Drew Dowdell

You're probably right....but the point stands. I don't want to go too much smaller then the CTS, but I'd like to stick with a 4-cylinder. If I go non-premium, my choices open up widely. Accord Mazda 6 Camry <yeah right> Malibu <can you get a Max with a 4?> Fusion/Milan <definately Milan over Fusion for me> Passat Legacy Some of those might be OK. I could probably live with a Legacy or Milan.... but I've got the money, I'd like I higher end car... I just don't want to waste gas with my new driving patterns.

If badging an Impreza as a 9-2x turned out to be a bad idea.... what Savant thought badging a Cobalt as a 9-1 was a good idea? seriously, didn't they learn their lesson with the original J-bodies? I have a better name then 9-1. Cimmeron by Saab

Quoted for emphasis... and a few extra laughs.

What's wrong with retro? Some cars can be retro <PT Cruiser, Challenger, Mustang> Some cars can be modern <Fusion, Milan, Sky, Caliber> Some cars can be neither <Lucurne, Sebring, Camry> All I see here is that I have lots and lots of choices..... what's wrong with that?

What about just trading down to a 300 with the 3.5?

At that point the size difference would be noticable. I'm willing to accept minor differences in room.. like going from a CTS to a 9-3. Going from a CTS to what is essentially an Audi Golf would proabaly be too big a jump.

after never seeing an FJ Cruiser in person... I saw 5 today... each in a different color... I wonder if Toyota is paying people to drive them around the trendy areas to increase visibility....

Malibu SS Aura GMT 900s - Avalanche especially CTS The thing about main stream vehicles is... they're usually bland anyway. Seriously... how many main stream vehicles can be considered exciting? A few Mazdas and Chryslers. The Fusion is only exciting because it's not a Tempo.

I think sigma might be a bit heavy for a 4-banger... the 2.8HF is just adequate in the CTS. That Buick on an Epsilon with a BAS EcoTech would get my dollars. In just around town driving I don't care if it's FWD or RWD. I kinda feel like I'm under using the CTS now.... it was made to run and run fast. I barely get above 45 most of the time. I've had it in storage for the past two weeks while I've been getting my two most recent building purchases up and running. Fly: I think a 4-banger BTS could work if they did a performance hybrid model. All the power of a V-6 with all the efficiency of an I4. Make the BTS rwd and the Skylark fwd and you satisfy both camps.

I borrowed a friend's Alero 4-cylinder today. Pleasent little car, decent power, decent interior. With gas hovering at $3.00 a gallon and only going higher, I began thinking about alternatives to replacing my current CTS with an '08 CTS and instead finding a 4-cylinder premium car. I'm considering my options: Audi A4 2.0t Acura TSX 5-speed Saab 9-3 2.0t Volvo S40 I'm not entirely thrilled about any of those choices... the 9-3 would be ok, but doesn't light my fire. I know the Aura is coming, but my concern is that they'll package the Green-Line in a way that you can't get a loaded one. What I want is a completely loaded premium car with great fuel mileage. The ecotech in the Alero, with some Buick Quiet Tuning magic, could really do well in a premium Cadillac BTS or Buick Skylark. My point is... just because people buy in the premium segment doesn't mean they want only so-so fuel mileage. The Ecotech is a great enough engine and I'd like to see GM use it to it's most profitable potential.

OMG I FIGGURED OUT WHO YOU REMIND ME OF!

but will it be on the front page?

will it be front page news?

this isn't even rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic...

WTF? How hard is it to navigate that turn?

The voice of reason enters....

Who wants to bet that the Prevue concept will be NG-Theta

Keep in mind, I wasn't disputing the fact that ethanol is subsidized. I completely agree that it is. What most people don't think about is how oil is subsidized. If you think about how much we spend on mid-east wars and payments to mid-east countries to help pay their security forces the subsidy is much greater, though indirect. Perhaps you would like a link to the U.S. Department of Energy then? It says the same thing.

No no... you misunderstood. Only 30% of their fleet are diesel cars.

*toddles off to play Civ IV.*

None that I know of.... I support both equally. I think E85 is more realistic in the short term simply because it requires the least amount of change over. I like diesel... but even the diesel loving europeans only run about 30% of their cars on diesel.

As you requested....

I can do that in the CTS in non-sport mode. Tap the throttle enough to kick it down a gear then let up suddenly and the poor confused transmission says, "Now wait a minute here, I thought you said.... damnit.. ok!" In sport mode, it will actually hold that lower gear and keep the engine revs high in anticipation of some more spirited driving. It'll only upshift if you cruise like that for a while or take it out of sport. I think any automatic can be tripped up if you're trying to trip it up. They can't know when you're with them.

hahahha.... The other day someone came around asking for donations to a charity that tried to prevent alcoholism in teens. I told them I was drinking all I could so the kids wouldn't get their hands on it. the dude wasn't amused.....

Then level the playing field? I suggest that GM imediately switch to the same healthcare and retirement setup that Toyota North America uses. Then I'll sit back with a gin and tonic and watch the UAW cry about it on T.V.