GMTruckGuy74

No, not teaching anymore since I was laid off last June and was unable to find another teaching position by September. I've been a contingent worker (aka "temp") with my wife's pharmaceutical company since early October, and hopefully the project I am working on will go permanent this summer and I get offered a full-time job. Otherwise, temp it will be for now (there's even more lay-offs this year in teaching, so who knows if that will be an option too?). I do have a 2nd P/T job (originally just a seasonal holiday job), working retail at a local Toys R Us store. I took it for the holidays to earn extra $$$ for shopping, but they asked me to stay on after the season (only work Sundays, but added a couple of Saturdays this month). I put in my notice and my last day there is Sat. 5/7 since I was promoted in my pharma job that came with a 27% pay increase Fire Police are the members of a fire department that go on location with the firefighters/EMTs and basically do three things - (1) protect the firefighters/EMTs on scene, (2) protect the public from danger, and lastly (3) preserve evidence at the scene. Most calls that my dept's fire police respond to are vehicle accidents, and it's our job to set-up cones/detours and direct, or re-direct, traffic around the accident scene. On occasion I've been told that we will also respond to structure fires to detour roads, but also guard a structure after the fire is extinguished until the fire marshal has completed his investiagtion (in NJ, the fire chief or marshal "own" your property until 48 hours have passed since the fire was put out or until the investigation has beem completed; as long as a member of the dept is on property, the fire dept owns it - usually fire police are the ones left in this duty). We also assist traffic duty at community events, setting up crosswalks and directing people to parking areas. A lot of calls the dept gets are for traffic accidents right off the NJ Turnpike (Exit 5) or Route I-295 (Exits 45 & 47) in Westampton, Burlington County - I know, it's like the old Jersey joke, "What exit do you live off of?" Not a glamorous job compared to what the firefighters and EMTs do, but at my station all the volunteers get along well and treat one another with respect. We all have a job to do and respect what each brings to the table. There are a lot of members that are not from my town that belong there, because this comaderie doesn't exist at their hometown station (from what I've been told). I joined because I wanted to give back to my commnity in a way that didn't involve <direct> politics

+1 I totally agree with Dodgefan's point above, and even mentioned that in my post as one of the holes in the current truck line-up.

And yes, Dodgefan, I know that it has one of these: But it is a truck (and not a GMC!) and I can approve of it. LOL!

Okay, not really mine per say and I'm just a user along with the rest of the department, but starting in May I'll be able to drive this rig on my own: It's a 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab/utility body that serves as the Traffic Unit/Fire Police vehicle for my local Emergency Services department. Last May I joined the department and by the end of the year was earmarked for fire police. I attended the required course in March, passed and now can serve with the department in that capacity. I have submitted a copy of my driving record last month and it should be official that I can drive the traffic unit truck on calls starting in May. The picture was taken last night as I performed policing duties at a community fundraiser at the local Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins.

Happy Belated Birthday, my friend! I hope it was a great one for you!

I found the CTS Coupe this past weekend at my local Target, and the blue '70s Firebird Formula about 2-3 weeks ago at another Target. On a side note, I like that Matchbox has added the vehicle's image to the packaging. It make for much easier locating when on a peg in the store. Hot Wheels started this I believe for 2009 or 2010. BTW, I miss OldsGuy posting here... he always found these cars early, and other GM makes from other toy manufacturers.

Haven't found the Ute either..didn't realize the CTS-V wagon had been out that long...will pick 'em up on eBay eventually if I can't find 'em locally.. Yeah, I was going to post a photo of it when I got it, but when I realized it was a 2010, I figured everyone who cared already seen it. Its a nice piece... but its at the other house, so I can't post it. Even though the CTS-V Sports Wagon is a 2010 release, it was a late release - I think fall. I only found mine in February. I have found numerous 2008 Holden Utes and CTS-V wagons at the Toys R US I work at (not for much longer though!). Let me know if anyone wants me to pick them up, just cover the cost of the cars + shipping.

Okay, so the seller re-posted the '56 (id'ed as a '57) on Craigslist again, and lowered the price to $2,500 - but doesn't mention the extra cab or parts as in earlier ads: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/2331489251.html Does anyone else feel this truck may be too far gone to save? I received the latest LMC Trucks catalog and the price of new sheet metal (front & rear fenders, bedsides, tailgates, hoods, etc) are not cheap. If most of that truck needs to be scrapped, well it ain't worth $2,500 in my book. I'm so tempted to go see it, though I don't have the entire amount of money needed. I still see this when I look at that truck:

Link: http://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/2329759280.html Pretty cool... would satisfy two areas of interest for me - (1) 1955 GMC, (2) Firetrucks Too bad I don't have that kind of cash or a garage big enough to store it in

As sad as this story is, if you have faith then you will believe that they were meant to be with their grandchildren.

So.........are you sure it's a 401b and not a 403b?? Basically you need to figure out if you're going to go back to teaching or not. What are the probabilities? I wouldn't do anything with your 403b UNTIL you make a career change, for sure. That being said, do you like your investment options within your 403b plan? Honestly, my first instinct is to recommend converting it into a Roth IRA, but I'm not familiar with the specifics of your retirement plan or the differences in the rules you mentioned. Consult a financial advisor? Sorry, brain fart. Yes, it is a 403b, not a 401b (I guess seeing 401 all over the place stuck in my head). I am not sure about the new rules, but I believe they were instituted with new hire teachers in 2009 or 2010 - all I know is the local union president said not to touch it until I absolutely know I won't come back to teaching. As for going back to teaching, I'm only licensed in the state of NJ and my certification (Business, Data Processing, Cooperative Education/Structured Learning Experience) is in an area that is dying or being cut back severly, so if this temp gig goes permanent I'm jumping ship. I figured I would consult a financial advisor, but with all the great free advice northstar was getting, I'd float my situation here to maybe learn something new

Thanks for the info, Olds. The employer I am contracted to treats their employees very well too, and have an excellent 401k program (my wife has been with this company for almost 12 years now). Hopefully I'll know whether or not a permanent position will be available by mid-summer, and if it is I'll find out what the probationary period is and what 401/IRA options are available.

Okay, mind if I hijack this thread with a financial question for my own well-being? As noted, I was laid off from my teaching position last June. I was a teacher in NJ for 10 years, contributing to a 401b plan (for public service employees). I have not touched that 401b yet, as I can leave it with the state for up to ten years (however, it grows no more since June '10; the reason not to touch it is if I return to teaching, I can continue contributing to it under the rules that applied when opened - if I cash it out and put it into another savings plan, if I go back to teaching it will be under new rules). With my current contingent employment going well, I am anticipating making a career change to the pharmacuetical business this summer if offered full-time, permanent employment. While teaching will become a fall-back option, I'd rather see my 401b investment put to use. What should I do with it to be as successful as possible?

In vino veritas... must I give you some to learn of what you know?

Which can also imply sales in calendar year 2012 too And even if they wait until 2013, 16 months is not a long time either (now if they pushed it back to 2015, then there's an issue as both Ford and Ram will be newer that GM's offerings).

Where? Chevy - Sonic, Cruze, Malibu are all new and more fuel efficient than their predecessors; we know a new Impala is coming and the Camaro will head over to the Alpha soon Buick - Verano, Regal, LaCrosse (especially with the e-assist) are new fuel efficient offerings; we know the Enclave is getting the 3.0L and a smaller CUV is planned Cadillac - ATS is on the way to be the fuel efficient Cadillac model If anything, GM needs to concentrate on the truck line again... the compact offerings - GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado - need updating, and hopefully the new Colorado concept shown in Thailand will come here. A small diesel engine for 1500/half ton pickups would do wonders for the pickups. Something to compete with the Ford Transit Connect would be good too. How about the Granite to open up fuel efficiency for GMC? Seems to be a lot of holes in the truck line if you ask me...

So, does it remain 2013 then? What I find interesting is that most of the product specialists for both GMC and Chevy Trucks at the NYIAS told me 2013 is the year for the redesigned full-size pickups. And I'm not talking about the pretty models standing on the turntables/displays... I'm talking about the older guys and gals that were positioned at the information centers that seemed to have some time working for GM (the reps were ones I spoke to at previous Philly & NY auto shows over the years).

I don't know if I can I sure hope not... Buick is using no heritage names today, and I feel they shouldn't start now (if this were to come over as a Buick). Regal is not a new name... D'oH! I was thinking Lucerne-LaCrosse-Enclave-Verano at that moment... however, Regal is a name I like, so I'll let it pass However, I don't feel that Skylark resonates with today's marketplace. It's a name from the past that has no meaning today IMO. Chevy can get away with Camaro, Malibu, Corvette, Impala, and Silverado. GMC uses only one heritage name - Sierra - all others are post '92 (Yukon is the oldest, dating from its '92 introduction). And Cadillac should go back to real names - the alphanumerics are not great, though CTS has good market recognition at this point (and ATS is on its way).

I don't know if I can I sure hope not... Buick is using no heritage names today, and I feel they shouldn't start now (if this were to come over as a Buick).

I too am looking forward to the Verano's appearance on the dealer's lots. The wife is a Buick fan, wanting a new LaCrosse, wishing for an Enclave, and was just introduced to the Verano at the NYIAS on Friday (however, she can't seem to like the Regal though). She's not 100% on the Verano yet, but I can tell she likes it because she's brought it up several times in conversation since Friday.

While I won't deny that when new, I liked the Saturn ION-3 Sedans, however there's no way I would pass up on owning a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ RS over keeping an older ION (unless finances dictated it):

No, I don't mind the grille opening on the Terrain because it represents a truck, regardless of the manufacturer. To prove my point, I really like this too: See, there's no G M C on that And I REALLY like this one even more: Again, no G M C letters on that one too But these... NO WAY!! But one car that gets the "pass" from me is this one: I can't deny that I have an attraction to that car Call it what you want, but most large, gaping fish-mouthed styled cars look like the designers just quit on a Friday afternoon to me. So much more can be done with the styling that an open mouth grille, or a silly "smiling" grille like the Mazdas have, is just a shame in my own opinion.

Can't add anything that hasn't already been said. It's definitely a '64 or '65, unless someone changed the grille emblems on a '66. Here are the grille letters of a '66: Oh, and btw, now I officially hate you!

Congrats! I hope it all works out for you.

Saw it in person Friday at the NYIAS and the front bumper is not as bad in person as I originally stated in an earlier posting. Still, not something I would like, but then it is not a deal breaker either. It looks less agressive (front lip) in person than in the pictures here.