Robert Hall

+1. I think emissions and safety standards should be standardized for cars worldwide. It would be much more efficient for the car makers and better for consumers.

By the way, here are the 13 states-- Thirteen states across the country have adopted California’s standards and are waiting favorable EPA action to enforce the greenhouse gas emission limitations, including: Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. States such as Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, and Utah are considering adoption of the Clean Cars program. Collectively, motor vehicles in these states comprise about one-half of the U.S. market. I was pleased to see my part-time residence of Arizona on there, it is a red state, but not a backward one like Texas or Oklahoma or something in the Deep South. I believe my primary state of residence, Colorado, is also considering these laws. Interesting also that other blue states I've considered moving to are on the list.

Well, CA does have over 10% of the US population...they are influential and on the cutting edge of many things, in many ways...and 14 or so other states want to adopt their standards. What if another large state were driving the standards forward instead?

I'd be happy if I could have a RWD, 4000lb, clean diesel luxury sedan with lots of torque that gets 40 mpg.. (Actually, the BMW 335d is pretty close to that, but it would be nice to get one in an American brand and size). Maybe I should be looking for a CPO '05+ Merc E320CDI.

+1. A single standard to build to, and realistic. Maybe 30 fleet average mpg by 2025 or something like that.

Agreed. Problem is, the conservatives don't respect our own laws and ideals. They sold out to the corporations and the religious zealots long ago. The conservative 'traditional values' types are the most hypocritical, intolerant people I've ever met.

Old fashioned is old. Conservatism belongs in the past...it has no place in the modern world (or at least contain it to the red states). 'Traditional agenda' is just code words for the racism, intolerance, and the bigotry the right wingers stand for.

I wondered about that...$8k seemed a bit high for an old Neon.

France (the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France) Liberté, égalité, fraternité!

They can just put them in the Super Max prison down in Florence... Teddy K is there.

Crawl back under your rock, come back in 4 years and complain.

I'd rather have a modern, progressive 'left agenda' than the archaic, right-wing conservative bible-thumper gun-nut neocon agenda we had the last 8 years...

+1. True enough. I've always enjoyed my visits to So Cal. Phoenix is pretty dull compared to So Cal, but the weather here is fantastic in the winter. I'd rather be here now than in the boring gray hell of Ohio or Michigan (which I lived in for many years--humid summers, cold, damp gray winters, though fall and spring are nice).

I think that was just marketing spin by evil, corrupt tobacco companies. I don't think there was any scientific basis for the 'smoking is healthy' argument.

A Town Car may be my next car purchase...I love those boats. Last of their kind.

+1. I think the CARB standards should be a national standard. Everyone can benefit from improved air quality.

The last 8 were pretty long and painful.

Funny thing is, that's what the right wingers would want...they are always hollering about 'states rights'. 2 standards is what we have now... they should have just set the Federal standard to the CARB one, created a unified standard.

Cleaner and more efficient cars. What's wrong with that?

Alas, that seems to be a styling cue that a lot of car makers are doing these days...Lincoln, etc.

Ya... speaking of BSG, I've never actually seen the revived series. I remember the original as a kid, and I've heard friends rave about the new one for years. I guess it's one of those shows I'll pick up after it's off the air.

Ya, I don't see how it's in either company's best interest. GM doesn't need to take on Toyota by building....restyled Toyotas.

Mmmm.....winding roads. A road trip and various excursions throughout the Blue Ridges and Smokies in VA, NC and TN is on my to-do list, but in something more fun than the usual rental car. Since I've spent most of my time in the West since mid '97, there is a lot of the Eastern US (besides places I've lived like E. Ohio/W. Pa, SE Michigan, S. Florida) that I haven't seen, that I want to explore. Been reading Fodors, Frommers, and Google maps a lot lately (I've been a map fanatic since childhood, I remember pouring over my Dad's Rand McNally atlas from around '77-78).

Ahh, like Phoenix. Phoenix's downtown is pretty small, not much for the 5th largest city in the US. But the city itself stretches for about 25 miles north to south, and the suburbs go probably 75 miles across east to west...

Whatever influences the 200C has, I just hope they build it to replace the disgusting Sebring.