MyerShift

I'm Baaack! Hey Raven, not quite what this Plymouth fan had in mind, but I support you in your cause. Should we bring up why certain GM divisions are just as "pointless" as Plymouth is to Chrysler?

You know what's nice... good news like this. (The Toyota tranny thing, looks like things diverged off-course.

Cool. Isn't great how we, the (technical) loyalists of a brand can see that out autos are good, while others just don't understand? Oh, and, my air conditioning? Freaking awesome.

Would make sense if Chrysler were trying to "de-Plymouthize" the PT. It was going to be sold as the Plymouth PT Cruiser (sounds better that way too) and then the Pronto Spyder would have been so cool!

Medium Fern with Silver Fern interior.

While in Indianapolis over the weekend visiting a friend, I saw a silver Bentley Continental Flying Spur parked down-town. I've seen the new Camry- very ugly and hideous- shows that America will buy anything with the Toyota badge. New Escalade and Yukon on I-65. Saw some huge Ford SUV that had black tape on it and no model name at work before I left for my visit.

Hmm... my Breeze...I believe it will be remembered as the spacious but still compact "Cab-Forward" car. The one that best reflects my values in an automobile.

Ah. Automobiles that reflect directly to their home countries. Rather obvious, but it's all in how it's pulled off. The devil is in the details, you know.

Finally! GM has a new 6-speed transmission. Wonder what they're (the media) going to nag about when the Aura comes out.

Opel's look isn't generic to me. Especially in Astra GTC guise. It's exciting. Volkswagens latest cars are, in fact, generic and boring in contrast to Opel.

Eaton was a terrible man to run Chrysler. It was so unfortunate.

I don't think that this is worthy of a recall (not if it were my company) but rather, deserving of a service bulletin. Since these vehicles are so new, people are probably still taking them to dealerships for service, and if the dealership is any good, they would replace the motor when the car was in for service. And if the scheduled service was some time away, just send a letter alerting customers to bring their vehicles in. A recall always gets blown out of proportion. At least, that's the way I'd do it.

And that kiddies is why real people don't want Japanese cars.

Ya. Since what, 2003 when the Neon SRT-4 bowed?

If I had the money I would probably go and get a new Caliber with a stickshift. Oh well. I am happy with my Breeze. But Chevrolet does have the Cobalt coupe, and Saturn has the Astra coming... but I would still rather have a Chrysler overall.

Reminds me more of a Hyundai than anything else. Funny how corporate tie-ups, regardless how brief, lead to similar styling.

I see PT's everywhere. And I still want one. I hear that they didn't sell well, but the first generation of cloud cars I sure see a lot of around here in southern Michigan.

Good riddance to ridiculous "rubbish".

Maybe it makes you think of "vindictive". Hehe. I can't wait for the ultimate Buick flagship. I hope its styling will make you catch your breath.

I love the new image of Saturn! I hope GM does something similar to Buick soon- but not enough to offend loyal customers. So, think anyone else will make plastic cars? If DaimlerChrysler brings smart over, then I guess that's a start.

I say no!

The Automobile 1996 Plymouth Breeze. After a lengthy search for a "worthy" automobile to replace my failing Monte Carlo, I discovered this Medium Fern (sage green) Breeze at a local dealership with only 68,000 miles on the clock. History/Lineage The Breeze was one of the cloud car triplets introduced in 1995 to replace the aged A-body, K-derived Chrysler LeBaron, Dodge Spirit, and Plymouth Acclaim sedans. Its archtecture is known as JA. Styling With a unique cab-forward design, the Breeze's fluid, flowing appearance was radical and unlike anything else on the road. It lacked a defined three-box design so common to its competitors. In 2006, this sort of design is copied and taken to the extreme by Honda with its new Civic. The rearview mirrors are of a sleek, black twin spoke variety. Due to the styling, the deadlamps are rather small, and the low beams are rather poor. At 186 inches long overall with a wheelbase of 108 inches the Breeze posesses less overhang than the large LH cars, and the hood of the Breeze is actually wider than it is long, with the short rear deck creates a sportier appearance. This car's styling has a rump-on-the-air stance that sometimes make backing up an adventure! The tight body-chassis relationship results in no visible underguts hanging below the bodywork. The result? A tight, svelte package that begs for power. Engine/Transmission Equipped with its standard engine, a 2.0L 16V SOHC I-4, the Breeze is a bit too big to be spunky equipped this way, especially with the optional four speed automatic. A rather raucous engine, the 2.0L shows its virtue in fuel economy. With my usually spirited driving, the Breeze still averages 30 miles per gallon. When it was introduced, this engine was rather advanced- possessing 4 valves per cylinder, overhead camshafts, and, in 2.4L form, twin balance shafts to smooth out secondary vibrations. The 2.0L SOHC produces 132 hp @ 5860 RPM and 130 lb-ft torque. The transmission is a bit of a disappointment. My car has the Kokomo, Indiana-built four speed automatic infamous for its failings. In addition to not being particularly efficient in early versions, this transmission has an unusual creaking spring sound when shifting into and out of gears, and, when coming to a stop, downshifts into first in such an awkward manner that it is sometimes work to drive smoothly. Interior The interior is very logically laid out with all of the controls falling readily into the driver's hand. The headlamps, turn signals, and beam control are handled by the left stalk, and the wipers are handled by the right stalk. I am disappointed by the various rattles of the three-foot dash, although they are alleviated by occasional dismemberment and re-assembly. Materials are okay, with hard and soft-touch surfaces. Later dashes seem to be all hard plastic but with better graining and sheens. The seats could use better, more well-defined bolstering and a longer seat cushion. The stereo is only of the AM/FM variety, but the sound quality is okay with the base four speaker system. Backlighting is of the same amber variety that permeates the rest of the car's instrument panel. It is very sharp and legible at night. Excessive road noise permeates the cabin at speed, and every tar strip sounds like the waterspray when driving in wet conditions. Handling/Suspension The Breeze differs from most midsize sedans in that it has a short/long arm (SLA)suspension front and rear. This reportedly makes the car better handling than when relying on MacPherson struts alone. To me, the car handles very well. It is the most nimble and "buttoned-down" car of the four I have owned. The Verdict? Great styling, great efficiency, and reliability. Add more sound insulation and power with a set of hot wheels, this stunner would be a real runner. I love it!

Excellent review on a beautiful car. What I think is odd (a side thouht here) is that my sister is looking for a Pontiac, preferably a coupe. I suggested the G6 to her, and she stated bluntly in new'age lingo that it is "barg-faced". She'd rather have the becladded Grand Am, or more "old people" Grand Prix. I thought for sure she would pick the G6, but well, she is a woman, and they're irrational. *It's all part of my developing "Double X Chromosome Theory"*.

Ok, I've seen it pop up several times. Just what IS third world about Hyundai? Is it real, or a certain-something that exists in one's mind? Give me some examples so that I may either clear my head, or have something to comeback with.

If you think the Ridgeline by Honda is attractive, you need occular surgery.