The O.C.

I'm wondering.....when you guys argue over something.....does SHE bring up the past baggage? Perhaps she does to cloud the very issue you are trying to discuss with her at that time because she doesn't want to deal with it....

Well, I certainly can't claim to know you or your GF, but I would not take that as a good sign. Perhaps she needs a little kick-in-the-ass.....start planning a separation from her. Start moving on with your life. She'll either snap to, or she'll let you go....eh?? I know it's "easy" for me to say.....and tough for you to do in real life.....but man I'm getting pissed for you just sitting here and thinking about how she is treating you.....and just making such light of your feelings.....

We have a legislature in this state that unfortunately doesn't represent what the vast majority of this state believes in. However, thanks to the defeat of the recent proposition on term limits (the prop actually lengthened the terms of numerous unpopular scumbag legistlators) there are a vast majority of the state legislators that are termed out after the end of this term. Do you think ANYONE in this state truly LIKES Nancy Pelosi...? LOL The Hybrid craze may have taken off in this state but look at what else sells here......SUVs....trucks.....high-end imported machinery......the vast populace is voting with their consumer dollars.....and it's certainly not the trend of a state population that supports a 44mpg fleet average..... But alas politicians will probably never end up succumbing to the lobbyists and special interests. That's something we'll never change....no matter who's voted in.

Ironically bud....I have to disagree. I've never been a Cobalt interior fan.....but even Cobalt has a nicer finish inside. ChryCo's latest interiors have been so bad, it's unbelievable. The LXs have been fine....and the Journey certainly looks promising. But outside of that, they've been nasty in a way I haven't seen in a LONG time.

I don't think so. 3er and 5er have moved to the 6-speed auto, I believe a ZF unit.

I think, even with the weaker 1.8L engine, I'd still take an Astra XR 3-door over a Cobalt Sport (former SS) Coupe. There's really not alot anymore to compete with it. I like the Rabbit and it's torquey 2.5L engine (yes I've driven it) and I think if I was to buy something like this, it would be a close race between a Rabbit and the Astra 3-door. Civic Si would appeal to me.....but you are moving up in price a bit.....you can get a well-equipped (fully-loaded?) stick-shift Rabbit or Astra for around $20K. I fell in love with the '02 Focus SVT that I had for about a year.....and would love to see a spiritual replacement for it. GTIs are close to the mark, but a bit too expensive now to compete in that "affordable" hot-hatch class. (edit: Actually if you are deft with your utilization of VW's "build to own" you can build a Rabbit with the 170hp 2.5L engine, 5-speed manual, and hot-looking 18-inch wheels and tires with a not-overly-cheesy optional bodykit. It's not a bad alternative.)

Damn......I guess my dream for a 335i Coupe might be put on the backburner...... This car will be HOT...! I just wish it didn't weigh as much.....so the power from the DI V6 would be as sparkling as the power from the BMW TT I6 and the Audi V8.......

Reg....don't get me started......

I had a Caliber rental.....and thought it drove pretty nice. Even didn't mind the engine and CVT that much. BUT....the interior is horrific and I just can't get over the styling/proportions. Would never buy one.

They did. I'm not sure if they still use any now, but I know our '05 X5 V8 used a GM 5-speed auto. The revised '06 X5 V8, however, replaced that with a BMW 6-speed auto.

You've hit the proverbial nail-on-the-head. Plus, look at today's cars and trucks. Wildly better-performing than anything in the last 20-30 years, while getting as good or, more times than not, better fuel economy.....all the while utilizing much-cleaner powertrains. A Malibu with a V6 engine (not to mention the Camry, Accord, Altima V6s) will outrun easily many of the top (edit....re: mainstream) "performance" cars of the last 3 decades.....while still achieving fuel economy as good or better than their predecessors (that 20 years ago went 0-60 in around 3-4 seconds slower....with similar or even worse fuel economy over what we get today.) I also was just reading the MT comparo on full-size sport utilities. Now no one can claim these beasts are fuel-efficient.....but I was astonished at the new Sequoia. 0-60 in a sports-car-rivaling 6.2 secs.....while averaging 13-14mpg......about what a full-size SUV of 20 years ago would average....with far less power, torque, refinement, towing ability, etc.....

Well, here in SoCal, we've had what I can best describe as a more "normal" winter. Usually we get periods of rain from the end of November through May. Last year, we almost didn't get a drop of rain. This year, it's been more typical. We'll have a week or so of on-and-off rain, then followed usually by a week of paradise.....sunny skies, temps in the late-60's at the coast to mid-80s a bit more inland. This last week, it has been glorious......even where I live, a scant 3 miles inland from the beach.....we've had constant sunshine and 3-4 days of mid-80's weather. Funny thing is....even with those warm daytime temps, we still get down to the mid-40's at night. Forecast is for more sunny weather through the weekend....then we'll probably get our next stretch of cooler temps and rain. A funny thing here is the micro-climates we get. I can remember a few weeks ago, during one of our stetches of rain, all the newscasts were talking about wide-ranging rainstorms. However, here in south O.C., we had 2-3 days of bright, sunny weather. However, when I drove about 30miles north towards L.A. to about the Long Beach city limits, all of a sudden the skys darkened and the weather changed dramatically. Got home, sunshine again. Wierd watching NBC news and them showing scenes around L.A. with all the rain and the traffic clogged delays due to weather....and looking out of my windows (45mins south of downtown L.A.) and seeing nothing but blue skies....

.....is he good in the sack?

OMG....you're GAY....? I NEVER KNEW! I have a whole new appreciation for you 'BIZ....!!!!!! Seriously though.....you are right. You just KNOW. That's how I feel with Joe. All my friends are very skeptical, but most of them have not even met him yet. I know it's just because they love me...and don't want to see me hurt again. And I understand where they are coming from. But somehow, someway, I just KNOW.....that it's right with him. Even I have my own slight doubts.....(who wouldn't when you've been in a long-distance relationship) But somehow my doubts are overshadowed by the feeling that things happen for a reason. And if he and I are truly meant to be together, then things will happen for the right reason. The other day I was asking myself...."Why do I love Joe?" And I couldn't really come up with a statistical answer. Sure I could wax on all about how attracted I am to him.....how cute he is....how great the sex is.....how he is caring and loving towards me.....but those all really aren't reasons for love. All I know is.....that deep inside my heart.....I have these true feelings of fondness, caring, and yes love. I've been in true love before.....on only a few occasions.....and I know what love feels like apart from simple attraction or lust....and it's wildly different.

You know what Dr. Laura would say...... You deserve to be happy just as much as she does. And if you're not happy, then maybe it's time to sit her down and be candid with her about how you are feeling, and more importantly, how her actions towards you, and towards her family, are impacting you. The discussion doesn't have to be confrontational, just truthful. THEN, you will really know where this is going based upon HER actions. (Plus it gives her an opportunity to provide YOU feedback if such is warranted.) My suggestion is.....don't wait the six months. Do it now.

A-men on the separate finances thing..... As far as comparing him to my ex, well, there IS no comparing him to my ex. He's so much more rounded....and grounded....he's the type of guy I should have been with in the first place. I'm looking forward to us continuing to grow together.....getting to know each other even more....and all of those wonderful things that a relationship is all about. I'm smart enough to know that nothing is a utopia, and you always are going to be working hard to strengthen the relationship....and I welcome that...!

I'm definitely going to try.......

What's up?

I think it may have potential. My parents are looking at a luxury crossover to replace their old Regal GS. I finally, I think, got them off the Lexus RX bandwagon. They've seen the new Enclave and actually like it.....however.....my folks are still thinking it's too big for their needs. They don't need three rows of seating, but they would like something that sits a bit higher up....and that they can haul some stuff in. A smaller, 5-seat "Enclave" would be perfect for them.

The RL is so boring......we haven't even posted about it in this thread for....how many posts? LOL

I just think that there are a ton of people out there that really couldn't care less what they drive....to them, it's just transportation. While you or I would gravitate towards the 3 or Civic, there are hundreds of thousands that will be simply satisfied with the Corolla. I've never had a bad experience with a Corolla....it's certainly not exciting.....but any of the rentals I had "got the job done" and were comfortable with decent appointments. But that was it....

Very insightful, and I appreciate it....! You and I are on the same boat.....and I totally agree with your suggestions. My ex and I moved in together too early......and it was a disaster......too early not in time, but too early in the level of maturity of our relationship. To be honest, I can tell you that I was not as committed emotionally with my ex as I am with Joe. I think that in and of itself makes a HUGE difference. Plus, he moved from Seattle to be with me....he didn't want me to continue my own life....and I didn't understand the huge emotional toll of his decision to move for me. It was me that learned alot from that relationship.....alot about myself....and alot about what I need to bring to a relationship. (The ex and I are good friends to this day.....the relationship wasn't all bad....) Needless to say, I'll be going into it with a MUCH clearer head this time. I have to say.....I'm still giddy every time I see him......I still get butterflies. I never had butterflies with my ex....! I know people aren't perfect, but with him it really seems like he's what I've always dreamed about.....

Buickman. WOW. Brings back many memorable C&G memories...... <ugh>

Oh poor Croc....you need to go back to GM school......the Skyhawk was a <gasp> J-body....! (ooops....OCN beat me to it.) J-cars could be good in the right iteration. I always liked the interior in the Skyhawk (and Firenza) WAY better than the Cavalier/J2000/Cimarron interior. The Skyhawk had a great gauge cluster under an instrument hood, the dash top was a plastic-stitched leather-like soft plastic, and the seats were more supportive/more plush. Plus, my car with the "T" package had that great, thick, 3-spoke sport steering wheel Buick offered.....and the hidden headlamps....and charcoal-blacked out taillamps. The only bad thing was.....if you ordered the standard 5-speed manual, you couldn't get any power accessories. You could order the "T" package with all it's suspension/tires/styling goodies....but nothing else. So my car was a stripper (but did have A/C) with no pw, no pl, no cruise.

I'll definitely watch for it......coolio.....