MyerShift

Chrysler is teeming the new 6-speed automatic transmission to the 2.7L engine only in export models. The U.S. versions continue to use the very aged 4-speed automatic. I disagree witht he 4.0L unit being used. What Chrysler ought to do is have the 1.8, 2.0, or even 2.4L World Engines in various states of turbocharged tune. It would most likely help the efficiency ratings of a Sebring Vert over a hulking 4.0L V6 in everyday conditions and imbue the car with a more spunky personality. That is, supposing they could get them refined and pleasant enough to use and to employ manual transmissions and the new automatic instead of the ridiculous CVT or 4-speed.

Well, I'm not quite that tall myself (I am in the mid-upper five foot range) but have to agree about the Aveo's seating position. It's much easier to find a comfortable position in relationship to all the controls than in the Cobalt which made me feel awkward and compromised (God those seats... blech!). I find the Aveo's interior materials to be more appealing to the eye but the Cobalt has nicer touch points such as cushioned armrests, and a high quality rubberized upper band on the door panels in upper level models. The facelift of the Aveo is a vast improvement from the intial car with great improvements to styling inside and out and overall interior materials and appearance. It's also more refined than before. Did you know that it was actually quieter and more pleasant to be in (aside from driving pleasure) than my 1996 Plymouth Breeze? However, for actual preception of quality from feels and sounds in addition to driving pleasure and chassis solidity, the Cobalt is miles ahead even on its aged Astra derived architecture (which I'm still not sure on its origin. I've read it's (Delta) from the previous generation Astra). Forgive me if I have stuffed my foot into my mouth on this. Back to the Cobalt, it is a very solid and pleasant small car to drive aside from the driving position for even a person of my modest stature. The Cobalt is quiet, well damped, and pleasingly refined. It's miraculous compared to the J-body Cavalier. The Aveo sedan is competent and a decent competitor in the B-segment. Without Daewoo, GM would yet have a car in this ever more valuable market as they seem determined to forever put off bringing the Opel Corsa stateside and it would be a truly dominating entry. Ford is bringing the Fiesta, GM. Do you want them to beat you? Bring the Corsa!

I'd go out and get something like the Avenger or Sebring if they offered a manual transmission and dark green paint.

I'll have to test drive one of these when I have my Rabbit in for it's 24,000mile service interval next week. I do enjoy the interior enhancements of the Routan over the Chrysler vans. Of which, are now available in a rich forest green that I just love. I hope the Routan gets it too.

Haha! How could I forget the MorePower MOPARS!?

Whahaha! Fantastic and ignorance I've encountered totally supports this!

The current Sebring may be rather unpleasant to look at and it really isn't up to any sort of par against the competition aside from the gadgets that it has. I have decided that a Chrysler (Company) without good styling is nothing. There is no way they could sell cars the way Toyota does... modelling them after lumpy potatoes and calling it a day. Chrysler needs flash and substance. The latter which is severely lacking in all but the LX cars.

No No No! This is terrible in so many ways. The negatives far outway the positives. See all the other posts for support without me beating a dead horse. Mainly, the problems are increased complexity of GM, the death of Chrysler, reduced domestic competition, and there is no true logic financially from my point of view. A partnership rather than a total tie-up with another automaker would be best for one as small as Chrysler.

I absolutely love the front of the CTS-V. It's more subtle and less ostentatious than the regular strength CTS. I must say that this is possibly GM's most desirable car extant (Corvette aside of course!)

I like it. And... Hooray for the next generation Lexus GS headlamps!

I agree. I think that they could have kept the Cobalt name. I really like "Cobalt" myself. Thinking Cobalt, I am reminded of the replacement, and the gentleman talks about a soft material on the dash and that one "doesn't see that in other cars" and to me it looks like seat fabric on the dash. My thought to this is, "Hey buddy. I think I can tell you why. Posterior fabric doesn't look too hot on the dash *unless it's leather*!" Chevrolet Cruze

Mmm! I love it! I can't wait to read more on the architecture this car is on. I consider the Aston Martin Rapide to be the most sensual and sexy, the Lamborghini Estoque is more raw, aggressive, and in your face as it should be. The Porsche Panamera? All things so far are pointing to something that should stay hidden so far. They'd better pull a rabbit out of that hat of theirs if it's to look good.

Oh God yes that's the sound! It really does sound fantastic. It sounds exotic. Pure and simple to me.

Thank you. My Rabbit 2.5 is now averaging around 27 miles per gallon with my heavy foot. Usual tank range is 315-390 miles with 427 being the best yet with an average of 31 mpg.

Test Drive of the 2008 Volkswagen Golf R32 Today in Ft. Wayne, Indiana at Vorderman Volkswagen I had an appointment to replace the signal repeater in the driver's side mirror and a cargo cover string support in the hatch. Of the three R32's on the lot, one had frequently been in the showroom but was today outside. At the vocalised nudging from my girlfriend (Heather) I requested a drive to which "my" salesman promptly approved. He got the plate, a copy of my identification, fired it up, and moved it away from the building. Even at idle oh what a sound the exhaust makes! It was that special R32 blue colour and number 36 of 5000 according to the plaque adorning the bottom spoke of the steering wheel. Settling into the cockpit and adjusting the tilt/rake steering column and seat height and recline involved the usual simple, logical, and solid feeling Volkswagen switchgear and materials. The steering wheel itself seems to be from the automotive gods! Flat bottomed, fat in all the right ways, and wrapped in supple and gorgeously stitched leather it also features redundant audio controls and vehicle computer functions to switch between settings such as average fuel economy (I saw an average of 24.5 miles per gallon at 70 mph), distance to empty, compass and temperature, and others. The audio system is one of Volkswagen's usual great sounding affairs with CD/MP3/MP3 player capabilities and 6-disc CD changer with a logical layout, a radio information display, speed compensating volume, maximum start-up volume, and other settings. Did you know you can set in the system what the maximum allowed speed on the road travelled is? If you exceed it, a visual and audible warning is made. The seats are heavily and fantastically bolstered and fit my "impossibly" thin frame to hold me in place beautifully. The leather felt durable, soft, and of course luxurious. The car featured dual-zone automatic climate control and heated seats. All of which worked wonderfully. I didn't particularly care for the aluminum trim in the cabin, but it is effective and sporty. Interior illumination is a unique blend of Volkswagen's indigo blue, red, and white numeraled gauges featuring blue needles. Very unique and attractive! The cabin is finished in all black, but I loved that aspect. There was also a sunroof with a tilt and slide feature, but I could do without that myself. After oggling the interior and getting familiarised with the minor differences between this exotic hatch and my basic Golf (Rabbit) 2.5; I pulled out of the lot and to Washingston Center Road. Upon heading south onto Lima Road to the onramp of Interstate 69 South, I opened the throttle and was astonished. The twin clutch DSG gearbox does reel off shifts impressively quickly and smoothly but the most incredible thing I felt was not the exhilarating acceleration but the SOUND. Volkswagen's narrow angle 3.2 litre 250 horse V6 has the most impressive sound and a gloriously rorty and noticeable exhaust note with every dip of the throttle and every twitch of the tach. If someone is outside, there is no way one could escape unnoticed when passing by in this grand touring hot hatch. It is the absolute most impressive stock exhaust note that I have ever heard. It's enough to give you goosebumps. The DSG gearbox is most obviously a manual in certain low speed conditions as the computers modulate the clutch and from take off, there is a slight lag that induces the driver to press further upon the accelerator and then when the clutch is fully engaged, the car races forward in a manner not intended. And of course in the sounds of the engine as the gearbox shifts. Overall, the transmission works wonderfully and dutifully obeys paddle shift or Tiptronic lever commands unless of course it would involve stalling the engine. Under full throttle and in automatic mode, the gearbox runs the engine around 500 RPM beyond redline before upshifting which is exciting and impressive! I myself would probably still prefer a conventional six speed manual gearbox for ultimate involvement and control if sacrificing some acceleration time and ultimate smoothness. I am probably in the minority here however. For most people, the DSG will be acceptable and as impressive as the technological marvel that it is. Coupled with the Haldex 4motion all wheel drive system and DSG the VR6 simply hurls this attractive hatch in the rowdiest AND most polite manner possible down the road and through twisties. A buck twenty shows up all too quickly and one must stand on the exceptionally powerful four wheel disc brakes to avoid license endangerment after the need to experience this Deutche treat as it was meant to. The chassis in composed, quiet, and unflappable with excellent damping. Under speed, the cabin is quieter (save for that sonorous VR6) and feels tighter in the R32 than in the more basic spec Golf. Overall, I came away exceptionally impressed and find this car worth the outlay versus its more expensive Audi TT siblings. I was afraid that after spending time in an R32 that my 170 horsepower Golf 2.5 would feel like a dud but this was not the case. My car still felt lively, zippy, and fun. The Golf R32 is fast, fun, refined, safe, practical, comfortable, and impressive in essentially all areas. Unfortunately, there is no manual transmission available, and some people could never justify the cost of this top line Golf not only because it's a Volkswagen, but also because being in America, most people don't understand the concept of a premium hatch. My Verdict? The Volkswagen Golf R32 is the ultimate expression of a Grand Touring hatch. bravo!

I'm coming to love the interior!

Well, considering that Acuras technically are rebedged Hondas or mildly re-engineered at best (TL & Accord) I don't really see how (a new) one could seem so radically different. The new TSX is technically the new Euro Accord just as the old TSX was the previous Euro Accord. Me myself? I love the styling of the old TSX; Loathe the new one.

:rotflmao: So true!

Wow. I just equipped an Astra with the options that I would prefer on Vauxhall's site, and Great Britain's currency converted over to U.S. dollars as equipped was close to $40,000. I'm not sure if the Euro would fare any better, but damn. That was insane.

No GM does not need 4 Delta II's running about. I used to drive a j-body Buick (go ahead and laugh) but if there was a greatly styled small, rear drive Buick (better than the upcoming LaCrosse or similar to) and maybe available with a manual transmission and of course a great interior, then I would totally go for it. If GM sort of wants Buick to be like Lexus, it could be their IS. However, Pontiac is the one that would actually deserve such a car over Buick, so let it be that way.

The grille is the most disappointing and nasty part of the Genesis.

Bam! I've seen diesel in my area for 3.97/gallon. Well within acceptibility of my paying. Considering that gasoline having kissed $4.97/gallon a few weeks ago; the fuel efficiency of a diesel car would be worth the extra outlay in sustained high fuel prices, and even with lower prices, I could still say Nyah Nyah! if I do get a Golf TDI.

Agreed in the staggering progress Hyundai seems to have made so far in such a short time, in addition to being brave enough to introduce a luxury, rear wheel drive, available V8 powered sedan while GM flakes in its commitment to such cars. Shame GM. Also, when I got my new car, I decided upon a Volkswagen Golf (Rabbit). Why? Because GM didn't have their act together and have the Opel Astra in dealerships when originally scheduled to be. Because the Ford Focus degenerated into a stale and loathesome heap. Because the Chevrolet Cobalt didn't have a comfortable driving position and was cramped and seemed cheap to me despite the pleasantly damped suspension and attractive coupe. Because Chrysler no longer had the Neon and the Cailber is grotesque in appearance with too much cheapness running amok the interior and (in manuals) a shifter that blocks the climate controls despite the comfortable driving position, nifty features and electronics available. Since it is my money, I decided on the best built, best driving, most rational road car available to me. Tis a great pity that GM delayed the Astra for two months too long.

I feel that with the government takeover and meddling of these entities, then it has no choice really but to GIVE aid to the automakers should they need it. Hooray for hypocrisy and everything else that is wrong.

A friend of mine drove an automatic SX4. The main thing that totally drove me nuts (aside from no padded door armrests) was the insane, never ending, ear bleeding doo/ignition/seatbelt chime.