Drew Dowdell

Well, from what I can tell, you access C&G from work (tsk tsk) and you work at a place that rhymes with Tells Margo... and they must route all their outbound internet traffic through the San Fransisco office.

Happy birthday Zmaster!

You're looking at like $17,8k for those interior features in a Cruze.... so I'm not seeing the challenge.

That is just Ford accepting what is already in popular culture.

I've always heard it referred to both ways...

I don't know what you're talking about.... this should be a breeze!

Rolls did it in the 20's or 30's. But I think that was also a straight 8.

I'd go the LT-1 route first. Fixed tonight: Replaced the hood ornament. fixed the stupid twisted seatbelt. Had to actually disassemble the unit.

Here are some worst case scenarios if fuel prices shoot back up.

Since I love making excel spreadsheets, I made one for you. I assumed 20 commuting days a month. I looked up the gas prices for Tampa and added a few cents. Any of those numbers will support another car payment plus insurance. You could even swing a new Camaro V6 and insurance and still have a little left over for yourself.

I'm looking at this from the perspective of MPG first, long distance comfort very very close second, reliability third. TDI would work out well. They're probably your best bet for highway cruising. Pruises are the mileage champs if you're in the city more than on the highway, but it's a penalty box interior that I wouldn't want to spend 125 miles a day in. The Fusion hybrid was nice, had your typical mid-size interior and was quite comfortable on the road. The Fusion Hybrid and the TDI are probably the best two for MPG + comfort. The only way I'd look at an E-class diesel is if it's CPO with an extensive warranty. While you've said that budget isn't an issue. You don't always want to spend money just because you've got it. That said, I revert back to my original suggestion of a Malibu LTZ with the 4-cylinder. Pick one up that is CPO and you're looking at a well equipped car that'll do 34mpg highway for around $21k. If they person is even the least bit sporty, even a Camaro V6 will do 29mpg highway if they use cruise control. Mid to high $20s there. Can we ask who this is for and what they drive now (and if they like it or not)?

That said, I think you'd have a hard time selling this engine in the US in anything other than the Aveo and Spark.

fixed it for you

ok. I understood the differences. I think you mis-typed something in your original post then. I thought you were going to for part time miller cycle somehow using a turbo

What about HCCI instead of Miller cycle?