Recent Comments:
eBay Find of the Day: Five of Oldsmobile's Final 500 {Autoblog}
Jun 3rd 2008 5:05PM :( Too bad GM stopped making Oldsmobiles. They were by far their best brand at the time and still look quite nice. They also had some great engines that were never used on any other vehicle (Intrigue 3.5 "shortstar" and Aurora V8). I would buy the Aurora, Intrigue, and Bravada, but for no more than 15k each, as they certainly will never be worth more, sadly. IF they were still made today, I would imagine they would be so much nicer than much of the lower end crap GM makes right now.
BREAKING: GM to close 4 truck plants, may sell or close HUMMER {Autoblog}
Jun 3rd 2008 4:58PM GM cannot kill Hummer. It is a niche brand that will always have profitable sales, no matter how ugly gas prices get or the market may look. I would hate to see my H3's lineage left stranded. Hummer builds great trucks and they should not water them down with car-based vehicles. If any one GM brand could hold its OWN, INDIVIDUAL image (like they had back around 2000-2003), then things would be much better at GM. While dealerships would sell multiple brands, they would each complement each other, rather than having supplementary brands.
Confirmed: FWD Impala around through 2012 {Autoblog}
May 23rd 2008 10:52PM The Impala is a surprisingly nice car, despite what some may say. Who cares if the original platform was released in 1988 - the current Gen 3 W body was redesigned for the 04 to 06 model year, depending on the vehicle (06 for the Impala). It is surprising solid, has TONS of room, gets great fuel economy, and is cheap as dirt. What's wrong with it? Image - the very inoffensive look (bland) has become passe and is now viewed as rental or old-people car.
And to those who say it is similar in dimensions to a Malibu - IT ISN'T. The Impala is much larger in every way, which is very noticeable in the interior, where it feels worlds larger than the Malibu.
But, it is lacking as a 21st century vehicle. It doesn't have an available navigation system (the now dead Grand Prix had this - the GP was actually a great car, sad to see it gone), nor is there automatic climate control (yet every other W-body has had it available since the earliest models), and it still has a 4 speed transmission (which gets the job done considering the torque band of its engines, and is reliable).
GM certainly could make the Impala a competitor to the Toyota Avalon and the likes if they gave it the necessary feature content and looks. Seeing that it will be around for at least 4 more years, why not make available high-end models (with existing stuff from current vehicles, such as the Chevy trucks and Buick cars, which share most interior pieces)? They could maintain the high fleet sales and possibly bring in some new, younger buyers.
2010 HUMMER H3 to get direct-inject 3.6L V6 as base engine {Autoblog}
Mar 21st 2008 2:40PM I have an 07 H3, with the 3.7 I5. While it is not the greatest motor on earth, it gets the job done. I do wish that I had waited for the 08 Alpha's, as the 5.3 V8 is worlds better than the 3.7. I have a 5.3 in my Trailblazer EXT, which weighs more than the H3, and it is powerful all the time, at any speed. The Hummer requires some high revving, at which point the 5 sounds a bit ugly. Like I said, though, it gets the job done and will get you moving in a rather timely fashion, unlike the 3.5 I5 before it.
The sound of the 3.6 DI coming to the H3 makes me happy, as my lease will be up by then and perhaps I will get one of those, though I still think I will upgrade to the much larger H2.
As others have mentioned, the H3 is really a steal. I see the latest lease offers, with 3500 down, a 2-YEAR LEASE!! is only 199/month. This can be attributed to the great resale value that the H3 has experienced, unlike most GM products. Even purchasing them is a good deal, as after some minor incentives, they can be had for just under $30k.
Chrysler exec says all its vehicles will be hybrids {Autoblog}
Mar 1st 2008 1:17PM Looks like I'm never going to buy a Chrysler in the future, not that I ever wouldve anyway.
NHTSA increases roof rigidity requirements {Autoblog}
Jan 26th 2008 8:58PM This is completely contradictory to CAFE, which wants automakers to concentrate on reducing weight to save gas.
As for me, I would much rather drive a heavy, safe vehicle (with a nice and powerful V8 or V12), as I don't give a damn about fuel economy. Performance first, safety second, comfort/features 3rd, and fuel economy is no where in my list.
I really think that CAFE should give concessions on its requirements if automakers exceed NHTSA safety guidelines, putting the safety of humans above a bunch of global warming, anti-capitalist lunatics.
Malibu and CX-9 win North American Car/Truck of the Year {Autoblog}
Jan 13th 2008 11:28AM I was hoping the CTS would win, as it is one of the nicest $35k-$45k sedans on the market. The Malibu is still pretty crappy in my opinion. By the way, the Aura got this award last year and it didn't seem to help sales. While I don't like the Malibu much, I hate the Accord and I'm glad it lost.
I wanted the CX-9 to win, so I'm happy about that. I don't really like the Enclave and I would never want a hybrid to win.
Mean mom sells son's car after finding hooch under front seat {Autoblog}
Jan 10th 2008 3:16PM I'm glad to see that parents can still do a good job teaching their kids, even when they are almost adults. Good job. Hopefully your foolish child will learn a lesson by loosing a nice car (which also happens to be rather rare).
GM cancels new DOHC V8 engine program {Autoblog}
Jan 3rd 2008 2:58PM There is that immediate feeling of power delivery at all RPMs in a V8 that a V6 or I4 can never offer, even turbos or supercharged ones.
GM cancels new DOHC V8 engine program {Autoblog}
Jan 3rd 2008 2:48PM NOOOOOOOOO!!!! DAMN YOU GM!!!! YOU ARE SCREWED! Cadillac cannot compete in the luxury market unless it has a powerful V8. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi all have nice and powerful V6's, but its their V8's that shine (and sell). I have driven a 3.6 DI STS and 4.6 N* V8 back to back and the 3.6 sucks compared to the "slightly" more powerful V8. Why can't GM make a DI V8, making about 360-400hp, while still getting as good of mileage as the Northstar?
