trinacriabob

I have never been to Montana. Love the photos of Glacier National Park with snow capped peaks and hillsides full of lupine and evergreens. I've been to the Idaho panhandle (Coeur d'Alene) and could have crossed over to Montana easily and should have done it. However, I have been to Sandpoint, Idaho on my way up to Canada to see Banff and Calgary. Little did I know at the time that Sandpoint was Sarah Palin's hometown. A friend of mine's sister lived in Montana for a while. My friend is Cuban and so is his sister. Her husband is Anglo and very pale. They lived in an area of smaller towns. She would go into small businesses and, in casual conversation, was asked what reservation or tribe she was from! She is very good at poking fun at herself and thought it was funny. It is, and so is her telling the stories. Only about 1 million people live in all of Montana. Californians got their share of flack when they started to move in. Some were equity refugees, some were retirees, and a smaller batch were Hollywood types who bought ranches to get away from it all. Not all the newcomers stay.

The 2005-2009 LaCrosse also pushed this design dynamic. With that inset lamp between the headlamps and the grille, and the rounded hood channel leading up to it, reviewers have made the comparison to Jaguar. The rear tail lamps on the car are trying to say Mercedes. Of the very last cars Buick put out, the Regal was definitely Euro-Germanic while the Verano and 3rd gen and final LaCrosse were unmistakably American.

Thank you, David. I didn't know if I'd like it but, aside from its not having a temperature gauge, it was sort of enjoyable to putt around in this little car.

Photo Gallery EXTERIOR View of the Spark with the Minnesota State Capitol in the background View of the Spark at the MSP viewing area - this unit had alloy wheels, but many do not Doesn't this take one back to the door handle for W-body coupes from 1988 to 1996? This is how the rear door handles are set up. The Spark is not very wide INTERIOR Overall view of the dashboard Angled view of dashboard, console, and gear selector Spark main instrument cluster - (from left to right) fuel gauge, tach, speedo, and info box, with warning lights for other functions This is the center stack; the vents are slightly low if air conditioning was being sought Here are the ubiquitous GM climate control dials, be it for this Spark or their upline vehicles. Maybe making so many of them and putting them into so many cars makes them more reliable? Here is the typical GM hardware for power windows, power door locks, and power adjustable outside mirrors This system of having both a shelf and a glove box is useful Cloth seating is black is standard in the Spark; this vehicle had an armrest, but note that there is no console with a storage bin This demonstrates rear legroom in this small 5-door hatchback and a trippy cup holder and other recessed area between the seating spaces; the seats on this one were 60-40 and can fold down to augment trunk space While it's a little chunky, visibility was adequate, partially because of the more upright rear back lite ... this is actually better than some rear pillars I've seen in many late model cars The trunk is on the smaller side and has the much needed cover. Suitcases can be put in on their sides to maximize space. Again, here you see the 60-40 split of the rear seats. GM got this right, and I like having that slot to insert one's hand to bring down the trunk or hatch door. It's even included on this entry level car. MECHANICAL We've known the Ecotec branding of (4 cylinder) GM engines for about 2 decades plus, if I'm not mistaken GM engine compartments are among the more cleanly and clearly laid out ones and, of course, a shroud over the top of the spark plugs and the manifold and intake area helps make them look that way - - - - - END OF PHOTOS

As we head into winter, the world down under (and I'm not even referring to Australia) is toward the end of spring and approaching summer. I couldn't help but think of Punta del Este, Uruguay again. I found a cool video about it and the lady highlighting its key sites in Spanish has an English translator talking over her. The English speaker doesn't conflict with the Spanish all that much and you can zero in on what you might have learned in high school or college. What a place, this Punta del Este. And she didn't even get to discussing more scenic places that are within short driving distance.

@David A predator is always more of a menace than an angry appliance, unless the angry appliance is inside your home ... and the predator is not.

Saw a final gen. Riviera today, the one with the oval in the back. That means it was about a 25 year old car. It had temporary plates. The body was in okay condition. Except that it was missing the door to its fuel filler. The color was hard to describe ... something like a dark cherry metallic. In concept, the last Riv was fine. When looking straight at it, the oval in the back looks sort of scrunched up. It's looks better when viewed from an angle. I think there are other things about the last Riv that detract - the length of the trunk in relation to the hood and the preying mantis front fascia, among some other minor issues. However, I really liked its dash - the uninterrupted cowl across the top and the circular bezels and gauges in a panel that leans away from the driver. You can't help but notice them.

I like it. It was probably something in its heyday. I think I'm reading GS and 455. After the Pontiac LeMans/GTO, in those years, the Skylark/GS model was the next nicest. (Nicer than the Cutlass and the Malibu until the colonnades changed all that.) I like the setting, with all the trees and the topography. Looks like some townhomes with drive-under garages up on that hill. Is this a general purpose photo from the web or do you know roughly where this is?

Nice outlining of pros and cons, as well as the summary. Yes to the Pentastar V6. And it has taken me a very long time to warm up to Mopar and this engine sure has helped. The other thing that the Pacifica does in terms of styling - that most other similar vehicles don't do - is that it cants the rearmost window back from the C-pillar, whereas almost all car design taper it toward the rear. While this is a stretch, it's analogous to what the last Olds Alero did with the rear passenger window in its coupe, and was successful with it. Same goes for the Pacifica. Here's one I spotted in October (the 14th), as indicated by the plethora of pumpkins behind the vehicle in the supermarket parking lot. The treatment of the rear side window at the C-pillar can be seen here.

Have you ever planned a trip "slightly" incorrectly? Sometimes, it's due to unforeseen events. In this case, I had rented a car for one day less than I actually needed one. So, I then proceeded to book a car for one day to bridge that gap. The car turned out to be a 2020 Chevrolet Spark 5 door hatchback. For the second time now, I have been given a vehicle corresponding exactly the car category that I rented on line. I had seen the Chevy Spark around before. I had even seen them at dealerships and I've sat in them at auto shows. The most noticeable thing about the Spark is how small it is and that the wheelbase is short. And that there is very little overhang beyond the real wheels. In this way, it is very much like European econoboxes made by Peugeot, Fiat, and other similar brands. This perception transfers right over to the driving experience. It drives very much like entry level European econoboxes. The biggest difference, however, is that it has a 4 cylinder engine (1.4 liters), while some of the ones overseas are down to 3 cylinders, and has a CVT unit instead of the automated DSG found overseas, which have a set number of gears, usually 6 or 7. The engine is a small Ecotec 4 cylinder, most of the car's parts are sourced outside the U.S., and final assembly is also outside the U.S. Fuel economy is good; however, the small econoboxes overseas return closer to 50 mpg. The Spark comes in at closer to 40 mpg, which is still respectable. The Spark doesn't provide much in the way of isolation. The driver knows what the engine is doing and what the tires are doing at any given time. As with any CVT, there is less "feel" as to what the transmission is doing. For the size of car that it is, the engine is capable enough and seems willing. The engine produces just shy of 100 hp but, back in the day, 4 liters worth of engine with a little over 100 hp would lug around 4,000 pound cars and live to tell about it. The Spark's 1.4 liter 4 is not overly noisy, but the throttle and some talk back from the engine compartment are part and parcel of the driving experience. The handling is fairly nimble and, with such a small size, the Spark inspires confidence in taking it into crowded city traffic, tight parking lots, and narrow residential streets. (On the contrary, one who isn't too familiar with their rented land yacht wouldn't be so willing to do that.) The ride is not that refined and anything but the most freshly paved of highways will transmit road and wind noise into the cabin, along with occasional jolts from road imperfections. At speeds over 65 mph, this becomes more noticeable. The Spark's interior is sensibly laid out. That's more true of GM products than a lot of other marques. There's a standard GM kit of parts that's seen in the instrumental panel, on door switches, and the like. The main cluster has a few bezels and an info box, if you will. There is a speedometer, a tachometer, and a fuel gauge. The info box has the odometer and some other key information. What's lacking is a temperature gauge. I've seen less of these in entry level cars in the last decade. Personally, I don't like waiting for an idiot light to come on to tell me that the engine is running hot. The infotainment screen is similar to those on other GM cars, but smaller. It's easy to use. So is the climate control panel. The seating is upholstered in cloth, seems to come in one color - black, and there is a fold down armrest (which may be an option), but no console per se' with a storage bin. The seats are rather flat and don't have much definition. Legroom up front is sufficient but, depending on the adjustment of the seats up front, rear seat legroom can vary from acceptable for shorter people to feeling cramped. This car is probably more ideal for shorter commutes and running errands. The comfort and support from the seats is not amenable to longer, relaxing jaunts on the interstate. In terms of price point and content, the Spark is probably in the same league as Nissan's Versa, which is their entry level vehicle. While the Versa appears to be a little longer, has more overhang beyond the rear wheels, and has a more spacious trunk, the driving experience and the feel inside the cabin is a little nicer in the Spark. However, in my opinion, the Spark falls a little short on these criteria compared to the minimally more expensive Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. The Spark has a reasonable price in the mid-teens (of thousands of dollars). It even comes with a manual transmission, though most found on dealers' lots aren't equipped that way. Like many Chevy products, there are LS and LT models. In recent years, the Spark has been one of the few cars that could be had with manual windows. The Spark comes with power steering and brakes. And the rented one had power windows and power door locks, as well as an adjustable steering wheel. A power seat is not available. The Spark is not that bad looking for its genre. There is nothing quirky about it, except maybe a few colors such as Passion Fruit and Toasted Marshmallow! It has a simple and pleasant front fascia and rear tail lamp assembly, along with some character lines in the sheet metal through the doors. Many Sparks have wheel covers instead of fancier alloy wheels. And, like so many GM cars, the engine compartment of the Spark is more tidily laid out than many of its competitors. Overall, this is one very utilitarian and simple car. It's priced right. But the best thing about the Spark is that it can make you feel like a teen on a budget that's darting from one place to another and pinching pennies while doing it. In one day, I managed to keep the mileage I put on the rented Spark to less than 100 miles. However, that was enough to know that this car is not one that would be particularly exciting to anyone, but it would definitely serve its purpose and might even be a little fun to drive. - - - - - Photos forthcoming

Very disappointed with spec and trim choices for vehicles ... Would like to avoid the following: - lack of a remote release for the fuel filler door (capless nozzle system is fine) - vertical and fragile "laptop left open" look of infotainment system - black as the only cloth interior choice for seats - urethane steering wheel 2 or 3 trim levels up (Chevy LT trims have urethane steering wheels as standard) - 3 cylinder engines ($29K Buicks with THREE cylinders, not for me) Would rather not have: - turbocharger, prefer naturally aspirated - CVT type transmission Come on, GM and automakers, get your act together.

I didn't even know such a niche existed. Thanks. I'm guessing 1.4 T or 2.0 T. I sort of liked the last Envision for what it is, and thought the styling up front was tamer and easier on the eyes, but I'll have to figure out what I think of the most recent redesign.

Spotted November 8 You crawl up and up in a parking deck and you find more parking spaces. You also find nicer or more interesting cars their owners chose to park there. This one was quite the sighting ... it had temporary tags and, after wondering what year it was, it turned out to be a 1986 in stunning condition. Proud looking Regal Limited coupe ... any millennial driving by wouldn't understand why'd I'd be photographing it Less is more with the simple Buick alloys - they did the trick without being overpowering. Of the quadruplets, the Cutlass Supreme took first place from 1981 through 1987, with the Regal and the Grand Prix probably tied for second. It's in perfect condition ... look at how the landau top meets the sheet metal A Limited model with manual windows! Buick went with a tic-tac-toe set of squares for their bezels in the IP. My dad had an earlier '80s model sedan, also in Limited form, and it's a nice cabin environment. This one is air conditioned. We will never again see tufted velour seating in upline American cars. Or, maybe things do come full circle. This is taken from the rear of the notchback styled window treatment. While this wouldn't "make" Clint Eastwood's day, seeing this near perfect Regal Limited coupe from an era gone by sort of made my day that day.

Spotted November 7 while parking to get a haircut; with some of the trees displaying autumn foliage, this car and its rust color, for the first time, reminded me of an autumn color, too. It's a Buick, an Envision, I believe, and a recent color for them. I don't know what I think about these. I'm thinking ...

Had a teacher who had the Pontiac 4.3 V8 in an '81 Grand Prix Brougham coupe - metallic navy blue, lighter blue landau top, honeycomb wheels. Very attractive coupe. And much nicer than the '78 to '80 equivalents with that clean-up of the sheet metal - the quadruplets were nicely freshened up in 1981. I think that CCC was the weak link on those early '80s GM coupes more so than the lower horsepower of their engines. On a stand-alone basis, the engines themselves were strong. Indeed it did. I've never heard of that model. Having had a 305 V8 in a low mileage, second hand Camaro I had for a while as a second car that, most likely due to not being broken in correctly, had issues, it has taken me a while to forget that and a time when Chevy produced batches of V8s with problems. Our family had incredibly good luck with Chevy's 250 c.i. inline 6 but, then, what could possibly go wrong with those units ... 7 main bearing crank, cast iron head and block, and a simple, proven design? If talking about that span of years of F-bird, I'll readily take the Pontiac 301 (4.9) over the Chevy 305 (5.0).

I can do without the Cragar part. I can almost hear some of the low riders in SoCal describing how neat they thought their cars were with those wheels and sounding like Cheech Marin while doing so. Hard pass. Did they even offer Formulas and TAs with 301 N/As at any time? If I recall, the 301 had bore and stroke dimensions with no fractions, which I may remember because it's so unusual. It would probably last a long time, with more room for its cooling jackets than a Pontiac 350.

The black F-bird: Says 4.9, if I'm reading it correctly. So, that's a 301 c.i. Pontiac V8, it has no air (look at all that space under the hood ... and pull tabs for interior venting!), manual windows, and cloth seats. I'd happily own it, but not in that color. The maroon F-bird: My favorite year for this car; just need to get rid of the hood intake scoops, the white vinyl interior, and the aftermarket wheels

@A Horse With No Name Uruguay is rated highly on those retirement lists among the South American countries. It has a lot of good things going for it - relative stability, progressive thinking, good health care, and the highest literacy rate on that continent. I know that they rank Costa Rica (have never been) highly, but it's Central America, and not South America, and, when you start reading more and more, it has its hazards. - - - - - My real random thought upon logging in this morning: I wonder what Lorena and John Bobbitt are up to these days ...

This looked familiar, in a general way, because of the trees (pines) in the background and the word Barra (not Mary). Barra de Maldonado is close to beautiful Punta del Este, one of the better known resorts in South America and a mecca for people from Buenos Aires with money. Punta del Este (UY) is one of the coolest places I've been to. Uruguay and Argentina may be in South America, but it feels more like being in Europe Punta del Este, Uruguay: This is the actual point (punta) - "downtown" Punta del Este jutting out to its point - to the left (east) is the Atlantic and to the right (west) is the Rio de la Plata ... all those cool homes would be about 5 and 10 miles up, mostly going up along the road fronting the Atlantic side. I will never forget this place.

That's how it is currently pronounced in southern Europe. First heard it some 5 to 10 years ago across the pond, when pointing and laughing, "Look, there's a Subaru dealership."

As for gasoline purchases, I no longer pay outside with a card. I always go into the store and pay with a card and get a receipt until the statement arrives. Or with cash if I didn't spend down what I took out "fast enough." I am also fairly careful about where I pay for parking with a card. If it's a major airport where people are using it all the time, at a beach in Florida, like in the fancy part of St. Pete, or for parking in a nice downtown area, I might do it. I once paid for parking with a card in downtown Detroit. Lesson learned ... a month or two later. That's what I assume to have been the cause and effect. This is why I do carry some cash ... and especially quarters. One of the best things is a reloadable travel card. You can get one at AAA. Less than $5. It's great for restaurants and gift shops when traveling and overseas. It's a stand-alone product with a preset amount you've loaded onto it and it's better to put all those small transactions in places you don't know on one of these cards. They're valid for 2 to 3 years, not having one nearby to look at.

It's interesting to look over at the right of the C&G homepage and see whose birthday it might be on any given day. Sometimes, it's of members who haven't posted in a while and were characters. Today, it's that of a member named "grandprixman." If he is in fact a Grand Prix man, he must be a cool enough guy.

When I lived up there, the infatuation with being able to drive to Vancouver was strong at first but declined after the honeymoon period. I don't think I'd like living there and I "met" Vancouver when one could actually make it pencil to live there.

Strudel - absolutely Beer - pass Cars - just a select few VW products, given how I am into budgeting Fascinating ... so that's what a De Soto looks like. Fairly fresh Calif. plates, based on the numbering. Now I'll have to look up to see where "Lakeside Car Wash" might be, with its Jetson-era font and those Flintstone rocks.

Yes, I love one-story homes. I much prefer hip roofs to gabled roofs, though. They make the house look more dynamic from different angles. As for Texas, I am a much bigger fan of the Houston area than the Dallas area. I like the southern pine instead of the mesquite. And being able to get to the Gulf in less than an hour. This might crack you up. I've always liked going through new homes, even when I was a kid. In about 1989, I was visiting the Seattle suburbs and was driving around Mill Creek with a college friend, where they were building new homes. They had a subdivision with some 4/2.5s at about $174.9K. They had ONE rambler/ranch model, a 3/2.5, for $156.9K. I loved that house. And, for those days, the price looked reasonable. I was in no way in any position to buy at that time, but I still think about that house and how I'd like to be its owner.