Drew Dowdell

Na, inventory is low. Friends of mine just bought an F-150. They wanted a very specific configuration. They couldn't get it... and the one they settled for still had to be shipped 150miles.

it's interesting. Elio has been going around to all of the states to get this classified as a car instead of a motorcycle. I would like to do an article about that. So what is gained by getting this classified as a car rather than a trike? I thought it was cheaper and easier to get on the road as a 3 wheeled trike than a car? No helmet laws.

XTS??? XTS. Magnetic ride control for when I want to be sporty. Air springs for comfort when I'm on a long trip.

I was referring to other parts of the world, like Europe, where people still appreciate driving and almost all cars offer manual transmissions--and with high take rates too. Also, technically it's the electronic/computer age making us fat not so much cars. The auto industry has been booming for much longer than the obesity epidemic in the US. People in Europe drive manuals because up until very very very recently, manual transmissions were much more efficient than automatics and provided substantially better performance in low displacement/low power engines. Also, automatics were a substantial upcharge in frugal post-war Europe. If you're buying a Vauxhall Astra, an automatic transmission could be 10% - 15% increase in sticker price. Europe's fondness for the manual has nothing to do with "appreciating driving" and everything to do with $10 per gallon gasoline (adjust for inflation as you go back in time). The only reason that manuals are still popular in Europe even though automatics have achieved efficiency parity is that old habits and opinions are hard to break. I'm pretty sure that's over simplifying. Otherwise why would European manufacturers, particularly German ones, pride themselves on sharp handling and dynamics? Why are automatics still typically relegated to older or disabled folks that can't comfortably work 3 pedals? Maybe at one point there was necessity, but it seems to have also spawned a culture of people that enjoy fun-to-drive cars and prefer to shift their own gears. There is always a subculture that likes crisp driving dynamics, but the firmer rides you talk about are more a byproduct of the better quality roads (at least in Germany). Prior to about 2000, only BMW did much with the really sporty driving. Benzes may have been crisper than your grandmother's 83 LeSabre, but they weren't what we'd call sporting... either today or in 1983. They were (are still) heavy, boaty, and back then saddled with slow diesel engines. I assure you there is absolutely nothing sporting about a 1993 Mercedes Benz C-Class with a 111 horsepower non-turbo diesel... so you can imagine what the 90 horsepower non-turbo diesel 1983 model was like. The Volkswagen Rabbits of the late 70s were extremely popular.... and they handle like crap. They came with a range of diesel engine sporting 49 horsepower, 53 horsepower, and an autobahn shredding 69 horsepower. Even with the original 3-series, most cars were sold with horsepower ratings in the double digits. The automatics in these cars were usually 3-speed autos while the manuals were typically 5-speeds (unless you got a really stripper Rabbit with a 4-speed manual) So no... it isn't over simplifying things. Manuals cost a lot less to operate in a time and region with high fuel costs, manuals cost a lot less to buy, and they enabled the driver to wring every last ounce of performance out of grossly underpowered engines. It wasn't out of some love of driving that the Europeans stuck with manual transmissions, it was just the most practical solution to the environment they were in..... and for the most part the Europeans stick with manuals more out of habit than anything else.

this. I have grown to really like these.

I was referring to other parts of the world, like Europe, where people still appreciate driving and almost all cars offer manual transmissions--and with high take rates too. Also, technically it's the electronic/computer age making us fat not so much cars. The auto industry has been booming for much longer than the obesity epidemic in the US. People in Europe drive manuals because up until very very very recently, manual transmissions were much more efficient than automatics and provided substantially better performance in low displacement/low power engines. Also, automatics were a substantial upcharge in frugal post-war Europe. If you're buying a Vauxhall Astra, an automatic transmission could be 10% - 15% increase in sticker price. Europe's fondness for the manual has nothing to do with "appreciating driving" and everything to do with $10 per gallon gasoline (adjust for inflation as you go back in time). The only reason that manuals are still popular in Europe even though automatics have achieved efficiency parity is that old habits and opinions are hard to break.

King Ranch started in 2001 - GWB had one for his ranch and Texas.

What do you mean by a chart? Currently I look at it and we have the list of stories and what I see as a traditional news letter, nice but I am thinking especially for smartphone use, if we have a chart at the top that lists all the hot stories and links so it jumps to those stories, people can then choose what they want to read rather than scroll down. I know in my engineering test cases, I always use excel and at the top of the document have a spreadsheet listing out what all is in the document and links so you can jump to what is of interest to you. Hope this makes sense, I am operating on 2 hrs of sleep so sorry if it is not clear. So you want a list of stories without the picture and teaser text? That is my thinking for having it be more mobile friendly. List of the stories and then you can have an expanded section with pictures and brief overview below for people on computers and tablets. Just trying to think on how we can cover both the mobile smartphone phablet area and the desktop/laptop/tablet users. Okay, noted.

I can't get past the new exterior design language. Well that and the CVT. I'd be inclined to at least try the Edge Sport at the same price point as the others. The CVT is super smooth and paired with the VQ is nicely refined. When you consider what the Murano is meant to be, comfy family cruiser rather than sports car, the CVT makes sense. I don't think CVTs ever make sense, so that argument falls on deaf ears. Of course if the gearing war continues at 9 speeds and beyond, my opinion of conventional automatics wont be any better. What doesn't make sense?

What do you mean by a chart? Currently I look at it and we have the list of stories and what I see as a traditional news letter, nice but I am thinking especially for smartphone use, if we have a chart at the top that lists all the hot stories and links so it jumps to those stories, people can then choose what they want to read rather than scroll down. I know in my engineering test cases, I always use excel and at the top of the document have a spreadsheet listing out what all is in the document and links so you can jump to what is of interest to you. Hope this makes sense, I am operating on 2 hrs of sleep so sorry if it is not clear. So you want a list of stories without the picture and teaser text?

I would want to upgrade my CTS to the XTS V-Sport suspension

I was talking LT1 to LT1, if i am not mistaken the truck version has different internals to produce more torque at a lower RPM but less HP. in any case they are VERY low production as they are only available on higher trims. We can talk about the 5.7 and 6.4, and the Pentastar and how many different vehicles they are available in with the same exact internals if you want lol. Nope, just a slightly different cam and different VVT tuning, same block and everything else. The L86/LT1 is not low production, 30% of each model sold is a Denali when a Denali model is available. Not all Denalis are 6.2s though as the 5.3 is standard, compared with GMC's relatively low production, then the Denalis lower production, then not all Denalis being 6.2s......... I am still searching on the differences, per Wards: The L86 has a lot in common with the LT1: displacement, block, bore and stroke, 11.5:1 compression ratio, cylinder heads, crankshafts, continuously variable valve timing and other hardware. But the LT1 requires unique intake, exhaust and lubrication systems and tuning to meet the demands of a Corvette owner. "Exhaust" is not the engine. GM could hook the 3.6 V6 up to the corvette exhaust. LT1 has a dry oil sump I believe - for high G-turning. Different intake manifold too..... I thought they did have a different cam, but maybe it is just a different cam tune using the VVT system. Still not major changes that would cut into profits.

I can't get past the new exterior design language. Well that and the CVT. I'd be inclined to at least try the Edge Sport at the same price point as the others. The CVT is super smooth and paired with the VQ is nicely refined. When you consider what the Murano is meant to be, comfy family cruiser rather than sports car, the CVT makes sense.

it's interesting. Elio has been going around to all of the states to get this classified as a car instead of a motorcycle. I would like to do an article about that.

well... yes... the old 5.3 was great... but it's not the same engine as the 5.3 that is being put into the trucks now.

What do you mean by a chart?

I was talking LT1 to LT1, if i am not mistaken the truck version has different internals to produce more torque at a lower RPM but less HP. in any case they are VERY low production as they are only available on higher trims. We can talk about the 5.7 and 6.4, and the Pentastar and how many different vehicles they are available in with the same exact internals if you want lol. Nope, just a slightly different cam and different VVT tuning, same block and everything else. The L86/LT1 is not low production, 30% of each model sold is a Denali when a Denali model is available.

you guys are making me wish I had booked an extra day or two in Calgary, but I just couldn't swing it with my schedule.

Not to correct you...but... a couple friends and I were at our local GM dealer(one of them wanted to get an idea of new truck prices..he was kindof in sticker shock) and I actually think 90% were either the 5.3 or 4.3.. But I understand what you're saying! lol "My" Buick/GMC dealer must move a lot of Denalis. And yes yes.. I know the "truck" LT1 is technically coded an L86, but it is the same engine in a different tune. Yeah there were only a couple Denalis on the lot.. but in all fairness we were looking something for him that was a little more basic so we weren't looking at everything let a lone everything that looked awesome.. but I do always like to look at price tags of the fully loaded ones.. Saw a 62k High Country..jeez. But that dark brown leather interior did look extremely fancy, especially for a truck. Random. But when we were looking the window sticker was kind of confusing actually. On the lower left hand side under "mechanical" a lot of them had the 4.3 listed. BUT on the upper right(outside fo the "box") they had the 5.3 listed. That's because the 5.3 is an option. That said, if he just needs something basic and doesn't need to tow a heavy trailer, the 4.3 is a fine engine. It has roughly the same power characteristics of the 5.3 from about 12 years ago. The instinct when buying a truck is always to go for the biggest baddest engine you can afford, but these new V6es from GM and Ford and Chrysler are plenty good enough for most folks who just want to haul mulch home from Home Depot. I really like the High Country, but it is very much Chevy copying Ford's King Ranch. My Mom drives a 2007 King Ranch with that dark brown interior.

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Not to correct you...but... a couple friends and I were at our local GM dealer(one of them wanted to get an idea of new truck prices..he was kindof in sticker shock) and I actually think 90% were either the 5.3 or 4.3.. But I understand what you're saying! lol "My" Buick/GMC dealer must move a lot of Denalis. And yes yes.. I know the "truck" LT1 is technically coded an L86, but it is the same engine in a different tune.

Its only 3 years away...if we count it as we do birthdays...technically, the 2016s are coming in a couple of months...so...in reality...that is only 2 model years away...for a vehicle that sells the way it does...in a niche where buyers have gone SUV crazy...again....for a vehicle that DEFINES the genre and niche...it aint no biggie...OK...come 2018...Jeep might feel a slight decrease in sales due to the fact that it has been that long...but Im sure it will still outsell its competition at that point in time regardless. Maybe by then Jeep will have to start discounting a bit. Right now, it is darn near impossible to get a GC at any discount compared to much of the competition.

Wolf

If you send me your contact details. i'll get it over to the Chevy folks.

uh, the LT1 is available at any Chevy or GMC dealer in the truck section. Stand in the middle of the truck lot, throw a tomato, and there is a really good chance you'll hit a truck with an LT1.