Drew Dowdell

I would prefer a push button or rotary dial shifter.

Lots of Telsas all over Suburban Chicago land this week.

How come you haven't added it to the Garage yet!?

October 1, 2013 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com Photography provided by General Motors Cadillac released some teaser pictures of the upcoming Escalade SUV due to be unveiled on October 7th in New York. From what we can see, the interior has been brought in to the family look shared by the Cadillac ATS and Cadillac CTS sedans. The interior features a cut and sewn interior and attractive deep grain accents. We are somewhat disappointed to see that the Escalade maintains a column mounted shifter however. Click Picture to Enlarge On the technology side, the Escalade gains a new TFT Gauge cluster, and Cadillac's CUE Infotainment system. Out front, a new multi-eye headlamp cluster is apparent along with vertical LED light piping that is quickly becoming a Cadillac signature design element. Click Picture to Enlarge Stay tuned for more of the Cadillac Escalade reveal, including a live stream, on October 7th. Click Picture to Enlarge Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of Cheersandgears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter as @Cheersngears View full article

K. here ya go.

Weight. Drivers into the boost too often.

It looks entirely like driver error. Doesn't seem like he even tried to steer till the last minute.

Well I don't mean that one in the picture is mine... just what I was used to seeing as a kid. Dad has a longbed version, but my issue isn't with longbed or shortbed, it is with how little the cab looks sitting on top of the huge body.

Google has very deep pockets and very talented lobbyists

Landing in the water was probably a good thing thing this time

See, this is what I grew up with. This is better proportions. not so much body to cab ratio.

necessary if Volvo wants to move upmarket.

I would put the 500 in the same size class as the Fiesta and Mazda2, the 500L is on the other side of the spectrum being a bit larger than the Sonic

I don't have any experience with it, but what year is it? The Astra was sold in the U.S. under the Saturn brand for a few years. If you have some pictures of it, you can also add it to our Members Garage

Kia Rio Fiat 500

Great points. What level of attention will the law require with self driving cars? Will we have "no sleeping while not driving" or "No reading"?

The problem with urban planning these days is that everywhere needs to be it's own little suburban paradise with all the shopping conveniences no more than 4 miles away. Add in the bribery that happens when big box stores promise to build in a location and raise everyone else's property values (they expect property tax abatement in return for this "service"), the local townships are just as guilty. In one recent case, as soon as the property tax abatement expired after 15 years of property tax free selling, Walmart pulled up and moved 3 miles down the road to another township that was willing to offer a tax abatement.

Happy Birthday William and thank you for all the help you provide around here!

September 30, 2013 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheerandGears.com Some Crossovers are too this; some Crossovers are too that; and some Crossovers are just right. This is the Goldilocks’ impression I walked away with after my quick drive of the 2013 Toyota RAV-4 AWD. Toyota rarely releases radical designs, but the first visual impression of the RAV-4 is that Toyota is trying to break that habit, though cautiously. The RAV-4 seems to drop the family face shared by the rest of the Toyota line, yet retains enough familiarity to fit in. I admit to not being a fan of the new look at first, but it has grown on me. Step inside and you are greeted with a roomy interior for the class. The dashboard continues the unconventional look from the outside with an unusual two tier dash. Upscale materials are found on most places you would normally touch, however some of the lower panels have clearly been through some cost-cutting. The overall look of the dash layout is what one might expect if a car manufacturer produced a luxury compact pickup, with a very upright and blocky appearance. Most of the switchgear is standard Toyota and the everyday buttons are easy to reach and have a simple layout. Lesser used switches are low on the center stack and a bit harder to operate by touch. Though dimensionally similar to vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape, the Toyota RAV-4 makes the most of those dimensions and feels larger and roomier inside thanks to its light and airy cabin. Click picture to enlarge Like the interior? How does the RAV-4 drive? On to page 2! One area that Toyota has nailed it is in overall refinement. From the perky 2.5 liter 4-cylinder with Lexus like manners, to the buttery smooth 6-speed automatic transmission, to the supple yet spritely independent suspension, the RAV-4 would keep Goldilocks happy for a long while. The 2.5 liter produces 176 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 4100rpm. Though lacking the absolute highest of 4-cylinder engine power, the engine never feels overworked. Around town, the RAV-4's engine feels very energetic. It pushes that power through a buttery smooth 6-speed automatic to all 4 wheels netting an EPA 22 mpg City/ 29mpg Highway/ 25mpg combined. The suspension is soft without being spongy, soaking up road imperfections but maintaining a firm and confident feel in corners.The Toyota RAV-4 has been one of the best selling vehicles in its segment for years, often taking the best seller crown. While Toyota has gotten a little out of their comfort zone on styling, they have put together a total package in the 2013 model that only strengthens their solid market position. I'll bet a whole lot of Goldilockses out there will end up finding the 2013 RAV-4 to be just right. As Tested Price: $31,869 Related Reviews: Review: 2013 Nissan Rogue Review: 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Review: 2013 Kia Sportage AWD Disclaimer: Toyota provided the 2013 Toyota RAV-4 during a drive event held for members of the International Motor Press Association. Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter as @Cheersngears Click picture to enlarge View full article