caddycruiser

Wow, cool idea, but I can't imagine anyone would really want to buy the set. They're better off just becoming show pieces there, or somewhere else.

Issues like this are bound to occur. Cool and fun, yes, but in the end, added complication = added failure risk, no matter how well it's designed or who they're from. This is a simple electronic glitch, at least in this case, but shouldn't be too hard to fix. I'd still like such a system, though, just because I hate fumbling with keys & remotes

One thing I always thought was odd was how Toyota/Lexus has had SO, SO many issues with hesitation, lag, etc. when it comes to the transmissions in most of their FWD vehicles. Read about it in the late 90's, and still read about it in brand new vehicles today. Matter of fact, and almost kind of funny, was on a '05+ Avalon board where potential buyers would test drive multiples of the same car to "find one without or with the least noticeable lag"

I had a similar reaction on my first try of a new Tahoe and Yukon, especially compared to the sub-vinyl G-A-R-B-A-G-E they used for leather in the '03-06 models--the stuff that shined and felt like plastic, and is known to stretch, crease, and even wear and crack without a whole lot of use. The new stuff is a lot thicker, textured, and softer, and lets hope it stays that way--because, in truth, the '99-02 GMT-800's had very nice soft leather as well, then they changed to save pennies.

Here's a Sagemist. Bad image quality, and looks a little darker than it really is, but you get the idea: It's one of my favorites too, and one that dealers don't seem to ever have much of. White Diamond is probably my favorite, along with the '06 Sharkskin (now discontinued).

Huh? Doesn't look odd to me at all--and I notice these things--and is no different than cars like the Cobalt, or any other new GM FWD'er. Agreeably odd, but the thing is, they only ever really seem to have this color choice on the ones they photograph or give to the media (probably just to make them stand out that much more)--and only a select few ever seem to be made and bought by real people. Like the Camry model, you'll probably never see anything other than red, white, blue, etc.

People are just pointing out how, in this early unit, the wood trim on the door panel doesn't line up well with the wood trim it should match on the dash. A minor issue, but as was apparently with the Aura, will likely be sorted out by real production time.

Well, pre- or very early production means a couple misaligned pieces here and there--that happens with every manufacturer, but like the Aura, is probably already cleared up and won't be seen on saleable units. And no, the wood isn't real...same old plastic stuff, just done well. About the only thing I'd change is that large flat black center stack surround to something more like the GMC, just changed a little to be unique. And that said, the Saturn definately isn't the "worst" on the outside...my vote goes to the GMC on that one, which just looks plainer and has bad wheel choices. Then we still have the Enclave, which is so different inside and out, it almost seems unrelated.

Once again, it looks like the real-world vehicle is much better than even what the best manufacturer photographers can come up with: http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/SaturnOutlook/Photos.htm Simply an amazing ute, and finally it looks like the perfect combination of style AND size to actually get people out of full-size SUV's who never needed the extra strength and bulk--and very likely the next replacement for our Suburban. It simply looks like something from a high-end German maker, and the combination of looks/space/drivetrain is just incredible. I was a Freestyle and Pacifica fan, but I don't think either of those will even hold a candle to the Lambdas, unless you want something more spartan and cramped.

I really like this color as well. Just went to check out some Auras yesterday, and out of all of them, I liked the Ocean Mist/Black XR the best, even though I'd probably have to have the Morocco interior to liven it up a bit. It's the perfect compromise. Very light and resilient to dust, dirt, and showing scratches, but also not as plain and boring as "Amana white" or "everybody silver" can be. Not too blue, not too green, not too silver, just finally a nice mixture of all. Still, not for everybody, but a very nice choice over the typicals. Gives a very upscale aura (no pun intended!) in person.

What a change from even just a year ago. I really hope in the midst of their push to pump out so many new things, they really don't start going off the deep end in terms of letting design and tactile quality slide. The 300 was just right at just the right time, then they just seemed to go on full boost in terms of releasing other new models, and not really giving full focus to any of them. Think of the worst-in-industry interior finishes in some models (Caliber/Compass), doofy styling (Sebring), and more to come. I guess the next big thing for them will be the vans, which of course will incorporate all the additional new features from competitors, but better also have a few new ingenious things to set them apart, as well as styling that's very well sorted and attractive and an interior that doesn't suffer from plastic model kit syndrome look and feel. And then throw in a minor 300/Magnum/Charger refresh with some updated trim and an interior from the next grade up. I still love a lot of their products, especially the LX cars no matter what anyone here says, but it's REALLY time to take a step back I think and get more focused and for them to get a better handle on producing more of what has always gotten them out of trouble--beautiful vehicles that drive terrific, have great quality, and pricetags that almost seem too low for what the car is. Actually, anymore, I think GM is the one who got that mantra loud and clear and kind of took over the recipe...

Nice car. Not over the top, but not at all drab either. Pretty much a perfect continuation and refresh of what made the current Altima so popular, initially awful interior and all. Essentially, not as drab and squishy as the dime a dozen Camry, not as "Honda" (not sure how to describe it otherwise) as an Accord, but still the sportiest import sedan with a great reliability reputation and more lively looks and driving feel. Then again, after riding around in a co-worker's '03 (old interior) with quite a few miles, and driven like wild, I came away impressed. I always thought they'd be very flimsy and rattly cars based on my auto show impressions, but it was tight, solid, and quiet, and definately moved well even with the 4-cyl. And hard materials and some goofy gaps or not, it still felt better in person and was more solid than some GM's I'm so used to. This guy loves it, and after driving a new '07 Maxima to see what the CVT is like, he's trading it in a couple months after the new Altimas come out for one.

Ok, even I'll admit that looks more than strange...almost like it got overheated and stretched out...in a bad way Definately will be roomy, and I really like the lines of the short bed & extended/crew cabs they've shown so far, so I'll just chalk it up to a few awkward models. Still fresher than the older than last gen old GMT-900's, IMHO...

Well, we've already seen spy pics of mules out testing, inside and out, and except for real-world wheels and tires (which were still large) and the removal of the excess console inside, the real Enclave is identical to the concept Enclave--exterior trim, interior, and all.

The deal with the 3rd seat is deceiving. It doesn't LOOK like there's much foot space, but neither does it in a Suburban in pictures--but once you're in there, there's definately room. The 3rd seats in these Lambdas, by FAR, are the best GM has worked out in a while. Fold flat with the floor and should be trully comfortable and fit for humans, unlike the worthless stumps in the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade and also the SRX. Matter of fact, that's a huge reason why we too will probably be going from a Suburban to one of these, in a few years.

Agreed. It seems as soon as they chose Morroco brown as an option for the Saturn and saw how rich and luxurious it looked over the typical black/grey/beige, that they immediately went looking to see what else they could put it in. Hence, it's now a choice in some G6's and also in the Z71 Tahoe/Suburban--the latter of which, I had thought was only going to have the black/grey 2-tone seats only, but now does look GORGEOUS with the morroco/black as well.

Z71's have been orderable for a little time now. Now, mainly, instead of a stand-alone model, the Z71 is a suspension/appearance package available on top of LT2 and LT3 models, both 2wd and 4wd like before. According to KBB, the Z71 package is priced at $1795.

Production started August 14th, and a lot of knowledgeable dealers in different spots have said they expect the first ones to arrive within 2 weeks of now.

They've already been selling a ton of them, as evidenced only partially by the SaturnFans forum, and the NE definately has a lot buzzing around with owners.

Exactly, and if anything, it's mostly just an MDX test mule, or at least the bigger part of one. These kinds of mules often are a few different things cobbled together, and this is no different. Yet we have a full on styling debate, including any number of random cars...

Truth be told, I like the looks of the GMC the least (taken relatively, that is). Almost identical to the Saturn, but I'd rank the Saturn a leg up. So, to me, the GMC is #3, with the Saturn #2 and the Buick #1. The Buick is more voluptuous and luxuriously sculpted (and should be a bit ritzier inside), and the Saturn is a bit sportier and crisper all around, and looks great equally. Still can't wait to see these things, though, up close and personal and then on the road. Finally, a crossover with all the typical stuff (drives like a car, comfortable seating height, SUV looks) but that also has terrific space and cargo adaptability--not just a little folding pad jammed in the cargo area, unfit for humans, and simply blocking cargo space.

See, even pictures and printed details of these things are exciting! Add in extremely flexible and roomy seating for 7/8, a terrific OHC 3.6L matched to a fresh 6-spd, classy styling, some of the best quality out of GM ever, great standard/options choices, etc., and these things are SURE to be a hit. I've already spec'd out the PERFECT one for us in my head...a White Diamond Saturn Outlook XR FWD, with a few options (power liftgate, rear sensors, sunroof), and the cloth interior. That, or the GMC or Buick--she'd probably pick the Buick first, but the info isn't all out on that one yet. They're so much the epitome of the perfect vehicle for this household, it's incredible that they'll actually be available soon!

The success of the car has nothing to do with him...truth be told, very few people even know of the connection anymore. It's just a great car, and such an INCREDIBLE change from the previous LeSabre and Lucerne, but for the same money, that it's almost unbelievable. Then again, the dealers around here still seem pretty thickly stocked with '06 Lucernes, more so than any other model, so it does make me wonder...

That Enclave is still the "concept" we've all seen, as they still haven't shown official images of the true production model yet.

Funny that you say that. My mother currently has an '04 Suburban, and has said numerous times "I just can't go back to a car, so I think I'll just downsize a bit to a next Tahoe or Yukon next time". THEN, I was around this past weekend and had Motorweek on, and she was fascinated by the Enclave they showed. "Wow, I really like that--I'd definately drive one of those. How big is it?" So now that, and at least the Outlook are definately on the list, especially after she found out they're just a tad longer than a Tahoe, but MUCH roomier and more adaptable inside, and more car-like all around. Still a big Tahoe fan, but these new triplets have certainly caught her eye.