I like the unique review of this thing. I was one who disliked every photo I saw of it... but seeing it in person is a completely different experience. It definitely makes you stare, and I find the design very attractive in person. It does do something different than the Accord though, since it comes with all-wheel drive which is not offered on the Accord.

As much as I like it, seeing as I'm not the target market "empty nester", I'd still prefer a true Accord station wagon. Oh how I miss driving my mom's early 90's Accord wagon through high school. I felt just like you did on the autocross course in her Accord, sans any actual skill or speed, as I was taming the back roads of central Ohio.

Thanks for the NAIAS update. Can you explain how the Insight "failed spectacularly"? I know sales were down in the US, but they were down for everyone (wasn't the Prius sales down 61%?). Plus, it has a direct competitor setting next to it in the showroom with the Civic hybrid (maybe not so smart on Honda's part, but could explain lower sales). Sales were way up in Japan. It was the best selling vehicle in Japan for a couple months (something the Prius has never done). It won head-to-head comparisons in Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Automobile, and Edmunds.com. Just wondering you reasoning.
Are the Cruze and Aveo really Daewoo design? What's the connection there??

Haha, your restaurant comment is great. The average American trades in their car every 42 months. So yes, to most what a car is going to be worth is very important. Like I said, I have a 7 year old Civic without a single dollar paid towards repairs. So reliability to me is not wasting time and money at the repair shop. If I had more money, I would agree with you that character and fun should decide my vehicle purchases though. I'd love a Range Rover, but since I knew I'd be taking that baby to repair shop a lot, I got my wife a CRV instead. Saab's reputation as having quality issues is why I didn't look at them.

Focus too much on reliability? How is that possible? Reliability is what determines your "true cost of ownership". It's what effects the car's value the second you drive it off the lot. Before Saturn went under, it took me months and many price drops to get anyone to buy my 2004 Saturn Vue. Why? Because it is looked at as "unreliable". And it was. Many thousands were spent on repairs, which is why I wanted to get rid of it. On the other hand, I have a 2002 Civic with 100,000+ miles and outside of routine oil changes, tires, brakes, when you add all the money I'll spent on it you get $0.00. Not a penny. That's reliability. I know it's not 30 years old yet like your Saab, but I guarantee I could sell my Civic in a second and get a great price for it because of it's reliability. To me, reliability comes first, then character, safety, fun etc...

I do wash my windows towels with all other detailing towels. Some may recommend keeping them separate though. I have never noticed any streaking because of washing towels together so I don't feel it's worth the extra effort.

How soon until this shows up on Craigslist with a "clean" title?

I agree. I was too distracted by the judgemental views to get anything out of this. I'd still like to know more about the cars.

Nice review. I enjoyed reading about the 3 because it is a car I may actually purchase someday. Although I like reading the reviews of the 911's and Corvettes etc... it was refreshing to read about something more in my price range. Keep it up.
P.S. That navigation looks tiny!!

I may agree with Ryan... but real racing or not, I bet a lot people have googled to see if there is any local slot car racing near them after reading this. I know I did.

Interesting point. Do you think the new Taurus will be majority "fleet sales" like previous generations were? It seems too nice for that. In the end, Jack had something right in this article as when I find myself longing for a car, it is usually a MR2, 300Z, Integra type R, CRX or an old NSX.