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And, I should add that GM should continue investing billions into improving their entire lineup. There are a couple of great cars, but most could still stand to be improved. Seeing the great reviews the new GMT900 lineup and the Aura is getting, I'm cautiously optimistic. -RBB

Now I could be wrong, but I believe we've seen: One could argue that GM has too many models as it is. if you mean new vehicles, then GM has provided since CY '05: Buick Lacrosse Buick Lucerne Cadillac DTS Cadillac STS Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Cobalt Chevolet Corvette Chevrolet HHR Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Monte Carlo Chevrolet Suburban Chevrolet Tahoe GMC Yukon GMC Yukon XL Hummer H3 Pontiac G5 Pontiac G6 Pontiac Solstice Pontiac Torrent Saab 9-2x Saab 9-5 Saab 9-7x Saturn Sky Saturn Aura And these are coming shortly Buick Enclave Chevrolet Aveo Chevrolet Silverado GMC Acadia GMC Sierra Saturn Outlook across-the-board price reductions, and a couple of models have even been reduced twice (see: Colorado, Canyon.) Both IQS and long-term quality scores have been improving year-over-year for a while now for most brands. As someone who's bought used Japanese cars in the past because they lasted longer, I'd have few qualms about buying one of GM's newer models used. Interior quality and build quality are much improved, even on cars built on older architecture such as the Lacrosse or the Impala. Even on newer platforms, you can see steady improvement in chassis refinement and interior quality: Ion < Cobalt Malibu < G6 < Aura And several models are getting new interiors with signifigantly upgraded materials - SRX, Equinox/Torrent, for example. So, it seems to me that GM is spending all these billions saved in to building better cars that sell for less money while still turning a profit for the first time in a while. But maybe that's just me. -RBB

Lots o' Crown Vics to be found rollin' on 23s and 24s: And an '89 Vic on 26s: -RBB

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I assume they aspire to this masterpiece of modern automotive design: -RBB

Does they still look mid-size to you? -RBB

That's what I was thinking. At the least, get her talking - find out what interests her and ask her about that. It should calm her down, you'll get more natural-looking shots. If you can get her laughing, all the better. If all else fails, two words: breakaway pants. -RBB

The vast majority of people can't fake that - you've got to get her talking, to bring something up that brings out that smile naturally, then capture it while it's still there. You know the girl? -RBB

Two words: Breakaway pants. -RBB

Don't remember exactly when, but British Petroleum "merged" with Amoco a few years back, kinda like TWA "merged" with AA. I believe these were Amoco lines way back when. -RBB

So you can get the the taillights blacked out instead of chromed? That's good, as I've always thought the taillights were the only weak spot in the design. Now, when's the Chinese pushrod engine going away? -RBB

Speaking of trunk space, I'd love to see someone come out with something like this: http://www.autoanything.com/bike-racks/69A3098A0A0.aspx that was custom-designed to match the Sky/Solstice body - like a fiberglass shell instead of plastic, painted body color, and designed to echo the body style of the car. That way, if you really wanted to take your Sky cross-country, you could have enough room for a suitcase or two and still look stylin' - and when you're cruising around town, you can remove it for a cleaner look. -RBB

Thanks for the counterpoint - you make some nice points. I have issues with some of what he said, too. For example: This is similar to (or the same as) the Aisin 5-speed in the Ion Redline, right? Cause that thing is nothing like he described, with short accurate throws and a nice feel and weight to it. That said, several of his gripes are legitimate, especially when compared to the Miata. The top (it's not bad, but the Miata's is a one-armed affair you can drop without exiting the car), the ergonomics (cupholders aren't a dealbreaker, but that's a pretty dumb placement) and the trunkspace (why so inefficient compared to the MX-5?). Are any of these deal breakers? Depends on the person. However, you can't argue that these areas are clearly inferior to its competition at this point. I'd still take a Sky (or a Solstice, for that matter) over a MX-5, and this is coming from a current Mazda owner. -RBB

For reference, the VFW-614: The Russian BE-200: -RBB

pipe -RBB

You mind if I answer this later? -RBB

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Don't think I haven't though about it. BTW, all the details are here. Would love to get rims, side skirt, and a front air dam. Will have to wait a while, though - I'm saving up for vacaton right now. I've seriously thought about scrounging some Factory 17" wheels off a totaled Mazda6. Anybody had any experience with www.copartfinder.com? I'm scared. -RBB

Jalopnik has a review from their preview ride here: http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/alternative-e...aked-188556.php Interesting - certainly the first EV I'd consider, had I 100 Gs to drop on this type of vehicle. I like the idea of the mobile recharger - I'm sure that would come in handy. I wonder how long the battery takes to charge on that thing? Think mass production by a major manufacturer would make costs more reasonable? -RBB

VIP! -RBB

Bi Bi Bi? -RBB

You know you want you some of this: -RBB

It's heavy 'cause it's stiff. I still remember reading about the big deal GM made about the 25 Hz platform - as good as Mercedes at the time - and how that translated to good, communicative handling and a solid feel: Although the front-drive chassis is an evolutionary development of the Cutlass Supreme GM-10 platform, it's been reworked from end to end to improve rigidity, a new--and significant--engineering priority at GM. The Intrigue also seems to indicate that GM is learning how to increase rigidity without a corresponding increase in bulk. Its chassis registers 22.4 Hz on the bending scale, and nearly as high in torsional rigidity. I seem to remember GM adding braces and reinforcements to the chassis to meet get that structural rigidity, and that, more than anything, contributed to the in increase in mass. -RBB