trinacriabob

Panama Canal

time tunnel

the Eighties

horse's ass (really, a horse's head)

gluttony

I might be able to offer something here. First, congratulations on the purchase. I wish they had used the name Allure here because it sounds more like Intrigue, but what the hell. I've read some reviews where owners chimed in and some also said they didn't like the feel of the transmission. It is most likely a combination of the electronic chip in the transmission AND the electronic throttle control. There is an inherent delay in the sensors processing the inputs (including those of the potentiometer, at or near the gas pedal I presume). They mention that this is particularly annoying when accelerating from a stop on any kind of incline. I notice it on a hilly driveway. Same thing here. The shifts when the pavement is flat, or in a slight decline away from a light, on a boulevard are almost not felt. Others are sharper. I chalk it up to the new mechanics since the Series III V6 came onto the scene. Like you said, none of the shifts are harsh and none of them feel as if there is anything wrong with the transmission. (I've always like the more consistent shifts of the 4T60 transaxle in my 92 Regal). And good for you for not doing the flush. They like to sell that service item and I don't like to buy it. Also, if it makes you feel any better, Consumer Reports has given the Allure/LaCrosse's entire powertrain "full red dots" since its inception in 2005. Sidebar/edit: about the potential headaches, did anyone impartial look at the car at the time of purchase, did the service advisor make any comments and was the fluid a very light pink without a burnt smell?

delicious

Well, yes, I don't either, but I don't want the bureaucratic hassle of having to go fight for a "false" one when I wasn't even moving.

yes, cod layered with potatoes, bechamel cream, seasonings and onions... response to thread: cove

My area has a few flashing cameras that take pictures of red light infractions. A few times, these things were apparently going off at random and erroneously, and I've even been in the intersection a time or two, and have not received a ticket in the mail. What a nuisance that must be. Tonight, I'm coming home from doing some shopping and I'm at a left turn pocket at the intersection but STOPPED. I see this thing flashing every now and then, thinking it was the setting sun in my face. Heck no...it was a photo-controlled intersection. I was wondering what was setting it off, because everyone seemed to be heeding the signals. What triggers these things? Can being stopped but forward of the crosswalk do that? Do some cities and counties know these things are ornery?

cape

Thank you! Very hard to come back. Left my heart in Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia). Need a condo there bad. LOL. Response to thread: supercharger

dude

brie cheese

Yes.... and yes. I think that the Toro gets in on the list because of the FWD but, conceptually, it's another large personal luxury coupe like the Riv. Regardless, I like both of these. Any reason the original Seville (1975) isn't on the list? Maybe because it borrowed an Olds Rocket 350 and added TBI. But what a step for Cadillac and what a nice car the notchback Seville was, prior to it losing its identity and not knowing what it was supposed to be.

celebre (cause celebre is a Frenchy importation)

For the Regal, I've used Maguire's (sp?). The paint has held up well. There is a lot of discoloration on the bumpers and on the hood. I've worked on it and worked on it, but now I'm tired of this and accept it's a 17 year-old vehicle. The LaCrosse sits in the garage, so I haven't waxed it yet. Yeah, I could benefit from finding out which over-the-counter chain-auto-store wax/cleaner I should buy.... and is it still a conventional clear coat finish? I'm open to suggestions, too.

effect

Feliz cumpleano or Buon Compleanno, Z. BTW, it's still NOT your birthday in THIS time zone.

I don't know you, but you seem to be even more practical than me about purchasing things and making them last. I'd follow the "red dots" on Consumer Reports. I think the Malibu comes up favorably and will serve your needs for a long time. However, the more I see G8s on the road, the more I think that is the best looking GM car out there at this time and stickers for under $28K in base V6/no-options-needed form. I think white is great for the G8, but the "metallic bicycle blue" is also fantastic for this vehicle. However, right now, if I was actually buying, I could easily be steered into a Milan/Fusion with the 4 cyl. and some nice options...or into the 2010 Taurus, which is stunning and a huge leap forward for FoMoCo. I think Ford has the mid-size sport sedan niche cornered at this time, as much as I hate to admit that.

No, actually it doesn't change with the cycling of the A/C. I'm buying a mechanic's stethoscope tonight. I'm starting to lean to (1) idler pulley, followed by (2) power steering pump, because those are ORIGINAL (sheez), but will have to confirm. I've never had to deal with whining/buzzing sounds before, as this is not a supercharged vehicle. The rattling and clackety sounds from a failing water pump are more familiar. I will be checking out all that has been written above.

Happy birthday, Von!

While I wouldn't be a Camaro buyer, I am hoping it does well. I've seen some around and think it looks best in silver and worst in yellow. On the day before the 4th of July, I rented a car up north and was offered an upgrade to a Camaro. I declined because I only needed to get to and from the airport. While getting into my compact, I went over to a Camaro and opened the passenger door to check out the interior. The layout is nice. HOWEVER, there was something not quite right with both the fit and the way the passenger door closed. Maybe it's because I am now used to doors with frames around the windows. Unless that rental unit had been hit and in the body shop, that door should not have felt that way upon opening it and closing it. It's a nice looking sports car. However, I am troubled that the roof rails are as thick as they are compared to the late 60s version it's patterned after (the Malibu has the same unwanted thickness in the roof rails for my taste).

I hadn't driven the Regal for almost 3 weeks because I was on vacation. In a nutshell, over the last few days, the sound coming from the engine sounds kind of "wheezy" or "buzzy." It is a 1992 vintage 3800 V6 with 258,200 miles. It's NOT a clackety/clack noise at all. What it is - it increases with the rpms of the engine What it is not - it is not related to the gears, since it does it in park and neutral A few thoughts: Could it be in the pulley system? A water pump - though these seem to chirp more, having replaced one many moons ago? Also, no temperature change and no coolant drip. A power steering pump? A problem in the compressor? I've used the A/C a lot since it's hot here. A problem in the tensioner in the pulley system? An exhaust problem or something in a manifold? But it's not a groan. I drove it about 40 miles tonight and the drivability is not at all impacted. I have no choice but to keep driving it and keep looking/listening under the hood. Any thoughts?

WTF - I'll post one. Here's after a $6.99 coupon haircut and a 2-hour nap with the A/C on to avoid the 100+ heat outside on Saturday afternoon. Much darker than usual due to being in Italy and Portugal for 16 days. Nice and vague...just like PCS composes them.