The Lounge

Link: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player...ctid=1392485027

I just picked up this latest issue. Of great interest (to me at least) is a nice big article on the genesis and styling evolution of the 1977 GM fullsizers. This first round of modern GM downsizing was a spectacular success, followed in 1978 by another successful round when the A- and A-Special cars were made smaller. In 1979, the E-body cars were done, another success, imo. After that, things went downhill for GM, imo, as continued downsizing and the wholesale switch to FWD platforms reached a ridiculous fever pitch that GM has never fully recovered from until very recently. My hopes for GM's future have been high for the last few years, but are starting another dow…

I was disappointed (though not surprised) when I read a post by Josh Oliver on camaroz28.com which, referring to C&G, stated, "That website is garbage." Here is a direct link to the topic; scroll down to Josh's post, which is #22. I realize that there's been "bad blood" between Josh and C&G for a long time, but the reason I'm now pointing out his post is that I can't seem to view his own website, thegmsource.com. Is it still active? Lately, Josh has started several topics on camaroz28.com, so perhaps that has become his new outlet.

Here's the link to the Autolog entry.

Sometimes you just got love GM, my wife has informed me, a Chevy Volt Concept has arrived at my home in Europe for me to play with. Maybe you could get one too. :AH-HA_wink: Link: http://www.chevymall.com/shopping/product/...iProductID=5077

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…

I had a friend whose house was foreclosed on a couple weeks ago and he has been crashing in my guest room since then. I would love to kick him out because he is really annoying, but he really doesn't have anywhere else to go. He's going to pay my utilities until he leaves, so thats nice, but I'd rather jsut pay it myself and be able to run across the house naked whenever I please.

He was found in a New York apartment naked and surrounded by pills. It is believed that it is Mary Kate Olson's apartment. Honestly, he was a part of my childhood. Most people my age agree that '10 Things I Hate About You' was one of those movies that "marked" our generation (like 16 Candles or 'The Breakfast club'). He truly was a great character actor. I never would have assumed I would feel like this, but I am really really crushed.

I know that I'm normally not one to go and post things that would likely turn someone's stomach, but I've got to say this one. On the drive home this afternoon I was witness to an accident. This was a pretty bad one, Peterbilt 379 vs new Mustang. I've had basic first-responder training, and it happened about 30 seconds before I really arrived on scene but it was still bad. Looks like the Mustang ran the light, or was the last car in the line to turn and thought she could make it, but either way you slice it, 80,000-lb Pete doing 55mph through the green broadside into a new 'stang isn't going to be just a fender patch and move on. The truck driver was pretty badly fra…

I came across this immaculate Miata while on Ebay. I've never seen a car its age and mileage in that condition. It literally looks like new. Clicky

http://www.leftlanenews.com/canada-conside...orean-cars.html

Looking at the "topics" and "replies" count on this forum, I see that Pontiac is second only to Chevrolet for topics posted and replies made.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/car/544953258.html For those of you not into 70's fuselage Mopars, there's a 1959 Buick parked across the street!

eBay posting Craigslist listing I'm not sure I'd call it a classic American muscle car, but its cheap and doesn't look horrible.

Used GM cars a great deal. Especially those that are just a year old. They don't depreciate much from the 2nd year to the 4th year. GM could possibly move alot of metal in their pre-owned program with a good lease program. Using a sample from my local dealer here is what I see; 2007 Impala LT 6500 miles for $14,999 (a decent deal for a used Impala) Using KBB and assuming 12,000 miles per year, the same car is worth $8,500 as a trade in (good cond) This is around $180 per month in depreciation. A subvented lease could bring it to $225 per month with no money down. 2007 Cobalt LS 23,400 miles for $9,995 miles (standard going price for such a vehicle) …

My GF's brother is the not so proud owner of a previous gen Civic. A year or so back they had a major recall over the headlights just cutting off in the middle of a commute. (I don't remember seeing that one in the mainstream press) He was a good lil sheep and took his car in for the needed repairs. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago when he and his girlfriend are driving home from work one night and his headlights just randomly cut off. He takes it into the dealership again and they say: 1) The recall was never performed on the car in the first place (Umm, what?) 2) Because the car is out of warranty they charge him $187 for the new switch. And 3) If he wants to get his m…

Well guys, this morning I had one of those moments where I was about to pull my hair out, and then my little girl (now 1 year old) did just the thing to set my day perfectly all right. I was running late, Amy (the wife) was also running late, which meant I had to pull bath duty with squirt. I'm kinda cursing under my breath, and all in all griping about having to give her a bath when she looks up at me from the tub and points at me and says "Da da". After that I just kinda had to sit in the floor and everything didn't matter from there on.... I just sat there and played with her in her tub with a grin on her face, just watching her splash around and blabber this and t…

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/industr...-green-instead/ Well, it looks like my reality of not owning a new car and instead relying on classic is getting closer every hour.

Think how much easier it would be for automakers to make cars if every country drove on the right side of the road. Countries in red drive on the right side of the road, those in blue drive on the left side of the road. Most countries drive on the right side of the road. The majority of the countries that drive on the left side of the road are relics from the old British Empire.

Has anyone seen Flybrian lately? on a side note...... Has anyone gotten the elusive C&G Calanders. I am still waiting for mine from last years (which are paid in full) and was promised 2008 editions! Whats up with that?

... there is no legitimate reason for a wholesale abandonment of the Zeta architecture. It is a product ready for release with all of its development money spent. It has been crtically acclaimed, and certainly sets a new standard for GM RWD. I will concede that in its present form its shelf life may be shorter than it would have been due to outside factors, but to toss it aside before letting it prove itself in our market is pure stupidity. If CAFE and fuel prices and currency issues pinch it back in the coming years, so be it. But to invite a huge and obvious loss when the product itself is so strong makes no sense. A pendulum swing back to all FWD all the time is …

Happy birthday gentlemen! NOS, Mrs PCS said to wish you a very special birthday wish from her.

Alright, so over the last few months, there's been a lot of crazy ghost-like action going on in my house.. so I'll tell you what's going on with this ghost of "me" (my mom and sister claim that it looks just like me). Be ready to read.. here are the instances it's been seen: When I went back to school like 2 terms ago a bunch of crazy stuff started happening in my room at home.. the alarm clock I haven't used in like 10 years started going off, some collectible Coke can on my counter got a pin size hole in the side and leaked all over my room, I don't know what else My mom saw "me" come into her room in the middle of the night a couple months back wearing the exact s…

I have no words! :rotflmao:

Hmmmm, that's odd. Lutz won't talk to Winding Road about the Pontiac Sport Truck, I wonder why? Link: http://news.windingroad.com/etc/lutz-no-ho...-for-us-market/

When you turn on your car, does it return the favor? In this case, yes! Ultra-rare '87 GNX built specifically for Mr. Marriott of Marriott Hotels. 456 hp to the rear wheels. Sold for $65,000.

Or rather, push it until it started? Funny thing happened today. My girlfriend and I were coming out of Burger King today (yes it's bad for us, but I care not). There was a white late 90's Civic parker about 1/3 of the way into a spot near teh building. We walked past it, wondering why it was like that, if it had died or if the driver was just really bad at parking. Unlock the car and open up the doors when one of the two guys asks if I can jump it. I said sure, but I don't have cables. Do you? He said he didn't, but asked if I could help he buddy push the car and he'd try a rolling start. I said no problem (I'm so kind). I walked over and we got ready while teh driv…

...what looks to be a '65 or '66 Buick Gran Sport stashed behind a local Chevy dealership. The car appears to be very complete and solid and original - right down to the hubcaps. Faded paint (looks original) and worn out seats, but no visible signs of rust. Should be an easy resto.

1990 Corvette I saw a C4 yesterday, somehow they keep getting more appealing. I would honestly take a C4 over a C5, at least if we're talking coupes.

It was quite the circus..walked around for about 6 hrs, spent an hour or so sitting down watching some of the actual auctioneering. A little something for everyone, mostly '60s-70s muscle cars (massive #s of Chevelles, '67-69 Camaros, Impalas, Bel-Airs). Many, many Mopies ('68-70 Road Runners, '70-72 Cudas, Challengers, '68-70 Chargers, etc). Lots of Mustangs (incl. 2 red '69 Boss 429s) and various Shelbys.. There were quite a few '50s-60s big cars as well..the usual '57 Bel Airs, Corvettes and Thunderbirds, along with a massive '57 Roadmaster conv..a couple '59 Buicks, '59 and '60 Olds, a couple '59 Pontiacs and 4 '61 Catalinas and Bonnevilles.... Some '70s a…

It says honey, I'll be home late, I got tied up in traffic.

1976 Cadillac Hearse w/Flame Throwers 105K - $625 http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/543621694.html

Hey....guys I searched and searched to see if someone started a thread on this yet....but didn't find one....so if it's a repeat, I apologize..... My friend and I are going to be in Detroit from Friday, 1-18 through Monday 1-21....and I'm wondering who will be in town going to the show on Sat or Sun of that weekend? We are staying at the "Hallowed Grounds".....the RenCen Marriott..... Also....can ANYONE pull strings and get us into the GM Heritage Center?

Last night, I priced out an HHR SS with limited slip, upgraded speaker system, and performance driver's seat There are quite a few showing up at Chevy.com's "Find a Chevy" button at area dealerships. I think I'll be doing some driving this weekend, trying to find a few of these hot little babies to ogle.

Many thanks to Anton, an Autoblog reader from Down Under, who was kind enough to grab a couple of snapshots showing us one of the Queensland Police Department's new highway patrol cars. We've reported on Toyota Australia's TRD Aurion before -- it's basically the Camry we want but can't have. With a much better-looking face and 323 supercharged horses underhood, the Aussie-built sedan is inherently more appealing than the vanillamobile available at our local Toyota stores. And now the fuzz has them, too. Earlier this month, the Queensland police welcomed some of the "regular" Aurions into its white-liveried standard fleet. Our new friend Anton noticed a TRD Aurion dresse…

Minus a few chin hairs, of course!

Link

So, I guess you guys have heard of this website. It's a place for old classmates to gather to keep in touch. 2007 was my 25th year out of high school, having graduated in 1982. We didn't have a reunion party last year, but one is in the works for this year. Anyway, as a member of the site, you get a "guestbook", a place for people to sign in and say "hi". This morning I got an email, someone signed in a greeting. When I saw the name I was a bit surprised, it was from a kid who was heavy in earlier grades. By the time we graduated, he was a buff, goodlooking guy, a hit with the ladies. I didn't think he knew I existed at the time, but it was nice of him to remember…

For any science/space buffs out there, there are some really great shots from Messenger - doing a fly-by of the planet Mercury. This is a pic of the previously unseen side: Hi res shots here: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/scienc...hp?gallery_id=2 Makes me wish I followed into the science field. I find it so amazing now that I am older.

3 lbs 0.16 to 0.76 in thick anodized aluminum LED backlit 13.3 in screen iSight fullsize lit keyboard iPhone-esque touchpad available solid-state hard drive 802.11n Bluetooth 2.1 + edr Remote Disc (use the optical drive of another computer, wirelessly) Time Capsule (wireless backup) http://www.apple.com/macbookair/#ad There's also a new iPhone software update that allows users to find their current location, without needing a GPS attachment, essentially making a nav system useless, or at least in the city.

... if the G8 ST isn't annnounced there, I may shelve all notions of a new car purchase. The truth is that I don't now, nor ever will, need to buy a new car again. I have all but decided that I will not settle for close anymore, either they build exactly what I want, or I will buy used cars I actually like. I will not compromise. Although I like the new Camaro, it just isn't me. I don't want to be part of such a large crowd. I may buy a used one someday, but I just can't see shelling out the cash for a car that is almost what I want. Sad really, I enjoy buying new.

Logitech MX Revolution. Got it for X-mas after wanting it for over a year. Yeah baby! I love thing thing for so many reasons. First, it's the most comfortable mouse I have ever used or held. It's ergonomics are superb and the build quality and materials used are very nice. It has rubber inserts for your thumb to rest, the primary buttons are a one piece design, and the other buttons are nicely finished. Then there's the scroller, which is quite amazing. It's made out of alloy and not plastic with rubber grip in the center. It features what Logitech calls SmartShift technology, where the mouse can switch between from normal scrolling to nearly frictionless scrol…

When you fall through it! Or at least in this case when your left leg goes through the porch up to the mid-thigh. Well everyone I've seemed to have hurt myself. I'd come out of the woods this evening from hunting and was quietly packing my rifle away in its case on the front porch when CRAAAACK!!! and down goes my left leg through one of the boards on the porch. Looks like the reboarding and reinforcement of the front porch just got moved up a notch on the home improvement list...

I found these pictures online today while doing a little surfing and wanted to share them here (not that many will care! ): If anyone wishes to buy me this as a belated birthday present, let me know and I'll send you the address of where the truck is and the address to my driveway!!!

Quite possibly the coolest hot rod in human history!

Bella turned 1 year old yesterday!

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... awww, now i have to load it again.

I got this in an email from one of my brothers. Read on, I thought it was pretty funny... There were two nuns.. One of them was known as Sister Mathematical (SM), and the other one was known as Sister Logical (SL) . It is getting dark and they are still far away from the convent. SM: Have you noticed that a man has been following us for the past thirty-eight and a half minutes? I wonder what he wants. SL: It's logical. He wants to rape us. SM: Oh, no! At this rate he will reach us in 15 minutes at the most! What can we do? SL: The only logical thing to do of course is to walk faster. SM: It's not working. SL: Of course it's not working. The man did…

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-0...carmakers_N.htm tick tock? our politicans need to set up roadblocks in legislation so this does not happen

I got a chance to check out the Buick today with my own eyes (previous days have been to cloudy and wet), and the frame is definitely bent. Anyone know the cost to make it straight? Just surface repairs are going to be $1500 to $1800. The repair shop is 100% sure there are issues underneath. **Hubcaps not on car, as these are winter tires**

What?! Did you expect a new car or something? Yeah, that's my $20k car. No. Really. It is! Just ask the Cashier at the Kwik-Fill in Clarion! So, the story goes as is. I'm riding around with a few friends and I'm aching for gas. I go to pull into the BP, when my one friend says to go to the Kwik-Fill because they have his favorite gummy fish. So I do. I get out and as soon as I walk inside I hear "Hey, is that a Cutlass or a Grand Prix". I answer. He says "How much? I'll buy it". I let out a little laugh and find the gummy fish my friend wanted. I walk up to pay as he continues to talk about it. He says "That car is worth alot of money, especially sitting on the origina…

Anyone here heard of those designer dogs? You know, where they take a full blooded standard poodle and mix it with a lab or a golden retriever, or take a pug and mix it with a poodle. Did you also know they charge in upwards of $1000 for one of these dogs? That is crazy! They are mutts. While mutts are great dogs and I love them all, breeding dogs is not about money, it is about improving the breeds and freeing the breed from diseases such as canine hip displasia and eye diseases. These designer dog breeders are ripping people off by providing low quality dogs. These are not quality dogs from a health standpoint, and while they will be great dogs during their y…

So this evening I test drove a 1988 BMW E30 325is coupe. Automatic, leather, sunroof, foglights, the whole nine yards for 2900. She drove beautifully and only requires some minor work.. New exhaust Clear coat Some interior bulbs The brake pads that come with the sensors (some idiot replaced it with cheap pads w/o the sensors on em) Radio display doesn't work....and that's about it. She starts up smoothly and runs great. Hope to pick her up soon

So I'll get right to it. Just got news that the mother of someone I knew (not a friend, not an enemy, just an acquaintance) in elementary school has died suddenly and there will be a funeral on Saturday afternoon. Problem is coming up on the following Monday are the diploma exams for Math and Chemistry both subjects I'm sitting below 80% in and they are worth 50% of my mark (I need to get an above 80 overall average to get into the Business School I want). Just this morning I figured out through calculation that I'll need all weekend as well as until 1am every night till then to be ready for this sucker, and low, while I'm out my mom answers the phone, finds out about …

What does the Mexican Pimp say to his 'ladies' when they start complaining? Take it E-C, HO! I laugh a little every time I look at an Echo now. Take your normal pimping wares, add sombrero and substitute Echo for Cadillac.

Automotive News January 14, 2008 - 12:01 am ET Toyota's sprawling Georgetown factory in Kentucky horse country has taken over as the top-producing vehicle assembly plant in North America. For eight consecutive years, that honor went to General Motors' Oshawa car plant in Ontario. Georgetown finished on top in 1998, the year a long GM strike knocked the Canadian operation out of first place. Oshawa No. 1 and No. 2 are in the same building so are counted as a single plant. GM's Oshawa truck assembly is in a separate building and not included. In 2007, Georgetown turned out 514,382 vehicles, up 2.1 percent from 2006. Oshawa produced 470,016 units, a decline of …

You know, just take every car in the slot to the dealer and say, "I'll trade this one for that one, and this one for that one"? I feel like doing that. I'm ready for something new!

So, here's the big news... Machine Head and Metallica are playing Rock in Rio Lisboa, on June 5th 2008! These last few years haven't been bad concert-wise: Metallica played here 2004 and again last year, I saw Tool at Super Bock Super Rock in 2006... Not bad! :AH-HA_wink:

Hey guys, I just got informed that my parents are car shopping. I guess I should inform you of my parent's vehicle buying habits, the first car I remember them having is a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity station wagon, they bought it brand new and drove it until April of 1997 when they bought their 1997 Buick Century, they kept it till June 2005 when mom got the itch for a truck. So they traded in the Buick and bought a 2005 S-10 crew cab ZR-5. Well its 2008 and dad is wider than he used to be, and mom's knee can't really take climbing in and out of the truck like she used to, so they're hunting for something new. Right now they have their sights set on a Buick LaCrosse, it…

For xmas I got a DMH electric cutout. It just got here yesterday and I wired it up that night. Then this morning I went and had the cutout welded in. It sounds like open headers! Definitely the best bang for the buck I have spent on my car! Here is the electric cutout... Here are some pics of the install... Installed and all wired up... Here are some videos of the cutout working and me having some fun... (my camera is really crappy!) http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/sch...nt=HPIM0679.flv http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/sch...=HPIM0689-2.flv

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.

The wind around here is crazy, trucks were getting blown all over the highway on my way in this morning. The power keeps going out every half hour and taking out the network. Fun. I blame the wind. For some reason it's 11AM and the whole lab smells like fried chicken, but nobody knows why, or where the chicken is. Not sure if I can blame the wind for that one. Shaping up to be a strange day. Anybody else experience crazy winds?

and the earth WAS flat at one time, too http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/Glob...isglobaldimming something else for the elites to scare the crap out of you to add on to the global warming thing. note, cars are likely to blame for this also.

Well, you can choose to buy one Prius for about $25,000 or ten Tata Nanos for the same price. Which would it be? Pros: Prius: Good gas mileage Prius: You'll have celebrities wanting your car Tata: Prestige 2 cylinder engine Tata: You can have one hell of a good bumper car game Tata: You could say you've got a nice set of Tatas... Cons: Prius: Well, it's a Prius... Prius: Styled like a whale Tata: "What's style? Our engineers didn't know either." Tata: WTF is a Tata? (WHERE'D THE POLL GO?)