Robert Hall

I thought we long ago established that 'it doesn't cost any more to design a good looking car'? I'm not calling the Fiesta 'art', but it's certainly cohesive and inoffensive. The other one is not attractive on so many levels. Both are pointy and green. More similar than different. Similar light clusters, fog light openings, lower grilles, etc.

Had a great weekend in Monterey, Ca. Spent two days at Rennsport Reunion. Intoxicating to see hundreds of Porsches--racing cars and street cars and famous racing drivers. Saw oodles of 356s, 911s, some 908s, 910s, 917s, 935s, 936s, 956s, 962s, etc. Saw 4 of the 2012 911s. Incredible weekend, lots of fun. Beautiful surroundings and weather. I love the smell of gasoline and burnt rubber in the morning. Took a lot of pics, will post a link to my Fotki pages tonite. Had a nice Chrysler 300 rental--a smooth driving, comfortable car. Not sure if it was a 2011 or 2012, had 745 miles on the odo when I picked it up at the San Jose Airport Friday night. Saw an off-white RR Phantom here in Scottsdale this morning.

No way..the long hood is part of its character ..not a fwd econobox

At Laguna seca for rennsport reunion...Porsche racing heaven...fun day

That's the point. BMW's are about driving experience.

Too bad Mexico's Pontiac G2 version didn't make it to the US...would have provided much needed Excitement!!! to the segment.

Also available in silver, gray and black! Diverse.

Who knows..the subcompact (B-segment) niche is hot in the US currently, maybe the subsubcompact A-segment will take off, and the Spark will have some competition...maybe Ford will come up with a 5dr Ka, Kia bring over the Picanto, Hyundai the i10, the VW Up!, etc.. Then how about the A-segment premium market--so far Mini owns that in NA, but I could see the Audi A1, Merc A-class, BMW 0 series, a Cadillac version of the Spark, the Aston Martin Cygnet, etc...

Who knows, maybe the Trax styling cues will show up eventually on a CUV version of the Spark.

It's definitely a distinctive design..pointy, edgy, modern. If the build quality and good and the price is reasonable, it should sell.

That was a truck. But an interesting brief diversion nonetheless.. OK, I'll give on the SSR - it was techinically a truck. On the other point, I think this is exactly why GM should offer non-premium RWD. I think they should have continued the Kappa platform and come up w/ Chevy versions..

Anyway, I do hope GM utilizes the upcoming alpha RWD platform for models outside Cadillac. Or maybe RWD really will just be a premium brand only thing in the future..it pretty much is now with a few exceptions. That was a truck. But an interesting brief diversion nonetheless..

I meant '03-07...Solstice/Sky and G8 were after that. I did forget the GTO, though..

True. It's worse at Ford--the Mustang is the only RWD Ford NA now builds, period. And Chrysler only has 3 RWD models available. Not a lot of choice... Exactly my point. Why don't we at least have a hot little turbo4 and a manual in a RWD Buick coupe with some sexy lines? Or a Chevy Nomad on the same chassis? Or a Chevy/Buick RWD sport sedan with a hot V6? Or *gasp* an optional V8? Too easy for GM to stay on the straight and narrow and focus on FWD appliances since that is where the volume is..

True. It was worse at GM around '03 though...no non-Cadillac, non-Corvette RWD cars then. It's worse at Ford--the Mustang is the only RWD Ford NA now builds, period. And Chrysler only has 3 RWD models available. Not a lot of choice...but, for the general public, there are plenty of white or silver FWD 4 cyl/automatic appliances available.

Not really...GM is adding models, choice is growing..

Some people bitch and moan about anything outside of their narrow interest range..

As long as it's efficient, reasonably quiet and smooth w/ decent response, I suspect most consumers won't care how many dirty bits are under the hood of their transportation appliance.

I think the intent has been both w/ CUVs and SUVs that Dodge's models were the mainstream family hauler models and Jeep's were more upscale...I can kind of see that today w/ the GC and Durango, less so with the Liberty and Nitro.. Likewise in comparing Dodge and Chrysler cars and minivans. Kind of like a Chevy/Buick relationship, but less clearly deliniated.

I hear the Mexican drug gangs are hiring.... LoL...a job like the lead character in the 'Transporter' movies or in the recent film 'Drive'. I wonder if there are positions like that on Dice or Monster.. I could see Balthazar being like the guy on the movie Drive..which was cool but a little bit too violent.... Driving a B59 would probably give him away though...that thing would stick out like a sore thumb in a sea of Toyotas and Impalas... Yeah..need something more low-key. The Impala worked well in 'Drive'..

I hear the Mexican drug gangs are hiring.... LoL...a job like the lead character in the 'Transporter' movies or in the recent film 'Drive'. I wonder if there are positions like that on Dice or Monster..

Maybe Cadillac will build a production version of the ULC off of the Spark...imagine it with sharp creases, the big eggcrate grille and vertical taillights..

Well, Ford started their SYNC w/ the cheaper youth-oriented cars first rather than the premium models...Cadillac may have it as an exclusive at first for a year or so, but it will spread..telematics are becoming a very important product differentiator for many consumers. Telematics can be a driver distraction, though. I could see myself trying to read email, Twitter, view latest posts on C&G, Facebook, play Farmville, etc while at stoplights..(I do the 1st 4 on my phone now at stoplights, no Farmville app for Android that I've seen yet).

I wouldn't compare it to the Smart, Fiat, or Mini..those are more premium stylish microcars...the Spark is more of a practical micro family car.

2014-2015 I assume your health will hold out that long. You will just have to make due with the squat 400+ and 600+ Corvettes, 300 HP 400 HP and 600 HP Camaros for now. If you are open minded enough the ATS and new CTS too. Plus you know as well as I that we have not seen all the big picture yet. We have a Z28 to come and the Holden/Chevy sedan by 2014. GM can't do it all in just a year or two and they need to get the cars that pay the bills done first as well as the new V8. Once the new V8 is in the Vette the others will soon follow. I disagree with the bolded part. The Holden could have come here as a Chevrolet Caprice SS a year after Pontiac was closed (2011) and begun to satisfy those with the money and wants for such a car. EVERY 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP sedan SOLD. They *could* have brought it here then, but they had the little matter of a bankruptcy to deal with--bigger issues like survival were at the fore for GM from '08-10.. Also, probably couldn't make a business case for the investment of federalizing them with the potential of low volume of sales. I'd love to have seen a Caprice here then and the wagon and El Camino version as well.