BuddyP

I'm all for a small diesel however was really hoping to see them consider the bi-turbo 3.6 being an option. The LS motors just don't (and never have) give the low end torque. They are revvers and not luggers. Problem with diesel will be the premium $$ to get into one due to all the gov't regs.

quit Ferrari-esque. Looks nice though

yeah saw a green one already

The issue with the 5.3 and such is while the 340 hp rating may look good, the torque band absolutly sucks. No 1/2 ton GM truck has had a better pulling motor than the late '90ls 5.7. While down on power they pulled way better. This is where the Ecoboost F150 shins, turbo's give a gob of torque down low. Our 2007 Tahoe, as much as I like it, sucks when a trailer is attached behind it. The motor has no low end.

GM... stop with the HP wars and tube a motor for what it is supposed to do, not for peak hp.

My uncle in Grand Rapids is one of the first 2 in that side of the state to get one. He came down to our place today with his black Volt. He's had it for 3 weeks. Got to take it for a spin. Nice driving car. When first powered up and pulling out of the driveway it was on battery until getting on the road and starting to accelerate (keep in mind I'm over 2 hours away from his place so the battery was already depleted). Only when I started slowing down for the stop sign did I hear the motor running. When did accelerate hard for a stretch and you could then hear the motor rev up higher due to the harder acceleration. Regardless the motor was very quit in every condition. You actually noticed the motor vibration in the steering wheel (which was very minor) before hearing the motor run. Gauges were very easy to read. Car was decently comfortable for my 6'-4" frame.

This tops off my week after driving a buddy's new 2011 Mustang Shelby GT500 a few days earlier.

My uncle in Grand Rapids is one of the first 2 in that side of the state to get one. He came down to our place today with his black Volt. He's had it for 3 weeks. Got to take it for a spin. Nice driving car. When first powered up and pulling out of the driveway it was on battery until getting on the road and starting to accelerate (keep in mind I'm over 2 hours away from his place so the battery was already depleted). Only when I started slowing down for the stop sign did I hear the motor running. When did accelerate hard for a stretch and you could then hear the motor rev up higher due to the harder acceleration. Regardless the motor was very quit in every condition. You actually noticed the motor vibration in the steering wheel (which was very minor) before hearing the motor run. Gauges were very easy to read. Car was decently comfortable for my 6'-4" frame.

Did any of you guys see C&G mentioned in the latest MT mag about the Cadillac ATS-V speculation?

Two things...

1. Porsche did have a Cayenne that you could sit in. I sat in it both times I went to the show (during both the Industry Preview and the Public show).

2. There are hardly any vehicles that have a full leather seat. I was speaking to one of my good friends who used to work for Eagle Ottawa (leather supplier) and now works for Faurecia (interior supplier) and he was saying that even most luxury vehicles that you would expect to have fully leather seats are using vinyl in areas. So I really don't blame GM for using some vinyl on a Malibu seat when much more expensive Mercedes, BMWs, and Audis are doing the same thing.

Ok... well there was no Cayenne opened up when I was there on Friday. The majority of the makes had full leather seating areas in the back seat. Merc, BMW and Audi was full leather seating area and even sides (again referring to the rear seats).

Since having attended 10 of these in the last 12 years I thought I'd throw some opinions of this year.

First off, it was better than last year by a bit (can it get worse than last year?). Porsche was back (woo hoo!). Guess we'll see Nissan Infinite next season. Mercedes was letting people sit in their vehicles again. GM booth was back to 2 levels again, but still not back to where the booth was in the early '00's (same with Ford). Was kinda hoping the show would've gotten moved out toward Novi back when there was discussions about it (rather drive up to Novi vs downtown - not a big deal though).

Getting more and more in love with Audi every year. They went from bland a decade ago to being very good competition and design with BMW and Merc. They had all top of the line models, would have been nice to have been able to see a couple medium optioned vehicles though. Porsche had a nice open and simple display with a nice variety of vehilces. Had a Panamara opened up to sit inside of but was suprised there was no Cheyenne available to sit it (they had turbo model but was locked up).

Chrystler Corp. - Interiors a LOT better than the past. Puts them on par with competition now. Jeep Grand Cherokee.. WOW!!!! That's all I can say about that. Loved the true brushed billit aluminum grill on the new 300. Amazing to not see chromed plastic there, unless this were preproduction units that will be changed for production?? Dodge and Jeep did very well with pulling away the basic tan or gray for interior leather on their new models. It was nice to see some richer tans and earth tones.

Now how about some GM rant?... Interiors! While they came a long way a couple years back they are still a bit behind and going cheap in areas. If you question this, just compare the interior of a Malibu vs a Kia Optima. Look at the interior door panels of the two, end of story. However the Optima is new this year and will give the 2012 Malibu a comparison when it is offically released. I am shocked to believe that I am about to say Dodge had a on par or nicer interior than comparible GM's. Dodge designs are maybe still a bit on the bland side but simple stuff like multiple door panel materials and stitching are just a few of the design cues that stand out. There has to be a better price competitive option to hard plastics, they are getting old. The new LaCrosse it done up very nicely though along with the Regal. Not sure what's up with the poop brown they are starting to use in the mix of a lot of the interiors. It looks ok but not all giddy about it. Also ditch the Titanium gray... bleh! Would be nice to see some richer tan/brown/burgundy leather shades. Let's start pushing aside the same day to day basic tan and gray. Also, GM, stop getting so cheap with the leather! Cover the whole back seat with leather and not just the center portions of each side!! The new Charger even had full leather back seats (except the very center and sides). While I see Cadillac did give you a full leather seating surface in the back, the sides of the front and back seats were still vinyl. This is rediculas especially for the person paying a $1500 upcharge for leather... give them leather! Not just leather accents!

Ford - As most know, Taursus looks huge on the outside, but dash and console is just way too intrusive. I deal breaker for me. new Explorer, very nice looking inside and out. They now have a vehicle with a motor, chassis, drivetrain on par with the Traverse/Acadia but with a nicer interior. I think they made a good call with the back seat also. Instead of a board like 3rd row made for 3 small children, Ford made a nice 2 person rear seat that adults can use and be somewhat comfortable. Nice move IMO.

I believe the strut/scissor hinge set-up doesn't raise the decklid as far as gooseneck hinges. They also narrow the opening considerably, as all that has to mount somewhere.

Our Aura's trunklid opens almost straight up and down without the goosenecks

I think it actually looks pretty good... almost makes the Verano look outdated.

Yeah fresh motor and COLD outside. 29 ok good at this point. Figure your loosing at minimum 3-4 mpg's over summertime temps.

Yeah both him and John Gibson. I like these guys and agree with most of thier veiws but this is bad mouthing only because of the bailout (which I was against but won't keep me from buying their vehicles).

Is it just respectable quick or is it truly quick? The 4900 lb BMW X5 4.4 puts out just 15 more hp and 30 lbs more torque but will run a 15 flat to high 14 second 1/4 mile time. Motor Trend only got a measly 15.9 sec 1/4 mile time with the 2.8 turbo SRX.... that is horrible. It's even 300 lbs lighter than the X5. It should run at LEAST a 15 flat 1/4 time.

Also, my frusterations with the rest of the GM brands, is that when you have leather seats, only the seating surface on the front and middle seating surface on the second row seats are truly leather... the rest is vinyl. Is the Cadillac all leather like the Benz and BMW's? It is real wood or fake wood?

Yup, voted here in IN and those I voted for won!

Since Cadillac is the "premium" brand do they actually offer true "leather seats" or is it the BS "leather seating surfaces"?

The one thing I can't get over is that you pay a premium for "leather seats" and get just the seating part of the front seats and just the middle of the seating part of back seats as true leather. Even in the Tahoe/Burbans... and the 3rd row on those is completely vinyl.

saw a red one in person at Woodword a couple weeks ago. Looks great!

Right now my garage is an engine bay

As long as they don't pull out vehicles like the early '00's malibu SS or Equinox SS

'08 Tahoe LTZ all options - 54k miles: Been setting on the lot since the first week of June. Priced now at $33k, KBB private party $35k and change. We can get it for $32,500. A dealer a block down the road has a identical one right down to the milage. Just different colors. Asking price $39,995. A co-worker has a buddy of his that works there, said they gave $31,500 on trade in.

'07 Tahoe LT3 DVD, moonroof, luxury package - 42k miles: Sold last Friday, wish we could've got at this one. $27,900 (was told $27,500 was bottom dollar)... not far from KBB trade in!!

'09 Saturn Outlook all options except Nav - 18k miles: $32,778 for this one, too much for a saturn compared to other Outlook prices. But is a really nice vehicle.

The 2 Ho's are by far at the bottom of price range of Ho's for sale. Everything else comparible is considerably more coin.

Ok, here's a guess on a couple vehicles we are looking into...

'08 Tahoe LTZ all options - 54k miles

'07 Tahoe LT3 DVD, moonroof, luxury package - 42k miles

'09 Saturn Outlook all options except Nav - 18k miles

Used car prices are insane. The truth is, most of these prices are far above KBB values.

In some aspects they are, but this fully loaded "Ho" we looked at has a asking price of just under KBB private party price. I'd assume they'd move a bit which would get it only about a few hundred to a grand above trade in price. Yes I still think it's a huge amount of coin for a used 54k mile vehicle. But it probably had a $55-$56k sticker when new (remember '11's are out now, this thing being a '08 is going on 3 years old!).

Also all of the Acadia's I've looked at are priced right in the KBB private party area also. But there are deffinatly overpriced vehicles swarming the lots as well. Crazy to think any dealer could ask $35k for a '07 35k mile Acadia that doesn't even have Nav.

I've seen 2002 Bravadas with 65k miles and they're asking $16k or $17k! Used Avalanche prices are insane, they have to be one of the best residuals out there. 2008s with 35k seem to be asking mid to high 30s for!

I nearly spit Dr. Pepper on my screen when a reply to an email about a '07 Ranger 4x4 V6 5-speed and 43k came back with a price quote of $17k!!

Do you wish you would have grabbed my Av when it was for sale? I ended up selling it for $11,500 a year ago this month. Had 94k on it I think.

exactly what i was worried about too.

You know I couldn't find any used Outlooks or Acadias at the time 4 months ago that had below 30,000 miles for less than about 25 grand. Most of them were around 30 grand and already had a lot of miles on them. I love the Lambdas, love them, but very pricey new or used. They seem to sell the Outlooks for the same price as Acadias up in this neck of the woods.

Its nuts. Even used Mitsubishi Outlanders they want 25 grand for them. INSANE! Used Malibus with 4 cylinders for 20-22 grand! insane!

You can periodically find a used front drive Ford Flex with about 10,000 miles on it for a price closer to 20k rather than 30, but you really have to accept the looks of it. The more loaded up one with AWD are closer to the big prices of the Lambadas.......

If options and towing aren't a big deal to you, you can pick up new '10 Outlooks for $26k ish. Of course these are FWD XE's at that price, but are new.

I'm just worried that as soon we we buy something prices are going to take a plunge. The new model Acadia's and GMT's are only a couple years away What's going to happen then?

I had the toughest time selling my '03 Z71 Av, which was probably one of the cleanest in the country, and I still see em with similar milage and options priced on lots for a good $5k more than I sold mine for.

Wife wants an Acadia/Outlook but I just can't justify paying near $30k for a small 4 year old vehicle even if it does have leather, moon roofs and maybe a DVD.... However, Outlooks are a good buy right now. They are a good $4k-$5k less than a comparable Acadia.