Robert Hall

I've had the pub debate over US vs. Canadian healthcare many times with my coworkers (my company has about 50 people originally from Regina, Saskatchewan who have moved to Denver over the last decade)... none of them prefer the Canadian system over US healthcare... I guess the biggest difference is Canada has a safety for the uninsured which the US doesn't have..

Chrysler's interior quality is declining, though. The interior materials and design in my 5-yr old Grand Cherokee (which was 32k new) IMHO are overall better than those of the new GC.. the new GC dash is ugly and looks and feels cheap..like something out of a $10-15k economy car and not a $35k SUV.

I'll admit I've gotten spoiled by experience with BMW, Audi and Lexus interiors.. I like their materials, design, and way they are put together..(esp. Audi... I don't really like where BMW is going compared to the pre-Bangle era interiors). Too many rental cars with nasty gray plastic interiors has turned me off on most GM interiors, though I do know they are getting better... I'm turned off by cheap-looking and cheap-feeling interiors--esp. on a $30-40k or more car..it's one thing to have a cheap interior in a cheap car, but in a $30k or more vehicle, it's a real turn off, IMHO.

True...I don't touch the nice squishy dash in my Jeep everyday, but I do notice the hard plastic center console and door panels.. at least the arm rest on the door and center console are softish.. Now for an ugly dash material (not necessarily the feel, but the texturing), the Cadillac CTS takes the cake...it's got the wierdest texturing I've seen on a new car..

They have been too busy the last few years burning through billions of dollars in the hopeless bottomless pit that is Iraq.. :(

So you were referring to the 300 as a 'Diplomat'? Wierd...I see no resembalance between the two...the Diplomat was a styleless '80s box-on-wheels...dull, dull, dull.. and mechanically ancient (leaf springs, solid rear axle, etc). nothing like the 300 which is thoroughly modern with sleek, angular styling..

Exactly...if GM's financials, product execution, reliablity reputation, and results were as solid as Toyota's, everyone on here would be ecstatic...it's just jealosy and xenophobia, I think...

Well, it is coming back as an SUV name--the Chrysler Aspen (Chrysler version of the Durango).

Right...I think the 'pollute less' aspect is actually the more important value of hybrid technology than simply better mileage.

That I find hard to believe... do you have data to back up that claim?

True, but what in the heck is a 'Chrysler Diplomat Touring'? I know there is a 300 wagon called the Touring in Europe, but 'Diplomat'? The last Diplomat I remember is the bland '80s cop car from Dodge...

It's about the same size as the GC or Explorer but taller...it gives Jeep a midsize SUV with a 3rd row seats...

What is a 'Diplomat Touring'?

True, the Sequia is a biggie, but GM has bigger ones and they build a lot more of them...

Toyota's trying to save the world.. :) Give peace a chance! Drive a Prius! Shop at Whole Foods! Wear Birkenstocks! Eat more tofu! :)

Yeah, just like the new GC...I've sat in a couple of '05 GCs and was really dissapointed with the dash materials and design...my '00 GC has a much nicer dash in terms of design and layout and the materials (nice squishy plastic)..

It's considerably smaller than the Tahoe..more Explorer-sized. Same wheelbase (109 inches) as the GC, but taller. The 3rd row is very cramped from what I've read. Overall length is about the same as the GC (188.5 inches). They probably should have stretched the wheelbase a few inches for more 3rd row legroom. but I'm glad they didn't make it as big as the bloated, ugly Durango.

Exactly..that's why I went to college and grad school---I knew that to get the 6-figure income by age 30 (which I did) I would have to apply myself and go into something with potential...

If they have granite surfaces, it should be done like countertops--on top of the dash, console, etc (on horizontal surfaces). Also, hardwood flooring would be a nice touch as well. Maybe some track lighting and a small, tasteful chandelier or two also.

Ouch...a 50% pay cut would seriously suck... my rates have been all over the place in software development the last 8 yrs...I was getting about $30/hr when I got out of school in '97 then went up to $80/hr in '00 (right before the bubble burst in high tech--I was able to bill O/T also, no benefits--had to pay my own health insurance, etc).... now I'm happy to be getting $60/hr w/ benefits in a stable company...

Of all of those on that list, I'd probably pick the oldest--the Focus is the best all-around cheap small car, IMHO...

It's replacement is coming for '07, I believe (another Yaris/Vitz variation like the Echo was)...and they do have Scion for the cheap cars now..

If the Republicans stay in power, we will continue the downward spiral into oblivion, I'm afraid...

Big... pointy..

About 10 years ago, I went up to Flint a couple of times when I was living in Ann Arbor...pretty depressing place there (not unlike what I saw of Detroit). Quite a different world from the leafy, academic, thriving environment I lived in in A2.