[Terry Lange]

Thanks to everyone for their insight and great comments. I hadn't been on this board for a couple of days and was really surprised at all the input. I spent most of this past Monday at dealerships here in the Phoenix, AZ area. Test drove an '05 V6 2WD that was the silver/green color that was only offered in that year. Plenty of power (for me, anyway). Disappointed in the dash and door panels with all the black plastic. Thought I was sitting in a KIA. The asking price was 21,900, which I thought was a little steep. Went to another dealership to inquire about dealer incentives on new '08's and '09's. Drove a black V6 2WD with a full load, including Nav., mesh grille and ground effects. List was around 48K, saleman thought he could get it for the low '30's once all the incentives were added up. He went in and talked to his boss, came out and told me that the wheels and tires were aftermarket (add 2K) and that it was a special order vehicle so no incentives applied. They dropped to 41,900 after 3 hours. That was too rich for my blood, so they showed me a new '09 that was so stripped I expected it to have crank windows. Pretty hard to get excited about that after driving the loaded one. By the way, one dealer offered me 2K for my 2001 DTS and the other 1K on a trade.

I'll head back out this weekend to do battle again. Thanks to those who posted about the newer ones having both an analog and digital speedo. I would really miss that after driving the DTS for almost 4 years. So far, the conclusions I have arrived at are that a V6 is adequate for me, I don't need AWD for 99% freeway driving, got to have that sunroof, and I now recall why I haven't bought a car from a dealer in 17 years. Will keep you all posted.

Terry