z28luvr01

I should've taken you for a ride in it. You'd have found a reason to like the Cobalt, FWD and all. I've mostly enjoyed my ownership experience. Even in base form, it's a fun to drive athletic little car. Since you've pretty much eliminated the sedan from consideration, I don't have to tell you that you're going with the better looker. Stick with the more vibrant colors. It looks great in blue, yellow, and that sport red metallic. The 2.2 is just fine for anyone not looking to blow the doors off everything they see. I've surprised a few passengers (and a few Mustang V6 drivers) with it's ability to throw down when called upon. Though since the 2.4 gets the same MPGs you might as well go fo the extra horses. As far as mileage goes, I do purely city driving and get 27-28 in the summer, and 23-25 when it's really cold out. Mix in some highway driving and I'm up around 32mpg. On a long road trip, I got 36mpg. And this is with the slushbox. 40mpg should be more than attainable with the 5 speed. The Pioneer stereo rocks. My biggest (only) complaint involves the subpar quality of some of the interior components, specifically some of the switchgear. 1. The sunroof switch bezel fell down once while waiting at a red light. I fixed it on my own with the help of some info on cobaltss.net. There's a TSB for this. 2. I'm taking it in tomorrow to have them take a look at my steering wheel radio controls - one button intermittently stops working. 3. I've replaced the driver's side headrest because my head apparently either wore or damaged the leather covering 4. I've had the trim come out from the door pull cups. There's a TSB for this too. I'll fully accept the notion that these might be first-year issues. The radio control issue is probably a moot point now that GM swapped in the corporate 3 spoke steering wheel for 2007, and I think all but the headrest problem (which could very well be me) are now resolved.

Is there anything - anything at all - that works properly at your house? Take a look at Raleigh, too. Only because they own Diamondback and they're basically the same bikes. If I did decide to go new, it probably would have been a Raleigh. I was slightly biased towards Giant because the frame on my Schwinn road bike is actually made by Giant, and for a steel frame it's pretty light. It's survived being thrown out by its previous owner, one century ride plus all training rides, and a spill from 16mph. I also had my eyes on Cannondales, pre-bankruptcy Schwinns, and older steel GTs. You probably could rebuild your fork. Most of them are just springs (unless it's an air shock), and 90% of bike repairs can be done with a set of metric hex wrenches, sockets, and a flat-bladed screwdriver.

As easy as it would be to do otherwise, I'm gonna take the high road.

With my old Wal-mart special mountain bike creaking and groaning over every bump or root I hit on the trails, I figured it was time to retire the old goat and look for another bike. I set a rough limit of $500 on myself, because if I have to sped more than that on anything it won't be for a bike. Well, I got tired of looking at new bikes in bike shops that had junk components on them, and craigslist and ebay were yielding mostly clunkers. So, I figured, hey, I have wrenches, screwdrivers, and a couple of bike-specific tools, why not just build one from scratch? The end result: The specs: 1995 Giant Yukon frame RockShox front fork 44-33-22 crank 12x32 8 speed rear cassette GT platform pedals SRAM X.7 Grip shifters, front and rear derailleuur Wheels with Sun Rhyno Lite rims with Shimano Deore XT hubs Avid SD-3 V-brakes Seat, tires, suspension seat post The build took just shy of three months - mostly due to me spreading out the cost of buying the parts and finding the time to put it together. The whole thing cost roughyl $400, and every component I bought, I thoroughly researched its reliability and durability. I finished it last Friday, and the pics above are just after its maiden voyage. Not to toot my own horn, but this is probably the best shifting, most solidly built bike I've ever ridden. I'm thoroughly sold on SRAM components - they took so little time to get adjusted right and they work perfectly every shift. Maybe Toyota should hire me to work on their transmissions, not that I's take the offer

I smell a trade brewing - BV's Cutlass for YJ's keyboard and a player to be named later.

First off, thank a lot to everyone. I think it's awesome that so many of you like this place enough to offer to pay for it. Your enthusiasm makes what we do here worthwhile. I'm still in contact with Dreamhost. I'm now dealing with one tech exclusively, as opposed to whoever decides to read my email. He did apologize and say that our situation was handled incorrectly, and even offered to upgrade our plan at a reduced cost (I don't want to reveal the exact details). I just fired off a few questions I had to him, and we're currently discussing our options for proceeding in the mod boards. I will keep everyone posted as I find out more info and we come to a decision as to what we think is the best way to go.

I just wanted to drop in quickly before I go to work. I'll give the Cliff's Notes version of everything that happened since Tuesday afternoon: 1. I notice the site goes down for the count Tuesday affternoon. 2. I send Dreamhost a support ticket early Tuesday evening, after ruling out my work LAN as a problem. 3. DreamHost gets back to me on Wednesday telling me to look at the scripts on the site (which are fine) 4. I respond back to them asking for clarification and more info. 5. Dreamhost responds back saying they disabled the site via the web and if I didn't fix the scripts on the site they would kill access to the site completely 6. I back up the site's files and database to my home PC, and lay into them like I never laid into anyone before in my entire life 7. Dreamost turns the site back on and, while disagreeing with most of my points, apologizes for the way they've handled our situation. I'll reveal more as we progress towards getting this place more reliable.

Wow. I actually think I like this better than the concept. Even with more realistic size wheels and a slightly higher roofline, it still looks fantastic.

To settle this mild disagreement, I give you BOTH permission to push Toyotas off cliffs.

So who wants to chip in on a special gift box for Cory that has in it a Haynes service manual, a set of screwdrivers, sockets and ratchets, some carburetor cleaner, a timing light, some coolant, and some rocks and old shoes, which are still better than the Millenia? Anybody? No? Oh well. Guess I'll have to give you the same gift I got you last year. NOS, you know what to do. Happy birthday dude.

Being bullied sucks, big time. Here's some advice: screw the system. It's designed to protect people like that. Any punishment they get will just be a minor inconvenience, and they'll come after you with a vengeance. I'm not condoning any kind of violence, but you have to make it known that you're not going to take this crap any more. There's no need to involve the police or anyone in administration - "I'm telling" only makes you look weak and unable to defend yourself.

Moving this to the tech section where it'll get more views.

Happy birthday, dude!

Agreed. Take away the obvious Camry humping, and the Malibu really cleaned house here. To hear them say that the Malibu was a more engaging and fun to drive car than the Accord (the standard bearer in fun-to-drive athletic midsized sedans) is quite a compliment, and as far as performance stats go the two were pretty much neck and neck despite the 'Bu having nearly 20 fewer horses.

I have to say, these cats are way funnier than the ORLY owls.

I would like to see them try their hand at an Alpha based 6th-gen Camaro. Return it to its pony car roots. Keep it around 3200 lbs, give it 300-330hp and watch it kill the Mustang with less hp while also being capable of well over 30mpg in non-hybrid trim.

I'll join those who are saying "Please don't kill it". Here are the facts: 1) The car is 23 years old. 2) It cost $400 3) It was sitting for a long, long time without being used, and now needs to fill the role of bulletproof daily driver The car needs TLC, plain and simple. It needed it when you got it, and it needs it now. Whether or not you care about it, it's a classic that deserves a better fate than being run into the ground. Put it up in the Member Marketplace and watch how many people tell you they're interested in it. Just make sure whoever you sell it to doesn't donk it. Hell, if I had the space I'd offer you $100 for it and barrel down I-80 with a trailer in tow to take it off your hands.

I stay away from all things with caffeine. It wreaks havoc on how your body burns energy and as someone who rides bikes regularly I don't need that.

Small consolation, I know, but here's your beach back [img]http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4694/ocnblusig3sy1.jpg[/img]

Wow...that slogan is, like, so 2005.

:angry2: This is a travesty. I say post these pics along with the address of the person you sold it to on CZ28, and let fate take care of itself.

I don't think we have one by default. I'm not even sure how to set one, but I'd like to find out.

I'm so sorry, Bill. I hope the whole insurance ordeal goes as smoothly as it can. At least you are OK. I'm not trying to make light of the situation, but can you write your own estimate and have your shop do the work, or does the insurance company have to take care of it? I'm just asking because it would be great if you can at least have a hand in how it's fixed to make sure it's done right.

You're going to have those expenses no matter what car you own. Tires, brakes, fluids, etc. go bad after a while and need to be changed, and it isn't the fault of the car. That's no reason to dump the car. I think the cheapest solution for you is to get the Millenia in passable condition and just drive that into the ground - you'll get at least another year or two out of it with the mileage you drive - while saving up for a nice down payment on the car you really want. Keep the Cutlass as a background project that eventually turns into a weekend fun car. If you really want another car, I second the W-body, especially the 3800-powered ones. They're pretty reliable, and when they do break they're easy to fix. Your best chance of avoiding abuse would be to look into a Regal LS or maybe an early Intrigue. An Impala would work too, but I just don't see you in one.Whatever you decide, good luck