Croc

Actually, consumers don't have to be sophisticated at all. They just need to do what they do: sit in one, sit in the other, and decide which one seems like it has higher quality. It isn't hard and requires no college education, and it is surprisingly effective!

I just remember back on a previous DRL thread on the old boards you said you had issues driving at night because of a light sensitivity, and that you couldn't handle HIDs and were blinded by them and even some regular headlights. That's all I was referring to.

Uhhh...we get a deduction for our DRLs...

It was actually something that wasn't rare. Think: those things were high on a car and protruded beyond the bumper. Recipe for disaster.

Now THAT I can agree with. GM should be able to flush-mount everything.

BV...the thing is that most people care enough about dash quality to go to superior offerings from Toyota and Honda, or even GM's own Impala.

I don't have a problem with GM using the same radio controls in all their cars since they all look decently nice, are very ergonomic, and are quality. It helps people who have a fleet of GM cars so they don't have to relearn every control when they switch. MB uses the same layouts for all their vehicles. If you've driven one MB you've driven them all when it comes to control layout.

I trust you have great deal of experience with those, Sly?

Wow, sucks to be you. You and Paulie should get together and talk about your mutual light-sensitivity issues.

When the Rabbit of Chaos is pursued by the Ferret of Disorder across the Fields of Anarchy, it is time to hang up your pants on the Hook of Darkness--whether they're clean or not.

Don't steal the glory of the 50s!

But those subjective qualifications are what buyers are using to justify purchases of Toyotas.

Take a simple Japanese History class and you will soon see that the Japanese have been very innovative throughout history. Frankly, I think they are innovative in their uncanny sense of improving upon existing things. If their copying and improving is so looked down upon, then why wasn't the original made as well? Someone has to improve it, and if the Japanese are better at "We need to build a better ___ ." then they are still being innovative. It IS innovation that makes it a better "X" or whatever.

hmmmm...i wonder what will happen if i honk the horn 8 times in 5 seconds and whisper the secret password into the onstar mic...

Agreed, but "good enough" isn't enough to win back buyers. People who have been jaded against domestics NITPICK the hell out of them while ignoring and rationalizing problems with the foreign car they are comparing it to. My mom does this. If GM wants conquest sales it needs to be as close to perfect as possible. Lucerne should have the 3.6 in it as the base engine, if only so it is as refined as the powerplant in the Avalon.

He said a competitive V6. The 3800 is no longer competitive because it lacks refinement. It might be reliable as anything out there, but it is rough. Gas mileage is also less than impressive.

Someone's letting his true agenda show through...

Heh...If Toyota becomes the #1 automaker in the next few years, I can say that they will have deserved it with product like this. Seriously, compare this to a Malibu or a G6...

NO!! THERE WILL BE NO V6!!!! ...kidding! B)

I dunno either :o

riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. So, what is it now that they are doing that is "so detrimental"? To me, cost cutting is great.

Dude that was completely tongue-in-cheek, hence the Bobbit analogy. My disposition is fantastic, I dunno what you're talking about... B)

I'd recommend the Milan, sure, but he said the choice was between Malibu or G6. Malibu MAXX is on the longer wheelbase like the G6 and yet has the better interior of the Malibu, hence my recommendation for it. Also, MAXX is better for cargo.

I like the smog. It makes everything glow kinda. And the sunsets are amazing. And before you ask, yes I have asthma and no I do not have issues with it at all.

CA is a very good measurement for a market due to its lack of manufacturing ties. CA also has a great deal of diversity. Every minority is represented in CA. CA is a great market to measure because of the diversity, the overall neutrality due to lack of manufacturing ties, and also the fact that with the cost of living so high especially in the Southern region, cars are relatively cheaper than the rest of the country. Since people can almost buy anything they would like, price sensitivity is lower and people buy vehicles because it is what they WANT not so much what they can afford.