GMTruckGuy74

I won't lie and say I'm not saddened too by the news of Saturn's quicker demise, especially after buying two new '2007' Saturns back in 2006 (SKY in April, AURA <lease> in November). My dealership is a very good one, from the friendliness of the sales staff, to the go-above-and-beyond service department, to the fast and efficient parts department (you won't believe the Saturn stuff I;ve bought from my dealership since 2006!). Like ocnblu, I feel sorry for the entire staff at Saturn of Mount Laurel and what they must be experiencing with this latest news. But also like ocnblu, I'm more connected to Pontiac as a car brand (Pontiac is my favorite car brand, and as you all know GMC is my favorite truck brand). While I was understanding of Saturn's let-go, I still can't come to terms with Pontiac's demise. I've had one used Pontiac (bought from a Pontiac dealership back in '98) and three new Pontiacs ('99-present), so a lot of my money has gone to this brand. Of all the classic cars I like, most if not all are from Pontiac (okay, if I could have only one old classic car, it would be a '57 Olds, but a '61 or '62 Pontiac is next in line). I subscribe to Pontiac Enthusiast (have for many, many years) and usually pick up High Performance Pontiac magazine if it has enough in it to justify the cost (not too many tech articles and not too many race-ready, late model cars). And as much as posters here hate the G6, when my wife was car shopping last year I recommended the car and she fell in love with it (of course she really wanted a Vibe, but it wasn't as good of a deal as the G6 was). If I wasn't losing my job and could use more of the cash I have saved as a deposit, I was planning to replace AURA lease with a Pontiac G8 in late summer/early fall (I could still get a Pontiac though, but now it's a Vibe or G5 instead of a G8). I hope something works out for Saturn and quickly, as the dealership employees need their jobs and our economy can't keep taking hits day after day. And I hope GM doesn't sell Pontiac, unless it was to Holden, so that maybe one day at least one Pontiac car done right can return (and then be a niche offering in Buick-GMC dealerships).

I was upset by the news of Pontiac's demise yesterday - even though I knew it was coming since Friday. And go figure, what do I see a ton of on the roads yesterday? Pontiacs. As I was leaving my building, a school counselor that works out of another building was pulling up in her 2008 G6 GT Convertible, top down and enjoying a beautiful (but hot day). Stop for gas on my way home and two G5 coupes and a G6 sedan are in the station too. Ou tof the blue a G8 GT sedan in black is facing me at the traffic light after getting gas. Countless G6's pass or are parked in parking lots as I head over to CVS Pharmacy. The little guy wants to drive his Power Wheels Ford F-150 around the neighborhood and I see a Bonneville, two late-model Grand Prixs, and more G6s driving around. I guess it's true that you notice more of the cars you like when you're thinking about them more, but I thought it was ironic with the news learned earlier in the day. I've decided that I can't in good consciencousness buy a 2009 Vibe GT, even though it would be primarily for the wife. I don't think the G5 GT Coupe would be the best choice, being a 2-door, but it would be better IMO than the Vibe (which is a Pontiac in name only). I really want a G8 GT (have to have that 6.0l V8!), so maybe I'll wait until late summer, pray that I have employment, and see what deals dealers are offering on leftover G8 inventory. If I start selling off the toy collection in my basement (various scales of diecast cars & small collection of sealed plastic model kits, newer Star Wars toys <'95-up>, and whatever else I find), maybe I can try to save up some additional cash to put down on a G8. I intend to make my garage all-Pontiac while I still can

No, unfortunately I don't. My uncle held onto a lot of his toys from the late '50s/early '60s and when I was younger (in the late '70s) he'd let me play with his Tonka toys (inside, on the carpet, where they were safe). He had this blue & white '50s Ford-like Tonka pickup and trailer I used to like a lot; I think my aunt was going to make him give it to me!! By the early '80s though my two cousins came along - both female - and they inherited the trucks for their dolls & play horses. I last saw those Tonka trucks (including a Tonka construction crane & lowboy tractor-trailer) in the early '90s. Secretly I always wanted them, even as I got older, but my uncle never parted with them. I haven't spoken to my uncle (big family separation) since '95. I do have some Tonka Mighty vehicles in my collection, but they're all newer from the early to mid-'90s when my stepson was little. He rarely played with them - preferring his Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers toys instead - and now my little guy has claimed ownership of them Good luck with your hunt - I see '50s-'70s pressed-steel toys sell for quite a bit of money at toy shows I attend.

Please add my name too... I was really excited about the GMC Denali XT concept last year and had hoped it would reach production. A certain someone on here though was kind enough to inform me towards the end of last year that the program was killed due to GM's financial mess. Now it could possibly be back on??? At this point I'd be happy to get a G8 ST-turned GMC whatever, even if it's only a two-seater. The Crewman 4-door would be much more practical for me and I'd really like to see both offered by GMC, to replace the Canyon if need be. I hope mor eof this news comes out soon officially by GM.

Here are some of my pictures of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LT that was on display at the 2009 NYIAS: I actually like this design, though I will agree that the rear end (taillights) are Asian in style and would be the area I would address first.

Well, if I ever hit the lottery, I'm hiring you for both the patio job and a restoration job on a '55-'56-'57 GMC pickup too :AH-HA_wink:

When money flows green again in my river, I will definitely contact you about a patio job my wife is dying for. Well, that is if you want to drive over to NJ for however long it will take

Yeah, you don't have to tell me what 10 years flying by feels like :rolls_eyes: I can't believe 35 is around the corner (December) - I remember turning 30 like it was yesterday... I took the G6 on a roadtrip Sunday, to Macungie Memorial Park in Macungie (Allentown), PA to attend the "GM on Display" car show. I actually drove the darn thing like I stole it - it was pretty smooth at 95 MPH on the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike (thank God I was in the middle of moving traffic at the time and not alone for a PA State Trooper to tag me)... and I gotta say after driving a Malibu LT ('04), my AURA XE ('07), and now the G6 V6 ('08) - all with the 3500 V6 - I was impressed with the ride & handling of the G6 the most (I did notice a little more roadnoise with the G6 over my AURA, which seems to have the most sound insulation in it <early '06 build>). But the G6 was comfortable and I had no problem keeping up with many BMWs, Mercedes, and Mustangs (and the occasional Yukon Denalis and Escalades too). With my love and desire for a new Pontiac G8 GT, it's hard to swallow the fact that the G6 may be the last NEW Pontiac I got to buy (okay, I probably could buy one more new one this summer/fall, but I'm not sure I want a G5 GT or Vibe GT to be the last new Pontiac I buy - no way will either compare to a G8 purchase). And I'm sure G8 incentives won't be great until the least desirable ones are left on the lots later this year, and I don't want to settle for a V6 (I guess we'll never see the DI 3.6l V6 will we???).

"How can I think outside of the box when I work in a cubical?" - sorry, that's what came to mind (A Hallmark saying) when I saw this username earlier today As for your signature - "Tom Jackson" - hahahahaha!!!

Here's my curio cabinet, as of the beginning of March: That's just a small sampling of the diecast I've amassed over the last two decades... my basement is full of plastic storage tubs and Xerox copy paper boxes of other diecast collectibles.

my friend!! Even with the sad news sharing your special day, go out in your beautiful G8 GT and drive those blues away. 23? Wow that feel so 11 years ago to me

Yes, please enlight those of us in pain right now...

I'm going to pray that I get employment soon after July 1 so that I too can make this statement. The wife and I were talking about this on Saturday and she said that she'd like a new Vibe GT but will also test drive a G5 GT (she'd get the new, smaller car and I'd take the G6). What's stopping me right now is (1) no pull-ahead offer yet from GMAC to get out of my lease, and (2) no job after July 1. I went to an All-GM classic car show yesterday in Macungie, Pennsylvania (GM on Display show, all GM vehicles of all years were welcomed). Many of the classic car owners could be overheard talking about GM's latest news, and many Pontiac owners were talking about how much they love Pontiac and are saddened by the news that was leaking out on Friday. If I have my way, a new 2009 Pontiac will grace my driveway by fall and for a while that's all GM will be getting out of me. If that plan doesn't work, after fall of 2009 who knows where my new car shopping will go???

Wow... even some Pontiac dealers are calling for it to die. That is very sad indeed. I am very saddened by this news and really wish I could go out and buy a new 2009 Pontiac G8 GT sedan right now. Of course when I told the wife this news yesterday, she asked about buying a Vibe GT while we can still do so!!

Here's a really nice red 2004 GTO (sorry, it's an auto though) for sale with a little less than 13k on the odo: Link If I didn't love the angular styling of the G8 more, I'd consider this GTO if I was able to get out of my lease.

Now I'm really pissed that I'm losing my job in June and will be unable to afford a new 2009 Pontiac G8 GT this summer/fall. That is, if this news is true. And it's being reported everywhere now, so we'll just have to wait patiently for 48+ hours until GM makes their PR statement.

I'd like to comment on this "news", but like the two posts above, I'll wait and hold my comments until Monday when the real "news" (whatever it may be) is finally let out to the public. I will say this though - I will not be a happy consumer without Pontiac (it is the one car brand I desire to own most from GM <the G8 GT>).

Replace "Equinox" with "Terrain" for me!!

Knightfan, a day doesn't go by that I don't think of that '87 GP. I drove by the dealership about two weekends ago (well now approaching 3 weekends) and the car was still there, all covered up (and it looks like another white '80s GP has been added under a car cover next to it). I know he said he wanted to get between $4,000 and $4,500 for it (I never got to the point where I could have negotiated a deal), but I was hoping closer to $3,000. Actually, I'm still trying to formulate a way to come up with $2,000 as I already have a grand saved away, then make him an offer of that amount. If I knew a way to get out of my current SmartLease so I could buy this car, then use it as my daily driver until the late summer/early fall when hopefully a new job comes my way, I'd jump on that route in a heartbeat. The negative too is that not knowing how reliable a 22 year-old car will be, especially with job interviews coming up, is another concern/issue I have going that route. Only time will tell at this point...

DC was fun and the entire family (well, my soon-to-be 15 year old stepson was bored 99% of the time!) enjoyed themselves. Out of the three days, we only had to deal with some light rain Monday night during our "Moonlight Tour of DC" and then yesterday it was torrential downpour day We spent most of our day yesterday inside museums and out of the rain, but walking between the buildings was the fun part. If there's any interest, I'll post some of the pictures I took of our time in DC. On the way back home last night we decided to stop off I-95 in Maryland to get dinner. According to the GPS, we were in White Marsh, Maryland and found the White Marsh Mall and Town Center. We decided on "Don Pueblos" (mexican), which was in the Town Center. Driving through the Town Center on the way to the restaurant we passed a bunch of stores, incuding one called Ridemakerz, which by the storefront was all about cars (looked like R/C cars from the window). Of course we (okay, I) had to check it out first before eating and the concept is just like "Build-A-Bear", but with cars & trucks instead. $40 bucks later and my little guy walked out with his own customized Dodge Ram pickup (approximately 1/16th scale). My stepson admitted a little while later on the drive home that he wanted to build a 2010 Mustang, to which I replied he could have when I offered him to build one in the store. While no GMCs or Pontiacs were available (GM's only licensed body was of a late model Corvette), I would have gone with the Ford SuperChief concept pickup for myself. There's only 12 of these stores in the country, mainly in the east, but if you're interested here's the link to their website. Oh, and the cars & trucks can be made into R/C versions for a small upgrade fee. Knightfan, I will definitely post some pictures of the NYIAS after going tomorrow. I should be sleeping getting my rest, but I can't fall asleep (well, by now I'm starting to get tired). Look in the Auto Show thread for that post by the weekend.

Notice nowadays that everything comes with fries? And if you order just "a sandwich", they insist that you must have fries with it (like you already stated Oldsmoboi, it's "just #0.xx cents more!?!?"). And soda is way too available today; a ton of my students I teach in the morning hours travel the hallways with 20 oz. to 2 liter bottles of soda to get them through the day. Add into it the dfrin sizes available from convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and movie theaters and you'll see why our society is large. Growing up I wasn't allowed to have soda in the morning hours - lunch was the earliest - and it wasn't always kept int he house. However, come my teenage years (late '80s/early '90s), soda was the #1 choice for a drink and could be found everywhere. It is still to this day my favorite beverage to drink, and if I could cut it out and adjust my other "bad food choices", I probably could improve my weight issues (FYI: I'm approximately 240 lbs, 5'9' tall). So I'm am not a skinny person - as a few of the C&Gers I've personally met know - but I'm at the point I now watch exactly what I am consuming and want to make amends with the types of foods I eat that I know aren't the healthiest choices. Exercising wouldn't hurt either, but that's another issue to work on. And just to keep the comedy rolling, here's one of the funniest pictures I've seen regarding obesity:

A lot of GM dealerships have closed around me in southern New Jersey in the past year, and many have been Chevy dealerships (which I think there are too many of anyway <compared to Toyota delarships>). There's been a few I know of too in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania area.

Just wanted to let you all know that I won't be around for the next 3 days as I am taking the family on a mini-vacation to visit our nation's capital - Washington, DC. Two years ago we made this trek during the spring break and enjoyed it so much that we've been wanting to go back since. We took good old Amtrak back in 2007, but this time we'll be driving down in the AURA. Of course the weather isn't suppose to be so great on Tuesday and Wednesday, but we'll make the most of it (our plans include visiting a lot of museums these two days). Should be back late Wednesday and will likely post again on Thursday (I'll need a day to recouperate before heading to NYC on Friday for the Auto Show). Here's to hoping that this is an uneventful week for all, unless it is something good!! Take care

So sorry to hear about htis unfortunate event and the damage you sustained to your Cobalt ocnblu. When I had the SKY and took it to public parking places I dreaded coming out and seeing what idiot would park near it. Sometimes I'd park diagonal between two parking spaces farther out in the parking lot, but that would only encourage immature idiots to park near me. Thankfully I had no issues with this on the SKY in the 17 months I owned it, but I also was carfeul in how & where I used my "toy". My daily drivers are a different story - about 2-3 weeks ago at my local Wal-Mart I parked the AURA well enough away from anybody in an open area. When I came out 30 minutes later, I was completely surrounded by other cars!! It was like my AURA was a magnet (thankfully no one was too close). No matter what you do or try, others will not care like you do. I try to get parking spots where only one side of my car is exposed (like parking against an island). But still others that don't care as much as we do for our cars will just pull in next to us without thought. I get very pissed off when the driver next to me parks diaginally in their space - just pulled in carelessly without regards to others around them. That's when I have sinful thoughts of how I'd like to mistreat their car I'll keep your car and it's repair job in my prayers.

caddycruiser, don't think that I was pointing you out for any reason. I know (unfortunately) that your G6 gave you way more problems than any new car owner should have to face in such short time, and once you noticed something 'off' with the Malibu, you became cautious/proactive so history would not be repeated. I was just pointing out that I've now had three Epsilons in 5 1/2 years and so far good luck with their reliability and durability. I've also met people that, like you, experienced problems with their Epsilon that they swore off GM (when the wife told her coworkers she was getting a G6, many reminded her of another coworker's G6 with the problematic panoramic sunroof, which my wife's car does not have! ). I am hesitant now to look into a 2LT Malibu with the 3.6L V6 though!! Re: the seats, with the Malibu & AURA if I am wearing a winter coat while driving I cannot get comfortable, so driving sans coat is the way I have to go. So far the G6 has not given me the same problem, but I'm so use to not wearing my winter coat for long drives that I do the same when driving the G6. Something about the narrow curvature of the seats makes me uncomfortable. I totally understand about larger vehicles and the comfort they afford - I felt very comfortable in the Envoy's seats - coat or no coat - and miss those greatly. I've sat in several G8s with my winter coat on and so far do not seem to have any issues. This is an area of concern for me if I pursue the Pontiac G5 GT coupe and/or Chevy HHR (have not sat in either of those cars with my winter coat on, and don't know if I'll get the chance to soon (if I am seriously considering these two cars, I will bring my winter coat on any test drive regardless of the warmer weather outside ). I am so jealous of your great G8 GT in the color I would go with too. I am wishing you nothing but total satisfaction on this, your 3rd new GM car in 7 months!!