Robert Hall

Ok..the rear looks like the Excelle GT. I like the brown color and really like the interior colors and detailing at first glance... I'm sure a sedan w/ the automatic is most appropriate for a Buick. Alas, without Pontiac or Saturn it seems there is no place in GMNA for the hatchback Astras (which look much better than this sedan, IMO).

Notice they don't show the rear end...I'm not sure exactly what the competition for this will be, with the Jetta having moved downmarket this year. Mercury is gone but didn't have a compact model like this--thought they were planning a rebadged Focus I think-- neither does Chrysler..Lincoln is rumored to be working on something like this based on the Focus.. The Audi A3 seems implausable--it's priced a lot higher and doesn't offer a sedan version. Maybe the higher trim levels of the Civic or Elantra are comparable? Buick is in the odd position of being the last middle brand standing now that Mercury is gone.

Maybe he meant the 'legal US citizens or resident aliens' which I would assume most of our membership that reside in the US are..

That's a good description of the framers of the constitution, circa 1776. They were mostly farmers and landowners. Odd term today, though.

It's an example of capitalism run amok..corrupt international corporations screwing over consumers and workers world wide...just the way it is.

? The aftermarket OnStar was just announced today at CES...says 'coming in early 2011'..not available at Best Buy yet..

Or when the mirror falls off on it's own (as mine did a couple years ago due to the vile summer heat). Wonder if that would cause a false positive.

I'm aware of there are differences in cultures, but I don't trust companies in this country any more than companies in China... companies are inherently corrupt and will cut corners, etc to make a profit and thus must be regulated, esp. where safety is concerned.

Same kind of thing would happen here without the FDA and other agencies..of course, some small government/ pro-business believers want to eliminate such regulation.. On topic, though, there is a wide range of product quality coming out of China, as from any market probably...some stuff cheap and nasty and poorly made, and others not so much..electronic gadgets I have that were assembled in China seem to have held up fine..

How about one of these? Based on a 3dr Astra (of 25 years ago)..and with Excitement!!

Just don't go from one money pit to another..choose wisely

Cool..the 442 and Blazer are new tools for '11, I think...haven't seen those previously in other series. Another '11 series I'm looking forward to is the Vintage Racing series.

Here's another add-on story...a coworker and his fiancee bought a new Sentra last week to replace her worn out '02 Camry..he was going on about the deal they got, incl. some kind of every 6 month paint sealant treatment (zaktek) that was normally $1500 (wasn't sure if that was a one time fee or every 6 months)...sounds like snake oil.

crown

A clean white 3rd gen Camaro convertible.

How's the side and rear visibility? Driver's position/ergonomics? Cupholders? Sound system? HVAC?

Big storm moved in today from the West Coast..getting a dusting of flurries in the foothills around Phoenix.no snow plows dispatched yet, I've heard...had a lot of rain yesterday and last night..cold and windy here today, supposed to be down below freezing tonight! Brrr...

Today was uncommon SUV/truck spotting day, I guess... saw a silver Isuzu Axxiom, a yellow Isuzu VehicroSS, a 2nd gen 2dr Toyota 4Runner, a white Dodge Dakota convertible, and the first Hummer H3T I've ever seen on the road--an orange one (driven by a woman in pink pyjamas, strange).

My sister had an '04 Liberty for 3 years...I drove a few times, incl. a couple road trips from Phoenix to San Diego and back..I basically had the same objections as Camino did.. Also, I didn't like the lack of vertical adjustment for the seat (it was a base model w/ manual seats), and felt that the windshield/was too vertical and close...maybe it's just that I'm used to the steeper windshield rake and deeper dash in my Grand Cherokee and more seat adjustability. but overall, it felt solid and was reliable.

Somehow I've been content to stick w/ one daily driver for 10 years..actually have fewer cars now than I had then. Lack of garage space restrains me, I guess.

Supposed to get plenty of snow Wed-Fri up in the high country, and it could drop to 30 or below Thursday night here in the 602 w/ high Friday only around 50!!

Yes, strange front end--looks like car sized headlight clusters and tiny grille w/ a giant bumper.

Hmm..I guess I'm missing out. Really haven't bought peanut butter since eating it on bread as a kid. (I remember peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). I do like Nutella on toast occasionally. About the only time I get peanut-like product is when I order spring rolls w/ peanut sauce at a Vietnamese restaurant...tasty!

Speaking of plowing, heard on the radio that Quincy, MA is trying an experiment w/ paying by the # of inches of snow rather than by the hour, to try and increase efficiencies...

Probably came from Mexico via Arizona..I see MX Meganes around the PHX area once in a while..