Robert Hall

$ = $ So $3,100 more than previous Focuses. The html editor Mudmonster uses is broken, it looks like.

True enough. I don't have kids, but I like both 4drs and 2drs. I don't have an irrational response to 4drs that some have.

Sweet...as a kid I remember these being very common. Nice to see a red one instead of the usual brown w/ beige top...

Interesting..didn't realize the 30/40 series didn't have 4 cyl versions. Edit: apparently, outside the US they have been available w/ 4cyls.

Saw the ZipCar Tesla and Volt on the street when I walked to lunch today..

I wonder how Suzuki's other US operations are doing (motorcycles, ATVs, etc)

Ah, I see it now. I don't know how I missed it. Here's the total shakedown: 2013 Dodge Dart: $15,995 base MSRP plus $795 destination = $16,790. 2012 Chevy Cruze: $16,800 base MSRP plus $795 destination = $17,595 2012 Ford Focus: $16,500 base MSRP plus $795 destination = $17,295 2012 Honda Civic: $15,755 base MSRP plus $790 destination = $16,545 2012 Toyota Corolla: $16,130 base MSRP plus $760 destination = $16,890 So, I guess it's actually the second cheapest car among those five. Source: cars.com Added the other 3 major models in the segment... Hyundai Elantra base MSRP 15345 plus $775 destination = 16120 Kia Forte 15200 plus $750 destination = 15950 VW Jetta 15515 plus $770 destination = 16285

No, in the article I listed the $795 destination charge. Add that into the Dart SE's price tag and you're actually $16,790 How does that compare w/ the Focus, Cruze, Corolla, Civic, etc?

Impala Hybrid or Eco model?

Aside from the Cherokee — which I never got to use as a daily driver — and the Dakota — which I don't honestly consider to be my vehicle — all I've owned are two-door vehicles and I've never had any issues with practicality or parking. The extended length of a coupe's doors aren't just for form, they're also there to aid in getting people in and out of the back seat. I also have a habit of parking slightly away from everyone else to prevent total assholes from dinging up my car, so I've never worried about tight parking spaces. It's still easier to get in and out of the back seat w/ a 4dr than a 2dr. I've owned/ driven a mix of 2 doors (Mustangs, BMW M3, Merc 300CE, Bronco) and 4drs over the years but I find I prefer a 4dr in daily use. And with assigned underground parking at work, space to open the door is a premium for me... being able to park away from everyone else isn't always possible in the city...I'll always want to have a 2dr or two, though.

Interesting...I didn't realize the Spark was on sale yet...though I did see one about a month ago.

Beautiful car....I prefer the cleaner, crisper '64-66 ones...the '61-63 have a lot of weird details like the freestanding headlights and taillights, sqircle steering wheel, etc but still interesting...

Also, sadly countless big cars got trashed by putrid rednecks in demo derby 'racing'...

Beautiful.

I have no problem w/ it being a 4dr. 2drs are just too impractical to consider for a daily driver...the long doors make getting in and out a pain in tight parking, make a pain to load people or content into the back seat, etc. 4dr sports sedans (everything from the CTS to G8 to the Charger to BMWs) have been a hot niche for a long time, nice to see Chevy getting one again... In a world of boring, vanilla FWD generic appliances, it's nice to see a few good, real RWD V8 cars still being offered...

I hadn't considered Monte Carlo as a possibility, but with it's NASCAR heritage, it would make sense...

+1..... The '71-76 are probably my favorite generation of B-bodies....great looking cars, esp. the convertibles and coupes.

Saw a red VW Type 3 fastback in clean shape, a clean white '67 Cougar, and a clean white '65 Mustang coupe this morning.

Yeah, they are kind of in a growth position as Toyota was 20-25 years ago...plus, they have Kia as well, which has been growing also.. Doing better, IMHO, that Toyota 20-25 years ago... Hyundai in 2010 was the 4th largest automaker. What I don't understand... does Hyundai own Kia or what? I see conflicting reports, but in the Hyundai Motor Group Entry on Wikipedia, it is reported that Hyundai only owns 49.2% of Kia... not outright... in fact, not even controlling interest. Likewise, the Kia page says it is partly owned by Hyundai. If Hyundai hasn't finished buying up Kia, then that helps explain why Kia and Hyundai seem to have so much product overlap. Didn't realize that. I thought it was 100%. Interesting..

I don't mean to call you out on this, but could you name a couple? Only plus I have for the separate bed is that you can remove it when it gets sufficiently rusted out and dented up... and put a homemade flatbed on. But most pickup owners seem to have truck beds that have never seen real work. As a van and wagon guy, I see few reasons for having a separate cab and bed. I'm an SUV guy, but I'm sure the truck users on here have good explanations. Trucks have been built this way for a century or so, so there must be sound engineering reasons...for replacibilty, to facilitate building custom beds (think of the commercial custom beds used on trucks that were probably sold as cab and chassis units, etc.

Congrats!

Yeah, they are kind of in a growth position as Toyota was 20-25 years ago...plus, they have Kia as well, which has been growing also..

Sweet...love those '70s B-bodies...

Normal pickups have separate beds for many reasons. The Avalanche is essentially a Suburban w/ an open rear end and is shorter than a normal 4dr pickup.

I could see using a cubby like that to put my office parking garage swipe card or coins for tolls (but the toll roads I'd most likely use have EZ-Pass, so that is moot). I use the dash 'ash tray' thingie for my swipe card..