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If that doesn't bring Croc back, nothing will. Except maybe a "The O.C. Appreciation Thread"....oh crap, I just gave reg another idea.

XM and Sirius have merged, but I don't think it is complete yet. Eventually, stations from both companies will be available on one device, but from what I've heard, due to the different broadcast methods of XM and Sirius, you can't receive Sirius on a current XM radio, or vice versa. I would wait for the merger to complete and for a new generation of receivers.

The B-P-G consolidation will only fail if GM does not do it properly. If done the right way, GM will effectively shed two full-line brands and the associated cost with developing "differentiated" cars for them, yet still keep the marketing power of all the names involved. Each brand involved will be allowed to go back to their roots and offer tightly focused, competent product instead of being forced to sell watered down vehicles to appeal to the select few that actually want a Pontiac SUV or a Buick minivan. The fruits of the consoldaion is not close to appearing but we will start to see it as the old models hit the end of their lifecycle and either die, are redesigned, or reassigned to another brand in the channel. One thing that could unravel the whole thing: dealers. GM had better stick with its plan rather than back off on it to appease dealers.

It's fine, as long as he's a phenomenal bass player who can hit the high notes like Mikey did on the older songs. It'll be extremely cheesy if they resort to piping in background vocals. Wolfie's got a lot of pressure on him. We all remember what happened to Gary Cherone on the III tour. VH fans want what they want. I have to say, it's good on VH's part that they aren't trying to pass this off as a "reunion".

I'm in total agreement with you, except on the alphanumerics part. The G# names need to go, completely and totally. They have a desirable, competent, good selling car that will carry the name Solstice for the forseeable future, so Pontiac will never be able to fully adopt a cohesive alphanumeric scheme. They should just cut their losses and go back to names.

I heard some of the press conference on Eddie Trunk Live on XM 41. DLR is as funny and witty as ever. I hope this thing lasts (and isn't another cash grab) because rock sorely needs Van Halen. The bar has fallen too low in their absence. I'll probably go to the concert. I saw them in '04 with Sammy, and despite Eddie being off I still was awestruck the entire night (and I got introduced to Shinedown). Given the last 11 years in the band's history, I'm going about this as the last time I'll ever get to see them again. Plus it's in MSG, which is only a 1.5hr ride on the LIRR for me.

Listen to 'Waking Up the Neighbours", then listen to "Adrenalize" by Def Leppard. They're practically the same album. I got to see both Bryan Adams and Def Leppard in concert a couple of years ago. It was a surprisingly good show from start to finish. Adams is really underrated for his songwriting ability.

Just a word of caution - the last person that suggested that the Corvette be powered by anything other than a V8....well....isn't with us anymore. j/k It's a shame that the 4.2L will die with the GMT360s. I do like the idea of I6s being used in the Camaro (and other passenger cars), a lot.

I think you can fix the foggy headlights with some compound and a handheld orbital buffer. Is this an SE or a GT? If it's an SE with the aluminum siding-esque cladding, you might be able to heat the pieces up with a blow dryer, work a corner loose, and continue heating and pulling. If it's a GT, I'd just leave it alone since the cladding covers the bottom half of the car. Does it have the twin cam 2.4? If so, that water pump is a real PITA to change. My dad did a couple on his Skylark. It's behind the timing cover. Probably nothing your dad can't do, but he might invent some new curse words. Obviously, spend the extra dough and get a good replacement water pump. The less often he has to do that job, the more he'll like the car. Despite the water pump, it's still a steal. Good score, and it'll be a nice upgrade over the Cav.

All my friends are amazed that I'm not a Rush fan, given my musical tastes. I don't know...I just couldn't ever get into them.

What the heck are you doing to that poor car? I get 27 in pure city driving. This last tank was a mix of city/hwy and I averaged 31. FOG, I'd seriously consider getting the TA if the test drive goes well. Good examples are becoming harder to come by, and they are still commanding a decent price. If the expenses for the TA kills you, you can always pick up another 4cyl car for a DD, but hold onto the TA foras long as possible It might be possible to get it insured by the same insurance outfit that you'll use for the Camaros, but as an exotic. It's true...American Colllector's INsurance, for example, would have let me do it with an SSR. If you do both the Camaros with one company, they might be willing to work with you on the TA.

I say you use this opportunity to get the car you know you've always lusted after: Admit it - a beige 02-06 Camry is what really sets your heart afire. Ever since that rental a couple of years ago you've longed for another one. Why wait? Do it now. You're only young once.

I think, at this point in the auto industry, if you err on the side of conservative to appeal to the Camcordtima-buying masses, you're setting yourself up for a failure. Why buy something that looks like a Camry if you can just buy a Camry and be done with it? Besides, GM has that market segment covered with the Malibu and Aura. Pontiac needs freedom from that to be viable. With that said, I love the G8, find its styling not bland but appealing, and can't wait to see one in person and possibly put money down on one. They just better have the stick ready by the time I'm ready.

If I were going to buy a car right this moment: Buick: Lucerne Cadillac: CTS, STS, XLR* Chevy: Cobalt Coupe, Corvette*, HHR Panel, Impala SS, Silverado single or ext cab. GMC: Sierra single or ext cab Hummer: none Pontiac: leftover GTO*, Solstice*, G6 coupe, G6 convertible* Saab: 9-3 vert*, 9-3 sedan Saturn: Sky*, Aura XR * - these get eliminated from contention if I have no other way to shuttle my bikes around.

All that, and it was right-hand drive

Thanks for the well wishes, guys.

If you don't fix it by tomorrow, I'm sure I can scrounge up a key tomorrow.

CPO SRX?

Happy birthday, guys.

I'll concentrate on the Big 3, since for the imported brands it'll be hard for me not to say "I want them all gone". GM Any one of these: G'bye Isuzu G'bye Suzuki G-bye GMDAT - let a 110hp Cobalt pick up the slack left by the Aveo. Combine Saab and Hummer, combine Saturn and Chevrolet Combine Saab, Hummer, and Saturn Combine Hummer and Saturn, pull Saab out of the US Buick of China can prop up Buick US if need be Holden can prop up Pontiac if need be Ford Jag can go at least for a time. It has little cache at this point. Let it go back to Europe and rebuild itself there Rover can stay. Drive through the Hamptons - Rovers appear to be included with the purchase of a new home, because there's one in every driveway Mercury - prop it up with Ford of Europe Lincoln - Prop it up with Ford of Australia Chrysler My least favorite of the Big 3, but I can't see too much to cut here. I'll just remark that they need to pump some serious cash into Chrysler to make it more than a Dodge with droopy headlights and strakes on the hood.

Eh, I've thought about it. In fact, I did create a profile with eHarmony just to go through their personality assessment. It's pretty extensive (and time consuming), and I think they have me nailed down pretty well. I'm not a paying member yet, partly because I'm cheap and partly because I still see a few in-person opportunities out there. The thing with online dating is that you're getting people who, for whatever reason, may be very uptight or apprehensive after a date or two. Believe me I'm not knocking the system or the people who use it, it's just something you need to keep in the back of your mind as you date. Either they've been burned badly by other relationships, or they're just not at home in a social setting when looking for a potential partner. Things could be going great and then out of the blue they stop communicating and stop responding to you. It comes off as rejection, but it's more likely fear of taking the next step, for lack of better words. Lots of luck to you Variance. I hope you find what you're looking for.

All right, I'll bite. - Note the word "arguably" in my previous post. Among the various rags, There's no real agreement as to which among the SS/SC, Si, MazdaSpeed 3, and GTI is actually the best. To be mentioned in that company says something. - As for styling, I already said that my opinion favored the Cobalt. No need to say it again. - As for value, I can't speak for other Cobalt owners, but I feel like I got a lot of car for what I paid for it. The base cars, while admittedly spartan on the inside, do come with the same suspension bits as the upper level (non-SS) Cobalts, so if you're not concerned about creature comforts you can get the same driving experience for less than a loaded Aveo. - Comfort. Obviously this is subjective with any car. What fits one perfectly could be too small for one and too big for another. Assuming you can fit into a Cobalt, you should have no problem taking it on extended trips without having your butt or legs go numb.

Watch it...you're treading on thin ice there balthy! I'm in full agreement with YJ - I'll never have a 4dr SUV titled in my name ever.

- Until 2008, arguably the best, (if not one of the top 3) FWD pocket rockets out there- Interior and exterior style (IMO) - Value - Comfort - Offer more engine choices. The 2.2 is great as a volume engine, has plenty of pep for the non-enthusiast, and you can coax some pretty good MPGs out of it. What I'm saying is that there's room for at least one engine beneath the 2.2. A 40+mpg gas sipper, a diesel, or maybe even a hybrid powertrain would do wonders for the car's green image.- Consider fitting the car with E85 capability. - Develop a worthwhile 5+ speed auto to further help mileage and performance. - Make a bigger trunk opening on the coupe, or just make it a hatchback. The current trunk opening is too small to take advantage of the rather large trunk area. - Some of the switchgear could stand to be better. And how about a express-open switch for the freaking sunroof?

Mother Nature - Severe Thunderstorms