Flybrian

Jennifer Anniston isn't that hot to me. Sorry, guys. And, Reg, when can we meet at your house and dish about the Spring Formal?

Yes, but would you take a 2001 Altima over the old Sebring? Oooooooh!

That sounds like a pretty lousy setup, unless the articulation means it swept that upper corner that's usually not covered by the traditional passenger wiper blade. I'm not a big fan of the single wipers on Mercedes because they look a little funny when they operate - the arm 'bounces' up and down. Seems goofy. But I agree, its a unique touch, whether I like it or not. In the realm of standard wiper blade, I appreciate my Aurora's concealment of the blades when the wipers are off as well as the hidden nozzles. Nothing look chintzier on a $30k+ car than expose nozzle heads, IMO. Also, perhaps I'm alone in liking the skeletal look of traditional wiper arms versus these new structureless blades. It looks more elegant and delicate and I like that.

My office is two blocks down from Mercedes of Tampa and every morning I see a good half dozen to ten Benzes at least waiting outside for the service bay to open. Good sign.

Um...that's his opinion? For its price (just under $20k), the Century was likely the best-looking midsize car for the vast majority of its run. Certainly looked more expensive than it was. Nothing beats the Regal GS, though. Supercharged, black-out grille (early years), Monsoon stereo, and hot sleeper looks. What a beauty. And clocking in at $25-28k, an incredible value.

I would assume its distinct tone was engineered to an extent as it was on the new GTO. Taking elements from the GTO's exhaust system and mounting them on, say, a DeVille would surely give it more of a rumble, but I doubt it would sound exactly like the GTO. Ditto with Infiniti's VQ. In constrast, you can slap a fart can muffler on a VVT Prelude and a 2.2l Cavalier and it would produce generally the same sound because of the lack of tuning. So, I guess the answer would depend on the level of overall engine/exhuast-specific tuning.

This is a real engineers car, i.e. all substance, no style. The exterior is very plain, very boring, too evolutionary. All the beauty is inside, which is fine, but a 10 year-old Jaguar has more visual appeal.

The problem with the RL is that its lacks distinction. The design is very lackluster in so many regards and it doesn't look like a $50,000 car.

A few artists have PMed me requsting slight extensions for various reasons. I've decided to extend the deadline to Wednesday, July 12th as a result. If you'd like to submit another entry or whatever, feel free to do so! Thanks!

YatMing makes a nice 1/18 diecast. Black or Gold? With popupable headlamps, too... Clicky

When my window was busted for unknown reasons for two weeks, I obviously didn't Nothing is worse than going through the drive thru with a broken window...you look like as ass...and also poor.

Clean, yes. Minimalist even. I don't see anything else of redemption in it. The control buttons seem rather unergonomic and the wide, tall plastic surrounds will attract lots of fingerprints and marks over time. Maybe for $30k, I shouldn't expect too much.

Dear GM, It goes without saying that your CTS sedan is one of the most compelling reasons to have faith in what GM and the Cadillac Division can do. Its a car that can run with the best of those Europeans while not remaining distinctly American and distinctly Cadillac. Now, on the cusp of the CTS' second-generation for 2008, we'd like to see one of the best become even better. Here are some suggestions - Telescoping Steering Wheel Not only is this something Cadillac pioneered decades ago, but its becoming a standard feature on more and more cars outside the luxury field. This is also essential in making sure the driver has the most control and comfort in a sport sedan. Naturally, we'd like the CTS' to be powered. Bluetooth Integration Again, this is a feature abundant in other cars in the luxury class. Futhermore, this adds to CTS' sporting nature since handfree calling allows the driver to focus on the road ahead. Though we realize OnStar offers handsfree calling, nothing trumps the convenience and cost-effectiveness of integrating one's own personal phone in the car. Panoramic Sunroof/Rear Skylight A glass roof option would give the cabin an open, airy feel and add that extra touch of luxury Cadillac is reknowned for. Also, since the SRX already carries the UltraView and UltraView Plus options, this is a natural fit for the next CTS. Keyless/Remote Start Though we expect Remote Start to be an option as it is on many other GM cars, Keyless Start would be an excellent and welcome addition as the XLR roadster and STS sedan use similar technology already. Heads-Up Display General Motors pioneered the use HUD in cars and better still, made them an affordable option. We'd like to see this continue with the CTS, using the four-color unit currently optional on the Corvette, with three modes - Normal, Sport, and Stealth. Normal would display a digital speedometer and driver-customized readouts, Sport would display speedometer and tach, and Stealth would black-out the regular instrument panel for night driving. Active/Radar Cruise Control As this is already an option on the DTS sedan, we feel it should also be optional on CTS models. Rainsense Wipers Again, since this is an option/standard feature on several other GM models in this price range, we feel it should be an option on the CTS. Heated/Cooled Front Seats, Heated/Cooled Rear Seats A luxury feature that would add to driver and passenger comfort and relaxation. Heated Steering Wheel Another luxury feature that increases driver comfort, especially in cold-weather climates. Rearview Parking Camera This feature would increase the safety of reversing in crowded areas, allowing the driver to avoid obstacles and/or pedestrians and also increase CTS' appeal in congested urban areas and the international market where parking is at a premium. Adaptive Headlamps Again, as this great feature is available on Cadillac's own DTS, we would expect it to be optional here. Beyond individual features, many of us would like to see a non V-Series V8 option with output between that of the high-end V6 and V-Series, reflected accordingly in pricing. ~~~~ Also, a more vivid color pallette both inside and out is a must. The current CTS is an incredibly striking design, one that is in stark contrast to drab shades of gray, offwhite, and beige. Future CTS owners would like their bold cars to be dressed in bold colors - the debut Sunburst Metallic was a good start. Carry such boldness in design within CTS as well, with dynamic color contrasts. An all-wheel drive option is being heavily requested. Some prefer the handling of AWD while some prefer the additional surefootedness it lends the car in inclement weather and snow. Either way, the addition of an AWD CTS4 would only bolster the already established performance credentials. Finally, a universal clarion call for alternative fuel engines is also being heard. Of the many ideas being put forth, there are E85, Diesel, and Hybrid suggestions. E85 capability would be a natural addition to the growing stable of ethanol vehicles in GM's line. A Diesel engine would add incredible credibility overseas. A hybrid would put Cadillac out front as one of the leaders in environmental luxury. Just things to consider. This list was complied out of dozens and dozens of suggestions put forth by CTS and Cadillac owners, prospective CTS buyers, and fans of the car. To read more of their suggestions (or contribute some of your own), please click the link below. Thank you for reading this and we look forward to the 2008 CTS debut. Sincerely, The Membership of Cheers and Gears 2008 CTS Wishlist

Last Monaro Auction thread This was the last Holden Monaro. ...or not Link to full article @ Drive.com.au The real last Monaro Joshua Dowling, The Sydney Morning Herald, 07/07/06 No fanfare, no speeches, not even a cake. Just a couple of happy snaps and a pat on the back from some factory workers. Meet the last coupe. By JOSHUA DOWLING. The last Holden Monaro Holden has built its last Monaro and the historic two-door coupe has been exported to the United States badged as a Pontiac GTO. Earlier this year, Holden auctioned the last coupe to wear a Monaro badge and a Queensland Ford collector paid $187,900 for the car. The proceeds went to charity. However, after the last Monaro-badged vehicle was made, Holden's Adelaide factory continued to build the two-door coupe in various guises until 9.37pm on June 14. The cars were exported as a batch of Pontiac GTOs a few days later. The final vehicle was the 40,808th Pontiac GTO built. Unlike the fanfare surrounding the last Monaro, which was unveiled at the Melbourne motor show and featured in the mainstream media, Holden's final coupe rolled off the production line with no fanfare; a group of nightshift workers gathered around the car and one of their colleagues snapped these photos. They are the only official Holden memories of the car and it is expected that the red coupe will be sold as if it were any other Pontiac GTO. The owner of the last Monaro says he is still happy with his purchase. "Mine is still the last Monaro," Darryl Mattingley told Drive this week. The Ford collector from Emerald in central Queensland and his wife, Shelly, bought the CV8-Z as a collectors' piece. He has no plans to sell the car and is yet to drive it as it is unregistered. Mattingley denied rumours he was going to sue Holden following media reports it may re-introduce a Monaro with future Commodore models. "Holden may make another Monaro one day, but that doesn't take anything away from the exclusivity of my car. I know what I bought and until Holden builds another Monaro, it's all just hearsay." Mattingley starts his Monaro once a month to maintain the fluids and seals. He also has five rare Ford GTs among his collection. Meanwhile, Holden's performance-car division, Holden Special Vehicles, plans a special edition to commemorate its version of the Holden coupe. HSV is said to be considering building a final batch of between 50 and 100 GTO coupes (not to be confused with the Pontiac GTO coupe). Each will be individually numbered. Holden held an auction for its last Monaro, but it is understood the last HSV GTO coupe may be given away in a competition. Holden is to confirm there will be a second generation of Commodore-based Monaro. If it is built, it may be assembled in the US, given the majority of the coupes were sold there. If it goes ahead, the next-generation Monaro could be imported from the US and would be in Australia by 2008 at the earliest. BLOB images of thinly disguised VE Commodores continue to flood the internet. Drive's website has the first video footage of the car and it seems the HSV Clubsport has been caught for the first time. The car in the Drive video is wearing more disguise than previous Commodore test cars and appears to have larger, possibly 20-inch wheels and larger vents in the front fenders, two key HSV cues.

I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone that respect is a two-way street. Let's not call out anyone for anything. This is intended for everyone.

I honestly think there's more than a touch of melodrama there. Its not that bad and somone considering a Cadillac will not change their minds about a CTS, Escalade, or SRX just because there's a DTS with vogue wheels and a 'Presidential' kit somewhere in the lot. They'll just laugh it like the rest of us do.

Exactly. You have to appreciate (if not love) the Grand Prix's brashness. Certainly is a welcome sign of variety in an otherwise stale market filled with the same faux aluminum trim surrounding the same three climate control knobs mounted on the same symmetrical center stack with the same 2"x4" rectangular airvents with the same hazard lamp switch in the middle.

My question - does this mean the ventiports have some sort of functionality to them? If not, why even drill them on a mule?

Once or twice when I was eight because my parents got divorced. It was a joke and I was fine, but the courts and all...

PC LOAD LETTER What the hell does that mean?

This sounds like it would follow in the original intentions of General Motors - to provide the capital, economies of scale, resources, and distribution networks for individual divisions to effectively design, manufacture, and sell their products. As far as the badging, whoever is in charge needs to make sure they're properly aligned. I've seen way too many off-kilter GM badges to take them seriously and if they were affixed that poorly to either of my cars, they'd be stuck to my desk at home or work, not my front door.

Sadly, Mikoyan and Klimov have something possibly better than ours. While the F/A-22 has two-dimensional thrust vectoring, the MiG-29M OVT does it in three-dimensions. Its something we have with the F-15 ACTIVE from the mid-90s, but apparently aren't doing anything with on an active combat jet. And remember...Russia exports.

Regardless, the 300 is a J.C. Whitney covergirl, not a seriously timeless design in any regard. Want evidence? Look at all the stupid aftermarket grilles people buy for it, replacing the only real link to the authentic 300 letter cars of old.

Cheap, drab, and gray? I thought Pontiac was supposed to stear clear of that...

FOR RELEASE: 2006-07-06 General Motors Announces Collaboration With State Of Ohio And Kroger Stores To Help Bring More E85 Ethanol Fuel To Key Areas Of The State GM Provides Ohio with E85-Capable Chevrolet Tahoe for Educational Use COLUMBUS , Ohio – General Motors today announced that it has facilitated plans for the addition of several new E85 ethanol fueling sites in central Ohio thanks to a collaborative partnership with Kroger Stores and the State of Ohio. GM has been the catalyst behind several similar partnerships across the country as part of a broader, national campaign to boost the use and awareness of ethanol-based E85 fuel in the United States. The announcement was made today at the 7000 East Broad Street Kroger Fueling Station in Columbus, where the first of these planned E85 ethanol pumps will be installed next month. Ohio Governor Bob Taft presided over the event, during which he signed House Bill 245 into law in front of a new FlexFuel Chevy Tahoe. The new law will provide financial assistance to retailers adding or converting pumps to carry ethanol and biodiesel. “We’re working hard to make Ohio a leader in the production and deployment of alternative fuels to reduce our dependence on imported oil and focus on fuels we produce here in our state,” said Gov. Taft. “In February, I announced a goal of tripling the number of E85 pumps in Ohio from six to 18 by the end of the year. Thanks to partnerships like this one with GM and Kroger, we expect to achieve that goal.” Commenting on today’s announcement, Ed Wall program manager, FreedomCar and Vehicle Technology, U.S. Department of Energy said, “We congratulate General Motors, Kroger and Governor Taft in the formation of this partnership to bring renewable biofuel to consumers at more retail locations. The Department of Energy is dedicated to developing energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles and fuels to meet the needs of all Americans. The efforts of today’s partnership will help our nation to wean itself from its addiction to oil by providing consumers with domestically grown and produced fuel choices like E85.” Kroger is making the station improvements needed to offer E85 in Ohio and plans to offer E85 at more Kroger locations as consumer demand grows. Specific locations throughout central Ohio, Dayton, Cincinnati and Toledo will be announced as they come on line. “Kroger is proud to offer its customers and the many Ohio motorists greater access to E85 ethanol fuel in this state,” said Bruce Macaulay, president The Kroger Co., Great Lakes Division. “We appreciate the support of Gov. Taft and GM in promoting availability and consumer awareness of this viable alternative fuel.” General Motors will continue to spend significant advertising and promotion dollars to help generate awareness of E85 flexible fuel vehicles—and where consumers can purchase E85 ethanol—with consumer marketing initiatives and dealer outreach. The effort is similar to announcements GM has already made with other state government, oil industry, ethanol producers, and retail partners in California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota and Texas. Since May 2005, GM has announced partnerships with states and fuel providers around the country to locate, to date, up to 160 new E85 ethanol fueling locations by the end of 2006. “GM already has more than two million vehicles on the road today that are capable of using E85 ethanol fuel,” said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. “We appreciate that Kroger is joining our efforts to make this great fuel alternative available to more people in Ohio. “We also appreciate the support of Gov. Taft and the State of Ohio as we continue to promote the use of E85 ethanol and its many benefits for the environment, the economy and consumers.” Last year, GM presented Gov. Taft with a one-year loan of an E85-capable Chevy Tahoe to help promote E85 in the state as part of an ongoing campaign by GM and the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition (GEC), a bipartisan group of governors devoted to the promotion and increased use of ethanol. This collaborative effort, which was launched in early 2005, is designed to increase awareness of ethanol and flexible fuel vehicles, and to promote the increased use of E85 as a renewable, alternative transportation fuel that is able to meet the demands of today’s drivers. GM is continuing the program through 2006 and today presented the Ohio Corn Growers Association with a new E85 flexible fuel vehicle to continue its promotion of ethanol and E85-capable vehicles. Accepting the E85-capable Chevrolet Tahoe on behalf of the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Dwayne Siekman said, “We appreciate GM’s support of cleaner-burning alternative fuels like ethanol and its promotion of E85, which helps reduce tailpipe and greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting the economy and increasing our nation’s energy independence.” E85 flexible fuel vehicles can run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85 ethanol, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 ethanol can contribute to energy independence because it diversifies the source of transportation fuels beyond petroleum, and it provides positive environmental benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Today, ethanol is primarily made from corn. Corn is one of the top crops of Ohio’s $73 billion a year agriculture industry and five ethanol plants are currently being planned for the state, with three breaking ground now. Once completed, the five plants are expected to collectively produce up to 270 million gallons of ethanol each year, requiring 100 million bushels of corn each year. GM currently employs over 19,000 Ohio residents and operates ten plants in the state. There are over 100,000 GM flexible-fuel vehicles in Ohio, with two million on the road across the country. GM is a leader in flexible-fuel vehicle production and sales. For the 2006 model year, GM offers nine E85 flexible fuel vehicles, including the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Impala, and the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. GM also plans to add more than 400,000 E85-capable vehicles to the fleet in 2006. At the same time, worldwide production of ethanol is increasing every year, and is expected to triple by 2020.