Drew Dowdell

Oh I don't even agree that all of GM's products are fat.... some of the recent ones are, but only if you compare only price and not size to it's competition. SMK's favorite subject is how "fat" the CTS is compared to the 3-series..... well duh... the 5-series is "fat" compared to the 3-series too. The CTS is within a 10th of an inch of the 5-series in nearly every dimension and is within 70lbs - 150lbs in weight depending on equipment. The Traverse is rather portly if you're comparing it to the Pilot, but look at the size differences between the two. It really takes a "special" kind of student to expect a mid-size car to weigh the same as a large compact.

And while kudos should go to GM for engineering their cars to overcome the laws of physics while having such a weight penalty, imagine what they would be able to do with vehicles that weigh 300-500lbs less. The Camaro and Mustang run so close to each other in ability that most differences are mitigated by driver skill.... now imagine a Camaro with the Mustang's lighter weight. As I said, warranty is what you sell on when you have nothing else going for you. Up until very recently, both Hyundai and Kia were near the back of the pack of any comparison test they were in and their reliability and quality perceptions were the worst of just about anyone. There was no compelling reason to buy a Hyundai/Kia other than Low Cost + Warranty. Now that they've equaled or exceeded their competition in the actual product, I expect the warranty to go first and costs to rise second. Why? Because once the perceptions have changed to be more positive (which there is every sign that's happening already) Hyundai can make more profit on the same product. Hyundai is really aiming for Toyota's perception position they held in 2002. Once they can get people to buy a Hyundai regardless of warranty, looks, or actual reliability (as opposed to perceived) they will have succeeded and the warranty will be toast.

Man... look at that blip there in 1980 and then a constant sinking feeling ever since..... it's almost as if some large even happened in 1980 that changed the way our economic system was organized. Once upon a cold November, back in `80, you'll remember, Came to pass a great election, with a wondrous change in store; By a landslide, one was winning, promising a new beginning; Tall and proud, he stood there, grinning, like so many times before; Who was he, this cool one, grinning, like so many times before? 'Twas The Reagan, nothing more. Once he was inaugurated, Reaganomics he created, Promising a balanced budget, like we had in days of yore; "Though," he said, "our debt is growing, and a bundle we are owing, "I'll cut taxes, 'cause I'm knowing this will save us bucks galore;" "Please explain," a newsman asked, "how will this save us bucks galore?" Quoth The Reagan, "Less is more." Pushing for defense, he pleaded, brand-new missiles would be needed: "That's the only way," he said, "to keep the country out of war;" "True," he said, "they're not required, and they're not meant to be fired; "In five years they'll be retired--still we must build hundreds more;" "Tell us why," a newsman asked, "we must be building hundreds more?" Quoth The Reagan, "Jobs galore." Was he real or from a movie? "Make my day" sure sounded groovy, Standing up to Congress or the rebels in El Salvador; Flicks like "Rambo" he promoted (sev'ral times, it should be noted); Once John Wayne he even quoted, when Kaddafi threatened war; "Does this mean," a newsman asked, "we're heading toward a Mid-East war?" Quoth The Reagan, "Hit the shore." During times he wasn't dozing, many plans he was proposing, Dealing with the deficit, which he no longer could ignore; "Cuts," he said, "I'm recommending, pending our ascending spending, "With attending trends suspending, then extending as before." "Does this mean," a newsman asked, "a balanced budget like before?" Quoth The Reagan, "Nevermore!"

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