Drew Dowdell

What was the 9% that you missed? "Do not splooge in the special sauce"? I'm kidding of course. Congrats on such a high score!

I think you should have pointed also.

First from Autoblog: BMW switching to turbocharged M cars After two decades of normally-aspirated high-revving engines shoehorned under the hoods of its M cars, BMW is changing direction and will begin to offer direct-injection turbocharged powerplants in its future high-performance flagships. The German automaker is blaming tough environmental emission standards and the soaring manufacturing costs of the specialty-built V8 and V10 engines found in today's M3, M5, and M6 models for its decision. We also suspect the fact that both Audi and Mercedes-Benz have successfully offered torque-laden forced-induction powerplants for years on their performance models may have something to do with it (also keep in mind that an aftermarket-tuned version of BMW's own twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 can easily match the power output of the M3's normally-aspirated 4.0-liter V8). The first new M model to carry the turbocharged honor will be the X6 xDrive M, with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 reportedly making 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. That same engine is reportedly going into the next F10-chassis M5 due in late 2010. ------ The 2010 M5 will have less horsepower and less torque than the 2009 CTS-V? Second from Autoblog: Mercedes will begin phasing out V12 engines Mercedes-Benz, longtime stalwarts of the V12 engine, is considering lowering its preferred cylinder count by a third. While our first inclination is to assume that this change is being made to increase the fuel efficiency and lower the emissions of the overall Daimler line, the real reason that the bent-12 engine program is being dropped is simply because the block is too long. A V12 is, for all intents and purposes, the same length as an inline-six, and the German automaker's latest line of mainstream engines are all in a V-design, so its cars are no longer being designed with an engine compartment large enough to house such a lengthy engine. Fear not, power fans, as the company isn't abandoning high horsepower in general. The V12 program is apparently being shifted towards twin-turbo V8s, and the magic of forced-induction means there's no reason to assume that fewer cylinders will equal fewer ponies. Expect the moratorium on V12s to begin the next few years.

We're well past the point of "the private enterprise deal with its problems with private enterprise funds". Citibank's primary purpose is to move paper around and they've shown they aren't even any good at that, yet they got $30 billion and federal backing for another $300 billion in assets. They broke basic rules of accounting and basic rules of lending due to unbridled greed. GM's biggest offence is skimping on the interior plastics that automotive magazine editors wipe their hemeroids on and trying to fulfill the contractual labor obligations they agreed to in a different business climate.

At least it seems that they can be taught.

I'm on call for a week every 4 weeks, but for certain things at work, it's implied that I'm on call 24/7 since I don't have a backup. Fortunately, I get paid hourly. I can: Check my email from my work account, personal account, and personal business account. Surf/Moderate C&G Manage my work calendar, personal business calendar. Catch up on my blog reading via RSS feeds during my bus ride. Restart server processes remotely when they fail. Txt people with a full keyboard. Synchronise all of my contacts between work computer(s), home computer, and the google email account that I use for my personal business. Make a change to one and it will update all of the others.

Actually, I hate my blackberry.... but at the same time it allows me to get things done without needing to be tied to an office.

I'm not quite this bad, but close. But if you saw my schedule and the number of things I am involved in, you might be sympathetic. I have full on here from my blackberry.

happy birthday man

There is nothing special about their interiors either. They don't have a clear advantage over a G8

You're smartassing a cop in a situation where they are asking everyone the same canned questions. A simple "No officer" would have sent you on your way. Don't like the term dumbass even though in this case it qualifies? How about asshat? What you did was stupid, do you want me to sugar coat it for you?

PA still does it.

Pumpkin pie and pecan pies are in the oven. Me and the BF are going over to another couple's house.

Can you cite the law that is being proposed in the legislature? Do we need to have an "I'm just a Bill" singalong?

I suspect that you are highly wrong.

Dumbass, this has been going on since long before the Patriot Act was a tickle in George Bush's scrotum. I've was pulled over for a sobriety check back in the 1990s set up just in front of my street.

Tell that to Duesenburg, Cord, Auburn, Avanti, Oldsmobile (had the best of each platform when it was killed), Maybach

Saturn - yes Saab - sell it Pontiac - no

I'm sorry Dave. I can't do that.

You caught me on saying majority rather than controlling. My fault. Dodge\Plymouth Colt, Colt Vista, Summit, Dodge Raider, Dodge Ram 50, Stealth,Conquest, Laser, Eclipse, Cloud coupes were a joint venture, mitsu supplied some of the engines for just about every k-car and cloud car. So... while not exactly half, it's way up there. I really don't think Mitsubishi would have survived as long as it has without the ability to sell it's engines and to co-develop some platforms. And you pwned me on Nummi. I did think that all 3 were built there. Would seem logical to build the Matrix next to the Vibe, no? However, the overall point is still valid. The domestics and imports are so intertwined that the fall of GM... or any of the Detroit three... would severely damage the rest if not to the point of total collapse.

To GM's corporate culture, The only constant in all of your failed relationships is you. With love, Oldsmoboi

Well this would certainly be a unique addition to the limo fleet. We could totally corner the visiting Soviet dignitary market!

You seriously think the 300C, Charger (the actual Impala competitor), Avalon, and Maxima get crosshoped?

Because not everyone is a brand humping snob like you? I find it funny that you're a guy that paid for an Oldsmobile with a 35k base price when you could have purchased so many other "more worthy" vehicles. People paid 35k - 40k for Auroras, Park Aves, and Bonnevilles. The G8 interior is fine.

Slingkitteh