Variance

I'd hardly call the Titan a "crapbox". And when it comes to features, I think it's a wash. The Titan has some things you can't get on the F-150 and vice-versa.

Interesting to note: This is the second time the brand-new Tundra has been bested by the pre-refreshed Titan (first was in Popular Mechanics in which the Titan beat everything). The Titan was a 2007, right? The Nissan fan in me is pleased.

Toyota Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition February 20, 2007 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2007 Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition. The limited edition Camry Hybrid celebrates Toyota's 50 years of business in the United States. This specially badged Camry Hybrid comes with features exclusive only to the 50th Anniversary Edition. Its stunning Blizzard Pearl paint, unique 16-inch alloy wheels with a graphite finish, and exterior "50th Anniversary Edition" badging are just some of the 50th Anniversary exclusives not available on any other Camry. A power moonroof and heated power outside mirrors are also standard. Inside, the Camry Hybrid is equipped with a voice-activated DVD navigation system with a four-disc changer, leather-trimmed bisque-colored interior, heated front seats, and a carpeted cargo mat. Unique interior features include brushed stainless dash appliqué, illuminated front door sills, and carpeted floor mats with the "50th Anniversary Edition" logo. Only 3,000 units will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Kentucky. The 50th Anniversary Edition will carry a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $31,680 and will start arriving at Toyota dealerships in March. [source: Toyota Motor Sales]

Check out the S5:

Well, I signed up for HSBC but I had no idea it was going to take such an excruciatingly long time to finalize everything. -First applied Friday. Had to wait on to trial deposit in my other account to verify it. -Verified that today. Application approved today. -Now I have to wait "6-8 business days" for them to send me my account login info via snail mail (why not e-mail is beyond me). Cripes.

This particular car is a diesel.

Revealed: Audi A5 (S5 pics @ post #31.)

"I'd hit it"s: Charger R/T and up Magnum R/T and up Grand Cherokee SRT-8 300C SRT-8 Everything else I'm indifferent to or don't care for.

If "if and buts" were candy and nuts... Besides, how do the Japanese companies have an unfair advantage when their prices are often right in line if not greater than the Big 3 offerings? If you need your competitors to cost an extra $5,000 (wherever you got that figure from) for your products to be competitive, you have serious problems. I repeat: Is anything Chrysler's fault or rather is anything not the Asians' fault? Everything I'm hearing from you is blaming them for all of Chrysler's problems.

So wouldn't that make this thread title inaccurate?

-Variance February 16, 2007 I don’t know who I’m irritated at more: Advocacy groups that whine about automotive commercials that are meant to be entertaining because it might hurt the feelings of their little constituencies or the automakers that turn to pansies and pull the ads to avoid hurting their feelings. Here’s a message to both sides: Grow a pair. Goodbye Cruel Commercials The recent crybabies have been suicide prevention groups. Just today, Volkswagen announced that they would pull a recent new ad featuring a guy preparing to leap off of a tall building to his demise until he hears the announcement that you can get three VW’s for under $17,000. The group Suicide Prevention Network USA was the one pleading to Volkswagen to pull the ad. At first VW stated that the ad would remain on the air but they quickly pu... er... -- wussed out. And who could forget the infamous GM robot ad that premiered during the Super Bowl? If you have, the premise is simple: Robot works in GM factory, robot drops screw, robot gets canned, robot tries to find other work, robot fails, robot becomes depressed, robot stands on bridge, robot jumps off, robot wakes up, robot is relived. Innocent enough, right? Not to the fine gents over at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Like VW, GM at first stood up to the nutjobs and like VW, GM later relented and stated they would revise the ad to remove the “suicide” scene. Way to stand up to adversity guys. Decisions like this really don’t speak well for your integrity. I’d have slightly more respect for you if you said from the outset “Ok, we’ll pull the ads” instead of pulling this flip-flop garbage. How am I supposed to feel about a company that bends to the will of a group of people that are obviously not representative of the average American public? I’m willing to bet you lost the respect of more people by caving than leaving the ad up. Rally Against the P.C. Patrol I really have to say I am quite sick of the massive political correctness movement that is infecting advertisement. These groups claim that ads like this make light of suicide and were callous in nature. Really? I’m pretty sure GM and VW marketing execs didn’t sit around thinking: “Who the hell cares what suicide-minded people think about our ad? When they off themselves, who’s gonna bitch about it?” I’m pretty sure they thought their ads were simply amusing and expected the other I’m guessing about 98% of the American public that aren’t complete pansies to feel the same. People are so worried about offending others these days that you can’t say much of anything anymore. Now, I’m not saying we should all become insensitive to everyone, flipping off old ladies at random, calling people every racist name we can think of and burning various religious symbols. I’m just saying that some people really need to grow a spine and/or a sense of humor. I think the last thing on a suicidal persons mind is how much the GM commercial offended them and I don’t think it’s very likely it’ll push them over edge, either. (No NAMI, I’m not apologizing for that.) The FCC babies the American viewing audience enough; we don’t need a group of wannabes trying to catch what they “missed”. Televisions are made with channel and power buttons for a reason.

What, we don't already?

From Automotive News (I don't have a subscription): Sources: GM in talks about buying Chrysler group General Motors is in negotiations to buy the struggling Chrysler group in its entirety, say sources in Germany and the United States. High-level talks are taking place between DaimlerChrysler AG and GM executives. Although the two companies have discussed cooperation on a large SUV, say sources at both companies, the potential deal would go beyond limited product development alliances. Automotive News (sub. req'd)

Inside Info: BMW Sportvan Sportvans are the next big thing at BMW. In 2005, the Bavarian automaker confirmed it would build a sportvan/MPV/wagon based on the X5 (itself based on the 5 Series). The vehicle was developed under the working title RFK, but we believe it'll be called F5. Now comes word that BMW is planning a similar vehicle based off its 3 Series-called F3-though the company's board hasn't given it the green light, yet. BMW is expected to launch the F5 in mid-2009 and, if approved, the F3 the following year. Motor Trend

Always so quick to blame the Asian companies... Tell me, is anything Chrysler's fault? ...except for the crappy design on many of the vehicles outside of the LX cars and the pathetic 2.7L V6s.

Classic Clarkson hyperbole, 'tis all.

Just need $1 to open the account for any of them.

In an attempt to actually start saving my money, I have been looking at a few online saving banks since they have much higher interest rates than what the traditional "brick-and-mortar" banks offer even on CDs. I've been looking at ING, Emigrant Direct and HSBC (which is currently offering a 6% APY on new accounts). Needless to say, HSBC is looking the best to me right now. Is anyone else using these? Any others and/or pros and cons I should know about?

Nissan 4.0L V6: 266hp/288lb-ft Toyota 4.0L V6: 236hp/266lb-ft Dodge 3.7L V6: 215hp/235lb-ft Ford 4.2L V6: 202hp/260lb-ft Chevy/GMC 4.3 V6: 195/260lb-ft

They really should have done this earlier. Having the most power standard engine is good but not at the expense of a having base price that isn't low enough. The VQ40DE (which I assume they'll be using) way outpowers any of the competitor V6s. So they could still have the most powerful standard engine with the V6 and the most powerful standard V8. It works out even better.

Yeah... Can we start talking about the trucks again...?

It's not a significant number: http://www.fleet-central.com/af/t_pop_pdf....06/cars_web.pdf

Mini to Offer AWD on 2008 Models BMW will offer all-wheel-drive as an option on all of its 2008 Mini models, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. The magazine said the system was developed for the extended-wheelbase Clubman, but would find its way into the rest of the 2008/2009 lineup. Leftlane News

Reviews: 2007 Maserati Quattroporte Automatica As Ronchi laughingly admits, the Automatica returns the Quattroporte to its roots, when an Italian car with an automatic transmission seemed almost futuristic. It helps Maserati get the attention of Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class drivers who might be looking for something fresh. You could say the 2007 Maserati Quattroporte delivers the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, you'll have to buy both the Automatica and the DuoSelect versions to enjoy it to the max. Edmunds

Belay that praise: GM bows to critics, cuts suicide scene from robot ad http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...PDATE/702090442