GMTruckGuy74

I know for fact in central & southern NJ there are no more driver education programs that actually put teenagers in cars as part of driver's education. Many school districts cut that out in the '80s to save on vehicle maintenance & insurance costs. I know when my sister had driver's ed in 1987, and I in 1991, we had just the course that prepared you for the learner's permit test and then if you actually wanted the permit, you needed to take the three-day driving course through a driving school. My 16 y-o is currently in driver's ed and the state of NJ doesn't even provide a manual anymore (cheapskates). Some of his friends that have already had the driver's ed course earlier this year already took the driving school course and have their learner's permit and driver's test scheduled for their 17th birthday (later this year) - my wife is not too thrilled with her son getting behind the wheel just yet Back on topic... there were no manual transmission vehicles in my family when I was learning how to drive (and actually, I can't recall anyone in my family that owned a manual car). At the time I was learning to drive with my permit the only manual trans vehicle was my cousin's boyfriend's tow truck (he wasn't willing to teach me stick on one of his business' trucks). I didn't learn stick until I worked at the BPG dealership in '99/'00, which happened to be with a co-worker's '96 Sunfire GT because I sold a few Formulas and Trans Ams with a stick (special orders only, as stock models were ordered auto trans only) and had to be able to gas them up and take them out on the test drive before they signed. I haven't driven stick since 2006 when I took the dealer demo Saturn SKY for a spin when I placed my order I'm all too comfortable having an automatic, though I know if I eventually find a '55-'57 GMC it will more than likely have a three-on-the-tree for me to learn!

I stopped by my local Wal-Mart for some car cleaning supplies and made a detour down the toy aisle before leaving. Here's what I saw today: Blister package Johnny Lightnings ($2.00 each): 1987 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe (missing the hood, has a blower on top of the engine) 1931 Cadillac Cabiolet (new issue #4 in blue, older issue #3 green) 1965 Chevy Impala SS 1981 Chevy Malibu Coupe (two-tone brown over beige) 1950 Chevy Suburban (restoration needed) Hot Wheels Delivery Vehicle Series ($3.97 each): 1959 Chevrolet Panel Delivery/Hurst 1959 Cadillac Funny Car/Rower King of Cars 1956 Chevrolet Nomad Delivery/Milodon

Though I really found this on the last day of May (Monday), I finally checked out what was "parked" in the back of a local glass shop... saw a '52 Chevy sedan, a '67 Camaro, several other '80s cars and buried in a large brush was a 1954 GMC 150 pickup truck (too far gone for restoration). I've driven by this place many times over the last 6 years but never checked out their back lot. I was pleasantly surprised to see the GMC back there ('54 being my favorite year of the Advanced Design era trucks). I have a picture I'll post when I download my digital camera soon.

While not as exciting as driving a '68 LeMans or another classic Poncho, I did take the wife's '08 G6 V6 Sedan yesterday for my work commute. I will miss the opportunity to buy a new Pontiac when the time comes. I'll never forget the Pontiacs from my youth (late '70s/early '80s), the new models I desired in my teenage and young adult years, and the ones I got to drive off the lot ('95 Trans Am <used>, '99 Grand Am GT, '00 Grand Prix GT, '08 G6) or helped others buy for themselves. RIP Pontiac (1926-2009)

They've been doing that for all of their models lately, it's just based on model-year vs. calendar year. I'm not saying they're all correct. The '57 Chey Bel-Aire states 1956 on the back of its card, and I know traditionally October was the intro month of new models, but GM built model-year trucks until the end of the calendar-year in the '50s so who knows? Anyway, most of you should know how much I love the '81-'87 Grand Prix and I was estatic to find this on the peg. I can't say that it's the right color choice for me, but nonetheless I'm happy to see one of my favorite Pontiacs finally released in diecast. I tip my hat to the poster in the other HW thread for alerting me about him seeing a Pontiac racecar body in a HW 5-pack

Made a stop at the local Wal-Mart last night and made a detour down the toy aisle to see if anything new was on the racks. Not much on the HW's racks, but found this 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix metallic green "stunt car" on the last peg I checked behind a couple of older releases. Enjoy!!

My dad owns a 2006 Pontiac G6 Sedan with the 3.5L V6 engine and 4-speed auto. The car has 51k miles on it and it has developed a noise in the left front wheel. The auto shop teacher did me a favor and took it for a spin and listened to the noise on both the drive and in the shop while on the lift. The noise only comes from the left front wheel and usually starts once the car exceeds 30 MPH (it stops when the wheel stops spinning). The auto shop teacher feels it is likely something in the transaxle, but said it could be a wheel bearing is shot (though that's not his most likely scenario). Is anyone familar with G6s, or even Malibus, of this age and this issue? It's more of a whirring-type of sound (I heard it myself). Is there a TSB or other notice available on this repair? Of course it is out of the factory warranty, but my dad did buy the extended warranty the dealer sold at the time. He has an appointment at the selling dealer because of that warranty coverage for Monday, but I'd like to provide him with any kind of information so he doesn't get taken for a ride.

Time for some truck-based wagons...

A little better in the daylight...

Don't take it personally, I was just teasin'

The first 'clear' picture of the '55 Pontiac was possible due to the chained gate having a wide opening. I didn't dare step inside (private property), but I could have fit through the gate opening because I was tempted to see what else is in there (too many covered up vehicles peaked my interest). This auto recycling yard is about 2-3 miles south of Columbus Flea Market, right on Route 206 (right past the Route 537 light). I work near here and pass by from time to time (not the most direct way home), but with the wife driving lately I've begun to notice a lot of older, parked (roadside) cars than I have in the past. Sorry about the Buick, I looked quickly at the picture and thought I saw the little turn signals like the '57s have (I actually like the '55 & '56 Buicks better!).

Got my NEW personalized license plates in the mail on Friday... (*Sorry for the low-grade pictures, taken with my cell phone camera tonight)

Pontiacs in the area... 1955 Pontiac Star Chief: *Suffering from a right foot injury, so wife has driving duty during the nights & weekends (sounds like a cell phone plan ). Saw this at an auto recycling yard on Route 206 outside of Columbus, NJ. It must have been there a while, but being a passenger for the first time ever I just noticed it. Directly behind the '55 Pontiac is a '58 Chevy sedan (not pictured), and then the '57 Buick and '66/'67 Chevelle. Also this is nearby : And this is out front: The neighbor down the street took his friends on vacation this week (he drove his new '10 electric blue Challenger), and this has been outside of his house teasing me all week: An early '70s GMC 2500 or 3500 dump body in my town: Forgot to post last month a find at the Buick-GMC dealership in Marlton, NJ: (2010 GMC Canyon Extended Cab SLE-1 V8 ZQ8 in Sonoma Red Mtallic) to all!!

Oh, by the way... + (sorry, I didn't want to look at gory wound pictures!) = Oldsmoboi

Well, the SKY was a 3rd vehicle at a time I thought I could afford a "fun" car like that... so nothing really replaced it. However, at the time I owned the SKY, I leased a 2005 GMC Envoy SLT 4WD (maroon), and now I have a certified pre-owned 2006 GMC Envoy SLT 4WD While I don't regret the decision to purchase the SKY and own it for a short period of time, the other option was a well-kept one-owner 1990 Buick Reatta coupe that I'd likely still own today due to the low selling price. Wife wasn't keen on the Reatta and said go for the SKY; however, if I went with my gut decision I'd likely still have a 3rd "fun" car in the garage.

Great looking Colorado there ocnblu!! I especially like the shots at the covered bridge. Trucks and bridges, what a great combination.

Got lucky this weekend... found two of these white '57 GMCs on the rack at the local Wal-Mart

What should have been the last...

How are the tires, now that you've had them a little while longer? The Envoy will need new tires before winter. Even though the truck had only 35k on it when I bought it, I don't think the previous owner believed in tire rotations as these tires are well on the wearing out stage (my '05 Envoy, same Michelin tires, had decent tread left when I turned it in with 44k on the odo). I was thinking about Goodyear Fortera TripleTred white-outlined tires, but they are expensive. If I went with the factory-installed Michelins, I know I'd only get about 40k out of them and while they're a good tire, I don't think they're the greatest. Your input is requested

I often think back to the WTC bombings in '93 and the Oklahoma City bombing because those were terrorist attacks in my country, something we weren't familiar with in our own backyard (I was a senior in high school in '93 and a sophomore in college during those two attacks). 9/11 deeply affected me, as with many others here, and I agree with camino's statement that it changed our world entirely. Personally, the Columbine school shooting has had an impact on me because that occurred within my profession/career, and as such many changes were made after that that I didn't face as a student in school (lockdowns, bomb drills, emergency evacuation plans <not fire drills>, etc). Challenger, as I was 11 or 12 y-o at the time, and then Columbia a few years back, had their impacts on me too.

Congratulations ocnblu! Welcome back to the truck club I'm sure this GMT-355 will top your last one in reliability and worry-free miles. I love the color choice (dark blue is my favorite color), though I have to say I wish it was a GMC I wish you nothing but happiness with your new rig! Caddycruiser - you're right, a little dark blue will look nice with the white trucks

Me too (Atlas 4200 I-6), one of the main reasons for getting another GMT-360 was because of my affection for that motor. I get what you are saying about the Envoy being just "another nameless" SUV on the road in comparison to the FWB, but even though I was channeling you when I bought it last August, it just wasn't cutting it for me as a daily driver. Now if I could have kept it as a third car/occasional use vehicle, then it would have been fine, but finances don't allow for that now. I hope so! It looked so sad parked in the back of the dealership near all the other non-frontline used vehicles, during the two times I saw it on return trips to the dealer for service. As much as I love those cars, my heartstrings weren't pulled the way they were when I had to turn in my '01 Sonoma Highrider and '05 Envoy SLT (lease termination). I was glad to see it, but didn't have the regret I thought I would upon seeing it again the first time. Here's hoping the new owner continues to take care of that very original Caddy FWB.

I've got that black one too! And a couple of other repaints of that model (mostly HW Racing themed).

Was it a new Accord?? The 20+ year Toyota owner co-worker of mine that is car shopping has now aimed her sights on an Accord. I've been working her since October to give the new Buick LaCrosse a chance, and in February she said she would check it out, but gave up on shopping in March. Now here in April, with her '88 Corolla just moments from falling completely apart, she's resumed shopping again with an interest in Accords (there are several out in the parking lot).

Funny, I didn't see that as a poll option when I voted... I'm sure your input helps gm4life out greatly.