z28luvr01

This is the one thing I'm POd about. Structural rigidity be damned, loading large things or people into the back of an extended cab is about to become more of a PITA. In fact, now that the entire industry has moved in this direction, in 5-10 years I could see the gradual phasing out of hte extended cab altogether, and that's kind of sad.

I am kind of disappointed with the comments that the new trucks didn't go far enough. Significanttly updated frame, all new sheetmetal, all new engines, all new interior. The six speed is the only significant carryover item and that will be remedied in due time. I'd consider it all new - especially in light of how Honda defines all-new these days. Design wise, what were you expecting? There's nothing remotely similar between the GMT900s and these - save for maybe the greenhouse Dim the lights on both, and the silhouettes might be similar, but to me they're not even close. Gone are the slab sides of the 900s, replaced by much more chiseled body lines and crisper detailing. There's a ton of GM truck heritage present if you look hard enough. Fun fact: Ford's been running the same bodystyle since 2004 - save for the more obnoxious grille added in '09. Furthermore, the Super Duties bodystyle dates back to 1999. It's not hurting sales one bit. Stylewise, GM went further with these trucks than Ford did with the F-series and Dodge did with the Ram (02-07 vs 08-up). It's not the sheetmetal that sells; it's the capabilities that matter and GM seldom screws up in that regard. I'm quite curious about the 4.3 V6. Obviously everyone shuddered when they saw that displacement, but it's seeing its first major update since 1995. I'd be very surprised it it had less than 300hp after inheriting all the enhancements from the new V8s. I expect at least one engine to best the 18/24 fuel economy rating on my Colorado.

I really like what GM did with these trucks. I'm in love with the blue Z71 - can't wait to see all cab/bed configurations.

I wonder if there's merit to quietly killing the Eco as is and eventually replacing it with the diesel that's slated for the Cruze.

The SS/Impala front and rear clips are almost a given Perhaps redesigned seat cushions to eek out a few tenths of an inch of rear legroom. Maybe they replace the strakes on the dashboard (which i actually like) with a piece of plood or brushed plaluminum that fills it. I wouldnt expect much change in the way of powertrains

As a cyclist I take offense to your use of the word peloton. In order to be part of a peloton you have to be fast.

I wonder what it looked like before it crashed into a wall.

How long before Ram Commercial splits into Ram Commercial Trucks and Ram Commercial Vans? This just seems so unnecessary. Even moreso than splitting Ram off from Dodge

Well if they don't you have a plow to push them out of the way.

It probably could have been better (I was expecting a direct transplant of the new Impala front), but I like it and I'm glad the renderings we've seen are mostly wrong. Glad to see the Coupe 60 side cove make the cut

It's hard to tell because of all the reflections, but it looks more like blemishes in the paint (probably a disintegrating clear coat) than anything more serious. It's easy to tell when a black body part has been repainted, and even from the not 100% clear pictures it looks very likely that the paint on the bumper is the same age as the paint rest of the car, ie it's not an inferior repaint. Even still it's a bargaining chip that can get you the car for cheaper than list. It's not something that'll hamper you from driving it. You could roll with it as is and save up for a proper bumper repaint. Of course, do your due diligence as I've warned in my other posts, but good luck. I'm glad to see you come full circle, as the cars that followed your last Firebird obviously never filled the arrowhead-shaped hole inside you.

"Fisker Runs Deep"

I'm not sure what Holden's plans are for Alpha, but given the Holden/Buick connection in the Far East, it's not out of the realm of possibility for Holden Alphas to make their way over here as Buicks. I also wouldn't count out a Statesman-based Chinese Buick Park Avenue coming here when the Caprice PPV runs its course. Just food for thought.

Ooooo now this is getting interesting. I love that front end on the second gen Firebirds. If it's in the same shape as the Camaro as you say, this would be a better project than the '84. Actually, it might be a better car than the Camaro due to the fact that's in primer. Now you've no choice but to do a quality paint job on it. Run a magnet over the typical rust areas to make sure that it was repaired properly. If you can, put it on a lift (or jack it up) and look underneath.And again, take note of the seller's body language. if he's confiednt in the work that's done to it so far, he should let yo go over it with a fine tooth comb without flinching..

What bothers me more than the seats is the rug and the trim. Some wear in the driver's side footwell is to be expected, but it's dirty all over, even in low traffic areas. Look at the passengers side trim by the kick panel. there's enough gook to start a small greasefire. This car was not given the care it deserved. It was beat on. Who knows what your main bearings or piston rings look like. Do yourself a favor: pop the hood, find the crank pulley, and give it a good tug. If you have any play you might be looking at an engine rebuild in the near future. Also, a compression test won't hurt. Watch the reaction of the seller while you're doing this too...if he starts to squirm or refuses to let you do anything, he has something to hide. I won't say pass it up only because I know you're a Firebird guy. If the sheetmetal is good (no cancer bubbles) and you can save the paint job, the hard work is done and it might actually be a doable project. But don't accept it with the assumption that you just need to fix what you see and put it on the road. Treat it like you are the Camaro: Expect to go over every piece of metal, plastic, and rubber.

"Grandma's car" 1973 Caprice 72K orig. miles $4750 http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/3406984136.html

Post some pics of the TA for a beter assessment of the car, but... Off hand I say keep the Camaro, and if you really want the TA find some other way to acquire it. The Camaro is a project and you know it, so you're more willing to not rush the car and get it right. The Firebird, because it's so close to a driver, might end up disappointing you once you actually do start driving it. Little things will start anoying you here and there and you'll take a bath trying to dump it. I'm not puting too much stock into the TA's "rareness" factor. Though it's a low volume car (and quite a cool one), it's no '89 Turbo TA. Nothing but badges and color schemes differentiate it from a garden variety TA.

Up until '02 Z24s had the twin cam 2.4. For '02 they got the Ecotec.

"Some minor rust. needs restored" would be the typical ad copy if this were on Craigslist. Still, I think it's salvageable.

They were a one year option I believe, until GM replaced the Z24 trim with LS Sport. A 02 Z24 could be an interesting find. They used the same 2.2L Ecotec (less a few enhancements) as the one in the Cobalt.

I thnik the Caddy may have jumped the line, but still that's pretty impressive.

Considering that the current F-150 hasnt had what I'd call a major appearance change since 2004 and still does well, perhaps it's not the worst thing in the world if GM just gives the 900s a nip/tuck and brands it as all new. Far more important to truck buyers are power train and capability upgrades.

Hostess' snacks will live on. Remember, you cannot kill a Twinkie!

Regardless of what you do with the '98, the tailgate repair has to happen. If you're going to keep it you don't want further damage, and if you want to flip it you'll get maximum value if it's fixed. The '98 has a little more power with the Vortec 5.7, so it might be the better motor for plow duty. It'll also be more attractive to buyers. The high mileage on the '95 shouldn't be too much of a deterrent since 1) you've been through the engine and 2) you have a perfectly fine backup engine sitting in the Mothertruck. If need be you can swap that engine into the '95 and give the Mothertruck the engine it truly deserves: I would be concerned about the transmissions on both trucks. As long as the fluid is red and doesn't smell burned, they should be OK, but I'd definitely install an auxiliary tranny cooler before subjecting weither to plow duty.