FUTURE_OF_GM

I cast my vote for 14 of them... LOL. There are some good ideas on that list. We'd be looking at a much different Detroit if they we're as good at executing ideas as they are at creating them.

We ended up with 12 inches here in NC (after the wrap around) It was pretty but it destroyed all of our families travel plans. I think we're going to trade the GFs Cavi on a 4 wheel drive SUV. WE were supposed to have 40 MPH winds but luckily that didn't happen. That would've been a disaster and I'd probably be without power. (like last Christmas)

The Malibu is definitely the cooler car. Funny story: My Camaros lost to a Fairmont just like this at a show in the "Best Muscle Car" category.

Long live excitement!

I disagree... Not only did they destroy great future classics, they whined and bitched and told everyone about 'the horrors' of each of the cars. Had they made the Fierro out to be as innovative as it was, or the Cutlass line out to be the classic success that it was or the Roadmaster B-Body the indestructible tank that it is. I wouldn't take issue.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=40950686&l=3623f7beca&id=36614241 Looks kind of barren because we had to take down some stuff to fit the tree. Here's a PBR tree from one of our favorite neighborhood bars... Complete with a 4-0 tree topper (not pictured) LOL http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=40998884&l=973185e599&id=36614241

He isn't fat. I'll admit, I was just adding that to throw some salt in the wound. I dunno; I just had really high hopes for the show. Maybe it'll get better.

I just feel it's a waste of time. Top Gear is an excellent opportunity to inform people about cars and possibly *gasp* inspire more interest in cars from the common 'yank' Instead of seizing that opportunity, the show basically shows us what a bunch of frat boys would do if they had a budget and a really nice flip camera. I don't give a $h! about $1000 cars. I've driven enough of them to KNOW how good they are. What I do care about is performance cars, technology and history (hence the channel) I mean, one 'thousand dollar car segment' would've been okay. But this next show will be basically the third version of the same 'ol story. "Lets buy some crappy cars and eff 'em up real good." The hosts SUCK... It's BLATANTLY obvious that they know little, if anything, about the industry, history or the people involved with the industry. They would've been better off just picking three random car enthusiasts. Faust is a typical import humper (though I will say, that dude can drive like a mofo) The fat kid from the south just annoys me by reinforcing every bad effeminate stereotype about southerners. And the other dude; supposedly a comedian by trade, is neither funny nor appealing. /:soapbox:

Agree 100% the first show was pretty good. The rest have been an exercise in 'douchbagery wasting my time'

The difference was the debate. I didn't just spam the thread with "V8's r EXCITEMENT yallz!!!!" First of all, I don't really care about participation. 1) It's not my site and 2) The "staff" (or would be disappearing staff) ran me off a long time ago. And I figured I'd be the king of negative ratings anyway. (No offense Oldsmoboi) Secondly; we're living in a time where GM has literally been beaten for 10 years, went through bankruptcy and cut itself in half. Can YOU find a way to make a discussion forum dedicated to GM all "peace, love and flowers"? My point is; these things ARE the debate because that was the subject matter we were given to debate. And BV illustrated the 'group mentality' I'm talking about perfectly. (Well done, sir... Much better than I could come across) Croc was just giving us an example of that 'YouTube mook' mentality I was talking about.

So why are you replying to it? This is a PERFECT example of what I'm talking about. Camino posts a topic that you supposedly aren't even interested in, yet you feel the need to come in here (in you typical arrogance) and try and belittle him for even starting a thread that you supposedly don't give a $h! about in the first place. That's called TARGETING people you don't like. (just like I'm doing now by quoting your posts) And that's what killed Cheers and Gears.

Yes... Serious like my opinion that all people from California suck. Remember how bent out of shape you were over that? I'd talk about making a mountain from a mole hill.

And good ole Croc comes along and proves ANOTHER point... Nice.

Yes, it is... But the point is not to open every single Pontiac thread and read EXCITEMENT!!!!! {insert lame smart assed remark here} And the point is not to have a Turbocharged Sonata referenced in EVERY post about EVERYTHING And the point is not to TARGET and harass people because they have a preference for 'old fashioned' cars or drivetrains. (And, BTW, my post above proved my point... I'm now -3 because I 'played the bad guy' and said something out of line with what the majority wanted to hear)

I'm pretty sure the rating system does nothing but distill a common mindset. Then again, the same group that ruined pretty much all discussion here has pretty much targeted and eliminated participation by all of the unique posters. (Balthazar and Camino have managed to somehow hang on, but that's about it) Im gonna be honest; I rarely visit any forum here besides the Lounge because it's just not worth my time to read posts by people who can't seem to progress past the 'YouTube mook' phase of internet maturity.

No and no. I've never used it and I couldn't care less about it. It's just another method of encouraging homogeny and mediocrity. i.e. Don't say anything 'out of line' or weird, because people might not read your post.

How about $400,000? http://cgi.ebay.com/58-different-Ford-Chevrolet-Olds-Porcelain-Neon-sign-/290309830439?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4397d07727 Another cool one, from the same guy that has the Pontiac sign: http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-Mercury-Dealership-Porcelain-Neon-Sign-/390267263944?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5addbddbc8

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-Pontiac-Porcelain-Neon-Dealer-Sign-/390267185468?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5addbca93c This is the same style sign that is still lit at Pontiac Point Restaurant here in NC.

That isn't a bad price at all! I do plan on getting a new speedo gear, probably when I fix the seal. I was letting that ride until I figured out what to do with the tranny.

The actual wheel/tire size is 26.25. (26.3) [P235-50R17] on the back. Guess my estimate was a little off. So according to that calculator, I'm pulling 2936 at 60 MPH and 3180 at 65 MPH. That sounds about right, because I remember trying to peg the tach at around 3000 on the interstate because I knew that was right around the speed limit. My speedo is FUBARED because of the new rear end, so what I would do is set my pace based on the '68. My dad would take it up to 60-65 MPH and I would follow, gauging my speed by my tach. (Funny how this is all coming back to me now) I'm not gonna lie, above 3000 kind of makes me nervous. (Warranted or not) But it still doesn't seem to be to much cause for concern.

Tire diameter is roughly 24 inches. (measured it today) I'm usually spinning around 2500-2700 at 60 MPH.(IIRC) Problem is, NO ONE seems to do 60 MPH anymore. That's what makes me so nervous. Oh, you know me entirely too well... LOL. That has a lot to do with it. Not really that people might say things (because the car oozes testosterone) It's just that I miss driving a stick very bad. My Focus, though generic, even had a stick. Now with the Stang as my daily (with a slush box) and my Camaro having one as well.... The '68 does have a stick, but it's not as much my personality. It's probably a little too classy for me, LOL. I'll probably take that route now that you guys have talked some sense into me. I will check into that. Especially if I drop the $$$ for a new X-pipe.

That's awesome! I really do hate that song; and those animal rescue commercials though.

I agree. What scares me about that is how much it's compounded by the wheel and tire size. Back when I would do the interstate driving, I'd get 10-11 MPG. The only thing that made me not look at OD transmissions was price. LOL.

I'm thinking about putting a new transmission in my '73. The most likely candidate is a Super T-10 Here's the issue: Currently, I'm running the 406, a Turbo 350 transmission (with a shift kit), a 3:73 posi-trac and 17 inch wheels (Not sure on the tire size -- can you tell I haven't messed with my Camaros in a while? LOL) Anyway, the tranny was rebuilt probably 11-12 years ago out of necessitiy, back when the car had the stock rear end and an old, weak 350. After the rebuild, it was a daily driver for about 4 years, then it was retired to semi-daily, and recently, super duper garage queen. Obviously, I've upgraded around the tranny and it has become the weakest link. It still shifts like a champ, but the main seal is leaking terribly. That combined with the stress and the fact that it's been doing a lot of sitting the past few years, makes me really nervous. So, my thoughts are; I'm going to have to drop the transmission anyway to fix the seal. That means cutting the exhaust (hence my previous tech question) and presents a perfect opportunity for a replace/rebuild. Ultimately, I'm looking for some way to free the car up a little bit to at least be able to keep up with traffic on the interstate. It doesn't rev super high, but it's still to a point where I'm not willing to spin it any higher for long periods of time. (I'm REAL cautious with my cars and bad to baby them -- probably because I'm poor and can't afford to rebuild them readily, LOL) I don't run a cooler on the transmission or anything, but bear in mind that the car is driven VERY little (READ: TOO LITTLE). Probably less than 300 miles a year, and not even that in the past few years, and most of that driving isn't interstate. My idea is that; since 4th gear in the Super T-10 is 1:1, it'll at least free the car up enough to make me feel a bit more comfy on the interstate. and it'll be more fun to drive with the stick. I have 3 options. 1) Rebuild the auto 2) install the T-10. 3) Replace the seal and call it a day. The car WAS a straight drive at one time (despite coming from the factory as an auto) and accordingly, already has a 'dead' clutch pedal and a hole under the carpet for a shifter. If I go the Super T-10 route, I'll have to buy a tranny, shifter, et. al. Pay the labor AND weld on new exhaust. If I rebuild the auto, I still run the risk of straining it too much and killing it (eventhough I would install a cooler) and I still have to pay labor and weld up exhaust. If I just replace the seal, I get out cheaper. BUT I have to worry about what kind of shape the transmission is in. What would you do? Will the 1:1 4th gear in the Super T-10 actually work to free things up, or is it a waste of time? Money is certainly a factor... In fact, this is all just pie in the sky right now. But it is really just hurting my heart to see these cars (my Camaros) sit, or just sit and idle in the garage and not be on the road. I've made a pledge to myself that I HAVE to get some momentum with these cars, or they'll eventually begin deteriorating. These cars are me and I am my cars. I refuse to see that happen. I'm out of school now (the reason I left to begin with) and making this car more roadworthy is a BIG step in gaining momentum. Here's a wildcard option for you: I could always jerk the 3:73 out of the car (It has less than 1000 miles on it, by far) and go with a more tame rear end. That would certainly result in a financial loss even if I re-sold it. Thoughts?

I'm really leaning toward 2.5 right now. I'm not making HUGE power, and I don't plan to make this thing into a strip car. Plus I need power down low (Since I'm running the 3:73 posi-trac AND 17 inch wheels) Everything I've read says that 3 is for in excess of 600 HP or something that has to rev a lot. My car is neither.