sciguy_0504

You said it different than I would have, cadillacfan, but thanks for pointing out what I was going to.

That's a stretch, fly.

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/1226/100..._requestid=4557

The rear 3/4 looks like a mix of Pilot, Highlander and Grand Cherokee. I don't like it, it's not needed and it will just cause more problems for MB. That interior is definately not up to par design-wise. The Escalade's is better.

Take the GMT900 Escalade interior and put it into the GMT800 Escalade exterior and you'd have an awesome large SUV.

Thanks for posting this. A crying shame...

I finally received my copy of MT today so I was able to read the entire COTY section and make a decision, not just some knee-jerk reactionary statement I had before. Funny thing is, though, that knee-jerk reaction was right. First, it seems as if the editors picked the Civic to be COTY even before they started looking for the cars to take part in the competition. "Ok, we're picking the Civic so now what cars can we throw in to try to make it look fair?" You read the reviews for the majority of the competition and it's like they were either looking at/driving the wrong cars or they didn't look at/drive them at all. Second, I'm surprised MT didn't pick the Hyundai Azera as COTY, though they pretty much made it clear it came in 2nd place. In fact, the editors seemed to get off on all the Korean products, swooning over them like they're God's gifts to the world. I'm sorry but the Azera's interior it NOT luxury-level stuff. According to MT, Buick should be worried more about the Azera than Lexus. I wonder how much the Koreans paid MT? Third, what they said about Detroit's products was disgusting. You guys know I'm no kool-aid drinker but I was irritated with the comments being made towards everything from the Fusion to the Solstice. The humping order seemed to go like this: Korean (minus the Civic), Japanese, European, American. In case you guys didn't care like reading or couldn't read the praise given to the Civic, here are some excerpts: "Indicated redline on the Si's tach is 8000 rpm. The limiter doesn't kick in until 8500 rpm. The engine feels like it would happily spin to 10,000. Sure you could gun a Cobalt SS or Focus ZX4 ST to 8500 rpm. Once." "Is it just us or does the Si's bizarrely contoured steering wheel...somehow remind you of the mask in "Scream?" "A cockpit from 'Star Trek' - and it works." (Followed by long paragraph of why it's beautiful) "These new Civics are rolling artwork." "Easiest speedo on the market to read." Who else wants to throw up? My subscription's done and if you want to call me a "baby" or harrass me for it, go ahead. The Civic's minivan-style windshield wipers are calling your name.

I'm going with Turbie on this one, mainly based on the pictures. I've sat in an Avalon before but since the Lucerne just came out I haven't been in it so I won't base my opinions on actually being in the car. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lucerne is a great car, quite possibly the best Buick ever. The exterior is classy, is drives well (based on the reviews), the V8 is superb as all GM V8s are and Buick produces quality vehicles. The interior, mainly the center stack, is the black eye. It's like the designers focused on the center stack last after crafting a beautiful cabin and said, "We don't know what the hell to do with it." Then, the beancounters came along and said, "Use the corporate center stack!" It really is only one of two bad spots the Lucerne has, the other being the outdated platform. The only problem I see with the Avalon is the possible lack of V8 (does it need it?) and the crappy headliner. Everything else is there. I sat in one at last year's Philly Auto Show and was impressed, especially with the amount of rear legroom. I think having the radio covered makes the interior look even better, the same with the Navigator. If GM fixed the Lucerne's center stack it would make a big difference. Everything else, besides the platform, is spot-on.

Please, no... But I'll take it with a grain of salt.

The Aura interior is, IMO, being downgraded by the removing/changing of details.

:rolleyes:

Isn't it all about the tongue?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BV! I was wondering why you wanted that certain present returned when you offered it in my birthday thread but now I know. :AH-HA_wink:

That's what I'm thinking. It's still the basic shape with a new front end, that's about it. I think Chrysler needs an SUV but it needs a distinctly styled SUV, not some carbon copy of the Durango. DCX was getting good at platform sharing there with the LX cars but I guess that's all it can do.

LOL, no problem, Mike. You share my name.

Hey CD, I got my Bush Christmas card a week ago, my first one of the season. Just thought you'd like to know...

I've driven my fair share of cars in my young life and I have no problem with the gauges being where they are in my Scion or where they were in my Grand Prix.

Luxury marquees have had heated windshield washer fluid for years. GOD, Buick is STEALING! :rolleyes:

I LOVE those gauges.

When did Toyota do away with the GX470? That's news to me. My parents own a 2003 4Runner and the interior is easily one of the best in its class. Are you saying the current 4Runner has worse materials than the last gen?

Based on the Lexus ES specifications on the Lexus website and the current Camry's specifications on the Toyota website added to the stretch mentioned in the article posted in this thread, they are the same.

This is amazing, now I feel loved! I didn't think anyone would notice on C&G, mainly because I don't see many "happy birthday" threads. Thanks BV for starting it and everyone for showing me some love. Oh and, sorry BV. My family is taking me out to Cracker Barrel for dinner so I may not be home when you get here. There's a nice hotel around the corner, though. :ph34r: I'd always enjoy that extra special something. :D Edit: Fly, it's black not tan. I don't want to see anything like that in my driveway. Croc, I'm Catholic but when it comes to money I tend to act Jewish. My turbie, turbster, turbman, you know I love ya.

Perhaps this commercial is only be shown in the parts of the country where it does snow?

The new Camry does share the same 170.1-inch wheelbase with the current Lexus ES. I still don't understand what you mean by pointing that out. Sure "everything" may be carryover but you can bet it's been improved. It may not be all-new for a Toyota product but it may be all-new for a Camry.