GMTruckGuy74

I attached a 37 page PDF file from Automotive News that details GM's restructing plan, as given to Congress today. According to an Automotive News e-mail alert, GM is going to do the following: Also, for those of you that are not Saturn fans, here's a tid-bit of info that may make you happy: Also, Rick Wagoner has accepted a pay cut: GM__s_restructuring_plan_for_long_term_viability__12_02_2008.pdf

The problem with Chevy-Cadillac is no middle ground brand. If Chevy covers the bottom end and Cadillac the high end, a brand will still be needed to cover the middle end. I know Toyota has gotten away with just them and Lexus until a few years ago when Scion joined on, but that means there's Scion, Toyota and Lexus to cover three distinct buyers. Even Ford uses three brands to cover the market, and that's not counting the "commercial" side of the truck business. Anyway, back to the question you posed... I know Cadillac won't go down in price, so even though I like the CTS lineup and the DTS, they'll be way out of my price range. As for Chevy, I do like the Camaro, though it really isn't on my radar as a possibility; the Cobalt is nice, but not really "me"; the Impala is outdated and too plain for my tastes; I like the HHR, but feel it is too small for my preferences; the Silverado/Tahoe/Suburban I like a lot but are out of my price range; the Colorado is okay, but would be a big compromise (I feel the same way about the Canyon too); I like the Equinox, but would rather have the Pontiac Torrent; the Aveo is no where near my want list; the Corvette, while awesome, is too far out of reach, plus isn't a good family vehicle; leaving just the Malibu, which fits the bill but I want the EpII for the wider platform before I own another Epsilon-based vehicle ('04 Malibu LT, '07 AURA XE, and the wife's '08 G6 V6). Needless to say, should GM decide to cut Pontiac soon, I would be very inclined to buy a Pontiac G8 or Pontiac Torrent before the division closes. I'd have to plead to my Pontiac dealer and/or GMAC to make the last 10 payments of my AURA lease somehow "go away" so I could get my last Pontiac.

ocn, when I attended my local Ford dealer's "intro night" of the 2009 Ford F150 and 2010 Ford Transit Connect, I did ask if a passenger model will be available and I was told "yes". But then another salesman stated that just meant that a rear bench seat would be installed! So I'm sure you'll be able to find them equipped for passenger use somewhere out there.

I see an awful lot of Lincoln MkX's on the road... they're 5-seaters only, right? And they come in FWD standard, with AWD optional, right? And correct me if i'm wrong, I thought I read that the new SRX will be AWD standard???

Yesterday I took the wife's G6 in to the dealership to have some service issues performed and fell in love with a brand new 2009 Pontiac G8 GT in Pacific Slate Metallic (PSM) with the Premium Trim Package and All-Season 18" Tire options (MSRP = $32,760). A salesman I was BS'n with (since my wife's salesman quit) did offer to let me drive it I wanted to, but seeing as how I have 11 monthly lease payments left on my AURA, no financing options available right now, and with the holidays approaching no deposit money ready, I passed. But I left there yesterday now knowing that if a G8 GT is in the cards for me in 2009, it will definitely be one in the PSM color and I think I'll be okay with the 18" rims (I still like the 19" rim design better, but need all-season tires for NJ's few snowdays). It looked similar to this one:

You do know that the bolded portion of your statement was fictionalized by Francis Ford Coppola for the film, right? While there were Tuckers that were completely assembled by the trial date, only 8 of them were taken to the courthouse. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096316/trivia

I love those rims on the G8 GXP.. they're the same as the G8 show car had,m though those were painted whereas the GXP's are chrome plated. If for no other reason, I'd like a G8 GXP just because of those rims!

Lucky you! We too are paying cash for all of the Christmas presents that we'll be buying this year... however, you're done on the 21st of November, I won't be able to start until the 12th of December at the easrliest (I get a large stipend for an advisor position, which is funding our Christmas spending). The only bright spot to waiting until two weeks before Christmas may be in deeper discounts on the items we'll be buying.

Okay experts, I need some advice for a senior student who is about to get their driver's license and came to me for advice on purchasing a used car. They are looking at a local small-time (very small I should say, they have 10 cars in their inventory) used-car dealership's inventory of two used Saturn vehicles: 1998 SL2 Sedan: Info: 4-cyl, auto, ps, pb, air, 120,435 miles, VIN WZ258740 - $2,699 1995 SL2 Sedan: Info: 4-cyl, auto, ps, pb, air, 96,205 miles, VIN SZ354921 - $2,699 Which of the two cars would you advise them to seriously look into purchasing? The student wants a Saturn, as they have friends that own Saturn cars and they're very satisfied owners. The student came to me not only because they know I like cars, but they also know I own a Saturn and figure I must be knowledgable on all Saturns!!

Yeah, I realized shortly after sending my post that it was a 1-ton crew cab with an 8" bed. + dual tanks Yeah, that wouldn't make much sence as a daily driver. Sorry camino!!

Click here and you'll see an official Paramount picture showing the "retro" look of the costumes and the miniskirts used!

I finally found these cars, and of all places, at a Cracker Barrell restaurant/gift shop! I saw Release 2 at the All-GM Nationals show in June, but I prefer the stock look versus the rat rod/customized look. I found Release 3 (or was it 4?) cars - including the '57 Chevy Bel Air and '57 Ford Fairlane - two-three weeks ago, but not Release 1. The other night we went to Cracker Barrell for dinner and browsing the shop the little guy and I spotted these cars. I passed on the '53 Olds (wished it was a '56 or '57 instead), but got the '55 Pontiac in the turquiose & white color combo (what I wanted). Sad to say I paid more than $5 though ($9.99); but seeing as how long it took me to find it, I guess it was worth the extra coin.

Has anyone received their pre-ordered copy yet? I bought mine in June at the All-GM Nationals show in Carlisle and was told by Marck (publisher) that the book release will coincide with GM's 100 year bash in September. That month came and went and so has October; November is almost over with no updates. I checked the website link above, and it still states "Book to ship in the Fall". I clicked on their "contact" link, but it doesn't go there. I hope nothing is wrong with the publisher...

I feel you XP. All of the Toys R Us stores I've visited around southern NJ (and some in PA) seem to have given up on the JL offerings. My local TRU even moved them off the main aisle rack and put them on a small end-cap display. Target and Wal-Marts have seemed to shun JLs this holiday season. I had to go to the local Tractor Supply Company to find the '50 Chevy Pickup in the John Deere collection recently. I think with the economy, toy retailers are not catering to the "collector"; my one local Wal-Mart still has no Matchbox cars on the pegs since late September (the price labels there, just no cars). I even noticed Target doesn't have a great selection of Matchbox cars, though Hot Wheels at both stores are plentiful. I hope that major car shows (like Carlisle) and eBay won't be my only chance at getting the diecast I want.

Wow, winning almost $80 grand at 19 years old. What a memorable birthday that was for him, lucky SOB!!

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3484418841/ Here's the new "Star Trek" trailer. Enjoy!!

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!!

I like the ZR1 in the blue best of all, although the new silver looks good too. Glad to see that HW realizes that GM offered muscle cars from other divisions than just Chevrolet! I haven't seen the Buick GSX yet, but I will hunt it down regardless. I like the new-for-2009 blister package art of the vehicle. I'll assume that the color of the car on the package will change when HW's changes the color of the toy? It makes looking down a peg full of HW's mucg easier now when looking for a certain car.

I like the '64 Olds, but since you didn't list a year in the title, I was hoping it was based off the '70-'72 model years. I'll still hunt it down regardless though!!

<though belated> I hope you both had a great day!!!

Don't you ask this question like every 12 months??? LOL! Just messin' with you Camino

How'd we miss this one?? Read and see the pictures about it here, if you're interested.

Hi, I'm a little late to the party! That is one helluva concept! Now when GM has the cash again soon, they should offer this as a production car based off the Kappa platform. Of course to justify it the cost would be prohibitive to the average Joe, but I'd love to see these cruising around on the streets. That's one awesome car. Let's hope it gets shown around at different places so maybe one of us C&Gers can see it in person and share with the rest of us. EDIT: Here's a short cool video on this Caddy... shows how the hood and doors open, engine under the hood, dash layout... http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Helios-...llac_197074.htm

And sorry to be hijacking your thread... but I have a question for those knowledgable about "summer tires". I am considering getting a 2009 or 2010 Pontiac G8 GT late next year (when the AURA lease is up or a good pull-ahead offer is given). I really like the 19" rims that are available in the "Performance Package", but they come with 19" summer-only tires. Being that I live in southern NJ where there's a lot of rain and some snow in the fall/winter months, should I consider not opting for the "Performance Package" and forgoing the 19" rims/summer tires? Going with the G8 (if that's my ultimate decision) would mean there will be no extra money left after a down payment. That takes out getting snow tires and/or winter rims for it. Advice please??

Summer of 2007 I was "online" tire shopping for my '04 Malibu LT. I decided that when the money was available (sometime after September due to teaching), I would buy a set of the Goodyear TrpleTread tires as everything I read, especially from other Malibu owners, about them was positive. The crappy Firestones on it since new didn't last past 30k, and driving on them for another 4k miles was interesting! However, I decided to trade in the Malibu for a leased AURA instead of getting tires. Now the AURA's tires are another story. They are Hankook brand and suck big time. If the road's wet and slippery when I'm stopped, the tires spin and traction control has to engage everytime (this has been occuring since 5k miles; it now has 30k). They're okay on dry pavement, but I dread driving in the rain (forget about snow!). If the AURA wasn't leased I would have gotten rid of those crappy tires many months ago. The wife's G6 has the same tires too, but they haven't acted like my AURAs tires yet. Since we're financing the G6 and the wife is doing highway miles, I'm sure those tires will be gone by next summer and I plan to get it a set of the Goodyear TripleTreads. My neighbor though is a diehard Michelin tire man and only gets them for his Ford cars. The Envoy had a set of Michelin truck tires and they lasted to the end of the lease this past summer (although if I owned the truck, it would have gotten new shoes before fall arrived). I'd put my money on these two companies, although I'd likely consider UniRoyal too since they're owned by Michelin. Since you care about the wife and baby being safe, I'd splurge for a good set of Goodyear or Michelin tires.