ocnblu

Not sure, let's ask Volkswagen.

Sadly, news reports are stating that the Cruze is losing market share as the Asian brands ramp back up to full production, hence the plant shutdown. I hate the idea that GM can only sell a compact car when there is no alternative.

Well it's actually not a RWD/FWD thing for me. RWD is the preferred layout for Benz and BMW (the two brands Cadillac should be surpassing, I am not naive enough to think Rolls-Royce or Bentley are within any kind of striking distance), but as it was pointed out, the Eldorado of 1967 was the pinnacle at the time for Cadillac. My problem with the car is its Epsilon chassis. I don't think I'd have a problem with it if it were on a FWD platform shared only with a Buick flagship car above the LaCrosse. That platform could then, in turn, be the basis for an SRX and stretched for an Escalade (exclusively AWD, no FWD on the crossovers). I still believe the true, topline Cadillac sedan and convertible should be on a RWD platform with a lengthy wheelbase... the Ciel is dead sexy, and would be sexier with a torque-heavy diesel engine to rival Benz and BMW instead of the electric do-dad it has in concept form.

Found a dealership in Wrightsville, PA that has at least 3 Trail Rated package 2012 Patriots, including one in the new Rescue Green colour. They just got 3 green ones in today, of varying equipment. The green ones weren't ready to be driven as they weren't through the PDI process, but I did get to drive a White Latitude with the package. I like it very much. The CVT (mandatory on the Trail Rated version) is much better behaved in the Jeep than it is in my mother's Nissan Cube, with very little of the rubber band effect. After the initial windup, it settled down quickly and quietly (Chrysler has reportedly tweaked the CVT for 2012 to improve driving behavior). The ride is solid and smooth. I can see the hood while driving (can't see it in the Wrangler), and the vehicle is small enough there is no problem with placing it for parking, despite the baby Hummer flat low roof. The green one has the sunroof/high powered stereo package as well on the Latitude model, for an MSRP of $25,300+. The thing has a lot of features for the money compared to an Equinox or Escape, not to mention it's a rugged looking little wagon, where the Equinox is citified and the Escape looks dated. It has a timeless Jeep ® look to it. Sooo... I am returning to the dealership on Saturday to drive the green one and have my Cruze appraised. If the numbers line up for me... I think I am going to go for it.

Berliner

Seems dimwitted not to sell both here and there if they'll already have the tooling for both models. If they're continuing with their plan to sell all brands at one store, just keep the T&C more luxury oriented and the Caravan more plain and "kid proof", with a sporty trim available also... just like now.

DIESELS YES! HYBRIDS NO WAY JOSE! I absolutely love the idea of Cadillac having a diesel in the ATS, CTS, XTS, Escalade, SRX and Ciel. Bring it!

Over on the Facebook thingy, people who appear to be young in their picture are liking the XTS. Of course, whether they have any money is another question. The starting price seems a bargain, which it had to be, imo. This car might be decent, but for me it tells me GM wants Cadillac to be a volume brand, not a true luxury brand. Of course, back in the late 70's before the tragic wave of downsizing (starting in 1985) gutted Cadillac of everything it ever stood for, Cadillac was the top selling luxury brand in the USA. So maybe, just maybe, in some weird way, this volume sedan will help Cadillac return to sales glory. Shame it has to be at the expense of what some of us hope Cadillac can return to... a true, luxury, aspirational brand.

In other news, the car really looks great. I like the shallower lower half of the split grille on this new one. The one thing I do not care for is the Christmas light look of the LED tails, I think it should be one continuous tube of light instead. One of these with a nicer powertrain (say, the 2.5L Ecotec or a 3.6L V6 from the Impala/Xtra Too Skinny) in a coupe would be such a sweet car. A turbocharged 2.5L Ecotec with a six-speed manual in a coupe version would even possibly make a credible SS. And yes, the Eco tube and condenser contraption costs $2000 in a Regal. It also includes tiny (by comparison) wheels that really cut the balls off the Buick's looks. No thanks.

It's so ugly it's cute and I think it will find its niche in both iterations. The Transit Connect could use the competition.

Well I attained one of my goals stated in this thread.

Please refrain from getting yourselves stuffed and roasted tomorrow.

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Well it is not customized beyond the point of no return if one wants to have a bone stock example. It looks good, imo, except for the crooked SS horn button.

I sincerely hope people wait for a 2013 Malibu WITH trunk space and no annoying battery cooling fan in the parcel shelf. Rube Goldberg indeed.

You know, I agree with you. Renaming a product brings with it a whole set of uncertainties. Marketing has to start from ground zero to introduce the new product to consumers. Building on a name that's already known and improving on it can only serve to bolster goodwill from customers.

Coming in 2015: the Kitten XJ3.

Actually I heard she was f@#king ppl inappropriately and that's one reason she was let go.

pasture

Running boards off an Econoline Chateau? Fake spare tire from JC Whitney? Jeers.

Thanks for that balanced review of your experience. Yes, the Patriot interior is nicer than it used to be. Most of the Patriots that are in my local inventory have the dark interior. Maybe the tan interior would lessen the claustrophobic feelin' you describe. I want to look into it. Rattles in a vehicle frankly piss me off, but the Forester seems to have plenty of good points, too. Perhaps a test drive of both is in order soon.

The Jeep ® Patriot Freedom Drive II system with brake-lock differential works great according to the video demos I've seen and the owner reviews in Edmunds. For 2012, Chrysler has recalibrated the CVT for better operation all-around. For one of the best fuel economy/4X4 capability setups, the Patriot is hard to beat. There is a Rescue Green Patriot Latitude with Freedom Drive II Trail-Rated package "in transit" to a local dealer. I've emailed them and asked them to contact me when it comes in so I can look at it.

I like the paint job and the generally friendly appearance.

AAS, hey, how's your Forester running these days? Give us the unvarnished truth, the good and the bad. I want to look at a Jeep Patriot because of the positive remarks by owners in Edmunds' owner surveys, but I like the Foresters too, although I have driven neither any distance.

Denim Blue 2012 Beetle with Heritage Wheels. Such a sweet machine, and the interior is light years ahead of the "old" New Beetle.