GMTruckGuy74

Okay, so earlier this year my wife was testing her employer's online travel site and "accidentally" booked an AirTrans airlines ticket. Of course she had to pay for it and it hasn't been used to date (we should have figured out how to use it when we went to Walt Disney World in May, but she went through a travel agent). I was going to use it to fly to the NAIAS in Detroit in January, but recently learned that the ticket expires December 31. It's roughly a $120 ticket, so it's not like the family can take a trip anywhere, it's really a one-person trip. So I was thinking, a'la Yes Man with Jim Carey, where can I fly round trip to for a day, that would be worthwhile? I was thinking of going to Detroit and visiting the RenCen, since it is GM's headquarters and the GM Showroom and GM Wintergarden are there. Has anyone else been to the RenCen? What else can one do there? Can a day be spent there doing anything else GM-related, other than the Showroom? Any other suggestions for what I could do with this airline ticket? It would likely be used on Friday, November 25, or reserved for Christmas week since my employer is closed then.

Ford Fiesta

Saw a beautifully restored '49 Ford convertible on Route 295 North outside of Bordentown on my ride into work today. NY plate on the front, NJ used car dealer plate on the back - young guy driving it.

for a most excellent Drew!!

I would have sat there and revved the engine a couple of times while she was standing there bitching... then followed her home, parked on the public street in front of her house, and 'spewed' some exhaust in her neighborhood

PM sent. Thanks, man!! I can't wait to get them

That '57 Bonneville is to die for! Absolutely my favorite Pontiac of them all (okay, I know that's not true, but it definitely makes the top 5 list!). The '73 Grand Am is also a gorgeous car! Thanks for sharing

Buy whichever one you like, but I'd go for a Wrangler 2-door in a heartbeat if I was a single guy. Nothing says "fun and adventurous" like a Jeep Wrangler

I second this!

Or the Deep Cherry Red is nice too (and likely the color I'd go for): Or if you're really feeling BOLD, go for Crush:

Okay then, you asked for it... As you can see, my vote is for the Wrangler, and in the new-for-2012 color "Dozer Yellow"

Best of luck for a speedy recovery! We'll be waiting for your return

I can agree with your statement, SAmadei. I know many a collector that waits until January to buy their trucks via the second-tier retailers for a lot less than Hess retail. But I gladly pay a little more to ensure I get one in my collection while I can - I've personally seen the prices of the latest model stay about $10-$20 higher at car and toy shows the first year, and if it was a hit toy, then prices tend to stay high for the second year after release too. I believe Hess toy trucks are still popular because of tradition. Most boys I grew up with in the late '70s and into the mid-'80s received one as a Christmas gift, and now with children of their own continue to purchase these toys. If demand waned for these, and Hess lost money on each truck produced, I would imagine a quick end would come to this product. But just as the holiday truck has it's following in November/December, the mini Hess toy that comes out near Memorial Day (May) has its own equal following. I do not fear Hess toy trucks will go away anytime soon. Now I remember in the '90s when a majority of other gasoline companies tried to jump on the band wagon with their own plastic collectible (BP, Sunoco, Texaco, Exxon, Mobil) - no where near as in demand as the Hess trucks. On November 19th I will be attending a local toy & train show where this one Hess collector/seller sells his wares. I'll peruse his merchandise and get a feel for what his take is on current values and how demand is for Hess product of years past.

http://philadelphia....2620593290.html That's a real nice '87 R2500 Sierra Classic 3/4 ton pickup... way too far out of my price range though! Of course this '87 R2500 is closer to my price range, though not as in such great shape as the one posted above: http://southjersey.c...2674179835.html

Thanks for asking, balthazar. $6k sounds like a heartstring price all right, but with the current used vehicle market I wouldn't be surprised seeing him ask $4k if he was going to go ahead with a sale. $2k is definitely better, but still a little ways off from what I can afford. I'm also looking to find something '87 and below for registering & insuring as a "classic", which makes it possible for me to do this. I'm still considering the '84 GMC posted above (haven't gone to see it, and it's still posted on CL), but would love to find a '85 or '86 (like the grille styling better) or an '87 (grille & fuel injection). I'm not in any rush, so I can take my time and wait this out.

Yes, Ram short beds do exist. Here's a totally awesome 2011 R/T model I saw a couple of months ago:

Why buy this.... ...when you could have this: ...or this:

Just who are you referring to there, Mr. Horsey?

I wouldn't say super-valuable, as Hess toys I see at toy shows and car shows usually sell in the $20-$30 range, unless you are dealing with a Hess collector that is trying to raise college fund money But there are a lot of guys that grew up getting a Hess toy for Christmas that they no longer have with them but the memories are there. It's what keeps selling them year after year (tradition). My local Hess station, one of the last left in a 10-15 mile radius, will sell out of their inventory by the first week of December, then get another shipment from stores not selling very well to last another week or so. I make it a point to go on the first day of the sale to get the three I need (one for my collection, one for the little guy for Christmas, and one for my aunt to give to her grandson <2nd cousin>). Since I worked not far from that location, and got done at 2:45 PM, I could wait until then to get it. Now that I work 30+ miles away, I may have to go in the morning before work and get them (and likely wait in line with the other collectors that have to buy them that morning)

I had no problems with that site (listened to their podcast and read the article linked above), all while at work on my laptop. Nothing happened to my computer?

I'm starting to drool for a Canyon again... look at those rims!

GM is getting their newly released vehicle interiors right, so I'm not as worried about the upcoming full-sizers in the near future.

Link: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/10/future-product-guide-gmc-vehicles-for-2012-2013-2014-model-years/ I found that article above when I was Googling the 2011 SEMA show that's coming up. Read it and let's discuss here if you agree or disagree with the predictions they made.