Stew

If I had the funds, i would buy either in a heartbeat. The Buick would probably be much more likely for me. I LOVE he look. It has a sculpted swoopiness and sporty look while the El Mirag is all upstanding luxury and simply sculpted beauty.

Dear Buick and Cadillac, Quit showing us gorgeous concepts and then not build them. Really, this would be FANTASTIC for Buick. I wouldn't call the whole line he Grand national, but a limited all black tweaked to at least 450 HP would make a great return for the GN/GNX.

I love this. I would never own one because, well, minivan and I don't need one. I see them easily keeping their dominance in the segment.

The new Pacifica made a fantastic showing at Detroit and confirmation the GC Trackhawk is coming with the full 707 HP backed with AWD and a actory quoted 0-60 of 3.5 (their estimates are usually a bit slower than the actual numbers too!). I see a lot more coming!

Gotcha. Didn't they do a sweet looking 2 door Hummer concept quite a few years ago that would have made a great Wrangler competitor? There it is! Update that with GMC styling and modern interior and I don't think they could keep them on the lot. Yup that would be awesome in a GMC grilled tweak and have both a monochrome and Denali package version. Just think put that little 2.8L Duramax engine in it and you have a winner winner chicken dinner. Exactly, they could use the Colorado/Canyon platform and give it all the goodies of the ZR2 concept. Maybe pricey, but I have no doubt they would sell everone they could make.

The very latest generation of Mazdas have fantastic FANTASTIC interiors. The CX-3 far far exceeds it's class and would put an Audi Q3 to shame. Easily best in class. I sat in the new CX-9 in LA and it is every bit as good as these press photos suggest. Their styling is very reminiscent of recent Audis, IMHO a VERY good thing.

I don't think they would even buy Jeep. They would be better off giving GMC some unique off-road product. i honestly don't see GM buying anything anytime soon wince that is part of what got them in their previous issue. Also, the Hummer project didn't exactly turn out all that great. The whole idea of a merger was ignorant anyway. they don't need a merger, they have tech and new platforms they just need to put the product where it is needed (Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and Jeep) and send Fiat back home. I do think Alfa has a possibility though and it gives them a high end to offer new tech that can trickle down to the rest (ala Cadillac and Chevy). Many of us have always felt HUMMER should have been a special package you could put on your GMC. That is the best thing for GM. In regards to buying Jeep, Wish I could do a better job at sarcasm. Sorry, the whole jeep thing was a sarcasm comment on my behalf. Gotcha. Didn't they do a sweet looking 2 door Hummer concept quite a few years ago that would have made a great Wrangler competitor? There it is! Update that with GMC styling and modern interior and I don't think they could keep them on the lot.

I don't think they would even buy Jeep. They would be better off giving GMC some unique off-road product. i honestly don't see GM buying anything anytime soon wince that is part of what got them in their previous issue. Also, the Hummer project didn't exactly turn out all that great. The whole idea of a merger was ignorant anyway. they don't need a merger, they have tech and new platforms they just need to put the product where it is needed (Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and Jeep) and send Fiat back home. I do think Alfa has a possibility though and it gives them a high end to offer new tech that can trickle down to the rest (ala Cadillac and Chevy).

Does Mazda even want a V6 anymore though? If they are the most efficient lineup, like Drew said, then they're probably content with a family of 4's. They'd probably prefer to boost a 4 banger rather than throw in a heavier V6 because they put so much emphasis on driving dynamics. Afterthought: I completely forgot about the CX-9. To me, that would be the only application for a V6 in their lineup. Everything else can be done with an I4, boost or n/a. Why waste R&D dollars on a V6 wen you can go Hybrid for the CX-9 and use a turbo 4 plus a decent electric motor. Better yet, use their I4 N/A as a generator and go with a pure electric AWD power train. Make the CX-9 like the Volt. Pure EV for the first 80 miles and then generator driven. Interesting you mention this as we should see such a setup on the new Town and Country available in a few months. The thought on the 880 that Chrysler is touting about the T&C's intro is 8 passenger and either 80 MPGE or 80 miles on straight electric power. Also, the T&C is going to offer an AWD system with electric motors powering the rear wheels so it doesn't effect the stow and go seating. Oh, I think someone said something about them needing hybrids earlier too. Actually the more I think about it, with a turbo 4 family, a new high tech plug in hybrid system, and the available new rwd platform appearing in the Alfa, why do they need a partner again? They don't need a partner, they need to dump the vampire brands that are sucking blood out of the money makers.... but Sergio likes to keep the Vampires as pets. I agree here and am hoping he does retire in 18 (would be nice if sooner). I am probably the rare one that can live with Alfa if done right, but Fiat is just one big ole sucker. It was a nice try, but needs to be taken back to Europe and maybe killed there too.

Does Mazda even want a V6 anymore though? If they are the most efficient lineup, like Drew said, then they're probably content with a family of 4's. They'd probably prefer to boost a 4 banger rather than throw in a heavier V6 because they put so much emphasis on driving dynamics. Afterthought: I completely forgot about the CX-9. To me, that would be the only application for a V6 in their lineup. Everything else can be done with an I4, boost or n/a. Why waste R&D dollars on a V6 wen you can go Hybrid for the CX-9 and use a turbo 4 plus a decent electric motor. Better yet, use their I4 N/A as a generator and go with a pure electric AWD power train. Make the CX-9 like the Volt. Pure EV for the first 80 miles and then generator driven. Interesting you mention this as we should see such a setup on the new Town and Country available in a few months. The thought on the 880 that Chrysler is touting about the T&C's intro is 8 passenger and either 80 MPGE or 80 miles on straight electric power. Also, the T&C is going to offer an AWD system with electric motors powering the rear wheels so it doesn't effect the stow and go seating. Oh, I think someone said something about them needing hybrids earlier too. Actually the more I think about it, with a turbo 4 family, a new high tech plug in hybrid system, and the available new rwd platform appearing in the Alfa, why do they need a partner again?

Does Mazda even want a V6 anymore though? If they are the most efficient lineup, like Drew said, then they're probably content with a family of 4's. They'd probably prefer to boost a 4 banger rather than throw in a heavier V6 because they put so much emphasis on driving dynamics. Afterthought: I completely forgot about the CX-9. To me, that would be the only application for a V6 in their lineup. Everything else can be done with an I4, boost or n/a. Well, we will have o agree to disagree. The V6 has it's merits in a larger car, as an option in the CX9 and 6. With Mazdas expertise and lighter vehicles I would guess they could rather easily get a highway feature in the mid 30s (it already 31 in the heavy LX cars and 32 in the fwd 200). As for the rest of their lineup, nope. it is a moot point and thought anyways as we should be seeing the new Chrysler 4s in less than a year that includes at least a couple turbo 4s. I wouldn't mind seeing them collaborate on a small truck either, i have a soft spot for the older Mazda trucks (pre 93 Ranger spinoff).

I have always thought them and Mazda would have a good synergy. Get 4 cylinders from Mazda and give them access to the excellent Pentastar V6 (which would make the 6 far more interesting IMHO).

Better news. No more merger talk and reinvesting in new product.

Bet they had to ride it hard to hit a mid eight 0-60, Plus some of the competition is a full sec faster to the same mark...... 8 speed in the 2.0 accounts for some manuf cost difference but it's still a bunch more even setting that aside. By early fall there should be a lot of leftover 2.0's on lots with healthy rebates. Am I talking to a wall here? The engine upgrades at other manufacturers are priced about the same or higher and the Malibu comes with some nice features standard that you need to pay more for at Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Malibu 2.0T = $28k, Sonata 2.0T = $28k, Accord V6 = $30k, Camry V6 = $32k, Mazda 6 = Not Available, Passat V6 = $36k, Ford SE 2.0T = $27k... The Malibu 2.0T is one of the least expensive engine upgrade options among its peers, so your continued ranting about the cost of the Malibu 2.0T just makes you look silly. And you want GM to price the 2.0T for the same price as the 1.5T just because they're both 4-cylinders? Do you not know how value added pricing works? Another thing you keep forgetting is that Car Play and Android Auto are both standard even in the most base model Malibu which means you effectively can have NAV without having to move up to much more expensive trims. That's a $700 to $2000 "give" from Chevy right there across the lineup. I've used Car Play, and it is superior to a built in NAV in just about every way possible. The maps are always up to date, it uses Siri's voice recognition engine, it gets traffic updates faster, it responds faster... there isn't a built in NAV system out there that can beat it. I assume that once I try Android Auto, which is compatible with Waze, that my feelings on that will be the same. So, yeah, I'd have no problem taking a Malibu 2.0T for $28k when the $28k options at nearly every other manufacturer come with less powerful engines and no NAV systems. I stopped at the Chevy dealership last night and they had a 2L 2.0, not sure if it had options but the price was around 28,800. I was impressed with what i could see compared to the base 1.5. Just on the outside, a MUCh better looking front fascia with fog lamps, bigger wheels in a very nice design in black/silver, from what i can see the interior also looked better than the base model by a fair amount. Nevermind the 2.0/8 speed auto. I agree Drew, it is a good deal IMHO.

Get the low hanging fruit first. They need a new family of fuel efficient 4-cylinder engines. The Tigershark just isn't cutting it. Mazda is the most fuel efficient of all manufacturers aside from Tesla. They have zero hybrids. Bingo, the new family of 4s can't come soon enough.

I think making Chrysler more a Buick/Lincoln/Acura competitor is a fantastic idea. Same too making the 100 an Encore sized crossover based on the renegade. I like the idea of Dodge as an all performance division, but sure that is feasible in he long run.

Sorry if this is a little long winded.

Some older reviews, including non-Mopars TTT

Update, having some issues with the transmission, bu they got a 2 year warranty so i see a rebuild or replacement in the future. Still a fantastic CUV though.

I have been in love with the ATS Coupe since it came out. It and the pre-refresh A5/S5 are tied to me for best looking in class. I would love to see you take out a Camaro SS and give us a blow by blow comparison man!

FCA making profit? You might want to look a bit deeper into that into that. Well, the C par makes profit. The F part needs to go away.

We have a 16 LT with a basic white rapper here at work now. I like the new look a lot!

I can honestly agree with this. i do the Challenger interior is out of the ballpark though and one of the best out there, just my opinion though. I personally can't wait for lighter gens, though i hope they don't shrink them, challenger included. Give us a Cuda as a direct competitor to the Mustang and Camaro, but leave the Challenger in it's unique position. And do the AWD LX cars have to have more ground clearance than the 2WD versions? WHY?!?! Yeah, they aren't as bad as they used, an 06-10 AWD looks ready to go off-roading. On the same note, why not at least offer the AWD system on he V6 and R/T? It would go farther to give them a unique place in the marketplace. Of course hey would need to keep that ground clearance in check. Call me Crazy, but i would also love to see at least the new Camaro turbo 4 and V6 with the ATS/CTS AWD system. Speaking of that, finally saw a 6th gen in the flesh and only as passing. Appeared to be a white LT with black rims. This car was stunning and really sets itself apart fom the C5 in the flesh. It looks like a coupe that would be at home in an upper lux brand. Anyway......

Basically, I got to take my bother's A5 for a few hour highway jaunt to pick him up in Ashland last Wed. He had driven the rental Charger down and took the train back. So, I pick the car up at my parents and drop off my truck. I have my pre-trip pep talk with the A5 and slip into the driver's seat to get comfortable. After driving my pickups for so long I immediately notice that the footwell seems tight and the pedals far closer to each other than I remember. No problem though. I slide the seat into a comfortable position and adjust the tilt and telescoping wheel and adjust the the lower back lumbar. Seating position: Good to go. Next it is time or an MMI refresher. Being an 11 it is the older MMi, but still intuitive. Radio station set and off we go. A quarter tank of gas? WTF! Back out of the drive and on to the road that leads out to US 119, then 23. With a few nice curves and turns I settle in and get comfortable with the A5. Turn in is still sharp with grip for days. It does take a few stops to get used to the slightly touchy brake, that remind I am in a sport coupe made to eat up the roads and miles of tarmac instead of back roads and strip mines full of rocky trails and huge mudholes. . Time to hit the onramp: Acceleration is brisk and as always the 2.0T and 8 speed ZF auto work well together getting the turbo mill right into it's powerban. The ride is firm, yet not jarring, reminding you of the dual mission of luxury coupe and backroad burner. The speedo keeps creeping up well above the speed limit. 55 seems like a snails pace. It is a holiday week though, so let's set the cruise at 60. Quiet, serene, the stereo sounds fantastic as it pumps out traveling music. A quick stop and 10 bucks of 93 octane. We are off again. Reset the cruise and off through the night. After roughly an hour and a half I come up to large smoke stacks of the Kentucky power plant around Louisa. Once billowing with steam from coal power, now running on natural gas as one of the many signs of the lost jobs and missing livelihoods that once helped Eastern Ky families survive. Next a few miles down the road is the large oil refinery at Catlettsburg. The huge tanks and mazes of pipes, they haven't really changed in the 30+ years I have traveled through there. Finally, I reach Ashland, Ky. A train town once made prosperous by it's various rail yards that took care of coal trans and passengers from across the US. The devastation of the coal industry has taken it's toll and instead of being filled with activity and trains constantly coming and going, the sound of a train whistle now happens at much, MUCH longer intervals. Now, at 9PM, most businesses are closed down, the streets are empty. It is a virtual ghost town compared to just years before. There is something about traveling the all but abandoned roads in the dark with no traffic. I arrive at the train station...... an hour early (that would turn out to be over 2 due to train delays). So, where to go? I head to the mall, but like the grocery stores and the fuel stations, the doors had closed at 9PM. Still having time to kill I set my phone's navigation for Wal Mart, but what's this? It takes me through the backroads to get there! A little fun in he Audi! A twist here and a curve there, the little AWD with a turbo 4 seems to beg for more, but the trip is short. I walk through the store, which like much of the town, is pretty empty. Finally I get out and head back. I wait at the station for over an hour before the train gets there. Getting out in the cool air and drizzle that had moved in only a couple times to smoke a cigarette in the quietness. Finally the train comes in. A shining silver bullet that drops off my brother. We load his luggage into the trunk and head out to locate a place to eat. We have our meal and begin he trip back. He takes he helm or roughly 30 minutes until it is time for a little more fuel. We stop and I take back ove and set my cruise again for the drive home. A serene experience with the cruise again set at 60. The beautiful and chiseled coupe shape cutting through the night with a quiet and leisurely tone. I reach home around 3:30 slightly sad the trip was over, but ready for some sleep at the same time. Yep, I still love this little Audi!

Quit comparing them to GM. For starters,I doubt Alpha is going anywhere for the next 5 years. Also, it is not like the Alpha cars have been major successes, in fact i would say that is to the contrary since LX cars outsell the Alphas by what, 3 or 4 to 1? Customers for the most part could care less or even know what platform a vehicle rides on. And i can pretty well guarantee they are making a TON of profit off of the LX cars. Also, the LX cars timeframe is but a mere blink compared to how long the W-body, panther, or Fox cars ran. The Camry platform is as old as the LX for pete's sake and i is the best selling car in America. Remember, the idea is profit and they are making it on what they have. We will see plenty of new Dodges and Chryslers in he next few years. You don't even give them a chance. Their continuing increased sales, month over month for how many years now? Yes, the GM merger was dumb, but it has been months since it has even been mentioned. Your doom and loom is pretty baseless reall.