The Lounge

You're a hondadude who drives an Audi last I checked, but you're alright, I don't care what Croc says about you. Happy Birthday, sir.

I'm running Windows XP, and use Apple Itunes as my default media player. Unfortunately, when importing music, I chose the MPEG-4 format as my default setting...The thing is, the MPEG-4 format isn't compatible with any other media player...Anyone have any ideas on how to covert my music files, currently in the MPEG-4 format, to industry standard WAV, or MP3, format?

well... I've had this combing my brain now for about 4-5 months... and its really starting to cause a trouble... my trouble is... i am one of the smartest guys i know... i know more science, physics, math, automotive(not more then u guys but) then almost anyone i know my age or older... but i cant find a way to apply myself and get paid at the same time... and ive always admired people who accomplish some sort of armed training... but if im 21 now... and when i get through all that i'd be at least 25... and id still be in the same boat... what should i do... anyone have pros or cons for me to consider?

What type of deals are you guys finding out there at dealerships? I'm looking for a Cobalt SS SC Coupe and just looking for a good discount. Should I wait 'til the year-end discount? Does that even apply to SS SCs?

Have an excellent day, Flybrian, sir. I'd buy you something, but, uh, the malls are all mobbed this morning. Yeah, that's it.

company xmas party last night. good time had by all. I had about at least a dozen glasses of FREE WINE baby! my favorite part is all the gals dressed to the nines. YEAH! red carpet moments. It's so fun to get tanked and have the ladies get tanked and tell them how nice they look in their apparel. Just use the same words over and over....."you look STUNNING tonight." And be sure to bash their female coworkers...."oh that dress looks SO bad on HER". alcohol, dancing, etc. people doing things they will REGRET later. no major stories for me to tell, it was a hoot but nothing i did i wish i wouldn't have! I ended up at home with the Mrs. and some Taco Bell. Sh…

It all started after I got back to work after going home for Christmas, my family lives in Detroit and I am a Coast Guard flight engineer in Kodiak Alaska. Well some one on one of my 6 (not joking) connecting flights gave me a cold. So 2 days after I got home the cold got bad so I went to go take some NyQuil, I poured 2 tablespoons into that plastic cup thingy and tried to drink it. Now is where the fun starts I have the NyQuil in my mouth and as luck would have it I cough unleashing a spray of red liquid out my nose all over my kitchen, it looked like I got shot in the back of the head. Then it got worse, I inhaled the rest on the NyQuil right into my lungs, so now im st…

I saw this on CNN this afternoon. Hoax Devices Part Of Cartoon Ad Campaign (WBZ) BOSTON The suspicious devices which forced bomb units to scramble across Boston today were actually magnetic lights that are part of a marketing campaign for a television cartoon. The reports forced the temporary shutdowns of Interstate 93 out of the city, a key inbound roadway, a bridge between Boston and Cambridge, and a portion of the Charles River but were quickly determined not to be explosive. "It's a hoax -- and it's not funny," Gov. Deval Patrick said. All of the devices are magnetic lights which resemble a character on the show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force", on Turner Broadcasting'…

In an attempt to actually start saving my money, I have been looking at a few online saving banks since they have much higher interest rates than what the traditional "brick-and-mortar" banks offer even on CDs. I've been looking at ING, Emigrant Direct and HSBC (which is currently offering a 6% APY on new accounts). Needless to say, HSBC is looking the best to me right now. Is anyone else using these? Any others and/or pros and cons I should know about?

Team Chevy Rolls Out New Chevrolet R07 Racing Engine Transition to New-Generation NASCAR Small-Block V-8 Begins at Texas Motor Speedway FORT WORTH, Texas – On the heels of the successful introduction of the new Impala SS race car in NASCAR Nextel Cup competition, Team Chevy is beginning the transition to the new Chevrolet R07 racing engine. Approved by NASCAR for competition in 2007, the Chevrolet R07 is making its debut this weekend in the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. The Chevrolet R07 marks another step in the evolution of the GM small-block V-8. It is the successor to GM's SB2 (Small-Block/2nd Generation) engine that was introduced in NASCAR Cup competit…

This was an actual Maxima I saw today. The pic says it all.

Yeah, yeah, I know...I keep saying I will get a car. I will as soon as I relocate since I have now finished this evening program. And it will be as conventional an automobile as my GM Card money and the difference can buy. However, the car after that will be different. I will try to hang on to my next purchase for a while. But I was thinking: what will dealership lots be filled with in 10 yrs? What do you think? I put down hybrid because it's a technology that will undoubtedly get better. The others are a little too avant-garde though they sure are "green" (did I say that...I didn't eat any granola today). I don't think the infrastructure to support the oth…

I would love tohave this, I'm not a fan of red....but for this beauty I could make an exception... Clicky

Well I've come to the conclusion that I may need to sell my Riviera. The car is having one problem after naother due to the fact I cannot afford to fix it right now. last night my service engine light came on, and when I hooked up my scanner it pulled 6 codes. the main one is a missfire on cylinder 6. I recently had a miss and had a coil pack and spark plug replaced about a month and a half ago. Now another coil pack seems to have gone. I also need brakes relaly bad and tires. The reason I cannot have the work done is because I've been out of work for 3 months now, and can't contiue to dump my limited funds into it any longer. It is a 1995 Riviera with 91,xxx mile…

Amazing old rides give a modern update and looking hotter than ever! https://autos.yahoo.com/photos/america-s-hottest-hot-rod-the-2015-ridler-award-winner-slideshow/detroit-autorama-2015-photo-1425925847817.html Enjoy,

This is such a common thread across various forums that I thought could bring some extra discussion 'round these parts. The premise is simple and the title literally speaks for itself. So, as it says, what did you do to your car today? Me? I gave the Firebird a good detailing. Washed and waxed to its maximum shine for the all the mullets to embrace.

Reminding us that SUV/CUV/SAV/WTFEverV's don't always have to suck, Porsche and Jaguar's latest respective offerings were involved in a battle of sorts over at C&D. I won't spoil the results, so here's the link- C&D: Jaguar F-Pace vs Porsche Macan GTS So the question is, which would you rather have? Porsche Macan GTS Jaguar F-Pace S

Link: http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/

http://maine.craigslist.org/car/679606893.html This ad is for a car he "found in the woods," meaning it doesn't belong to him. He also does not even say that these woods are on property that he may own. And he wants to charge you to look at it. Then what? If you decide you like it he'll sell you the car he doesn't own and therefore has zero legal right to sell? (all this aside from the fact that the car looks like it was hit by a locomotive and then sat in the ocean for 40 years) And people from Maine wonder why the rest of the country thinks they're all mentally retarded inbreds and make fun of them!

Well I was thinking about trading my 2005 Silverado in on a new Pontiac GTO. Probably won't happen but ive been thinking about it. Anyway I need some help with info on the GTO. If I get one it would be a 6 speed manual. Anyone have any idea how strong the clutches and rear ends are in these cars. I wouldn't rip the car around alot maybe once in a while. I just want to know if one of these cars are pretty reliable?

http://racingready.com/2008/11/20/one-off-...lt-autocrosser/ See what you think... Chris

I don't know if any of you are interested ( or if the link will work), but I got on a roll one day and wrote this: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=7045...&topic=7792

The Cruze is being introduced to the US in 2010 and so is BAS II. GM has stated that BAS II is platform flexible, unlike BAS I. The press release and interviews about BAS II seemed to focus alot around the use of a turbo with the system. Could GM be "smart" enough to introduce BAS II with the Cruze? What about the Orlando? If the combined gas mileage for a 1.4L Turbo Cruze was 32 mpg, which is not unreasonable considering statements made by the company, than a Cruze with the 1.4L Turbo, with flexfuel capability, and BAS II could/should be 38 to 39 combined mpg. That would provide some major help to GMs EPA #s and would be great PR.

This is another idea we've been considering. (Told you I was throwing ideas out tonight) She might want to keep her Cav, which would require a few bucks, but the car is in good shape, and would be very doable. She suggest another 4 door Cav (Guess she's hanging around me too much), so we can have 2 4dr family cars again. (since the wagon is gone) Nutty as the idea sounds, it's not that bad of an idea. Heck, I already have two-what's another one? They are cheap used (would be looking at 03-05), and by now, I really know my way around them. And I could have it paid off pretty quick. Could even get a "sporty" one.... Many could say...what about a Cobalt? Well…

I find them to be really disturbing. All of the scenery being composed of human beings like so many pixels just turns my stomach.

Sorry about the late wishes, hope it was a good one!

In The next month I will be in the USA. I will be making my personal fleet changes and ordering 2 new 2011 vehicles... OUT 2005 Chevy Equinox LT AWD 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP IN 2011 GMC SLT-2 Terrain in Carbon Black 2011 Chevy 2SS Camaro in Synergy Green

Did you ever touch something really gross in the dark? I just went downstairs to let my little doggie out. I didn't turn the back light on. I could see the fastener for her lead shining in the dark... so I reached for it... AND DID A FULL PALM TOUCH ON A BIG FAT SLUG! :o

A3 Side: Good + Best Pick Front: Good + Best Pick Passat Side: Good + Best Pick Front: Good + Best Pick Legacy Side: Good + Best Pick Front: Good + Best Pick 500 (with optional curtain bags) Side: Good Front: Good + Best Pick http://www.iihs.org/news/2005/pr110205.html AUDI, FORD, SUBARU, AND VW CARS EARN GOOD RATINGS IN BOTH FRONT AND SIDE CRASH TESTS I'm impressed by Subaru's decision to improve the Legacy's safety just a year after its redesign. And it seems VW/Audi are leading with regard to safety, since IIHS's side test didn't even exist during the development of their cars... the A3, A4, A6, Jetta, and Passat all received Best Picks …

Hello, my name is Drew and I am a long-time gearhead. I grew up in a mainly GM household, though my wife and I have been driving Chrysler products over the past couple of decades (more about that in a later post, perhaps--but suffice it to say, they do make a mighty good minivan). I'm still a fan of GM vehicles, both old and new. Heck, I'm a fan of almost all of the domestic cars when it comes down to it! Right now, we're looking at either a Cobalt or Malibu as a possible new car purchase early next year. For many years, I've been a member of the "Allpar" forum that serves as a discussion site for Chrysler products. I'm happy to find…

My wife's company entitles us to the GM Supplier pricing, and there is a web site I can access to find out GMS pricing. Is there a web site fpr GM EMPLOYEE pricing that I can access? If so, what is the address? I'm curious to find out the difference between GM Supplier and GM Employee pricing on certain vehicles. Any help?

To Lexus IS350 with love, Why are your sideview mirrors so freaking large? You really have to see it in person for the full effect, but damn. I thought the Impala's mirrors were large. Did you guys buy a crate of old PrimeStar dishes or something? To Hyundai Entourage with love, Are you part of a Days of Our Lives plotline, because...I thought you were dead? Hyundai cancels Entourage Minivan Project And yet out of the cold, you straggle into Chitown. What gives? And why do you and your Kia sis feel the need to both be Odyssies?

At about 11 pm on July 25, 1956, 50 years ago today,the Italian passenger liner Andrea Doria was sailing off of Nantucket, Mass. and due in to NY the following morning. She had essentially crossed the entire Atlantic. However, as the area was blanketed in fog and there was confusion aboard both ships who saw each other's lights up ahead, the Swedish liner Stockholm, with a bow designed to cut through ice, broadsided the Andrea Doria, cutting a gash below the water line that meant her end. About 50 people perished...all at the site of impact. Miraculously, unlike other more rapid sinkings, the Andrea Doria went under at 10:09 am the next day. Furthermore, the French l…

So I'm traveling down a suburban road, when an F-150 makes a right turn from a side road, with no turn signal, and swings way over into my lane coming toward me. She barely makes it back into her lane as I get to her. I look over and she's just smilin' and jackin' her jaws on a CELL PHONE, completely oblivious to the task at hand, seemingly, and that is... DRIVING HELLO. Freakin' birdbrain individuals out there, I'm tellin' ya. And the laws banning cell phone use while driving will not work until someone has an accident and it is proven they were using their phone at the time. What sort of alignment of the stars has to happen for a police officer to actually be there…

Well, as most of you know, I'm part of Kettering University and, in order to stay a student, one must complete about 6 months of co-op with a company each year in addition to the same amount of schooling at the university. Well, today was a co-op fair and I was starting to lose hope on finding a job since this was my third co-op fair and I've been to about three interviews. Well, as I was leaving my dorm to head down to "the fair," I turned around realizing I had forgotten my belt. As I went to reach for my belt, I felt my phone vibrate and didn't recognize the number. I answered it anyway and it was my co-op manager telling me that a company that I had interviewed for w…

Looks like some sort of beetle, a jewel-like insect. Very interesting to see it in motion.

Mmmhmm. Driving down the road, knowing the speed limit is 45, I'm going approximately the limit. Well, I know that the road is about to reduce speed to 35 MPH, and I look down to see that I'm going 47. Well, I depress the clutch and downshift to fourth to slow down some. While doing so, I look up to see the "Speed Limit Reduced to 35 MPH" sign. Now I've slowed down a bit, but not enough, so I downshift to third. Just as I downshift I see a policeman on the side of the road, right after the 35 MPH sign. Well, needless to say, he pulls out and by the time he got behind me I was going less than 35 to slow down for railroad tracks. He flips the lights and that's all she wrote…

I just looked on the Toronto Craigslist and Toronto Kijiji and I found 2 interesting cars. One, a 1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula and a 1989 Buick Lesabre T-Type. Both equal in price and both need body work and some other work. Firebird needs interior work and the Lesabre needs brake work. The seats would eventually need to be reupholstered since the leather shows its age but isn't ripped. WHat do you think? I really love the Lesabre T-Type but would it be worth restoring in the long run? Here are the links to the listings. 1989 Lesabre T-Type 1987 Firebird Formula

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yxaV8zdEu4 If GM was serious about maximizing fuel efficiency in a production model, why not revisit the 1992 GM Ultralite concept car with today's technological advances? Sorry, I was watching Demolition Man on TV this morning. I decided to Google more about this car and found the above YouTube video. This would seem to be a more viable option than going hybrid or electric. Food for thought!

Holy bajesus what a day! The breeze finally died...radiator leak, water pumped shot, blown head gaskets...$1500 in repairs. My dad feels that it's not worth it so he's donating it. People came to look at the Saturn and loved it. They are having a mechanic come and look at it on Saturday. So we went to the Chrysler dealer to check out the Sebring for my mom. We love it. It's looks so much better in person then in photos and the price is great. 07 Touring with 8 way power drivers seat for under $21k My dad talked to the dealer and he said to come back tomarrow because there's gonna be a huge memorial day weekend sale and the dealer has to move 50 cars. We are proba…

Anyone own a Jet Ski? I'm thinking about buying a new one for the first time. Do you have any brand you would recommend? Also would my 2005 Chevy Equinox LT AWD be able to tow one? I have no clue how much these things even weigh. Thanks in advance!

Sometimes Craigslist just makes you smile... Spank it

So with Trump's immigration ban being the headline everywhere you look, I thought this would make for a good 'UDG' thread. There will be 2 lists as part of this one- List 1 Rules: 1)These are your only vehicles. 2)Must be production models. 3)Any era is allowed. 4)Your choices must be built by a foreign auto manufacturer AND NOT OFFERED FOR SALE IN THE US. List 2 Rules: Same as above, but the vehicles can be sold in the US. Still must be foreign-made, though.

Uh... yeah, I was at the grocery store today and saw a silly display of candy bars with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s grinning face on them. The candy bar is called Big Mo'. So I bought one.

I've always been interested in photography, but lately its become an obsession. I find myself logging into Flickr at least once a day and searching completely random things just to see what's out there. I've always been a 'boredom surfer' in that, I'll get board and go to a search engine and search randon things. Is anyone else obsessed with Flickr? I think I might do the 365 pictures thing soon, where you take one picture each day and submit it.

Been super dead around here as of late it seems, So not sure how much action this will get. Do we still do the 'guess what I bought' game?? If so, any takers??

I may have the opportunity to trade a pile of rocks for a Bronco and some cash. This could be a good thing. :AH-HA_wink:

so i guess saying phrases like "GM bankrupsy not impossible" is not an acceptable rumor to start, along with other companies they slammed

First solidified propylene oxide (rocket fuel) packed into Michael Waltrip's intake manifold, and now two Gibbs cars have magnets under the gas pedals to throw off the dyno readings: http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-mot...Gibbs.Cheating/

I seriously could not stop laughing from some of the reader comments afterwards...... You have to get that Minnesotans pick fun about how WI residents are among if not the most intoxicated in our nation, and so many of these stories come up. http://www.startribune.com/local/33210424.html again, the comments are HILARIOUS

but I'm considering leaving now to go work on the race cars tonight. Shouldn't do it at this point, but I'm feeling the pressure to get them done.

ive been rather quiet lately here on C&G, mainly because they ramped up surf watch at work so there are only 3 sites we can hit up on downtime. none of which i am entertained by in the least bit. this past weekend however 3 friends and i went on a 2 day backpacking excursion through the grand canyon of the east, Linville Gorge. started out friday around 10 from the trail head and worked our way day via conely cove trail and met up with the linville gorge trail from there. it was a great interesting hike to say the least. temps friday were nuts, barely topped 45, was to drop to the high 20's low 30's that night with winds of 25-35 and 45 mph gusts (luckily we were in t…

Improves gas mileage by 10-40%: check Runs on distilled water: check Decreases greenhouse emissions by 97%: check Small and cheap enough to easily fit in virtually any vehicle: check Confirmed results by a independant third-party firm http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgaz...a6-090911200e96

I know a lot of you don't like some of these mags and some of them aren't very good, but I figured at 8 bucks for a years subscription to each there's gotta be something worth reading in them...I'm ordering mine up now... http://www.magsforless.com/pd_automotive.cfm

and we will go back to robber barrons takin advantage of workers if we get rid of unions or any of their powers - we need them

I was thinking the other day that Metro would be a great name for a Smart-like city car, but GM had to ruin the name by putting it on that shitbox, although I guess it was kind of a city car, it was just a pile of crap. Skylark was ruined by those pointy-nosed things Buick tried to sell.

Nissan Mid-4 Anyone see a 240SX in it? And it's mid-engine.

it occured to me that many of you dont really know that much about me. the first thing you should know is that im famous and i rock... in a not-so-famous, not-so-rockin way. not only does my clothing and accessories line far outsell those of my friends, but i am also very popular abroad. the danish, for example, are particularly big fans. they even have a TV show on public access channel 7 dedicated to me and how i rock in various ways. here is the site: http://www.prosieben.de/lifestyle_magazine...bizz/fuer_fans/ its flattering, but quite embarassing at the same time, so please dont translate the page. they just blather on about my boyish good looks, prowess in be…

Has anyone noticed the proliferation of round, red taillights on vehicles these days? No matter the outward shape of the lens, the lit part is increasingly the same on so many vehicles nowadays. Everything from a Hyundai Elantra to a Chrysler 300 has these same, round illuminations when seen at night. BORING!

Is it just me, or has anyone else been having crazy dreams lately? I swear, every night for the last 2 weeks has held a different, crazy dream..

EARTH Abandoned house, near US ROUTE 20 at Allen's Corner Restaurant, northwest of Starks IL: Barn along Plato Rd, Plato Center IL: Along Ellithorpe Rd, Plato Center IL: N of Hampshire IL: RR tracks, Burlington Rd crossing, Burlington IL, looking E: From US ROUTE 20 bypass bridge, Elgin IL, overlooking Fox River and RR tracks, looking N: OH House Hotel, Chicago IL: View across the street from the 19th floor of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago IL: View of Lake Michigan from the 19th floor of NMH, Chicago IL: Reflection in the Del Webb building, Roselle Rd and I-90, Schaumburg IL: SKY Sunshine! Looming clouds.... Sunset view alo…

of my malibu SS sedan. I absolutley love it. The graphite colored cloth/leather interior with the faux aluminum trim, 3 spoke wheel and other SS trim bits is really sharp. the 3.9 is deffinetly fast in this lighter malibu than it is in teh g6 gtp and the gtp was getting very respectable mid to low 0-60 times and good quarter mile times to begin with. The sport suspension and hurdallic steering are very well balllanced and calibrated and I like the tossability and handling of the shorter wheelbase epsilon though it makes for noticably more tourqe steer than the long wheelbase cars. My car is black with a sunroof. Only option it doesnt have is the 6 disk changer an…

This is what I found: 97 Miata for $2400, Salvage Title. Now... I know what one is, but can someone explain to me all the quirks of one and such?

just good quotes, if political stuff starts, then move it...? "And don't let anybody make you think that God chose America as his divine, messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world." -MLK "A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan." "A right delayed is a right denied. " "All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem. " "Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better. " "At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love. " - page one, http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/author…

Austin: Revered, Exalted Waisanen: The Road + the common finnish surname suffiix -nen.(Väisänen, is the correct finnish spelling) First Name meaning found at http://babynames.com/ in the left side corner theres a place to type in your first name. Last Name at http://www.ancestry.com/search/SurnamePage...&fn=John&ln=Doe under the map theres a place to type in your last name.

So I sold my black corvette this week, I decided I wanted a new Grand Sport Corvette. I know that I want it to be a Grand Sport with manual transmission and dual-mode exhasut, I'm open to most colors with the exception of yellow, and my wife ruled out white. I found one at a local dealership that has everything I want at a good price, but the color is inferno orange metallic. I guess I'm neutral to the color - what do you guys think? http://www.mikeandersonchevy.net/VehicleDetails/new-2011-Chevrolet-Corvette-Coupe_Grand_Sport_2LT-Merrillville-IN/1136196743

Which of the 50 states has the least restrictive laws overall and is the least intrusive into the lives of it's citizens? I honestly want to know. "That which governs best, governs least." I have U-Haul on speedial. :AH-HA_wink:

Here ya go...blu likes cars and 4wd trucks, and likes cars w style...wildmanjoe likes the wierd, and GMC TG likes 4wd trucks...I like Mustangs...here is something we could all agree on. http://bringatrailer.com/2011/12/06/ferguson-ff-prototype-1965-ford-mustang-4wd/

* So ... anyone else notice that the NFL's NFC Championship game (NY Giants at SF 49ers), Sunday, 01/22/2012, was a battle between terminal cities of the Lincoln Highway? Interestingly ... MLB's Giants moved across the LH from NY to SF. Route 66 also boasts connections to sports franchises in Chicago, St Louis & LA.... In terms of team colors, I can only think of 1 city that has at least 3 major sports teams with the same basic 3 colors: Pittsburgh... ...black, white, yellow/gold ...Pirates (MLB) ...Steelers (NFL) ...Penguins (NHL) Chicago is one city that comes close, with 2 teams sporting the same 3 colors... ...black, white, red ...Bulls (NBA) ...Black…

Try doing both with one car....

-Variance February 1, 2007 Welcome to C&G’s Registry Rundown, a new monthly Feature Article rife with information and speculation. Here, yours truly will be reporting on the goings on within the records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, bringing you the newest trademark applications made by auto manufacturers. Newly filed applications, ones published for opposition, finalized/fully registered and killed trademarks will all be covered. Here’s a quick explanation of each level of trademark registry, from the least to most likely to be seen used on a production product or concept car: Dead: This is the official USPTO term for a trademark that will n…