trinacriabob

Yeah, Sci, I know you will. Seriously, other than your excessive picture posting (narcissicm? ) and all lower case stuff , you don't seem like a bad guy, Anthony, and I sure as hell didn't realize there was any friction behind the scenes. But, you have to do what you have to do.

shark

performance

I think Bimmer IS Italian....because in that picture with his sister, she looks extremely Italian!

dilate

contact lenses

Here we go again, heading down the "Great Divide." First, the Intrigue, when outfitted in a nice color and with nice but not too garish accessories, is a truly beautiful vehicle. I suggest the 3800 V6....emphatically. This would only limit you to the 1998 model and the first portion of the 1999 model year. I have rented a handful of each of these. In ordinary driving, you don't notice the difference. The 3.5 seems to be better in the mid-range pass...stomp on the pedal and you will feel some pushback into the seat. Again, I beg to differ...the 3.5 is smoother, but not by leaps and bounds. The 3800 is hushed enough in this vehicle. Neither, in this range of model years, is totally trouble free. The 3800, in Series II form, may have intake manifold problems. However, problems encountered with a 3.5 will be more expensive as the engine itself is newer and more complicated. The reason why I assert this belief stems from only one experience....but it was an eye-opener. I had a neighbor (an elderly woman) in a Sacramento suburb that had a silver 1999 Intrigue I would salivate over. I spoke to her every once in a while about her car. I finally told her if she wanted to get rid of it or trade it in, to come to me first. She beamed and even added "and it's got a new engine...the dealership replaced the first one under warranty." At this point, I demurely asked if I could lift the hood. Staring back at me was a 3.5 litre V6. An engine blowing up in a NEW car is INEXCUSABLE. I don't know of ANY 3800s that have gone kaput under the warranty period....nor within the first 150,000 miles of operation for that matter. Good luckand let us know what you decide to do!

Suppose I get one of the cars which cheap, conservative and cautious Trinacriabob drools over (LaCrosse, Grand Prix or Monte Carlo). I then don't order the BIG option package with everything in it but still want the feel of the leather wrapped wheel. (Trust me, from rentals I've had, it makes for a different driving sensation than the urethane wheel). Is there a way to add this feature (leather wrapped wheel a la factory) without pulling the steering wheel off or at least doing it after the fact with some amount of ease? I would we willing to let the dealer do it. Let me know if you have any ideas/opinions.

Buick STILL has not updated their website...there is still a Glacier Metallic Blue which we know is defunct next year. But Pontiac has, because I am getting pricing Grand Prix pricing! Get with the program, Buick!

Pontiac

gourmand

my response:dynamics (you, engineer, you)

steering

This must be tough. I will add your family to my list of those I pray for. It must especially be tough if you are close-knit. I will hold good thoughts.

criminal

SOOOOO South Orange County...I don't think they have $12 haircuts there.

limeys

I'm happy for you, Mr. A.V.! Equating it to a Lexus isn't necessarily a "dig" -- it's called benchmarking. And, I too, prefer a softer ride to one that is TOO taut as I was reared on Oldsmobiles and Buicks. And, about pushrod engines: down, boy, down....

hookie

We'll settle for the DTSs and "the pomp and circumstance."

So very true about the classic dilemna...you have to weigh it and the positives have to outweigh the negatives.About the latter item, is it possible to discern if someone has had a "tubal"? That's important, you know.

I'm a wordsmith, aren't I?

Nice one, but falls short. The reason I'm chiding you is that you are taking a "hit" at someone who is a constant on the board describing their feelings and experiences. My generic broadbush "hit" was at a demographic who doesn't post here and for which a person can't be identified. And let me be a little more blunt: I think this seems to annoy you because the reverse snobbery thing is at work...I can think of no other reason. The fact that I'm insistent about the education and the income level may be a little uncomfortable for you. My friends who put on the 'coat and tie' feel the same way I do and don't get pissy with me about my demographic selectivity. So, are we done? I hope so. I thought Reg and I were just having some fun up above and you had to be the wet blanket.

Past tense, not present...that's why it's easy to take these potshots at people whose intricate life details and experiences you don't know beyond snippets of "this and that" you read in cyberspace.

mud