Robert Hall

I know... manuals are a very tiny niche in the US today..sad, but that's just the way it is. And 90% of US-born drivers under 40 probably have no clue how to drive a manual. As far as automatics and semi automatics, I've driven a couple cars w/ automatics that had a regular shifter plus flappy paddles..but 99% of the time, I'd probably just put them in drive and be on my way..I don't see the utility of having both in a regular car. I would like to drive a clutchless manual that has only flappy paddles though, see how the experience is..

Not on until 11pm here tonight..will watch it tomorrow evening..

Milestones for 2010: August 3rd made 10 years I'd owned my Jeep. And last Friday, the odometer read 123456.

I think for their mainstream cars, they are sticking to the Toyota playbook...all 4dr, all vanilla all the time..follow the leader.

The disconnect between what the masses want and what drivers want could be resolved by offering real manual transmissions in more models.

It wouldn't surprise me if GM doesn't go the same way Ford has w/ compact trucks and just whack the Coloranyon.

I thought the Alpha was going to be a compact RWD platform, for the ATS--a 3 series sized model around 3500lbs. There has been talk on here and elsewhere of an evolved lighter Zeta II for the larger cars...assuming GM plans to keep building RWD models for OZ, NA and elsewhere (assuming they don't give up and make only FWD appliances for the mid-size and full size models).

Agreed...I like the size of Zeta for any bodystyle..my concern is Alpha will be too small and light and V6 only.

High Hopes-Pink Floyd

I'm not sure why people keep going on about Lotus. Lotus uses Toyota engines in their cars.

Would be nice...I'll believe it when I see it, though.

Yesterday afternoon, saw a donked black '87-90 Caprice rollin on what looked like 30s yesterday evening. Also, one of the new high roof Nissan NV vans. And the 3rd Cruze I've seen out and about, a silver one w/ a temporary tag. One odd thing I've seen this past week...3 new Hyundai Accents w/ temporary tags...

Nice, a RHD, 1hp 2 seat roadster. And it's 4HD (4 hoof drive).

There was another strange rear engined/RWD car that was sold in Europe before the 1600/2002 and larger RWD models..don't know if that one was sold in the US or not.

At least he doesn't have an exaggerated southern accent..I'd never know he was from the South if he didn't mention it..for some reason, he reminds me of many web developers I've worked with as far as the personality and appearance.

Haven't watched this week's episode yet..watched the first 3..pretty weak, fairly dreadful. The hosts have very little personality or chemistry. Tanner Foust can drive, though.

Don't know...an eight wheeled 'G6' might just have too much Excitement!!

Ok, then how about a Chevy Astro/GMC Safari? Practical, cheap, and you can haul a lot of stuff.

G3 would work as a winter commuter though, the Solstice wouldn't..

Nope, totally serious. The G3 is an efficient commuter appliance. And being a hatchback, it's practical to haul work materials and content (assuming you don't need a full size pickup hauling capability). And it's one of the last Pontiacs, hence the collectibility..and it's full of Excitement!!.

Look for a late model Aveo, or if you want Excitement!!!, a G3 (both a commuter car and a collector's item).

complexity

But how does it compare to the Hyundai Sonata Turbo? Or the Elantra (which is more the appliance du jour of the Cruze's class)

Sounds like in 1991 Pontiac had roadability and Excitement!!

The general consumer is too dumb to comprehend that.