Anthony

Here's the Magnum (same platform as the Charger) after a 50mph rear end crash....the glass didn't even break: 2005 Dodge Magnum Rear Impact Test - Auburn Hills, February 6 - Mark Chernoby, Vice President, Advanced Engineering Technology, shows journalists how the Chrysler Group's 2005 Dodge Magnum withstood a 50 mph rear impact test - -a test that is two years ahead of a federal government requirement, during a safety briefing at Chrysler Group headquarters.

Automotive News has this picture of the new front end of the Durango. Much cleaner, but a little anonymous now: Clicky

DCX is making this available to retail customers as well.

I have to say, rear legroom looks pretty impressive. Normally they take these photos with the front seats scooched up to make it look roomy, but that's downright spacious for a tiny car. The car itself is ugly as sin....but (I almost hate to admit it), not a bad deal for what you get. A surprising good deal for Honda, who normally prices themselves higher then they should be because of the "H" on the hood. :rolleyes:

Both are ugly. I'd probably take the QX over the Commander though. As a Jeep fan, the Commander is not even on my radar....

I understand that, but if dealers are whining that "vehicles are being pushed on them"...you would think that it would result in longer "days on the lot" averages as well.

Weird that Chrysler's average of inventory is still 66 days at the end of February. Well within the industry average for what is considered "good". More "gloom and doom" reporting? Apparently Ford is not the only recipient of that. :shrug: :shrug:

Pretty cool looking, but that rear hatch is about as useless for putting items in the rear as canoe in the middle of the desert.

Pioneer in black bold, my responses in blue: 1. Driving on I-75 is a roll of the dice. The center of gravity is so high, even a 5mph cross wind makes it feel like it will tip. The wheelbase is just the perfect length, that the grooves in the pavement creates resonance in the cabin. Mine was lifted 3 inches (making the COG even higher) and I never had any of the problems you mention. I used to drive back and forth to Michigan (from NY) on I-80 at least once every month or two. I'm curious about the resonance...what tires are they putting on the KJ's these days? 2. The thing sucks gas. My V8 explorer beats it by 3mpg (17 vs 14). Yup, gas mileage was purty stinky on them. But I averaged around 18-19. 3. Maybe it's because it's the "sport" model, but it had an interior comparable to my old '95 neon. Cheap. I have to disagree here (but most likely a matter of personal taste). I had a Sport as well and I thought the interior was great. Very fitting and ergonomically nice. The only thing I did to brighten it up a tad was put the aluminum trim from a Limited model on the radio surround plate and shifter bezel. Made a big difference. Otherwise, left it bone stock (added a Cobra CB too for when we went offroad) 4. Rear wheel drive. With as light as it is, you have to put it in 4 wheel drive to pull away from stoplights in a rainstorm. Again, never had a problem here. This also might go back to what tires they are putting on them now. 5. Bad rear visibility due to the fact that they couldn't figure out how to put the spare tire anywhere else. The spare tire doesn't block the rear window (how else can you open just the rear glass). There's an inch and half cutout to prevent this. Also, the rear window is pretty big...not sure why this is a problem? 6. No support in the drivers seat makes anything but a quick ride unbearable. This may be a matter of personal taste, but I thought the seats were very comfortable and firm. Again, I made regular 700 miles trips in my KJ and thought the seats were great and supportive. Best seats ever? 1995 Grand Cherokee Worst Seats ever? Any year ZX2 (automatic cramp as soon as I sat down in it..otherwise great little car) 7. Due to the poor resale value, we are stuck with it until the lease runs out. I traded mine in and had depreciation similar to other vehicles in it's class and in the industry. I actually got more for it then I expected...around 80% of my sales price for trade in a year and a half later. Would I buy another? Yeah, but I do agree on the gas mileage...the KJ is a heavy beast for it's size. I would very much consider the CRD model now though. If I actually drove it more, I could probably find more things that I don't like about it, but I don't drive it that often. You might also find things you like about it. Not sure if you are into going offroad, but that's where this little baby differs from the rest of the cute utes that are mostly car-based. Here's a pic from an offroad group I used to belong to (LOST). You aren't going to have this much fun in a Rav-4, Escape or Equinox. Again, most people don't buy their vehicles for this purpose and just want something to drive back and forth to the grocery store. It's nice to know that if it can handle boulders and crevices, most likely it can handle speed bumps and potholes too.

Holy crap...the last one was GREAT!

Heck, I owned one....for all the ribbing it gets...it's one stout vehicle.

+ Not horrible. But stylish, basic transportation. Not in my radar, but with some of the things I see kids driving these days, it sure doesn't look any worse.

It's a very hidden preview of the next gen minivans.

I kinda expected this when they said they were going to a new naming system. I think they came up with the alphnumeric idea after the name Zephyr had been set in stone. Admittedly though, if this had been another carmaker doing this, you guys would be all over them. :lol:

Not ugly, but not exciting me either. Another appliance.

No excuse for that car/thing. Compass is just plain ugly....and I mean Aztek ugly. Some people say things look better in person, but I can't imagine it on that thing. Now the Caliber I actually think is attractive along with the Patriot.

Agreed... with better "value for what you pay" coming from Hyundai and now the Fusion....Ford has a chance to jump.

Vaguely...though I also see some X3 in it's flanks.

Spin City. Does that make the HHR any less of a PT Cruiser "copy"? Because Brian Nesbitt designed both? Who cares? Take a look in the "School of Free Thought" forum. There's no less then 5 threads saying "look the <insert xxx brand car>, it looks just like the Ford xxx" (....of course unless it's a Ford, then naturally it's original). C'mon, I'm a Ford fan but I'm not going to go as far and say every freaking car at the Auto Show is a copy of some Ford product. Because if that's the case...who does Infiniti think they are going into the future and copying Lincoln's new concept profile a few years ago?

I think most people don't see that as a problem.

I agree. I thought the Edge would be the one to beat until I saw this. VERY nice (as long as it stays 90% of this for production). I'm curious to see what other CUV's they have coming after seeing this. Good grief.....Shall we bring up the Five Hundred and Passat pictures now? C'mon! :rolleyes:

Defintely a step up (style-wise) from the 4th gen F-bodies.

The real thing: http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=837