The Lounge

Posted Jan 27th 2008 11:27AM by Jonathon Ramsey via Autoblog Wired magazine got in the queue for some face time with Bob Lutz at the Detroit Auto Show, and came back with a quote that's raised a few brows. When asked what the target market for the car would be, Lutz said "I don't know. You'd like to have it at about $30,000 for the customer, but what I'm hearing from the team is we're not going to get there.... f it costs closer to 40 than 30, well, that's too bad." The issue is the timeline. His engineering team said that if they had more time they could cost-optimize the car, but Lutz doesn't want to wait for that. As for the recent go-round about when the Volt w…

Some light reading... http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6487322

Okay, it's a safe bet that Rod Hatfield Chevy in Lexington, KY paid to rip off the melody of some popular rap song for their annoying jingle ... but I wonder if they paid Mr. Loizou of GM Inside News to use his nifty old 'chop of a future Malibu in their local ad spot here? I didn't record this video, so don't blame me for the shoddy camera work. Anyway, pause the video at the 1 to 2 second mark. <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VA8DNt4kKWg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Yep. It's this: What's even more hilarious besides the fact that there could be a potential, small shiitstorm b…

Am I the only smartass on the roads? I like to... make super wide turns in my truck at intersections... like it's a Kenworth or something, just to see the look on ppl's faces. I also like to pass someone reallllly slowly sometimes... Say the speed limit is 55 and they're going 50, I pass them at 51.5 mph. It's fun to act like I'm really gripping the wheel when I pass like I'm going about 95 mph. Anyone else have any fun on the roads?

Wow, Christmas is about a day away. Getting ready to go home from work in about 1 hour. Tomorrow will be a casual dress day and I'm sure very little will be accomplished. I'm going to a concert at my friend's church in the evening and then to Midnight Mass since it will only be a few hours after that. Except for being invited to Christmas dinner, I have no travel plans. I'm not able to go up north since I didn't buy air tickets far enough in advance. Regardless, all is well. What are people doing over the holidays? Happy holidays!

I'm trying to make up my mind whether this 1966 Chevrolet 3/4 ton would be a good buy or not. The facts: 1966 Chevrolet 3/4 ton. $1,000 250 inline six 4-speed. Eaton rear axle. The Good: Body is solid other than small holes in quarter panel and rocker. Drivetrain is known for dead reliability. Close by. Easy to fix. I've got all the time in the world to work on it. Checked the body with a magnet and no bondo. Frame is solid. The Bad: Hasn't run in 3 years and I'm not spending $1,000 and a vehicle that doesn't run. Wood bed needs replacing. Engine and clutch work are not my strong points. I'd have to knock over and rebuild a barn so I'd have a spot to pu…

WTF is up with Memphis right now!!!! If they loose to Fullerton my bracket = FAIL!

Beautiful oddity, a dream I woke up from last night. First scene, I am a passenger in a random vehicle, driving through an urban warehouse district. I look up, and there is an airliner that appears to be taking off from a nearby airport, coming in our direction. It climbs upward but its wings are on backwards, pointing forward. I gasp in wonder for a fleeting moment before it goes out of sight, obscured by the warehouses. It's a beautiful sunny day. Next scene, I am still with the same person, but I never see who it is, I just feel their presence. We are heading in the opposite direction from before because of the position of the sun. Again, it is a clear, sun…

so wisely i chose to suspend my direct tv last week. of course, until the other day, i didn't have any converter boxes either. well, i have one of them hooked up now. should be interesting to see if i am a go. does one need a whole new antennae also? i have the plasma, which has the digital tuner. I think i just need an antennae for that. i have 4 other TV's, of which 2 of them for now I will have converters for. I have an antennae hooked up to the first one which I believe is an HD antennae, but we'll see. Big question, is the converter box still worthless without a proper antennae? That's what i don't get. It's coming! Are you CONVERTED?

No, not my book (that comes later this year), but I have three pieces in a literary magazine called FM. See it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1477414010/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Well, I was looking into a Cobalt and quite interested in buying one but I mentioned to the Sales lady (Melanee) that I liked the Colorado. Well, that was it! She said that I should try one to see how much I liked it. Well, all I can say is that It's in my condo stall right now. I tested a LS without the Z71 pkg, and the truck that I bought. I ended up buying a Cherry Red Z71 LS crew cab 4x4 with power sunroof and what-not. It is quite the ride. It is a great leap back into the GM fold. I just hope that it is as strong as it feels. The 3.5 that everyone says is not powerful enough seems quite competent to me. Not that much difference than the 4L toyota engine even thoug…

As one person put it to me: "Hot pink and sparklicious!"

So... It snowed today. The roads weren't all that bad, atleast around Brookville anyways. I thought I'd go to town and pick up a few things, which I did. No problems what-so-ever, even with my near bald tires. After that I went to my grandparents to read the paper and chat and whatnot. Just the usual when I'm in Brookville. After 45 minutes or so, I leave. As I walk to my car. I look towards the road in the distance, it sounds like something is going on. I thought I heard girls screaming. I didn't know what to think, but I got in, pulled out the driveway, and headed home which happened to be in the that direction. Traffic is stopping and I slowly pull up to the car in fro…

Discuss.

Well, here it is. The story of my little Crusaide down to New Jersey & Peensylvania as of last Friday. To prevent my photobucket account from maxing out in one day I've edited the pics down to a small size plus I had to pick and choose only the most relevant and interesting ones. Enjoy: Once again I'm runnig late. 4:00am Friday and I'm still only on Route 3 in Massachusetts. I'm supposed to be dropping off the package 5 min. outside of Philadelphia at 8:30am but I've got a 6 hour ride ahead of me. Three digit speeds for long stretches help to put me back on schedule. I manage to avoid arrest & police impound. Finall…

Well, it's in the title.. and I think it's lame but hey: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=110990

Another facinating little American car company, Playboy Motor Corporation. >One of the founders was a former Pontiac engineer. >It had the first retractable hardtop convertible. >Built cars between 1946 and 1949. >Origin of the name for Hugh Hefner's new magazine. http://www.playboymotorcars.com/home

I'm getting pretty damned old so my car jones has been acting up a lot more lately. I started a list of cars I'd like to have before it's too late. You'll notice my choices ain't particularly exotic or even necessarily pricey. I've never been a fan of the hoity-toity, high-priced machinery that only the execs of fortune 500 companies can afford...anyway, here's my first crack at the bucket list. Laugh if you want. In no particular order: 1956-’57 Corvette (doesn’t need to be FI or even dual quad; these were simply gorgeous cars) 1956 Plymouth Fury ('nuff said) 1956 Mercury Montclair (had the looks, performance & handling of its “Mexican Road Race” Lincoln cousins…

I would like to announce my future new vehicle now. I have ordered a new GMC Acadia SLT AWD. It will arrive in 6 to 8 weeks. Here are the details. GMC Acadia SLT 4SB Carbon Black Metallic Brick leather appointed interior Audio system control in the rear cargo area Navigation with rear view camera HID Headlights Dealer Accessory 19" 10 spoke chrome wheels Will let everyone know when it arrives.

That I can't stop laughing at this video? I'm speechless regarding the old man's shirt. Disclaimer: don't watch near the end if you don't like the sight of blood.

Click the link, then select GM Centennial Quiz. Link: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A...CIAL01/71228001

I do love summer. If only my balls weren't dragging the floor. 95 today. *basking*

Haven't seen you in a while but Happy Birthday Ven ...

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174904/mic...risis_hits_home The Bad News at the Pump The $100-plus Barrel of Oil and What It Means By Michael T. Klare On Monday March 3, the price of crude oil reached $103.95 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, surpassing the record set nearly 30 years ago during another moment of chaos in the Middle East. Will that new mark prove distinctive in the annals of world history or will it be forgotten as energy prices drop, just as they did following their April 1980 peak? When oil costs are plotted over time, the 1980 oil crisis -- prompted by Ayatollah Khomeini's Iranian revolution -- stands out as a sharp spike on t…

Hypothetical~ You take your best friend to look at your girlfriend's uncle's car- it's for sale. You don't know the uncle very well, but your buddy likes this brand and this particular car. After some talk & tirekicking, the Uncle tells him the price is $500. Friend accepts and pays him by counting out ten $50s. As the uncle shakes his & your hand, he discreetly palms you one of the $50 bills. Do you pocket the $50 or give it to your friend?

Although I had a good time at the Detroit Autoshow this weekend (pics soon), and met Big Franky (NOS2006) albiet briefly, the change of weather and cold windy Mt. Clemens weather killed me. Talk about seeing temperature change from 72F to -1F to 64F in less than 48 hours. I took a half day off on tuesday and spent 18 hours in bed starting 2200 hrs on Tuesday. Well it would not have been a bad sleep, but the Nyquil which my Fiance forced me to take (I hate medicene) gave me wierd dreams. I dreamt of being a campaign manager for Hillary and Barrack AT THE SAME TIME and then ended supporting Guilliani. (I am not making it up) I knew I was dreaming but the medicene just co…

me and my friends are making the trip down to PA in june for the ALL GM show, which is gonna be a cool way to celebrate my 17th bday (its the 23rd) we're gonna be cruising down on friday the 22nd, me and my friend Shane in his 70 Chevelle, and my friend Mike and his g/f in his 00 Camaro SS. Gonna spend the night there, and Saturday night leave so we can make the Top Fuel Nationals at Englishtown on the 24th... i cant wait for this trip... so i was curious.. any others here on C&G gonna be there?

Even after a wonderful afternoon (Sunday, November 4) of driving my older 4 MCs, I was already a bit shaky when I pulled into the gas station, having just avoided a collision when another driver turned left directly in front of me at the intersection just before the gas station entrance. So, when I stepped out of my '87 MC LS and was promptly greeted by a stranger who seemingly appeared out of the thin air [i think he just walked there, I never did see him near a car], asking several detailed questions about my car, I began shaking a bit more. The stranger noticed my shakiness and quickly said something about that I shouldn't be concerned...except, he kept REPEATING it …

If you are a Facebook user and would like to help me out, go to http://www.facebook.com/gmc and LIKE this picture: I'm trying for "GMC Fan of the Week" again Thanks in advance!

Sorry if everyone has seen this. I was shown this at work. Imagine, a bunch of "disgruntled federal employees" checking out this gun. Then theres this one. Automatic Glock Modified (edited to add second)

TheCaptain's thread got me thinking. Ever watched a movie, TV show, played a game or something along those lines and heard a phrase that you find yourself using or wanting to use?

The story behind the choices... He has flip-flopped multiple times on what he wants. The choices are all ones he has mentioned. The truck was first choice, it's the beauty of the truck plus the stance of the 4x4 and the 6-bolt rims that were on the 4x4. My problem is the 4x4 part is useless in Oklahoma and the maintenance of a 4x4, plus here these trucks are still going for a premium, from $9-$12,000, depending on condition. I don't want one thats too rough. The civic because the ricer thing hasn't worn off here yet. All his buddies are running around in these damn things, but they're damn expensive for the same reasons. Anywhere from $3000 for one that hasn't been …

Well guys. I got bored this weekend and created a couple of pieces of artwork; all digital of course. I have a contemporary style and prefer clean lines. But first I had to create my signature to apply to all my pieces. The only real difference in the artwork is the colors. My Art Signature: http://lakefiredesigns.com/images/ericsignature.pdf My Digital Paintings: http://lakefiredesigns.com/images/stripes1...06_version2.pdf http://lakefiredesigns.com/images/stripes10-15-06.pdf Let me know what your thoughts are.

Yay! My county has a tornado warning! How exciting, huh? :lol: :D

Ven is! Happy 30th Birthday, Ven!

Just wondering what everyone else here thought regarding current Delta-based cars. The one I feel is the best is, of course, the one that isn't available here. I feel that the Opel Astra received all of the attention due to the demanding European market. Just take the first IONs for an example. It was panned by everyone. Car & Driver called it the "most disappointing all-new American car in over a decade" while they described the Cobalt compared to the ION as "from dead last to head of the class". It just doesn't seem right to me that we're forced to take Grade B or even C products compared to GM Europe's current Grade A products. Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet HHR …

Interested in hearing the opinions of people other than commentators, I would honestly like to know: Do you vote your candidate, and/or support a party, because: 1) They are the 'Lessor Of Two Evils?' 2) You truly like, and are in agreement with, the majority of what your Party stands for?

http://supersaturday.iepromo.com/?cmp=super DANG. milfy reaches new levels. go GMC!

Which General Motors vehicle would you discontinue and not replace?

What one product has the potential to turn the perception tide back in the favor of the domestics? Just one now.

MEXICO CITY – A new swine flu strain that has killed as many as 68 people and sickened more than 1,000 across Mexico has "pandemic potential," the World Health Organization chief said Saturday, and it may be too late to contain the sudden outbreak. The disease has already reached Texas and California, and with 24 new suspected cases reported Saturday in Mexico City alone, schools were closed and all public events suspended in the capital until further notice — including more than 500 concerts and other gatherings in the metropolis of 20 million. A hot line fielded 2,366 calls in its first hours from frightened city residents who suspected they might have the disease. …

This is kinda of a interesting idea. I usually frown on even the thought of doing it, but due to some of the major sucesses I've seen ( friend-05 Sunfire/ Co-worker 03 Cavalier), it has my considering the idea myself.. Keep in mind, this is going to be the beater, not the main car. I want a nice, new car that I can baby. The only requirements is that is has air, a Cd player, and decently low miles... More than my rusty beater has now... So far I've nosed though the world of 03-05 cavaliers, due to the low price, decent on gas, and pretty easy to fix. So far I found a 03 LS sport w/ 52k for 5 grand, and 04 base sedan with 49k for 4500...both with repaire…

A legend passes. http://www.insideline.com/car-news/bill-grumpy-jenkins-1930-2012-the-great-drag-racer-makes-his-final-pass.html

....make me say "WTF?" :blink: As I'm watching them now, they're currently "pimping" an 80s Toyota van. So far they've painted the exterior with a blue fade....with orange flames. :huh: On the interior, they've installed two dog bowls (the owner carries around dogs) with a TV for the dogs to watch...ok. Plus, they've done the panels and seats in an ugly gray and blue scheme. But then, what do I expect? They rarely do up a car tastefully. <_<

Is there a significant different between Intel Xeon 55-- series processors and 54-- processors having almost same frequency? I was looking for dual quadcore system as my workstation at home and was wondering will the speed difference be significant enough to pay the higher price for the 55-- processors. 5570 Nelahem 5450 Harpertown

I was at a bar with a friend. As we were about to leave, my friend made this courtesy gesture of holding the door open for a girl. As a result of that, this girl started talking to us. She seemed to be especially interested in me, and she asked for my cell phone and left her number on it (I did not even ask for it). She told me to give her a call to see what was going on later on that night. So one hour later (at 11:45), I give her a call. She's going to this other bar with friends. I ask my friend if he wants to come along, but he's had some Mexican foot and he's crapping his bowels out. So I don't mind really, because I was kind of worried that h…

longstory short. ME rabid METS fan. Have season tickets. At game 7 of NLCS last night. Craziest game of postseason baseball IVe ever seen. I am crushed. End of story.

2004 Cadillac DeVille Protection Series-8

Its been a very good day to be me.

Know what replaced our G6 just today? Go on. Guess. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Well, here's a clue. It's got four-doors. It's red. And a blue Camry was setting in front of the dealership that we bought it from. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Done guessing yet? Yes? Okay, good. You want to know what it is? You sure? Absolutely positive? Well, okay then. The one and only 2007 North American Car of the Year: the 2007 Saturn Aura XE V6 in Berry Red Metallic. I'll have photos as soon as I get my hands around a decent camera. So why did we get rid of our G6? It was a bad car, right? Nope. Not at all. That is, if it hadn't been in an…

So, what do you think of it? IMO, it's rather tasteful. It's not over-excessive nor considerably rice. Looks good. I think I'm going to try this with my GA. The result will be different, mainly because of the black bars. I just need the know how, a new leftside, and some colored bulbs... Also, I thought this was an awesome photo... :D

Okay so first off the sig says it all. Today was a rollercoaster of a day. Thank god I had XP & Penguin there for emotional support. 10:00am WTF, that hole in the car cover is weird... 10:01am Title, Registration, 2 keys, 2 P&S documents & a CD filled wiht hundreds of photos of the Camaro. 12:45pm 1:00pm Depressing... That wad of 49 $100 bills feels soulless and wrong in my back pocket. 1:01am I dial a 781 area code phone number and cross my fingers. Oldest car in my possesion right now is a 1984 Japanese sedan... time is of the essance. I can not let the sun drop below the horizon without having another 1960s classic car in my po…

I didn't say LIKE literature, I said APPRECIATE. I definitely don't like lit whatsoever, but I'm definitely learning to appreciate it.

Beginning Friday, April 7 (continuing April 14, 21 and 28), I'm hosting a radio show 8p-11p central time, with 8-8:05, 9-9:05 and 10-10:05 being newscasts. I signed a contract (I'm paying for the airtime) with the local radio station (WRMN 1410 AM) to host "CD Showcase", something I've been wanting to do ever since I graduated college. If it "takes off", I may be able to get advertisers to offset some of the costs ... and continue doing the show throughout the year. We'll see . If you're not in the NE IL area, you can listen online: www.wrmn1410.com click on "warp radio" Here are a few of the promos/segues I recorded for the show.... ("The Song Remembers When" by …

We have all seen the Tundras, and now the FJ, sitting on the lots - even as rebates begin to hit the "IT'S FREE!!!" status. I have come up with a few possible special editions that may help Toyota move some of the inventory and get the sales back on track. Just a few of my early ideas, and I would love to hear yours! For the FJ Cruiser: The San Andreas Fault Edition - You never know where it will crack next! To help hide the unsightly cracks, I suggest a stripe kit that has the look of ripped asphalt at the belt line. The Zebra/safari edition: Again - those stripes will really keep the unsightly cracks out of the public eye. The Tundra: The Honey Bee Edition: Th…

I am really setting my sights to the future, about 5-10 years, depending on where I end up getting offers after college in a few years. I'd really like to work somewhere in these three states. One place I'd love to work is NASA, and they have a location on the coast in VA. I've just got some questions to ask before I 100% commit myself to saying "Yeah, I want to find set my sites on finding a job and living there in a few years." Climate: So far I know that they all have a pretty darn good climate. However, how severe are the hurricanes that hit there? Do they get tornadoes and a lot of severe weather? Economy: What are their economies like? I can't imagine they'd…

I hate to do this sort of thread, but if anyone could find me a free download of Adobe Photoshop CS, I would very much appreciate it. Trying to do sketch renderings using my old, creaky Photoshop Elements is a PITA! I have Azureus, so I can do a torrent download, however it seems as if it does not want to download files. Thank you guys!

The road to hell is paved...and striped and called Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa. Swerved to avoid a Galant who herself swerved to avoid some baglady who felt like walking out in front of traffic and I caught a ridiculously raised manhole cover. Sure enough, it put a whole in my oil pan. Bad news: it'll cost £1100 at the shop in labor alone. Good news: pan itself, I can get for £40. I'm going to attempt to do this with a friend of mine over several days next week (I have a Monte Carlo rental now). Sigh...

Most Dangerous Roads in the World Anyone for a Road Trip? (I found this via an entry in Digg)

You know, I found a little more respect for the last generation Toronado today. I was browsing the Heritage section of Oldsmobile's site today, and I looked through the 1980s photos. There was a photo of a basket handle shifter, a part that was sometimes seen on hi-po Chevelles and Camaros back in the late Sixties and Seventies. When I go to a classic car show, I always get a kick out of that particular interior piece. I thought it was initially part of a concept car's interior. Then I saw that a part of the side-out pop-up read "1986 Toronado." Also, the last-generation Toronado dash had such an array of interesting features. But, I'll let the photos try to speak that p…

I like motorcycles alot but don't follow the new developments that closely...just a cursory glance now and then. But, recently I stumbled upon a newer American bike company that just blows me away. This bike is so wickedly stunning in a brutal elemental way. To me it's very American in appeal. If I recall correctly they are over $60,000 each. It's a regular production bike. I want one so bad now. Now if Buick brought back the Wildcat....hmmmm, I like this combo. The Confederate Hellcat:

...EVERY Monte Carlo generation? I've driven at least one MC of each generation, though I've only owned 5 of 6 generations.... Those generations being... Gen 1 = 1970-72 Gen 2 = 1973-77 Gen 3 = 1978-80 Gen 4 = 1981-88 Gen 5 = 1995-99 Gen 6 = 2000-present I currently own (thus driven)... Gen 1 ... 1972 MC Gen 2 ... 1976 MC Landau Gen 3 ... 1979 MC Landau Gen 4 ... 1981 MC SC Gen 4 ... 1987 MC LS I have owned (thus driven)... Gen 4 ... 1988 MC LS Gen 6 ... 2000 LS My parents currently have (and, yes, I have driven)... Gen 5 ... 1997 LS So ... anyone else at least DRIVEN every Monte Carlo generation? I know my parents and sister have [tho, my parents hav…

:D

DETROIT - Cars were too small, sport utility vehicles too inefficient and she couldn't see herself driving a minivan. So Dr. Melissa Sundermann ended up with a type of vehicle that most automakers are banking on for sales growth: a crossover. Built on car underpinnings but having many attributes of SUVs, crossover utility vehicles have seen explosive growth since Toyota Motor Corp. started the category with the RAV4 back in 1995. In 1996, the RAV4's first full year on sale, Toyota told 56,709 of the small crossovers when it had the market to itself, according to data collected by Ward's Automotive Group. But sales rose quickly as other automakers saw the growth potenti…

my buddy who sometimes meanders upon our forums (mainly hangs out at the ranger forums but he wants back into an Fbody) dsfd506 is a state employee and brought up a video for me to watch. this is from our capitol city, the used car salesmen i think is fueling this without knowing (or caring) what he is sould be contributing to. its one thing to own an ex cop car but i cant help but think that maybe there are ulterior motives that could be afoot. what is your opinion. http://videos.thestate.com/vmix_hosted_app...1&sort=NULL

Since I figure it will only be a matter of time before I have to cope with big city parking and BS, I have continued to search for a city car. I really want something that is short, wide, cheap, RWD coup and can keep up with the taxis. I considered the Smart, but it was too slow, too expensive (for what you got) and until lately, unobtainium. I've also considered Festivas and Metros, but they are too beat up for the desired price range. I thought about CJ5s or CJ7s, but most of them are also very pricey for whats out there. I also thought about doing a Frankenwagon... a GM wagon, shortened to two doors and a snub nose and the drivetrain relocated to the rear, a la Fie…

from melodicrock.com This is ridiculous - they can't just go into the studio together and jam. Everything has to involve lawyers, contracts, and paperwork. They're a joke that's been running for 11 years....remember when they used to be such a tight, yet carefree party band (with both Dave and Sammy)? You have to feel sorry for their fans, they've been teased way too many times.