Drew Dowdell

that's what she said....

in a tattoo parlor

I voted "vehicle weight" because it's the most ignored and the most needing of improvement. Powertrain already has a solid base. Interior styling has already improved greatly. I expect further improvements in material quality now that GM doesn't have the legacy costs hanging around it's neck, but those will be incremental rather than a radical change. Only two interiors in test cars that I've driven were disappointments. (traverse and terrain) On the traverse it was an issue of material quality AND build quality. On the Terrain it was just a build quality issue, but the styling and materials were fine. Bold exterior styling: Not everything needs to be "bold", but it still should be head turning. Warranty - GM is fine here. Warranty is something you sell on when you don't have anything else going for you. I expect Hyundai/Kia to dial theirs back eventually now that they have product that sells on it's own merits.

France doesn't have an issue really. Much of their high unemployment is from the immigrant population. Their productivity per worker tends lower, but at the same time they take a lot more leisure time than we do. They don't have the national mentality that the corporations get 85% of your waking life and you only get 15% like we have here. The pace overall is just a lot slower (outside of the big cities) even just compared to our own rural areas. I actually wish we had a mentality closer to this.... it would be a lot less stressful for everyone.

You cannot tell me that higher taxes and some socialist type system for health care, education, and transportation stifles the desire to better one's self and at the same time say that Germany produces some of the world's most aspirational vehicles. I notice NO lack of entrepreneurship in Germany when I'm there. In fact, I sat down last month in Cologne with my friend and another of his friends to review a business plan they have for a new line of adult personal lubrication and skin lotion products they're developing (one of them has a lot of experience in producing them). Even gave them a good name for two of the products that will likely end up being used. I continue to help them remotely now.

Right, but if they started out with synthetic as opposed to switching to synthetic at 90k miles.... that's the question..... is there any point at this point?

I like the PureOnes... I'm not really concerned about any oil pressure spikes because of the engines I'm running. Slight tangent - is there any point to putting synthetic into the Toronado now that it has 90k on the clock? It's about time for her first oil change on my watch... last one was performed just before I purchased it.

Well, that's not what the Volt's powertrain chief engineer told me and that's not what the presentation GM gave said. The statement was that the second motor was used above 70mph because running the primary motor above 6000 rpm was energy inefficient. If you're not above 70mph, then the efficiency issue isn't there. I'm not disputing what's in this post really, but just watch your own presentation GM, that's where it came from.

hppy b-day!

without most of the features... yes. bare bones cell phone will come with txt messaging, phone book, and maybe a few basic ringtones.

They are TINY inside.... sat in one in NYC

I dunno... seems to depend on the phone. My Verizon blackberry is rock solid on calls as is my current HTC on Sprint. My old windows mobile phones on AT&T were just eh.

camino, you ever ordering these parts from advance auto? if you do, mind clicking a link on C&G before you order it? We'll get a kick back

And now a new radiator is in.

It will be joining us for an interactive review during the 3rd week of November.

I shall title the article: Mr De Lorenzo: We Welcome you to 2004.

Multiple kinds of wood room to room is fine... just use a trim piece to separate them. however, I'd suggest a strong contrast when you do make the transition. DONT use click lock imitation flooring next to real hardwood.

You're an admin... if you see something you think should be unpinned, go for it.

That's probably what you flushed out of there in the first place....

..... I promised myself no more politics arguments.....

Yes it DOES. If you pull out of your driveway with a FULL charge and then floor it, the Volt will operate 100% electrically until the battery reaches it's bottom threshold... even if you're going 100mph. The Volt has 4 modes of operation: EV mode 1 motor - This uses just the main traction motor at all speeds under 70mph. EV mode 2 motor - This uses both the main traction motor and the 55kw regenerator motor at speeds over 70 mph. In neither of these modes is the gasoline engine running.... doesn't matter if you're going 100mph or 10 mph.... no gas is being used. The other two modes happen when the battery reaches it's lower charge threshold and are" Regeneration mode 1 motor - Speeds below 70mph, The car is being propelled by the primary traction motor and the gasoline engine is spinning the 55kw regenerator motor to maintain average battery level. Regeneration mode 2 motor - Speeds above 70mph, The car is being propelled by both the primary traction motor and the secondary 55kw regenerator motor, the gasoline motor is helping to spin the 55kw motors If, for whatever reason, you were to cut off electrical power to the two motors, the Volt would slow to a stop with the gasoline engine spinning freely. Take away the battery, even with a full tank of gas.... and the Volt isn't going anywhere, even above 70mph. If that was the only change, the Prius would remain a hybrid, albeit a faster one. The nature of the Prius is that the motion of the vehicle is created by gasoline, electricity, or both. These multiple locomotion sources are what makes it a hybrid. In the Volt, motion is only created from electrical power. The gasoline engine never contributes torque to the wheels. It only contributes torque to the secondary electric motor. false It's the Pruis' ability to blend the motive power sources that makes it a hybrid. Volt does not have this ability. All motivational power comes from the electric motors. It takes the ability to move the vehicle in a drivable manner.... that was the whole point of this article. You've had a bee in your bonnet since the Volt program has been announced. I don't know if it was your Tide bottle they used as the show car's engine and you just took it that personally or what. GM has said "There is no physical connection from the 1.4l to the wheels." Fixed

Let me bold it for you since you missed it in my original post.

Have to see the interior before we pass judgement and I need clarification on the 4-cylinder.... is it the same one the Sebring has now or is it a new or heavily modified engine?

I like it.... this is not a knock. To me it says "What if Chrysler refreshed the 9-3?"