pow

Fender-mounted side markers are very useful from the side. I've seen too often cars from different lanes (e.g. numbers 1 and 3) trying to move into the same lane (number 2), because they didn't notice each other's front and rear turn signals.

Yeah, I've seen ads for brand-new four-cylinder automatic Camrys for $16,999. When it's $3K less than a comparable Accord or Malibu, it's mighty tempting if all you want is cheap, reliable, safe, comfortable, and practical transportation.

Or the media could write a very positive review and people would still complain that the photography was intentionally unflattering.. or somethign like that

Or if you need a car and simply want the most fuel efficient and lowest polluting one that also happens to be well-rounded and practical, unlike the Insight. At $21K, the Prius costs the same as a comparable Camry, and you get greater fuel economy, greater resale value, less pollution, lower running costs, originality, and hatchback versatility in exchange for less power and passenger volume. For $23K, you get a backup camera, stability control, keyless go, Xenons, alloys, and iPod compatibility.

My beef is that you don't get the CHOICE to have painted silver wheels on the 1LT (or 2LT, 2LT V6, LTZ, LTZ V6). I don't mind chrome wheels on an Escalade, but the mandatory plastic ones on the 1LT look like trash bin covers, IMO.

Hmm... 6/04 C&D minivan comparison Odyssey 0-60: 7.5 seconds, curb weight 4409 lbs, 18/25 old-EPA mpg

At the same time, I highly doubt the EPA differentiated a Roadmaster from a Roadmaster wagon. Surely an extra 400 lbs would have made some dent in fuel economy, yet the figures are identical. If you use the old procedure to compare both vehicles, the RDX still comes out ahead. Still you're comparing apples to oranges. All-wheel drive results in inherent power and fuel economy losses. If you compare the RDX to something closer in age and price, like the SRX V6, the RDX beats it in city fuel economy (by 3 mpg, 17 vs. 14), as does the heavier 300-hp MDX.

The RDX is priced very well considering the level of equipment you get. At $33K, it's cheaper than both the LR2 and X3, and it comes standard with heated memory 10-way power leather seats, dual zone climate control, Bluetooth, Xenon headlights, paddle shifters, SH-AWD, variable vane turbo geometry, DVD surround sound, IIHS top safety pick, etc. The RDX is certainly quicker than a 16 year old Roadmaster - 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds - and gets better fuel economy in spite of AWD and an aggressive final drive (19 mpg, combined, versus 17 mpg, combined, according to the 2008 EPA procedures). http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=9189 http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f....nField=Findacar

It's like a blubberier version of the Brera. I don' tthink it looks as iconic as the original or the MK2, which was my favorite.

If you want a compact engine, how 'bout a turbocharged, direct-injected, three-cylinder mated to a 7-speed DSG with BAS-II assist?

Sweeeet. This is arguably more significant than the dual-modes or Volt, if it can be produced in great numbers.

Both. The Jetta requires 72,613 newtons to push the roof down by 5 inches; the Ram requires 37,595. This translates to an SWR of 5.1 for the Jetta, and 1.7 for the Ram. The roof that can withstand the most weight tested so far is the XC90, at 90,188 newtons, or an SWR of 4.6 times the car's weight.

Agreed... the 17" fascia spokes, chrome or not, are definitely nicer than the 16" caps on the Camry or Accord. Do you know what color is on that 1LT, btw? It looks good.. better than geriatric sandstone. edit - looks like "amber bronze"

It's almost as if every generation of Astra is one generation behind the Golf in terms of size or proportions. This new one is tall and poofy like the current MKV Golf, while the current Astra is low like the old MK4 Golf. The previous gen Astra is like the MK3 Golf.

That's very, very, very nice. I love it. Looks like nothing else on the road.

Every GM vehicle comes standard with a start/stop BAS system? FlexFuel capability on every GM vehicle?

It's still 3200 lbs... though that figure balloons by 700 lbs if you throw in a V6, automatic transmission, AWD, extra windows for the SportCombi or extra scaffolding for the cabrio.

$42K for this thing? Damn, it wasn't too long ago when Audi S4s were that much. It does look very stealthy though... it seems ripe for extra booooost.

Good news... the early 1LT press cars had painted silver fascia spokes, and I greatly prefer them to the mandatory plastic chromies. I wonder what the LTZ I4's Chrome-Tech alloys look like.. Edit: Actually I think the 1LT's are still only available in chrome; it's the LS fleet HVV6 engine package that gets the silver-painted equivalent. Looks like the manumatic control stays on the four-cylinder/six-speed, which is good news.

The Vectra and 9-3 are all lighter than the equivalent Malibu, AURA, or G6. The ASTRA is pretty light, and the VUE is as German as Dolsot Bi Bim Bap.

At least you didn't shout, "Treadmill, on!" and proceed to run into it.

We just experienced firsthand the unbridled awesomeness contained within the body shell of Nissan's new über-Mechagodzilla, the GT-R. Apparently, Nissan is a true believer in the car's kickassedness and would prefer if owner's didn't eff it up with superfluous wings, flares and other accoutrements that have no hope of making the car better than it already is. Those who have imported a JDM GT-R to the United States will find this page in their owner's manual that warns in no uncertain terms against pulling a Paul Walker on their GT-R. Just leave the car be, folks. You can't do better than what Nissan already did, so don't try. Source: AutoBlog

The 328i uses a GM unit... the 335i uses a ZF unit (rev matches, paddles, quicker shifts).

I'd love somebody to design a concept that reinvents the family car. Call it the Camry, Accord, Malibu, or whatever of 2020, but make it radically different from the space inefficient sedans we have now. Let consumers and the media see the possibilities of thinking outside the box. Execute it well, and then market a desire and need for such a vehicle. We need another "segment buster"..

Well... you do live behind the Orange Curtain...