Robert Hall

I've had a personal iPhone 5S for about a year now since my Motorola Droid Razr bit the dust. The Droid had been flaky for a while--it was periodically locking up and the mute/speaker functionality worked intermittently. One night last spring, Verizon ads started autoplaying while I was sleeping, couldn't get the volume to go down, so I threw it against a wall--cracked the screen...I then smashed it into small pieces with a hammer (it was too big to fit in my shredder). No more Android junk for me. I've been happy w/ the 5S though the battery life could be better. Got a year to go on the contract, will probably get an iPhone 6 or whatever their latest model is then.

Saw a derelict but still running '89-ish Pontiac 6000STE, was a silver blue/darker blue two tone, had surface rust on the hood/roof/decklid, tatty bumpers, and likely non-functioning A/C (people don't drive on 100 degree days w/ the windows down here unless their A/C is shot). Haven't seen one of these in ages....

GACK!

Saw a white Fisker Karma in traffic yesterday, first one I'd seen in a while..

I saw a Tesla charging station last weekend in Winslow, AZ at a hotel..

It's kind of unintentionally retro. The Land Rover Defender is the same way..unabashedly old..

I think they are getting rid of the old D3 platform and building this an the '16 Taurus on a variation of the Fusion platform...

I'd like to drive one some time...as impressive as the '15 Tahoe is, I bet the Escalade is really nice..

Saw an unusual mid '90s Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham-based limosuine today in traffic...white, raised roof, lengthened about a foot and a half at the B-pillar. Tried snapping pics but I only got the front end and rear..

I'll give it a try..I'm on my phone or tabby most of the time these days..

Sounds like a 73. The 73 Valiant 4dr had the big bumper front end but still had the 67 rear w vertical tail lights and the short wheelbase..74 adopted the Dart body and longer wheelbase.

I don't see any 80s, but I see a family resemblance to other current Ford sedans. It's pleasant, less thick looking than the current model, which looks tall and narrow w too small windows.

Most consumers have no idea if what's under the hood is shared with other brands let alone care. I doubt if exclusive engines would help sales.

Can't see that happening; Ford doesn't own Volvo anymore. Probably will have an EcoBoost 4 and V6.

That sounds like Ford's modular engine idea from the last 25 years...

Looks like a touch screen and some audip/HVAC controls.. This looks good overall...looks Fusion-derived but a bit larger..presumably with more cabin space as that is something they like in China.

It ran for over a decade...and this one is just a stretched S-class, so the investment can't be much..

With the Maybach variant coming along w the Pullman I don't see the V12 going anywhere at MB..

Just picked this up for my weekend road trip to LA. Initial impressions--huge, quiet, smooth, comfortable, hard to see out of (esp. towards the rear). More notes to come. Update: Had a good weekend w/ this truck. Drove on a variety of freeways, 2 lanes, winding mountain roads, cities and small towns in Central/Northern AZ and So Cal. Impressions: All in all, a very good road trip vehicle...lots of cubbies and storage areas inside, power supply points, usb sockets, etc. Great ergonomics and seating position. Felt and drove very car-like, not truckish at all. My previous GM full size experience was a weekend w/ a Yukon a couple years ago, on some of the same roads. The previous generation Yukon felt more truckish, though the cabin felt bigger. Pros: Good steering feel Adequate power for passing on long grades (as found on I-17) smooth shifting Very nicely done inside. Very quiet, very little wind noise Smooth, controlled ride..very little truckish bounciness I liked the column shift, much preferable to center console mounted shifter that would waste space Power rear hatch and rear window (I didn't realize the rear window opened on these) iPod and phone integration w/ MyLink was easy to set up Good on gas..didn't calculate the mileage, but it seemed like it was reasonable. Cons: high liftover into the hatch area. The rear floor is raised 4-6 inches above the hatch opening for no apparent reason. Though when both seat rows are folded flat, it is relatively flat load area. It seems the previous generation was lower, with more available height? Smallish rear window--had to fold down the 3rd row for better visibility (easy to put the seats up/down, though). low front air dam that scraped on curbs a couple of times couldn't figure out how to engage the parking brake (must be electronic/automatic) couldn't figure out how to dismiss a message about needing an oil change from the information display was surprised to see a keyed ignition instead of push button start (not really a 'con' but an observation) All in all, I think the Tahoe would make an excellent all-around daily driver and road trip vehicle. Alas, I have to return it this morning and back to the reality of my 15 yr old Jeep.