Flybrian

It is its own theft deterrent.

Obvious signs of wear & tear - seat condition, wheel condition, lower air dam condition, etc. Ensure that all the options work as well. Nothing is worse than a Caddy with a busted _____. The oil drips with the Northstar should be corrected by the '97 model year, but check the oilpan anyway to see any signs of oil coating. I believe there was an ABS module recall for that model year as well as a fuel rail recall for all Northstar and Aurora V8s of this time period. The nylon tubing is to be replaced by stainless steel tubing. Ensure this is done. I know of one Aurora and a DeVille Concours that escaped the recall and subsequently burned up. What kind of mileage are we talking about?

Hey, guys...new Half S-Type...

Can't you, like, just buy a restored Challenger for $42,000?

This is why I fly myself... And at the rate airline ticket prices are going up combined with the general lack of service and amenities and the added security and the hassle and the discomfort and the reliance on their schedules, I seriously plan on purchasing my own light aircraft within 10 years. And for everyone else, VLJs will fly you from secondary airports in major cities to exactly where you want to go - not just where the airlines fly - at jet speeds.

Its not about 'turning wrenches.' Buying a late-model Infiniti with high-mileage is a ticket to a pain in the ass. You're talking a kind of car people your age who are cubicle stiffs with some $$$ buy. These are magazine enthusiasts who buy an Infiniti because "It f@#kin' PWND teh LexASS in last months motortrend, dawg", beat the hell out of them, and run it through an Amoco car wash every quarter. Plus, pop the bonnet of a G35 (don't forget the hood prop!) and see what one can actually fix underneath it. Think your STS was bad? As far as this parking thing, I think what everyone's trying to convey is that its an informal gathering at a car rally and also that a note like that is inappropriate. You have no idea who they were, why they were there, what reason they had to park there. Again, you're acting like this guy came to wreck up the place. How would you like to have walked out to your Infiniti after enjoying a day at a classic car show and read a note saying "HEY ASSHOLE JAP CARS SUCK ASS BLOW NUTS AND YOU DO TOO" because I can make some blanket judgement about you being some yuppie asshole, incorrect as it may be. Furthermore, it gives domestic drivers/enthusiasts a bad name - as if we're all ignorant idiots who leave notes on foreign cars to make people feel bad. There's a fine line between here and the outside world. Its also just plain not nice to do - and I know you consider yourself a nice guy - especially for something that's so insignificant.

Yeah. Dear Subaru - its not an empowerment seminar, its a car ad.

Wow. I'll have the most beautiful smoldering hulk on the block! If I win the lottery, I'm just going to have a garage filled with rare, hard-to-maintain cars.

$32,595, offering more than - and undercutting the imports by - several thousand dollars. Anyway, my real point is I don't understand how these people are anymore "assholes" than someone who parks a non-stockcar Lumina or rental Ford Explorer in this allegedly designated space. Disrespectful? How about just clueless about parking at worst? As said, a group of people pulling up and acting obnoxious with the intent of crashing a well-meaning assembly of car enthusiasts are very much assholes. Some guy who parked "incorrectly" at a clearly informal event is not. In fact, if the '06 Corolla had its hood propped up with a factory brochure opened to the spec sheet, I'd say that guy has one hell of a sense of humor. And leaving notes like that? C'mon. Yeah, I've left notes, too - on cars that park so goddamn close I can't open my door - import and domestic. I'll contrast your story with one of my own. Last Saturday, I took my girlfriend out for a date and we stopped at a Sonic afterwards. For those who don't know Sonics are throwbacks to the carhop era and often gladly host local car shows. On this one night at one location alone, I saw riced out Hondas, lowrider trucks, pristine vintage American cars, high-performance 70s muscle, and some simply nice mildly tricked-out modern cars all mixed together. One big happy family of car enthusiasts.

Recently attained experience with mid-60s Jaguars?

Um. So sue me for my ignorance, but "official show car rules" and "Kimbal's Ice Cream & MiniGolf" don't quite go together. Its not the Concourse or even Woodward. I was honestly expecting to read an intriguing tale of unabated road rage between some Sienna driver and you in your 88 or perhaps a touch of irony if you were to call someone a "yuppie asshole" while driving your Q45. Now, if a group of ricers showed up at a classic car show, opened up their 45hp half liter wonders, and acted obnoxious, foolish, and childish, I would agree...assholes. But, man. This was just a waste of my time to read.

Guys, lets chill out here...Razor and BV...you guys know the situation.

That's because it can't make it back.They can talk about 'queer' Aveos and 'homo' V8 FWD Luminas until they're blue in the face. Let he who is without a lackluster lineup...

How about some good Buicks and non-Firebird Pontiacs?

So, you can accurately say the Arabs gave us nothing.

Chat...its where its at.

3-year dependability survey. I think next year is when Olds will finally be out of this loop.

Quarter-Million Sold: Cadillac CTS Reaches New Milestone Link to Original Article @ GM Media OAKHURST , NJ (August 9, 2006) – Taking home a new Cadillac is a special occasion, and this was especially true today for the Luyber family. At Gold Coast Cadillac in Oakhurst, N.J., twin sisters Tara and Robin Luyber each brought home a new CTS. This special day for Tara and Robin was also a milestone in Cadillac history, as the CTS crossed the quarter-million threshold in total sales. “The 250,000 th CTS sold marks an important moment for Cadillac,” said general manager Jim Taylor. “CTS sales increased in each of its first four years on the market, an unusual phenomenon in our industry. We’re very proud that consumers have reacted so positively to this car.” Which of the Luyber sisters owns the car that is precisely the quarter-millionth CTS? Given that the cars were purchased in tandem at Gold Coast Cadillac, the top-selling CTS dealership, that race officially ends in a tie. “CTS has built a strong record of success on many levels,” Taylor said. “It has exceeded our goals for sales volume, set new design trends, won championships in racing, and earned awards for quality and customer satisfaction.” CTS sold more than 61,000 units in the U.S. in 2005, compared to roughly 38,000 units in 2002, an increase of 60% over that period. This sustained sales growth is counter to conventional industry logic that says a new car’s hottest sales occur shortly after launch. CTS, with a standard 2.8-liter V6 engine, starts at $29,990 MSRP. A 255-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine starts at $32,690.

In light of the financial woes we're living through as we speak, anyone think that maybe Buick didn't get its $3 billion?

Stop AIMing me with your paranoid irrationality. ------------- The point here is this - Buickman has a right to express his opinions in a collected and rational manner, something he has been doing perfectly well as of late. Likewise, everyone else has the right to agree, respectfully disagree, or outright ignore what he's saying, just as you may with any other discussion. That said, Mr. Dollinger is a grown man who is perfectly capable of defending himself against any disagreements or personal attacks. There is no need for fanboyism among any of the members. I haven't had the chance to personally meet Mr. Dollinger, but over the boards and PMs, I can honestly say none of us give him the credit he deserves. Rhetoric aside, he is a man who has conducted himself well in accordance with this foum. He has also rolled with the punches like few I've seen, taking the abuse, smiling, and moving on. His passion and dedication for his cause is rooted in something deep, and regardless of your personal opinion on it, you must respect that level of persistance in the face of adversity. Jokes and a little bit of humor is perfectly fine because its laughter that puts us in good spirits and allows us to persevere in troubled times, but let's leave the mean-spirited stuff in our own minds and not clearly cross over the bounds, suggesting bullets to the head and likewise. Thanks. Usonia, I have my reasons for making my first post in this thread the way I did, namely because I don't have faith in the sincerity of the poster. Yes, I am and admin and it was my call to make, and if I'm wrong, its my cross to bear.

LINK TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE Give the Blade some credit, though - they printed GM's rebuttal...uncensored.

But its from the sixties and from England, so you know its cool. Jaguar Mark X! English luxury... With American style... And American size... I really want one.

Agreed. I'd take the F430, trade the f@#ker in, and buy a well-made Italian sedan and have enough left over for multiple other rational items.

Good thing Volkswagen is making enormous strides...

Yeah, we've established the role of the salesman is to sell you the car, not know about it. I'm still waiting for my Mercedes CLS brochure 6 months after I left my contact information for them. That is poor salesmanship.