PurdueGuy

Should we assume some (but not complete) bias toward GM? First thing that came to mind was a Merauder.

Yes - depending on the year. *edit* checked your profile, and it looks like you have a '98 SL1. I have just the thing for you on my website. http://spocnorth.com/HowToSite/DIYGuides/D...Series-Main.htm Bottom of the mechanical section.

To all those who dispise Saturn... suck it up. You complain that Saturn hasn't been making money. They've barely been given any product. Let's see how much money Chevy can make with one product for 9 years. Saturn had profitable years - I doubt profitable enough to pay for the factory & all that, but how could they, especially selling a low-margin economy car. The Saturn culture is an invaluable thing for GM to build on. Get over it.

Not sure how well a stick would work with the setup. The Vue once had a CVT - it had all kinds of problems. The idea isn't bad, but it'd better be a different/heavily reworked CTV. 5 speed auto would certainly be nice.

Just a note to help know how readers will interperate words: to me, "shelved" means something like "put on hold indefinately". If they know how long it's on hold, then it's "delayed". I didn't see the original article, and frankly don't think it sounds like Josh's actions are out of line. *shrug* I hope to see Saturn get the Outlook eventually - it's one of a number of new products that have me excited for the future of Saturn.

http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...wtopic=6078&hl=

They'd (the King estate) probably lose a suit over an acronym. Do they even claim any rights to MLK? Seems more like something people have gotten used to using rather than an official acronym for Martin Luther King. Besides, they're not in "competition". It's like how 2 businesses can have very simmilar names if they aren't in competition.

+1 Scoops should be functional.

I wasn't really expecting anything shared, except maybe some engine stuff (since the ecotec over here comes from Saab), I was more wondering just a number comparison. Is it about the same size as the Ion, a little bigger, a lot bigger? How's the weight? There are a number of S-Series fans who complain about the Ion gaining like 400lbs and losing 5 mpg over the S. Would be interesting to know 'bout. The 5-door is close enough, IMO. More notable, IMO, is the missing quadcoupe. A lot of people may not be fans of the Ion, but the quadcoupe design in general rocks. Would love to see that 3 door turn into a quadcoupe hatch.

How do the Astra dimensions compare with the Ion? Weight? How simmilar are their ecotecs and ours? Would we see european engines, or would they drop the more familiar ecotecs in?

The free maintenance is a valuable offer... especially at the cost of BMW parts!

IIRC, they've already shut down production of the Ion, and there are already plans to axe the Relay. Your wish is granted!

Looks like a good car that'd fit in with the Aura. Bring it.

Does that nav screen pop up or something? Looks like a lid over it that would match up to the curve down the side of it...

Went to Panara the other night, as it's a nice place to eat, good food, and not horribly expensive. Much of the time, they'll have a line halfway to the door, and they keep it moving quickly & you can order within 5 min. This evening, we walked right up & got in line behind the guy currently finishing his order. Apparently, there was something not working right in the computer with the guy's order, and it took a while. A long while. This was the only register with someone at it, but it was obvious that the one next to it was set up to run (it had a total from the last sale, while the 3rd one said "closed"). We probably stood there longer than 5 minutes while FIVE managers & people stood around gawking at the screen where they were having troubles. After a while, I turned to my wife & asked her (not loudly, but not whispering either) if she would like to go get some mexican. She said sure, and we walked. I'll probably still go back sometime, but I'm not going to put up with being ignored & waiting forever while people stand around. Also, every friday night my wife & I join a friend of ours for dinner, usually at the Pizza Hut. We had about a month & a half streak going where they would always screw up something with our order (bring out the pizza and it's obvious the cheese formed a bubble & blew up in the oven, leaving a near-bare pizza crust), or be really slow. We rarely had to say anything - they know us and try to give good service in general, but things just kept happening. They always gave us 50-100% off the bill (after which we tipped), and came back the next time. Almost didn't, though, when one week we were seated and left to sit without seeing anyone for 20-30 minutes (we didn't notice how long it'd been cuz we were talking, but once we paused & realized how long it'd been...) No drink order, no nothing. BTW, we were probably one of five tables in the place with anyone sitting at them. We walked. My thoughts: be polite, but to the point when complaining, and don't make demands unless it's something simple like a clean spoon. Don't be afraid to walk.

If you look inside the car, you can see the hanging shattered windshield...

I assume it was an Ion that you purchased? Sedan?

That's standard marketing, doesn't matter if it's cars, soap, or a value meal.

I thought it looked cool. I like small cars (didnt' used to).

that's funny.

looks boring to me...

how can they NOT improve sales? lol

At least it looks like the "angriness" is toned down from some other recent models...

I like the tail on that blue one, but I'm not a fan of the grill - looks like it was thrown together in the design dept very quickly just to fill the Cobalt grill space, with little consideration to looks.

I was actually suprised one night by how nice the earlier Catera's tails (with the cross-trunk reflector) look at night. It lights up all the way across (unlike most cars with trunklid reflectors) and looked very classy.