Croc

Drive an Explorer, then get back to me. Qualitatively, you're right. But the Explorer has a lot of "thoughtful touches" to it that would make it a very easy vehicle to live with. How many times do you rent a vehicle and leave it saying "Man, I can see why so many people loved these! If I were in the market..."

Yup. Whenever I arrive back at LAX the sea breeze is what hits me. Camino: that place is pretty nuts. I think I can top that though: one of my friends was driving in (I think) Hollywood and saw a drive-thru transexual prostitution setup. Scarred for life, much?

Prolly just a fierce urban cougar.

Don't knock the Explorer. The 2006 we rented to move me into college again this year was phenominal. I'd totally own one...

Simply stunning. I'm giving this an A+ now. This thing looks like an Acura and in the best possible way: athletic, sporty, understated, classy...everything a Pontiac should be. My only qualm is the straight-on shot that makes the front look like an Aztek...but that's a poor photo, not a bad design on the car. Interior: A+ GM finally gets it?

honestly they don't bother me that much. Xd is ugly, but the Highlander doesn't bother me at all. Xb I never liked and still don't...but I'm not hating it. Maybe I've just come to expect $h! like this?

Dude, that's every episode. :AH-HA_wink:

Frankly, Bill knows what he's talking about far better than you do: his opinion. Now I disagree with him on this, but I don't agree with your attitude. Instead of throwing in a bunch of gobbledeegook "design speak," why don't you just say that you find the lines classy and understated, with more tension, stealth, blah blah...obviously he finds the understated lines boring. Diff'rent strokes. I can see where he's coming from, but not to the point where I agree with that (like I did with the truly-boring GTO).--- I'm still debating this car...from some angles it looks fantastic. From others it looks very generic, and sometimes, even a little awkward. It's better than the car it replaces, and at least the interior is superb. I think overall I give it a B+ in execution, but I wanna see it in person before I give my final verdict.

Dude...you're seriously thinking G8 over CTS? Seriously? Not to go all Grey's Anatomy on you but...seriously??

I live in Historic West Adams 9 months of the year, and I've never had a bad stench...I assume you were near LAX? Sepulveda pretty much parallels the 405...but there's a pretty large waste management facility just south of LAX...it wouldn't surprise me if on certain days when the wind was blowing right that you'd get a stench.

And you know...how? Because that isn't the case...The LA area has a very elaborate system, and yes, some of the older ones dating from before the Interstate system even existed are a bit clogged at points...but I really don't think traffic sucks except of the 405, and the part of the 10 around the Harbor interchange. Even the East LA Interchange doesn't get THAT bad. Dan Ryan is far worse IMO.

I forgot about star-searching...a ton of A-listers live in Brentwood, so hang out around that area...Perez Hilton bases his operations at the local Coffee Bean there.

Just curious, how long ago was this? LA's air doesn't really smell anymore unless you're in certain industrial areas...

Be warned: California is a ginormous state. The full-length PCH drive takes 12 hours at least. Los Angeles area: So many cool places. Gotta check out Santa Monica, specifically the pier, Promenade, beach, walk along Palisades Park. Just gorgeous. Nothing better than watching a sunset from the fisherman's pier with shadows of Malibu cliffs in the background. Beverly Hills for the shopping and "I've been there" status. Westwood has a great nightlife scene as well as Diddy Riese and In-N-Out (and Pinkberry). Downtown LA has some nice spots, but also some not-so-nice spots. Chinatown is a blast though on the weekends. CBS Seafood has the best or second-best dim sum (depending on whom you ask) and isn't anywhere near as expensive as Empress Pavillion. Wanna see the first freeway of the West and third in the nation? Drive CA-110 from Pasadena into downtown LA. You'll go through such civil engineering marvels as the four Figueroa Street tunnels, pass through the LA Stack, and see the historic City Hall as you bound into downtown. Then there's the Getty. And Hollywood. Just so much in the LA area...The Grove also has the Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store, so you should enjoy it...it's 4 stories and huge, so let Chris know you're doing it so he can draw a map and write a story about it at your expense Tips: get a convertible. you'll sit in some traffic, so get a tan while doing it. Plus when you're moving, the convertible rocks. Stay in downtown LA. You have excellent freeway access (110, 10, 101, 5) and almost everything is 20 minutes away. South of LA: you cannot go wrong driving down into OC. Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, San Diego, Balboa, etc...so many beautiful beaches. Fashion Island in Newport is an excellent place to shop. North of LA: It's a 6 hr drive up the Grapevine to the Bay Area. This drive is very boring, and it smells like aggriculture. The payoff is awesome though as SF is amazing. See the Haight Ashbury, ride the trollies, go to the best Chinatown in the USA... San Diego: It's like a chill, warmer version of LA. Cleaner, smaller, more relaxed. Beautiful beaches. The zoo there is amazing. Honestly you need multiple trips to see everything. It's just that intense. Have fun, though!

Hey Fly, I only vaguely remember what happened...could you refresh the old memory via PM?

I don't give a rat's ass about pro football...but I am STOKED for the Colts because a) firsts are always sweet and b) now the dumb backwoods hicks who are bitching about the new Lucas Oil Stadium being built can STFU. (Background: the RCA Dome is loud, very loud, and so loud many wear headphones to save their ears. It's kinda fugly. It cannot be used for much other than games and lacks the corporate boxes and other amenities that are just expected these days. It was outdated when it was built in 1989. The convention center in Indianapolis is tiny and needs to expand, and it will expand into where the RCA Dome currently is since they are neighboring structures that might also connect...not sure on that one. In short, it's needed.)

Guys look closer--that isn't a phone pad by the radio, it only has 9 buttons not 12...methinks you get 9 presets here

PM me your screen name...it's time to reminisce. I too still have that thread in all its glory saved on my comp. It's a gem I'm never letting go haha

Those bullet points aren't all in exact order but they generally paint the picture. Modding can be a lot of fun, but it is also a huge pain in the ass. I never had problems with any of the current modding staff, and I think they are some of the most excellect, capable mods out there. I think the fact that this site is so damned awesome is testament to it all. I wish FOG the best of luck wherever, and hope that he's happy with whatever he does. To reiterate what Satty said upthread...a lot of people have stepped up or down over the years and the site keeps on keeping on. The reasons differ immensely for each mod who has stepped down, but one thing has always been the same: they cared about the site, they perceived a rift, difference in vision/direction/whatever, and because they still cared about the site they decided to step down and avoid a lot of drama in the interests of the site and its members. The reason I'm posting this is because as someone who has worked on this team waaaaaaaay back up until April/May 2005, there is not a "bad guy" on the team. FOG is a great guy and so are all the other mods. NO ONE should think less of anyone right now because of this. Love him or hate him, FOG has been a strong character on this site and generally a pretty good mod. Modding sucks. You have to get on people and stuff. But it creates a better environment and keeps things going smoothely. It's the most thankless job too--very rarely will you get a PM saying "wow great job you handled ___ really well!" But every day you will get one "OMG YOU ARE TEH DOUCHE!!!!111" because someone doesn't like one part of one decision you made. So yea, appreciate the mods. They do so much work around here, and make this site as awesome as it is. It's sad to see FOG go (I hope he reconsiders), and I'd love to get a PM from him talking about all this (hint hint) not in public. But at the same time, the site is in more than capable hands. Cheers, everyone! (and Gears)

It's interesting to note that the Milan outsold the MKZ, even though they share the same showrooms. Also, Mariner did pretty well too. I certainly see the hybrids running around LA regularly...

Huh? Prove me right about what? I have no clue what you're even referring to...???SRX sales were up 6.2% It's a simple fact, and I'm only interested in it to the extent that January is the first month I know many dealers have been able to sell the refreshed 2007s. Many dealerships were (and still are) stuck with a glut of 2006 models and as a result 2007 ramp-up has been slow as GM has tried to sell old inventory. Considering the SRX is generally regarded as best-in-class, I'm curious as to how the market responds now that it's fixed its biggest weakness, the cheapo interior.

The AURA will take off once it gets a class-competitive interior and not just a class-adequate one. Seriously, everything else about it is spot-on.

SRX up 6.2%

I love the swoosh along the lower air intake and the fogs...makes it appear like it's always in motion.

OK, the apocolypse is coming, since I gotta agree with you Chris on the above quote...I can understand not liking Rosie...but Ellen? She's hilarious, and not the least bit "militant"! Sorry Bob, but I think you got a problem...Other comedians? Eh, not big into "comedians" but I do love the genius behind South Park, Wonder Showzen, and Family Guy.