MyerShift

Hmm, all Astra variants on the Saturn stand?

Not so fast! Chrysler has told them to stop work on the next generation Pacifica. But, we don't know if it is truly cancelled or just postponed until Chrysler gets its crap together. And, the Pacifica is NOT on an entirely unique platform. It shares many components with the minivans; including their cancelled AWD system. Please visit allpar.com for more accurate information.

Being a Chrysler fan (and a tough critic) the new Sebring is a rather odd hash off all things Chrysler. I heard that the guy who came up with this mess had three years. God, I could do better with no training in one week. But, the interior is better assesmbled with better materials than the last Sebring, but what wouldn't be? Why is Chrysler's design slipping so much? They have led the industry with exterior styling for the past twelve years. This latest year shows that something has gone horrible wrong though. It's sad really. Chrysler must be nuts to have come up with this incentive. It will never work.

I do agree that the EXT is a bit garish, but it's much better looking (and otherwise) than the previous generation. All previous Escalades made me cringe. Ugh. I actually like the new, short (regular) version.

Wow. The interior of the SLS is truly beautiful compared with the STS here in the U.S. The only thing I don't particularly care for are the HVAC vents on the dash. GM had better use this as the mid-cycle update on the STS in the U.S. Wheelbase stretch included.

Let's see, my name is Steven Myers, nicknames I am currently able to recall are: Snoopy- because of a wrist watch Sven- something my bud Dustin came up with. I'm not blonde, Swedish, or other. General Myers- great story behind this one. My little fat friend Curtis said that in his Spanish class someone had mispronounced his class name, it was Chacho or something like that. But he told me, in some circles I'm known as Cracho (say crotch-O). So I responded with well, in some circles I'm known as General Myers. But, keep it on the DL, that's my name in the pron films, and I don't want my mom to find out. Poor Curtis just sat there wide-eyed. I asked him if he believed me, and he was like, "I don't know, you're usually pretty serious about this kind of stuff." The Amazing Mr. Myers- somewhat self-generated, but my friend Jessica refers to me as this sometimes. The Walking Encyclopedia- from school, elementary through high school due to my intelligence. Even the teachers called me this. SM2- as in "to the second power". Due to my initials, given to me by my (ex)girlfriend/current friend/want to date again Janel. Homo- yes, it's bad, but funny because my husky friend Monica called me this periodically, so I call her Twinkie in response. Unfortunately, she could kick my ass, and has left bruises on me by not even being mean. And of course, MyerShift- from my car sketches, this is the name of the automatic transmission's manumatic function. I like it!

WATER!! I've got to have water in the morning before anything else. Ice cold and refreshing.

Exactly. But, you know what I have noticed, and have read about? Before the takeover, Chrysler was improving the quality of interior materials. The most obvious is between the first and second generation LH cars. Now, these new Chrysler products seem worse than their predecessors. More hard, hollow, nasty plastic than before, even if the fits are better. The updated V6's are still at least a product generation away, and they are a "joint" effort between Daimler and Chrysler, but I'm pretty sure it will go mostly one way... We are German, we know how do to this the best and only way, here you go, tweak it a little. It's so cute that you Americans think you can build world class cars...and I doubt that DaimlerChrysler AG would be so hasty as to sell off Chrysler after these new engine families are introduced if only because Daimler will want to keep the technology and design "in the family" and to "itself".

I disagree on the engine choices. It's the transmission choices that let this car down. Only an approximately 17 year old four speed automatic with two engines, and the 6-speed autobox is only available with one engine in one model, the Limited. It needs the 6-speed across the board with the option of a manual transmission on all. The Sebring could also use the 2.0L VW Turbo Diesel that's available in Europe or some other better, modern diesel engine. Smaller than it should have been? Just because others are bloating out in all dimensions doesn't mean everyone should. The Sebring seems plenty for a family of even four. Even lacking the innovative cab-forward design, the new Sebring seems spacious. The rear foot room under the front seats is amazing. Too bad the centre tunnel seems so broad. Since the Sebring shares its basic architecture with the Caliber-right?- (a Chrysler/Mitsubishi effort that will underpin the next Lancer and the new Outlander) perhaps this is an indication of AWD being available sometime in the future. The interior design and fits are good, as are the sheens. But, only certain areas are padded. And, there needs to be more soft-touch surfaces than there are, but the interior is still miles ahead of the old Sebring.

True that! And what's with the 4-door GTI? I thought VW wasn't going to bring it here. Must have had a change of heart. I personally want a Tornado Red GTI with the optional 18" aluminum wheels.

I sat in a couple of Aura XE's in Ft. Wayne tonight. They are amazing. The quality of the interior materials blows everything else below Cadillac in the GM range out of the water. Everything fit together and was aligned perfectly. The amber interior lighting reminded me of my Plymouth. I felt right at home for so many reasons. Reminders of my Chrysler-built car, and that GM truly has a great mainstream North American product on its hands. Let the Opelization continue and be completed!! Now, these had cloth seats with heaters, if I recall correctly. So much for Chrysler claiming that as a segment exclusive. The only things I didn't care for were the fake stitching on the armrests of the doors and that said door panels felt a tad flimsily attactched.

The sedan looks a little too close to the Cobalt (A-C-pillar) for my tastes, but the rear door window kink seems a little more pronounced in the Opel Astra sedan. I hope GM is smart enough to bring the 3/5-door/sedan and wagon of the Astra over.

Edmunds Drives the new Sebring and finds it far too conservative, but competent First Drive, 2007 Sebring by Chrysler

I do question the positioning of the new Sentra as well. I'm surprised that it didn't outrank the new Elantra in some way, shape, or form. And C&D called the Sentra's styling as tortured. I personally like it much better than the Corolla or new Elantra. But then, the Sentra is basically an ION in appearance with different details. I mean, check out that silhouette!

Since most are automatic only, I suppose based on what I've seen, read, and encountered, I would have... 1) Saturn Aura- great Opel styling, great interior, 3.6L/6-speed auto 2) Volkswagen Passat- handsome Audi-esque looks, modern interior 3) Chrysler Sebring- freaky looks, but no doubt underrated, 3.5L/6-speed auto 4) Subaru Legacy- high quality interior, it's something different, AWD 5) Mercury Milan- handsome appearance, nice interor, Mazda6-based 6) Hyundai Sonata- handsome, understated, comfortable, quality interior 7) Pontiac G6- svelte, sleek looks but needs something more like interior/powertrain 8-) Mazda6- decent interior quality, sporting personality, but don't care for interior's syling 9) Mitsubishi Galant- like the interior, but exterior leaves me cold, Mitsu's questionable future 10) Kia Optima- underpowered, indistinct, tarted-down Sonata in presentation

Longer than it seems. At least since around, what, 1986 when they face-lifted the Dodge 600 sedans/convertibles, introduced the Lancer, and the Shadow? That's when the CHMSL was introduced, the first use of the expanded 2.2L Trans Four (the 2.5L I-4), and on the 600's the pentastar moved from the hood to the cross hairs of the grille, which itself list its distinctive prow and slatted grille. Even though that the date listed by myself very recent, I can't believe that it's been 20+ years already. I mean, that's as old as I am now!

I agree that the best thing for Chrysler would be to just undo the "merger". Unfortunately, I fear for the Jeep brand. I do believe I've read that Jeep is the only reason Daimler-Benz was interested in Chrysler Corporation at all.

Good Lord. Everytime Chrysler stumbles, this comes up. What is up with that? God, the Germans (and Bob Eaton) should have left well enough alone. I have a feeling that Chrysler wouldn't be in so much trouble as it's in now if they were still independent. Chrylser is able to use it's innovation and uniqueness to create hits in the market place. The LH cars, the LX cars, the minivans (and thus, the K-Cars) And regarding pricing, Chryslers would sell even at premium prices as long as the product was truly excellent and deserving of said price. Besides, even if Chrysler were pushed further upmarket, they could still be below Mercedes-Benz in most cases. Chrysler COULD compete fine with Cadillac, and the others. It takes time. And, let's look at Hyundai itself. People are willing to pay a premium for the Azera. There may not be an especially high number of takers, but the project wouldn't have been given the green light on such a "high end" (flagship model) if profitability wasn't pretty much guaranteed.

Can't wait! GM's future products shall be world class and dominating! If only my company would do the same...

But the Aerio with AWD wasn't available with a manual transmission, was it? And I thought I heard something of choices involving when/how/which driven wheels are involved.

Most amusing. At least to us in North America where Isuzu is essentially the walking dead, and Mitsubishi semi-floundering.

Sweet! The sooner the Corsa gets here, the better. Maybe by then the Aveo won't have such an outdated little engine.

Finally drove an `07 Aveo LS sedan in Hillsdale. It's very nice. I'm debating whether or not to get it. Even with its tall profile and relative boxiness, it was soo much quieter than my Breeze in all regards.

Decent looking, but not good enough to catch my eye. I'd take a 3, Golf, Cobalt, Caliber, or even Spectra over this.

Sure, why not? Paddle shifters, push buttons, it's all the same.