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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    No it does not yet have aftermarket goodies, but it's inevitable. Every other GM turbo has brand name tunes available and an unlocked ECU for private tuners. I bet the performance goodies will blow up once it's in the Cruze and other vehicles. Just one regular family sedan won't have too many aftermarket complained with knocks on their door asking for exhaust or intakes.. But it's inevitable that they will use the 1.5 in a handful of vehicles. If people get lucky it could be the performance SS option in the Sonic. That's help the aftermarket option! A tuner called Trifecta has tunes for every engine of the Malibu from 2008 through 2015 (except for the hybrids). I'm sure they're already trying to get their hands on a new Malibu to be first on the market. They also tune the Sonic and Cruze. Do you have a link to that? The ones I'm finding in google only support the Cadillacs.
  2. Drew Dowdell
    I look forward to the 2016 Cheers and Jeers. Should be a big year for us.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    I"m glad the tree is down. It was taking up too much space in my living room.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    The next step for GM is called Skip-Fire. The V8 will be able to run on as few as two cylinders. The computer decides instantaneously if the next cylinder needs to fire or not depending on power and smoothness needs.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    Indeed.... the key is that an HCCI engine cannot run in that mode all the time. It only runs in HCCI mode under light loads... put too much fuel/air mixture into the cylinder and then things don't work right. The big issue GM was having when it was working on it back in the Saturn days was the transition from HCCI to normal spark ignition. The engine worked fine in either mode, but it was the switching of modes that was less than graceful. Even then, I think that Aura would only run in HCCI at stead speed from 35 - 55 mph, but don't quote me on that. Latest computer technology I believe will change the switch over problem. Just like the days of the V8-6-4 engine which was a disaster, it was before it's time of having the electronics, computer smarts to make it work best. Today, I would not be surprised if a V8-6-4 engine would work very well and smooth. Sadly emissions is a viable issue that needs to be addressed and I think HCCI engines with alternative fuels will be a stepping stone much like CNG towards the eventual day of pure EV auto's. I can see a day when a standardized electric cell will work on any auto and you just stop as an EV station and swap cells and continue on your way. GM and Chrysler and Mercedes have been running 8-6-4 V8s since 2004..... they just skip the 6 part because there is very little benefit for a large jump in complexity. Also, in 6 mode, a V8 isn't very well balanced, so they feel harsh. It is with this technology that GM is able to build a 6.3 V8 that equals the fuel economy of Ford's 3.5 Ecoboost.
  6. Drew Dowdell
    The very latest generation of Mazdas have fantastic FANTASTIC interiors. The CX-3 far far exceeds it's class and would put an Audi Q3 to shame. Easily best in class. I sat in the new CX-9 in LA and it is every bit as good as these press photos suggest. Drew, is that nav screen move up and down into the dash? Looks like it could. Reply back from Mazda - The NAV screen does not retract into the dash.
  7. Drew Dowdell
    They used to... and they should never have stopped.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    Armchair CEO drives GM back into bankruptcy. Every model GMC sells that has a Denali trim sells at minimum 25% in Denali trim. Denali is pure profit for GM. Customers clearly like the product. Cadillac is getting product... vehicle designs are not an app you can just download in 30 seconds.
  9. Drew Dowdell
    Good that they're using the better 1.4T. It should be a good engine for that car and good fuel economy.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    So-so fuel economy..? Really? Motor Trend's "Real MPG" tested it at 30mpg highway and 25 combined. I know it's just your opinion but personally, I think that's damn good. That truck is rated better than my little CUV. Yes, fuel costs more, but it's still a truck that can to real truck things, unlike my Escape. That's why my dad bought a Tacoma. He just didn't need more than that and a half ton would have easily cost probably 10k more for all he wanted.I just built and F150 XLT with just 4wd, extended cab(like his Tacoma- not 4 doors), and he needed a 6ft minimum bed. And it was almost 38k. Either starting with the XL and adding the power locks and $h! or just starting with an XLT Basicslly brought the price up to 38k. His Tacoma, I believe, was 26-27k. And that's the thing.... I want a full size, but my other half is reluctant to drive something that large in the event we need to switch cars. I feel like a mid-size would be too small, but if I went that way would want it fully loaded... not a Denali, but a Duramax Canyon SLT. In that config, it would be about the most towing worthy vehicle of its size.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    The new AWD system in this and LaCrosse and XT5 is supposed to be more fuel efficient as well.
  12. Drew Dowdell
    I don't know, I imagine my 3 row SUV filled with kids, party goers, etc. But I imagine more prestige and suits in a luxury sedan and better tipping. Don't count on tipping as an Uber driver, it's rare and Uber the Company discourages it. The commercial insurance will cost you a bunch. If you don't want to get lower end types, you can do Uber Select. The kids won't ping you. Just trust me on this one, I've researched it a lot. On profitability, getting a premium branded, used, 3-row SUV with a bunch of miles is your best bet. If you're just doing this to get yourself into a new luxury car.... just don't do it at all.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    Remember, this has been out for a year in China and the 8-speed isn't being built there yet. I expect everything in the first two years of this car to be limited to what they are selling in China. The entire move is about capturing market share. I fully expect to see changes to the model when/if production moves here.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    Bet they had to ride it hard to hit a mid eight 0-60, Plus some of the competition is a full sec faster to the same mark...... 8 speed in the 2.0 accounts for some manuf cost difference but it's still a bunch more even setting that aside. By early fall there should be a lot of leftover 2.0's on lots with healthy rebates. Not making the point about class performance, just about what is "adequate" for merging and driving comfortably. IMO, they should have stuck to their guns with the 2.5L in the Malibu and put the 1.5T in the new Cruze Premier trim as an upgrade. But for argument sake, 8.5 sec 0-60 and 16.5 1/4 mile would have been as fast or faster than almost all base-engine midsize or compact cars in 2010. Average was 8.7-9.5 sec. For argument sake, my Encore's 0-60 is 10.5 seconds and Buick can barely build enough of them. It also doesn't tell the whole story. In the Encore, they geared the lower gears with really short ratios, so scooting around the city is spirited, it's only on a long highway on-ramp where you notice any power deficiency. Even though the Buick is slower to 60 than our Honda buy a full second, if you ask Albert which car feels faster, he'll tell you the Buick. I have to admit, I had to go look up the 0-60 times because I thought they were pretty much equal. 0-60 isn't a really useful metric because that's not how you drive. I haven't driven the 1.5T Malibu yet, but if the gearing is set up like the Encore, I'm sure it will feel fine to most drivers. For those who want more, there's the 2.0T.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    Buying an S-Class = Losing 25k per year for 2 years Buying an Escalade = Losing 16k per year for 3 years You don't need to work for a bank to figure out which is better for you financially.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    Uber Black requires commercial insurance and possibly a taxi medallion depending on location. Get a 3 row crossover from a luxury brand and you can drive UberX, UberXL, and Uber Select... All without the commercial insurance requirements. XL and Select charge higher rates.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    Size. A lot of people feel that full size trucks are too big to wheel around. It's a big reason I have a hard time selling a full size at home no matter how much I may want one. My other half just won't drive something that big.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    The fact that AWD is standard isn't mentioned except on one small bullet point on an obscure page. The premium groups as the only option packages available, along with AWD standard, give an indicator of expected price. I think most people assumed it would have a low point of entry with cloth seats and FWD. It is news that it won't be like that.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    Or why buy a new instead of CPO S-Class when I would lose an entire E-Class in the process?
  20. Drew Dowdell
    I think it's a good move because it by default moves Buick northward in status. I expect base price to be right around the same as the 2.0T/AWD MKC, which is about $35k out the door.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    Buick will be unveiling the 2016 Buick Envision on Sunday at a preview event before the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. One piece of information we dug up is on the drive configuration. According to the VIN card for 2017, the U.S. market Envision will only be available in All-Wheel Drive while we already know that Chinese market vehicles can be configured with just front-wheel drive. Knowing that VIN cards can change as products are finalized, I e-mailed a Buick rep to confirm. He got back to me quickly, confirming that yes, the Envision will be available in only two trim lines, Premium Group 1 and Premium Group 2, both only available in All-Wheel drive. Looking at other Buick models, the Premium Groups are the top of the line, coming standard with leather and lots of luxury features. The 2015 Buick Lacrosse with the Premium Group 1 package is a $7,134 upgrade over the base model. An Enclave with Premium Group is an $8,450 upgrade over base. While pricing hasn't been announced yet, with only Premium Group models available, expect the Envision entry price to be a significant jump in base price over the smaller base Encore. Part of the reason for the limited options groups is that Buick is only expecting to import about 60,000 Envisions per year from China. With most other Buick models skewing heavily towards the upper end of their respective ranges, it makes sense for Buick to send only the best equipped models. Back to the power train, the Envision will be available only with a 2.0 liter, direct injected turbo 4-cylinder which produces 260 lb-ft of torque over a broad RPM range and 252 horsepower fed through GM's standard issue 6-speed auto. The AWD system will be the same as in the coming 2017 Buick LaCrosse. It is a dual-clutch system that can transfer power from side-to-side in the rear wheels and Buick promises to be as fast acting as it is efficient. Also standard GM's HiPer Strut front suspension which when combined with the AWD means there is no torque steer. We will have more Buick Envision information for you as we get closer to its official unveiling on January 10th. In the meantime, you can follow all 2016 Detroit Auto Show news here. View full article
  22. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "Detroit Preview: 2016 Buick Envision Will Be All-Wheel Drive Only"
    Buick will be unveiling the 2016 Buick Envision on Sunday at a preview event before the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. One piece of information we dug up is on the drive configuration. According to the VIN card for 2017, the U.S. market Envision will only be available in All-Wheel Drive while we already know that Chinese market vehicles can be configured with just front-wheel drive. Knowing that VIN cards can change as products are finalized, I e-mailed a Buick rep to confirm. He got back to me quickly, confirming that yes, the Envision will be available in only two trim lines, Premium Group 1 and Premium Group 2, both only available in All-Wheel drive. Looking at other Buick models, the Premium Groups are the top of the line, coming standard with leather and lots of luxury features. The 2015 Buick Lacrosse with the Premium Group 1 package is a $7,134 upgrade over the base model. An Enclave with Premium Group is an $8,450 upgrade over base. While pricing hasn't been announced yet, with only Premium Group models available, expect the Envision entry price to be a significant jump in base price over the smaller base Encore. Part of the reason for the limited options groups is that Buick is only expecting to import about 60,000 Envisions per year from China. With most other Buick models skewing heavily towards the upper end of their respective ranges, it makes sense for Buick to send only the best equipped models. Back to the power train, the Envision will be available only with a 2.0 liter, direct injected turbo 4-cylinder which produces 260 lb-ft of torque over a broad RPM range and 252 horsepower fed through GM's standard issue 6-speed auto. The AWD system will be the same as in the coming 2017 Buick LaCrosse. It is a dual-clutch system that can transfer power from side-to-side in the rear wheels and Buick promises to be as fast acting as it is efficient. Also standard GM's HiPer Strut front suspension which when combined with the AWD means there is no torque steer. We will have more Buick Envision information for you as we get closer to its official unveiling on January 10th. In the meantime, you can follow all 2016 Detroit Auto Show news here.
  23. Drew Dowdell
    The Wikipedia page for HCCI is quite detailed and informative.
  24. Drew Dowdell
    I think Hyundai has been working on this for a few years at this point. No clue where/how the progress is at this point though. I just remember reading something on it quite awhile ago and I thought the idea was awesome. Definitely make diesels irrelevant in passenger vehicles. I don't know what kind of energy difference there is between a given amount of diesel vs gasoline but if you can get diesel efficiency with gasoline prices, we're talking monster jump in the industry. Well, it's not not going to go into HD trucks, it doesn't have the torque. Overall, the power characteristics of the engine don't change, because anything above light throttle and it switches back to being a conventional engine. The only advantage is in fuel savings during light load times.... You'd get fantastic highway fuel economy, but city would be the same as any other conventional gasoline engine of the same size and features since that's when you're into the throttle most often.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    I'm not sure I follow... I can still yell at the guy over the phone while he is saying "I'm downloading the update to your car now sir". And then all other Teslas get the same update. It's fantastic. They did the same thing when people started hitting large steel bolts, they sent an update to all cars to raise the adjustable suspension a bit until the underbody shields could be installed.
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