Drew Dowdell

I think I'm not understanding something...

Justin Bieber's new leopard print Audi R8. Edit: Chris, I see a new line of work for you as a Helicopter Paparazzi..... the writer of the article identified the car as a Porsche... which... and I'm no expert... would appear to be incorrect.

Think about it from Lutz's perspective. He'd be paying $20m for the intellectual property of basically a fully developed car that can be built with LS1 power OR Hybrid power PLUS a nearly nearly developed, very sexy, 3-series sized sedan that can be conventionally powered as well or offered in a hybrid in the upper trims. For $20m... what's not to like? Lutz would finally get his own car company!

looking around at the DTSes, the 300 and 300C still seems to offer better deals

Regardless of what you think of the powertrain, $20m for $2b worth of assets is not a bad investment.

W220 is crap. I had the misfortune of having to drive a 2003 S430. Awful suspension, lousy interior, and the worst driving position I've had to deal with. It's like driving a school bus that you can't fit in or see out of. Aren't there different suspensions? I like the softer rides anyway.. especially in pothole stricken Pittsburgh. I would have thought you'd have a comment.

LOL I like that! Yeah, a friend of mine from rural Ohio had a 2005 S-class up until about 6 months ago.. he didn't like driving it in Pittsburgh, so when he came to town, we'd take his car but I would drive. It is definitely a car I like. His was the V8 though and I'd go that route for practicality. This will be a business car though, so I'm not sure tooling around in an S-Class while I'm just getting started is a good idea.

Exactl Dfelt. This would be a good pairing up with eAssist to allow it to remain on battery longer.

I wouldn't blame you for going with a Charger, the LX cars are good.

I don't think a Verano Turbo would out scoot a 200 V6 by much, if at all.

The E350 Bluetech is currently running incentives close to $10k off sticker!? What is going on there?

Yes. I prefer bigger cars to smaller, so if you want to break it down to the most basic selection criteria, I'm looking for the best combination of size + mpg + price.... and if I can get some luxury in there too, that would be good. As I mentioned in another thread, if I could get a Chrysler 300-D at a reasonable price, we'd not even be having this discussion. Yeah, I gotta get on the list for that press car... after I finish all the reviews that have been piling up on my desk. I'm not sure I agree with that reviewer that the Jetta has a more stylish and better quality cabin than the Cruze... The Jetta, while not bad, is just all flat with really chinzy materials around. The Cruze uses better materials on average, there is more styling, and the size of the screen + MyLink is vastly superior to what VW uses.

While I like that car, it wouldn't work for what I'm going to using it for.

Interesting and noted.... just concerned about the mileage and how much that will hurt the residual.

Why didn't the ATS get this first... at least as a rolling upgrade... and then the Impala?

I've not had a problem with the UConnect in the 300c... is it that different in the 200? The S-Trim starts becoming a requirement when you start adding other options (at least according to the Chrysler website)... not something that I am actively seeking though. But I'm looking at it this way... $21k for more options than I could get in a base Verano and in a Verano similarly equipped it is about a $7k - $8k difference.... plus... Pentastar.

Cruze Eco was left off for a couple reasons, not the least of which is that I can't equip it the way I want. Power train definitely works for me though, but if I could equip it the way I want, it is almost Cruze diesel or Buick Verano territory anyway, so might as well get that.

I've just soured on the Malibu too much and I've already had a 2.5 on one of my Pittsburgh-Columbus-Pittsburgh runs and only pulled 30mpg. I can and have done that in a Hemi 300c. No way on the Impala. Albert likes the Regal, but even CPO with low miles, they still pull $23k - $25k. If I'm spending that, I'll get a new Passat TDI and get the EmPeeGees also. The local Suzuki dealer somehow has 160 Kasashi's left (unless that is a misprint) at $9600 off. An interesting proposition and I do like the car. The only hit against it that I can see is that it would only be a MPG bonus locally... the TDIs are on the list for long distance cruise needs. Leasing preferable for what I'm looking to do anyway (tax reasons) Honestly, the 300 V6 + 8-speed is pretty close to the top of my list anyway. I keep going back to the Passat TDI for the mileage, though I do like them too... just not as much as the Chrysler. UConnect alone is a major selling point because it feels almost like a PDA that helps me get business done.

So, with some life changes coming up, I am car shopping. I'm looking in the $25k range +/- a grand. Since the number of miles could potentially swing wildly opposite of what I do now (Less than 5k a year on my own car), I'm looking at high(er) mpg options, but a lower priced car that doesn't get the best mpg but has other convincing options is on the table too. I don't really want to go any smaller than Cruze/Verano Here's what I'm looking at so far: Passat TDI/DSG/Sunroof - about $25k after current incentives Cruze Diesel - $26k Verano Leather Group + sunroof - $26k 200 V6 + sunroof and upper UConnect - $20k after current incentives (Used) 300 V6 + 8speed + UConnect - Typically around the low $20ks off the Enterprise lot (really not a fan of the Charger except in the absolutely loaded trims which won't come from Enterprise) Fusion SE 1.6T with 205b and Sunroof - $24,600 after incentives. What am I overlooking.. what else should I consider... which would you pick?

BTW... as I've been price shopping high mpg cars recently, the Impala should really get the 2 liter diesel from the Cruze. Jetta TDI and Cruze diesel pricing is remarkably similar when both are automatic (which is how most are bought anyway). Impala would be at a price disadvantage to the base Passat TDI... but that will be true on any trim/engine combo between those two cars.

Sure, it may not be best in class, but the 200 Sedan is a LOT of car for the money. V6 Pentastar, 18" wheels, Leather, heated seats, remote start, S-Trim, Uconnect with 6.5" screen/Nav/20Gig HD MSRP - $26,470 After Incentives, $21,333

I have a few issues with the 300, but the interior room and MPG are not it. The 300 regularly gets me over 32mpg on my Pittsburgh-Columbus-Pittsburgh runs while the Taurus just barely squeaks by with 27 (and a 2.5 Malibu with 30). I am very careful about the speed limit on this route because it is generally loaded with cops. I set it at 65mph and forget it... so my runs are very consistent. Everyone I talk to who has sat in the new Impala hates the steering wheel... it is such a huge and instant sticking point for people that I hope GM swaps it out with a corporate unit pronto.

A fairly simple replacement.

Is it not firmer than an old Solara?

Think of it as Hyundai's stimulus plan for the country.