Drew Dowdell

On a totally relevant note, and with an eye to doing that... what is the forum policy on one poster having multiple accounts? I was PMed by a guy who had concerns about a poster he thought may be doing it. Notify me in PM and I'll look into it.

I think it really depends on the appearance of the store once it is set up. If it just looks like a couple of shipping containers, yeah, it will flop.... but I highly doubt that's what it will look like.

I'd like to introduce you to your new moderator of the Tesla and Fisker forums - Buzz Killington. He's the local sheriff here now.

Lets try and keep things positive around here.

I tested the GMC Sierra Denali Crew Cab back in 2010 and found it to ride great.... they must have stiffened up the suspension a lot.

Because Nissan has just about given up on anything that isn't a CVT. With everyone trying different things to get better fuel mileage for CAFE standards, Nissan's biggest push in that direction so far really has been CVT everything. It has it's good and it's bad points, it isn't horrible for those looking for an appliance, but they need to get their heads out of their rears and realize that if they are going to label something as a sports car it definitely should not be running a CVT. Their CVT has been really good at hiding the deficiencies of their 4-cylinder engines in the NVH department.

Eh, I wouldn't go that far. They ride and drive pretty well and in 4-cylinder guise, they get decent fuel economy. They're tweener cars... smashed between the CR-V/RAV-4 and the Grand Cherokee/Edge in size. Where they really fall down is on their interiors which are now about 5 years out of date. Relative to most of their competition, I stand by my claim. They have a decent ride, and that's about it. They're underpowered in I4 guise, get crap mileage, and are overpriced as hell. This, in addition to just being generally outdated and totally dull to drive. Resale value isn't stellar, either. In truth, they are just about the very last small SUV I'd buy, with the list being- 1-Forester 2-Cherokee 3-CX-5 4-Rav 5-CR-V 6-Escape 7-'Nox/Terrain 8-Sportage/Tucson Their only saving grace is the available V6. Well, they're also much larger than all of those you list as well. It's almost a full size class difference in capacity.

Mine - 1. 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado Caliente, 5.0 V8, black metalic - Stolen, found, totaled 2. 1983 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 3.8 V6, Champaign - Sold 3. 1985 Lincoln Continental 5.0 V8, Brown - Scrapped after the second engine electrical fire 4. 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible, 3.4 DOHC V6, Teal - Traded 5. 2004 Cadillac CTS 3.6 V6, Black Raven - Leased and turned in 6. 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 4WD 5.3 V8 - Green - Sold 7. 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon 5.7 V8 - multiple colors but originally blue with woodgrain - I didn't own it, I put the work and materials into making this road worthy and as a trade I got to borrow it for 8 months - returned to owner 8. 2004 Honda CR-V 2.4 I4 - Silver - current 9. 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado, 5.0 V8, white - current 10. 2013 Buick Encore AWD 1.4T - Carbon Black - Current

Sure, once the Buicks with Intelilink get it. Nice! Your wish is Opel's command: Opel Getting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for 2016 Model Year

Just days after a similar Android Auto and Apple CarPlay announcement from Chevrolet, Opel has announced it will be releasing the two smart phone integration systems across it's small and mid-size car lineup. Starting with the next generation Opel Astra, which will be shown in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the integration will debut on Opel's R 4.0 IntelliLink system while the Touch R 700 and Navi 900 systems gaining the functions later in 2016. The first systems will be available starting in September 2015. Regardless of which system being used, a Projection icon will be available on the Intellilink screen which will change to an Apply CarPlay or Android Auto icon when the respective phone is connected. Android Auto requires a phone running at least Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher and Apple CarPlay requires an iPhone 5 or higher. To those of us in the U.S, this gives us hope that a Apple CarPlay and Android Auto announcement for Buick, GMC, and Cadillac is not far away. Source: GM Media Opel Press Release on Page 2 Opel is Leader for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay · Next-generation Opel Astra will be first in class to offer compatibility with both solutions · Phone integration in other Opel models to be announced soon Rüsselsheim. As of this summer, Opel will begin offering phone integration featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its model range. Starting with the next-generation Astra, which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (September 17 to 27), Opel will roll-out Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its mini, small, compact and midsize models during model year 2016. “Phone integration is a smart and simple way to use your smartphone in your car,” says Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “We are offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration across the range, at the most attractive prices on the market. These applications, in addition to Opel OnStar, our personal connectivity and service assistant, show again how we are playing a leading role in enabling customers to connect with their cars.” Opel’s new generation IntelliLink infotainment concept gives owners a smart and simple way to access both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. R 4.0 IntelliLink will be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration at the beginning of the 2016 model year, with Android Auto compatibility on Touch R 700 and Navi 900 IntelliLink systems scheduled to arrive in the course of 2016. Each system builds off of the features smartphone users rely on most. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto. Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. That allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay. Using either application in a compatible Opel is simple. A “Projection” icon on the infotainment touch-screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (whichever is applicable) when a compatible phone is connected via USB. Android Auto requires a phone running Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or above, while Apple CarPlay requires an iPhone 5 or later. Compatible apps need to be downloaded to a phone before using. Apple and Google’s privacy statements and terms of use apply. Data plan rates may also apply. As of the 2016 model year, the Meriva, Mokka, current Astra GTC, current Astra sedan, Zafira Tourer and Cascada with Navi 650 or CD600/Navi 950 IntelliLink infotainment systems will offer an embedded app for AUPEO! Personal Radio. View full article

So I went to Best Buy last night and looked. The LG G4 isn't out yet. The Galaxy S6 is nice, but I don't see a compelling reason to upgrade to it while my S4 is running fine The S6 in the store was running Android 5.0.2 rather than the 5.1 I was expecting. I didn't care for the S6 Edge at all. If I had to buy today, that's probably what I would get. The bloat on the S6 is ridiculous... you get a 32gig phone with only about 16 gig available for use. There are windows installations smaller than that. I looked into the LG G4 a bit more online and my interest is piqued enough to check it out when it is released.... I like the leather backs on it, plus the camera seems really good. It also has the removable battery and SD slot. I also checked out the Note 4 while I was in the store. Interesting, but I think the S-Pen is gimicky and it might be just over sized for me. I didn't get to check a Nexus 6.

I would rather close down trolls for trolling than their victims... but that's just me.

Actually, we have a spot just for looking at sales numbers. Every month we (and by that I mean William) posts the sales figures for every manufacturer or brand. Sales Figure Ticker Our data goes back a good number of years.

Somebody really wanted a tombstone grille on a '56 Packard?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC4k8H72eDQ

Typically such changes (the 1.5T and 1.6T are different engine family from the 2.4) require big wiring harness changes, EPA re-certifications, cold and hot weather testing..... and then you start talking real money...

You want me to cool it with the videos? Ill understand. I'm joking about the server strain... it doesn't really hurt anything there. But people browsing on mobile may not appreciate it. We like videos... just perhaps keep it to when really needed to make your point or discuss something.

With that many videos being posted, I'm beginning to see why MT's servers might have been under strain....

No no, I think you misunderstood me. I'm saying that the 'Nox is almost the size of a GC, so $28k isn't a bad price for one..... but at $34k for a smaller CR-V I would have second thoughts when not getting a V6. (that said, you can get a Terrain Denali with an I4 for Grand Cherokee Limited money, but hey, it's your money) gotcha. The Equinox is the seller it is because it is one of the few GM vehicles that is packaged well. Lots of first and second row room for its class. I am worried what GM will do to it downsizing it. Even if the interiors are out of date, i think the design of the dash is well done still. Chevy could have stood to have upgraded the seat cloth and door panels a bit, i think. If GM merely did interior upgrades and an all new powertrain in the thing, they could continue to sell it with the same body style for 3 more years easy. I would have been happy with just the interior upgrades. I don't know what new powertrain they'd put in.... the 2.5? In my view, that's actually a step backwards.

A Grand Cherokee Hellcat?! Wrapped around a tree in 5..4...3....2...

These can get crazy good fuel economy on the highway if you're gentle.

Screen image quality - there is a big difference in pixel density, and Samsung's Super AMOLED is pretty much the best on the market right now. Camera image quality (the biggest MP isn't the decider here since I have to end up cutting down the photos for posting on the website anyway) overall performance

Thanks, useful input. I don't play high end games on my phone, but I do notice some lag on my S4... though that has decreased noticeably with Lollipop.

Another option came to mind... the Galaxy Note 5 is rumored to be released in July.