GMTruckGuy74

*BUMP* I know with all the action taking place due to NAIAS, this event is far from anyone's attention right now. But I am off from work on Monday and would like to use that time to make some plans, assuming the weather report is good. So I'm asking for anyone who's been on the fence about attending, please let me know if you're a "Yes" (weather pending)" or a "Maybe".

+1

I like it, though it's definitely not "'96 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham top-of-the-line"-ish enough for me to be called a "flagship" model of the brand. Maybe as a replacement for the outgoing DTS, but not as a DTS/STS combo. And Buick is already going after the Lexus ES with the LaCrosse, Caddy needs not apply for that position. I too was expecting to see a somewhat watered down 'Sixteen' here, but that's not what GM gave us. Hopefully the ATS doesn't disappoint.

The two issues - not major and can be addressed easily, but something quality control inspection shpuld have picked up on - include: 1. The filler panel between the bumper & headlights is raised on the right side (left side was repaired). This is due to the fact they removed the bumper. I have to bring it back so they can adjust the right side of the front bumper (also noticable is the fact that the right front fender & trim piece don't align with the bumper - how could I see it 5 secs after looking at the car & their quality inspector missed it?). 2. The left cornering lamp is not lighting up (maybe just a bulb issue?). The damage was done primarily to this area. They installed a new lamp assembly and don't check to see if the light works? I saw this after I got home, so I'll address this to the shop when I take it for the bumper adjustment. They repaired the fender and hood, and of course that looks nice (shiny new black paint!). The chrome fender trim though was not available, so they repaired that and you can see a couple of dimples in the chrome. I guess I can live with that, though that's not what it looked like before the accident. I have some pictures I took Friday when I got home, I'll have to download my camera if my home computer isn't acting up again (it was yesterday) and I'll post the shots here. Again, nothing too serious, but begs the question of why taut "quality service" when you obviously don't give it??

Can you take a picture of the GRANITE nameplate on the left rear of the vehicle for me please??

Welcome to the New GM and the vehicles they will introduce to distant themselves from the Old GM. Am I saying I don't like this GMC? No way; I actually DO like it. It's different and not what GMC typically would offer, but this is the dawn of a new day for the New GM and they must offer vehicles in catergories they haven't been in before. Plus it's another offering carrying the GMC badge, giving the dealers something to sell. It's a shame that the Chevy Orlando wasn't the 5-seater, with the GMC Granite being the 7-seater (premium over the base). Knowing that this is a very small vehicle, it may not be the best choice for me but I'll reserve further judgement until I see it in person for myself (NYIAS). However, that doesn't mean that it's not the right vehicle for someone else, maybe someone that would have never stepped foot into a GMC dealership before will take note of this new offering and will now venture into a dealership for the first time. I like it much more than the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube, that's for sure!! I can't wait to see it in person at the NYIAS in April, and hopefully by then GM/GMC will let us know more aout its production intent. I also look forward to GM/GMC anouncing more product in the near future.

I thought this was too funny not to share here...

Congratulations Drew!! If you've been following the news, you'll know NJ is in no rush to change the law for gay marriage (stupid state! ). You know that the AACA Museum has a banquet facility, right? I can think of no better way to celebrate your marriage than by having a reception there with all the C&G members. It's not too far from the Harrisburg Airport, so any C&Gers not close enough to drive can fly in, and there's plenty of hotels in the area. (j/k, but it would be a cool reception!)

Overall they did a nice job but there are a couple of issues that need to be addressed. I'll be taking it back Monday after work. I don't understand why businesses taut "quality control" when a blind person could do a better job! Posting this using the wife's iPod Touch, so I'll post more about this later.

For those that have already replied yes or maybe, would you kindly take this survey for me? Anyone else that posts "yes" or "maybe" after this, would you please take the survey too? TIA!! AACA Museum Meet Survey

Just got a call from the auto body shop that the Cadillac repairs are finished and the car is ready for pickup. I plan to get it today between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

UPDATE #2 today... Come on people, the AACA Museum is calling you!!

UPDATED...

No word from the body shop since last Saturday (I will admit I am enjoying the Impala as far as how well & quickly it heats up in this frigid cold and the remote start, so I'm in no rush to go back to the Caddy right now!). I will call them tomorrow afternoon for an update, assuming they don't call me first to say it's done & come get it. I won't harp on the Impala too much - a lot of people already do that anyway - I put on almost 300 miles so far with it and the experience has been okay to date. I will say that I do enjoy it's ride compared to the Epsilon cars I'm use to, and unlike the Caddy it doesn't have that "floaty" feel to it (I've gone over several "speed humps" and the Impala has handled each one perfectly). The 3500 V6 is quite impressive in this car, although it is a "loud" engine and can be heard both in & outside of the car. The doors feel "tinny" to me - something I've not felt on previous GM cars (none of my Epsilons, nor my wife's '00 GP GT Sedan, felt this way). The tires make a lot of noise too - three of them are Goodyear Integrity tires and there's one Pirelli tire on the front, but otherwise handle decently. Interior space is decent, but I can see where it's close to the Epsilon cars (I was also expecting the interior to be more roomy). caddycruiser - I will say that while leg room is good, the design of the floor (firewall) makes it uncomfortable for me to find a really good seating position and I've used the cruise control on my 7-mile drive home to find comfort (I do have some medical problems with my feet, so that doesn't help). It's not a bad applicance - but that's the point, it really is an appliance. I enjoy driving it because it's not a 14 year-old car like my Caddy, but it's not something I'm craving to own when it goes back. (2009 Chevrolet Impala LT, Slate Metallic/Ebony Cloth, 34K miles, DIC MPG Fuel Average = 22.6 MPG)

Anyone else care to reply now? I truly understand the need to watch the weather, and reports are not covering next weekend yet. It doesn't matter to me how dirty or clean your ride is - it's winter in the northeast - who's expecting to see a well-detailed car? My car will more than likely be dirty (well, depending on when I get it back from the body shop and if they detail the entire thing!). Come with your ride no matter what it looks like - we can always have a spring/summer C&G meet with cleaner cars Here's the NOAA link to the weather forecast for Hershey, PA for those that want to watch the weather for that area: NOAA Weather Link So far here's the low-down: YES (weather-permitting): GMTruckGuy74, Balthazar MAYBE: Camino LS6, ocnblu, caddycruiser

Hmmm... This one: or this one? I guess it really boils down to which one I can find

The Danbury Mint made a diecast 1/25th scale '57 Chevy El Camino Phantom that was available in 2007 and/or 2008: It's a shame that this model is no longer available new from DM.

That has a lot of detail to it. I wonder if the cap is removable? What other colors/variations has the C-10 been offered in? I know I've seen one at TRU, but I don't think it was this yellow-white two-tone one. I'll have to keep my eyes out for this one.

Thank you for those two links. It's greatly appreciated!!!

The last JL '91 GMC Syclone, which was a revision of the '98-'01 issued 1991 Syclone, was offered in 2005 or 2006 and more accurately looked like the actual Syclone. I have been on the hunt for this version for a long time; I may just have to buckle down and buy it on eBay (I like searching for diecast at car & toy shows - so far, no luck with this one). If anyone has access to actual Johnny Lightning collector lists (not the online ones) from 2005 and 2006, I'd like to know what the Trucks & SUVs R3 (Release 3) contained. On JL's website I found every release for that series but R3, which is the one I believe has the '91 GMC Syclone I mentioned above. For reference, the Trucks & SUVs R2 was in August 2005, and Trucks & SUVs R4 was in February 2006 - but I can't find in the online archives when R3 came out.

1992 GMC Typhoon (Red over Gray); to be released January, 2010 (check link) 1993 GMC Typhoon (Teal over Gray); to be released February, 2010: LINK And in case you missed the first offering: 1992 GMC Typhoon (White over Gray); released April, 2009:

So Drew, since you're from my area originally, do you think a FWD, 4-cyl equipped Terrain would perform well in NJ? You know we have our flat spots, our hilly areas, and those wonderful highways to merge onto. I have not yet driven a V6-equipped Terrain, and my GMC dealer sells them faster than he can get them. The 4-cyl I drove in November wasn't impressive to me, but then again I drove it with bias (I'm a 6- or 8-cyl man). I priced out the Terrain in FWD/4-cyl SLE-2, SLT-1, and SLT-2 and without AWD and the V6, one of those could be affordable later in the year. Do I sacrifice power (4-cyl) and mobility (FWD) to save some $$$??

Well, Hershey's Chocolate World was just a suggestion!! We can stick to the AACA Museum as long as we can then. A plus is that the museum is getting ready to unveil an updated '20s section (wall murals and decorations). Actually, the 23rd is the only Saturday that works out for me in January. So if the weather cooperates, that will have to be the day or we can try in February (worry about that later). Please post after this if you want me to put you on the "Yes, I will attend (weather permitting)", "Maybe, I'll have to see how my plans work out", or "No, not at this time but consider me for February (if the weather doesn't cooperate)" lists.

Well, dropped the car off at the body shop on Saturday and Enterprise provided me with a 2009 Chevy Impala LT as my "full-size" rental car. They said that the car should be done by Friday, January 8th, assuming all of the parts they need arrive early in the week. Most of the stuff is still listed as "available" from GM, with only one part discontinued (and they'll search used for it). I will be sure to post pictures of it when I get it, and hopefully all goes smoothly.

Because Buick is sold globally (China), unlike Saturn or Pontiac. Being a prior Saturn owner ('07 SKY, '07 AURA XE), I too am saddened by the loss of Saturn, but as a long-time Pontiac fan (and owning 4 of them), I'm more saddened by the loss of Pontiac. It's the way of the world today and something we both must deal with (unfortunately).