Replying to promote this, it really was a concise, clear comment. This is some great background information.

This is fascinating, awesome reporting David.

“Chrystler sucks (and Fiat sucks even worse) at competing on quantitative measures (initial build quality, fuel economy, resale, NVH, etc.) BOTH companies excel, however, at making products that have innate desirability.”

Goddamit.

I think the battery is mostly there to help even the load on the onboard generator and be available for those high demand situations. I can’t see anyone buying a truck that only runs for ~1 hour or less, that’s why it would use hydrogen to recharge the batteries on the fly.

The CT6 and CTS ride on different platforms (CTS = Alpha, CT6=Omega). I’d guess something developed off of the CT6 platform.

Ah, I was thinking they could get away with something simpler. I never underestimate an OEM’s willingness to get out complexity and cost. Thanks for the correction.

My best guess (I’m not a suspension engineer by any means, but I’ve had some exposure) is that the OE shocks are a much simpler design, thus more robust. Instead of a valve stack like you have in this shock, an OE shock would likely have a far simpler setup (think holes drilled into it to restrict flow). Those holes…

Well, looks like they tried that and it didn’t work.

That sounds pretty good actually. Too bad the deal is sold out. Gonna have to keep an eye on it.

No joke I just got a puppy and I’ve been thinking about buying one of those backseat covers. The blankets/towels I’ve been using just don’t do the trick, as inevitably they fall off the seat when pup gets too excited.

Should probably note the catch. This has to be used by the end of August.

Should probably note the catch. This has to be used by the end of August.

Idk Doug, $4.99 is pretty steep. I think I’ll wait until I can pick it up from the 3rd owner for 50 cents.

No idea, but the article says after Renault’s objection they developed inflators that used guanidine nitrate, supposedly a more stable compound, for European customers. Not sure if Renault actually used Takata at all though.

Wow. Just wow.

Counterpoint anecdote: my sister’s bf purchased a LaCrosse specifically because he had a rental Verano and was wowed by how good it was (a car enthusiast he is not). He’d never considered Buick before but that car got him to look at the brand. There’s something to be said about a good entry level car to bring new…

4th: where is all that money going that FCA is making? I don’t hear much about new product development other than Alfa (lol) and Jeep. Nothing on a 300/charger/challenger next gen, and nothing at all from Dodge. The two biggest US market releases lately have been the 200 (already killed) and the Pacifica (nice, but in…

Re: changing the headlights. Take a look under the hood before doing this, as it may be much more complicated than you think. Modern Fusions require you to take off the entire bumper in order to push out the headlight assembly far enough to access the bulbs. Biggest PITA for what should be an incredibly simple job. I…

I have one of these coming my way soon, and as such I’ve been reading every review I can find on it. This one is pretty harsh, but it mostly just emphasizes the issues others have pointed out: rough battery life with the 4k screen, software glitches, and (not mentioned here) a small keyboard.

Hmm, hadn’t considered that. I thought that part of it mostly dictated hood heights to give you space above the engine? That led to stuff like pedestrian airbags on Volvos.