Robert Hall

Speaking of Mexico, there is a Sprinter-E w/ the V12 made there..wild.

What's funny is I remember seeing Sprinters badged as Mercs (w/ CO plates in CO) at least 6-7 years ago or more, so some owners must have been rebadging them.. but I already knew they were Mercs since I'd seen them in Europe when across the pond..

Same difference, isn't it? Both groups are using vans or trucks for commercial purposes...

Beautiful 65 degree spring day today..great convertible weather. Saw 4 interesting GM convertibles out and about, tops down, 2 factory and 2 well-done aftermarket---a red Solstice GXP, a black XLR-v, a dark red late model Eldorado ETC convertible, and a medium red/tan interior current style DTS convertible (1st one of those I've seen in person)...also a couple classics--a clean, unrestored looking '67 Mustang convertible in white w/ a white top, and a sweet pale yellow '66 Impala convertible.

Forgot about that version..don't see them very often. Been seeing a lot of the Merc ones lately. VW also has a version of the Sprinter in Europe--the Crafter with a unique nose.. One of the local Merc dealers has 8-10 of them in row, all white.

It's also related to the premium branding...since they are now badged as Mercs in the US. Saw a black Merc Sprinter tall roof panel van with chrome wheels and AMG badging..wishful thinking by an owner, I think..

Its a knee-jerk reaction. People are irrational beings. They always come back to their trucks (or large vehicles) after they realize that the gas savings are not worth the compromises. Yeah...some buy inefficient trucks or SUVs when gas is cheap, then scurry around to unload them on tiny FWD cars when gas prices spike, then go back to trucks or SUVs when gas prices subside. Then repeat. It's an expensive cycle, I would think. I've stuck w/ my 18mpg SUV through times of cheap gas, through times of high gas prices. The price variations don't bother me--maybe an extra $10-30 a week to fill up...not a big deal to me, esp. with a paid-off vehicle.

Pretty sure the Ford E-series is or was available w/ a diesel..Power Stroke? Edit: was. Apparently, the 6.0 Power Stroke was dropped for '11.

I wonder if it will be like the new Ford Ranger--a global model that is not for NA.

Cool..will have to look for that one.

They look fresh, modern and European. Neither really meshes exactly w/ the rugged American image Ram has. As far as styling, the GM full size vans have had an ugly rear end design for the last 15 years, hasn't hurt their sales any..

A really clean two tone (cream and dark blue) mid '80s 4dr Regal (last of the RWD ones)..

Maybe just buy a used Cobalt or Cavalier if you want something cheap and fuel efficient.

You could also slap on GMC badges and have your own version of the Granite before GM puts theirs out..

Interesting..the Doblo is also built in Turkey, like the Transit Connect. The Ducato is available in Europe in many bodystyles and wheelbases incl. a neat Crew Cab flatbed pickup. They also have the Scudo, which appears to be a large minivan w/ a commercial van version.

Cool..coming here April 15-17...but I'll be in LA that weekend.

Saw a white CTS coupe today w/ large black wheels w/ chrome rims. Looked good even though I still think it's too thick and stubby in rear quarters..

New Rio...so a new Accent is probably coming as well?

Last couple of days have been good for seeing old Ford trucks. 1st was a '59 fleetside, white grille and bumper, body panels in 4 different shades of primer---gray, dark gray/black, primer red, and flat olive green... next was a '68-69 F100 w/ fleetside w/ the neat integrated tool box, kind of an aqua blue and white, very clean shape, probably an older paint job..had vintage gold on blue California plates..next was a '73-74 F350 Camper Special w/ the funky special wheelbase the Camper Special used, in a great '70s two-tone brown and tan..very solid and clean w/ a bit of oxidation..

The Silverado numbers are surprising for one month..way more than any of the cars, almost as much as all of GMC.

Bad move..I guess they are probably getting out of motorsports also.

For Imperials, I'm fond of the '64-66 with their crisp lines and unusual offset rear license plate, and the massive fuselage styling '69-73 models..

Sounds like a pretty slick little truck. Probably wouldn't be cheap enough for the US market, though.

I bet it's close to the size of the late '90s A3..

It's not bad..the greenhouse reminds me of the previous Astra..