Blake Noble

I knew I should have put down some newspaper. Leave it up to you to piss all over the party. That's fine. You're going to have your nose rubbed in it anyway.

Okay, so basically? The "mainstream Commodores" the article mentions are the Omega and Berlina trims, possibly the Calais as well. I would expect to see these models replaced by a Holden-tweaked Chevrolet Malibu that will adopt, if I had to guess, the Omega nameplate. The Chevrolet Zeta will be aligned with the NG Holden Commodore on SWB Zeta II. The Commodore will be reduced down to re-named equivalents of the SV6 and SS trims. I do believe this is what a certain someone's signature has been indicating. If so, the police-spec Caprice will also be replaced by this car here in the States. As for design differences, if we do see any, the rear fascias, door skins, front quarter panels, front fascias, and hoods could be the target areas. The NG Buick Park Avenue and NG Holden Statesman will share the same relationship they share currently, especially regarding luxury content over the short-wheelbase versions. Design changes, if there are any, may be akin to what has been described above. The Cadillac "ZTS" or LWB Hi-Lux Zeta Cadillac will sit above all of these models, having very impressive content in luxury, safety, and performance. No other brand will share in this particular Zeta car.

Hence the use of "I think" in my post.

Forgot about that little bit of info. That's just one of those hiccups where the slightest letter (and punctuation if that's applicable) can change the meaning of an entire sentence. I originally meant to say "help GM's CAFE ratings" but somehow wound up with what you read. I think I originally started to type something else, got distracted, then resumed typing and didn't catch myself. Bingo. At least, that's what I've remembered reading anyway. There's a chance the Avalanche may very well live on. But I would almost bet on the indications that GM will off that particular pair of trucks after the life cycle of the current-gen models ends. Going further, I think they would be citing CAFE reasons and overlap with the crew-cab Silverado/Sierra, should this come to reality.

Well, I can see Loki's initial point. I think. I'm not sure what he started talking about when mentioned dollar bills and stamps, though. FYI, in recent months there has been a counterfeit money issue in my area. People have been taking one dollar bills and forging older designed fives, twenties, and fifties with them. I even believe someone, somehow, managed to convert a one dollar bill into a new twenty dollar bill with some success. The money will pass a marker test. It isn't until you check the watermark you realize that you've been duped.

That's the way things seem to be shaping up. I forgot the Volt, though. Then again, if you haven't heard about that car, you've obviously been living under a rock with your head buried in the sand and your fingers in your ears.

The Camaro did the same thing, actually. The leak wasn't as big as yours sounds, though. I would try something similar to Moltar's suggestion. You could probably avoid using the paint, just wash the undercarriage off, drive it a bit, come back home and see where the oil leak could be coming from. Check all of the common suspect places like the drain plug, oil pan, valve covers, etc., first.

What's the link to Ted's site again? Anyway, this is what it's shaping up to look like. Models in black and in bold are upcoming models. Models in blue and bold are models that have been rumored/hinted at. Models in red and bold have been canceled. Model year of introduction is italicized in each. Notes about each model are to the right of each model name. These lists will be updated as needed. CHEVROLET: 2012 Chevrolet Spark (Replaces current Aveo) 2011 Chevrolet Aveo (Replaces Cobalt) 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (Stepping stone from Aveo to Malibu, hatchback not confirmed for U.S. although people are demanding the car find its way here; other variants pending) 2012 Chevrolet Malibu (All-new, replaces current car) 2013 Chevrolet Impala (Rides on Epsilon 2 LWB) 2012/13 Chevrolet Caprice (Police version confirmed, civilian version rumored) 2011/12 Chevrolet Camaro (Marks the return of the Z/28 with a MCE of a new interior and revised exterior details; Alpha F6 model debuts around the 2013 to 2015 timeframe) 201X Chevrolet Colorado (The global Chevrolet small truck has been rumored to be headed here; will no longer be mid-sized and will probably return to a more S-10 like approach) 2012 Chevrolet Orlando (Canceled for the U.S., will still be introduced for Canada) Other rumors: C7 Corvette shows face for 2012 or 2013, Traverse replaces Tahoe but keeps the Tahoe name, the Silverado and Suburban are revised on the C3XX platform that replaces GMT-900, Avalanche dies after current-gen GMC: 2012 GMC Granite (based on concept car, spiritual successor to HHR and chosen in favor over the Orlando and to help GMC's CAFE scores) 201X GMC Canyon (Fate unknown, could get version of global Chevy truck or be replaced with something car-based) Other rumors: Acadia replaces Yukon, Yukon XL is renamed Yukon, Sierra/Yukon are revised on the C3XX platform BUICK: 2012/13 Buick Verano (Opel Astra-based sedan, 3-door and 5-door versions may be coming but have not been confirmed) 2011 Buick Regal (Has already hit lots; wagon version rumored, GS performance model coming sometime within the upcoming months) 2012/13 Buick Encore (The long-rumored "baby Enclave" will be Delta based) 201X Buick Alpha (Rumored as hear-say; would be a halo and image car for Buick if confirmed) Other rumors: Enclave receives a redo around 2013, Lacrosse may gain a GS version CADILLAC: 2013 Cadillac ATS (Cadilac 3er fighter on rwd Alpha platform) 2012 Cadillac XTS (Replaces DTS, will probably be the last fat-ass, cushy Cadillac) Other rumors: Escalade migrates to the Lambda platform with the other large, short-wheelbase SUVs; ESV carries on while the EXT dies with the Avalanche; ZTS hi-lux, rwd sedan based on a more premium-focused Zeta platform shows face in the future That should have you covered.

Well, we have "reloadable credit cards" these days, which are little more than gift cards that you can use anywhere you want to use them. I don't think there is an age limit here, but then again, I'm not really sure. If there isn't, you can put plastic in the hands of anyone of any age. As for the plastic tied to banks, bankers, and banking accounts, I know of people who got bank accounts at age 16 with ATM cards to go with 'em, not much hassle involved. Me personally, I didn't want to screw around with a bank account. I'm pushing 20 now if you were wondering, so it isn't like I couldn't have gotten one over the past few of years. I've been in and out of work sporadically over the past two years plus. I've never really been damn near broke, though. I've always found a way to earn some cash somehow obviously; I've had a classic car I've been screwing around with. Anyway, it just didn't seem to make much sense to me, and that's also not to say I'm used to having my money in the nearest ATM I know of: my wallet.

I didn't have a bank account until college and that one was opened up for me (loan refunds). I prefer to have my funds available in cold hard cash and within very easy reach. As SAmadei said, you can't negotiate on the price of something using your ATM card. Money comes with something standard: leverage. How? Well, money likes to talk. It's always talking, and it's a pretty loud talker if you didn't notice.

Surprisingly enough, this is one fall where I'm feeling actually positive about things myself. In years past, fall, especially the period of time in late October/early November after my birthday, didn't treat me all that well. Winter used to be just as bad. Not just EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, but a five-foot high Wave of it.

Or have we all come down with a case of Fall Blues? Yes, this includes: -Bickering about the Aveo vs. the Fiesta -Bickering about a rwd Buick vs. a rwd Cadillac -Bickering about a rwd Cadillac in general -Finding some small comment to bicker about regarding all three subjects or some other subject We might as well dust off a thread about Pontiac or Zeta and start bickering about that while we're at it, just to come around full circle. No, this isn't about who is/isn't guilty. That's not the point here. Yeah, I know that Fall means the immanent approach of Winter, but I think we can do better than this.

Sorry for not whistling the "Andy Griffith Show" theme song instead.

I booked The Beatles for your birthday. Of course, they wound up telling me they couldn't show up for whatever reason I don't know, so they just made a video instead. Happy birthday.

LOL @ whoever ranked my post down because I don't agree that our money should blatantly rip off the Euro. I can understand the thinking behind a vertical bill, but the design has to look more original than what I'm seeing and also look distinctly American. The bill I posted is probably the best design they have, bar none. If you want to live in Europe because you really love the design of their paper bills, move there. Sorry, buddy, but America is not Europe Jr. and you know what? I'm 100 percent happy that we're not. Regardless of globalization, regardless of the concept of a global community, each nation is going to retain it's own individuality. You are a damn fool if you think any differently. If you're so willing to have your country lay down its identity, not to mention its pride and its history, only to adopt the identity of another country, nation, or entity, you have no concept of Patriotism nor any understanding of what your country was founded upon. Freedom or GTFO. /rant

That design is actually pretty cool. Fresh but somehow familiar. As for those Euro-inspired designs ... those can suck my balls.

Don't sweat it Camino. Do you have an old set of headphones that work? The first minute of the first track uses the Shepard tone, auditory illusion, to set the mood of the song. I will say that the imagery used in both tracks isn't unlike what Throbbing Gristle used.

Waxy.

lol guess there was too much WTF.

I collaborated with a friend on two songs recently while I try to figure out what I'm going to do about my home studio dilemma. We tracked down a bunch of loops, chopped them up, threw them back together, added a touch of WTF, and came up with what you hear here: http://0023916.bandcamp.com/ Not totally original, I don't think. Well, about as original as an art collage, which is to say there is originality in how things are used. We made due with what we had. It isn't completely boring, though, like some of the stuff you hear coming from people who a.) can't properly arrange music and b.) don't understand anything at all about theory and c.) can only use pre-made samples and not even attempt to manipulate them at all. I'll be completely honest, both tracks slightly scared the shit out of me when I popped them into a CD player, an end result I didn't expect at all. The bass is a little overbearing at times, though, and I'm not completely sure if I like that. Anyway, let me know if you like it, hate it, or whatever. It's simply here to get a reaction out of you.

Agreed on the "vintage" style Dr. Pepper. I can stand to drink the regular stuff, but again, the sugar version is the clear winner. I've always liked MD Throwback. Current MD is way too sweet for me. I usually stay away from the regular stuff until they release various special flavors for the summer months. Also, I've despised Sierra Mist until tonight. Picked up a case of Sierra Mist Natural:

God, I HATE dubstep.

The fact remains: products with real cane sugar versus HFCS simply taste better. Always have been. Always will.

Call it a hunch, but I think the underlying code may be from a (the) shift solenoid(s). I know this was actually the big issue with Chrysler transmissions, not that they weren't built as sturdy as transmission Y from brand X, it's just the shift solenoids were junk. You said it would shift rough and relent to change gear, right? That's what has me thinking down this particular path. It's strange that they would shit the bed after only 28,000 miles, but then again this is an 11 year-old car we're talking about that has been infrequently driven over the years. But ... I can barely work on my Camaro, so you may not want to listen to me. EDIT: Well, I'm a little stumped as to what may be causing the transmission to "whine" other than a flywheel issue ... maybe an issue with the chain drive between the tranny and differential? Hmmm ... If you really want it, take it to a transmission shop and see what the problem is before you buy it. Either way, it isn't like you're replacing the whole transmission, regardless if DF's right or if I'm right. As always, with either outcome, change out the transmission fluid when you have it repaired. I'm scouring Craigslist for something to trade my money pit to constantly when I'm not doing assignments, so I'll continue to keep an eye out for you when I'm looking around. Could you tell me some more specifics, though, so I'll know exactly what to keep an eye out for? So far, I know that you guys: Would prefer a low-mileage car Would prefer the car to be reliable Would not prefer anything rear-wheel drive Would not prefer anything with a V-8 Would not prefer a car with a manual (wow, how drab is this list? lol j/k) Would prefer a late model car That's little vague, so fill in some blanks for me, and the rest of us, BV.