[Shotimes] (OT) CTS-V in Detroit Free Press

[Donald Mallinson]

Randy,

I just want to make you aware that you are slightly 
confusing things I said.  I agree with you that for now, the 
American manufacturers HAVE abandoned us.

That still doesn't mean I can't enjoy driving something else 
for some other purpose, or give the CTS an equal chance with 
other brands.  There are a LOT of very nice cars out there. 
  I didn't call any German or Japanese cars junk, just 
called the Honda Element, what it is....super ugly, and just 
as ugly as the Aztec.  So it has rubber floor mats Ron?  Big 
deal, so does a jeep and my 1968 Chevy pickup.  I was 
talking style.  Anyone that thinks the Element is cute and 
loves all that grey plastic is a hipocrit if they hate the 
Aztec in its original form.  Looks are very personal, but 
ugly is ugly in any language, and this time the car 
magazines bias shows though in spades.

I just try to give any car a chance to win me over.  I gave 
the Nissan Altima and Maxima the chance, they failed.  Nice 
cars, good value, good performance, but not the be-all and 
end-all of cars.  BMW is great, but not THAT much greater 
that they earn my dollars yet.

I just won't hate the CTS because it has a name other than 
German or Japanese.  The car magazines heaped faint praise 
on it, but when I drove it I found the interior and build 
quality very high.  The driving experience was also great. 
Can't wait to drive the V version, although I probably won't 
be able to afford it.

I still await the new GTO, and hope it looks better in 
person than in pictures, and that the build quality is 
better than a dealer friend of mine has warned about.  It 
will get a fair chance, but for the money, it looks pretty 
good as a performance car.

Don Mallinson

Randy Smith wrote:> 
> No offense here Don.  I respect you and your opinions, but I feel they the
> American makers have deserted our demographic and other factors have made my
> opinion even more negative.  I think the car rags have tasted the same
> things.
> 
> Randy