The Lounge

So, my car insurance for this term went up $234... that's for 6 months. Two accidents with the Sierra and two speeding tickets will take a toll, I understand that. Still, it seemed a huge penalty, especially with loyalty discounts I was given. As the spokesmodel went over all my information, she asked me to verify that I am RENTING my home. When I informed her I own my home, suddenly my car insurance premium went back down $45! And they are sending me a refund for the last term of $28, for being a homeowner. I have used the same agent since I moved to PA in 2003... I have my homeowner's insurance and car insurance through the same agent, different companies. I …

A friend of mine that I have known for 30 years talked to me on the phone tonight. He and I shoot pool all the time when we get together. Anyway, we tells me he has been going to a new place to shoot pool, which he thoroughly enjoys. Turns out it is a strip joint. He tells me he shoots pool for a while then gets a table dance. He's been going once a week for a while now. He tells me that a stripper pulled him aside, and gave him her number and said she wanted to get with him outside the club. Now thats a first. I need to check this out when I go to visit him next month. There's more to the story, but I will leave that off here in the interest of keeping it clea…

Remind me never to live in Virginia...'ol TJ (Thomas Jefferson) is probably shaking his head right now. And their speed limit on interstate highways is only 55! Talk about torture! http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1818.asp

-Variance August 3, 2007 Due to there being nothing new to write about, this month there won't be a Registry Rundown. This tends to happen as we gathered from the last edition. Hopefully, there will be something for the September edition. Thanks for understanding.

We had to put our elderly Westie to sleep today, 14 yrs old. She was a great companion. Lost 4 dogs in 2 years due to old age and health issues.

Chevy - Chevelle Olds - 442 Pontiac - GTO GMC - Jimmy Buick - Regal Saturn - VUE Saab - 9-3 Cadillac - SeVille

We'll I am as of today joining the 9 million plus that are now unemployed. Only 2 weeks ago they company talked about how our new product division is so strong and great and boom, the upper mgmt shows up today flying in from San Jose to Seattle and immediatly pulls us all into a team meeting and informs us that under the new organization they will be closing down this engineering site. Each of us got a compensation package and the day to clean out our offices. So much for thinking our long hours and new products what securing our jobs through this depression. :nono: :nono:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/57-Chevy-Ca...1QQcmdZViewItem

Total THIS!

So in the upcoming month I have to renew my license plate, and I was thinking about getting a vanity plate for the TA. Here are a few that I like and are available... Let me know what you think about these, or if you have any suggestions Why Try? Sorry Officer In Trouble Need Bail Got Torque? Bad F'N TA

inevitably every forum has a thread like this...i searched and couldnt find one on here so im gonna break the ice... heres mine got it st patricks day of this year...eventually i hope to add onto it with a gaelic phrase meaning "the hand that gives is the hand that gets" around it in a circle eventually i may go with something like this

I got myself out of bed early Wednesday morning to get a haircut before work. I got to the barber shop, noted the people ahead of me (couple of middle-aged guys, an older gentleman and his grandson, about 5-8 years old), and plopped down in a chair to "rest my eyes". Within minutes, the TV blared a promo for the new movie, "Cars". My ears perked slightly, in part because I'm eager to see this movie. The promo ended, and I went back to "resting my eyes", though not for long. Within seconds, a voice piped up: "That movie doesn't look good." Suddenly, my dreary eyes were not so dreary anymore. I looked at the young kid who had just uttered those words. While my mind…

I'm driving home after lunch and realize that my odometer is about to roll over to an even number (you know, ending at ,000)...but it wasn't quite there. So, I didn't pull into the driveway and instead drove around the neighborhood a little more to make it get to that "magic number." I find that I've done this more than once, among other weird quirks. Do you do this kind of crap with your car? Or, do you have other weird quirks you care to share?

... with the full-size Blazer and 2-door Tahoe have gotten me wondering. I wonder how long I can tap the used market for the great stuff GM no longer builds - the stuff I actually like. Almost all of those cars are getting difficult to find in pristine, low-mile, condition. The 2-door SUVs are a great example as they never built enough of them for the demand, consequently they have been in short supply from the outset. This has kept prices quite high even for very high-mileage examples. Seems to me, the same will be true for the GTO and other interesting GM cars going forward. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy rehabing the stuff I find, but it would be nice to find something i…

Well, as I've said many times, after I test drove an Acadia back in January, I've been infatuated with the Lambdas ever since. As I always do, I attempted to peak some interest in the queen mum--her Suburban is right at 3 years, which is actually the LONGEST she's owned any of the past 4 vehicles--and she what she thought. Still SUV comfort and space, but much more refined, better gas mileage, and much lower pricing than another new GMT-900. Didn't immediately get such a strong response--well, aside from a while ago when she saw the Enclave concept on Motorweek and said "Wow, what's that?!"--until just recently. Out of the blue I was asked "Those Acadias, what kind o…

What do you guys do if you can't sleep? Bleh, I am feeling a bit stressed out. Work was insane yesterday, busy. My least favourite insurance reinspector showed up at 12:50 (I leave for lunch at 1). My new truck awaits, and all that jazz surrounding that project, now with a buyer thrown in the mix. My friend Ryan (yes, I've told you about him) called me yesterday to let me know the crew was going to Chili's (!) for lunch instead of our regular place and our receptionist didn't give me the message (luckily he called my extension directly just as I was about to leave) (I love him so much) (Lunch at Chili's sucked. I don't think any of us enjoyed it.) I have a headac…

I love chicken wings. When I used to travel extensively for work, my friends turned me onto BW3s as they called it. Sometimes, it would get so crazy that we would eat 5 dinners a week at the place because it had all the young man's staple foods: wings beer onion rings salad I wish somebody would build one in Fresno.

... own a GM Performance dealership. GM performance cars past and present. Restoration parts Performance parts Quality shop and bodyshop Might be a cool way for GM to market cars that fit the description. I'd never leave work...

Ford, GM, Mazda recall cars for safety problems Wed Apr 12, 7:16 PM ET Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news), General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM - news) and Mazda Motor Corp. (7261.T) are recalling almost 35,000 cars for a range of defects, U.S. safety regulators said on Wednesday. Ford is recalling over 19,000 Mustang Cobras from the 2003 and 2004 model years because the accelerator pedal can stick on the floor carpeting in the car, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The NHTSA said the accelerator problem could cause crashes when the pedal catches on a cutout area of the floor carpeting during sharp acceleration. Ford will install carpet "shields" to addr…

For me: Buick Cadillac Saturn Saab Hummer Geo Opel Vauxhall LaSalle Oakland

Ok, so I have a Sunbeam toaster. I made some toast with the temperature selection set on "4.5". It was dark brown, but still good. Now the fun part. You know those friends that come up with those "ideas"? Well, I had one at my house today. He suggests to toast bread at selection "7". Do you know what "7" does to bread on this 3823-100 model Sunbeam toaster? It gives you a square charcoal briquette and the scent of burnt popcorn. Now, this just might be me, but I feel that temperature "5" should be "7", or have "5" as the highest setting. Being the pain I am, I sent a statement (not a real complaint) of my opinion regarding this. My most important stateme…

Who here, would tattoo their favorite General Motors brand on their bodies? Do some of you already have one? I want to do the Cadillac wreath and crest. You got to love this dedication to Cadillac:

here

Thanks to Satty's thread about W-bodies, it's allowed me to start a thread on what kind of tires people prefer. I've never really figured out the right way to decide on and purchase new tires. I used Consumer Reports back in '97 and didn't like the tires they recommended!! The Malibu is in need of new rubber, and I'm thinking of going with Goodyear Assurance ComforTred (current tires are factory-installed Bridgestone Insignia SE P215/60R16 94S M+S <--- not great tires IMO). Whenever I've had Goodyear tires on a car, I've always liked the way they've performed. Now I'm actually holding off buying them because I was waiting to see if there would be any good summer in…

Hey guys, I know I should probably add this to my Long-term project thread, but this is rather profound to me. I believe I have found my project car. Now I must wait until I come up with the 1,000 required to procure such vehicle. Turns out there's a little abandoned house down the road from my grandparents and parents houses. Sitting in the backyard happens to be 1 1963, possibly 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix. The car is red in color with a white interior (don't ask my how I found this out considering the "no trespassing" signs up). There is rust along the rear window sill, but it doesn't appear to be rust-through. I heard through a friend of a friend, whom is also i…

http://www.cars.com/go/features/autoshows/...ept_hyundai_olv Seriously it is UGLY!!!

Just name a quote and see who can guess it.. whoever guesses it right may choose the next quote. I'll start off with an easy one: "Hmm.. there was a beginning, a middle, and an end. Nice to meet you."

Since we've got a thread going on about how we should let the government control what we eat and tell everyone how much we hate overweight people, let's switch gears to a bit. What's your favorite exercise? My favorite is swimming. I love the water and have always enjoyed swimming, particularly underwater. Back when my girlfriend and I lived in Wichita, the apartment place had it's own pool and we would go their almost every day. Before that we had friend who had a fitness membership at a Windham hotel, and would go swimming fairly regularly. Sadly we don't go anymore. When we move I want a place the has a pool, either that or get another membership.

*** The MidSummer Chitown Gathering lasted 3 years. A record-high 65 people attended the first, 07/26/2008: http://pics.projectmonte.com/album/12498 A record-low 16 people attended the final, 07/24/2010: http://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/3rdAnnualMidSummerChitownGathering#slideshow/5497685409301953362 Meanwhile, I witnessed regional groups/organizations have successful events throughout the year, with, in all cases, people traveling HOURS to attend. So ... new for 2011 ... four (4) SATURDAY "MEET 'n' GREETS" in THIS general area. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO JOIN US! It's good to meet new people, see old friends, keep in touch, and network. Since these…

Casey Mears won NASCAR's longest race, the Coca-Cola 600, last night using fuel milage to beat out the top contenders. A long green flag run at the end of the race saw the expected front runners have to pit for fuel while Mears stayed out and held on over the final 8 laps to win. This race marks Chevy's 11th win out of the 12 races so far. Casey Mears' car owner Rick Hendrick has seen his teams win 9 of those. Now all four of Hendrick Motorsports teams have a victory this year. The highest finishing Dodge was Kyle Petty in 3rd The highest finishing Ford was Ricky Rudd in 7th The highest finishing Toyota was Brian Vickers in 5th 1. 25 Casey Mears Chevrolet National …

I live near Flint, MI and I know that GM didn't move its headquarters to Detroit until about 1923...I'd like to find out where their original headquarters were located up here. I've been checking all over for weeks on end trying to find out where it was. Does anybody know or have any ideas on how TO find it?

Well, it seems that someone really wants to get into my house. When I got home this afternoon, the other half of the same sliding door that got broken out before (it is still boarded up with half-inch plywood) was broken out. There is a screen there with a slash mark through it, and this time I guess, the screen slowed down the momentum of the blunt object because they were only able to break out the outer pane of a double pane window. I am so pissed. Somebody knew I wasn't home I guess, which makes me think it has to be somebody very local. I always park in the garage, so during the day it is hard to tell if I'm home... unless the person watched me leave this mornin…

I like it a lot, had it running since yesterday, a most secure browser, that I highly recommend. Link: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/?from=getfirefox

Bankrupt Circuit City Stores Inc., the nation's second-biggest consumer electronics retailer, said Friday it failed to find a buyer and will liquidate its 567 U.S. stores. The closures could send another 30,000 people into the ranks of the unemployed. "This is the only possible path for our company," James A. Marcum, acting chief executive, said in a statement. "We are extremely disappointed by this outcome." The company had been seeking a buyer or a deal to refinance its debt, but the hobbled credit market and consumer worries proved insurmountable. The liquidation of Circuit City is the latest fallout from the worst holiday shopping season in four decases. People …

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...A:IT&ih=015

If this isn't bad, I don't know what is:

1957 was a great year for cars...Ford outsold Chevrolet, Chevrolet introduced its legendary Bel Air, a few companies introduced fuel-injection to American cars, and Chrysler reached a peak in styling with the Forward Look. Especially nice were the '57 Imperial and De Soto Adventurer convertibles. Check out these two '75s going up for sale soon...the Imperial was even owned by Howard Hughes at one point. What do you think of them? http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/2793

No one ahead of me on the road, but a person waits until I'm "right there" to pull out from a side road in front of me, then drives 5-10 mph under the limit on a clear day, causing traffic to bunch up behind me. And it only happens when I need to be somewhere. Sigh.

American luxury cars in 1961. Cadillac and Imperial still had the futuristic, jet finned look while Lincoln went completely minimalistic. That Lincoln design signalled the end of unique, dynamic, futuristic, in your face, American automotive design.

If Chevy makes the Camaro, which im not doubting they will and they make the Z28, which im doubting they wont do yout think that there could be like a Z24 Cobalt or a Z26 Malibu

I could use me some this: then some this: then some this: then some this: Wouldn't you agree?

Seriously... 3686 - Oldsmobile Aurora 3.5 ('01) 3713 - Buick Riviera ('95) 3790 - Pontiac Bonneville GXP ('04) 3803 - Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0 ('01) 3884 - Buick Park Ave Ultra ('97) 3926 - DeVille Concours ('96) 3967 - Oldsmobile Aurora ('95) 3970 - Cadillac Seville ('98) 3978 - Cadillac DeVille ('00) 4211 - Buick Roadmaster ('96) None of the cars based on or derived from the G-body weigh as much, except for the Cadillacs and even then not by much. I have an aluminum hood, alloy wheels, frameless door glass, and an aluminum engine. What gives?

What have you been listening to lately? Today I heard a Kid Rock song on the radio that I haven't heard on the radio (I don't even think I've heard this on the radio, but I have it on a CD somewhere). And lately I've been trying to listen to more 80s and progressive rock stuff. Plus, I'm likin' some current hits like I'm in Love with a Stripper, Rodeo, and Lean Wit it Rock Wit It.

A bored at work thread... I'll start: 1. Water from company water fountain 2. Glass of PC White Cranberry/Peach Cocktail 3. Miller Genuine Draft 4. Stella Artois 6. Glass of water fromy my Brita filter

Thought I'd start a thread in the spirit of the old Cheers and Jeers threads that looked back at the previous year here at the forums. 2006 may not have been a great year in reality (do we really have to go there?) and here at the forums (server problems among others), but there are still plenty of good things we can highlight. For example, here's one of the first designs posted in the Member Showcase section for 2006 (that have image links that still work, anyway) by budding C&G designer, member, and Designer's Guild Founding Member, American_Revolution2005 (this actually predicted the 2008 Magnum refresh in many ways -- way to go, man). So start posting about 20…

Understand politics a little bit? I don't feel like researching, but I'd like to learn a little more UNBIASED information about politics. Where do Democrats and Republicans usually differ? I know Dems are tree humpers and Reps typically will go to war much quicker than a Dem. I honestly don't know hardly anything about this stuff and I wish I did since I can vote now. I also have to look up the people running.. whose all running to be Dem and to be Rep right now? Isn't it basically between Obama and Clinton right now for Democrats? And I only know of McCain running for Republican... Somebody, please, enlighten me.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/AUTOS/06/06/why_hy...suvs/index.html gas used = miles/mpg inverse proportional relationship is getting attention! Over 15,000 miles, 16.5 mpg = 909 gallons used. 20 mpg = 750 gallons used. 3.5 mpg difference = 159 gallons saved. To save as much on a car, 26 mpg = 577 gallons used. 36 mpg = 418 gallons used 10 mpg difference = 159 gallons saved. The relationship is inversely proportional, a hyperbola. gallons used = miles/miles per gallon y = k/x mpg improvements on low mpg vehicles are much more significant than mpg improvements on high mpg vehicles. aka "diminishing returns" if you're mathphobic.

A lost pleasure is the Drive-In movie. Are there any in your area? Do you go? Cars, dates and movies, what a great combination.

I had never heard of this vehicle done by Harley Earl.....it's absolutely facinating. http://www.carofthecentury.com/buick_had_t...t_suv,_ever.htm Buick El Kineno

Anyways I have noticed on 2004/2005 Impala models some have a cloth door insert. I have seen the cloth inserts with cloth seats and without but never with leather. I have looked through my 2001-2005 Impala Brochure collection and found nothing. I have checked GM's media site and found nothing under year to year changes. Can anyone shed some light on this? Anyways here is the photograph...

Going up north where the remaining members of my family live...the once-every-3-month ritual...but will take a day for myself to go up to Canada, or somewhere, to clear my head. Well, I know it will be salmon on Friday night (Good Friday) and a brunch I don't have to pay for on Sunday morning, so not all is lost. Any plans for Easter?

You guys know the rules. Now get to guessing!

So I got to go to my first meet today. Didn't get to take my car sadly, but it was a blast nonetheless and great to get to meet people and see their cars. Of course we all took lots of photos. Since I know you guys all love Chrysler vehicles so much I thought I'd share. I want these in my car...it's just how I had always envisioned them (minus the emblem).

Yo momma so ugly when she went to the supermarket the cameras turned around.

From the domestic automakers good journalist friend........yup you guessed it: Christine Tierney! Sales of import brands rose sharply in the first half of August as Detroit automakers ran out of new car and truck supplies after extending generous employee-style discounts to all buyers. General Motors Corp., which initiated the employee discount plan in June, saw its share of the U.S. market drop from 29 percent in July to below 25 percent in the first two weeks of August, according to online auto research site Edmunds.com. Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp., which matched GM's plan in July, fared slightly better in the first half of August while Japanese…

I had lunch today at a local Vietnamese place, it was my second visit ever, and my only exposure to Vietnamese food. They have, imo, very odd tastes in flavor mixing. They use mint in a lot of stuff, and peanut. Today I had crab and shrimp in a soup that really tasted weird, and *gag*, I tried a beverage called "pickled lime drink"... it was nasty. Tasted a bit like rotten limes that have lost their flavor. The only lime taste was as an aftertaste, and it was weak. I guess it's my problem, however, because the place had a healthy crowd of Vietnamese customers... a good sign for an ethnic restaurant, imo. Last week my meal there was better, so if I go back, I will h…

Just watch this really quick video: http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/commercials/3421/ My wife is a makeup artist - so when someone comes up to her and says "make me look like that" she'll need a computer to do it. I always knew they used photoshop to clean up the imperfections and the "cottage cheese" thighs, but this is crazy.

I was just reading an article in Playboy and it was talking about how Toyota is beating the pants off GM (no pun intended) as far as sales, etc... One woman actually thought Toyota was an American brand. ANYWAY. It says "people, especially women, love to talk about their cars." That's just not what I thought...that women like to talk about their cars more than men do. Any ideas why this would be?