Flybrian

Crappy plastic bumpers. Ahhhh!

People will ignore .002 mil thinner dash underside plastic lining with good design.

Have you seen it in person? And I do ask because you have to see stuff like that in person to make a real determination.

Acura and Nissan are just now weening out the torque steer from their high-horse cars.

IIHS traditionally buys cars from the lots, but with this new change in relying on mfgr data, they probably have little say besides choosing what data out there to use.

Rearviews...

For what they are, they handle very well. I can speak of high-torque FWD cars because I've had decent wheel time with three of them (Aurora, Regal GS, SSEi). Even with 280lb-ft of torque right to the front wheels, torque steer is not a factor. You notice it under heavy acceleration, sure, but its never unmanagable. I can recall one or two instances when it got a bit out of hand, and that was more a combination of my stupidity, damp roads, and either a railroad grating or those slick road marking stripes. The worst handler of the three would be my Olds because its so g@($@$n heavy. Both the Bonnie and Regal are lighter by a few hundred lbs, but not too light. Also, I would argue the G-body is the best fullsize platform currently in existance in terms of rigidity, strength, and overall strength. Ride quality naturally depends on the car, but even a car as old and potentially 'loose' as my Aurora (frameless windows) doesn't shudder as bad on rough roads as newer cars. And though I haven't significantly driven a LaCrosse yet, if its even at least as quiet as the Regal was. Wow. Because that was a pretty quiet car. The '00+ Impala is on an updated W-body with a 110.5" wheelbase (1.5" stretch from the '97 Ws) and the '04 GP and '05 LaCrosse share that. I would explain the smaller rear seat room with the faster rooflines of the Pontiac and Buick. More sleek = less headroom. This also accounts for the moonroofs in these cars retracting up and out instead of into the roof. Oh, and thanks. I my Aurora.

Hot Wheels is better quality-wise, but their offerings suck. All Mattel sells under the HW brand nowadays are toilet dragster cars and weird 'race' cars with stupid wheels. The Matchbox brand is nice though; I'm glad to see them putting out some nice mainstream cars, like the Escalade, Silverado, XC90, and Element. Even if I don't like some of the cars, they're out there, and that's cool. Johnny Lightning, IMO, is unmatched in the price/quality realm. They're a little pricey MSRP ($3.99-4.99 per), but the retailers always clearance them out for no real reason. I recently picked up six diecasts (old Detroit iron and a Citroen DS19) for $10.00. I like Maisto simply because they put out the realistic cars. BTW, I'm don't collect for the sake of collecting. I just get the cars I like. My girlfriend always rags on me for it simply because I have alot. But then again, she bought me a display case for Valentine's Day, so apparently its cool. Oh, and to those with extra O4s... Um... Wanna trade/sell?

I would expect a Buickized Grand Prix GXP in terms of powertrain. Naturally, with better Buick looks. If the interior and exterior get revised enough to make it worthwhile, I have no problem with this as a holdover

I find them at either WalMart or preferrably Walgreens because they have a greater selection and are also individually-packed so I don't have to get a Scion xB so I can get a Cheyenne or what have you. When I see extras, even of those I already have, I snatch them, especially if they're rarer, like the AUTOnomy or Saturn SKY. Also, at 2/$1.00, why not? I'll get my collection organized at some point and I'll let everyone know what extras I have in case someone really wants one.

Seriously, Gus...that thing belongs somewhere special. It looks damn good.

I think you have too many series in your engine, NOS. Try removing one.

I don't drink GM Kool-Aid; I guzzle it.

Well, you turned lead into gold with that, Creative. Don't worry about Domesticated either.

108,000 so far in our 2000 Bonneville SSEi.

It strikes me as 1960sish Japanese. Weird indeed.

You are so gangsta, Nick.

Its pretty clear that's where they were heading. Remember the Prowler and also that the PT Cruiser was originally for Plymouth.

The old Cloud Cars were so lousy in terms of differentiation thoughtout their entire lives. Thank God they get some uniqueness.

(Pssst...Its a redundant, absolutely needless vehicle)

It does the same thing the LX470, LH- New Yorker, Saturn RELAY, Acura SLX, and the entire Isuzu lineup does - ask why? And then asks to be shot.

But they don't have Saturn's friendly image, no-haggle pricing, and good service after the sale. I think the reputation and methodology of many Chevrolet dealers sold more SLs than plastic panels.

For many, no. Some people just want a car and don't really care about soft touch interior trunk lining and dual-dampened fuel caps.

I've seen five. All rentals.