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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "GM Recalling 4.3 Million Vehicles for Airbag Software Problem"
    General Motors today announced a recall of 4.3 million vehicles globally with 3.64 million of those vehicles located in the US. The recall involves a software bug in the sensing and diagnostic module that could prevent the deployment of the front airbags in certain circumstances preceded by a specific series of events. Most of the vehicles involved are GM's recent trucks and large SUVs. The repair for this recall requires a software update and no physical parts are required for most vehicles. The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 2014 - 2016 Chevrolet SS, Spark EV / Buick Lacrosse 2014 - 2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Trax, Caprice, and Silverado 1500 / Buick Encore / GMC Sierra 1500 2015 - 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Suburban HD / GMC Yukon, Yukon XL / Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV GM stated that it was originally made aware of the problem in May 2016 via an internal Speak Up program that encourages employees to report potential safety issues in its vehicles. GM received a report that a 2014 Silverado involved in a crash did not deploy its front airbags or seat-belt pretensioners. The investigation started on June 7th and GM spent the next several weeks working with Delphi, the supplier of the part, and investigating other possible incidents with similarities to the original report. Owners of the above vehicles can check their VIN in the NHTSA Database or on the GM Website. Source: GM Media and Automotive News
  2. Drew Dowdell
    Virtually impossible unless someone brings a 2015 along and also lets me drive it. If Ford is bringing the 10-speed out for us to try, I find it highly unlikely that they'd bring a 6-speed model along with them.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    We're at a crossroads in terms of powertrain development right now.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    This is a segment that really doesn't speak to me visually, so I'd just go with whichever one is faster and handles better.... one assumes that is the newer one.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    I have a media demo drive in September and one in late October. These are events where most/all of the manufacturers show up with their newest stuff... so I'm hoping the F-150 attends at least one of them. I'll try to get video of the drive on that one.
  6. Drew Dowdell
    Have an XBox? Have an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com account? We have now added the ability to use your Microsoft account to log-in. If you would like to add that ability to your existing CheersandGears.com account follow these steps: 1. Click on your name drop-down in the upper right corner and then select Account Settings 2. Select Microsoft in the middle left. 3. Authorize the link between CheersandGears.com and your Microsoft Account 4. Once connected, you will see a screen similar to the one below. You can have your Microsoft Account Photo automatically synced to be your profile photo here at your option. 5. In future, when you want to log in, simply select Microsoft at the log in screen. We hope this makes your visits to CheersandGears.com easier. Regards, @Drew Dowdell
  7. Drew Dowdell
    It's no Lacrosse... but compared to its segment competition, yes, it does feel more solid.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    We have now added the ability to use your Google account to log-in. If you would like to add that ability to your existing CheersandGears.com account follow these steps: 1. Click on your name drop-down in the upper right corner 2. Select Google in the middle left. 3. Select the Google Account you wish to associate with your CheersandGears.com account. 4. Authorize the link with Google. 5. Once connected, you will see a screen similar to the one below. You can have your Google+ status updates, Google+ Photo, and Google+ Background image automatically synced at your option. 6. In future, when you want to log in, simply select Google at the log in screen. We hope this makes your visits to CheersandGears.com easier. Regards, @Drew Dowdell
  9. Drew Dowdell
    I'm interested in trying out the 10-speed. With that many gears, it's gotta always be in the meat of the torque band.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    He uses the Encore. I use the CR-V because I mostly work from home and use it for apartment maintenance.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    The Sonic is still one of my favorites in the segment despite being a bit outdated (though it got a refresh for 2017). It just feels like more car than the Fiesta or Rio... more solid and rides like a bigger car. It also has the distinction of being one of the safest cars in the class. Going on a road trip in a Sonic is not a punishment on the ears and butt like it is in a Spark, Fiesta, or Rio.
  12. Drew Dowdell
    I mean really... why bother with camo at that point.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    We leased the Encore because it was a really good promo that Buick was running at the time on a 24 month lease. We got a loaded loaded Encore for $310 a month. We also were expecting a different set of life changes at the end of the 24 months (a move to a new city, specifically) so we felt that after the 24 months were up, we'd have to re-evaluate what kind of car we needed/wanted (no need for AWD if we ended up in Miami with the rest of my family, Albert likes the Volt, etc). Well, life did change. Albert's commute when from 6 miles each way to 35 miles each way, so that ended up killing us on mileage... so we bought out the Encore and we ended up staying put. I doubt we'll lease the next vehicle. We'll keep the Encore till the B2B warranty is up and then we'll trade it for a CPO something. Jeep GC is at the top of the list right now.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    But you can get a twin-turbo V6 in the CT6 with more horsepower and torque and AWD for $1k less than the G90.... and that gets you the Premium Luxury package with Panaray, and all the exterior video upgrades. Plus, the TTV6 still has more torque than the V8, so for the price of the V8 G90 RWD, you can get a CT6 with Panary, AWD, 4-wheel steering, Magnetic ride control, active braking, plus a whole host of other stuff. The CT6 is still the better deal.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    I was specifically thinking of the RLX interior which would feel right at home as a 2017 W-Body Impala. I actually put it far below an Accord in terms of quality of materials and build. The 2016 Lacrosse was much better than the RLX and the 2017 increases the distance. The ILX, even the new one, is behind even the outgoing Verano in that same measure. Had Buick decided to bring Der Neu Astra over from Germany, it would have been no contest. 2016 MDX v. 2017* Encore? I'd put them about even in material and build. I haven't seen a production 2017 MDX yet to be able to compare. *Note the year.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    Looks smaller
  17. Drew Dowdell
    It's a wagon... just like all the others.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    It's not just that. They didn't put the work into the suspension that is really needed for something with that amount of power. I don't see the CTS-V on that list, but I bet it would wipe the floor with a Hellcat because of all the work Cadillac put into the suspension. There's only 200lbs difference between the two in curb weight.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    Handling. Trying to get that thing around a corner without wiping out is a challenge, so they probably had to slow it down.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    No, but I may lease one if there is enough incentive in it.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    A V6 Camaro is 0.5 seconds behind a Charger Hellcat?! A V8 Camaro is 8.7 seconds ahead of a Charger Hellcat?!
  22. Drew Dowdell
    Depends on the Acura. I would say that no Acura currently built exceeds the 2017 Encore on interior quality, but there are more than a few Acuras that don't even measure up to it, including those priced well above the Encore's entry point.
  23. Drew Dowdell
    It's overly simplistic to say it.... but a $35k loaded Encore is really just a $15k Sonic with about $10k in upgrades. GM's gotta be making lots of profit on these cars.
  24. Drew Dowdell
    She'll want to wait till at least the 2017 model. The 2016s that are sitting on lots today don't have Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto. I think the Encore is taking a hit because it's about to get its refresh.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    Things have come full circle.... Ford was accused of copying Audi when the Taurus first came out.
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