Drew Dowdell

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Self-fulfilling prophecy much? When all the comparisons go like "Can these other brands meet or beat the standards we think BMW has set?" then the comparison is not a Car1 v. Car2 v. Car3 v. Car4. The comparison becomes "How much like Car1 are Car2, Car3, and Car4?" All the brands are trying to be anointed King by the press. BMW is not a best seller because it's the "best" car. It's a best seller because people have been told it's the best car by the press for the past 20 years. The CTS, 3-series, 5-series, TL, IS, A4, C-Class, G35 all perform close enough that most of the differences come down to things only noticed on the track. The real differences are things like interior design and quality, fuel efficiency, room and utility, and over all fit and finish. The 3-Series may have the smoothest engine, but the interior is majorly outclassed by the CTS and A4. It's out done in terms of comfort by the TL and IS. The CTS, G35, and A4 all pull corners with Gs that meet or exceed the 3-series. The CTS is also one of the safest of the bunch. I'd also pick the CTS <from my own experience> and TL over the BMW in terms of reliability. Suzy McMansion wants a BMW because her husband read the latest BMWTrend and because it will annoy Tammy Trailerpark at work. So... No, it isn't clear that BMW is the ultimate driving machine..... however it's the ultimate PR machine.

Define "good". I wouldn't touch an out of warranty BMW with a 109 foot pole. I've been driving my BF's '04 Honda CRV around for a few days as the Cadillac isn't really appropriate to be hauling construction materials in. Apparently the check engine light has been on for weeks, it hasn't had an oil change, and he thought the air filter was for the climate control system <1/2 point for effort>. It still runs fairly smooth given all of that. I've been knocking out the little problems on the thing here and there. <Who puts the oil filter on the back wall of the engine!?! I mean really?>. It's held up fairly well considering the neglect it's had over it's life. However..... the doors feel light and tinny. I definately don't feel as safe as when I'm in the CTS or even Dominic's Alero. The rear gate closes like reg's "screen door on a southern tin shack" reference. The seats can best be described as "groomed mouse fur". The under seat storage bin fell out and I can't get it to sit quite right in the track. While the Honda might start every time regardless of how long it's been since an oil change, I really don't perceive it to be any better than an Equinox. In fact, the 'Nox feels more substantial just when slamming the door. We test drove an Astra 3-door over the weekend. It feels wwaaaayy higher quality than the CRV. He loved it and is seriously considering it.... but we need to wait to see what is happening with Germany. Maybe his Astra will say "Opel" on it instead of "Saturn". :AH-HA_wink: Back on point.... the age of the platform doesn't really matter much as long as the platform can be refined and kept up to date. Prior to the current generation of Camry, the Camry was on the same platform for nearly 15 years. Sure they updated it along the way and called it a new platform... but it really was the same thing. The only difference between the W-body and the Camry platforms over time was that the W-body was always just called W-body... the Camry platform got a new name when it was revised.

It's probably restorable. The engine runs from what I understand. What the picture doesn't show is the missing brake system and the fact that he's already raided the front ball joints which are a one year only part. The interior is a mess and there are windows broken. Here is an older camera phone pic of the running one.

Because GME the Verruca Salt of the automotive world..... and yes I know he's lurking.

Hey, whenever I post something, no one replies... and then someone else posts the same article 4 hours later and you all go into that topic!

Some of is is rust, some of it is me beating it with a hammer or twisting it with pliers to break away the rusted, stripped out bolts. The whole front end body of this car is getting replaced. The outer fenders were fine, but everything inside was rusted through. We're thinking the previous owner took the car out sailing in the Chesapeake. That's a 1957 Century parts car in the background. There is another one in full working order in the garage up the hill.

Some pics from tonight. Had to remove the core support and the right front fender. You'll see why.... with core support 1996 Buick Roadmaster - Now with less core support and sturdier plastics for a stiffer, safer chassie. 1996 Buick Roadmaster - Now with lighter, more flexible, and easily removable <with sawzaw and dremmel tool> core support. 1996 Buick Roadmaster - Now with fender portholes! 1996 Buick Roadmaster - Now with more compact front end for easier parking and better engine cooling efficiency.

fixed.

I've seen more new Accords than I have new Malibus.... but the Malibu definitely catches my attention more. The tail end has even grown on me. Odyssey is being eaten by Sedona and Entourage I bet. Guy at work just bought an Entourage for his brood... said they beat the price/features of the Odyssey and Chryslers<old ones> by a lot. RL was a mistake from day one. Sure it's a nice car, but it's not a 45k nice car. GS460 and 450h combined sold 325 units in December... definitely not the time for Acura to be getting in the V8 game. DTS sales were cut by 1/3, probably due to less fleeting.

'07 Focus = unloved little econobox '08 Focus = shiny re-do of the little econobox with neato iPod thingy built right in. Results = Retail sales up 33% over all sales up 44% '07 Malibu = unloved mid-sized '08 Malibu = fantabulously new mid-sized which reviewers can't decide if it's better than the Accord or Camry.... but definitely better than the Altima; Note, no NAV or neato iPod thingy built right in. Results = Retail Sales up 198% and over all sales up 58% just sayin.....

because that money has not been used to increase refinery production or build new refineries..... in fact... the oil companies have been closing smaller refineries thereby reducing supply

should I move this into the spam bin or.....

Don't let your last ride be your only ride in a Cadillac. sorry.... gosh I'm bored.....

How many years? :AH-HA_wink: Sedanette anyone?

Link to AutoBlog Talk about finding a good used car. Frank Orsenick bought his '91 Silverado in 1996. At the time, it had 41,000 miles on the clock. After 11 years of service (and a lot of driving), the old pickup is about to reach a milestone. Frank had the oil changed last week, just as he has every 3,000 miles since acquiring the Chevy, and it's sure to be the last one it receives as an everyday-use vehicle. You see, it's just 1,200 miles away from spinning past the 1,000,000-mark on the odometer. When it hits the big number, Frank is going to put his faithful ride into retirement. As for how he got this far, Orsenik credits regular maintenance and "a little luck." We should all be so lucky. [source: AP via Forecast Earth]

Taurus X => STD uhm...

Fairmont I'm tellin ya!

Link to AutoChannel WASHINGTON, Jan 31, 2008; John Crawley writing for Reuters reported that General Motors Corp plans a strong production run for its plug-in Chevy Volt, according to a senior executive on Thursday who also urged Congress to approve tax incentives to help spark demand. Jon Lauckner, GM vice president for global program management, said the automaker is mindful of the current high costs of battery development but expects the per-vehicle price to drop as the technology improves. "As volume scales up, you will move down this curve to see better economics going forward. You can't get hung up on the economics of the first unit or the tenth unit," Lauckner told an energy forum at the Center for American Progress. Lauckner said GM still hopes to start production of the Volt by the end of 2010 and said the company is planning a healthy roll-out. "We're talking about large numbers -- in the tens of thousands," he said. "It's not a niche market." Plug-ins, viewed by the world's two biggest automakers as one answer to reducing U.S. gasoline use and meeting sharply higher U.S. fuel efficiency standards, are designed for short trips powered entirely by an electric motor and a battery charged through a common electrical outlet. A gasoline engine would kick in after 40 miles on electric power. GM hopes to be the first to mass production and snatch the lead on all-electric fuel-saving technology from Japan's Toyota Motor Corp Toyota also plans a plug-in hybrid by 2010. The biggest hurdle to success of electric vehicles is improving lithium ion battery power and storage capacity while making it small, safe and light enough to fit easily under the hood with other components. "Cost is the killer right now," said Jack Deppe, a U.S. Energy Department consultant. Current estimates show that every 10 miles of electric power adds about $1,500 in costs. But with gasoline/electric hybrids comprising just 2 percent of the U.S. auto market even with gasoline prices above $3 per gallon, some experts are skeptical about the rush to perfect plug-in technology. John German, a hybrid expert at Honda Motor Co, said the case has not been made for mass-market plug-ins, arguing there are too many questions about cost, efficiency and consumer interest. German said "plug-in hybrids are coming" but stressed that automakers have embraced and then abandoned other fuel-saving ideas before. He said industry should not try to "force feed" electric cars to consumers. Lauckner said GM is not betting that gasoline prices will remain stable or go down and that consumers globally will rally around the Volt. All executives recommended that Congress invest heavily in battery technology and offer tax incentives to consumers like they have for purchases of the popular Toyota Prius hybrid. "That's a helpful role government can play to speed the technology and bring these benefits forward," Lauckner said. Editing for Reuters by Richard Chang

That's who that is?!

I think a lot of the yay zeta/boo zeta might have driven some people away. that... and there really isn't much news going on. There were very few rockin concepts at the NAIAS this year. The big thing on Autoblog today was that there is going to be a totally redesigned 2009 Taurus..... ooooh woopie!

by using GM transmissions no doubt.....

I think gay people will define "manhood" quite differently if you asked the general population. Here on the other hand most of the gay guys seem to be of the more masculine type. I think being a "man" has definitely changed since the time of my father's and grandfather's coming of age. Today there is much less emphasis on gender roles. It's ok for a man to be a stay at home, work at home, dad while the wife goes to the office every day. In gay relationships, the typically masculine and feminine chores can be split up any which way. I highly doubt you'll find anyone able to put a single definition on what it is to be a man other than having a penis.

Please GM, you're already going to build the CTS with a diesel for Europe. Sell it here.