Robert Hall

Little things I appreciate about my daily driver ('00 Grand Cherokee): -Automatic headlamps -Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror -Full gauges -Keyless remote entry -A well-placed, wide center armrest -Good cupholders (I'd like to have heated/chilled/lighted ones) -stereo / CD changer controls on the steering wheel -well done stalk controls (lights/wipers/etc) -heated seats -heated outside mirrors -homelink

Just replace each different color with a different shade of gray, then it will look like a typical Chevy interior.

The wording of this press release is beyond stupid..how can a truck 'present' a concert tour or be in a partnership????? Of course, Toyota isn't alone in such stupidity-- Honda and GM among others have done it before.. A lot of marketing nonsense.. ----------------------------------------------------------- Toyota Tundra to Present Two Year Brooks & Dunn Concert Tour: The Long Haul Tour Wednesday May 3, 12:00 pm ET Automaker Continues Commitment to American Heartland with 2006-2008 Presenting Sponsorship of Prolific Country Music Duo NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2006--Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. and top selling country music superstars Brooks & Dunn today announced a partnership with Toyota Tundra for the remainder of 2006, through 2008. Toyota Tundra was unveiled as the official presenting sponsor of the upcoming Brooks & Dunn 2006 concert tour titled, The Long Haul Tour, a seamless reference to the band's unwavering tour schedule and Tundra's proven longevity and payload. ADVERTISEMENT "Brooks & Dunn's music captures the Toyota Tundra truck-driving lifestyle and digs deep into the roots of American life," said Steve Jett, National Truck Advertising and Engagement Marketing Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Just as Brooks & Dunn have set the benchmark for excellence in country music, the award-winning Tundra is setting the benchmark for full-size pickups. We're excited to join Brooks & Dunn on the road for The Long Haul Tour and to bring the only full-size pickup exclusively built in America to their fans." Today's announcement was made by the multi-platinum duo at an intimate gathering of 125 fans and Nashville music industry elite. Brooks & Dunn surprised everyone in attendance; treating guests to a rare performance live from The Barn, at Dunn's Nashville home. "We've worked long and hard, over the years, to build a brand that exemplifies the fulfillment of the American dream," said Ronnie Dunn. "We want our fans to be able to depend on us for comfort through the tough stuff. We hope that they will drag us along for the party! The road has been a tough, uphill climb. We fought with everything that we had not to be a flash in the pan... we're in it for the long haul." The tour marks Toyota's first foray into the country music genre, part of its ongoing commitment to bring 70 years of truck-making and the best full-size pickup on the market to the American heartland. "Big trucks and country music have always had a partnership," said Kix Brooks. "Toyota has developed a reputation for dependability that is second to none. At this point in our career we are very careful about who we hook up with -- hooking our trailer to a Toyota hitch gives me a feeling that we'll make it to the end of the road. It's going to be a long haul and it's going to be a good one." The Long Haul Tour presented by Toyota Tundra will kick off May 12 in Charlotte, NC. Critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter-guitarist Jack Ingram, who recently acquired his first Top 5 hit, "Wherever You Are," and Double-Platinum selling group Sugarland, winner of Best New Artist at the American Music Awards, were announced as the opening acts for the upcoming Brooks & Dunn tour. "The Long Haul Tour creates an incredible match with Toyota Tundra and Brooks & Dunn, both standard-bearers for all-American excellence," said Joe Galante, Chairman, Sony BMG Nashville. "It's a perfect match of road warriors, as The Long Haul Tour pairs the rock-solid Toyota Tundra with one of country's most consistently dynamic concert draws, multi-million selling superstars, Brooks & Dunn." Fans and guests in attendance today got a rare sneak preview of the 2007 new generation Toyota Tundra, recently introduced to critical acclaim at the Chicago Auto Show. The new Tundra is completely redesigned. Toyota's engineers spent countless hours working with, and watching, true truck owners and their vehicles. It features new body and engine configurations, quick easy access to the truck bed and a tailgate that can be opened and closed with just two fingers. Robust dampers on the hinges have been added to help cushion the tailgate when opening and also help reduce bouncing when driving with the tailgate down. Large door handles, inside and out, easy-to-turn HVAC knobs, and adjustable headrests, allow drivers and passengers to ride to their next work site without having to remove protective gear such as hardhats or gloves. The new Tundra also has the ability to tow over 10,000 pounds with every major component brawny and designed for maximum strength, durability and reliability over the long haul. The Tundra will arrive in dealer showrooms in early 2007. About Toyota Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1,422 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics, motorsports and general aviation. The company's main Web site is http://www.toyota.com.

I read somewhere the floorplan was strictly a set...the real house didn't have the same layout....it was used for exteriors only. I think those two photos are probably of the same house, 30+ years apart..isn't it in some LA suburb?

The 'burban is a beautiful big beast, isn't it? I like that dark blue.. now if they'd only offer a Z06 package (500hp 6.0 V8, IRS, 6-spd manual..

The SRT4 is fast, definitely..I never cared for the look, though...with the scoop, big wing etc it looks too much like a teenager's go-fast toy.. (which is fine if you are 18, but at 35, it wouldn't work for me..) The RSX was ok, just not my thing..I really like the TL, though, even though it is FWD.

Then again, the LaCrosse's immediate predecessor (Century/Regal) had an 8 yr run with the W-body and minimal changes...

I like 'pompous dink'... haven't heard that one, though I've heard my demographic referred to as 'yuppie DINKs' (dual income, no kids).

That's pretty weak..I'm getting 900 minutes for $59.99 with Verizon.

'00 Jeep Grand Cherokee--72k '96 BMW M3- 55k '87 Ford Mustang GT- 63k g/f's cars: '02 BMW 330Ci - 35k '99 Jeep Wrangler- 45k

I saw one for the first time in LA last weekend, along with my first Caliber sighting (my immediate thought was that the rear end design looked like a small version of the Range Rover Sport), and my first BLS sighting.

I don't mind a hood prop. At least you don't have the problem of how to keep the hood open when the struts fail. I had to keep the hood open with my head on my Jeep when the struts failed until I could get them replaced.. (though I almost never open my hood except to periodically check the oil, trans. fluid, washer fluid, brake fluid).

Same numbers as my Grand Cherokee w/ the 4.0L 6.

Hmm...interesting..first time I can think of where the GM full size trucks and SUVs didn't have the same dash design within the same generation. Doesn't look as nice as the Tahoe, IMHO...looks too utilitarian.. Hopefully, the 'professional grade' GMCs will be more upscale and less gray plastic inside..

Interesing..I don't think I've seen a DTS convertible..I have seen a '90s Eldorado conv. (very nice) and a Coupe de Ville convertible made from around a 1990 CDV.. Speaking of unusual Cadillacs, I saw a BLS with Michigan mfgr plates on the 405 freeway in Orange County this past Saturday... looked pretty good in person.

The VQ is the V6 in the Maxima, 350Z, etc? I had a 350Z rental last week and the one thing I really didn't like was the sound on startup..I don't know if it is the ignition or the engine, but it didn't sound good...otherwise, very smooth..

I think I've only seen one Lincoln Blackwood. Maybe 3 Envoy XUVs. 2 Ferrari F430s so far (incl. one this past weekend). 2 Rolls Royce Phantoms (incl. one this past weekend). 2 Mercedes SLRs. 1 Porsche Carrera GT. 2 Enzos.(incl. one this past weekend). 3 Ford GTs (2 at new car shows) 2 Alfa GTs (the current model) 1 Caddy BLS (this past weekend) As far as oldies go, these come to mind: I don't think I've ever seen a '59 or '60 Caddy Fleetwood Brougham in person, though I've seen one '57 (stainless steel roof, suicide doors, etc). 1 '69 Charger 500, at a classic car show I think I've only seen 1 '61 Olds 98 4-window 4dr ht w/ the wraparound back glass.

Hmmm..I don't think that a car is widely used as a taxi is much of an endorsement..I certainly wouldn't want to drive a car that is known for being used as a cab!

The Stratus and Caravan are the only ones I can think of currently that would be 'badge jobs', though the Stratus sedan has a unique fascia and headlights (I don't know about the metal) from the Sebring sedan.. The Sprinter is also, but since the M-B version isn't sold here, it's less noticable.. Back from the mid-70s to the mid-90ss, pretty much anything Dodge and Plymouth (and Chrysler to a degree) were really badge engineered with each other with only trivial differences....

I hope they replaced the Chevy badge on the steering wheel with a Pontiac badge...

For the record, I produced both the echo fart (in a mausoleum, no less), a few teflon farts (on an airplane), and a mild shart this past weekend.

Been there, done that... the 'double ended firehose'---nausea + diarreha...happened to me once, couldn't make it to the toilet or sink, went all over the bathroom wall and a magazine rack..quite the mess to clean up..

I try and avoid public farting as it's uncooth and unprofessional...but, sometimes you can't avoid one... I once let loose with an explosively loud one after holding it when I thought I was alone on a dock, but there were two tourists directly behind me...they went back about 20 feet in a few seconds.. Underwater farts in the pool or tub are fun.. I've been plagued by sharts at innoportune times..I let some in an elevator once, and while riding a gondola, while driving in cold weather w/ the seat heater on (melty poo).. unfortunately, sharts can be a prelude to something much, much worse---firehose diarreha... when you really, really hope those car seats are Scotchgarded..

Whatever...the '08 CTS is just talk at this point..just a 4dr again...this is a coupe. Unfortunately, GM has nothing remotely competitive with the 3 series coupe at it's price point.. I like the back end a lot, much nicer than the 4dr 3-series..

Did anyone notice the new Honda Fit print ads? Kind of strange, with cartoon pics and odd phrasing like 'Greetings, humans!'. With the tag line 'Fit is go!'.