bobo

I don't use cruise much because I like to have full control at all times, but I completely understand the logic of having a cancel button. Brake lights alert cops and cause vehicles behind you to unnecessarily react. Turning the cruise off or using coast will necessitate you to reset to the proper speed when you want to engage it again. It's not a lot of work, but when others have this convenient feature, what justification is there not to have it?

The old Forester was one of the most reasonable vehicles out there--right sized, economical, and capable. The new one looks a lot like a Toyota.

Wow. Glad you're ok with no serious injuries, and hopefully the aches and pains will go away soon. The crumple zone in the Datsun did its job. And you also had a minor accident just a couple weeks ago, if I recall correctly.

figure

It's a more upscale look, much better than the current version.

Congrats oldsmoboi and WMJ. You will make fine additions to the staff.

Good luck on the new job and move.

I play the piano. I find it's a relaxing way too work off stress. I have a Steinway grand piano and a Roland RD-700 digital piano, but I prefer the real thing. A long time ago I had a Roland D-70. A couple of years ago I bought an M-audio keyboard controller and Sony ACID software to use with the computer, but I didn't have the patience to make it work. $200 won't buy a lot, but you may be able to find a decent used Roland or Yamaha keyboard that has 76 or so semi-weighted keys and decent sound. There are new $200 Yamaha or Casio keyboards at places like Circuit City or Costco that wouldn't be a bad starter keyboard. I can't say that I know a lot of specifics about the current keyboards out there. I'm pickiest about the feel of the keys. Fully weighted keys will give the best action and control, but these keyboards are heavy and expensive.

Here are a few paragraphs from Dan Neil's review of the Cadillac CTS: My favorite piece of recent movie dialogue comes from the animated tour de force "Ratatouille." The ruthless food critic Anton Ego has just had his heart melted by the little rodent chef at Gusteau's, causing him to reevaluate his work, his purpose: "In many ways the work of a critic is easy," he writes in his column. "We risk very little and enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. . . . But there are times when a critic risks something and that is in the discovery and the defense of the new." So here's a new thought, worthy of defending: Cadillac makes a better car than BMW or Mercedes or Lexus or Infiniti, and that car is the 2008 CTS. No other car in the mass market, with so much at stake for its makers, dares so much as this expressive and audacious bit of automotive avant-gardism. In a segment that lives and dies by European benchmarks, the CTS sets fire to the bench and throws it through the shopkeepers' window. I've climbed all over the CTS and everywhere I found things to admire. Under the hood, the strut-tower brace is a lovely bow of brushed aluminum, cast in one piece with the connective braces. The tail lamps feature a crazy glowing filament, an optical fiber as thick as your pinkie. The front suspension lower control arms are beautiful alloy castings. The switchgear is artfully integrated into the consoles instead of being plunked into the cockpit in big ugly rectangles. I especially like the personal climate controls that live in the console rail by the dash, and the premium French stitching (real thread!) on the leather-like dash and door panels. The people who built this car clearly scored victory over victory over the folks in accounting. The base price for the CTS is $32,990 (equipped with a 3.6-liter, 263-hp V6) but the car doesn't really come into its own until it gets the optional 304-hp, 3.6-liter V6: a direct-injection engine, the first for Cadillac (though Audi has had the technology for years). The bigger engine adds an additional $1,550. Our test car was equipped with the stouter engine, mated to GM's own six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode; and the $2,980 summer tire package, including: directional HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps, 18-inch alloy rims, Michelin Sport Pilot 2 tires, limited-slip differential and stiffer springs, firmer struts and bigger anti-roll bars to tie it all together. With the exotic audio/navigation system including a 40-gig hard drive on board, our tester retailed at $45,105. That's a huge amount of car for the money. For now, it's time to celebrate. Cadillac has built a ripping car here -- fast, fun, exuberant in style and substance. To the extent that imitation of one product concedes the superiority of another, the CTS surrenders not an inch. It feels like a fundamentally self-defined car. Chalk one up for the home team. Full article: Linky

static

I agree it's an improvement over the concept. Looking good, so far.

Huge improvement over the current version.

I was thinking Toyota Highlander. So many good choices.

Nope, that's Ellen DeGeneres

Santa

So sorry to hear about your troubles. Perhaps it's time to give a dog at the shelter a good home? You can't replace your last dog, but you can get a new friend.

That is a beautiful car. Some may recall that the 1979 Riviera was the Motor Trend Car of the Year.

burger

collar

It's unfortunate that it won't come with the V6. Not everybody wants or needs 361 hp. As for ST, it could be worse. Still, I associate it with Dodge.

flakes

I'm sorry to hear your truck is damaged. That's terrible.

Can you get your parents to cosign? Looking back, I spent way too much money when I was 18-22, buying cars and stuff. It better to save, but it's easier said than done.

Very nice, and with a bulletproof engine.

urinal