reliably in the depths of winter after sitting for six months with the same gasoline sitting in it.

What that does say is that GM's market capitalization is around $7 Billion - pocket change to Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. In other words, if GM shows any signs of life, it's ripe for a takeover... something like what Kerkorian's doing now with Ford.

Based on their "Fast & Frugal Index", which is weighted between track numbers and MPG 10. Audi TT 3.2 Quattro - F&FI - 101.71 9. Mazda MX-5 - 102.03 8. Pontiac Solstice GXP - 102.42 7. Nissan Nismo 350Z - 103.58 6. BMW 135i - 105.93 5. Mini Cooper S - 107.13 4. Chevrolet Corvette Z51 - 107.27 3. Lotus Elise SC - 108.92 2. Honda S2000CR - 110.11 And the #1, according to them: 1. Chevrolet Cobalt SS - 113.09 Nice to see three GM models on there... Edit: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...article_id=6871

Ahhh... sat in a few LTZ's recently. A couple thoughts - the orange-ish inserts and chrome were a turn-off for me. However, there's a tan/woodgrain version that was much more interesting.

And you could argue that having $4/gal gas has already done way more than anything CAFE or the proposed California regs have ever done or will do...

Chrysler wasn't "bailed out" with direct cash, just loan guarantees - ones which Chrysler actually paid back early.

1) Hmm... if you loosen the limits on the dates: '88 Grand Am LE - Quad4/4A (given to cousin at 120k - driven into ground after 280k) '89 Grand Am SE - Quad4/5M (given to another cousin at 98k - driven into ground after 180k) '04 GTO, converted w/ Monaro bits 2) Maybe, depends. If I replace the Monaro, then maybe a Solstice GXP coupe. If the wife replaces the Trailblazer EXT, then maybe the G8 - but nothing's for sure.

Oh, and for those that haven't thought of the costs of new rail: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25248247/ Yes, it's light rail, but it's what's useful for commuters (and it's what will get more cars off the road). And yes, that means $4 billion for 45 miles of track. Main-line rail out in the sticks will be cheaper, but that has to be seen as a competitor to air travel. And though air travel is getting much more expensive, the actual cost (time and money together) of which is still less than rail on an un-subsidised basis.

And that's the issue - to do this on a national scale, you will require national subsidization. Rail in most other countries is heavily subsidized by their governments in order to survive. However, that subsidization is something that the US government hasn't been willing to provide - almost to the contrary, Congress wants to "spin-off" Amtrak and stop Federal funds altogether. The ROW's may be there, but the trackage isn't. And mid-1800's-surveyed ROW's (take your pick - NYC-> CSX/PRR->NS/Lehigh/Erie) have way too many curves on a local level to handle 200-mph trains - especially if you're travelling over the Appalachians (either the Poconos or Catskills)... Otherwise, you're going to have to build some serious tunnels.

I still have most of the tread on my second (snows) and third (upsized 18's) set of tires, at 36K miles. My original BFG's lasted 24k. That being said, most people I hear of who need to replace tires early is because alot of it wound up on the fender liner. And FWIW - a LS1 w/ mods would be around the same price (or cheaper) as an LS2 model. It's all in what you're looking for, but I wouldn't rule out the LS1's automatically (and besides, the LS1 is only a cam and heads away from the 400hp LS6).

I disagree with flex-fuel for more practical reasons - e.g. ethanol transportation/distribution and the cost to create the blends. As for cost, making cars lighter may be a problem (moreso than promoting the 6AT), as it's easier to sell a car with an "advanced transmission" and ask for higher prices, as opposed to selling one with "high-strength steel used to reduce weight".

Except I can guarantee that the average-Joe American is willing to pay more to fix the PA Turnpike than to build an entirely new dedicated TGV line from Philly to Pittsburgh. Especially since rail is seen as so last-century technology - even though if done right, can be much less carbon-intensive than hybrids. So unless Congress (or the Pa legislature, in this case) is willing to Eminent-domain the trackage rights to a private company (or Amtrak), I doubt that any new train line in the Northeast will happen.

For decades, rail was taxed to support the Interstate Highways - perhaps if gas drops, we can bump up the gas tax to start funding the reverse. And unfortunately, the mountainous terrain in Pa between Philly and Pittsburgh make an hour tripp less likely. And yes, TGV does run on "conventional" track, but the ones in France are specifically dedicated to TGV use, and ONLY TGV use. We'd have to build dedicated lines for that in the US, which would get pricey (especially if you want to be green and electrify it all).

Some of my random thoughts: Chevrolet: 1) use the 2.2 Ecotec VVT/6T40 in as many vehicles as possible 2) add Gen II BAS system to AT-equipped Malibu and next-generation Cobalt as standard equipment. Use run-flats and use spare-tire space for batteries. 3) encourage the usage of the 6MT (used originally in G6 GXP coupe) in both Cobalt and Malibu, for non-BAS systems. 4) evaluate use of composite beds for 1/2 ton work trucks. 5) add BAS II to Colorado's I4 (batteries stored under crew-cab rear seat). Encourage MT usage as well - possibly switch from 5MT to 6MT. 6) use some of the lighter equipment from Tahoe hybrid across GMT900 platform (seats, hood, etc). 7) use purported smaller LS-series V8 w/ AFM as standard motor in Corvette, Camaro. 8 ) expand on marketing Aveo & other A-class cars (Beat) in cities Pontiac: 1) Drop the 3.6 V6 in the G6 line in favor of the LNF 2.0 turbo. 2) Add the 1.4 Ecotec turbo to the G5, perhaps as the SE model. 3) Add BAS II to G8 (both V6 and V8), and make the 6L80 standard transmission. 4) Move the G8 ST to GMC GMC: 1) Kill Yukon XL (leave for Suburban) 2) Focus on 3.6 DI engine for G8 ST (Caballero?), use as replacement for Canyon. 3) Make 4.5L turbodiesel a standard for the Sierra HD series instead of 8.1L gas motors Buick: 1) push to make the 6T60 standard transmission across the board Cadillac: 1) Evaluate turbo 3.6 DI for use in V-series cars 2) Switch Escalade to hybrid-only 3) Build smaller 3-series competitor off lengthened Kappa platform Saab: 1) drop the V6 options, return to turbo-I4 roots. 2) drop any Saab SUV in favor of 9-3 and 9-5 wagons (perhaps special XWD editions). Hummer: 1) Add BAS II to I5 engine for H3 2) Switch to 4.5 turbodiesel for H2's standard engine 3) Focus on I4's only for upcoming H4 And how could I forget... Saturn: 1) Make the Aura GL the standard model; save the GL designation for an added 2-mode model 2) Expand on e-flex with the Sky as a market test-bed (further differentiation from the Solstice) 3) Add BAS II to 1.8 Ecotec in Astra; make standard in Vue.

Technically, only Japan uses the open market (buying T-bills) for currency manipulation, as China actually "pegs" the value of the yuan to the dollar (and only recently has let it "float" in a very tightly controlled range)

Of course, you have to look at history. The rail system there is probably leftover from older railroads focused on getting traffic from the Pacific to Chicago. The line that fed Iowa City and Des Moines (Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, commonly known as Rock Island), went bankrupt in 1980 and everything was liquidated (and thus, not incorporated into the national system of Class I's that Amtrak uses). Of course, upgrading Acela in the Northeast would take significant bucks. The 10-mile Alameda Corridor "trench" to connect railroads to LA's ports cost $2.4 Billion to make.

So the only engine for the Outlook will be the 3.6 DI version? I didn't think they'd drop the MPFI motor... ... but I guess they are doing the same for the Envoy.

^^ does that mean that an e-flex platform will be promoted in Transformers II? (a.k.a "Mega-tron"?)

Of course, it's all Pontiac's fault...

Just to add my $0.02... The concept of cheap oil is what got us into this problem in the first place. If gasoline was priced at $4/gal (in today's dollars) back in the 1950's, then I'm sure that the "urban sprawl" that is LA would have been MUCH different, and the need for a car-based economy would have been much less. However, we have the cards we're dealt with today, and it's going to take $4/gal-plus gas to stimulate the production of other sources of energy that didn't exist when personal freedom was so cheap. Now whether or not it's cellulosic ethanol or nuclear power generation, or dispersed solar dishes powering Sterling engines remains to be seen - I bet it's a mish-mash of all of these that will get the job done - but all of them will NOT succeed if energy prices drop again. And FWIW - I think the best way for the government to stimulate alternative-energy development is to keep "standard-energy" source-cost relatively more expensive - whether that's through taxation or incentives.