The Lounge

I'm thinking about upgrading my computer's video card, I added a Blu Ray drive today. Here's what I'm running at present. Intel Pentium 4, 3.40GHz Hyperthreaded 160 GB HD 3.0GB of RAM NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit

Um OK I had a customer come in this afternoon with a Sable, saying someone backed into him in a parking lot. He needed an estimate. He said the hood wouldn't open. I was expecting a need to call for a rental car by his initial description. When I got out there, there was a tiny spot of black rubber residue on his right side fender from the Toyota SUV's tire that backed into him, no dent. I couldn't think of a reason why the hood would be affected from such miniscule contact, so I stood at the hood and asked the customer to pull the release while I pulled out every trick I could think of to persuade the hood to open. Nothing worked. I asked the customer to trade …

Sir Christopher Lee, whose death at the age of 93 was announced on June 11, was an actor who used the modern art of cinema to evoke ancient feelings. Standing at six foot five and with a voice like chilled silver, Lee was a druid capable of inspiring deep terror, a conjuror whose skills belonged just as much to the bards of some long forgotten land as they did to the studios of Hammer. Sir Christopher Lee, a man of grand performances and operatic portrayals, brought something unique and ancient to our screens.

http://www.mainstreetinmotion.com/ For me, it's coming to Philly in July (15-17), 8AM-5PM, at the Citizen's Bank Park (Phillies stadium). I signed up for Saturday 7/16, but will have to go on Sunday 7/17 instead (unless I get "sick" and go Friday 7/15!) due to my daughter's 1st birthday party that day. However, I'm excited GM has returned with this show Check the link above to see if it's coming to a location near you (its travelling all over the US), what vehicles will be there and how to register.

As you can see I've started you next to the missing children's office (heh.) So you bolt through the Macomb Hall doors and blaze past the Ford trucks, the black Mustang GT on the stand and the black Ford GT on the stand. You get momentarily sidetracked by Jeeps huge rocks and waterfall display. "Ohh purdy" you say. You then snap out of it and cut across the corner of the Chevy display next to the orange HHR and the Hybrid Tahoe that IS there. You can see *it* now and you start crying. You reach the turn table and walk around it once very slowly. You can then see that you are overcome and must run to the bathroom before you soil yourself. On the way back you notice the Hu…

I was out and about today and did a walk-about through some dealerships. Here are my impressions: 1. Nissan Skyline: as I was walking across street to the dealership, this car comes up to the stop sign looking like nothing more than a garden variety Nissan from the past. I glanced up and see someone in the 'passenger seat' and for a split second, thought, hell, there's no one driving that thing, no one in the 'driver's seat'. I had to chuckle, it was a right-hand driver, probably imported from Japan directly. I then realized it was a Skyline. 2. Pontiac G6 Coupe: it is very slick in person, but man, I am finding it hard to get used to tha…

My area has a few flashing cameras that take pictures of red light infractions. A few times, these things were apparently going off at random and erroneously, and I've even been in the intersection a time or two, and have not received a ticket in the mail. What a nuisance that must be. Tonight, I'm coming home from doing some shopping and I'm at a left turn pocket at the intersection but STOPPED. I see this thing flashing every now and then, thinking it was the setting sun in my face. Heck no...it was a photo-controlled intersection. I was wondering what was setting it off, because everyone seemed to be heeding the signals. What triggers these things? Can being…

Great weather lately...cool in the low 60s at night, highs only in the mid '80s. Nice and breezy this morning, slightly chilly about 75 at 10 am..went out in jeans and a sweatshirt, drove w/ the windows down. I like this time of year.

Is it 1973 because of the catalytic converters? Maybe 1977, with the beginning of the boxy styling craze (including rectangular headlights)? Is it somewhere in the 80s, with the switch to fuel injection and the death of chrome bumpers? Or is it the 90s, when all these transitions were complete and every car was officially "computerized" (with more crapola to come)? Can the cutoff year slide into more recent years? Or did one prick just say "it stops at the 50s!" and it just is what it is and will be for all time?

I went grocery shopping a little while ago, and I got a pretty good spot, right up in front. It just happened to be open, if it hadn't been, I would have parked further away, no biggie. Even with Alex with me, its not really that hard to walk a few yards to the door. So as I'm leaving, a car pulls into the aisle I was parked in and sees me unlock the car. So the woman (appeared to be mid-30's, by herself in the car, stops, puts on her turn signal and waits as I put my groceries in the trunk. And waits as I take the cart over to the cart return. And waits as I put my son in his car seat. All told, she probably waited 4-5 minutes for a good spot when there were sever…

Hey guys: For those of you who celebrate it, have a great Easter Weekend. For the "mackerel snappers" in the bunch (derisive name for Catholics), remember it's Filet-O-Fish for lunch....just that 1 day a year....c'mon, we'll get through it. Sure would like to find a nice juicy broiled shark steak for dinner, though. Leave for Portland tomorrow and come back down Sunday night. My Mom said she won't be cooking any of the 3 days and, for Easter Sunday, these friends of hers who transplanted up there from LA within the last 6 months invited us to eat at their place. What are C&Ger Easter plans?

brand new spankin yellow. he got the 350hp with auto. said the dealers were still holding prices way too high on the 400hp versions. he wanted the stick, wife wanted the auto. guess which one they got. SWEET.

Dumbest laws

When you buy a new GM car or truck, you don't just get an owner's manual anymore. You get other stuff, like that how-do-i-turn-off-the-wipers pamphlet as well as being mailed other stuff after purchase. One of the things sent to new Saturn owners after purchase is a Welcome Kit. Starting with the 2008 Saturn OUTLOOK - and continuing forth with the AURA, SKY, ASTRA, and VUE - this is what the Kit will contain... This is but a small example of the exciting things on the horizon for Cheers and Gears, both things that were planned and amazing things that suddenly came up. I'd just like to thank everyone here at C&G - the other mods, the members, everybody - for sha…

I was wondering how some of you feel about the pb oil...(wal-mart, auto zone) All the same? Prefer the major brands? I posted this question on another site, and got some pretty interesting responses... Also-does anyone know of a site that gives the makers of the private brands? Like Wal-Mart and Quaker State/Penzoil....

Just read this and tell me if it makes you fall asleep. (I think I used the word "phone" waaaay too much here.) I'm debating if I should continue where I stopped with the rough draft so I can maybe send this in to Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. (Now, if I can pick a four leaf clover out of a lucky Irish field...)

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4024974 it's time we get a national standard for emissions etc. and fine and withhold federal highway money from states that enact their own standards.it's bad enough we are legislating diesels out of our country because of them, but now we care creating a whole legion of cars you can't buy or drive all across the usa. that is wrong and it costs everyone far too much money. we need to make a law saying cars can be sold and driven in all 50 states, to protect resale values and owner investments. this is bull$h!. no special emmissions laws for anyone. or, slap a 5,000 clean air tax per car on any c…

http://www.myspace.com/soyuneikbeats Just found out about em today. Anything that the mass population might not know about, post em!

so, if I was to consider an H3 as my next daily driver, would that be absurd? consider this, they are leasing cheap right now. and they have utility. mpg is better than say, a tahoe and not really that much worse than an SRX or acadia or edge or explorer or something. I would be looking at a base model H3 with a stick. I'd really like a stick again. No doubt I would bear wrath from a couple coworkers, who despise cars and SUV's in particular, and such. Screw them I say. I'll run over their little MAAAZZZZZZdahs. Isn't an H3 just a tarted up trailblazer with greater off road capability? they aren't too big, and they really look cool, and its a GM product. …

You have my permission to have a small sip of beer to celebrate with your bros. Ask your dad if it's ok first, though.

I went to the restroom at work today (I had just been outside, so my hands were freezing, my wang is still hiding from me) and while I was standing there doing my business, I heard a phone ring. Then I heard someone answer the phone. Curious, I looked and saw one set of feet in one of the stalls. The dude was sitting on the toilet and he answered his phone. Why? That just seems wrong and icky. I dont want to be talking to someone while they're pooping.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/892145982.html I know shes gonna need some TLC, but is there anything not listed that I should look for?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2579217608.html

SEATTLE - Officially, it’s the South Lake Union Streetcar. But in the neighborhood where the new line runs, it’s called the South Lake Union Trolley — or, the S.L.U.T. At Kapow! Coffee, a shop in the old Cascade neighborhood, 100 T-shirts bearing the words “Ride the S.L.U.T.” sold out in days, and another 100 are on order. “We’re welcoming the S.L.U.T. into the neighborhood,” said Jerry Johnson, 29, a part-time barista. Some claim — incorrectly, according to representatives of Vulcan Inc., the company that is developing the area — that South Lake Union Trolley was the original name and that it was changed when officials belatedly realized the acronym. The $50.5 millio…

Lets do something related to the Memorial Day. List your ONE favorite piece of military equipment (doesn't matter which, starting from trucks/cars to battleships) from each major armed conflict listed below: 1. First World War 2. Second World War 3. Korean War 4. Vietnam War 5. Gulf War (First ) 6. Iraq/Afghanistan War

Yeah so I have to go back to take a couple new course because theres new technology. And i was pricing it out. Holy $h!!! How can people even afford college? with what it cost. I should just take those tech classes and gym class so i can get my bachelors and get paid more! But I really dont care. To take some classes from lawerence tech will cost my over a grand. Macomb doesnt offer them yet.

What is this object?

I've had my heart set on using a GMPP Ram Jet 350, but lately I've noticed that low-mile Vortec 8100 truck engines are pretty cheap for the HP and TQ they make.

Topless Model! Yep, right now The Car Connection is featuring a topless model on their front page...a Rolls-Royce convertible prototype. (Admit it. How many of you held out a little hope?) The car looks to be in the vein of the 100EX concept, basically a Phantom convertible which Roller stated they had no plans to build. Also featured are blurbs on hybrid incentives, more Ford buyouts and the status of Delphi-IAE talks. Read The Car Connection's Daily Edition for April 27, 2006

If you had the chance to buy a 1970 Buick Wildcat Custom for one-thousand, five-hundred dollars in solid condition, would you do it? Or would you rather buy a(nother) 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme for the about the same price in about the same condition?

Ok get this I drove my new truck over to get my gf and her mom wanted to see it. So then her ignorant sister that I can't stand comes out and looks at it. Well then my gf tells me later she said my truck is ugly and that she is gonna use her truck and pull me around with it!!! What makes this even more funny is she has a TOYOTA Carolla and her truck is a 2005 Ford F-150. Makes sense it would be someone that drives a TOYOTA to run their mouth. By the way her Toyota was sideswiped in a hit in run in front of her house and was very close to being totalled. I told my gf she should have had me put my truck in 4 Wheel drive and run over top of it and finish it off the ugly piec…

Lately i've rediscovered the joys of the library, and naturally the GM related books spark my interest... on recommendation from a friend, i took out SLOAN RULES, a biography of the wonderful ALFRED P SLOAN, and discusses how much of a business genius he was, and his transformation of Billy Durants shaky holding company into one of the quintessetial American companies.... The second book, which i just finished, is called THE CAR THAT COULD... now this book is written more like a novel then the nonfiction it is. It documents the EV1 program from its beginnings with Roger Smith's plan for the future to the release a few years later... the book is filled with twists and tu…

So... I've been interviewing for a teaching position starting next year since when I graduated, budgets failed and there were no permanent Italian positions available on the Island. I was fortunate and got several interviews relatively quickly, and one district has been working fast (not common for schools on Long Island), and the procedure has been quick. I have my 5th interview tomorrow (yes, on Long Island, this is normal), with this one district. You have to first interview with a committee, then do a demo lesson, then interview with the chairperson of the department, then an assistant principal, then interview with a principal, then with the superintendent, an…

We were doing work for a client and got into a discussion about cars. Guy went into a rant about the US auto industry and how screwed up American cars are. He said... "...the problem is we haven't punished Detroit enough. We ought to ban Chevy, Ford and Dodge from Nascar and put Honda in instead, because obviously Honda and Toytoa are the only two groups of people who can build a decent car." This is the rant thread. Rant away about this gent's stupidity if you wish. Chris

I think i've tried it once, awhile ago, don't remember if i liked it. http://mises.org/story/2678 by Max Raskin: a visiting researcher at the Mises Institute. He goes to high school in New Jersey.

Story Link Man sues BofA for "1,784 billion, trillion dollars" By Joe Rauch Joe Rauch – Fri Sep 25, 1:21 pm ET NEW YORK (Reuters) – Dalton Chiscolm is unhappy about Bank of America's customer service -- really, really unhappy. Chiscolm in August sued the largest U.S. bank and its board, demanding that "1,784 billion, trillion dollars" be deposited into his account the next day. He also demanded an additional $200,164,000, court papers show. Attempts to reach Chiscolm were unsuccessful. A Bank of America spokesman declined to comment. "Incomprehensible," U.S. District Judge Denny Chin said in a brief order released Thursday in Manhattan federal court. "He…

Never Heard That Excuse A fellow bought a new Corvette and was out on an interstate for a nice evening drive. The top was down, the breeze was blowing through what was left of his hair, and he decided to open her up. As the needle jumped up to 80 mph he suddenly saw a flashing red and blue light behind him. "There ain't no way they can catch a Corvette," he thought to himself and opened her up further. The needle hit 90, 100, 130 and finally 150 with the light still behind him. "What the hell am I doing?" he finally thought and pulled over. The cop came up to him, took his license without a word, and examined it and the car. "I've had a tough shift and this is my last …

youtube

Well, with all the crappy new lately (and it sucks to know that "other stuff" too), it makes me want to just get away from cars for a while. One simple thing is stopping me- my Cavalier. Yes, a simple Cavvy...... Even though my plans to "speed" her up are done (just a waste of money with a family now), My buddy is working on his beater 03, which has me wanting to do a little "upgrading". Granted, just wheels and tires, and few small goodies....it is amazing what a little work on your car will do. I want my next project to a classic car (GM vintage), and find a car that will be a fun 1st classic car..... I almost feel bad about spendin the money, but....gotta hav…

Looks like the Dominator (Mr. Hasek) is back with the Wings for the '06-07 season.. Along with Williams who inked a new contract not too long ago. Question is, who will be wearing a C on their chest this year? Yzerman's gone, but that's okay because we still have some great leaders on the team, plus Stevie Y was missing a lot of games it seemed like. He'll be greatly missed from the game, though he'll probably be back in the office soon enough. I'm actually excited that Shanahan won't be around because he was only firepower and not much else. He was up there in age and not at the level where Detroit should be these days. Looks like we're trying to develop a younger te…

So my car, which is normally red, is some sort of brown color now. It needs a bath. Currently it is 58 degrees outside, but the wind is blowing up to 40mph. I dont see any reason this wont be fun.

If only I were female (never thought Id say that!) http://detroit.craigslist.org/roo/245066873.html Who wouldnt want to live here!!

Today at the dentist, my dentist and the assistant started talking about cars after there had been an article in the local paper about gas possibly approaching $4/gallon. They started talking about how they were phasing out the incentives for hybrid cars and how the auto companies could be making more fuel efficient cars if they wanted to, they just weren't because they were in bed with the oil companies. I had all kinds of metal $h! in my mouth and it was numb so I couldn't refute. But there have also been other times where people have said stupid and uninformed things about the auto industry. For example: "I hear those electric Japanese cars get …

If anyone is ever in columbus...bring that Z28, Fiero, HHR SS, Trans Am, formula, Corvette, and come play! Would love to have any one of you guys come join us in some fun. Chris

...how many people will stop buying new cars long term after the disasters of the past year. Thoughts?

http://autoextremist.com/page2.shtml One of the best paragraphs.

... for posting something wiht the term "JDM" in it. Just click it, you willnot be dissapointed. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SSS-RHD-Blu...8QQcmdZViewItem But c'mon this is cooler than PeeWee Herman with a Mullet. A RHD Japanese market Datsun 510... over there they called it a Nissan Bluebird and this SUPER SPORTS SEDAN (say it with that ridicilous Japanime accent) has the cool double carb setup and the Japanese style mirrors, which are cool by themselves without the standard mirrors. There's only one way this car could get cooler: if it was a hardtop. The rear glass area would not allow it without a Valiant style rear 1/4 window... but it would still be so awsome…

This was an interesting show...and it made me glad that I have a unique car... Photos: Link 1 Link 2

Monday (10/13/08) you can pony up to your local Chevy dealership and finally place that order for your 5th generation Camaro. Happy Columbus day!

Yeah... so I've been a bit MIA recently. Julie had a miscarriage friday morning. It was just about 20 weeks into the pregnancy. She's okay physically but there's some healing ahead. Not looking to have a huge discusssion or anything but I thought I had to update you guys at some point so here it is. Sux, life goes on.

Date posted: 07-29-2006 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Chrysler Group is recalling 146,195 Jeep Grand Cherokees because cooling-fan blades may break and cause injuries to bystanders if the hood of the vehicle is open. At the same time, Toyota will recall more than 9400 early-model 2007 FJ Cruisers because of potential tire defects. The Jeep recall involves 2000 and 2002 Grand Cherokees with the 4.0-liter 6-cylinder engines. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the automaker collected nearly 200 complaints about broken fans. Chrysler Group will begin a national notification of owners of the Grand Cherokee in August. NHTSA also reported that the inner bead of t…

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers here at C&G. And to all the sons and daughters, what are you doing for your Dad today? We're getting together this afternoon at Romano's Macaroni Grill for a nice dinner.

When is enough, enough? For Stupidity, Click Here

Red Wings are winning 4-0 with less than a minute to go IN THE FIRST PERIOD! Camaro's not supposed to get watered down by clinics once ok'd for production. Goodbye, Mustang. Goodbye, DCX. Goodbye, imports. 5th Gen Camaro is going to be mine. Two questions: Z28 or SS? Metallic baby blue with white stripes or metallic orange with white stripes? I'm looking for a new phone on ebay. I wonder if Cingular would let me buy a new phone and just throw my old SIM card in it? I'm looking at the Motorola V557. Anybody have one? I'm looking into a turbo kit for the 3800, but I have a feeling I'm going to spend no less than three grand on one. I have $1100 saved right now, but…

All right, I don't think I've mentioned this, but I'm trying my best to put me degree as an English major to good use by writing a military fiction novel. Think Dale Brown or (god forbid) Tom Clancy. If y'all wouldn't mind I'm going to post a little excerpt on here for your reading pleasure. I've really love some feedback. From the first chapter: “Twenty minutes to target, we’re still clean, terrain coming up in ten miles, we’ll need to climb up to four thousand to remain clear of it,” Williams announced to everyone. The MiG-27 that had been in the area was now behind the aircraft when it suddenly turned into a bat-wing symbol. “That -27 is looking in our di…

I dunno if this is bad karma from the rain or if it's just hit that point in its life where everything just wants to go wrong. As many of you know, there was a huge rainstorm last weekend in the New England area. We had driven around in my car to take pics of the river and stuff, and later my friend came over. That night when I was taking him home...(I think this was Sunday)...I noticed my blinkers weren't working at all...not even the inside flasher arrows. Of course, when I put the hazard lights on...everything works fine. I have tried replacing the flasher relay with no luck. Now, if there is one thing that this car has had major problems with...it's electrical. Unt…

I received a PM from a friend of mine on another forum whose family has a Toyota Tacoma (year 2005). After Rats ate his wiring twice due to Toyota coating their wires in tasty peanut oil, the Sheet metal on his truck has begun to completely disintegrate... To be fair to the guy, he's a GM/Ford truck guy and his family only bought it on the merits of the previous Toyota pickups they had had... So here's what has begun to happen to his "super duper" three year old truck (this truck has by far not been abused or even driven very hard either)...

Camino and Balthazar are missing out...

So my girlfriend and I have discussed a few times which is better better to do when slowing down/coasting and/or coming to a stop? Her aunt (who taught her) said it was better to downshift, although she usually put it in neutral. She taught me that way, so it's how I do it. A friend of mine puts it in neutral. So...which do you do? and which is better or worse or the car?

Anyone else enjoy it like I did?

= /#@, M# X#####: $###= @MM########H$M#=#@ M@ MM###############H## # #M####################X#.XX +###########################@ #M############################ …

So it seems as though a few new members may join the fleet son. Since the T&C is totaled my mom is looking to replace it, and my brother is also looking for his first car. The have different requirements and spending limits. Mom: Her spending limit depends on what she gets when the claim is settled, but most likely $1,000-$1,200 is her limit. We do appreciate the utility of teh van (I want us to get another), so Chrysler vans are on list for sure. Other vans might be considered. However I think she wants to downsize some. She does like the practicality of the minivan, so a wagon would be the next natural choice. However, there's not very many wagons i can think of…

I about craped bricks when we got our appraisal to redo our 2nd. We've owned our home for only 10 months, and it has gone up over 23%. Portland is one crazy place to live when it comes to housing.

Kicking this off with what I observed today heading up to Stevens pass to ski. Saw two Rivian R1T in the Yellow and Blue colors. Saw a brand-new Ford F150 Lighting EV truck. Kinda a storm grey and was really great to see in person.

This is an "under construction" 1992 Isuzu Rodeo.

whats up everyone, just thought id share my instrument panel ive been working on for a while... in my nova i got tired of the boring gas guage/ speedo combo, you know, the looooong horizontal speedo..... i had an oil/water/volt and a small tach under the dash but it got pretty annoying any cluttered. It seemed my only option was the Covans dash, witch i didnt like the look/fitment of at all. since my cluster was pretty beat, i started with another i got off ebay from a 74 apollo..(i dig the wood panel stickers/fasten seat belt light) The "chrome" outlines were kinda trashed so i wound up repainting the whole bezel with VHT interior paint, you can see it well later Th…

I’m trying to make this short, but if you’ve seen even my other single posts...humor me. It’s a long time coming. For more pictures of each of my 3 new GM rides, hit the Member’s Rides Showcase HERE. If any of you remember, last year early in the summer after I had just graduated and started working officially, I posted about new car shopping. Driving my beloved ’95 Cadillac Fleetwood at the time, I thought I wanted to make a drastic change and was looking at anything from a Chevy HHR to a Honda Fit to, essentially, what I “really wanted” with another new Malibu like I had chosen for my mother earlier in the year and loved. #1: 2008 Pontiac G6 GT Coupe White Diam…