GMTruckGuy74

The school district I work for still uses GMC Topkick's for their school buses (older models), but they are starting to replace them with the Internationals you've described. The township where I live is starting to convert over to Thomas built buses using Freightliners, similar in design to the Internationals:

At least you're coming up with options when you have to tell him no. Please don't think I want you to give up your new car for the night, I'm just saying that what you experienced is nothing new. When I had my SKY, many of the kids in the class of 2006 (I was their class advisor) asked to borrow it for the prom, but they were either joking or just testing my patience Much like you, that was one car I'd never loan out - heck, I was nervous when the wife was behind the wheel! It was MY baby and as such, no one else was allowed to touch her. I hope this kid appreciates your willingness t help him out, and hopefully something works out. Maybe a few of the neighbors and his family can all chip in for a limo?

My neighbor has a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid that he doesn't think is worth it. He is like me, drives less than 10 miles to work, so he says he is not reaping in the benefits of a hybrid vehicle. Now how is the Mariner Hybrid withmostly highway driving? I am to believe that hybrids are best in city driving (stop and go), and since 90% of my wife's commute is on open highway, would the MPG be good? Please provide any additional info on this vehicle; I'll run it by her if just to see her reaction. I do like the Mariner over the Escape though (styling-wise).

In case you're wondering about the red pickup in the last picture DF posted, it is a 1939 International D-Series pickup truck. It's reason for being in the picture? The '39 was restored by International (using the 32-valve, 390 cubic inch MaxxForce TD V8, is appropriately called the "DMaxx") and was the inspiration behind the Lonestar's design (according to TruckTrend). It was parked next to the Lonestar at it's Chicago debut. More info and pictures of the DMaxx can be found here. For a picture gallery of the new Lonestar, click here.

Actually, with the amount of miles she'll be putting on the vehicle, and likely 60 month financing (unless 0% is extended to 72 months later this spring/summer), we're planning for this to be at least a 6 year committment for her. I'm the one who has been the motivator behind leasing - she really liked her 2000 Grand Prix GT sedan and the follow-up vehicle, her 2003 Buick Rendezvous CX FWD, and hated giving them back at lease-end. If I didn't push leasing back then, she'd probably have owned the GP for 6 or 7 years. She's definitely buying this round, I on the otherhand may or may not continue leasing next round (November, 2009). I tell you, I think VUEs and Edges are following me everywhere! If I'm behind a VUE in traffic, an Edge will come by shortly after. If I park near an Edge, when I come back out a VUE is not far away. I know this is what happens when you're interested in a new vehicle (you "suddenly" start seeing them everywhere), but it's unreal. Today I noticed the VUE is really narrow, more like a comfortable 4-seater rather than a true 5-seater. I told the wife that with a child seat installed in the VUE, it will be difficult to get my older stepson and one of his friends side by side in the back seat witht he child car seat. Styling is subjective, because we like both designs even though they have some flaws (like the VUE looks a little Kia/Hyundai-ish, and the Edge is a squarish bubble). I do like the fact that the Edge uses the GM/Ford 6-speed auto, which comes in the VUE XR too. My neighbors have two 2005 Fords - one is a 500 Limited and the other is a Freestyle Limited. They put a TON of miles on them and other than regular maintenance and wear-and-tear items, they've been reliable vehicles (and we've been in the Freestyle for a 2-hour drive to Hershey, PA and it was a comfortable experience). The wife likes the more compact size of teh VUE packaging and thinks it will be ideal for her; the Edge is larger and she knows that it will make for a better long-haul vehicle (we plan to travel more with the kids for vacations in the future, like to Williamsburg, VA next summer). At this point, I'm not ready to move to the next step (pricing & financing options), as I'm not ready to part with the Envoy yet (have until August 17) and I want to see if the deals/incentives get better around & after Memorial Day. But please, keep the comments and dicsussions going - I like all of the opinions, views, and information I've been receiving.

I'm more of a Mack Truck guy myself... taking my Marketing classes to the Macungie (Allentown), PA plant for a tour in two weeks This will be the third time I've been to the plant - first though while it's in operation (the first two times were on Saturdays in June when the plant runs tours and provides shuttle buses from the ATHS National Truck Show in Macungie Park). I'll be there with the wife and kids in June again too. International will be releasing an all new heavy commercial truck called "Lonestar". I found these two smaller pictures, but the current issue of TruckTrend features an article on this new truck with better pictures: I'm with you Sixty8... I think Hino trucks are horrible looking, and I'm seeing more of them on the road here in southern NJ too.

I had a friend's son ask me 8 years ago the same thing - however, I had a '99 Grand Am GT1 Sedan and it was over a year old at the time. He and his mom knew they'd be financially responsible if any damage was done, and I let him know that the backseat was not for "prom night baby-making sessions"! But I knew these people well, and it was a similar situation to what your neighbors are going through (financial hardships, poor family structure, lack of a decent car, etc.). I felt bad and in my heart couldn't say "no" - however, the wife <fiancee at the time> was not thrilled with the idea. Though I can definitely see your point - a 2-seater sports car that is still brand-spankin' new - is really out of the question. Maybe he asked just so he could say to his friends that he did ask you? I've been at my school for six years now and it's not a "money" district. I've been a chaperone at each and every Senior Prom since I started teaching there and am amazed at the vehicles these kids get for prom. The ones with money are the ones to rent the limo's - I've seen them all, including super-stretch Hummer H2s and super-stretch Ford F350s with a hot tub in the back. And then the kids with some money will get a family or friend's vehicle that's done up nice - last year there was a tricked out '96 Impala SS and a '60s Dodge - that shines for that night (Yukon Denali and Caddy Escalades, stock and customized, are the norm too). The kids without the extra income just drive their everyday ride and show up to have fun at the prom regardless. I'm sure this kid will make do with what he can; don't feel bad (if you do, then find a way to help him out and make his night really enjoyable :AH-HA_wink: ).

I wish we could... but seeing as how the Terrain won't be out until sometime in CY 2009 as a MY 2010, and our lease ends this August, we don't have the pleasure of time to wait. As we drove around this weekend, we noticed a lot of VUEs and Edges on the road. She likes both very much, and this is a hard decsion for her (I'm staying out of the final decision, because when it's my turn next November I don't want her telling me what I can and can't get!!!). And since I really like the Envoy and get to drive that more than the AURA (the AURA will be mine solely once she gets her new vehicle), I'm not pushing to make a move any time soon. Plus I figure the Memorial Day Sale will start off the summer sales season, and want to watch as the incentives <hopefully> get better (unfortunately bad sales figures for Detroit makes it a better shopping season for the consumer). Dsuupr, I'd love for my wife to be able to get the Buick Enclave over the VUE or Edge, but the way she wants her vehicle optioned/equipped, puts the Enclave way out of price for us (notice that I bolded Enclave; she doesn't want the Acadia or OUTLOOK, she wants the Enclave). I get your point though and agree 100% with your logic, but you're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole! Maybe if the summer sales incentives make the OUTLOOK (equipped how she'd want it) a steal over the Edge, then she'd consider it. But I can hear her voice right now - "If I'm spending that kind of money on an OUTLOOK, I'd rather get the Enclave".

I'm glad to see that the 6-speed automatic trans will be the transmission for the 2009 Sierra (same with the Yukon & Yukon XL)... about time!

Well for one thing, the Enclave she really wants is priced too far out of our league (CXL = $42k MSRP)... so when you consider that she can get an Edge Limited, which come pretty well loaded, add in the Vista panoramic sunroof, all for right around $32k MSRP, it really makes a world of differance. Trust me, I'd go for the Enclave in heartbeat, but it pushes the financial limits for us. She did drive a base CX FWD with the DVD package ($35k MSRP), but it too was up there in price for us and didn't give her the options she really wants. And personally, while the Limited is very nice, if we go with the Edge I think a middle-of-the-road SEL model is more likely ($28-$29k MSRP) - but you never know when the sales start later in spring. She's not a fan of the Acadia, and as for the OUTLOOK, she'd much rather have the Enclave over it. So, if Lambda was for us, it'd have to be a Buick Enclave. And unless GM stops selling these hot cakes and wants to give them away, we'll be looking elsewhere.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BOTH!!!

Thanks for all of the comments and votes so far. Keep them coming! I really am at a standstill here... while I would love to do business again with my Saturn dealer and drive away in a VUE (and more importantly, stay within GM), I will admit that I like the style (interior and exterior) of the Edge and the more room it offers over the VUE. The wife is really interested in the Edge because of the following options that the VUE doesn't offer: Vista <panoramic> sunroof with the Ford Accessory DVD players/screens in the headrest, SYNC, and the power liftgate. We're undecided at this moment, and ultimately the one we can afford the best will win out (having the GM Supplier Discount is a plus; we don't get anything for Ford from her job <there is a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep discount program though>). As for AWD, she really doesn't need it though it would be a nice feature to have (she'd rather put the extra money into the dealer accesory dvd player). We had one big snowstorm this winter and I had the Envoy with me - she drove 32 miles home in the FWD AURA and didn't have one problem at all (thanks to her driving on state & federal highways most of the way). It's something that will consume gas needlessly and is off our "must have" list. Even though we didn't drive it, and she wasn't too impressed with it at the NYIAS, does anyone think that she should be considering the all-new Dodge Journey??? I'd appreciate input on that choice too.

Please vote on your choice, and then post your rational. So far we have test-driven both vehicles, and the Edge is leading in her eyes. I'm trying to wait it out at least until the Memorial Day Sales begin - though I'm sure the 4th of July Sale will probably be better The better deal will most likely win, but who knows??? Thanks

For the lazy here...

Well, how about giving it away free to a dedicated GM truck fan that will care for it for a long time? . . . . . . . . . Okay, stop laughing now!

Well, I'm at work (school) and they for some odd reason have this crappy block on most photo hosting sites, so I can't see the pictures. BUT, you mentioned the key word - TYPHOON - so you know I'm going to say yes to this one. The Syclone and Typhoon are still at the top of my "favorite GMCs" list. I came very close to buying a Syclone back in 1998 at the All-GM Nationals show in Carlisle. It was a cherry truck to - one owner (older gentleman), 25k on the clock, and had all of the original paperwork and was in pristine condition. Having graduated college 6 months earlier, looking for a job, and not having much money available made the deal fall through (my bank would not give me a loan - that's how close I was to getting it). Buy this Typhoon, or more importantly a Syclone, take a couple of years to restore it back to factory condition, and I will play the lottery in the meantime to buy it off of you :AH-HA_wink:

QFT. PCS, if GM is seriously considering building the Zeta lite-light duty pickup, please tell them to continue refining the Denali XT's design and offer that for sale SOON. Thanks!

Okay, I have no design talent or engineering skills, but if you could pull some strings and get me in on the GMC Denali XT focus group, I'd be one happy C&G poster! :AH-HA_wink:

New Jersey here. Currently living in southern NJ (Burlington County) - for the past 6 years. Before that, I grew up in a suburb of Trenton (NJ's capital) in Mercer County. Been a NJ resident all of my life (33 years to date), and still feel the pain of that in my property taxes and auto insurance premiums

No, that's tiny in comparison to what Camino is talking about. I just saw one Saturday at a traffic light; I think it was an 1988 and 1989 only option that thankfully many people did not seem to go for. I found a picture, enjoy:

My only gripe with it is the grille - I'm not a fan of the all-chrome grille (I really like the black with chrome surround grille better). I've noticed that my local BPG dealer brings in 99% of their Lucernes in with the optional all-chrome grille, and many of the Lucernes I see on the road have the all-chrome grille. However, I'm still jealous that you got yourself a CXS and wish you lots of happy miles with her!

A very happy birhtday to you Ocnblu!!! Hoping that all of your birthday wishes come true

Congrats on buying a great car! I wish you many trouble free, happy motoring miles with her. And I'm jealous!!! Is that color the dark garnet?

GMC has the distinction of offering 4WD from the factory in 1956. Chevy then offered it from the factory starting in 1957. Most of the truck manufacturer's offered factory 4WD by 1957. The NAPCO conversions were easily done by the dealerships back int eh mid-'50s, and the NAPCO system is a highly sought-after component by many in the collectible truck hobby. The '57 GMC in my signature is a NAPCO-equipped truck btw.

PM received, and reply sent. :AH-HA_wink: