CARBIZ

Well, I give them credit for at least acknowedging it will take most consumers FOREVER to recoup the $7,000 price difference. Still, I would hope Toyota was way ahead of the pack, being as they've had a few year jump on the rest. But, yikes: $30k for an American Camry. Sounds like they'll be paying $40k up here!

You know, '80' is the new '65' and there is soon going to be a huge groundswell of 'seniors' whose significant other either passed away or left them - and these people are going to be lonely. As a society, we are going to have to deal with the divorces and high failure rate of relationships. The internet is a good first attempt, but we have to figure out something that works. Two hundred years ago, we were dead by 40 and worked to death at that. Divorces or infedility were unheard of because both spouses were too exhausted from raising 10 kids or working in the coal mines/field for 14 hours a day. Now, we have a lot of leisure time on our hands. What is it that was once said about idle minds being the playground of the Devil?

About 12 years ago, my mother's best friend's husband told his wife that he was gay - after nearly 30 years of marriage. He was 52 and had had a slight stroke, plus they lived in a small town in the middle of nowhere. My mother thought I could help this guy out and "show him the ropes." Thanks, mom! I asked her what she thought a 52 year old, unattractive, balding man who can't drive and lives 90 minutes from the closest gay bar is going to go through - especially when he was still living with his soon to be ex-wife!!!! There is a reason that dating and romance is for the young.

Prices fluctuate wildly by region. Toronto has the highest insurance (and the worst highways) in North America; consequently, leasing penetration has hit 60%+. Leasing really levels the playing field, because the consumer only needs to worry about payment and features. Resale value and other variables are irrelevant. To that end, a LS Cobalt is $6 a month LESS than a LT on a lease. For that, you get the armrest, floor mats, power windows, locks, mirrors, keyless entry, cruise and alarm. Not bad for $6 a month? When you are paying $300 a month for insurance (not uncommon around here), leasing is about the only option. The Toyota Star did an essay piece (advertisement, really) for some broker who would go out and buy the vehicle for you. What made me laugh about the piece is that when all is said and done, the broker still has to buy the new vehicle from the same dealer you could - and he charges a $350 service fee. What a joke. Sure, he probably has some spy at a dealer who feeds him invoice prices, but does he keep up to date with all the "under the table" incentives? (And who says he isn't just using one dealer and getting a further kick-back from them and just convinces the customer that he got them the best deal?) Considering that I do this for a living, even I can't keep up with all the incentives, which makes comparison price shopping almost pointless. Let's see if I can make a list of what I am AWARE of that the new Cobalt LT would be eligible for as of today............. 1) "Residual" value 2 pts higher than the LS - which greatly effects a lease 2) $750 Retail Delivery Credit on the LT and higher only. 3) Student bonus of 2 free payments on any Cobalt for eligible university/college/highschool students or recent grads 4) Visa points of up to $1,500 can be used (and it is easy to accumulate - I've managed to accumulate $500 in 18 months!) 5) $750 "loyalty" or "competitive bonus" for anyone in your "household" having a small GM or nearly any competitor's small car and the eligible vehicle itself does not have to be traded in) 6) Car Heaven. $1000 for a POS, 1995 or older even if it isn't running, from GM and the Clean Air Fund people. 7) Many students get a $1,000 visa point bonus just for signing for a GM visa card. Have I left any out? Is it any wonder I get pissed off when certain know it alls spread total BS about MSRP being the end all and be all? This also stresses the importance of working with one dealer and earning mutual trust and respect. If you time your purchase/lease well, you can damned near get the vehicle of your choice for FREE. Or you can have Toyota/Honda shove it up your a$#!

Well, I am 46 and still occasionally go to the clubs (in "age friendly lighting" I can pass for 35 ). The clubs are good for, well, dancing and hanging out with friends. What people don't understand (or perhaps Hollywood has glossed over) is that bars and clubs are the epitome of Darwinism: you either have to have a lot of personality or be very good looking to survive there. For the "average" person, it can be a lonely, desolate place. Or just a place to dance and have fun. Despite what a couple decades of liberal social sciences would have us believe, people do judge a book by its cover: its ingrained in our genes. Either accept and adapt or die - plain and simple. No amount of feel good therapy or "how to" books are going to change that. Dating and meeting people is a lot like selling cars: you should never ask questions that you won't like the answer to. Control the conversation and always, always have a smile. If you are in a bad mood, just got dumped by your last girlfriend/boyfriend people can sense that a mile away and will avoid you. If you hope people will sense how "honest" you are or "down to earth" you are, or however else you perceive yourself - they won't. Get that notion out of your head. All the world is a stage. Cliched and corny, but true. Someone who is homely and has the personality of an eggplant may THINK they will do better on the internet, but just remember that most of the other people on the internet are exactly the same way. It is unlikely that Heather Locklear or Colin Ferrel would have to use internet dating services. I am just saying!

The 3.8 litre was never noted for its fuel economy but, rather, its longevity and grunt. The 3.4, on the other hand, gave exemplary gas mileage in the previous generation Impala and the "lowly" Ventures. Currently, the 3.5 is showing up the Japanese engines, but it isn't that the 3.5 is BETTER, just that a lowly push rod engine does pretty damned good for a lot less complexity and future problems. I think that the over all point with hybrids and other "exotic" technologies is that you have to pay a lot of money to get that extra few mpg, and for most people the difference is not worth it. Not yet, anyway. Technology is just like that. Costs do eventualy come down. A lot of sheeple who are jumping on the hybrid bandwagon at this time are bound to be disappointed because they actually BELIEVE the BS spewed by the kool-aid drinkers.

As per what viper said, I suspect gay online dating is "safer" and more popular only because from smaller towns there are fewer options. However, you have to wonder about people who are so socially inept (or unattractive) that they cannot meet people through regular social channels. Sort to sound unkind here, but when I lived in a small town (Collingwood - about an hour's drive north of Toronto) I met a friend and the two of us paid for a special phone and ran an ad in a major paper for about 6 months, looking for gay people in our area. We attracted such a pack of losers, that one evening when we were to meet a "24 year old" (and we were both in our mid-twenties at the time) at the parking lot of McDonalds in town after closing and we pulled into the driveway and saw a small station wagon with two 60 year old men angled in such a way that they were definitely keeping an eye on the entrance, I threw my coffee onto the hood of their car and we sped off. I told my friend that if he wanted to keep the phone, go ahead, but I was sick of it. If you're looking for cheap, meaningless sex, perhaps the internet is okay, but in all the years of hanging out in bars, clubs and trolling internet sites, I never once met a partner or friend in anything other than regular social settings: restaurants, organizations, grocery stores, etc.

I am sunburned to hell and had more than my fair share to drink today at the end of a dock, so I will make this brief. Those of you masochistic enough to want more detailed "opinions" of the Cobalt can read my past posts - if you dare. My small car pecking order, based purely on LOOKS: 1) Civic 2) Mazdal 3 3) Cobalt There are no others. (Well, the Pursuit/G5, or whatever the Hell they are calling it this week, I guess!) Pecking order, based on ride/handling (and I am deliberately leaving out the Minis and other 'expensive' cars off the list) 1) Mazda 3 2) Cobalt 3) Civic There are no others. Focus? I'd rather walk. What's the new Dodge one called again? Mistu-what? Corolla - my grandmother wouldn't drive that one. Pecking order, based on "value" 1) Cobalt 2) Mazda 3 3) Civic - can we say OVERPRICED? Pecking order, based on USEABLE features - I do not consider DVD nav systems necessary or useable 1) Cobalt 2) Mazda 3 3) Civic It would seem that we have a close match above, except that if I am going to buy a pocket car, I sure as hell am not going to mortgage my house to buy or lease one. We are not talking about a Maserati; we are talking about an entry-level vehicle. Ya got money to burn and don't care if your kids work for Wal-Mart? Buy the Civic. But if you don't want to blow money on a $h!box just to make your neighbors think you've 'made it', then buy the Cobalt. The Mazda 3 is a good effort and there are some regional deals to be had, so it wouldn't be a horrible choice. If you're a total idiot: buy any of the rest.

Oh, and wait until the new Malibu is a sales success and kills the Impala sales, which it probably will. TTAC can go rabid over that next. Until the new RWD (hopefully) Impala arrives, the Malibu will canablize sales from the Impala. Guaranteed.

I could win the lottery, too. North Korea could become a democracy..... Castro could visit Washington one day... The Yen could float against the dollar... Colin Ferell may yet move in with me... But I don't see any of these articles EVERY DAY.

Canadians like their VWs until the warranty runs out....ever see a VW with TWO headlights on? Let me know if you do. There are a lot of Citroens in Brazil and I liked them. Citroen and Peugeot are the BMW and Mercedes of Brazil. When I was in Florianopolis in January they were everywhere. Those vehicles might do well here, if priced right.

I've never been a huge fan of the Grand Prix (lately, anyway), but I have to give Pontiac credit where credit is due: in a sea of vehicles that look the same (Acura, BMW, Toyota, etc.), the Grand Prix cuts a very destinctive look. I happen to believe it is a fairly handsome animal, and that frankly counts for a lot. The fact that it is thousands cheaper than an Acura AND mopped the floor of the Maxima (in a highly ignored shoot out between Bob Lutz and the Toyota Star's Jim Kenzie a couple years ago) is only icing on the cake.

It would appear to be an avalanche, but it is important not to get bogged down in the Chicken Little Syndrome. I encounter customers all the time who are driving 10 year old GM products, who admit their vehicle has been great, but they are getting pressure from friends and family to "buy an import." A lot of these people can be swayed with an honest, frank discussion on the "why" of the reluctance to buy GM again. One of the biggest challenges it just to get them in the store. It is just a pendulum that happens to be swinging against Detroit these days. Barring any catastrophes, GM and Ford's fortunes should bottom out and recover. A surprising number of people are still looking for the "deal," and Honda/Toyota are not offering enough of those these days. The unfortunate part there is that Ford, GM and Chrysler end up duking it out over the "deal" customer. A little of what we are seeing now, particularly with a lot of Japanese apologists is just rats jumping off what they perceive is a sinking ship. Sigh. As I have said countless times, when GM had 40+% market share, it had nowhere else to go but DOWN. Too much of what I see being taught in Business 101 these days is that there must always be an improvement next quarter. From a purely mathematical standpoint, that is practically impossible. GM will settle out at 20% in North America, I predict, and provided a couple clouds on the horizon are avoided, will be profitable at that mark. Import humpers will get exhausted preaching to the choir, and turn like a pack of rabid dogs on Toyota, now that it is one of the big boys.

My buddy just picked up a brand new black on black CTS today. I took it for a spin. Absolutely breathtaking. The 3.6 litre was awesome. The black interior is awesome. The "look" of the vehicle is awesome. I am green with envy. Anyone that pays $20k more for a BMW 5 series over this car is just an IDIOT, plain and simple. GM is doing an aweful lot of things right these days. There is nothing, absolutely nothing coming from Toyota that is class-leading. The media will eventually get tired of Toyota's kool-aid. Let's get through this impending UAW/CAW debacle, then see what rebuilding there is to do. Retrospective is always 20-20.

It seems odd to me that on the one hand GM seems to be doing what a global powerhouse should do by moving its top executives around and letting them cut their teeth in international markets (even Wagoner did a stint in South America), so why does it seem that when it comes to launching models in North America they seem to fall flat on their face? There are a lot of smart people working at GMNA. We keep hearing that nobody on this shore wants small cars or that GM can't build them profitably, yet Toyota keeps proving people will buy anything with a T on the hood. I am very happy for GM that it is doing so well overseas, but Rome (Detroit) is burning and all anyone in the RenCen can do is slap each other on the back because, well, "we are doing so well in Europe/Russia/Brazil/China/India. Unless they plan on shuttering all production here and just importing all vehicles to the U.S. market and beating Japan Inc at their own game. Now, that would be delicious irony. Shove that up your ass, Washington!

It's hard to stop laughing long enough to type this. Chrysler has a great track record with its "partnerships." Let's see what venerable partnerships come to mind: Mitsubishi and the stellar line up of cars that they sold here in the '70s and '80s, all blockbuster sellers. Then there was the Renault alliance and their gorgeous, class leading designs. (In fact, I can't remember any as I write this.) Even Mercedes coughed this hairball up. As much as I used to be such a huge fan of Chrysler, I think they need to put the paddles down and stop trying to revive the patient. Cerebrus, you guys goofed, man.

Why is he not considering new? If he added the $2,500 in repairs to the $11k "budget" that he has, his options would expand. Right now, you can get a brand new Malibu for around $17,999 Canadian. Even the National Post had a glowing article on the Malibu a few weeks back (this latest generation.) I have a lot of experience with the Malibu and although the 4 cylinder is a little noisy (when pushed), it gets phenomenal gas mileage and the ecotec is bullet-proof. Gas is 1.03 a litre here, so he would save even more money with the 4 cylinder. I, and most people I know would rather lease new (how can you beat the subvented rates?) then "buy out" your own leased vehicle in 4 years. That would be the far safer and cheaper route to go, IMO. It doesn't make a lot of sense to spend $11k on someone else's problems. An $11k car is not going to have any warranty and you don't know what you are getting, unless it is your aunt's car! If he insists on used, I am sure he could find a "daily rental" Malibu for around $13k or so.

The market is horribly oversaturated. I see it all the time with brand confusion. Even the "clipboard customer" gets his makes/models mixed up. As to GM, if they would completely separate the divisions (unlike the symbolic separation we have now), so that P-B-GMC actually had its own design/marketing/engineering people, Chevrolet was Chevrolet again, Cadillac was autonomous, Saab-Saturn-Isuzu had its own structure - then, I could see the brands surviving; otherwise, a few of those should go because badge engineering is just distracting and siphoning precious resources that GM no longer has. The way things are done now, it is obvious that innovations and upgrades are "held back" for the next brand's iteration (the Aura and new Malibu come to mind). Unless a meteor hits Japan, Toyota, Honda and Nissan, plus their associated brands are going nowhere. I agree that Mistubishi, Kia and Subaru are just taking up space, although I wouldn't mind seeing Subaru's line being absorbed by Hyundai or someone who could use it. If Mitsubishi didn't have the daddy company behind it, it would not be in business. Ford may want to make better use of Mercury and Lincoln, like the good old days. It probably wouldn't hurt to have Mazda brought a little closer. Ford needs to learn more from its Mazda cousin. Jaguar, Volvo and the rest should just go. Personally, I would hate to see Chrysler go, but now that it has no international links, I fear Cerebrus will get tired of its new toy in a few years and cut the company up. That would probably cut loose Jeep - again. GM should have grabbed Jeep 20 years ago and put an end to that wandering brand's travels. VW has lost its way. If it and Audi left, I would not lose any sleep. I doubt BMW or Mercedes are going anywhere soon, although I would like to see Cadillac and Lincoln get their acts together and kick the $h! out of those two brands and banish them from this side of the ocean, but I know I am just dreaming. If I was a betting man, I would bet that Detroit is going to be a shell in a decade or so. Perhaps only GM will be left standing, with both Ford and Chrysler gone. Japan Inc is too relentless and with China waiting in the wings to conquer this shore and Washington's head in the sand, I don't think either of those two venerable names will survive. One day, when a President has to call up the Chinese vice-Chairman (because the Chairman is too busy to take her call) and beg for more military vehicles to rescue a batallion in Darfur, perhaps an aid will wonder if something should have been done sooner.

Did they get the remote starter to work? Sounds like the PDI department (and salesman) dropped the ball. I always test the remote starter long before delivery. Unless they build the HHR differently for the American market, the LS does not come standard with the remote starter. It is an option. The key fob is either delivered with the "start" arrow insignia button or not. Congrats on your choice.

Yes, there was a time when GM was lauded for the advanced Eldo, Toro - but that was before the "experts" decided all luxury cars had to do 1.3G on the skidpad and 0-60 in 2.2 sec.

You're new here. Welcome aboard, BTW. Let me say that I have driven dozens of Malibus and Maxxs over the past 4 or 5 years and find them to be totally competent. As you pointed out, the gas mileage is exemplary, engine power is above par, body flex, etc. is also above par. The fit is fine, the finish is a little on the cheap side and I would personally like to have shot anyone who had anything to do with the cloth on the seats. I would agree that on the "look" side, GM could have done better. However, I have no complaints about the steering (I quite like the electric steering), ride or handling and many publications (even the ones that hate GM) reluctantly admit that the Malibu/Maxx have been better than "expected" with respect to repair incidence. Now, I'll let the usual suspects chime in about how crappy the plastic is, how awful pushrod engines are, how lame it is to have a 4 spd automatic (despite the fact that it actually does work, is reliable and gives such amazing gas mileage numbers) and any other number of perceived atrocities that GM committed with the Malibu. Over to you guys..............

Well, sir, I can recommend a good Optometrist! View them side by side. The PT is more rounded and fluid; the HHR is more "trucky." I wouldn't say one is better looking than the other. They are both cute little trucklets. Of course, the HHR is derivative, but then so are most vehicles on the road. What about the recent Mazdas and their little fake wheel flares? It's a styling trend, and Chrysler used to be very good at starting styling trends.

Oh, here we go: someone rents a car for the day and becomes an expert. Here begins my favorite "Malibu is a piece of crap/rental queen" thread.

Unfortunately, it is this attitude that is greatly contributing to Detroit's downfall in North America. Abandoning the minivan market to Chrysler, Honda and Toyota, while producing mediocre subcompact vehicles is insane. Gas prices are not going down. The Aveo was a decent first attempt - in 2003. Five years have passed since that introduction and a segment buster replacement should be in the wings. All of this might be forgiveable if GM did not have the resources or the brains to build such vehicles, except that they ARE building such vehicles in Europe. WHY, OH WHY, DOES GMNA GET TREATED SO SPECIAL? Clearly, the course of action that has been tried is NOT working, so it is time to admit that MAYBE the Europeans are onto something. I understand that Japan Inc. is making a special thrust into North America like no other in the world; however, only in North America is GM's market share in free-fall. Perhaps these cute cars should be more than just teasers? Or is Detroit just going to wait until Washington hands the entire market over to the Japanese?

Unfortunately, it is this attitude that is greatly contributing to Detroit's downfall in North America. Abandoning the minivan market to Chrysler, Honda and Toyota, while producing mediocre subcompact vehicles is insane. Gas prices are not going down. The Aveo was a decent first attempt - in 2003. Five years have passed since that introduction and a segment buster replacement should be in the wings. All of this might be forgiveable if GM did not have the resources or the brains to build such vehicles, except that they ARE building such vehicles in Europe. WHY, OH WHY, DOES GMNA GET TREATED SO SPECIAL? Clearly, the course of action that has been tried is NOT working, so it is time to admit that MAYBE the Europeans are onto something. I understand that Japan Inc. is making a special thrust into North America like no other in the world; however, only in North America is GM's market share in free-fall. Perhaps these cute cars should be more than just teasers? Or is Detroit just going to wait until Washington hands the entire market over to the Japanese?