what was i expecting for $100? how about a palm pre? :)

can you comment on the noise level in playing games and watching blu rays relative to the most recent 80gb models? (engadget compares it to the original ps3, but it has the 90nm chips, instead of the smaller, cooler 65nm chips found in the more recent 80gb ps3)

I would like to know if there is a noticeable difference between the ps3 slim and the most recent ones.

the waving of the hand that Kenneth did reminded me of the "shun, unshun" antics that Dwight had with Andy in "The Office" last season.

I love how they brought back old characters, like the HR guy, who I remembered was complaining that he was a transgender or transsexual short fat guy. (it was when he felt discriminated against in the Toofer/Tracy n-word debacle.

I test drove the CTS and I loved it, despite being from a domestic car company. I was willing to overlook my bad experiences with the Big 3 from the 80's and 90's.

Until i found out that auto dimming side-view mirrors were not available at all, even with the most expensive option packages. I mean, I can get this option on a Camry, Mazda 6, Maxima, 3 series, C-class, ES350.

this is the one feature I refuse to compromise. With cars getting brighter and brighter headlights, and as more older people use their highbeams without consideration for others, it makes a big difference, making driving much more comfortable at night.

As i walked away from the caddy dealership, both the salesperson and I were saddened. I was almost ready to give the Big 3 another chance. Not anymore

what? we're losing Garcia? Garcia was my favorite. The sheer anger and hatred he harbored always made the interactions he had with the other funnier. ie - "trudy is a 3 bagger, a bag for you, a bag for her and a bag for anyone god forbid, who might be watching" and "stick time, garcia-style"

headpunter, i made no references to german automakers.

I was actually thinking of asian automakers.

No one is disputing that all car makers are suffering. Even toyota has suffered its first loss ever since arriving to the US market.

My question was: what models from GM are better than the rest of the market?

I asked for specific examples, and you jump down my throat with unrelated accusations.

Do you not understand English?
or
Do you lack examples, so you try to attack me and change the subject?

what specific examples can you give of this?

the segments of cars I think about are compact cars, family sedans, luxury, hybrid.

The only standout i can think of the Cadillac CTS, but why buy from a company perpetually on the verge of bankruptcy vs buying from foreign makers those profits are so great that they are essentially guaranteed to be around for the next 5+ years.

With the Malibu, the mileage is best in class, but what about reliability?

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/13/gm-recall-affects-277-000-models-with-shifter-problem/

and they don't have a V6 model at all.

right off the bat, they are expecting only 10,000 Volts to be made in the first year (one-fourth of your most conservative estimate)

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/Autos08/idUSN1753240620080917

i tried looking for more recent numbers, but i didn't find any.

However, will GM be making a profit on the Volt? Toyota admitted that it took them 4 years before they made money on the Prius.

while GM is hemorrhaging money, it needs to make money. Lets say that BEST CASE scenario, they aren't selling it at a loss, but are making $2000, this gets GM a profit of $20 million for an entire year's worth of Volt

GM's cash burn rate was 19.2 billion last year, or 1.6 billion a month, or 53 million a day. Even if we be optimistic that GM's burn rate is down to $15 billion, that is still roughly a burn rate of 40 million a day.

Source: interview with GM's CFO earlier this month

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4566543/12225474

By these calculations, GM's BEST CASE SCENARIO is that they use up the Volt's profit in 12 hours.

And for roughly $40,000 or so +/- $5000, you might be able to get a LUXURY hybrid from a company that you KNOW will be around in the next 5+ years. Nowadays, if the Prius breaks down, there are considerable number of people who would have the training to fix it.

If GM doesn't receive continuous bailouts, they will go bankrupt (fact), and how many technicians/mechanics would be ABLE to fix it? or how far would you have to transport it to someone who knows how?

brand loyalties aside, would you buy a less expensive hybrid from a company that has been making them for 10+ years, or would you pay close to double from a company on the verge of bankruptcy who is making them for the first time?

yes, it generates positive PR, but will it save the company?

What GM needs is money. All the PR in the world can't save a company if it is bankrupt. They will have to really struggle to tip toe the line to maximize profits (if any) on the Volt, and since production will likely be limited.

The new malibu does have excellent mileage for a 4 cylinder, but for people who want a bit more luxury than that or a 6 cylinder, the options are limited.

and when i read on autoblog

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/13/gm-recall-affects-277-000-models-with-shifter-problem/

which includes the malibu, it causes me to shy away, but not everyone reads autoblog.

i tend to relate quality to steady repetition. If you do something over and over without stopping, you get into a rhythm and things go more smoothly. Then I read about work strifes and strikes specifically affecting the plant building the new Malibus.

As someone who grew up in a factory town, i've heard stories about disgruntled workers, either close to a strike or going through a lockout, sabotaging equipment/products. I would rather buy products from happy (or at least content) workers because I believe that they would not do anything to jeopardize their job or their company. Naive? possibly, but its analogous to fast food workers spitting into your burgers, but on a grander scale.

Because of labor issues surrounding the plants making Malibus and the recent recall, I don't feel comfortable with the Malibu.

I'm glad your Saab has held up well. The 9-3 looks nice to me. I think almost all Saabs are made outside the US. when I think "big picture" I am also aware that Saab's future is in limbo.

what GM needs is money. It is trying to streamline itself by shedding Saab, Saturn, Hummer, etc. In order to sell cars, they have to have a product people want to buy. The Volt is nice, for those who can afford it, but budget-minded consumers have to take into account resale value, warranty/parts availability.

I think a good indicator is looking at the for sale auto ads in your local paper (the ones being sold by their owners). In this economy, the models/makes you DON'T see for sale are the better ones because people want to hold on to them. If in this depressed economy, if you STILL want to get rid of your car, there must be a very good reason why.

I don't see the Volt as solving any problems in terms of perception. My biggest gripe with GM is that they are unreliable and not fuel efficient, and this is based on car purchases in the 1980's. I switched to Camrys in the early 90's and haven't looked back.

I'm sure GM has made improvements in their quality, but for $30,000-$35,000 of my money, I am not willing to gamble on it, unless there is a specific car that I feel is worth the gamble. The new CTS is a car I felt was worth the gamble. Absolute marvelous to drive. However, since the domestics started tanking, I am afraid to invest in a company that is on the verge of bankruptcy.

And when i think about possibly getting a Buick (all stereotypes aside) Lucerne, their newly redesigned model, I look at the engine V6 4 speed 3.9L generating 227hp with 17/26 mpg.

Then I look at the Lexus ES 350, who is using an engine that has been on the market for 3 years now, V6 6 speed, 3.5L generating 272hp with 19/27mpg.

more gears for smoother ride, smaller engine, more horsepower, and better fuel efficiency. and I could the EXACT same engine in a $25,000 Camry.

So just going by the numbers, I really have a hard time imaging how the Volt will change the public perception and cause people to abandon their current car of choice.