pow

You, my friend, cannot be reasoned with.

The Cobalt isn't fundamentally a bad car. A tasteful MCE (unlike the Focus's) to make it seem "new" will keep it relevant. Maybe introduce a Cobalt Hybrid with a lean burn, Atkinson cycle, DI, or VVT 1.4 to 1.8, BAS, weight reduction, low-grip tires, and a $19,995 price, to make it "the cheapest hybrid in the world!" It can be a first-gen Civic Hybrid IMA with a weaker battery/motor. It might be as slow as hell, but at least GM will offer something for conservationists.

The Malibu is already cheaper than the first-tiers in the segment. I'd rather see a $750 increase in price and quality. Maybe $100 to replace the black ties with something integrated, $75 for a rear seat center armrest, $75 for a rear center headrest, $200 for better door panels, $250 for a cut-n-sew dash, $50 for more precise assembly...

That's actually part of an actual ad campaign...

Dan Neil is an equal-opportunity critiquer. He once described an Acura as a "Manga robot with beer goggles on", and wondered, "What does the TL say? I subscribe to Consumer Reports? I use a discount brokerage house?" Buick is a fine "premium" brand, but arguably not a "luxury" one. The RX, MDX, X5, ML, and so on are all several thousand more than the Enclave, which itself is a lot better looking than a Highlander or Pilot.

Here's the definitive list for '08 compact sedan fuel economy. I used the figures from automatic transmission models. Honda Civic 140 hp 25/36 Toyota Corolla 126 hp 26/35 Nissan Versa 122 hp 27/33 Nissan Sentra 140 hp 25/33 Hyundai Elantra 138 hp 25/33 Ford Focus 140 hp 24/33 Kia Spectra 138 hp 24/32 Mazda 3 148 hp 23/31 Suzuki SX4 143 hp 23/31 Chevy Cobalt 148 hp 22/31 Mitsu Lancer 152 hp 22/29 VW Jetta 170 hp 21/29 Subaru Impreza 170 hp 20/27 Suzuki Forenza 127 hp 19/28

According to thegriffon, GM made engineering changes (hence new horsepower figures) to optimize performance for the '08 EPA tests, so be careful when comparing '07s and '08s. Similarly, the xB and xD are all new models for '08 with larger engines and significantly greater curb weights. It stands to reason there will be a greater drop in MPG, even without accounting for the new real-world testing procedures.

And MKV Golf.

Every source I've seen has proved otherwise. In the US, the only 250 PS engines (3.2) are on the R32 and Eos.

I'd say a lot of the CTSes and C-classes are '07s, considering the incentives they have on them. My aunt purchased an '07 C280 for $3K less than her old C280 seven years ago.

Really? Cobalt auto: 22/31 Cobalt manual: 24/33 Civic auto: 25/36 Civic manual: 26/34 Corolla auto: 26/35 Corolla manual: 28/37 Versa CVT: 27/33 Versa manual: 26/31 All are 2008s

Passats in the US get a 280 PS 3.6 instead of the 3.2.

Black-ties vary in their quality and integration. The buttons on the 9-5's seem better damped and higher grade than, say, the Cobalt's. And the SKY and the Acadia (those with climate control) integrate them pretty damn well. Without climate control:

That new interior is loads better than the current one. It's no longer suicide inducing.

That's a steal. A BMW 550i is twice as much.

Both the Lambdas and GMT360s were class-leading and award-winning when first released. The question is whether or not the Lambdas will maintain their superiority over their life cycle, how long before GM redesigns them, and whether or not the segment stays popular.

It looked much better before. The new front and rear ends don't go well with the body. The new steering wheel is an improvement though.

This would kill any resale value of the Outlook, which itself is pretty miserable in base XE form: black moldings, drab interior, manual seats, no steering wheel audio controls, and no trip computer. I guess they could get rid of the privacy glass, alloys, rear air conditioning, and third row.

It's better without the fake vents, but it's in no way as decent looking as say the Fusion, Escape, Edge...

That will be quite a challenge, given that the G8 doesn't have the GP's 82 A/C vents.

Makes sense. Electric motors can help with the lag of a turbo-powered car. I hope Delta II is as flexible as Epsilon II, which will offer different levels of suspension sophistication (double wishbones for Saabs, struts for Opels/Saturns, etc). Likewise an Astra can have a cheapo twist-beam while the 9-1 can have an full IRS. Delta II *does* seem flexible already, as it will handle both hybrids and EV cars (Volt).

Compare apples to apples. Under the new EPA ratings, a '95 Lumina gets 17/26, same as the 2008 Malibu V6.

Not really. The leather is very thin and cheap-feeling, especially compared to the Accord's. I'm betting my hopes on the 2LT's UltraLux alcantara.

Clearly you haven't heard the decimating thunder of the AMG 6.3 or the diesely direct-injection cold idle clatter of the M5 V10 (which then turns into a hi-rev snort). The old AMG supercharged 5.5 made some of the greatest noises ever. Even from idle it a had a jet-engine wail and a satisfying low-pitched rumble.

... and yet the back seats weren't all that comfortable and roomy. It feels like you're sitting "on" them instead of "in" them.