PurdueGuy

needs a V8.

It's already started. The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) is nearly finished streamlining the process for approving new plant building/operation licenses, and about 100 new nuclear plant applications are waiting to apply. Many look to be operational by 2012 IIRC.

have you gone to see them in person and see how you really like the two models?

I don't buy new, but the GTO, G8, and upcoming Pontiac Alpha gain my attention. I'd take a Malibu or Aura over a G6, though, and a Sky over a Solstice. G5 vs Cobalt vs Astra - the Astra wins everything except drivetrain, and that 2L turbo could be sweet enough that if I were buying new in that vehicle category, I'd pass some refinement in the Astra for some hp in a G5 or Cobalt. Which one of the two would probably depend on what I could get a better price on. I've driven a late model Grand Prix, and it was decent, but again would have to be the better deal over an Impala or other similar car. GM, make Pontiac the budget BMW competitor, and people will take notice!

See other cheers&gears thread about this: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...c=22414&hl=

Why? How does engine size matter? IMO, only weight and economy matter - If GM made a 10L engine that weighed 2/3 that of the typical 8cyl and got twice the economy, would you complain about the displacement? GM is a company. They are addicted to what sells. Even now, trucks sell, even if their sales are dropping. You complain about "full size lambda SUVs" when those very Lambdas are probably among the most efficient 7/8 passenger vehicles out there. Not everyone can get by on a 5 passenger midsize car. The market determines the product. Sure, GM needs more good cars, but they can't neglect the trucks just because you want those better cars right now. They're in the works, have patience, and recognize legitimate product. Is this thing legitimate product? We'll have to see if they even intend to produce it, and what a production vehicle would look like.

wow, that looks pretty sweet Sounds good too.

that's not even enough snow to need to shovel the driveway.

I'm not talking about website loading speed, I'm talking about amount of content being posted. Seems like just a few months ago, even during times where there were no major auto shows or anything, there was like 3X the amount of posting/topics on here as there has been lately...

certainly a unique vehicle, but it missed "the last ten years" by quite a bit. I'm sure there are a few others people have listed that do as well, though...

*shocked!* not

found a picture of a 51 IH L-170 for better comparison. I still say it looks more like the Chevy

I'm not in my right mind... should I just list all the cars I want? lol

why can't they just make all the vehicles they produce flex-fuel? If I understand it correctly, it mainly just requires harder pistons, better/different seals and fuel lines, and some programming for running different fuel maps when a higher octane is present (e85). I would think they could make all that happen easily within a couple years' time. Then no one would have to think about whether they're buying a flex fuel vehicle, they'd just pick what they want, and it would naturally be a flex fuel vehicle. I should look up to see if there is any e85 available around here. It was all over the place when I was in IN, but I haven't seen any here. Heck, the "regular" gas at the pumps around here is usually 85 octane. *scratches head* IDK if that's just there for all the old trucks still running around out here, or what, but I don't know of any cars that need anything lower than 87 octane from the factory in the last, what, 10 years?

Saturn S-Series Sure, I'm biased, but unique points: -polymer panel/spaceframe (not the only car with it, and Fiero had it first, but still a rare design feature) -beautifully simple engineering -engineering seperate from rest of GM (for better or worse. lol) -3rd door on '99.5+ coupes -good combo of power and economy -independent rear suspension

mater is def not an IH - headlights and body lines are all wrong. Chevy looks much closer.

do we know anything about what arrangements will be offered? Is this just a 2 seat hauler like the HHR panel?

so in 3 days, I've taken the interior from this... to this... Basically, I am gutting the interior, cleaning it piece by piece, identifying broken/missing/bad parts, and then I will get the parts I need and reassemble. Should be very nice and clean (aside from it'll still have the worn fabric, but even it I will remove from the seats and clean thoroughly) car. Plus, I have a website (www.saturnseries.net) that I put how-to guides on, so I'm taking pictures as I take things apart, so I can make guides to help people repair their Saturns.

I have a sickness... I just bought my 3rd Saturn on Saturday. To confirm the sickness... each time I buy a Saturn, it's crappier than the last one! lol (Fortunately, each has also been a fraction of the price. ) Bought a 1993 SL2 for $300. A few minor scrapes on the outside, a trashed but fairly solid/intact interior, a properly working auto tranny, and a badly misfiring DOHC engine. Interestingly enough, while the car basically ran on 3 cylinders at idle/putting around town, it all smoothed out like there was no problem on the highway, and I had no trouble driving it 1 1/2 hours home. Further investigation shows that the misfire is probably from a need of a valve cover gasket replacement, followed by plugs & wires. That means this will be a pretty nice, properly working "beater" car for me for easily under $500, very possibly under $400. Left - "new" '93 SL2 (nicknamed the "POSL2") - bought for $300, just purchased Middle - '99 SC1 - bought for $5,250 3 years ago, needed nothing Right - '99 SC2 - bought for $1,000 1 year ago, bad auto transmission, fixed by swapping in a manual for about $500 Also have a '98 suburban for hauling people & stuff on the occasion that there is such a need.

sadly... this makes my saturns look overweight. lol

I would think there is some sort of product that GM could offer as a "reward" to consessions in negotiations. It's gonna be a tough negotiation for the CAW, though... which, honestly, means the UAW ought to be that much more pleased with their position to hold and gain production.

Small cars can be pretty darn safe. Sure, you can always make something safer when you add 500 pounds, which unfortunately the "other guy" pays for in an accident. I can't tell you how many stories I've heard of s-series owners in particular walking away from very nasty accidents with little to no injuries, though. That said, small cars can't and shouldn't be forced on people. But they should be an option. The meat of sales will still be in midsize cars.

so once again we see vehicle production used as a big ol' chess piece for labor bargaining. Not surprising, and smart on GM's part. Now, I don't get the impression that it's a "if the CAW gives enough concessions the RWD Impala will be built" - I think it's just plain gone. Question is what else they would build there.

You have the right to start a blender company. I agree that moves need to be made to ensure that trade is fair, though. If no US blender companies exist because another country just plain does it better and/or cheaper, and does so under a fair trade situation, then so be it. If it's not fair, then, well... that's not fair. lol

lol!