caddycruiser

Definately different from the current models--which are still arguably the best lookers around--and hopefully they keep what makes them popular and add enough new stuff to attract more buyers. Just hope they don't turn out to be another new DCX product with weird as could be outside proportions and details, and an interior that even early 90's GM would laugh at.

First stick car then? Hmm, then again, I've never driven a stick myself...

Well, considering the just released details and pictures of the '08 STS Platinum, I guess I spoke too soon. Interior and just about everything are virtually identical to '07, so I guess we won't see much of any significant changes or upgrades until '09. This car very well must be a slightly revised '08 -V mule, as originally stated.

It's all minor, but it does give it a more aggressive aura. The regular LT wheels still fit the look better, since that's what it was originally designed with, but at least these short run unique trims get more unique parts than just coloring.

Okay then, I take back what I said in the other thread with the STS-V spy pics...guess the bigger changes for this car aren't coming until at least '09. Not that this car has a lot of issues, but anything to at least dress up the interior is MORE than welcome.

Great idea, especially if just for a limited model, to fully show what they can do. You don't need the leather dash & suede bits on your rental & more mass market models (not that the stuff they get is anything to snuff at), but it's nice to have that trim at least available in one level. The Tuscany leather, unique colors & wood, and suede headliner & visors are just incredible, considering both already the current interior in the standard DTS AND compared to the crap that was in this car just back in the '05 model year. GM has come a long way, and almost overnight in some cases, and it's finally starting to show.

I presume it's this one, from the different (and not as good looking) wheels: Okay, I guess, if you want a black one and like the unique wheels, but otherwise I'd just go with a regular LT.

Wow! Pretty much 100% what we expected, given the 95% concept, so no real suprise...but still awesome, in every which way. Especially compared to the Renezvous

Don't be jumping to conclusions already people. It's clearly a mule of some sort, and often those are just a mishmash of parts OR almost complete cars just testing new guts. This looks to be more of the latter, and if the same guts, just trying out some new trim pieces and such. As dealers who have attended the meeting have said, bigger and better changes are coming before long, so just hold the brash commentary for a little bit at least :AH-HA_wink:

Great points (ALL of them), and something (had to be something :AH-HA_wink: ) I definately agree with you on. As for the DTS, it may still not have the best credentials in the world and is still a big time rental, but it's a VERY well done car with terrific materials, refinement, and general performance, and is still very popular. The Performance model, while not made or sold in big numbers, is at least still offered for those who really like the car and want to step up the performance a few notches. Not too visually different from any other DTS, but the driving differences are quite noticeable.

That's a terrible video, and though parking like that is one feature it can do, parallel parking is the more likely scenario and it really is quick & easy to command as seen in other earlier videos. This was more of a spoof than anything. For larger cars that are hard to fully see out of (i.e. like my Fleetwood which I still don't think can humanly be parallel parked...), it would be a god send. Pull up, stop, and just slide the "digital spot" where you want to go, and let it take it away. Only thing I still question is the whole break thing, because one would think if it can control the steering and sensors all by itself, also having control over the brake and speed of parking would be something better done automatically, all as one system and not a mixture.

That's what I always thought, especially since I grab the wheel when climbing in. Depending on stature another handle like the others might be useful--if not just to give a different grip--but probably not completely necessary, hence it being left off. Still, the fact something like that is even being mentioned speaks volumes of how much reviewers have to LOOK for things to carp on, given how great everything else has really gotten.

Good review, and interesting mention of the handle...my mother has now gone from an Avalanche to a Suburban, and though she loves the grab handles where they are (and the passenger's side "death grip" is one of her favorite car features ever), she too still finds it odd that 3 doors have extra handles above to grab and the driver's doesn't. Never a problem for most of us, and I just presume that's because the steering wheel is intended as the grip for that size, but it still gets mentioned often. On the other hand, it seems one of the most impressive things about these new trucks is their newfound solidity and body/frame strength. Not that the old ones were bad (we've had two, and they're still mostly terrific, and drive like small cars), but there was clearly always room for quite a bit of improvement in terms of fit & finish and body/frame tightening to eliminate some of the common chassis noise and minor buzzes over rough stuff. Can't WAIT to finally drive one of these new beasts to compare...

Compare that to this turd (sorry, just HAD to say it because it's true): ...and the stunning quality of the Aura is even more apparent

Yeah, one with an interior that feels cramped compared to a smaller Altima and is made out of materials and lighting even Nissan wouldn't succumb to anymore...sorry I HAD to do that :AH-HA_wink: More for the Altima itself, it looks like a terrific car, and being that the last gen sold like gangbusters for a long time, the new one that's many steps up in most regards should do even better. So far, initial owner reports are glowing on all accounts, including someone over on GMI who swapped his company '06 G6 for one...made a post about it, and expelled just how much better of a car the Nissan was all around.

Exactly. Driving dynamics and just about everything has always been great EXCEPT for the interior. Even on a Cadillac owner's board, though most owners love everything about theirs, check out comments from people who would be considering one against the competition and it would always be "I like it the best, but that interior is bad enough I'll probably get something else". Now that's fixed, and fixed very well...just too bad they didn't do that AND cut the high MSRP's from day one, instead of spread out over time.

Still weird that it isn't even mentioned on Kia's site yet. For a lot of shoppers, I would presume they'd step on the lot and wonder what the heck the thing was... Doesn't look bad, IMHO, just your typical somewhat gawky or weird proportioned mini crossover, which do both well and poorly. Just all depends.

That's just what I was thinking too--just like a '00-01 Catera Sport. They look great, and you certainly picked a stunning color combo!

That's weird, especially for a base that hasn't had any real new features or options added since intro...but kinda backs up something I was noticing too, that more and more Solstices I see (and not GXP's) are right at the $30k mark. Still not too bad, I guess, but it was sort of unspoken rise in pricing.

Nope, think really dark blue vs. the brighter blue used on the SS.

I usually am pretty good about staying up to date with new model intros and such, but this one isn't even on the manufacturer's website...yet, it has already appeared on a dealer's lot. What is it? The new Kia Rondo crossover. Last I even heard anything about this, they were discussing some unmasked spy shots, and now here it is for sale (and still not on the Kia site): http://www.dullesauto.com/Kia/273026_1.html Looks pretty good, if a bit dorky, for whatever market it is covering. And still, weird that it sorta popped out of nowhere...

Wow! Those somewhat rare chromed base wheels REALLY set it off, and look terrific with the dark blue Hope she enjoys it a lot more than the Malibu!

Awesome, and on that last point, I was just about to say the same thing! May as well, just get the full revitalized Saturn line in the driveway This sounds like a gorgeous car, and even the pinstripe (much like with us and the dealer trade) is a nice little detail, even if you don't usually like them. Can't wait to see it, especially with the rarely seen chrome base wheels. Definately not a frumpy like the Malibu, even if they do have a lot of the same guts underneath.

Uh...no. The Captiva isn't even remotely like the smaller and lower Vibe wagon, and is much more a taller, upright SUV with "car" mechanicals underneath. It looks quite good, but I still wonder what it will do being sold side by side with the Equinox, even if they are somewhat (but still not greatly) different in size.

Well, most of you do realize, this is essentially very much the same as what will be the new VUE, just different trim and fasicas? That said, I also wonder what it would do to the Equinox, if sold side by side to one another...definately odd, if it is true. Here's some better pics of a Captiva: The dash does have a weird Sorento-ness to it, but it all otherwise looks quite nice. Still doesn't make sense to sell it in Canada, but neither did selling Daewoo-Suzuki's there as Chevys.