Drew Dowdell

We're sending this to the general manager of our VW dealer:

If they can get a NorthStar or a supercharged Northstar in there, they can fit a 4.8 litre <pushrod most likely> diesel engine. They can get the 5.7 in the CTS, they can get a 4.8 in the STS.

I'll take an STS with a 4.5 litre diesel please!

I just want it available, doesn't have to be standard. And by segment, I mean the high luxury set. That means everything from an STS to an Escalade, or a 5-series to an X7<guessing>. For about $100 it's just something an automotive journalist can lose his cookies over while writing about GM products. Give 'em less to complain about I say.

Uh, the 5.3 is extremely quiet. I tried to start the 5.3 in my Avalanche this morning when it was already running. Since when does sticker price on a GM vehicle matter?

With a 300C, I have a hemi and rear or all wheel drive and people still stop me to ask if it's a bently. With a Lucerne, I have understated panache, 275hp V8 that is *still* one of the best V8s around, plenty of room for the golf clubs and a ride quieter then lexus. With a Maxima I have a sport tuned FWD sedan that can haul butt. With a TL I have the same as a Maxima with a touch more class. The rest I can't really justify over a Camry because they'd come down to personal preferance...and in my case I'd prefer any of them over the Camry. The Camry has been burned into my head as the car my boss gets as a rental when his Benz is in the shop. Bobby Rahal, the local big benz dealer in my area uses mid-level Camrys as courtasy cars for their Benz customers.

CD and I looked this over the day he shot the pics. The suspension width hasn't changed. It's just much wider tires. The exhaust is modified. It looks like a street legal version of the CTS Racer

Every car has it's nit-picks, including the new Escalade. The 2007 Escalade is still best in class, nit-picks and all. That said, there is media bias, it isn't a myth. Examples: Last months C&D that cited "japanese durability" as a highpoint on a Mitsubishi Eclipse. C&D naming the new 3-series top mid-sized sport sedan when 1. it broke down on them three times, 2. It was the smallest of the bunch, bordering on compact, 3. The Lexus essentially had the same performance numbers. CR listing the new Impala's reliability as questionable while giving an "undetermined" to the new Sonata. CR listing the CTS's reliability as "poor" based on the 3.2 engine, an engine that hasn't been offered for sale in over a year and which about 5% of CTS's sold the prior year were equipped with. Motor Trend's car and truck of the year.... when there were clearly better options. Ignoring anything regarding Mercedes reliability. In this regard automobile "journalists" have attention defic..... OOOOhh.. 3 pointed star! <with appologies to Fly> edit: sorry for grammer/spelling... I'm extremely tired.

As someone who shops in this segment, the bluetooth thing is really a glaring omission. It's not a deal breaker for me, but such a minor <$100> feature should be at least and option. It's something that would put the Escalade over the top and no Toyoguy could say "see it doesn't even have bluetooth". It's a minor detail that shouldn't be overlooked simply due to the nature of the customers this type of vehicle attracts. Put bluetooth on as an unpackaged option and I guarentee you 90% of Escalades sold would have it. You guys can explain it away all you want but it's still something Lexus has and Cadillac doesn't. As far as the battery issue with bluetooth. You buy a car charger plug it in inside the center console where GM thoughtfully put a power point, pair the phone with the car, shut the console, and off you go. There, no battery issues. P.S. My phone runs for 3 days between charges with the BT always on.

This is bound to happen as greater globalization of GM happens. They are consolidating platforms so much but still keeping fairly different brand "feel". As things get consolidated they need less people. 10 years ago they had: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, N, U, W, Y, Z in just the car Bodies Now they have Delta, Epsilon, Kappa, G/K, Sigma, Theta, U, W, Y U and W are being dropped and being replaced with Lamda and Zeta<supposedly>. G/K is probably in it's final generation. GM has moved from 15 car platforms to 9 while keeping up a fairly decent lineup. Sure Buick and Pontiac are a little starved right now, but as the Zeta and Epsilon II move in to replace W-bodies and G/K bodies those holes will be filled. 6 less entire car platforms definately warrent some layoffs. I feel bad for the people who are being let go, but I think this is a needed move for GM even if it were making money.

I'm guessing the Caravans they used to drive came up on lease and GM offered a better deal to Xerox.

I pretty much agree that the Montana should be "taken behind the barn and shot" also. strangely, I see more Relays and Terrazas then I see Uplanders <not counting that one Xerox rep I see driving an Uplander nearly every day>. I've seen one montana CSV ever and it had an enterprise sticker on it.

No, just buy new CDs. Now if your car could only play CD supplied by GM that cost 25% more, only worked in your one car <have to buy a second CD even if your other car is also a GM>, couldn't be used out of the car, then... yes.

Ya know the bluetooth thing is a bit of an annoyance. It's such a minor add on these days and nearly every other luxury car manufacturer has it. It's stupid to use the OnStar personal calling for a number of reasons. 1. Very expensive compaired to your standard cell plan 2. Have to keep a second phone book programed 3. Have to keep a second phone plan running 4. No choice of networks. Verizon only for digital. AT&T wireless for analog. If you live in an area with weak coverage, you're screwed. 5. Multiple numbers. I have no idea what the number is for my Cadillac... I certainly don't hand it out to people and say "Try me on the car phone". I use one phone, my mobile phone. 6. With XM Radio and Traffic Naviagtion, there is no longer a need for the Directions and connections plan. And that's me as a Cadillac owner and Onstar subscriber.

oh, it's still funny fly...

?

Yeah, I saw those at the dealer. I really like them.

Not in my driveway.......

Doesn't holden actually make money for GM?

Oh yeah.... Chas and I were down there during spring break.... and we'll just leave it at that.

From my Bahamas trip....

Toyota Marino

Nissan Cefiro

Kia Oprius