regfootball

what this stil tells me is Cadillac, GM, and the other domestics still chintz out big time on interiors and haven't digested the message yet that stunning interiors is what sells cars almost more than anything else.

folks spend big $$$ on pilots though and think they are worth every f'in penny.

hair pie. mmmmm

pumpkin cherry apple blueberrry pecan banana cream, all good stuff.

Given that GM invested like $2.99 into Cadillac, their current line-up isn't a bad effort.

They have more serious issues (like mainstream cars) to contend with first. Build the Camry-beater first before the S-class beater.

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yes, i would agree to that

Reg, how has the new CTS lost its edgy look? The only thing we've seen without camo is the 60 minutes shot, and it still looks plenty edgy in that.

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hate to say it, but the new CTS looks a bit too sleek and soft, almost like it is trying to be a Lexus or something. It still has the same face, but what is appealing about the current gen cts (the slab sidedness and upright stance and boxy lines and crisp shapes and creases) seems toned down in favor of a more coke bottle like sides, a long and low look, and softened creases that could easily be found on a Lexus or any other luxocar. The worst thing is the possibility of those razor thin upright taillights and moving the license plate down to the bumper. What is so kick ass about the CTS now is the wide euro taillights, the tall blunt rear stance, sharp creases, short front overhang, brash character lines on the side, and the plate on the top of the decklid.

Honestly from all I've seen, the new CTS looks too much like its trying to be more what a cheesy Lexus buyer would buy. Soft and flabby.

and the current SRX can be ragged on because its a bit small, its too narrow visually, it doesn't look all that sporty (looks like a wagon more than anything) and it had a cheesy interior. So despite its great performance, it has lots of things buyers would call flaws, stuff the autorags don't pick up on.

its just typical American business culture. Give people less of what they want over time by trying to cut corners and screw people out of real goodness. Then glitz it over with marketing and hope people don't notice.

Sometimes if we had fewer losers with MBA's running companies and more people who care about product, we'd be better off.

Cadillac HAS been slow with new models and could be in real danger again soon. The new CTS coming out soon by all looks like it has lost the edgy look of the original and even though it will be a better car, it looks like it will just blend in and will not attract younger buyers either.

oh well. Its not like Lincoln is doing ANYTHING so in comparison, Cadillac still has some cred.

GM is still the #1 Automaker.  They are in the process of "right-sizing" so they do not have excess workers, excess factories and excess capacity.  GM's quality is up.  GM is making money on its compact cars.  GM's near-future vehicles are looking like solid hits.

Toyota is growing rapidly.  Toyota's recalls are growing rapidly.  Toyota has been covering up recall problems.  Do you honestly think the Hilux incident is a single isolated case?  Toyota was recently scolded by the Japanese government for their ethical/safety problems pertaining to their recalls.  USA Today reviews the Avalon and interior parts fall off.  That doesn't happen to a GM.

What is GM doing so badly?

What is Toyota doing so well?

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judging by today's sunday car section, toyota has gotten very good at incentives, 3-4 thousand, nothing stops toyota!

oH! soprry, i thought this was gonna be a Denny Green hate thread.

WE ARE WHO THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE

SWINGS DOWN SWINGS UP

LAKEFRONT INFLUENCE.....AND OUT

the new 335i is an incredible car, judging by its test numbers.

conisdering this was an XE review, not bad. let me say this. had this car not been already tested and available as an XR with the 6 speed and good engine, they would have roasted the XE. Just goes to show you how favorably they will review a GM car when you can actually have a choice to get the decent engine and tranny on the options sheet. Something it GM to figure out how to do just now.

What Siegen said. Reg is just Reg.

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bv, keep quiet, can you even drive a stick?

i think its about 3k too high to start.

oh well, that's what dealer discounts are for.

07 Pilot starts at 27,5 roughly.

Whatever happened to cars, America? This thing is still uglier than a 3er wagon; nothing is going to help that. And the interior blows.

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people have decided SUV's and crossovers are more of what they want these days. Sedans and coupes are headed for the relic bin, unfortunately.

the x3 interior is nicer because it has seats you sit in, not floppy seats like the impalas you sit on.

the x3's dash angles towards the driver.

the (NEW) x3 has better plastics. the old x3 had terrible plastic.

The main reason for poor fuel economy with a 4 cyl is actually do to giving it too much gas at too low rpms, or shifting too early. You are increasing both load and throttle (more fuel) without acheiving as much work (miles traveled).

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proof that car has no fricking power if you have to do that. give the car usable power. like an ecotec quipped car.

I looked at a Nitro last weekend at the local dealership. I was extremely disappointed to say the least!! The interior almost needed to be cleaned up after I just about puked in it. The plastic was so cheap and so shiny(no it wasn't armor all) that in direct sunlight I'm sure you would go blind and cause a wreck. I had high hopes for it and have been let down.

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agree. it's atrocious.

The Mustang is black with double white stripes and light gray leather.  Automatic transmission.  My Mustang GT would be Windveil Blue with black leather and a manual.  It is an excellent price, but GTs are on the lots now, they're easier to get.  If I were to go to the (dark) Ford side, I'd want to option it out differently than this one.  Factory ordering one, I'm sure would be at least $2.5k higher than taking this one, which puts it just out of my comfort zone.

I'm waiting a while longer.  Sorry to flap my jaws so much on this.

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heck, wait for the camaro. or get the mustang now and trade it for the camaro.

Variance, I'm mad at you for posting that picture of the superior previous gen 3 series interior.

now i just get upset again at how BMW changed it to some really generic lame upright dash layout.

Looks like Reg has found a new home at www.canadiandriver.com.

After seeing those pictures, my opinion is still that the new Sentra looks cheap, at least cheaper than its competition. It looks like a sedan version of the Versa with a nice looking front end that doesn't match the rest of the body.

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i've read canadian driver for like 5 years. its an awesome web site. simple, large pictures, useful reviews.

The other advantage of building a computer is that all the parts are standard fit, and so are cheaper and easier to upgrade or replace than factory built computers like Dells, since they use specialized parts that make them a bitch to upgrade.

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I've always built my machines. Its a great way to get more for less. tigerdirect.com is a great starting point.

but the next one is an iMac or MacMini. No more windows bull.

windows won't run decently on less than 1GB or ram. 512 isn't even enough.

this is that whole electronic throttle thing again.

I just had the ECU flashed on my 500 last week to cure the hesitation and slow downshifting and it seems to have helped a lot. the car is pretty quick now in a lot of cases. i assume its a similar thing here.

My buddy who used to used a Jetta with an ET said the same thing.

We concurred that the mfrs are dumbing down the throttles on these things so you have to press down ALL THE WAY to get the brains to realize you want gas. Its not a linear application of the throttle pedal anymore. Its compounded by poor tranny programming.

I bet the car lawyers are making them do that to keep folks from overdriving the cars. I like the aggressive GM throttle linkages to a degree. Why can't it just be nice and linear all the way through the pedal with predictable and immediate shifting?

on star should download ECU updates as they occur and automatically update engine programming on cars. they should figger out how to make that possible.

Civic Si = 139ft/lbs. @ 6100

MazdaSpeed 3 = 280ft/lbs. @ 3000 RPM

Volkswagen GTI = 207ft/lbs. @ 1800 RPM

Interesting comparisons

3.8 litre Regal GS = 280ft/lbs. @ 3600 RPM

3.6 litre Cadillac CTS = 252ft/lbs. @ 3100 RPM

2.5 litre Subaru WRX = 235ft/lbs. @ 3600 RPM

6000+ RPM to get to peak torque?  That's the reason you have to drive the snot out of the Si to get anywhere while all the others can turn a more leisurely RPM and still feel fast.

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running at 6000 rpm all the time will give you horsecrap gas mileage too.

damn.

damn.

Canadian Driver First Drive 2007 CR-V with pics

HIDEOUS front

Audi side glass

Volvo Taillights

X5 BMW wheel flares and ground effects

100 hp less than RAV4

It'll sell, its America

LMAO, I didn't recall my v8 SHO having this much 'torque'.........

Add to that the fact that an RL is completely and utterly undistinctive and has absolutely zero recognition in the market, its a wonder they sell any. Its only hallmark is an AWD system that no one actually cares about. So, you can fawn over the interior 'till the cows come home, but the exterior looks like a $25-30,000 car with a PepBoys Xenon kit.

Sticking with the Legend moniker would've been a far more intelligent decision, along with a V8 powerplant. Cadillac has shown a large FWD V8 car can be successful if tailored to a certain market correctly. Mock the DeVille all you want, but GM moved out over 100k a year for a half decade and not all of them were to fleets. Some people simply like that sort of car, the same people that liked the Park Avenue, Olds Aurora, Lincoln Continental, and - yes - the old Legend. A larger V8 Legend that looked expensive could've done much better than the current model.

As it stands, you can't help but to conclude Acura truly half-assed the RL. Yes, it executed the car very well, but the entire concept was flawed from a saleability standpoint. Its trying to handle well without having RWD, perform well while still having a six, and be commanding and luxurious with midsize dimensions and boring lines.

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great comprehensive summary. thx.