ShadowDog

I, for one, am happy they avoided this car.

Wow, I can't take my eyes off the one on the right ... though the effect would probably be rather mute if it weren't for that excellent makeup.

Is that a plastic hood visor? Why do people DO such stupid crap to their cars? Now, look at it after saying the word, "unibrow". Forgeezuscriminie people sure know how to make a car ugly!

Wow...I mean...wow. My wife likes little commuter cars like the Civic hatchback. She would absolutely love this car if it had everything to offer, inside and out. Knowing Hyundai, it'll offer nearly twice as much as Honda for less money. Such rapid growth and gained interest. The way I see it is that going from a laughable car company to one that has been receiving such praise and interest in such an extremely short period of time is abolutely commendable. They're definitely earning market share by doing things right - through their product. Honda and Toyota rely solely on consumer ignorance to product loyalty. Hyundai will back their shit up! Sure, the home-front market has something to worry about; however, I'd love to see Hyundai plant a giant footprint on HonToyo's ass as they shout to "move it or lose it". Go Hyundai!

I'm a 2. We owned two cars, and when my Monte Carlo was smashed we didn't even need another car. We traded in the wife's car for a brand new four-door hatchback because it offered the most practical use for our needs for now, and the near future, all while having the creature comforts one would have to pay extra for in another make. It's mostly about what we just need, because the majority of cars on the road are all merely appliances anyway. Heck, the majority of the time I bike the 2.9 kms to work, and will walk in the winter. Why pay for a vehicle and its insurance when I'll hardly ever drive it anyway? I have better thiings for my money to be spent.

Eh, the Grand Am name is tired and lacking excitement anyway. I wouldn't want to attach the nametag of an old dog on a new puppy. Tempest reminds me of the hum-drum sedans that are currently rusting as their owners 'attempt' to keep them on the road. G6 just fits.

Not too keen on the rear styling over the present. Until I see anything else, there's not much to comment on. Greg Wilson - CanadianDriver For clairy sake, in Europe, the Magnus/Epica is called the Evanda, while in Canada and the U.S., the Magnus/Epica/Evanda is also sold as the Suzuki Verona (Suzuki holds a 14.9-per-cent interest in the new GM Daewoo). The U.S., however, doesn't get the Chevrolet Epica version that Canada does. I guess it could be considered a Daewoo rebadge; however, the cars out of GMDAT really have no official make/model designation by being spread across the global automaker spectrum. Heck, it's styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studios in Turin, Italy. The engine is a weak point for certain. At 2.5 litres, the straight six 155 horsepower @ 5,800 r.p.m. and 177 pound-feet of torque @ 4,000 r.p.m. fails to deliver a competative edge. I don't think anything less than a V6 would do in this car. I think people make the mistake of thinking it's a smaller car. It's size is not unlike the Malibu, and weighs in at nearly 3400 lbs. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, in testing at this year's Car of the Year event, recorded a 0-100 km/h time of 12.3 seconds. Passing from 80 to 120 km/h took a rather leisurely 9.7 seconds. It's been noted that a healthy contributor of the problem is the lazy four-speed transmission. The gas mileage is extremely poor as well. The 3.5 and 3.8 V6 engines fare better - MUCH better. About the only thing the engine has to offer is smooth and quiet operation, aided by the car's good sound suppression. It handles like a Camry, which is to say, it's soft, rolls in corners, and suffers from excessive understeer. The 4-wheel disk brakes seemed to perform well. It's a family commuter for certain, not a sport-sedan; although, they never intended it to be one anyway. For the price, which is not too far from the Malibu, there is a lot missing; however, its standard options list is quite long. At the LS trim level, alongside the Malibu, the Epica also comes with heated mirrors, fog lights, rear disc brakes, eight-way power seat, and a few other creature comforts; as well as a 5 year - 100,000 km powertrain warranty.

The wife melts in my arms when I wear Hugo Boss. At first I had a sample vial over six years ago that I wore on occation. She loved it so much she borrowed my favourite hoodie because it had the scent, so I gave the sample vial to her as well. She reciprocated with a gift set of shaving cream and a full bottle for Christmas. I wear it on occation as something different. Whenever I do, she buries her face in my neck and won't let go of me. To hell with the Axe effect. LOL

Around everywhere I've driven... The J-body coupe Cavalier and, most especially, the Sunfire take top honors. The Civic of various years. I only know of one Grand Am that's driven by a male (and it sounds like it's missing mufflers, but it turns out that's how he likes it :rolleyes: ) otherwise, females drive them here, in every model; however mostly GTs. The building manager, business owner/friend, hairdresser at the salon, wife of a friend...all GTs. Virtually every damned SUV I ever see is driving by a woman, especially Hondas and GMs. For certain the ol' Explorer.

1300+ sq.ft. 3 bedroom apt. - washer, dryer, dishwasher incl. 35' balcony w/ outside walkin storage closet $640 / month CDN with water heating Electricity averages $75 / month (incl. $5.60 for garbage and taxes) From what we've heard from many others, they're the best in the city, and the most expensive. We didn't do a lot of looking when we were moving here, so we lucked out by having extremely pleasant building managers. The neighbors are all fairly up in years, so noise is practically non-existant.

The reason you don't know about other nations contributions is because your national news agencies completely suck. They are more interested in angles for making news than building stories of support and what's being done to help. The focus on the negative aspect has only been to question every motive for how it was being handled. Sure, it could have been better; however, just as it was mentioned by the Red Cross, 'We aren't a search and rescue organization. We provide the necessary means for humanitarian and medical support.' They couldn't go in initially because the National Guard determined there was far too much risk due to the morons out there with guns. I mean, really, hospitals undergoing protective measures against snipers? What the hell reason would a sniper have to shoot at hospital evacuees?! People are so fucking stupid! Anyway...here's some tidbits... http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=014615&tid=001 The volunteers working in Community Services will provide support to the American Red Cross in managing 270 shelters and delivering some 500,000 hot meals each day. Staff Services volunteers help coordinate travel, accommodation, training and other details for the thousands of volunteers deployed to the region. Those people in Organizational Support will work in fundraising, marketing and communications. “We are sending our most experienced and highly trained volunteers to support the largest relief operation in the American Red Cross’ history,” said Don Shropshire, National Director, Disaster Services, Canadian Red Cross. “In the coming weeks we will send at least 100 volunteers to the region, then more as required. It is the most effective way that we can help our counterparts in the US.” http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/main/f.../katrina-en.asp Government of Canada's Response The Government of Canada has responded quickly to this natural disaster.Canada has deployed three Canadian Forces ships and one Canadian Coast Guard ship to the affected region to support relief efforts. The ships will work with the 2nd Fleet, U.S. Navy. * Canada has deployed three Canadian Forces ships and one Canadian Coast Guard ship to the affected region to support relief efforts. The ships will work with the 2nd Fleet, U.S. Navy. * The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Safety, Anne McLellan, has been in contact with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and advised him that Canada stands ready to provide assistance if needed. * Canada's Air Force is sending two CH-146 Griffon helicopters to assist the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in covering the Boston Search and Rescue (SAR) area of responsibility. * Canada is pledging its support through the International Energy Agency (IEA) in response to oil supply shortages in the U.S. Canada will contribute about 91,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the IEA's effort. Which is exactly why Canadian gas prices have gained up to 25% in some places. * Public Health Agency of Canada officials have been in contact with their counterparts at Health and Human Services (HHS) in the United States to offer National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS) supplies to assist in the relief efforts. * A Canadian Forces aircraft has been made available to transport Canadian Red Cross personnel to Texas.

They will be cool in the modern sense. The unfortunate thing is that the aftermarket turns 'cool' into 'trend'...and those tend to last less time because they are generation oriented. I don't know about you, but seeing a guy in his early 20's driving around in something he pieced together and FINALLY painted one complete color (except for the ginomous aluminum wing), thundering down the street with the fart can competing with his four 12" subs can be considered normal; that is, until the guy reaches into his 30's, for which he begins to look like a complete tool. The time-cycle is short, and it is not as big as it used to be. This new Civic may survive intact for a longer period of time just for being the car it hopes to be.

I couldn't find the original, so disragard the caption; however, this was my favourite of my Monte Carlo. Please critique the shot. I like opinions of my images. I pulled out a step ladder to get 'just' a slightly higher angle so the white of the roof would contrast the background. I have other similar shots; however, I can't find them. What I like: -The extreme contrast of color. -The variety of color in the early fall season (and subtle, not too busy) -The lightness of the green grass bringing a focal point to the car on top What I don't like: -The road is distracting. -For this image, I could chop the spruce tree on the left and the pole on the right; however, I wanted some distance off the edges of the bumpers Your thoughts: Another one I love is of the 944 because of the color variation; however, there is too much crap in the background. Had I taken it on the front lawn like I did the Monte Carlo, it would look dead-sexy.

Constant speculation-turned disappointment is what kills the excitement. Until I have heard from the horses mouth, i.e. GM, there is absolutely no eye-widening news to speak of. Marketing for the GMT-900 program deserves all the attention hoped to be gained at this point. Cancelling a RWD program to speed ahead the most profitable and ambitious project, only to announce its revival during the unveiling of said project would be a rather rediculous decision.

I'm on the opposite side of the fence when it comes to the look of the Caprice wagon. To me, it's too bubble-like and round-out bloated. When GM puts one together for themselves, something a little more dramatic would be appreciated.

They've already been adapted for mainstream use. Just take a look at Ashton Kutcher and that behemoth quad-cab monster he drives around and see where success only affords excess. That's part of our problem as a society, that people are unable to let go of the bits and pieces that gets them that much closer to the glory of being elitists. Their obsession continues the demand for what we'll never see leave future cars.

The quality concern was regarding the Forenza. Not much was mentioned regarding the Reno or Verona. It was mentioned they are built in a different plant. The 2.0 Litre DOHC engines (L34) in the Forenza/Optra and Reno/Optra5 are from Holden directly. It doesn't surprise me that Holden has their own to market for themselves now.

Anywhere in Swift Current. The population is over 16,000 people. The average age is 63. In the mall parking lot, people know that others don't give a shit about other people's property. All the cars are parked like random abandonment...over lines, across two spots, sometime over all four. I'm not talking about people wanting to protect their paint job, I'm talking about every day Joe's just stopping where ever. We have our own spot paid for behind the mall for work, otherwise, we park against the lot at the farthest area facing the doors. Nobody parks out there because it takes years to get to the doors with their walkers. Even funnier, the handicapped parking spots tend to be occupied by ignorant lazy assholes and senior citizens whom can actually walk (but don't have any display tags showing they're allowed to park there). I walk and bike to work now anyway. If I can avoid parking where others are nearby, I will.

So how does having Martha Stewart help market the car to a younger target when the people interested in her are becoming the old generation themselves? Martha Stewart does not appeal to me at all; nor my wife, and we're approaching our 30's. I figure someone with a more independant appeal would be a better choice. Everyone I know of in the neighborhood of their 40s are becoming sheeple, conforming to the mindset that if 'I read it in the paper or saw it on the news it must be 100% accurate'. Martha Stewart appeals to these people, and these are the kind typically buying into the foreign car marketing with no clue as to what quality means. GM has some huge leaps to secure their perception of their Buicks if the only way people will buy one is if it scores high in the magazine review articles. I guess Tiger Woods didn't exactly help for the youth movement? Martha will certainly help to keep things looking old and tired.

There will still be a market for trucks; however, their popularity might falter for more practical needs. Mid-sized trucks might soon become more popular choices once more. You certainly see more of them in European and third-world countries. Cars will have only seen a dramatic change in view in the US, as in Canada, the market is already large, and continues to grow. Mid-sized cars like the W-body are likely to be the biggest they'll come, with better technology to bring about weight savings, perhaps finding its way into the sub-3,000 lb. region. Engine efficiency in all aspects is paramount to making the entire process worth it, transmissions would be second. I suppose if enough of a crisis ensued, more people will be inclined to selecting manual transmissions. I won't even touch my view of the sports car arena. RWD and V8s in an area where emphasis is placed on performance will only mean these cars are likely to become an even smaller niche market; or at least, only available as elite-status cars, considering what some will have to pay to fuel and insure them. In the end, I think the biggest change will be with the people themselves. The US is driven by a market of excess that will be the most difficult to change. The odd thing is, during the 70's and 80's, people were mostly concerned about fuel efficiency; whereas, today, people are more concerned only with why the price is so high, and not what can be done to work around the problem. Certainly, requiring less demand on the resource is a huge factor; this means smaller, more efficient and economical vehicles. It's hardly a sacrifice, but a reality, that the days of cheap fuel-and-go SUVs, trucks and vans is coming to an end.

I won't tell you what we paid for the car; however, you're only a grand number shy of the final negotiated price. LOL At any rate, the prizes are donated to the foundation which is also promoting a variety of other fundraisers for their cause through this draw. People tend to donate more than what others pay through the purchase of tickets. Prize offerings go much farther with a $6,000 Sony home entertainment package as one of five or six prizes just in the early bird draw. They're definitely going to be making a lot of money at this fund raiser.

So I found out the details. The lottery license only allows ticket sales in Saskatchewan. The mileage on the car is 126k miles, while the rebuilt 350 has 10k miles on the ticker. It had to be inspected in order to be registered here, and it passed without any concern. Draw takes place December 20th.

I know BC plates anywhere. LOL Nice ride.

Well, one of them might be the fellow whom is typing incoherent ramblings under the cover of Harry's more widely known name; however, the posts seem to do well to accompany the normal incoherent ramblings under his actual name...and he's a meanie. :P

I think I saw at least three cars with #22