Duncan

There was always 1953-54... Kidding, of course. :wink: Still, I don't think it's totally out of the question. Probably depends on what the reception to a smaller V8 is.

Really, that would make sense to me for the next generation. As long as the "upper" version of the platform is rock-solid and race-ready, I don't see a problem. People here would groan, but I think there's a distinct possibility for a six-cylinder Corvette to be sold overseas next time around. It makes more sense for Europe. No accounting for taste, of course, but there you have it.

I'm pretty confident that's marketing more than anything. I don't think there's anything like an ISO or SAE standard, if that's what you mean.

You're right, I had forgotten this was still a lease program. GM seems to be more tentative at this point, but then they've got more to lose as well. The auto mags should have their hands on the Clarity soon, I suspect. We'll know more then.

Toyota would prefer that you call it "refined" math.

It's okay, because I haven't believed NASCAR to be relevant to anything since about 1994 anyway. They're as good as marketing their "brand" as Toyota is, which makes the two companies a perfect fit for each other. Joe Gibbs is running Toyotas now, which means that Tony Stewart is too - just you watch as the Camry (regardless of team) immediately becomes competitive. Coincidence? I would think not.

Ever stop to think that it could actually be due to the recent discovery of Toyota's massive hypocrisy? If they truly cared about the environment as much as their "biodegradable Prius" ad would have you believe, they'd be offering a hybrid drivetrain on the Tundra to offset it's dismal gas mileage. Or at least a diesel engine - surely Hino has one that would be suitable. I have no desire to see Toyota fall apart (like that would ever happen anyway), but I also enjoy a little reality and objectivity in my news coverage every now and then. The media seems to have found some, and they're trying it out - the results won't be perfect at first, but they'll get the hang of it. I also disagree with your analysis of the media - it's more like a 50/50 blend of crap to propaganda. The level to which people believe the propaganda determines their ability to swallow the crap along with it.

Will that be enough? I mean, once all the Middle Eastern princes and oil executives get theirs...and then there's the Sultan of Brunei... Well, I take that back. They'll probably have about 15 left over, give or take.

You're correct in that either the Avenger or the Sebring, the interior certainly LOOKS good. It's when you get up close and start touching the surfaces, feeling the controls, that the air of cheapness sets in. It's certainly not badly designed by any stretch - all the cool features like the extra lighting and the glovebox cooler are impressive. But it's the execution that's lacking. Which is what I think (I hope) they're planning to address with the redesign.

Yes - a wagon that most likely won't have any AWD option, and that won't tow more than a tiny U-Haul trailer. Not that I mind smaller wagons, but isn't that why Saturn has the Vue in the first place? And look how well the L-series wagons did... Bad move, Saturn. Or Opel - whoever's running the show.

Solstice platform?

There's also the PR race...they've got a good-sized lead there...

You will note that of these three automakers, only...well, actually none of these automakers has fully developed any of these concepts yet. Leave it to Honda to perfect the fuel cell vehicle - how did GM manage not to get something close to the Precept up and running by now?

I should take back my last statement, actually. Toyota's apparently NOT winning the sales war, either. Sales race, auto race, any race - Toyota won't win it!

Don't forget the "Pontiac Game-Changing Performance" awards...

In the words of Mark Twain, "the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated." Good to see - now let's watch how the rest of the media covers it.

If you mean across the Atlantic, then my intent was clear. :AH-HA_wink:

Yes it is. The Vibe had useful cladding. Still ugly, but at least useful.

It's big enough to have sex in...does that count? I mean, you can't say that about a Lamborghini.

1- The RDX, maybe, as they apparently don't sell that well. The MDX does okay. 2- They tried that, but they called it an RSX instead and made it about 10 percent more expensive than it needed to be. 3- That idea comes up every two or three years, and has for the last decade or so. Still no progress there, apparently. 4- Name it for possibly Acura's least-impressive product ever? The one with the five-cylinder engine? Sorry, bad idea there. 5- YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES! That too has been in the works for a good five years - damn, Honda, get it on already! 6- Take the one Honda that anyone could actually lust for and make it invisible, you mean. Learn about design - if you mean "expressive" design, then yes. Keep up on powertrains - that's just ignorant, sorry. If Honda does one thing well, it's powertrains. Stop being so Japanese - good luck with that. Kinda like asking Jeep to be less American.

Add Toyota's recent creation of an "interesting cars" group within the company if you'd like proof that Toyota may have problems. Then note that the same group is putting together a sports car based on a Subaru chassis, because it's supposedly more suitable for the purpose. I'll take my CTS-V in jet black, please...

No. But it is hilarious. Toyota is passing GM up as largest automaker in the world - while admitting that their engineers can't put together a race car chassis. Want more proof? Watch Formula 1 some time. Yep, that'll be Toyota - back on the transporter after 15 laps.

Is it too cheeky to say that Toyota's quality is really "on a roll" these days?

You forgot "room for six adults, or ten in a pinch, with no fussy seat belts to get in the way".

Love it while you've got it, as I believe this one is gonna be very brief. I'll be getting my Camaro as soon as possible, believe me.