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La Barge, WY Car Consumer Discussions

Re: Chrysler [62vetteefp]

by anotherguy on Fri Nov 02 09:52:31 PDT 2007

"Large families (+3 kids) will buy station wagon type cars and just make do and compromise with their travels. Perhaps they will buy small trailers to go to the store." I grew up in a family with 6 kids, and we did just fine with an early '60's Plymouth station wagon. Every summer we drove from LA to my grandparents in Kansas by using a roof mounted luggage carrier. The other 50 weeks of the year the wagon itself was perfectly adequate. I really don't understand the hysteria against the 35 mpg CAFE standard. Other countries are doing it NOW, so it certainly is possible even without the advances in technology that are sure to come if the manufacturers put their minds to it. It will take a different mix of vehicles than Americans currently buy, however. People need to buy a car that fits their normal needs instead of buying the barge that they only need 2 weeks per year. They can then rent the barge when they need to tow the boat. If the only people who bought barges were people who really needed them it would go a long way to improve the CAFE averages. Detroit can help this by no longer pushing the "bigger is better" mentality. As for CAFE destroying America, as Rocky claims, that is plain silly. The big 2.5 will have to change more than the manufacturers who don't rely on huge vehicles for their profits, but if they get their acts together and work the problem instead of whining for 12 years it won't destroy them. Also, there is more to America than just the big 2.5.

Re: 3990 lbs?! [sevenfeet0]

by blueguydotcom on Wed Sep 26 10:10:34 PDT 2007

But it's completely unfair to compare the CTS to a smaller, lighter vehicle. The 535i is the same size but is 300 lbs lighter. Shrug. Bottom line is that the CTS is the new 5-series/E-class competitor to this space. Get used to it. It's a competitor to neither the 3 nor the 5. Yes the CTS is on the heavy side and that's been a problem for GM's Sigma platform in general. In this class, only the Infiniti M35 weighs a tick more. But they got so many other parts of the car right. Yes, entry to the backseat is cramped, but frankly, I don't have rear passengers often unless they are my kids. Then what's the hangup on a barge like a 5 or CTS? Seriously you just went on and on about epa space and then come back by saying it's not important to you. So what is important? If space isn't an issue, then why opt for a car of that size? The CTS is now missing a couple of major features to properly compete in this space: a V8 engine option that's not a hot-rod (a la M-series/AMG/S & RS-class/V-series). Huh? 5 series and 3 series both have 3.0 300 hp engines compared to the Caddy's 300 hp V6. Strangely, that 300 hp 6 in the 5 and 3 propels both cars with electrifying power. What exactly is wrong with GM's engine development? The weight can't be totally to blame for the slowness of the CTS.

What a quandry?

by supercool on Mon Aug 21 21:15:10 PDT 2006

All of what you mentioned is the problem for Cadillac. In some respects its have an identity crisis. The division wants to compete in the performance luxury class but has a problem with lining up properly in the class, since the Europeans are setting the bench marks. The STS and CTS do a nice job in the small to mid-size, but the problem comes at the full size. Ultimately the question is price. Once a person starts to lay out over $60K the current inclination is to go Euro. I'm of the opinion that when the new styling was introduced it caught alot of attention and the attetion became acute with the "V" line up. Now however, the look is getting stale and Cadillac failed to drop the hammer, that being the full size version, a-la, the DTS. Herein lies the dilemma, stay with the sure seller luxury barge or continue the cutting edge push. This is where I think Cadillac can have its cake and eat it too. Create small volume run of DTS-V and the associated price, and also put out a knock-off DTS at the lower price relying on the halo effect. (This probably where the Zeta II platform should be appropriately exploited.) This is the same game plan Chrysler is doing with the 300M. They have the base model, which is the bread and butter, but they also have the Hemi performance option which show as the muscle and attention getter. Hardcore folks buy the hemi, but the general buyer is happy with look general look without hemi. Incidently, I do find is curious that there is no M series for the 600 Benz model. I want my DTS-V

Re: What's new in the 2007 GX470 [nedzel]

by nvbanker on Tue Jun 27 20:39:24 PDT 2006

"Actually, the Nissan/Infiniti trucks have had very serious quality problems. I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole." That's what my 3 neighbors say who have them.... But they do drive nicely. Just like the Navigators, IMO. Bad brakes though, way too small. Nissan wasn't quite ready to play with the Big Boys, it seems.

Oil Prices rise to over $72 a barrel

by seniorjose on Tue Jun 27 11:41:15 PDT 2006

WASHINGTON Jun 27, 2006 (AP)— Oil prices rose slightly on Tuesday as traders focused on shipping delays along the Gulf Coast and as Iran's supreme leader rejected the need for nuclear talks with the United States. Also, rising demand from China Asia's largest consumer of fuels have lifted oil prices in recent weeks, with crude futures now trading about 19 percent higher than a year ago. "The market seems to be extending some of the gains from last week," said Man Financial broker Andrew Lebow. "Gasoline has provided a lot of the leadership" for the oil-price increases. Light sweet crude for August delivery rose 25 cents to $72.05 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, where gasoline futures were up nearly 2 cents at $2.197 a gallon. With gasoline futures up roughly 20 cents over the past week, oil analyst Tom Kloza of the Wall, N.J.-based Oil Price Information Service believes pump prices are headed significantly higher over the next two months. Brent crude futures on the ICE Futures exchange climbed 54 cents to $71.27 a barrel. The U.S. Coast Guard said the Calcasieu Ship Channel remains closed but that limited tug and barge traffic has resumed through an intercoastal waterway. The channel has been off limits due to the spread of oil from a spill last week at the Citgo Petroleum Corp. facility in Lake Charles, La., and it could remain closed through the end of the week, depending on how the cleanup proceeds, according to Coast Guard petty officer Chad Saylor. Saylor said eight ships carrying crude oil are waiting to enter the channel. As a result, four refineries in the Lake Charles area that account for 3 percent of the nation's refining have reduced runs, albeit in tiny amounts. On Tuesday, Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran does "not need" talks with the United States over its nuclear program because nothing would be gained, state television reported. Washington has warned Iran that it could face political and economic sanctions before the U.N. Security Council if it doesn't stop its nuclear activities, which the United States and its European allies say is an attempt to produce nuclear weapons. Tehran says the uranium will be used only for a peaceful energy program.

Thanks for the feedback!

by bigjay on Fri Aug 05 10:49:27 PDT 2005

Hey everybody! Thanks for all the great feedback on the new Impala SS. You have all confirmed my plan and now I feel better about proceeding with that plan. As I mentioned in my previous post, in my business, I want to convey a sense of modern/contemporary thinking balanced against some solid, no nonsense business acumen. I would hope that after 20 years in business, a Master's Degree in Business, and a bunch of continuing education certificates, one would think these things would outweigh the car I pulled up in. In short, I think the new SS will be perfect for me. Here in LA, everybody drives an "image car" so I don't see the value of putting one more luxo barge into traffic. Personally, I think the SS will be cool because it is different. The best aspect of this new SS is the "punch" of that small block V8! That healthy 303hp V8 with a K&N Kit, and an exhaust system, should more than keep up with traffic. Again, thanks to all!