Nobody asked me but . . .

If you want proof that the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS is not your dad’s Camaro, you need look no farther than a few brief specs:

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Nobody asked me, but . . .

What is a Terrain?  It’s a compact crossover, the GMC version of the Chevrolet Equinox (Carmudgeon, July 8, 2009) and the new Cadillac SRX.

The following is a quote from General Motors regarding the new GMC Terrain.

“At the core of the reinvention of General Motors is a promise to deliver customers greater value with strong new products. For the new 2010 GMC Terrain, that means taking the brand’s 100 year-plus tradition of engineering and capability and presenting it in a smaller, more fuel-efficient package for today’s buyers. (more…)

Nobody asked me, but . . .

If you are an enthusiast, the MazdaSpeed3 has got to place all your senses on red alert.

Laser-like response to steering, throttle and braking inputs.  A rumbling, head-turning exhaust note.  G forces that shout “friction circle.”

It’s like Christmas every day.  A road machine that will send visions of competing at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca or in the WRC dancing in your head.

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Nobody asked me, but . . .

The Mazda3 is a great success story.  The first generation sold for the past five years was purchased by nearly 2-million owners around the world.  One out of every three Mazdas sold worldwide is a Mazda3.  In the US, its sales increased each year for the last five years.  In 2008, the last year in the first generation Mazda3 lifecycle, it singlehandedly represented 44 percent of Mazda North American Operation’s sales volume. (more…)

Nobody asked me, but . . .

Last time we met at this Suzuki hitching post was in July, the 30^th to be exact, and I stated the following:

“Suzuki believes that what the world is missing is an affordable, world-class, sports sedan . . . a European sports sedan with the QRD (quality, reliability, durability) of a Japanese sedan.  One that will attract a new (read Suzuki) buyer.

“Development targets included the Alfa 159, Acura TSX and VW Passat, with upscale design, craftsmanship, performance and a premium interior being key characteristics.  A car designed for American and European enthusiasts.  One with an extremely rigid structure, standard dual-zone heating and air conditioning, extensive sound deadening and meeting 2014 safety standards, including eight standard airbags, standard stability control and available all-wheel drive, a rarity in this class.” (more…)

Bytes & Bullets

Summary

• I was prepared not to like this car; I much prefer 4-doors in this size car, but I am delighted with the fun-to-drive characteristics
• It ain’t cheap (MSRP $51,400; $62,665 with options, destination, etc.), but if I had the money, it would be a keeper
• Audi bends sheet metal better than anyone else and there is a subtlety to the style and line that I really appreciate on this coupe
• Nice wheel-tire package: They really fill the wheel wells
• Audi designers must have worked overtime making the basic controls complicated and confusing (more…)

Nobody asked me, but . . .

Parked along the curb in the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe, the 2009 Lexus 450h 4-door sedan looks like it belongs.  Stylish, with a sweeping roof-line, a high belt line and a short rear deck, it’s easy to visualize this Lexus hybrid as an upscale commuter, grocery getter, mom mobile and weekend country clubber.  The one I’m piloting is obsidian and can’t you hear some labored breathing in the background when you focus your attention on those Darth Vader-like HID head lights that feature auto leveling and integrated fog lamps?

Open any of the four doors.  Now close it.  That nice ca-chunk tells me this is a solid, well-built, high-quality automobile.  I slip behind the wheel into a comfy, supportive multi-adjustable seat with cooling and heating.  The steering wheel offers power tilt and telescoping. (more…)

Nobody asked me, but . . .

Is it possible for a car to get too big for it’s britches?  Case in point: the new for 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS. The 2009 Corolla is the 10^th generation of the best selling passenger car in history and the longest-running Toyota car model sold in America.  Note the word car here because the Toyota Land Cruiser has the distinction of being the longest running name plate of all time in America having first touched our Pacific shores in 1958, 10 years before the Corolla. (more…)

Nobody asked me, but . . .

So wot’s up with Suzuki?  This on-again, off-again romance with America.  Here in the States, Suzuki is treated sorta like Rodney Dangerfield.   (more…)

Nobody asked me, but . . .

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse is not for Lucerning drivers.

Part 1, in case you missed it, was all about history, lessons learned but not applied and the essence of the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse. This installment will be devoted to the here and now. (more…)