Robert Hall

Since the 2nd gen 3-dr and 5-dr RWD 1-series came out in MY 11, so probably around 2015-2016 they will have the FWD 1-series hatches (and presumably a sedan for the US), to compete w/ the A3 and A-class/CLA... though I think they should keep the FWD for Mini only.

Asian Buick I suppose.(not in a negative way--but in that it reminded me of what I think of qualities a Buick has--quiet, smooth, solid, and spacious).. ..it was pleasant enough on freeway and suburban street driving...didn't really have an opportunity to try any sports sedan style driving on a winding road or anything..

Saw a '14 Malibu today...didn't notice any rear changes, but noticed the new nose...not an improvement, IMO...kind of squinty looking.

The drive back from So Cal across the void was uneventful. Noticed the 8spd auto shifted smoothly and didn't really notice it even on some long, steep grades on I-10.

3300 seems about 500 lbs too heavy for a subcompact CUV..the Encore is very tiny, 138hp would be enough if it wasn't so heavy.

The drive over took about 6 hours...used 1/2 tank of gas...couple of pit stops. The Genesis cruised smoothly at 80 mph across the desert on I-10. Thoughts after about 340 miles of driving. Other than an '08 Sonata rental, this is only the second Hyundai I've driven...definitely seems a long way from the cheap and nasty old Hyundais. Pluses: Decent acceleration, good steering feel (not too light). Feels solid on the road. Doors close w/ a nice thunk. Smooth, reasonably quiet at freeway speed, comfortable, adjustable seats. Though w/ the firm bolsters the way they are anyone fatter than I would be uncomfortable, I think. Very good outward visibility despite thick A-pillars, they don't impede the view. Interesting dash design, I like the curves and black wood (plood?) trim easy to use, clear controls. The logical stalks (lighting left, wiping right) reminds me of my Jeep. Good iPod integration w/ aux jack and USB in the center console, nice to see little touches like the notches on the underside of the lid to route cables out and still latch the lid Decent sized cupholders and door map pockets Good interior lighting--like the bright white ceiling lights, white gauge lighting, blue other lighting. Excellent exterior lighting at night Spacious trunk Even w/ the driver's seat all the way back, decent rear leg room--room for a small cooler Minuses: Old-school single visors, double visors (side/front) would have been nice driving into the sunset. Anonymous styling, has touches of Infiniti (the first gen G35 is what it remind me the most of in profile), Maxima (roofline), Accord (the rear), BMW (deck and hood cutlines). Most of the interior materials are nice and soft touch--door, armrest, dash top, but the underdash/knee area and center console sides felt cheap and hard A few plugs for option switches on the left side of the dash

I assume so...there is no V8 badge on the rear.. Packed and ready to go, should be about a 5 hr drive across the void over to Ontario if I get out of Phoenix by 3...

Picked up my weekend drive at Enterprise a few min ago. This was there 'CTS or equivalent' luxury car. Silver, black interior w/ shiny black wood. Decent so far....leaving for So Cal in a couple of hours...

This sounds like a story from the Onion, but it's real...can't make this stuff up.. http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131018/CARNEWS/131019764?utm_source=DailyDrive20131018&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=article2&utm_content=20131018-Spiders-spur-Toyota-Camry,-Venza-and-Avalon-recalls&utm_campaign=awdailydrive

The ones I've seen look cheesy...but I generally don't like anything not OEM.

I wouldn't rent an EV..they wouldn't be appropriate for my use cases.

The 1LE option on a 6MT Camaro SS includes a matte black hood wrap, but I'm pretty sure there is no factory option for the whole car to be matte black. Probably a dealer installed option...it's trendy around here I've noticed...

Enterprise is a 1/2 mile from my house, without having to go to the airport and pay the extra airport fees. I still use Alamo when I fly in somewhere, will give National a try on my next such trip..

Interesting...I don't think I've noticed an EV on rental car lots..will have to see if my local Enterprise has any hybrids or EVs on the lot when I'm there Friday; I've reserved a CTS (or equivalent as they say) for my little weekend road trip to Fontana.

Looks like the local Chevy store had a couple '14 Camaros out front, incl. one in Matte Black. Wonder if that is a factory option?

I have a Toyota Camry Hybrid 2012 and it has the largest opening doors I have ever seen on a car; tall and wide and open real wide. It has more front seat space than my old Lucerne and it was really big. Two problems with this. 1) While it is big for many, I have tried the latest version of Camry and while roomy to a point, it is not for tall people as once I got the front seat so that I was comfortable, no one could sit behind me and I really do not like sitting partially reclined. 2) I support American jobs first before anything else and will buy from GM and Ford as long as they exist to support our country. So Toyota will always loose out. My 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid was made in Georgetown, Kentucky USA!!! Yes, plenty of American jobs with Toyota..a cousin of mine worked for them for 25 years in Kentucky.

I'd love to see pics of Niki Lauda's Ferrari 312T (bottom of the page, left) and some of the LeMay cars.....have you been to the LeMay Museum yet? Sound like a great place and collection..

Anecdotal, I do have friends that moved from a 3 series to an X5 when they had kids...the guy had a 3 series 4dr, wife had a Merc ML when they married...they had twins, then traded the 3 series on an X5, then later traded the ML on an Escalade ESV. The 5 series owners I know didn't trade 3-series on them...one went from a Pathfinder to a used 5 then a new 5, another went from a Grand Am to a Volvo 240 to a used 540 then a new 5 series wagon, then another 5 series wagon, now has an A7..

It's a $75k compact luxury hybrid economy car. It will be interesting to see how it sells.

If it looks half as good as the 2-door, then the question becomes "why buy a 3-Series?"... Well, it's for the same reason the 6 series Gran Coupe exists relative to the 5 series sedan. The regular sedan is the volume car, the Gran Coupe is the more stylish lower volume niche model.

And of course, more body styles are coming..the 4 series Gran Coupe (4dr coupe) is coming...

Interesting...lighter than I thought it would be..figured it would be more around 4000lbs.

Saw a bright yellow '14 Corvette Stingray yesterday, first one I'd seen on the road...sharp, though not the color I'd choose (too flashy)...also saw a black '14 Camaro.

Why is it ok for Audi to build their sports car, the TT, off a VW platform? And it is a FWD platform car with a transverse layout seeking Corvette pricing with power of a midsize sedan. So good! And the ELR is FWD w/ a transverse 4cyl...pretty lowly for that price point...

Yeah, I think I'd probably be looking Boxster S or Cayman....or for a sedan/coupe, a CTS-v. I just can't see spending that much for a 4cyl.