I could be very wrong but it certainly looks to me like GM has put a halt on more development dollars and is concentrating on more global brands like Chevy, Buick and (for some odd reason) SAAB. Perhaps they should re-name Saturn and Vauxhall as Opel?

Can't say I'm surprised, and can't say I have a problem with dumping Saturn.

i mean, duh. make at least a thousand available so they can continue the mystic of the fabled few Jeeps built of unobtainium.

that would be an interesting list: compare model year sales to number reported stolen.

in my defense, can anyone tell the difference between the Camry and Accord anymore? really?

or maybe we could start with their stylists? ya know, down in the Rubbermaid division?

In my toy/project cars, absolutely don't care. Hate to see the seatbelts installed when they weren't original equipment and have even removed them in some cases. Firmly expect to be killed if I ever have a wreck in my Ghia, even though there is good anecdotal evidence of people surviving horrible rollovers in them at speed.

In my everyday car, it's a factor, though not a huge one and not in the normal sense either. Basically, if it were between two nearly identical cars and one was rated "safer" it might be the tipping point.
But much more likely would be that offering more features to PREVENT accidents like stronger brakes, firmer suspension, traction control, etc would probably be the better choice, not just how many airbags and whether a semi crashing through the side would just maim me or kill me outright.

what is that from?

But this is a great thing for those of us with vintage cars that are prone to being rear ended because the stock stoplights are too low or not brilliant enough to stop the average braindead commuter intent on running you over whilst arguing with wifey on the cell about how stupid their children are.

Doesn't require holes or extra wiring or giving up 6 volt. I say hurrah!

and why are they always in front of me when I have the top down?

Oh wait, that means no matter what the president hints about the market will go up.

I guess we're screwed..

and as for a use for the SUVs, I'm just waiting for McCain to propose a government buy-back program where they will be used to build a fence along the Mexican border.

but back to the topic: I keep wondering what the tipping point in gas prices will really be. I genuinely thought that $4 was it.. that Congress would step in, or we would see serious attempts to drop the price, or even people would react violently to change the status quo.

but apparently not. we're quite content to sit back and complain, while mindlessly draining our bank accounts into our gas tanks.

65 is not a safe speed for these roads.

Turnpikes at 75 is fine; consider it "pay for play".

"um, nope.. Diehard. x100"

Here's the wrinkle: the VX220 has no relation to the Kappas. It was Lotus based. The front styling is very similar to Sky/Opel GT, but it's a midengine.

There's no Vauxhall or Holden Kappa because the platform can't accomodate right hand drive. Oops.

If I were GM though, I would definitely consider selling SAAB as a "gift with purchase" to whomever buys Hummer.

Buick will stay, as Cadillac's upmarket-with-performance allows them to appeal to older folks who want a big comfy non-threatening ride. And there will be a lot of 'em, folks.

Saturn is a strong candidate for sale or conversion. GM has totally updated their entire lineup and it did nothing. I have seen exactly 3 Astras on the road, no ads to speak of and this is at a time when crap small cars like the US Focus are selling! Saturn overlaps Chevy and Pontiac, so why keep 'em if they can't sell the same crap that moves elsewhere?

I think moving the US Opels under Pontiac makes sense as well. Reinvent Pontiac as the import fighting brand by making them all actual imports.

Oh, and GMC? Why does it exist again? Moving to GM branded dealerships makes sense, but I would leave Cadillac out of those... maybe offer Corvettes there as well as at Chevy dealers.

Of course, at the time, the company was German owned.

or was I just brain-washed by Castrol's commericals?

just try and find a car without power windows standard. not to mention ABS, ESP, 27 air bags, etc.

I had an Isuzu Trooper with a 4 cylinder and 5 speed and pretty much nothing else. It got 20+ MPG and did what I needed at the time. (too bad the engine ate valves like candy, but that's a different argument).

you can't blindly compare cars of 20 years ago with today.

there's nothing wrong with liking trucks. but unless you NEED one, you are no better than the soccer mom with capacity for 8 that drives alone 90% of the time.

just because you CAN waste gas doesn't mean you SHOULD.

but yeah, I realize that argument makes no sense to you.

as for hybirds, what's your issue with them? they're a first step to lowering our oil use. yes, they're not perfect by any means - they need to deal with the manufacturing process and ensure the batteries are handled well after their lifespan - but they do fit our current distribution model for petroleum and our steadfast inability to change how we commute.

you ranted about a 4 cylinder Mustang cause it "didn't sound right" now you are worshipping at the Altar of The Truck. are you a Halliburton employee or something?