Leaderboard

I won't write this as long as my other reviews. At the auto show a few weeks ago, they had a way for people to test drive (a few city blocks) some of the new vehicles. I managed a little time in a new leather optioned Equinox diesel. I had been wanting to try out the new GM diesel. I'm not a huge fan of the new Equinox, but could the diesel engine in fact be the way to go? It helped that this Equinox was trimmed out nicely. Even had the BAMR (big ass moon roof). As a contrast to my quite loathed test drive of a 1.5 LS equinox not too long ago, the impression of the vehicle was very different. What had felt cheap and shitty in many ways with the anemic 1.5 and terrible interior, left me far more favorable impressions. The interior was a better place to be (while still feeling a bit narrow inside). The weak looking exterior looked more palatable with more chrome, more tinted glass...better wheels etc. Overall i still think the new Equinox is a bit smaller than it should be, especially with the new CRV and now RAV4 likely to burn the sales charts. What stood out was how pleasant the diesel was to drive. It was grumbly at stoplight idle, but not offensive. It isn't a rattly kind of idle noise like diesels I remember. But it is more coarse than a humming gas motor. I didn't find it offensive or overly loud....just noticeable. Best part is it had a nice pleasing push when accelerating and it didn't mind revving either. Seemed like it would be very usable in city driving. Had some elasticity to it and is wayyyyy better than the 1.5. This is likely a great highway cruising machine. Thing is, on the Equinox it puts up good numbers but not stunning numbers. Diesel is still priced way higher so if you get this engine, it's because you like how it feels, and the added the mpg is more or less just a bonus. I would like to see how it feels in the Cruze. Thanks Chevy for the diesel option.

I am waiting for the Cadillac electric crossover line, XTE1, XTE2, XTE3, XTE4, XTE5, XTE6, or maybe it will be EXT1, EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, EXT5, EXT6. One day they will make a car called the CTE.....

This just in! Last night, I went onto a used car lot prior to going to a fish fry type buffet. They were coincidentally close to each other. I had spotted a '94 to '96 Caprice Classic there. The guy gladly showed me the car and it had the 4.3 liter "baby LT1" V8. I turned the key and I immediately made it a point to note that there was an unusual growl, possibly in a manifold and/or an exhaust leak. He nodded. Everything else about it was nice. Love that expanse of dashboard ... what an old school cruiser. Overall, it was clean. The gauges are all analog, save the centered digital speedometer. 4.3 V8s, whether derivatives by Chevy or Olds, have always been great little small block units and, probably because of the way their intakes are configured, can run so quietly. Or should. I like these engines quite a bit. So much space under that hood. Funny that the alternator, power steering, and compressor are all vertically stacked to the left, with less pulley action on the right bank, like the air injection pump. He told me that, with the shroud being the same, the 4.3 and 5.7 are identical in appearance in these units and a person needs to read the placards. He actually started to talk to me about cars of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and told me he had the Monte Carlo the first year they put the 4.3 liter Vortec V6 into this car (1985) and I told him I putted around in a rented bucket seat/console Monte Carlo with this very engine picked up at Newark Airport for about $175 a week and explored Manhattan, Bergen County (NJ), Westchester County, and Atlantic City while visiting a relative. He just gave me his card and let it go at that. It was 20 minutes prior to closing on Good Friday, and the atmosphere at most places of business seems to have been very chill this weekend.

that’s the radar location, just more integrated than prior models:

Cadillac needs at least XT1, XT2, XT3, XT4, XT5, XT6, XT7, XT8 to compete with BMW's X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and likely future X8, and Audi's Q1, Q2, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8 and rumored future Q4 and potential Q6. Buick should add the Rainier, a Tahoe based SUV plus a Bolt based crossover called Rendezvous. And then turn the Lacrosse into a 4-door crossover coupe called the Lacrossover CC, and then do a convertible crossover based on the Equinox called the Velite. That would give Buick 7 crossovers. GMC needs a sub Terrain crossover, a Wrangler competitor, Bronco competitor, and at 2 crossover coupes and a 2-door sweeping roofline Yukon. Chevy is adding the Blazer, they cancel the Spark, Volt and Bolt and replace all 3 with crossovers of equal size and powertrain. The Impala can be turned into Chevy's crossover 4-coupe with retro styling, turn the Camaro into a performance crossover with a 500 hp V8 to take on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. That would add 6 more crossovers to the Chevy line. Dodge and Chrysler it is too late for, Give Jeep a sub-Renegade SUV, rebabage the Journey and Durango to Jeep as the Liberty and Wagoneer, then add a Grand Wagoneer lux model, add a Jeep Commander sports crossover coupe based on the Stelvio or Levante.

I am looking forward to the 180 degree return to more notchback styling in sedans and the better visibility that goes along with it.

New Datsun Altima is too cubist for me, it will not ever achieve the level of THIS

Sorry but the door handle placement made me think of this and now I cannot unsee it...

^ You aren't going to be able to move for a WEEK once you eat all that!

Parked next to a brand new toyoyo CHR (I think perhaps toyoyo was trying to spell 'CAR"- not sure) this morning at the convenience store. If this is part of the flood of CUVs coming, man the pumps! It was a staggeringly grotesque vehicle. I didn't know whether to gasp or burst out laughing.

S60 Cross Country?

I recommend every manufacturer make at least 10 crossovers. Starting at 160 inches long and going up every 5 inches to 205 inches long.

the brand's problem is its not-so-mini prices

Not wowed at all by the new Cruze's styling. Especially in the lower trims. Looks like it is riding on 12 inch rims. Like a parade float or something. The only one that looks good to me is the Premiere RS, and even then it needs moar WIDE TRACK. I really wanted to love the Cruze hatch that is finally coming to America, but I am afraid it will look dorky in anything other than top-line trim... and the Premiere comes only with an automatic. Gotta have a stick shift in a pedestrian car to liven up the driving experience. As far as styling goes, the outgoing Cruze has aged very well, imo. Definitely more macho in stance than the new one.

Hopefully, one day very soon, that number will be zero.