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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    I would have liked to see the 1.6T they used in the Cascada in there. 200 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque with an overboost to 221 lb-ft would have moved this along smartly and given it the premium feel it needs to be a Buick.
  2. Drew Dowdell
    Yeah, back at Thanksgiving time. The brake lines had all rusted out and so had the front subframe holding the engine in. It was going to cost many thousands to fix, so we just sold it for $1000. My partner's dad had a series of strokes last September and can't drive anymore, so we ended up with his Cruze, with very low mileage for its age, as a second car as soon as the CR-V was gone. We're probably going to put it on the market soon. In other news, I signed the paperwork this afternoon for my rental property to go on the market as well. It's about damn time the agent got around to that.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    Also, to be clear, the Encore was bought for my partner and I was to take the CR-V until we replaced that. We just never did replace it, we sold it for scrap instead. I use my Toronado as much as possible as a daily driver now. And then I have that Cruze that mostly just sits there.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    Cost and efficiency... yes.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    It's only in the FWD models. The AWD get the 9-speed auto. I assume most of these are sold as AWD.
  6. Drew Dowdell
    It's no secret that Mini's fortunes have not been good lately. In the first half of this year, Mini has only moved 17,583 cars of its five model lineup in the U.S. Parent company BMW needs to do something. Last month, Mini unveiled the all-electric version of the Mini-Cooper with a range between 146 and 167 miles. Now, a report out from Automobile Magazine says that Mini has canceled the internal combustion engine versions for the entire model range in the next generation of cars. Starting in 2023, Mini will use a skateboard style chassis to underpin the entire lineup. There will be a new downsized mini... a MiniMini, a more compact 3-door version, and a Mini crossover. All would be front-wheel drive and offer 35-kWh or 50-kWh battery packs. Part of the development is being done by China's Great Wall Motors. The electric Minis will be built in China with no word on other manufacturing locations. This follows Daimler's strategy on SMART to make it an all EV brand and build it in China for Chinese consumption. View full article
  7. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Rumorpile: Will Mini Go All Electric?"
    It's no secret that Mini's fortunes have not been good lately. In the first half of this year, Mini has only moved 17,583 cars of its five model lineup in the U.S. Parent company BMW needs to do something. Last month, Mini unveiled the all-electric version of the Mini-Cooper with a range between 146 and 167 miles. Now, a report out from Automobile Magazine says that Mini has canceled the internal combustion engine versions for the entire model range in the next generation of cars. Starting in 2023, Mini will use a skateboard style chassis to underpin the entire lineup. There will be a new downsized mini... a MiniMini, a more compact 3-door version, and a Mini crossover. All would be front-wheel drive and offer 35-kWh or 50-kWh battery packs. Part of the development is being done by China's Great Wall Motors. The electric Minis will be built in China with no word on other manufacturing locations. This follows Daimler's strategy on SMART to make it an all EV brand and build it in China for Chinese consumption.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    Based on your browsing history.
  9. Drew Dowdell
    True, but they now have an end date for the Grand Caravan. It'll run until May 2020.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    Doh! You got me. The extended cab and crew cab are staying.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    The test mules have already been spotted.
  12. Drew Dowdell
    When the Buick Encore GX debuted in late May 2019, it was originally reported that it would have a Turbo-4 cylinder with more power than the current Buick Encore. That turned out to be both true and false. The engine will be more powerful than the current Encore, however it will be in 3 cylinder form rather than 4-cylinder. GM Authority uncovered the fleet order guides yesterday and published the stats. The Buick Encore GX will be offered with a 1.2 liter three-cylinder turbo that produces 137 horsepower at 5000 RPM and 166 lb-ft of torque at 2500 RPM. That is 1 less horsepower but 18 lb-ft more torque than the current base 1.4 liter turbo four. The 1.2-liter will only be available in front-wheel drive trims and paired only with a CVT. The step up engine is a 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbo that produces 155 horsepower at 5600 RPM and 174 lb-ft of torque at 1500 rpm. That compares roughly the same to the offered but not often ordered 1.4-liter direct injected turbo offered in the Encore Sport Touring at 153 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 177 lb-ft at 2000 - 4000 rpm. This engine is offered with a CVT on front-wheel drive models and with a 9-speed automatic on all-wheel drive models. The Encore GX is the slightly bigger brother to the Encore, offering five more cubic feet of cargo room. Built in China, the Encore GX will arrive in dealerships this fall. View full article
  13. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "2020 Buick Encore GX Will Get Two Three-Cylinder Engine Offerings"
    When the Buick Encore GX debuted in late May 2019, it was originally reported that it would have a Turbo-4 cylinder with more power than the current Buick Encore. That turned out to be both true and false. The engine will be more powerful than the current Encore, however it will be in 3 cylinder form rather than 4-cylinder. GM Authority uncovered the fleet order guides yesterday and published the stats. The Buick Encore GX will be offered with a 1.2 liter three-cylinder turbo that produces 137 horsepower at 5000 RPM and 166 lb-ft of torque at 2500 RPM. That is 1 less horsepower but 18 lb-ft more torque than the current base 1.4 liter turbo four. The 1.2-liter will only be available in front-wheel drive trims and paired only with a CVT. The step up engine is a 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbo that produces 155 horsepower at 5600 RPM and 174 lb-ft of torque at 1500 rpm. That compares roughly the same to the offered but not often ordered 1.4-liter direct injected turbo offered in the Encore Sport Touring at 153 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 177 lb-ft at 2000 - 4000 rpm. This engine is offered with a CVT on front-wheel drive models and with a 9-speed automatic on all-wheel drive models. The Encore GX is the slightly bigger brother to the Encore, offering five more cubic feet of cargo room. Built in China, the Encore GX will arrive in dealerships this fall.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    That would have been Cummins' job.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    Money. Workhorse has none.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    It's most likely coming back.. .just not for 2020.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    No, they're not a poor-man's BMW like the buff books say, but they are almost always better than their direct competition in their respective classes. The current Civic is the possible exception. Yes, I've driven a 2020 Corolla and Corolla hybrid at the same event as I drove a Mazda 3 Hatch with AWD. If interior room is the important factor, then head over to VW and try a new Jetta, it's nearly a mid-size in there.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    As we reported in May, Volkswagen is making big cuts to the Golf lineup in the US. Already announced for end of production in 2019 are the Golf Sportwagen and Golf Alltrack. For 2020, the current base Mk7 Golf returns and will be offered in just one trim, called the Value Edition that includes features like Keyless entry, Wifi, heated seats, and 16-Inch alloy wheels while the GTI will come in S and SE trims. Missing from the 2020 lineup is the Golf R. Volkswagen has confirmed to Motor Authority that the Golf R has reached end of production for the current generation. The Mk8 generation will likely see the base Golf removed from the US lineup and the GTI and Golf R will be the only entries. We'll see the Mk8 generation Golf introduced in the fall of this year for European production in 2020, but the U.S. won't see the new version of the Golf/GTI at dealerships until the 2021 model year. View full article
  19. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Volkswagen Golf R Dropped for 2020"
    As we reported in May, Volkswagen is making big cuts to the Golf lineup in the US. Already announced for end of production in 2019 are the Golf Sportwagen and Golf Alltrack. For 2020, the current base Mk7 Golf returns and will be offered in just one trim, called the Value Edition that includes features like Keyless entry, Wifi, heated seats, and 16-Inch alloy wheels while the GTI will come in S and SE trims. Missing from the 2020 lineup is the Golf R. Volkswagen has confirmed to Motor Authority that the Golf R has reached end of production for the current generation. The Mk8 generation will likely see the base Golf removed from the US lineup and the GTI and Golf R will be the only entries. We'll see the Mk8 generation Golf introduced in the fall of this year for European production in 2020, but the U.S. won't see the new version of the Golf/GTI at dealerships until the 2021 model year.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    @regfootball your moving the goal posts. First you said it was the suspension, then you said it was interior room, now you're back to suspension again. Again, that isn't something the typical commuter car buyer is going to notice. It's also not a symptom limited solely to torsion beam suspensions. I still cannot get behind the opinion that the Corolla is a more engaging drive than a 3 torsion beam or now. I've driven them both.. back to back. The 3 is a much nicer place to sit, and much more engaging drive than the Corolla.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    At least two of the stand alone Cadillac dealers in my area look like that. ... though one of them is not truly stand alone as it is on a "campus" of dealerships that include Buick, GMC, Hyundai, Subaru, Mazda, and a big pre-owned lot.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    The diesel was originally designed for Ram in the first place. The problem is, it tends to be thirsty in the Titan XD, but part of that could just be because the Titan XD weighs so much relative to other trucks its size and capability.
  23. Drew Dowdell
    Back in early May, we reported that electric truck maker Workhorse was in talks with General Motors to buy the shuttered Lordstown Assembly plant that formerly built the Chevrolet Cruze. The plan seemed founded more on hopes and dreams rather than actual financial reality. Workhorse's only model, the W-15 is a truck with an 80 mile range and a built in range extender, has not exactly been climbing the sales charts. In fact, the company booked only $6,000 in sales in the 2nd quarter of 2019, roughly $70 per day. Following that report, the company's stock plunged 35%. Deliveries of the truck are currently on hold and will resume in the 4th quarter this year. There is currently a $70 Million backlog of orders to fill. Hopes of a solution for Lordstown coming from Workhorse are dim, but there is one thing that could save the deal: a $6.3 Billion contract from the US Postal Service to build the next generation of mail trucks, though Tom Colton, a spokesman for Workhorse said that the Lordstown deal isn't contingent on the contract from the USPS. Under the proposed Lordstown deal, a new company would be formed called Lordstown Motors Corp. which would license the Workhorse technology to produce vehicles based on the W-15 model. Workhorse itself would own a minority stake in the company. The UAW is still in talks with General Motors to reopen the plant and assign new product to it. View full article
  24. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Lordstown Deal In Jeopardy"
    Back in early May, we reported that electric truck maker Workhorse was in talks with General Motors to buy the shuttered Lordstown Assembly plant that formerly built the Chevrolet Cruze. The plan seemed founded more on hopes and dreams rather than actual financial reality. Workhorse's only model, the W-15 is a truck with an 80 mile range and a built in range extender, has not exactly been climbing the sales charts. In fact, the company booked only $6,000 in sales in the 2nd quarter of 2019, roughly $70 per day. Following that report, the company's stock plunged 35%. Deliveries of the truck are currently on hold and will resume in the 4th quarter this year. There is currently a $70 Million backlog of orders to fill. Hopes of a solution for Lordstown coming from Workhorse are dim, but there is one thing that could save the deal: a $6.3 Billion contract from the US Postal Service to build the next generation of mail trucks, though Tom Colton, a spokesman for Workhorse said that the Lordstown deal isn't contingent on the contract from the USPS. Under the proposed Lordstown deal, a new company would be formed called Lordstown Motors Corp. which would license the Workhorse technology to produce vehicles based on the W-15 model. Workhorse itself would own a minority stake in the company. The UAW is still in talks with General Motors to reopen the plant and assign new product to it.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    A little over a week ago we told you that Nissan was going to start cutting parts of its model lineup. Some of the low hanging fruit for Nissan are the variants of the Nissan Titan. Nissan Titan sales are down 22.6 percent, selling only 18,026 copies in the first half of 2019. The biggest news is that Nissan will be killing off the Cummins diesel option for the Titan XD. The 5 liter turbocharged V8 produces 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. For 2020, the Titan XD will be powered solely by the 5.6 liter gasoline V8 unless Nissan has a card up their sleeve to offer something else. Also going away will be the standard cab variants of the Titan and Titan XD, leaving just the extended cab and crew cab in the lineup. For 2020, the truck will be receiving a light refresh. The exterior is getting a face lift and the interior is lightly updated plus gaining a new infotainment system with a larger screen. We reviewed the 2016 Nissan Titan XD with the Cummins diesel back in May 2016 and came away impressed but confused by its place in the market. Take a read to find out why. View full article
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