It's hard not to see advertisements for the Malibu. With its keen redesign for 2008, Chevrolet has put everything it has into the marketing of the car named after the southern California beach city.

The promotion began in earnest during last October's World Series and it hasn't waned. Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and that's a hefty task.

The Mercury Sable was missing in 2006-07? Who would have known? Sales dropped so much, the Sable became anonymous and its dismissal from the Mercury lineup was uneventful. Even with a two-year absence to retool the outdated sedan, the revised version did not impress.

I have a routine when I drive/review cars each week. One step is to ask my friend, Leo Blume, a car lover, what he thinks. We took a drive in the 2008 Buick Lucerne and stopped by his house. He showed me his 1963 Buick. And, boy did he have some things to say. He contributes this review: "Though I hate to resort to such a hackneyed statement, the 2008 Buick Lucerne CXS isn't my father's Buick," said Blume. "I should know because I'm still driving my father's hand-me-down Buick — a 1963 LeSabre."

As one of the country's most successful vehicles, Honda needs little help with the Accord.

But for 2008, the Accord was redesigned and it's a prime of example of taking a vehicle that's already an industry leader and making it better.

The G8 is the first full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan from Pontiac since the 1986 Bonneville. The G8 replaces the Bonneville, which ended production with its 2005 model and the Grand Prix, which will cease its tenure with the 2008 model. Pontiac also has a hopeful third market share responsibility for the G8, since it also replaces the V8-powered GTO coupe, which was discontinued in 2006.

First driving impressions mean a lot — at least to me. Whether it’s a rental vehicle, a friend’s car or a new weekly test drive, I can usually tell if I’ll like the vehicle within a few minutes.

Honda and Cadillac offer diverse cars, but I always immediately feel comfortable in all the manufacturers’ vehicles. Kia now joins my “comfort car club.”

Like many people, I’ve always been a fan of the Honda Accord. Second on the list of top-selling cars in the United States, the Accord always looks and feels like a more expensive vehicle.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise I thoroughly enjoyed a week behind the wheel of the Accord’s more sophisticated cousin – the 2008 Acura RL.

After selling nearly 100,000 units in 2005, sales of the Status dropped nearly in half in 2006. That was enough to convince parent company Chrysler it was time to pull the plug on the modest, mid-size sedan. It was a necessary if Dodge wanted to stay competitive in the mid-size sedan classification. Dodge filled the opening with the Avenger.

It's a catchier name and Chrysler hopes the vehicle will also attract more buyers. The larger dimensions – 2.5 more inches of headroom, 1.2 inches greater shoulder room, and 2.5 inches higher — are definite factors that make an easier entry and exit in comparison to the forgettable Stratus.

This time of year I’m typically plotting a getaway day or two into the snow country. But the thinking of this longtime skier far outweighs what actually happens, which is why there is nothing to report about how the 2008 Subaru Legacy responded in the snow-shrouded Lake Tahoe region.

When discussing the Subaru lineup the first thing often mentioned is the all-wheel drive capability, because a foul-weather vehicle is always desirable in many regions of the country. Every Subaru is equipped with a traction-grabbing advantage that makes many drivers like me eager to take a journey into the high country.

Even before last year’s redesign, the Nissan Altima was among major players in the mid-size world. The Altima is a smart-looking sedan with a solid 4-cylinder option and a more appealing, performance-laden V6.

With the combination of family appeal and sporty look, the Altima became the sixth most popular selling car in the United States for 2006. Last year’s successful redesign also included a  hybrid option, allowing the Altima to further compete the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Despite the improvements, the 2008b Altima has a difficult time competing with the Camry and Accord in total sales.