travelguy_73

As long as the install is quality, you are good to go. And if you have a smart phone, don't forget you can program your DVR on the run using their mobile site (there is also an iPhone app).

I like the center stack, very Swedish and minimal, but the rest of it looks like my 07 XC70, which itself is was a 6-year old design when new.

Hondas don't usually photograph well, but that and the Acura ZDX were not hit, they were beat senseless with the ugly stick. I feel bad for the Honda fanboys out there...need to head to VTEC.net to see how they are excusing this one.

Not sure why you would only want to seek Katy residents' opinions, as satellite is the same across the city/country. DirecTV has a very good service, both in picture quality, choice, and DVR. The HD is fantastic, and I'm very picky about PQ. There is no degredation of signal based on viewership (the satellites broadcast the signal, your dish downloads it). Their OnDemand HD (some in 1080p) is great as well. I have had their service for a couple of years now, moved over from Comcast, and have never been happier. Granted, the service isn't cheap, but I feel like I generally get what I pay for. As for signal outages, we will have outages a few minutes before a strong thunderstorm, but it comes back on pretty quickly. And our dish, mounted on a pole in the back corner of the yard (trees in the way at the house) survived Ike's winds just fine. Believe me, if the dish required an adjust every time there was a storm or strong wind, DirecTV and Dish would have no subscribers! The only caveat is that a quality install is a must. There are both good and bad ones out there, and doing a little research ahead of time to understand what makes for a good install is worth your time.

Backend, from this shot, looks a bit like the now-generic Subaru Tribeca.

Not bad at all! Funny that here I am complimenting a Hyundai and thinking that Honda has a lot of work to do on their styling to get back into the game. There isn't a single current Honda/Acura product, save for the MDX, I think is attractive.

I would argue that the prior generation A8 looks just as bland, yet did markedly better attracting buyers. I recall a Top Gear or Fifth Gear episode, I think, where they drove the Phaeton in Germany and had multiple bits and pieces break on them. Quality control issues, for sure.

I owned a home only a block away, and bought just after the beautiful stone home next to Spurlock Park was demolished (victim of Alison). I loved that stretch of MacGregor Way. I am sad to see them go, and can't imagine what kind of stress the process put homeowners under. Hopefully the neighborhood will be able to work with the County to turn that section into a linear park so that it doesn't look like a bunch of abandoned lots.

Ultimately it came down to the back seat. I love the feel of the IS350 (felt at home in it after owning an 02 Acura TL-S for a few years), and the interior materials were great. Dealer experience would have been great as well, but that back seat is just so small.

Will this be Hyundai's Phaeton? I think so. You can go upmarket to a certain extent, but at that price point, people want status, status, status. Be it flashy BMW or MB, or understated Audi, it's just degrees of status. Hyundai has nothing to pull people into their dealership. A generic looking luxury sedan isn't going to do it. Oh, wait a minute, If this was 1985, I could be substituting Hyundai for Lexus. Well, what do I know...I like the Phaeton.

Well, signed the papers tonight on a new CC VR6 with an incredible touch-screen navigation system and an even better price than I tought I would get (thanks Recession!). Very excited to pick it up tomorrow, though I'm dreading trying to keep the black paint clean!

LOL, you may very well be right. I have had very good reliability with my 2006 GLI, only a couple of warranty issues. That body style came out in 2005, so in theory they had some time to fix design issues (I hadn't heard of any during my research at the time). However, at the same time, I have a friend who just got rid of his 06 Passat 3.6L and had a terrible experience with it, but then of course he bought a MB that has been less-than-reliable as well. So it's a chance--a sterile but reliable Japanese drive, or an emotional but unknown European drive? I have been following people's experiences on the VW forums, and so far so good, though only a few have more than 20k miles on theirs. I am taking that uncertainty into account in the price I would be willing to pay for the car (and the extended warranty I will likely buy later on through my credit union).

Finally got to drive the Volkswagen CC (VR6), and I have to say it's a fantastic car. It's big, at least for me, but the ride is great--softer than the BMW, and about the same as the Lexus. Controls feel good, and the interior is top quality. The dealer let me take one home for the night, a pleasant surprise, and the extended test drive is having its intended effect! If the price is right, it might be a contender.

I drove another IS350 (this one at Bayway Lincoln of all places), and really liked it. However, my partner was very negative on the tight back seat. I agree that it is small, but is probably about the same as a 3-Series, with the same style wedge back door that makes ingress and egress tough for older people (like my parents). We are going to drive a new 2009 VW CC VR6 this week, and see if I like the feel of a larger car. I also recall how much shopping for a new car is love/hate. I don't like the high-pressure sales feel of the dealerships (prefer Carmax for that reason), and I hate to waste the salesperson's time when we really are still looking at different options. Plus the cars are freakin hot this time of year, which I guess means you can adequately test the a/c!

Speaking of near-luxury Japanese cars, I drove a 2008 Lexus IS350 today. Loaded up with navigation, backup camera, bluetooth, and a luscious 306 HP engine. I wasn't sure what to expect, as Lexus isn't my cup of tea. But in my short test drive, I came away very impressed. For me, it has a nice combination of luxury and sport. Unlike the BMW 335, which is sport, then luxury, the IS350 is more the opposite. The interior materials felt terrific, and the acceleration was strong. Not too firm. The only thing I didn't care for was the back seat. It was very comfortable, but the gun slit rear windows combined with a black interior, makes for some claustrophobia. A tan interior would help. This car has moved up to the top of my list, with the 335i second, and the C350 a distant third.

Don't know about what, that the Focus in Europe is nicer than here? And yes if you are hit by a large SUV, you will certainly have a greater risk of injury, but there is nothing inherently unsafe about small cars, only the differential in size between them and the largest passenger trucks and SUVs.

I totally agree! The Focus we have in the US is just terrible. I had a rental Focus (forget the model, it was a 5-door hatch) in Ireland and it was very pleasant to drive. They have a newer model than we have, though. Another problem is that Americans see small cars as cheap, and so the automakers make them cheap. In Europe, they don't mind small, but want luxury, and so they have all these great little cars.

You mean the old one, right? The new one is likely to be a huge hit, and not just with fleets. The SHO, while pricey, will be a sleeper hit. I LOVE the Fors Sync system.

As was noted, the 2.0T CC starts in the upper 30's, and is considered the volume leader. The upmarket VR6 and VR6 model with AWD is getting hit with huge discounts. People are actually reporting picking them up in the very low 30's, which is a great price considering the style and interior amenities. I agree, however, about the practicality of it. Drove a M-B C350 today, and was disappointed. While I like the exterior styling and the engine is terrific, the interior materials left a lot to be desired. I'm not sure I will keep it on my list.

Well, I'm officially in the market for a new car (well, new to me, I'm done with the new car depreciation hit, especially on more expensive cars). I could go test driving new cars all day long, I just love it, but I guess I'm nerdy that way. I'm not sure if I will go the CPO from a dealer, or save some bucks and go private party (knowing that the standard warranty is probably plenty for how long I will own the car). I'm pretty proud of myself, as I kept my 2006 GLI for over three years, some kind of record. What I'm looking at, and y'alls feedback is certainly welcome: 2008/9 BMW 335i sedan: drove a sport/premium yesterday and enjoyed the way it drove (much quieter than my GLI), but not wild about the interior finishes and design (my GLI has a better interior). This one didn't have iDrive. 2008/9 M-B C350: Plan to drive one today (Carmax has one, and is my preferred place to test drive cars). Fewer on the road than the BMW, and it is a newer design. 2008/9 Lexus IS350: Not sure why this one is on the list, I have never really paid attention to them. BUT I do like the look of them, and like the idea of an ultra-reliable car. 2008 Acura TL: Old version, standard or boy racer Type S. 2009 VW CC: Still loving the looks of this one, and the discounts on VR6 models are substantial (this would be the only new car I am considering). Might also consider the 328i sport/premium (sedan or wagon), C300, or IS250 to save a few bucks. Hopefully my current car won't take too long to sell!

Now THAT I could get into. Ever since the M-B AMG wagon came on the scene, I have always had a thing for sporty estates. When we were shopping for a utility-type car back in 2007, I had my heart set on an 07 Volvo V70R...300hp, AWD, a total rocket sled. Settled on an XC70, but one day I will get my way. I'm currently hot and heavy for the 328i Touring with M package. A CTS wagon would be a great niche product for those who want fast, yet need the space and want to buy American. How many people are there like this in the US? Like I said, a niche product, but Cadillac needs those to go along with its bread and butter CTS.

Does anyone know how they go about changing out the meter? We were leaving our driveway gate open during the day to allow them easier access. However, when it is open, the gate blocks the breaker box (though not the meter, which is above it). I am not sure how they actually shut off the power to work on the meter and want to make it as easy as possible for them.

Always used Parking Spot on Will Clayton. Have to pay attention to which one you use (there are two on WC, and one on JFK), and don't get on the wrong bus when you get back!

Also, unless you absolutely must have new, don't discount Craigslist finds. I have been quite happy with my purchases. However, tthere is so much volume on that site, that I keyword search on "Ethan Allen," "Crate & Barrel," "Pottery Barn," "Bo Concept," and the like. Tends to bring up some decent hits, and allows me to quickly check every morning while I'm eating breakfast. I have found a lot of the pieces to be quality, and usually for sale by people who never intended to sell, but are downsizing or relocating (or have more money than sense). They are usually open to haggling withing reason, and it's sort of a fun pastime. Good quality classic stuff doesn't go out of style, thankfully.

Got this from Brenda Smith's Lazy Gardener Blog on the Chron: http://blogs.chron.com/lazygardener/2009/07/recycle_rain.html Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is making a start. On Saturday, Aug. 8, a Build Your Own Rain Barrel hands-on class will even provide materials. In addition to a finished rain barrel, participants will also take home a detailed instruction sheet for future reference with information on connecting multiple barrels for more water storage. Local graphic designer/environmentalist Pen Morrison is instructor. The barrel pictured above can be afixed to a pipe from gutters or even placed under the V in a house where it can catch runoff. A hose is attached at the bottom to run water to gardens. Cost (includes materials): $80 for members, $98 for non-members. Contact the Arboretum for details. http://www.houstonarboretum.org/rainbarrels.asp I think I am going to take this class. While I'm not wild about the look of the barrel, the price is right, and my water bill was $100 last month, which is incentive enough!