trinacriabob

If it sounds like a lawn mower or a sewing machine, then I don't really like it. Electric engines sound like golf or maintenance carts, so they might take some getting used to. I've heard that the quietness of an electric engine poses a danger in and of itself. I've grown accustomed to the sound of the Buick (and other GM)V6s over the years and I now like it. However, for me, the most beautiful engine note is that of a small block Olds V8 when it is newer...and the exhaust system is in perfect condition. Nothing sounds as confident and as balanced.

It hit 81 yesterday and was fairly nice. Today is kind of breezy and rain is expected. I walked over to a Subway for lunch and it was fairly cold already. Looking forward to summer and shorts weather...and Europe!

I plan on keeping my newer car for a long time...and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I am one of the few who does not like the new LaCrosse at all. I sat in one at a dealership in Chico about a month ago. Sure, the interior ergonomics are very advanced, but visibility is poor and it is too expensive. The Regal makes more sense, but it looks like an American Passat. If I had to buy in the near-term future, I would wait for the new Malibu and get the base, or LT, model with a 4-cylinder. (I onced rented an 09 Malibu 4 and it was great...I wrote a review). If it turned out I didn't like that car once released, I would buy a base Milan 4-cylinder. There aren't many cars out there that turn my crank right now. In fact, the more I see the current inventory, the happier I am with my decision to purchase the '08 LaCrosse.

I'm not buying in the near-term future but, after yesterday, I share your opinion that the GM 4-cylinders are probably better than their Ford counterparts. There's a huge difference in revving a Milan when sitting inside as opposed to revving a Malibu, which remains fairly quiet. However, I do agree with the post that the Fusion/Milan...right now...has the more pleasing shape/silhouette. That may change.

I've probably said I time or two how much I like the Fusion/Milan...especially the Milan, and especially in white. (I took some pictures and, once I get my phone data cable, I'll post them). I still like the Fusion/Milan and, at the present time, I like them more than the current Malibu. However, the way the next-gen Malibu is shaping up (on that sub-forum), I am fairly impressed. Fast forward: this afternoon, I went to a nearby dealership and was looking at the Milans. I asked the salesperson (he was not pushy) if I could open up a four-cylinder and start it up...and I was able to do that. The bottom line: the four-cylinder in the Milan is a little loud, despite being given high marks for reliability. I've rented V6s in these cars, so this was a new experience. The four-cylinder in the Malibu (EcoTec) is a lot more pleasing to the ear. With updated styling and the already reliable powertrain, the new Malibu is looking good! Do you have any opinions on the Ford or Chevy 4-cylinder engines?

...we seem to be "recycling" threads lately...let's talk about food instead...I was checking out buffet ratings for Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend...

More attractive than the current one. I like it. Several things I noted: the greenhouse has a more pleasing outline, the roof rails aren't as thick, and the rear light assembly is varied and interesting. I'd buy one. Since GM puts together nicer dashes and interiors than Ford, this sort of car could tip me out of the Fusion/Milan which would currently be my choice for a vehicle purchase.

Ok, here's the update. I just took the Regal in for its emission test and it passed! I was a little wound up when in the waiting room and looking through the glass. I did not want to go down the diagnostics flowchart with a repair shop. Just as I expected, it did fine on CO2, O2, H.C., CO...but, again, it came real close on N.O. In fact, it gave roughly the same reading as it did 2 years ago and 7 years ago: a couple of dozen ppm under the low speed max of 772 ppm. What did I do in the meantime: ( a ) ran a bottle of FI cleaner through it one tank ago, ( b ) got a new air filter, and ( c ) got it tuned, changing its plugs after some 57,000 miles since the last tune-up (they were still clean) I was expecting a healthier drop in N.O., but it didn't happen. I think that: ( a ) the lack of an EGR valve on this model might make it a little "dirtier," and ( b ) the fact that the cat is the original might not help either On the plus side, I looked at the values for CO2, O2, H.C., CO particles and those readings are virtually unchanged since its Spring 2003 printout and its Spring 2008 printout. I guess that's good...for having 268.5K miles. Thanks for the suggestions, gents.

Yesterday, on a major street near downtown... 3 words: oh...my...God - Unbelievable! 1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 convertible ('75 because of its round headlamps, instead of quad rectangulars) Cranberry metallic (Olds's name for burgundy that M.Y.) White convertible top Cranberry vinyl interior Not a blemish on it to be found. The Olds Rocket V8 (prob. a 350) sounded pretty healthy as it was accelerating from a light. I was the only person that stopped on the sidewalk and stared as it drove by. Others seemed oblivious. Wow.

FLURRIES this weekend... ...let me clarify: this was the situation over the Donner Pass (elev. 7239 ft), coming back from Reno to Northern California at about 6 pm Sunday night. From the windward side of the pass down to about 6,000 ft, there were wind-driven horizontal flurries that didn't stick. The weather in Northern Nevada earlier that day was beautiful. Down here, at sea level, it's about 70 degrees during the day.

I have to correct my DFW mistake...it's I-20, meaning dowtown Dallas is connected to downtown Atlanta (learn something new every day)... Speaking of open spaces and desolate, I sometimes think I'm agoraphobic. That's probably why the only 2 regions of the U.S. I've lived in and that I felt at home were the densely wooded PNW and Southeast.

Driving through West Texas once you clear the large metro areas (San Antonio on 10 or Dallas on 40) is "challenging." It's very desolate. I once had to overnight along I-10 west of San Antonio, and prior to arriving in El Paso, in a town called Van Horn. I got up and kept driving west the following morning as quickly as possible. It was nice to see the New Mexico and Arizona state lines come into view, plus it was summer.

I thought about that, but that's the acronym he's known by here, so I passed... ...the reality is that, once having had a personalized plate, I'd rather not have one and go unnoticed...which is even easier to do in a gray or silver car...

NJ TRUKR YO TRUKS TRUK 4ME NO CARS COOL TRK TRUK ROG A lot of people I know have solicited my input on picking out personalized plates. It's a lot of fun, so those were some ideas. Sitting around one day, a friend and I came up with MUF TANG, but the DMV site didn't allow it. The site also "did not like" BREAD 8 (translate that into Spanish - they must have an interpreter at the DMV) I didn't input VAFNGUL (in NJ/NY/CT/PA, I'm sure their interpreter would catch that)

I track BLS LAU stats that come out every month (this week (3/19) will post the Feb. results) and see what the states are doing. I knew NC was 11-ish, but didn't know CLT proper was in the 20% range. Is it really THAT high? Whose out of work - financial types? Any loosening up expected?

All the more reason to live in Montreal...of the cities listed, it's the one I like most... yes, yes

In terms of icons, you are correct, especially in the CBD. But I like Toronto and don't care for Chicago. From Toronto, you can go to some nice destinations within reasonable driving time - Niagara Falls (actually fairly impressive), the beautiful wooded areas north of there, Ottawa, and, stretching it, even Montreal or NYC. Chicago, IMO, is too remote. Toronto just needs a subway that goes into the airport.

The list of miserable cities showed up on home pages a couple of days ago. Not necessarily in order, it included the following 10: Cleveland OH Canton OH Detroit MI Flint MI Stockton CA (very bleak and efforts to turn it around are dim) Scranton PA (maybe) Miami FL St Louis MO Memphis TN Chicago IL I think Cleveland took the top spot. I was surprised to see Chicago on there. Some people (those who live there, or near there) rave about it. I don't like it, and I went to grad school 135 miles from there, so I can weigh in. Once you get past the "wow" factor of "The Loop" and some nice Gold Coast high-rises, it's a big so-what (my opinion).

I've been there once. It's on College, west of downtown, and then there's another Little Italy on St. Clair West. The original Little Italy has a fair number of Portuguese folks living there. Either way, good Italian eats (pastas, tirmaisu) and good Portuguese bakeries (pasteis de nata and freshly baked bread). I also like "the Danforth," a couple of subway stops east of downtown (TYD knows), that has unbelievable Greek food. Toronto has insanely good food. So does Montreal.

Keeping in mind the "standard" value difference between CDN dollar and US dollar, i.e. the 27K : 22K base relationship when LaCrosse (CX) was new, then that townhouse would be about $235K in US dollars. That's not bad. It seems fairly roomy and it has the drive-under 2-car garage. I am afraid to ask what that would cost in a decent neighborhood in Vancouver...

Congrats, TYD! What a great city; however, I have always worried about living someplace that's cold since I wasn't raised in it. I might have posted along these lines before, but I really like parts of Woodbridge-Toronto. It's where all the Italians that "assimilated" moved, so I might like that. There were some great places to eat - yes, in strip malls. Also, I think I might like Mississagua (sp). The only reason I know about it is that I located a childhood friend there that I befriended while our families were in Europe. It seems very multi-cultural. Still, if I had to pick a suburb of a major Canadian city, it would be Saint Jerome, QC, about 28 miles (45 km) north of Montreal. I like it because it is where the metro area thins out as one heads into the Laurentians (mountains north of Montreal). It's Francophone, so I would be immersed really quickly. Regardless, I don't think I could handle the cold...or I would have to spend 4 months in FL as a "snowbird." It must be great to more than double your sq. ft. for an additional $37K.

Agreed. That's right...they have better craftsmanship and detailing, but I don't like how closed, dark and musty they feel. I remember how much I used to hate what they called the "Spanish charmer" small stucco homes in Los Angeles...could just be a realtor term, don't know...but it was "way cool" to buy one of these for a small fortune and then spend another small fortune to fix it up. My thought: get a nice, airy newer home out in the 'burbs, come to L.A. when you need to, and pocket the difference. New(er) homes are airy, have lots of light, and amenities like separated w.c.s, walk-in closets, skylights, kitchen islands and on and on. For day-in day-out living, I much prefer that.

Nice vehicle...good clean lines...it should serve you well for a long time!

we haven't tangled in a long time...too bad you had to break the streak...time to grow up Response to thread: turnover

I remember the chase scene Response to thread: rollover