Reader Review of the Week: 2008 Cadillac CTS

"First-Time Cadillac Owner," from St. Louis, admits to being entranced by the advertising and promotion for the 2008 Cadillac CTS and maintains that it is a great-looking car. However, a few small repairs and a low ride height started to wear on the ownership experience. Read the review to find out specifically what went wrong with this Cadillac owner's car-buying experience. Then head here to post your own car review.

First Drive: 2009 Nissan 370Z

By Thom Blackett for Cars.com

For what seems like an eternity, there’s been endless talk about the revived Chevrolet Camaro, the born-again Dodge Challenger and the original pony car, the Ford Mustang. Gas prices are as erratic as your Uncle Lester’s blood pressure, but the domestic manufacturers are still delivering modern-day versions of their automotive icons.

Nissan, for one, doesn’t seem content with sitting idly by. The brand’s Z has long been the import counterpart to Detroit’s mainstream performance vehicles; it promises an invigorating driving experience in an efficient, affordable package. Nearly 40 years after its introduction, the iconic Japanese sports car — now dubbed the 370Z — faces off against its American foes with 332 horses and a focus on quality. 

Models go on sale in January and prices start at $29,930, not including a $695 destination charge. 

Oil CEO Favors Gas Tax Hikes

There are a lot of very smart people out there advocating a higher national tax on gas. None of them, however, is a CEO at an oil company. That’s why Paul Foster, CEO of Western Refining in Texas, is such an oddity. In a Q&A with Fortune Magazine, Foster explains that gas taxes now are far less than they were in the 1970s, and that they should be raised accordingly.

While not good for his business, Foster thinks a higher gas tax is right for the nation. How much does he say taxes should go up on a gallon of gas? $2 a gallon. Well, not all at once, but over time; Foster says a gradual increase in the national gas tax is the way to go. He blames legislators afraid of election politics for the decline in the tax rate, which has left many public works projects underfunded. 

This oil man favors a gas-tax hike (Fortune)

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid: Winter Mileage

When the jet black Escalade Hybrid arrived last week, I was really excited at the prospect of ferrying the family to grandmother’s house in style, comfort and relative greenness. Although our station wagon gets better mileage, it seemed like a good idea. Then Dec. 24 arrived, and the rear-wheel-drive Escalade couldn’t get out of the icy confines of my alley. Minutes of cursing and shoveling enough ice to get the traction needed to re-park the beast later, we were packing lots of gifts into our Subaru Outback. The Subaru had no problem with the ice.

This meant I wouldn’t put as many miles on the green Escalade as I would have hoped. Luckily, I had to go home without the family on Sunday then return to pick them up. The weather had changed significantly and all the ice was gone, so I hopped into the Escalade and headed back out to the Chicago suburbs.

Ford's Automated Parallel Parking System

Like Stockton to Malone, Ford wants to give its buyers an assist — at least those who purchase a 2010 Lincoln MKT or MKS. In mid-2009, both vehicles will come equipped with Ford’s new Active Park Assist system, which parallel parks the vehicle automatically. The MKT is an all-new crossover that will debut at the Detroit auto show next month.

The system strongly resembles the one on the Lexus LS 460 (check out our own Joe Wiesenfelder putting it to the test). Rather than cameras, though, the system utilizes Ford’s ultrasonic-based sensing system.

Ford claims key advantages over Lexus’ version of the technology: Ford’s system can be used in downhill parking situations, and the American automaker also claims it has vastly improved on reliability and speed in parking situations.

While this certainly may be true (we won’t know until we get our hands on a ’10 MKT or MKS), we have yet to meet anyone who truly craves this technology. If you have a different opinion, feel free to let us know in the comments.

Update: Video by Ford is below. Beware, it is kind of dry, but shows the system in action.

Videos: 2009 Kia Borrego, 2010 Camaro and more

2010 Chevrolet Camaro: Editor Mike Hanley checks out this reincarnated muscle car’s details, including a V-6 or V-8 engine and a unique-looking interior that features red leather seats.

2010 Ford Mustang vs. Camaro: These American classics faceoff in the style, performance, interior and features categories. Mike analyzes the numbers and declares a winner.

2009 Kia Borrego: The Korean automaker launches its seven-seat midsize SUV a little late for the SUV party, Mike says, but is it worth the wait?

View and share all of Cars.com’s videos via YouTube.

GM Loosens Credit Restrictions

In a rare instance of seeing an immediate impact on consumers from federal bailouts, GM’s financing arm, GMAC, will lower its credit requirements from a credit score of 700 to one of 621 to secure car loans. Last week, GMAC restructured to become a bank, then secured $6 billion in aid from the government just yesterday.

This should help GM dealers who had been looking to secure alternative ways of providing credit to buyers, including an agreement with Midwestern credit unions. The new requirements will go into effect immediately.

So, if you’ve been salivating over GM’s Red Tag Sale prices but have sub-700 credit, now’s the time to take a test drive.

Source: GMAC

Talk of a New Gas Tax Begins on National and State Levels

Gas prices have plummeted in the past five months to lows no one — expert nor everyday driver — thought they would see again. This has led to talk of a new or heavily increased gas tax by both federal and several state governments. The heaviest hitter now joining the long-ignored call for a higher fuel tax is The New York Times editorial page.

With states trying to plug holes in their budgets — currently large enough to drive an SUV through — raising the gas tax is seen as a partial solution that could help push the U.S. toward a more realistic energy future.

California and Michigan both have proposals moving through their state legislatures to raise the gas tax. Michigan wants to replace a 19 cent per gallon gas tax and a 15 cent diesel tax with an 18% tax on the wholesale prices of both fuels. Currently, California, Illinois and Massachusetts have the highest gas taxes.

One thing's for sure: Historic summer gas prices, followed by an economic crisis, have combined to change America's driving habits, maybe for good. Transportation and road infrastructure repairs are mostly paid for by taxing fuel. The gap in tax revenue caused by drivers leaving the road will have to be filled somehow.

Two for One Subarus in Texas

Yes, you read that right: Subaru of Plano, a suburb of Dallas, is selling a pre-paid two-year lease on a new Subaru Impreza for $1 with every purchase of a 2009 Outback. Buyers will have to pay the sales tax and bank acquisition fees on the Impreza, which starts at $17,495 and has a national lease deal of $179 a month for 36 months. The Outback starts at $22,295.

Dealership owner David Thomas — no relation — says he got the idea from a Best Buy sale. He started the deal on Black Friday, the traditional big retail sales day after Thanksgiving. He brought it back for the Christmas holiday because it had been so successful, nearly doubling sales. Thomas says the local Nissan dealer is now offering a similar incentive.

There is one little problem, though: The deal only pays off for Thomas if the Impreza’s resale value holds up after two years.

The campaign is going on through Jan 2, so if you need two cars for the price of one, at least for two years, get down to Plano, Texas.

Subaru dealer entices buyers (Dallas Business Journal)

Gas Prices Hit Five-Year Low

Don't worry too much about the drive back from Grandma's house this holiday season: As long as the weather holds, gas prices will remain at historic lows.

In fact, this Friday the national average for gas hit a 58-month low — that's nearly five years since this country saw gas prices so cheap. Today, gas had reached a national average of $1.64 a gallon, with crude oil prices hovering at just over $40 per barrel. Few expect a more rapid downward trend, however, even as the economy slows further.

Gas Prices Drift to a 58-Month Low; Oil May Continue Price Drop (USA Today)