pow

I thought the NG Cobalt was going to be a re-badged 2009 Daewoo... why 2011?

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The optional roof on the new CTS better be perfect.

BTW, don't the AWD V6 VUEs (both the 3.5 and 3.6) have six-speed autos already? Are they not 6T45?

Huh??? I didn't say anything about a V-8..

Yeah, I noticed that on fueleconomy.gov and that seemed odd. It does get better fuel economy than the 3.6/six-speed (18/29 vs 17/26), which makes it more competitve (MPG-wise) with Camry V-6 and the like.

They're only making 500, and it's sold-out in most countries. It's really an overpriced "coach-built" four-year-old concept car on an existing chassis.

Yeah, the whole touring-an-entire-continent-in-a-few-weeks thing gets stressful. In Florence, we had our own apartment and that made a huge difference. I particularly enjoyed walking to the Mercado Centrale and buying some buffalo mozzarella, rustic bread, tuscan EVOO, cherry tomatoes, and Chianti to assemble bruschetta in the comfort of our own kitchen. It made me feel less like a tourist, and I got to appreciate the, uh, smaller things in life... But yeah, often times it's less about a country and more about personal fatigue or homesickness that affects our experience.

I'd rather have the new Maserati grand tourer (forgot what it's called). The 8C's looks, while curvaceous and sporty, are a bit dated, even next to a $40K Brera.

It looks much better in those photos. The initial PR photos were horrid.

Or if the 9-3 were $2000 cheaper.

... and overpriced. Assuming the XE-4 comes in at $1,390 less than the XE V-6, as it is between the G6 I-4 and V-6, they're charging full-hybrid money ($3,090) for a +2 MPG light-hybrid.

Yay, better looks, improved handling, rollover protection, trunk space, and a sunroof to boot!

Wow, okay, so you don't like the 3-series convertible. So about that Malibu...............

Yeah, everyone's grandparent's cousin's farmer's wife's hunter's daughter is driving a Japanese car or truck that pretty soon something "locally made" will be rare, exotic, cool, and desired.

They need it quick. Acuras don't age well. Their newly-released models are competitive, well-priced, well-equipped, and appealing on spec sheets and comparison tests, but after a few years, they're no longer flavors of the month and then tank.

You were probably looking at a G6 cabrio... :AH-HA_wink: ... cause the 3's wood is real, there's leather on the doors, and like the Malibu's, its interior is competitive with others in its class. All I said was that Lutz is exaggerating when comparing the Malibu to a luxury car, OK? I thought that would be helpful as many have not experienced the new 'Bu firsthand.

Both are too expensive and both will end up with heavy incentives.

No, it doesn't. There's none on the door panels either. It's just seating surfaces, steering wheel, and gear lever, IIRC.

...cars like the CTS? The Malibu does seem like a competitive midsize family sedan, but based on the LTZ model I checked out, there's no way the interior passes for a $35K car. And that's fine, since it isn't a $35K car. If I remember correctly, Lutz said the new VUE was "easily comparable" to the X5 and "far superior" to the X3 in terms of ride and handling.

The 2008 procedures more accurately reflect real-world economy, whether it's for Toyota or GM.

Hate the first four paragraphs. Why does MT feel the need to prove their hardcore, enlightened, enthusiast, automotive connoisseur credentials in every article? You're not a racing driver, you're not writing descriptive pornographic fantasy, and you don't need to show off your antisocial technical jargon... yeesh. They're so insecure about this car writing stuff, unlike with C&D.

And stretch it a few inches in the middle

The 2008 procedures more accurately reflect real-world economy, whether it's for Toyota or GM. The '08 estimates for the Prius are 48/45, which coincide with the reported averages at fueleconomy.gov, greenhybrid.com, and countless magazine long-term tests.

20 MPG makes it on par with the LS600hL! Imagine an Escalade Hybrid that "gets better fuel economy than any full-size luxury vehicle."

The "real-world" gains for the Prius are 40%. It's just that the old-EPA gain for the Prius was 100%.