Right there with ya...but really, the problem isn't the law. It's the inattentive, self-important morons behind the wheel.

Well, you'd have to lean REALLY far over (i.e. there's about a 90-degree angle between the viewable sides - so far that driving would be difficult or impossible), and the screen doesn't occupy the driver's hands.

Those are the two major differences, I'd say.

GTI not a better buy I'll agree with that. Nelson, GTI's are turbo charged though. i'd take the GTI looks over this ugly thing any day. The current Raliart looks nice, this variant... ewww.
I'll expand on your comment.
If i had the money to buy a GTI, I'd wait and buy a used EVO... bypass any of the EVO lights.

also us Americans have NO problem buying hatchbacks! just when the price tag goes above $25K we start to waiver. Tons of sporty Mini's, GTI's, and Mazda 3 hatches on the road. The Volvo C30(?), the VW R32 and this half-breed will not sell as well in the States. If I'm spending much over $25K for a hatch you better believe it would have to be an STI or a used BMW M coupe.

Good call on the turbo...don't know what I was thinking.

But the point being, you don't see a lot of 500whp GTIs rolling around. 4B11-engined cars, on the other hand...

But yes, you can always get a better deal buying used. That's not really a fair comparison. For cars that are in similar price brackets/body styles/market segments, the GTI-Sportback Ralliart comparo is pretty fair.

Hmm....37 fewer horsepower, FWD only, no turbo, no 4B11 engine, and only $4K less (in base trim)?

Sorry, I'm gonna have to disagree. The Lancer Ralliart is a better car stock, and it has a lot more potential than the GTI.

If I had the money to buy the GTI, but not the Lancer, I'd wait and save for the Lancer.

A Multiair Hemi would be interesting indeed...especially if they got it working on the exhaust-side valves as well and included cylinder deactivation.

Go Steve! If I buy a Saleen, I want it to be a genuine Saleen, from Steve. If I wanted an MJ, they should sell it under their own name. Not that they've done much to make their name worth anything what with screwing the customers on the warrantys.

Speaking of which, one correction: the old Saleen, Inc. forced Steve off the board and out of the company back in 2007. He was not on the board in February when Saleen Inc and MJ dumped the warrantys. He was at his new company, SMS Supercars, the one he formed after the board forced him out, and the one that stepped in to pick up the abandoned customer warrantys.

Good catch. That's supposed to read 'without'.

NND: if you read the story above, it says the A5 gets a new 2.0T four-cylinder TFSI as the base trim for 2010.

The turbo four replaces the 3.2 as the entry model, shaving the $4k or so off the price.

Doesn't say for America, just says as an option

The prices are all in USD only and the trims are all mentioned at those prices....

NND: if you read the story above, it says the A5 gets a new 2.0T four-cylinder TFSI as the base trim for 2010.

The turbo four replaces the 3.2 as the entry model, shaving the $4k or so off the price.

2WD? Unless they changed the drivetrain, RS200s are AWD.

Oh and the summit is 14,110ft, not 14,115, unless they've re-surveyed it recently and adjusted the number?

Various sources seem to disagree, but thanks for keeping us honest. I've updated to 14,110 on re-evaluating the sources.

Be awhile before Buick loses its old person stigma

It absolutely will be. And Buick - specifically Sharon Docherty - acknowledges that. They have a hard road ahead to change minds about the brand.

But with Buick positioned as one of the four remaining GM brands, they have to change that image, or they're dooming themselves to further failure.

And even if they do get some people to see the 'new Buick', what of the brand's reputation? There's a difference in what others think when you tell them 'I drive a Lexus' versus 'I drive a Buick'.

Personally - I'm 30, btw - I like the LaCrosse a lot, and only wish they'd make a higher-output (note: not necessarily stiffer or sharper, just more powerful) offering. Like throwing a turbo on the 3.6L unit and turning out 400+ hp. But that's another topic altogether.