caddycruiser

Musta changed her mind. I zoomed back to DE tonight after work to pack up furniture, and when I pulled in I saw a white plate with a sheltie on it on the front of the Terrain...and her vanity plate (shouldn't be yet, per Jersey) on the back...with the darn "Chevrolet...CAMARO" trim ring still around it. Inquired about that one, to no avail. Looks nice, I like it. I've not been up close to one yet until now, and really do like it in silver. I'd ditch the sheltie plate, but it's her deal.

If it weren't for the garnet interior we might have to fight to the death... No likey the red? My favorite feature of the '93, especially vs. so many others later that only came with the dark burgundy interior. After 8 years, the car needs some work but nothing extraordinary for a 18 year old ride... Back to the Terrain, someone is going to have to figure out how to drill out the front bracket rivets and plug the holes. Did the same on her Malibu & my G6, and she's expecting the same on this one. Hmm.

Got a later night text. Someone is outside tinkering and was just astounded when she opened the center console in the dark, there's some sort of a light inside to light it up. From her Malibu to Camaro to Terrain, it seems like this little boxlet has the most intriguing and thoughtful array of features throughout.

If only. I can't believe it's nearly 8 years since dad bought it, wow. I still am getting emails about my '95, wanting to buy it, as apparently there is an ad somewhere I can't find, that I put up long ago. Memories. Wondering what this Terrain is really like. Mystery to me.

Surprise. Family vehicle change again. I'm no longer around to see them happen, except for my own, but a picture texted today said it all. Mom. Camaro. Loved it. 14 months old with 11900 miles. Couldn't drive in snow, worried her, freaked out multiple times, but loved it and drove like a banshee. Ever since I told her "drive it hard", she would, carefully. Weekly was freaking out about going to the store and not having space, going to work in snow and having to borrow the Subie, going anywhere with dogs and taking Subie, etc. Really, a workable situation, but apparently it pained her to let it sit those times. Really, the space/functionality issue got to her, even if it was a blast. Wanted a Hyundai Tucson, because she "saw one". Repeatedly. I half sold her a CX-9, then a CX-7, but backed out. It died off, then she wanted a Santa Fe, again by seeing one. I demanded she go see our friend at the GM dealer when I was away, to see a Regal or Lacrosse. Did, but looked at Equinoxes & Terrains instead. Drove a 4-cyl Equinox LT, "no way". Liked the car, not the power/sound. Drove a V6 Terrain SLE, and "huge difference". Dandy. Wanted AWD, V6, leather, etc of course. Located, priced, didn't like pricing. Pondered. Equinox was her choice, Terrain I wasn't sure. I made a call to my salesman at Pointe Buick GMC in Penns Grove, NJ again (where my G8 originated), told him what she wanted, and boom he had it done, dealer traded a Terrain and sold at a hugely better deal than local would even consider. Their loss again. She never left home, and they delivered it to her at work today. Got a 2011 Terrain SLT-1 AWD in Quicksilver with Jet Black leather, and 3.0L V6. No other options. Aside from the front plate bracket she loathes (to be worked on), because of the other Jersey dealer it originated from, seems to enjoy it. "Smooth, quiet, comfortable. Huge inside." No Camaro, but alas. Texted me this late today: She didn't like the Terrain when I first suggested it, and I had to ponder the look, but was thrilled to get it and I think will like the techier block look. I've never even been in a new Theta yet...oddly. Wondering how the 3.0L with AWD will be, as the mileage ratings stink, but owners mostly seem to enjoy after some updates and break in. Now spring, AWD will probably never kick in, hah...but it can if needed, which she wanted. And around the world again it goes. GM wins again.

I registered for Sunday as well, a week or so ago. Have always wanted to go to one of these.

And on that note, there's another surprise in the family coming soon to these pages...of course right at the same time. Stay tuned... You and your surprises! Be glad I'm a patient person It is car related...not me this time, but...stay tuned. Great first day at Acura today. So nice being in a normal world with proper productivity, people and Philly. Cars are cool, too. New manager I am, and shall enjoy.

A new design Porsche Cayenne, temp tags. I see so many "old" ones, a new one was very apparent. Dual rear axle Escalade limo. Strange.

All went well today. Moved with basics, but the CX-9 was packed floor to ceiling and looked fine but I had to account for some extra sway in the back. I am officially a PA resident again. No furniture, well, until I HAD to go buy a single stool. Comcast was here before I was, and set up flawlessly. Gas got here too but wasn't sure what to do, aside from a meter not reading, or something, and I wasn't sure where those were in the building. Asked about my gas fireplace, he spent 15 minutes working on it to seemingly no avail. Walked to a cafe next door for a great burger, and then off to some junk shopping. Still missing a fob for the garage door but I can get in. Tight, but how often do you get garage in the city? Loving the place, and the street is quiet. Met neighbors and one was already over to fix my fireplace and started cleaning the stainless steel appliances...I could get used to such overachievers next door. Tomorrow...silver beaks here I come...Acura time. Having been off work for all of February, it shall be fun. Now, if only I could figure out the best of 53 possible ways to commute.

Wake up. Turn on morning TV. You'll start with Charlie Sheen, then the next co-host will flip to Muammar Gadhafi. Priorities? Hilarious.

And on that note, there's another surprise in the family coming soon to these pages...of course right at the same time. Stay tuned... Thanks! I packed a suitcase for clothes, still seeming vacation like. Aside from starting a new job on Thursday morning, it kind of feels that way.

Tomorrow is the day. It creeped up on me badly. Packed, but only starting this afternoon...oh boy. Moving into a huge new apartment with a futon cushion as my only piece of furniture for 4 days. Haha. The CX-9 is packed to the roof already, and roomie owns all the real furniture...so, indian style on the floor, then roll over onto my cushion to sleep. Back to Delaware Saturday night to move real stuff on Sunday. Last minute express, coming through. Toot toot. More importantly, at least I washed the car today. Of course. Philly. Sunshine. 50's. Cheers. More cheers as long as Comcast & PGW gas are on perfect timing tomorrow...

Quadrasteer Suburban at the bank. Sweet. Love these things.

Yeah. Especially THAT car. A car all about torsional rigidity and lightweight

With the exception being, after those lease term miles, how would the repair list start to look, vs. a Ford, that is. These are interesting. Really so as a Bluetec diesel or the ultra "whoa" R63 AMG version.

New black '11 Durango at the Rehoboth Beach Outlets. Parked out front. As I drove by, a random guy had pulled up behind & got out to "circle" it, staring. I watched as I sat at a red light out front. They're very large in person, and attractive, but not "wow...new...look..." to me. Nice, regardless. New JGC's are everywhere now, hopefully these do the same for those that want more space.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Took a picture or two and need to get a short snippet of a review up. Felt like it had a lazier rear axle, probably whatever is standard for fuel economy, but the 5.0L with revised 6-spd programming was SO much smoother and more responsive than the 5.4L/6-spd before it. And being an F-150, felt more solid than anything out there. Perfect for city streets, in other words, and could bash through it all without making a tick. Sync, a few more options and a power driver's seat would have been necessary additions, however. Trying to figure out what I need to rent now for moving...hmm...

Pearl white '11 Acura TSX wagon cruising down Rt. 1 in Lewes, dirty and with fresh PA temp tags from Philly. 2nd one I've seen, the other a carbon copy with temp tags when I was in Philly. Like 'em...the wagon back makes the car look quite large. Same day, 2 brand new RDX's as well...the smaller crossover I hadn't seen many of for quite a while. Interesting looker.

Eagle One makes a lot of really great stuff, especially in the specialty variety. Their Scratch Remover in a little tin is the absolute best I've ever used. Nice supply...wow! Clearance is the best...

All set! Shocking, still, at this point... Will be living in a cool new building with parking underneath (1 car, with fob for the door...I get that in exchange for taking the smaller bedroom), huge space with high end appliances, etc. and nice roomy streets in East Falls. Went back & forth between Manayunk & East Falls, love both, but the latter won out in the end both for location, quiet, space, and places available. Can't wait. Now...in the course of a week, I need to pack, move, pick through roommate's full array of furniture, and get to work with Acura mid next week...

New Jetta's everywhere, in every trim, in all variations of filth. Ice Blue Cruze 1LT (same one I sat in months back at the local dealer) pulling out of the development across from mine as I drove past. Nice looking little ride, old guy driver followed me to the drug store. Cruze's too...actually, more and more of them everywhere.

Perfect bright red with white top/interior '68/69 Charger in Milford, DE pulling out onto the highway from a back road, as I was cruising north to Philly last Tuesday. Mopars of this vintage always catch my eye, as there have been so many in the family.

PERFECT review of why this is a great package. Price is one thing, but the true use, comfort, capability, etc. of a vehicle are another. The fact you can get a Camaro, CTS, etc., etc. for the same $$ means nothing, but useless "so?". I want to drive one. Cool tech. Real world useful.

This was the best ending Thursday to a show I've ever seen...in all the wrong but great ways. Great TV.

See, but here is an example of why GMC stayed around and didn't get cut. They're not massively different from other marques, but the GMC customer base and attraction to GMC branded vehicles vs. others is HUGE. People crave the word Denali like no other, and even below that, they love the styling, naming, etc. of the vehicles. The Equinox bores Terrain lovers. The Traverse and Enclave simply don't click in the same way the Acadia does for so many. To some it's too many lines off the same ingredients, but the sales numbers don't lie. And the money it makes for GM pays for any differentiation costs & then some. The Acadia is day after day, year after year near or at the top, only knocked off by the even more mass market Traverse. There's a difference between them you can't deny, and especially Buick vs. GMC--near polar opposites in buyer's minds, and very few do more than test drive each. The swoopy lines, wood, etc. of the Enclave do not appeal to the crisper, more tech grade and luxurious Acadia. It's an interesting news clippet...some "okay, but..." but I hope nothing is firm. Especially then when it comes to making the Acadia smaller and effectively replacing the Terrain that's now so recognized and a sales all star, you'd have one awkward "here, we combined...you get the smaller one...with the old bigger one's name". That doesn't work.