Drew Dowdell

seems like a light show this year

Referring to the HSR in California, saying it isn't convenient is the same as saying the Pennsylvania Turnpike wasn't convenient in the 1940s because it only ran from Collegeville pa to irwin pa and didn't connect directly to Philly or Pittsburgh. The HSR segment in CA is just the starting point of a much larger network that will connect to the big cities eventually.

Half of the cost overruns it is experiencing now are from people expecting a winning lottery ticket for their land by asking quadruple or quintuple the regular market value.

The Volt isn't about saving money. It is the iPhone of cars. Leading edge technology in the transforming automotive market. That it doesn't make financial sense to the end user right now is entirely besides the point. Neither do iPhones and neither do 3-series.

<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(212, 212, 212); " width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2012 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview Schedule - Wednesday, Feb. 8</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Time</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Event</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Location</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 8 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> MAMA Breakfast—Volvo</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> McCormick Place – Grand Ballroom</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:15 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> GMC</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> GMC Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:50 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 10:25 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Kia</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Kia Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 11 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 12 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Economic Club of Chicago—Toyota</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> McCormick Place – Grand Ballroom</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 1:30 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2:30 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BP</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BP Lounge – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 3 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> MotorWeek Awards</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Grand Concourse Stage</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 3:30 p.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Continental</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Continental Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 2012 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview Schedule - Thursday, Feb. 9</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Social Media Programs. All times are approximate at this point, but a more accurate listing will be posted as we are informed. Please check in the Continental Media Center, www.ChicagoAutoShow.com, or manufacturer websites for updates.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Time</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Event</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Location</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 8:30 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler – Fiat Breakfast & Program</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chrysler Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:15 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan – Social & Product</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Nissan Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 9:45 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ford Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 10:15 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Toyota</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Toyota Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 10:45 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai </td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Hyundai Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> 11:45 a.m.</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> General Motors</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Chevrolet Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Volkswagen</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Volkswagen Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BMW</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> BMW Display – North Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Subaru</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Subaru Display – South Hall</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Ongoing</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Suzuki</td> <td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "> Suzuki Display – South Hall</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Costco has an automotive program that you deal with participating dealers with. The price has been prenegotiated. That is how I leased my Regal.

True they have an automotive program, but in this case, if the dealerships are not wanting to sell the cars, then sell them direct via Costco at a set price and then you just pay for the shipment cost of having the car delivered via truck to your home. GM could and Costco make a fortune this way.

Unfortunately most states have franchise laws that require vehicle sales through licensed dealers. Remember what happened when Chrysler opened the corporate dealer in Los Angeles?

No, I actually don't know that story.

The Volt is too expensive for what it is. It is Cruze/Civic/Elantra level in performance, size, features, etc at double the price as earlier stated. The electric range is not far enough and recharge time not quick enough. Draining a battery in 1 hour and needing 8 hours to recharge it isn't appealing. Battery technology just isn't good enough to make a car like the Volt desirable.

It is NOT the same level as the Cruze or Civic or Elantra.

It has better feeling, gobs of torque in city driving. It feels more powerful even if the 0-60 or 1/4 mile times end up being similar.

In Regeneration mode it quieter than the Cruze which is already pretty damn quiet. It is positively Buick quiet next to the buzz bomb Elantra.

In electric only mode, few others can even come close to the quiet of the Volt.

Road noise from the tires is equal to the Cruze, better than the Civic and Elantra

Handling is excellent. The battery balanced out the front drive weight bias substantially.

Interior materials are (mostly) well above the Civic, Cruze, and Elantra. The headliner is the same as the one from my old CTS as opposed the the felt you get in the Elantra. There were a few items that were a little too carry over from the Cruze, but nothing major.

Capacitive touch

Stabilitrack, Bluetooth, heated mirrors all standard

And it is 4 hours to charge the Volt on your home dryer outlet, not 8. In your and my area, the terrain is actually an advantage. Driving out to the airport and back yielded 70+ mpg on a mostly drained battery due to the regeneration on the hills.

a Wave is geography?

Cordoba

Alpina

Pretty much nothing they can do from a short term perspective if they are at capacity.

bland banana on a narrow track

oh look, that rhymes!

Here you go smk!

The market for 70s T/As is very hot right now and any pristine or restored example will bring decent money - let alone a museum-quality car like this.

Queue Smoky and the Bandit remake in 5...4....3...

It would probably be a box office hit...

Surprised there hasn't been a remake...but who could play the Bandit?

It will probably end up being Jake Gyllenhaal

Bring back the Dogs Love Trucks ad campaign

Hmm, possibilities....

Ha, I wish.

While it's perfectly legal to fly over any of the Michigan proving grounds at the minimum safe altitude (500 ft.), you would probably run into trouble once you started snapping/using photos.

Anyone can fly over private property, but you can't interfere with its' use. Normally, that would just be a noise issue, but with the massive, well-financed legal teams the OEMs have, I'm sure they would have no problem trying to argue in court that someone flying 500 ft over the grounds with a long camera lens was interfering.

the borders of the property go straight up right? Maybe it is just some good angle that you need rather than being right over?

GM claims that they have met or surpassed BMW in all areas they targeted.

All things that add up to even more excitement even for Chevy and possibly Buick at some point.

But GM claimed to have met or surpassed BMW in the past, Lexus claimed the same, ditto for Audi. Yet none of them are BMW, the 3-series and 5-series whoop on the IS, GS, A4 and A6. I want to wait to see reviews on the ATS, especially from European testers, they will be most critical. Car and Driver loves BMW, if the ATS can win them over, then Cadillac is getting somewhere.

Did you say EXITEMENT!!!! That should be reserved for Pontiac, Buick can't handle it.

BMW can't even beat old BMW in terms of handling and driving feel.

moar dieasels!!

oh... and California.... I want a pony.

Well, I don't think Sonoma, Monte Carlo and Bel Air count. Those are cities. Looking for physical geography.

The market for 70s T/As is very hot right now and any pristine or restored example will bring decent money - let alone a museum-quality car like this.

Queue Smoky and the Bandit remake in 5...4....3...

How many vehicles named after geography can you think of?

I'll start.

Sierra

Mandating that people purchase a certain number of a certain type of vehicle is dumb.

oh.. and good riddance to the 5-cylinder

the girls LOVE the 500s

... I don't like getting hair in my teeth

Cost.