Random Thoughts Thread

[Robert Hall]

1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I would totally drive a red or black Bonneville with the tan leather interior... like '93 - '95.  I'd want the SSEi for the supercharged 3800, but I wouldn't turn down the regular 3800.

30 years ago at the U of Michigan my PhD advisor had a dark green '93 Bonneville w/ the tan leather interior.. I don't recall the trim level or engine, but it was a nice car..rode in it a couple times to dinner/etc.  He also had a white '92-ish GMC Jimmy 4dr (the square S15-based one).   He's now the president of Carnegie Mellon U.

Edited Thursday at 01:56 PM by Robert Hall

[G. David Felt]

On 3/19/2026 at 6:26 AM, trinacriabob said:

What I was really going to say:  I have NOTHING I would want to use a good chunk of change on my GM Card for. I know that a Boeing 797 will eventually come around, but I had no idea that sedans and coupes would disappear.  Depressing.

There are still some options for car folks:
 

• Kia compact K4
• Kia mid-size K5
• Gensis Compact G70
• Genesis Mid-size G80
• Genesis full size G90
• Toyota mid-size Camry
• Honda compact Civic
• Honda mid-size Accord
• Hyundai compact Elantra
• Hyundai mid-size Sonata
• Hyundai mid-size Ioniq 6N
• Nissan compact Sentra
• Nissan mid-size Altima
• Cadillac compact CT4
• Cadillac mid-size CT5
• Dodge mid-size Charger
• Mercedes compact C-Class
• Mercedes Mid-size E-Class
• Mercedes Full size S- Class
• BMW compact 3 series
• BMW Mid-size 5 Series
• BMW Full-size 7 series
• BMW i3 Neue Klasse
• Audi Compact A4
• Audi mid-size A6
• Audi full size A8
• Tesla Compact Model 3
• Lucid Mid-size Air

If your in Canada or Mexico there are more car options especially from Kia in regard to their new EVs. One could consider buying and importing it into the U.S.

Note: Updated list to remove a retired car and add five missed cars.

[A Horse With No Name]

 

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

There are still some options for car folks:
 

• Kia compact K4
• Kia mid-size K5
• Toyota mid-size Camry
• Honda compact Civic
• Honda mid-size Accord
• Hyundai compact Elantra
• Hyundai midsize Sonata
• Nissan compact Sentra
• Nissan mid-size Altima
• Cadillac compact CT4
• Cadillac mid-size CT5
• Dodge mid-size Charger
• Dodge mid-size Challenger
• Mercedes compact C-Class
• Mercedes Mid-size E-Class
• Mercedes Full size S- Class
• BMW compact 3 series
• BMW Mid-size 5 Series
• BMW Full-size 7 series
• Audi Compact A4
• Audi mid-size A6
• Audi full size A8
• Tesla Compact Model 3
• Lucid Mid-size Air

If your in Canada or Mexico there are more car options especially from Kia in regard to their new EVs. One could consider buying and importing it into the U.S.

I would love to import a Chinese EV. 

[Drew Dowdell]

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

There are still some options for car folks:
 

• Kia compact K4
• Kia mid-size K5
• Toyota mid-size Camry
• Honda compact Civic
• Honda mid-size Accord
• Hyundai compact Elantra
• Hyundai midsize Sonata
• Nissan compact Sentra
• Nissan mid-size Altima
• Cadillac compact CT4
• Cadillac mid-size CT5
• Dodge mid-size Charger
• Dodge mid-size Challenger
• Mercedes compact C-Class
• Mercedes Mid-size E-Class
• Mercedes Full size S- Class
• BMW compact 3 series
• BMW Mid-size 5 Series
• BMW Full-size 7 series
• Audi Compact A4
• Audi mid-size A6
• Audi full size A8
• Tesla Compact Model 3
• Lucid Mid-size Air

If your in Canada or Mexico there are more car options especially from Kia in regard to their new EVs. One could consider buying and importing it into the U.S.

Altima and A8 are canceled or at the end of their production runs without being replaced.   There is no more challenger, that was a coupe anyway
You missed Ioniq 6N and coming BMW i3 Neue Klasse

[G. David Felt]

14 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Altima and A8 are canceled or at the end of their production runs without being replaced.   There is no more challenger, that was a coupe anyway
You missed Ioniq 6N and coming BMW i3 Neue Klasse

Yes, did forget on those points, been a while since I did a car list.  Will edit the list.

[ccap41]

17 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Altima and A8 are canceled or at the end of their production runs without being replaced.   There is no more challenger, that was a coupe anyway
You missed Ioniq 6N and coming BMW i3 Neue Klasse

A couple off the top of my head that are missing are the Audi A5 Sportback and A7 (I guess only the RS7 is still around in the US). Doesn't BMW also have a four-door version of the 4 Series? Or has that gone away? 

The Corolla/hatchback/GR Corolla and Prius are still around. Oh yeah, and the Crown. Although the Crown is kind of a weird class, almost of its own. 

Merc has the CLA still. 

BMS has a 4-door 2 Series.

I assume this list was just ICE sedans..? If you expanded to BEVs, the list gets much larger. 

[Drew Dowdell]

28 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

A couple off the top of my head that are missing are the Audi A5 Sportback and A7 (I guess only the RS7 is still around in the US). Doesn't BMW also have a four-door version of the 4 Series? Or has that gone away? 

The Corolla/hatchback/GR Corolla and Prius are still around. Oh yeah, and the Crown. Although the Crown is kind of a weird class, almost of its own. 

Merc has the CLA still. 

BMS has a 4-door 2 Series.

I assume this list was just ICE sedans..? If you expanded to BEVs, the list gets much larger. 

A7 is tecnically a hatch. but correct on the rest. We were only counting sedans. 

[ccap41]

30 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

A7 is tecnically a hatch. but correct on the rest. We were only counting sedans. 

Isn't the A5 Sportback that, too, then?

[Drew Dowdell]

2 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Isn't the A5 Sportback that, too, then?

Yeah probably. It's one of those borderline ones because of its shape.  Same how technically the Model-S and final Regal GS are hatchbacks too. The A7 less on that borderline. 

[G. David Felt]

RECESSION
Wall Street sounds alarm that Trump may be leading US to economic catastrophe: report

[Drew Dowdell]

12 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

RECESSION
Wall Street sounds alarm that Trump may be leading US to economic catastrophe: report

This is where I need the meme from the movie Clue where Professor Plum yells out. "I've got news for you! We're already there!"
I think I might make one.

[A Horse With No Name]

4 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

This is where I need the meme from the movie Clue where Professor Plum yells out. "I've got news for you! We're already there!"
I think I might make one.

Our economy isn't coming back for a decade. 

 

[Robert Hall]

On 3/19/2026 at 11:08 AM, G. David Felt said:

There are still some options for car folks:
 

• Kia compact K4
• Kia mid-size K5
• Toyota mid-size Camry
• Honda compact Civic
• Honda mid-size Accord
• Hyundai compact Elantra
• Hyundai mid-size Sonata
• Hyundai mid-size Ioniq 6N
• Nissan compact Sentra
• Nissan mid-size Altima
• Cadillac compact CT4
• Cadillac mid-size CT5
• Dodge mid-size Charger
• Mercedes compact C-Class
• Mercedes Mid-size E-Class
• Mercedes Full size S- Class
• BMW compact 3 series
• BMW Mid-size 5 Series
• BMW Full-size 7 series
• BMW i3 Neue Klasse
• Audi Compact A4
• Audi mid-size A6
• Audi full size A8
• Tesla Compact Model 3
• Lucid Mid-size Air

If your in Canada or Mexico there are more car options especially from Kia in regard to their new EVs. One could consider buying and importing it into the U.S.

Note: Updated list to remove a retired car and add two missed cars.

There is also Genesis with their 3 sedans (G70, G80, G90) and Lexus still has the IS, ES, and LS. 

[Drew Dowdell]

22 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

There is also Genesis with their 3 sedans (G70, G80, G90) and Lexus still has the IS, ES, and LS. 

RIP IS and LS

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, Robert Hall said:

There is also Genesis with their 3 sedans (G70, G80, G90) and Lexus still has the IS, ES, and LS. 

Thank you, I updated the list as I totally forgot about Genesis cars.
There are still some options for car folks:

• Kia compact K4
• Kia mid-size K5
• Gensis Compact G70
• Genesis Mid-size G80
• Genesis full size G90
• Toyota mid-size Camry
• Lexus mid-size ES
• Honda compact Civic
• Honda mid-size Accord
• Hyundai compact Elantra
• Hyundai mid-size Sonata
• Hyundai mid-size Ioniq 6N
• Nissan compact Sentra
• Nissan mid-size Altima
• Cadillac compact CT4
• Cadillac mid-size CT5
• Dodge mid-size Charger
• Mercedes compact C-Class
• Mercedes Mid-size E-Class
• Mercedes Full size S- Class
• BMW compact 3 series
• BMW Mid-size 5 Series
• BMW Full-size 7 series
• BMW i3 Neue Klasse
• Audi Compact A4
• Audi mid-size A6
• Audi full size A8
• Tesla Compact Model 3
• Lucid Mid-size Air

If your in Canada or Mexico there are more car options especially from Kia in regard to their new EVs. One could consider buying and importing it into the U.S.

Note: Updated list to remove a retired car and add five missed cars.

[G. David Felt]

OUCH Apple is paring the tech options.
Apple quietly kills 15 devices - is yours on the list?

[trinacriabob]

On 3/19/2026 at 4:08 PM, G. David Felt said:

There are still some options for car folks:

Autos & Vehicles

• Kia compact K4
• Toyota mid-size Camry
• Honda compact Civic
• Honda mid-size Accord
• Hyundai compact Elantra
• Hyundai mid-size Sonata
• Nissan compact Sentra
• Cadillac compact CT4
• Dodge mid-size Charger

Note: Updated list to remove a retired car and add five missed cars.

If I've deleted some from the list, it's because they're not in my price point. No thank you to expensive German iron.  I don't like spending a lot of money on cars.

Some comments:

I've rented the K4 and they work just fine, but it has a lot of nasty angles, especially the long tear drop tail lights and even the side of the greenhouse

I do like the Toyota Camry ... at last they got it right

The Honda Civic used to be an ugly duckling and now it's actually a decent looking car with a good amount of room.  I had a rented Honda Accord in South Florida, which I reviewed here and, better yet, it was a hybrid.

These Hyundais are not very attractive and the jellybean one (Sonata) looks cheap when you get up close to it.

I like the Nissan Sentra. I can't believe I'm saying that.

The Cadillac is the only one on this list that is a GM car ... and which I like.  If not optioned up, the price point isn't that bad.

The Charger is electric, so no.  But hybrid is fine.

But where this leaves me is that there isn't much choice at all for those wanting to redeem what they've accumulated on their GM Card.  It wasn't like throwing money to the wind because you still make use of the credit card, but I would have not continued having a car card if I knew the market would be changing like this.  I would have fared better with another airline card.

[trinacriabob]

Since I  haven't yet decided which side of the pond and if I wanted to throw out a little bit more money and it didn't have to be a car, I could choose a GMC Acadia.  Of the vehicles which were not sedans that I've rented, this one might be the most pleasing in terms of looks, comfort, and ride. I am almost sure I've reviewed it in the knot too distant past.  It has a slightly bigger engine ... since the number 1.5, as in liters, gives me heartburn.  

[Robert Hall]

52 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

Since I  haven't yet decided which side of the pond and if I wanted to throw out a little bit more money and it didn't have to be a car, I could choose a GMC Acadia.  Of the vehicles which were not sedans that I've rented, this one might be the most pleasing in terms of looks, comfort, and ride. I am almost sure I've reviewed it in the knot too distant past.  It has a slightly bigger engine ... since the number 1.5, as in liters, gives me heartburn.  

For the smaller crossovers, I've found the Chevy Equinox quite pleasant to drive.  Comfortable seats, smooth ride, even w/ the 1.5 turbo 4, decent power for freeway driving.  I've driven my sister's '23 LT quite a bit around town and on short road trips the last few years.  Good ergonomics and layout, Car Play and Android Auto work fine.  More back seat room than my Grand Cherokee.  Easy to get in and out of.   I haven't looked at the new generation model that came out of '25, though.   My sister looked at the 25 when had her 23 in for service, thought the new one was ugly.  

As for myself, if I were shopping for a new car, don't know what I would get.  My Jeep and Cadillac are both in excellent condition and paid for..and working from home, no real need for a new vehicle.   I don't think I'd get another Grand Cherokee given Stellantis' quality problems in recent years and that the '26 GC comes with a 4 cyl standard.   

Edited 4 hours ago by Robert Hall

[trinacriabob]

2 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

I don't think I'd get another Grand Cherokee given Stellantis' quality problems in recent years and that the '26 GC comes with a 4 cyl standard.   

Thanks. I did not know that they were at a 4 cylinder.

On a GM, 1.5 liters is 90 c.i., so they have to append a turbo to it.  In looking at the Nissan Sentra, they use a 2.0 L4, for example ... 120 cubes is a displacement that has been standard lingo across many car brands for years.

Once the Charger, which had been continuously revised to become such a nice car, left the fold, my interest in Stellantis it is all but gone.

[Robert Hall]

9 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

Thanks. I did not know that they were at a 4 cylinder.

On a GM, 1.5 liters is 90 c.i., so they have to append a turbo to it.  In looking at the Nissan Sentra, they use a 2.0 L4, for example ... 120 cubes is a displacement that has been standard lingo across many car brands for years.

Once the Charger, which had been continuously revised to become such a nice car, left the fold, my interest in Stellantis it is all but gone.

Yeah, given Stellantis' quality/reliability issues, a 5000lb SUV w/ a 2.0 turbo 4 just seems like asking for trouble.   

I just find the current market pretty boring and uninspired.  The only vehicles I have any interest in are $75k to over $100k.  Which I can afford but really can't justify the spend..  Better to invest in upgrades to my house and maybe purchase a winter home as I approach retirement in the next decade (which I'm having a hard time admitting to myself), keep my current vehicles going indefinitely... 

Edited 2 hours ago by Robert Hall

[trinacriabob]

Good morning ...

[trinacriabob]

Just for "fun," I priced a GMC Acadia base model (Elevation) with only front wheel drive.

I am surprised that most of the colors are extra charge.  That's not good.  I selected the standard Summit White. Interior colors are either black or gray. I selected gray.

I didn't bother to add any flooring or cargo packages.  You can always think about those later.

Most of the power gizmos on the car come standard.

The MSRP with freight was $45,595!

Are they even discounting them at the dealer level? How much?  Is GM giving any incentives?  I'm guessing that the 2.5 L4 is the same one that we've known for years but has a turbo bolted onto it.  It comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The landscape sure is different on so many levels.

[Robert Hall]

40 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

Just for "fun," I priced a GMC Acadia base model (Elevation) with only front wheel drive.

I am surprised that most of the colors are extra charge.  That's not good.  I selected the standard Summit White. Interior colors are either black or gray. I selected gray.

I didn't bother to add any flooring or cargo packages.  You can always think about those later.

Most of the power gizmos on the car come standard.

The MSRP with freight was $45,595!

Are they even discounting them at the dealer level? How much?  Is GM giving any incentives?  I'm guessing that the 2.5 L4 is the same one that we've known for years but has a turbo bolted onto it.  It comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The landscape sure is different on so many levels.

$45k for an appliance FWD CUV w/ a 4cyl in white w/ a gray interior is pretty depressing to imagine.   My Jeep was in that price range 12 years ago, much nicer design inside and out and well equipped w/ a V6 and AWD...and with inflation, the equivalent spec to that on a 2025 is about $53k..same engine and transmission, AWD, same color scheme, trim level and options. 

My sister's '23 Chevy Equinox LT was $34k out the door new at the end of 2022.  She got $15k in trade on her 2015 Trax and paid cash for the difference. 

Edited 38 minutes ago by Robert Hall

[trinacriabob]

What I was really going to say:

Just based on what is being fed to me on my phone and the photos they pose for, it doesn't look like Jeff Bezos is too happy with this trophy wife he bagged.  Once you study her more, it looks like most of her existence is about being a poseur.  I'm not so sure I like her.

[Robert Hall]

2 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

What I was really going to say:

Just based on what is being fed to me on my phone and the photos they pose for, it doesn't look like Jeff Bezos is too happy with this trophy wife he bagged.  Once you study her more, it looks like most of her existence is about being a poseur.  I'm not so sure I like her.

She looks like a fake plastic surgery disaster bimbo...no substance there. Just a wannabe Kardashian...