Swinging the sales G8's open (Pontiac G8)

Wow, I have been working on getting every little bit of news I can about the Pontiac G8. Based on the feedback given the Holden Commodore this sounds like something that even Pontiac could not screw up. 362 HP rear wheel drive coupe with BMW look alike styling for around ~30k. Are you friggin kidding me. Four door practicality with a Corvette engine. That is one recipe for selling some major cars. Even if it couldn't handle outside a straight line (it apparently can based on early reviews) it would be a great success. Alas, one disheartening thing I did hear is that they are not offering a manual option initially. Memo to Pontiac, I want my 6 speed and I want it now.... Regardless, as good as the other cars on my list sound if they get this right I might have to run to a Pontiac dealer. Something that I never thought I would hear myself say. Usually the plasticky crap that Pontiac considers styling makes me not even want to consider GM's supposed excitement brand. I am really beginning to believe that GM can turn this around and as an import driver for the last 10 years that is exactly what they need.

Pontiac G8

Just looked at the new Automobile magazine and found the article on the Pontiac G8. This thing looks like a bargain. I am very anxious to see how the reviews on this come out. GM has really been putting out some nice products lately with the Lambda class CUV's , Saturn Aura, Cadillac CTS and Saturn Astra. Looks like they are finally waking up and realizing that discounts, and patriotic advertising are not going to sell cars, nice products will. They are also investing a ton of money in R&D on efficient engines that will keep them well ahead of the potential new CAFE standards. Can't wait for that G8!

2008 Honda Accord

Just read the specs on the new 2008 Honda Accord and found out that they are not offering the 6-speed with the sedan. This is really disapointing since they are offering a pretty slick 6-speed with the coupe that has the exact same engine as the 4 door. Just recently the Maxima dropped off the ranks of sedans that offered a manual with the premium engine and now the Accord is joining the list. There has to be a place for people that like to row their own to find a nice sporty version of the ubiquitous family sedan. The only mid-size 4 door sedans with a manual and the premium engine that I can think of is the Mazda 6, Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima. Not everyone wants paddle shifters. Well it's official, I have marked the 2008 Honda Accord off the to-drive list. Another one bites the dust.

Mazda CX-7

So I started test driving last week and first up on my list was the Mazda CX-7. With an eye towards some kind of practicality I thought I would try out something from the sporty side of the crossover segment. My first impression of the CX-7 up close is that it has nice aggressive styling. It has a lot of nice curves, although I wonder how the styling will age over time. The interior is very nice. It looks upscale and has some nice amenities such as a Nav System and a very nice stereo system. As for spaciousness, the interior provided adequate room in the back, however, there is not a lot of room behind the rear seat for storage. When I started my drive I was impressed with the road feel and handling. The CX-7 accellerated quickly and provided excellent highway cruising power. The steering was direct and it seemed like grip was plentiful. Overall the CX-7 was a very nice package that did not do anything to contradict the positive reviews that I had heard. It will definitely stay on my list.

The Not So Perfect Cars....

In the search for my 4 wheeled Nirvana I have eliminated a few obvious candidates. Without further ado I am going to list those that have fallen off my prestigious list and a little explanation of why they don't fit in.

1. Toyota Camry - The ultimate automotive appliance. Reliable, ubiquitous, and utterly boring it soldiers on as a good choice for those that want something they can drive day after day and not enjoy or remember how they got there. The latest generation of Toyota's bread and butter has gained horsepower over the years, however, the requisite handling and styling have not progressed with the ponies.

2. Honda Accord- The Accord is a fine drivers car, with excellent handling dynamics. It also has an excellent engine and offers a 6 speed with it's potent V6. Where it falls down is the styling. Honda has invented the invisible car. This car is a fugitives best friend. Noone would notice it.

3. Lexus IS350 - If my children had no legs I would be all over this coupe masquerading as a four door. Toyota's propensity towards safety nannies also does this sportiest Toyota in. Need more room and less lawsuit avoiding electronics.

4. Saab 9-3 - Has character, but doesn't seem to have the engine or chassis to get a rise out of me.

5. Pontiac GXP - Hate cheap plastic and old world technology. Bring on the G8.

6. Mazda 6 - Heard it is fun, but I don't know if it still has the reliability that I need. Does offer a 6 speed and some solid handling.

7. Ford Fusion - A little too mainstream. I am waiting for them to bring over the Mondeo. Come on Ford! Need Ford to start spending money on interior. Take some lessons from GM's resurgence. Interiors sell.

8. Nissan Maxima - They have taken the sportiness out of the car. No stick, a CVT in it's place and styling that is outdone by it's lesser stablemate, the Altima. I always thought of the Maxima as a sporty car pretending to be a luxury car. Now it's not even pretending.

The quest begins...

Today I begin my journey of discovery. I am going to begin the search for the automobile that I will spend the next 6 years with. This is not a mission to be taken lightly. With a 2 hour commute per day I will be spending much intimate time with my new automobile. It has to be a quiet oasis when slogging along the over-crowded highways on the way to my gainful employment. It has to be roomy and oh so indestructible when dealing with my 2 wonderful but highly strung children in the back seat. Finally, and most importantly in my book, it has to stir the soul when I get one of those all-to-infrequent moments when the road is clear and the curves call out my name. So, finding a pulse racing car is quite a challenge. Finding a car that can twinge the old heart strings and at the same time be a faithful soldier in the war that I call the morning commute is the holy grail. So without further ado the nominees (in no particular order) are....

1. Infiniti G35 Sedan - It is a reasonably priced sedan that has major performance chops in the tune of a 306hp engine, 6 speed manual (an absolute must) and an excellent handling resume. If only the 6 speed manual came with the AWD option.

2. BMW 335i - Definitely a soul stirrer based on what I have read. 300hp, 4 doors, 6 speed transmission and steering that is wired to the brain. Just need to find out how it handles my rug rats and whether it has enough livable room to be my faithful commuter companion. At 40 large before adding the major options it is also a stretch on the old budget.

3. 2008 Cadillac CTS - If GM can only deliver on the promise that I have seen so far this could be at the top of my dance card. If only they can restrain themselves from upping the price for this potential blockbuster out of my range (30-40K). I love the looks, interior quality, and the potential of the new Direct Injection engine with AWD and the already good handling of the existing CTS.

4. Subaru Legacy Spec B - A Subaru playing in this crowd. I know it is blasphemy. What Subaru offers though is a reasonably priced AWD powertrain with a 6 speed manual and excellent handling. From everything that I hear, this car is just plain fun. If I can force myself to give up a little of the cache of the other cars and it can fit everything that my hectic life demands, it may be just be the pragmatic choice. When it does snow it would be great to know that AWD is there and that a 6 speed is there when I want to have fun.

5. 2008 Pontiac G8 - BMW lookalike styling, 362 hp engine, 6 speed transmission, plenty of attitude and a great price. If they can get plenty of refinement to go along with that attitude I might just be smitten. This thunder from down under car has all the credentials to be a major player. I am just wondering if they can resist the usual cheesy grey plastic innards that always seem to take over the cockpits of your typical Pontiac. I used to drive Pontiac rentals quite frequently and I wouldn't want to be caught dead looking at that jumble of plastic they call ergonomics for 2 hours a day. Let's see if the new GM focus on interiors carries over to the G8.

6. Mazda CX-7 - It is not a car and doesn't meet any of my criteria points. A little zoom-zoom in a crossover. It does have AWD and a turbocharged engine. Just thought I would check out what all the crossover madness is all about.

7. Acura TL - I try to ignore it since it is FWD only. There is just too many good reviews and feedback from friends that make me want to check it out. Kind of pricy for what you get though.

This list will grow or shrink as my noble crusade continues. Please feel free to add your own feedback. The next blog I will go over the notable exceptions from this list and why they don't seem to make the cut.