Robert Hall

The Commander hasn't been that successful, and the Dodge brand is the appropriate place for a meat-and-potatoes family truckster like the Durango was.

software engineering

I just read an article yesterday about states w/ mandatory vehicle 'safety' inspections..only 19 states do it. I don't recall ever having to do one, but I've only had cars registered in Oh, Co, and Az, though I've lived in 7 states since I got my license. But in CO and AZ I've done emissions checks every two years.

Heh-heh. I lived in Michigan for 3 years w/ 2 cars w/ Ohio plates and an Ohio driver's license, then a year in Colorado that way.

The SSR was a failure. It would be madness to build a luxury car on a truck platform. Total failure. The press would have a field day with that.

Hadn't heard anything about this..the ES is their biggest seller as far as cars, I thought. It and the Avalon are Toyota's Buicks, sort of.

Just my $0.10 worth: The way I look at the NA international full size luxury segment is that there are 6 players--Merc S class (and CLS?), BMW 7 series, Audi A8, Lexus LS, Jaguar XJ, and Maserati Quattroporte. Sedans like the Panamera, Rapide, Bentley Contental, RR, etc are in higher/different stratums (perfomance luxury and ultra luxury), I think. The Germans and Lexus are all very high tech, and the Germans have more of an emphasis on driving characteristics while the Lexus is more cushy and isolated. Probably my favorite in the group is the Quattroporte--the Italians have a unique style and are less cold and serious than the Germans. Jaguar seems to be trying to balance both approaches w/ the new XJ--serious and technical yet also stylish and flavorful. Agreed on the S-class being the standard of the group, though. It's my favorite of the Germans. The question for a Cadillac XTS is this market its target market, or will the Lincoln MKS and Chrysler 300C be more appropriately the target for the XTS?

The equivalent in AZ if a FOPOS...Faded/Oxidized Old POS (since cars generally don't rust here). Or a 'hooptie' in urban vernacular.

Realized tonight on the way to the airport that the front lighting signature of the GMT-900 Silverado is very similar to a Dodge van from around 1980.

Probably the '93-96 RWD Caddy Fleetwood Brougham. For non-Cadillacs, maybe the '90 Caprice for Chevy, '86 Parisienne for Pontiac, no idea about Buick or Olds...maybe one of the FWD h- or C- bodies.

Well, a rebody and interior upgrade..doesn't sound like any of the panels will be carried over. The description in the above article jibes w/ what Allpar has...they have some artist's illustrations that fit the descriptions pretty well..Dodge truck grille, unfortunately. 2011 Dodge Charger?

Well, Jaguar is a European company, and (no surprise) they have been selling cars in Europe for decades. GM has been selling Cadillacs in Europe for less than a decade...

Haven't seen a Sterling in ages (many years). I remember liking the 5dr hatchback version back in the day. Recent sightings: A sharp light blue customized early '80s Chevy stepside pickup w/ a custom rear rollpan and round '50s style taillights set into the rear fenders, tube grille, front rollpan. 20 inch or so wire wheels. Saw a black CTS wagon on the freeway this morning, first one I've seen on the road and only the 2nd one I've seen (other was at an auto show). Sweet...

Qatar (pronounced 'cutter' by the media)

Regular vinyl tops probably went away w/ the '90 redesign. I don't recall seeing any '90-97 style ones with full vinyl tops. Some had the padded 1/2 tops and carriage roof tops. I've always liked the styling of the '90-97 TCs. Didn't care for the '98-02, w/ the odd tiny grille and odd headlights. The '03 update that is still around looks a lot better, IMHO. Likewise w/ the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis, AFAIK they offered regular vinyl tops throughout the square Panther era ('79-91). That brochures site is pretty cool..will have to explore it some.

Winter is here...came out this morning, car windows frosted over, frost on the grass...mid 30s in PHX. Cold.

It's been updated for the XF which replaced the S-Type. Plus, the DEW98 had better suspension (the Mustang has Mac struts in front and a live rear axle). They cheapified the suspension for DC2.

I need to call my Mom and see how things are in E. Ohio..tried calling this morning, but the phone just kept ringing..usually a sign the power is out. As I guessed, power outages this morning back in the old home world... Power Outages Tuscarawas County Ohio

Yeah, I don't think they've had a factory vinyl top since the '80s. My Dad's '84 and '87 had the factory 1/2 padded tops as part of the Cartier or other package, IIRC. His '91 and '96 didn't have them.

Not the padded 1/2 tops or cloth tops, but a factory option vinyl top? Last model to offer one? Last GM model to offer one?

Getting much snow in Minn this week?

+1. That worked from me, along w/ practicing snowy driving on backroads w/ no traffic. I managed learned winter driving as a teenager in FWD ('84 Ford Escort), RWD ('86 Ford Mustang w/ 4 snow tires), and 4x4 ('79 Dodge Power Wagon).

107k is the lowest at my place currently, w/ my sister's Mercedes at 114k (the dead one) and 175(180+)k miles. Problem is the odometers are not working on the Mercs. Hopefully, my sister will get rid of them next year and get a new car. Damn money pits.

I saw an '78-79 Monte Carlo w/ a plow in Ohio years ago. Dented and rusty, brown as most '78-79s were, plastic front bumper and grille gone w/ the plow attached directly to the frame, apparently.