Well surely she could just call you then, couldn't she? I'm sure you'd help. ;)

I find car salesmen have a habit of whisking me off to the back parking lot, or worse, to a secluded residential area for a "test drive." (shakes head). No problems, really, but in hindsight -- Will not go alone, and will not allow this to happen to me again.

and . . . Nissan Rogues are pretty nice.

Did you look into a Pontiac Vibe, Cloud? Ive been considering it (even though CR took its recommendation away).

NONE of the Pontiacs are recommended by CR. They're good looking, but that's not enough to make me take a closer look.

I think I'm waiting for the Juke to come out in October.

Except this Pontiac is actually a Toyota - a Matrix twin, and it gets really good reviews.

We just got posters of them... very cool

I didn't know it was a turbo! and it has 4 doors, but the back ones are suicide doors with no discernible handles. I'd send you a brochure, but we don't have any yet.

there's a really cool video of the new engine at the bottom of this page:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/30/2...ew-york-intro/

That tiny four cylinder engine has more horsepower than a 1975 standard Chevy big block V-8.

What was Nissan (and Renault) doing when GM was cost controlling during the late 1990 and 2000s? When all engineering was conducted in the finance department? This current technology says when GM was actually bankrupt. Reasons for GM's bankruptcy appear from innovative companies. Another example of GM spread sheets today only reporting what existed 10 years ago.

Nobody needs that much horsepower in a car. Which says how much smaller that engine should really be because it features the latest examples of current technology.

I like the size of the Juke. I'm driving the Suzuki SX4, which has proven to be good in the snow. I wonder how the Juke will match up. It may be too over-powered for good traction.

Thats a good point Griff regarding the overpowered... But she needs to get up a hill not deal with snow ... I think.

it's got a small powerful engine, AWD available, high seating position, and a hatch. CVT or manual transmission, estimated to have great gas mileage, too.

I stand corrected about the Pontiac Vibe. CR has removed it's recommendation temporarily because of unintended acceleration problems. Ouch.

I see the Juke is set to have a "smart throttle" (aka brake override). :)

Is Pontiac even going to be around in 3-5 years? I really cannot figure out why they exist now.

Big block V-8s standard in the largest Cadillacs were about 180 Hp. That engine had no trouble getting a multiple ton car up any hill.

Ford Fiesta with factory applied tattoos?

http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fie...page=Feature18

or, maybe this: