A column automatic is a rather simple linkage. A column manual trans on
the other hand... :) But that's for a RWD car.

For a FWD (transverse mounted engine/trans) car an automatic trans
shifter is going to have a similiar degree of complexity regardless. In
fact, the column shift might actually be shorter depending on the
transaxle location.

Yeah, I'll admit, I'm not that advanced in my automative knowledge (I
know dick).  My comments were from the perspective of a casual driving
enthusiast who likes to be able to take 5 - 6 hour road trips in comfort,
and generally favors large RWD American sedans with leather seats and
slushboxes.  Unfortunately I live in a climate that often presents harsh
weather conditions 5-6 months a year, and would like to limit myself to a
single vehicle I can use year round.

BTW, anyone have opinions on the Dodge Caliber?  Seems to suit most of
my needs (not sure about space... I'll have to test drive it), and seems
like somewhat of a bargain, but is it generally a *bad idea* to purchase
any vehicle in its first model year?  Don't know a lot about Dodge cars.
Would it be advisable to go for an extended warranty (which I understand
is generally a waste of money) in this case?  Any comments appreciated.

Thanks,
Z

Yes it does.  That is my ride - a very comfortable cruiser but
absolutely blah as far as fun driving goes.

Another reason for the console is a place for the cup holders.  Just
gotta have them as well as a good spot to put the oh so needed CP.
That's sarcasm for the impaired.

Harry K

Harry K

Seems to have originated with 60s muscle/pony cars (perhaps for the
commonality with "four on the floor" models, as others have mentioned)
and then remained in some cars aspiring to a sporty look, eventually
becoming fairly mainstream.  As front bench seats became passe, it
became more feasible, of course.

Note also that many cars with column shift also have a console, though
at least it doesn't have a couple of sticks sticking out of it and thus
might be easier for the console-disliking crowd to live with.

Might be dependent upon trim level.  The interior shots on chevy.com
show it both ways.

The agony and the ecstasy, or should that be the LTZ...   I put a good
bit of the first hundred miles on one that was new to our company fleet
(and thus was of course something close to a base model).  It had a
wonderfully roomy and comfy interior.  The engine (3.5 liter V6) was a
jewel, idling in silken silence yet quite adequate in power for normal
driving despite the size and weight of the car.  Very quiet at speed
too, letting you enjoy a radio that sounded great for a stock system in
a lower-trim-level car... once I figured out how to work its controls.
(Att'n designers everywhere:  How about one big knob for tuning, and
another big one for on-off-volume, and a small number of big buttons
for the presets?  That was an idea from older Impalas that actually
worked at 60 mph for those of us who don't have the eyes of a fighter
pilot, the hands of a brain surgeon, and the multitasking abilities of
these guys who keep a dozen chess games going at the same time.   But I
digress.)

The suspension and handling amounted to the only weakness -- they went
for the traditional large American cushmobile approach at the expense
of not only backroads tossability but also (more surprisingly)
straight-line stability.  Perhaps the right option packages make this
better (can you get a cop suspension or something?).  All in all, it
isn't bad, exactly; but if I had to choose something from our fleet to
buy as my own, I'd  rather have the last-year Taurus.  (For sure both
are  improvements over the Dodge Stratuses now aging out of the motor
pool...)

That's an intriguing prospect to my tastes, and carries a 5-star crash
safety rating from all angles, as well as an AWD option. Alas, it seems
to have a console.  Might be worth looking in person at base models,
though.  

Cheers,
--Joe