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MSRP: $37,555. Total Confidence/model year closeout price: $31,244. It's at the dealer where I traded my '07 Sierra on my '09 Cobalt. Yes, it is hot.

The Verano is a classy looking automobile. I don't think it looks anything like the Cruze, it doesn't even share a greenhouse like GM platform mates of old. The ILX suggests the Civic look at first blush in photos, but it too has a distinctive character when viewed directly, with a nice beltline kick-up and a mature sportiness that is clearly more upscale than a Civic.

Mayo, paprika, yellow mustard, sweet relish and apple cider vinegar.

OK, this is just out of control!

HEY, how'd that 2012 Silverado LT 1500 4X4 with factory 20s get in here???

Fathom Blue ILX 6-speed manual with all-weather mats: $30,230.

She's hot and all (you guys will have to confirm for me), but her resume sucks. After careful consideration, I would have to look elsewhere for a suitable babbysitter.

It's too late now, so maybe next Sunday I will hop out to my local Cadillac store to check out an XTS. Even in photos, one can discern that the car is narrow, I'll have to see if it bothers me in person. For me, the pressure is off the XTS, since I realize it is not meant to be a flagship of any kind, there is a market for a Cadillac in this niche, so I will let it be.

I just sent him a quick note, telling him I appreciate his quick, personal, sincere response to my concern, and that my confidence in his dealership is restored because of it. And thanks, reg!

I am heartened by the email reply I got, from the General Manager/Vice President of the dealership, and it was hand-typed, not just a form letter. He apologized for the actions of his sales manager, said he was there and heard part of the argument, and that he should have stepped in to prevent such an exchange between the manager and an employee in front of customers. He said he will make changes to prevent such a thing in the future, and he asked to meet me the next time I am there to thank me for my interest and concern. I was surprised not only by his response in general, but also at the speed of it, today being Sunday. In my previous experiences there, I found everyone to be courteous and professional. This gives me confidence that my perceptions were not incorrect. I understand that a small-town dealership's employees get to know each other very well, and may forget who might be around when a situation arises such as what I witnessed, but I feel we must maintain our professionalism when customers are present. I'm glad he agrees.

Honda: Simple. How long ago was that? It seems simplicity has gone out the window at every automaker's R&D facilities.

I've been thinking of things to do with hamburger for supper. Tacos sound good, maybe I'll buy a kit when I go to the grocery store... but then I'd have to get lettuce, tomato and sour cream, and the sour cream wouldn't get used for anything else, it would go to waste. Maybe I'll just make some homemade Manwich instead, with tomato sauce, onion, vinegar and brown sugar. But I still need buns. Or a homemade Big Mac, now that the secret to the Secret Sauce has been published. I can get a bit of lettuce from the salad bar instead of a whole head that would go to waste, and a bun. I have shredded cheese, mixed veggies and potatoes, maybe Shepherd's Pie? But I still need beef flavor cubes for the burger. Decisions, decisions.

Got me a jug of milk and a pack of Oreos. Now, I ask you, what better way is there to spend a Sunday afternoon?

My perception from looking at the two, is that the ILX is lighter. It's also "younger" looking. If it's only 7/10s slower to 60, then it's Honda doing more with less, again. I like them both, to be honest.

I wouldn't mind seeing that.

Wow, that convertible looks amazing ,even with the camo. The slim ragtop really flatters the car, something rare in a small convertible, imo. It would make such a sweet Verano.

the Buick Verano is clearly a winner in GM's portfolio. My folksy complainin' about the Turbo's MSRP ain't gonna stop the momentum this car is gaining. And I agree with you 100% about additional bodystyles. I believe the single bodystyle will eventually hurt it, same as the Cruze, (which needs a coupe and at least a 5-door hatch, if we are destined to miss out on the beautiful looking wagon.) Isn't there an Astra cabrio of some sort available overseas? And the 3-door hatch is another handsome variant that would play well here, imo.

Jeep dealer has an extended cab shortbed Base Plus 2005 2WD 1500, dark gray with the chrome steel wheels and I think a 4.3 (eighth digit is an X). Situated amongst newer used trucks, I've got to say it looks tiny and cool. It's automatic though.

Here's a copy of what I sent: I was there yesterday morning, August 11th, for some warranty work on my 2012 Jeep. While in the showroom to check out some vehicles as I waited, it became apparent that your sales manager was yelling at your female salesperson at her desk, within earshot of other employees and customers alike. I could tell the other employees were embarrassed by the way they kept their heads down and avoided eye contact. I feel it was very unprofessional of him to do that in an open setting in front of customers. If necessary to correct an opposite gender employee, it should be done in an office behind closed doors, with a witness, not out in the open during business hours with customers present. It puts that manager in a bad light professionally. Should it make me think twice about sending business your way? Should it make me think twice about having my maintenance work done there, or buying another vehicle from Susquehanna Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram? Thanks for taking the time to consider this.

Update: last tank was 24.3 MPG, which included a trip to Assateague State Park near Ocean City, MD last weekend. A few weeks back in the hot weather, I noticed that the "soft touch" material along the top of the driver's door interior trim panel was bubbled in a couple of spots, separating from the backing. I took it in and the service manager took some digital photos to prove to Chrysler that it was happening (they are hard asses when it comes to warranty claims lately to cut down on fraud), and he ordered a new panel. Yesterday was my appointment to have it replaced. I appreciated the email and phone message confirming my appointment ahead of time (although I showed up an hour early at 8, forgetting my appointment was at 9). It was about 10:20 when they called me to the counter to sign the paperwork, so to be fair, it was in the shop for an hour and 20 minutes (seems a long time, but some parts had to be transferred to the new trim panel.) While I was there, I wandered the lot and checked out the showroom. There was a nice turbo Dart Limited in the showroom, gray with black leather. I was not the only customer there, there were others waiting for vehicles in service. That's when the bad stuff started. I became aware that their sales manager approached a sales girl at her desk and started yelling at her in front of everyone within earshot. Other employees kept their heads down in embarrassment. He did not seem to care that customers could hear him. It was extremely unprofessional, imo, and I am strongly considering emailing the dealership and complaining about him. What, he doesn't have an office to call her into for a private conversation, if he feels she is not handling her job correctly? It was horrible. But my Jeep is back to me in good shape and I'm motoring on. Now, about that email...

What if the driveway he's plowing does not exceed the lemf of the bus?