caddycruiser

Yes, TL specifically, they're usually great cars and fun to drive. BUT, people have had common bugs since the redesign--despite the initial impression, rattles and squeaks were quite common, as were a few random mechanical noises. Still, not everyone has issues, but there are some things that are just "typical" in regards to online owner's boards (i.e. "my new one doesn't have any rattles", etc.). They're still fantastic, and I know a few colleagues with nothing but joy in regards to theirs. But, they too can have bugs, even from a "vaunted" automaker.

You know, on the trans choices, they were manual only at first, which did limit (well, if you could call it that) the buyer base. Then when they added the auto, there as always was a HUGE influx of people who had either no desire for or just can't drive a stick, who got the auto. Dealers I've seen still seem to get a mix, but based on typical customer want alone, it's the Auto cars that are always in demand--Turbo cars especially, where people get the extra boost but can still just put it in Drive and go. They HAVE definitely seemed to get more bloated in options and pricing, though. Of course, with time, some of that is just that GM is offering more choices in things, but at the same time, though you could easily find a mid 20's Solstice when they first came out, now 97% of them seem to be the $28-32k variety with every single option box checked. Again, a lot of it is demand (people buying an impulse car like this usually just want everything), so a dealer wouldn't just stock crank windowed, no A/C, stick cars just because...

True, oddly enough. For a while there, I never saw either at any dealer--they'd get them, but they'd either be special orders or just sold away immediately. Then with time, I still have never seen a Sky on the lot either in PA or at home, but in the past few months now see Solstices sitting on dealer lots. Noticed it immediately when the GM dealer at home, who has like 1 Vette a year, if that, let alone Solstices, now had 2 sitting side by side out in front of the lot. That's NOT to say the Solstice is now a slow seller--very far from it--but just that supply/demand has finally settled out more, while the Sky still seems to be an instant disappearer, likely a combination of looks and the whole "Saturn experience". It's still odd though, given that the supply of each does seem somewhat equaled out, yet there's far less "just went to the dealer and bought Sky sitting there" than there is with the Solstice.

Interesting question, but at the same time...the PT is NOT on the Neon's chassis. People have said this continually since intro, and despite Chrysler's constant reminding that it shares some front suspension pieces and minute dimensions with the Neon, the rest was unique. This is also why the PT is still one of the most solid and refined little cars, despite being 7 years old, still in fact very current in terms of finishing and dynamics. Not that they couldn't take the Caliber platform and take it to the same level, but we've yet to see a vehicle on that platform that's very overwhelming in terms of solidity and refinement--more like the hollow tin can feel instead. And still beyond that, like has been said, the PT's time is limited anyway and it's really gone haywire lately with just paint and trim packages to keep it updated, so who knows what and when Chrysler will do anything with it significant. No rush, as it's still better to drive and better built than it's newer cousins--they at least got that right.

Not very different from the current one all together, and actually if you take a look at the side, it almost looks even more like an exact replica of the current Toyota Matrix version with the plumper, curvier sheetmetal, just with Pontiac cues stuck on. Sort of an odd fit for what's supposed to be the "new" Pontiac, but they were (and still are?) popular small vehicles. At least a ton of retirees around here buy them in droves, which is the same with PT's, Scions, and the like. As long as it's more refined than the current one with stronger performance (no more of that high winding, but no power elsewhere known to the top trim sport models) for daily use, they should do well. I guess.

EXACTLY what I'm wondering. Another Acadia/Outlook in overall body, but with a Chevy fascia and rear detail touches, or more thoroughly different? One can assume the interior is of its own, as the 3 so far are each unique, but we'll see.

Because of your love of VW...and mine...I suggest a 2008 Jetta/etc. TDI with the new TDI engine, if you can push out that long. Here's one, for show, right here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/auto...ws/4218116.html You could always just get a 2006 Jetta TDI, which they actually made a stockpile of because of having to stop the TDI production with '06s, and there's still some new ones to be found. They're fantastic cars, not boaty, but not midgets, built very well, and the TDI...well, that's just self explanatory.

Agreed. The current car has a taut, crispness to it where this car has a similar theme, but as if someone blew into the tailpipe and bulged it out in spaces. Kinda bloated, and with an apparently not as elegant rear...I'm thinking Camry/BMW. But, I'll wait and see until camo is gone, etc., for a full review. One thing, though, if the interior is really better (i.e., current car not bad, but still not where it should be, even compared to other GM's), that would be a big improvement. That, and whatever happens to the powertrains.

Exactly...which just makes this all the more baffling. Either there's something else obvious that's exacerbating the situation (no idea what), or it REALLY is just ingesting something burning off the road that then really makes a fire. If the latter is the case, there's a lot of other cars you'd think it might happen to, but...just weird...

All sounds very normal to me. Though a lot of us would still love to see a Sixteen and a Velite to really further energize Buick and Cadillac, at this point, it's all about re-focusing as much as possible to efficiency coupled with passionate cars--not just overt luxury and style, and typical efficiency. So, it was only to be expected that priorities would go else where--they had to. Oh, and I am SO GLAD to hear it come from a "big" mouth within GM that the lowly Bel Air concept, well, thing, isn't in the cards. Not only would it be a waste of resources right now and probably not ever do well as far as sales, but it just did NOT have the looks or any passion to do much. I've seen it in person twice, and in tons of pictures, and it always just seemed like a drab, flat box turned into a convertible and given a bad nose job. ^^That was the positive news part for me. Otherwise, just be realistic. GM is a company, like any other, and when it comes to what gets developed and what doesn't, funds HAVE to be spread out to the areas that are of utmost importance, leaving pipe dreams either on the back burner or canceled. Just how it works.

That's what I'm thinking, but I can't remember what was said about it now...probably the only choice, aside from underneath like the rest of the big GMT's, which probably isn't a good Hummer idea.

True, except for the big issue of price--that's the lingering compromise here. Another huge reason why so many current "green" or simply Hybrid cars are so popular is because of the mostly "normal" car pricetag...add that same technology to big ute's that, while nice, are already in the upper echelon of daily use vehicle's pricing, and you start hitting new peaks like the new Lexus LS Hybrid. A fantastic car coupled with fantastic technology, but really only for a limited market of very well off buyers. Then again, they all seem to want to be as green as everybody, so rather than stick it out in a Prius or what have you, now they won't feel as guilty cruising in an Escalade. The pity is, you just won't see the normal Tahoe LS/LT driving soccer mom or guy getting that same benefit...it's out of their range. So, this time, you REALLY have to spend to get that increase, so it's negated even more than when people do a cost comparison over time of something like a regular Civic vs. a Hybrid Civic. I'm anxious to see how it all pans out.

Well, inside, an H2 is really very much the same as a Tahoe/Yukon, vehicles themselves that are known for having a 3rd row and they sell 95% of them with one. With the H2 before, they just put the one half of the seat in (literally, it was just the one piece of a Tahoe seat) and the other side had the spare. It's the same now, they just actually put both halves in. Not to say it's a comfortable place in either an H2 or a Tahoe/Yukon, with their live axle creating a cushion AND feet on the same floor setup (i.e., kiss your knees), but people have been buying them like that for years. Otherwise, the popularity of the H2 has sunk year after year, but finally giving it a worthy interior and stronger powertrain are two key upgrades that could at least spark some new interest and trade-in's of older ones.

Yeah, the Escalade and the other big GM ute's, plus the Silverado, as 2-mode Hybrids have been known for a while. A person on GMI, I believe who works with a GM connected company, just made a post a few days ago about seeing the whole clan and some GM engineers, and being able to drive the Escalade Hybrid: They sound interesting and well done...even with the issue that they're already high priced vehicles to begin with, and the Hybrid items are only going to spring them up further (i.e., lots of high rollers and celebrity territory).

Yes, cool car, and if you look at my sig...well, I'm "familiar" With a lot of miles, and who knows what kind of use, the trans is often a thing to go on these LT1 cars, but there's a few aftermarket sources for 4L60E replacement with costs right in line with the typical and internals set up to NEVER have another issue--CPT (Carolina Performance Transmissions, being the most highly regarded). Otherwise, don't jump on the "Optispark is crap" phenomena so soon. Granted, it is a pain in the arse to work on, just based on the location, but in a properly maintained car, they've been known to last longer than a typical distributor setup and go without issue. Case in point, I know one guy in particular with a '94 Fleetwood LT1 that went well over 330k miles (bought it new) and his original Optispark was still untouched. That's not the typical, but just about everyone gets to a bare minimum of 150k+ before ever needing to touch it. I'm at 126k on my '95, and am in need of a light tune up at the moment, but otherwise it's still Lexus smooth and runs and idles MUCH smoother and quieter than even our '04 Suburban 5.3L--when my mother borrowed it once, for example, it freaked her out how there was NO sound and NO vibration whatsoever at a red light, compared to the typical rumble and vibe of her stock truck. The LT1 is just an incredible piece, and there's so many bolt-ons and reprogramming choices (like my custom air intake and custom tuned transmission and other parameters, at the moment), it can really be tailored to whatever you prefer--and is always a beast. Once all is in order, trans and whatever else, it's still astounding how these big old clunky B&D bodies are so smooth and so powerful, and go about their business still like a modern luxury performance car. And heck, even with a lot of issues, you can't beat $412 for a '94 If you haven't already, here's a mecca for these cars if you haven't already found it: http://impalassforum.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php The wagon group is huge, and ever growing, and there's always something like the new yearly trip to the B body wagon master in NY, going on.

Yep, been doing free trials from time to time over the past couple of years, with both XM and Sirius. Finally broke down today and ordered myself a Sirius unit for the car--then I'll finally have something worthwhile to listen to in the car, and online. Can't wait.

Yeah, I just didn't make it, at least not yet. My brother was down there all day Thursday, but that's about it.

Cool! Being semi close to that, I've always wished I could see it inside and up close.

FANTASTIC choice, and the Aura is a great transition from the Intrigue. Sort of, almost, what that car could have been, had Oldsmobile still been around and had the budget to properly execute something. The XR, in particular, with the 3.6L and 6-speed does just sing, and is a beast at the same time.

Great move, and as I've said many times, should be a TERRIFIC vehicle for a college student. Wish I had one! The 3.6L/6-speed is a surprising screamer in even the heavy Lambdas, so I can't imagine how much of a beast it'll make the much lighter Equinox/Torrent/VUE.

Interesting, at least for people like me who always wonder that question, as pertaining to anyone and everyone.

I like the coupe a lot, but somehow this looks like a disjointed Hyundai ripoff...which is really odd. I don't know why they couldn't just keep as much of the coupe's goodness as possible (even for those of you who don't like it, it's still better), and just make that a sedan. Not exactly an expected transformation of the current smooth, if boring, shape. Then again, it's a Honda, and at least it should drive and be built nicely enough to make up for it's aesthetics.

Well, just got back from driving one. Didn't get to do an extended drive like I wanted to, but the dealership was great and the salesman was probably the most knowledgeable I've met in terms of knowing the product and being able to hold a nice conversation. Best part was actually getting to drive one of the NICEST ones they had, and essentially perfect in terms of colors, an XR FWD in White Diamond Tricoat, with beige & black interior, leather, center buckets, dual sunroof, and 19" polished wheels--very, very stylish and got looks on the drive. Stickered a little over $36k, and that's definitely more stuff than we'd want, but for what it had, an INSANE deal compared to competing crossovers with less room and capability and much nicer than an overpriced Tahoe or Yukon with less room and truck dynamics. But back to the actual drive. The Acadia I drove in January was a base SLE with the 18's and the Goodyear Fortera tires, and it just sucked up every little bit of road irregularity and didn't float. The Outlook has the same suspension tuning, but this one had the optional 19's and Goodyear RS-A performance tires, and still sucked up bumps just as well but did it more crisply and it had a tad sharper feel overall. The brakes were also phenomenal, and somehow felt better than I remembered, and it had great pickup--though, even being a later unit, the shifts were somewhat goofy and it seemed confused at times. As is, wouldn't bother me, just something I noticed. That all said, I loved it, and with a combination of the dealer and the vehicle itself, actually am liking the Outlook more than the Acadia now. The interior, at least in the black or tan/black, is extremely nice, and just adds to the German luxury sedan look and feel on the road. And, as well, the doors and such are trimmed out better than the Acadia--things I've read from many people--with soft, upholstered door panels and nice textures elsewhere. I actually kept thinking I was in some kind of new VW, both from the interior design and materials, and how it firmly yet silently and absorbent went down the road. Even the wood was great, at least in combination with the tan/black, and looked real and like it should be there. Also for my first experience at a Saturn dealer, it was a really good one, and I could already see why people like it so much. Clearly told them I was shopping for my mother, and to that extent they were just as helpful if I was doing it for myself, and now I just have to work on convincing her to at least drive one herself--this is where being able to bring one home would have been key, but oh well. Stay tuned.

Didn't we already discuss that? The blue, that is...

Agreed, and I think that's just a matter of one marketing person thinking it a good way to better differentiate the "base" XE from the upper level XR, because in reality, they're almost identical aside from the black mirrors and lack of a 2nd exhaust outlet. Still, neither the base GMC or Buick models have any downgrade in trim like that, and it should just be a painted strip. It's hard to see on dark colors, but looks cheap on the light colors, as usual.