ocnblu

It is indeed a rail conversion.

When I went to build mine this morning, I chose the LTZ manual with 1.4t. When I click on the "standard equipment" button, it gives a general list, not trim-level specific, and there it says 1.8L with 5 speed manual. But I do believe the 1.4t in the Sonic has always been paired with 6-speed transmissions. As ever, GM's websites are pisspoor. But your trick worked: I want to drive a Sonic LTZ hatch with 1.4t and a manual before any other test drives.

We are still getting the hatch version here, right?

Ok, $50...AND NOT ONE PENNY MORE.

This new Malibu was prolly designed before the decision was made to follow the imports and take away the customer's choice to order one with a V6.

Are you trying to push my second-gen Corvair LOVE button? Those are so beautiful.

very funny

1959 Apache

What was ordinary has become extraordinary with the passage of time...

$12-$13.5k would not win me over.

Dude the 5 speed is on the 1.8 boat anchor, the 1.4t has all 6-speeds, manuel or autotragic. And are you really spending that much on trannie gear? Don't forget to shave your legs before you go out, Ms. Regina.

The Shoebox look clinches it for me. I love it because it has a real decklid. The upright greenhouse is defiant and pugnacious, it is adorable and strong and small and fun and NOT trendy.

Oh man, I've been getting that "not permitted in this community" message. That was my difficulty when we were posting our 2014 Silverado pics, for example, but it has happened numerous times before and since.

Why? Only to mooooove down the highway. (Sry, I milked that one too hard).

I really like the style of the interior of the new RAV4. It is something different than the same-old, same-old prominent center stack that everybody else is using. And the padded center bar with real stitching on the XLE is pretty nice, imo. It is a $26,800 vehicle though. Crosstrek XV would allow me to have AWD with the least amount of fuel usage... plus butch looks, and it is a few thousand cheaper than the RAV, without the grave Yota stigma. The Mazda 2 has gained a rep for being the most fun-to-drive in its class, but it is admittedly the most rudimentary vehicle on the list so far. I know the Ford Fiesta is a fun, tiny package first hand. I have not driven a Sonic or a Spark. I would not have a Sonic unless it had the 1.4t for max fuel mileage and turbo torque. The Spark, I'm afraid, might feel breathless on the 4-lane highway I travel every day at 65-70 mph to keep up with traffic (although there is a brave soul out there with a red one that I see periodically). The Buick Verano is a fine car, no doubt about that. I tried a 4-door sedan in the Cruze though, and it was a fine little car... but I just cannot find a "fit" in a sedan... a 4/5 door hatch retains some of the utility of my crossover Patriot, which is appealing to me, so I can give a hatch a "pass" with multiple doors. I wish the Trax were sold here. It has a "younger" demeanor than the Buick Encore, the economical 1.4t engine that I liked in my Cruze, and CUV versatility. I'M SO CONFUSED.

I am going to confess a grievous sin to this group that I value, the C&G crew. I test drove a 2013 (new bodystyle) Toyota RAV4 XLE 4WD this afternoon, and it was really nice compared to my "rough and ready" Patriot. I also like the XV Crosstrek, but haven't driven it yet. And the Mazda 2 is back on my radar, probably because I see rows of them every day at my new job, and I think they're cheeky little runabouts (although they are not that much cheaper these days than their sister car, the Fiesta, even though the Fiesta offers more bells & whistles). As far as CPO and whatnot, I am incorrigibly and probably inexplicably anti pre-owned. Reason # 259: I was crossing the street as a girl sat in her Ford 500 waiting to pull out this afternoon. She extracted a boogie from her nose, rolled it between her fingers, and deposited it over her shoulder into the back seat area. I'm just thinking, and I'm torn, as always. My automotive split personality (truck-type veh v. fun car) is raging in full effect these days. To make this project worth it, a replacement vehicle would really need to have a huge MPG advantage over my 21.5 MPG average Patriot... You guys have given me some excellent ideas to chew on, thanks! Anyone else care to chime in?

If you feel it will break your own (proper and good) rule, then I say no, unless you post it in your politics section, which would be fine imo.

Finally, they're well past the cobbled-up mule stage with the new Cherokee. It's shaping up to be pretty sporty looking, although from some angles it belies its FWD proportions with a short door-to-wheel distance and long front overhang. Check out these pictures and post your thoughts. http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/jeep-liberty-replacement-takes-shape/

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/honda-gear-concept-explored-at-montreal-auto-show/#continued I love this thing, it's so odd yet totally old-skool Honda. It would be totally cool with me if it were built. Check out those little wide meats and that determined little anime face. Well done and true to the brand, Honda.

Hypothetical situation: you travel a good distance 5 days a week by car to and from your job. You are in the market for a new vehicle. Do you buy an inexpensive, economical vehicle since higher mileage at trade-in tends to affect resale value, and you know you'll take a hit, so why not get into a "throw-away" vehicle with a modicum of comfort and fun for the weekends? Or do you go with something bigger, nicer and more expensive BECAUSE you spend so much time in your vehicle, and that time should be spent in something with bells and whistles to make the slog more enjoyable and the weekends even more so? Seeking opinions.

There's a whole list of things that grab me. I say it's nobody's business except the two consenting adults directly involved. If the affair becomes strong enough to last forever, then the outside world will either accept it or simply fall away.

Is it autonomous?