trinacriabob

I just saw this. First, @David I will definitely be putting the TravelJohn on my list! Other suggested things to have in the travel kit are those compact camping toilet paper rolls and a small flat plastic container with some toilet seat covers. - - - - - That aimless car trip to decompress, and it needs to be done alone, cannot be undervalued. Mine was a triangle, which I usually did in my Camaro. I would do this after college, but prior to moving to Atlanta for a couple of years. It would mean driving up the coast about 50 miles, driving back on an inland freeway with a stop at a Big Boy restaurant, and then taking the last freeway to complete the triangle to get home. - - - - - @William Maley Good read. That Ford sedan up above, in that trim level, is attractive. They're the "same," but I took to the Mercury Milan of those same years just a little bit more. Either away, amazing for what was once a "GM only" consumer. There are many Fusion/Milan vehicles still on the road in very good shape.

Tesla and Boeing are sadly sort of like "two peas in a pod" these days.

Really interesting to see that Europeans will pare down the transmission offerings on a smaller car to an automatic. That said, it appears that the 7 speed DSG automatic is now a stalwart for the companies under the VW umbrella. It is in fact a pleasant experience to drive a VW-Seat-Ibiza product with such a unit working the gears.

There was a thread about the Chrysler 300 somewhere in the heap and I saw one just the other day. It's the older more bulbous "Gotham City" looking version which never got my attention. It was badged 300 instead of Lancia Thema, which had a smaller V6 engine. I have a feeling this one has the Mopar V6 seen in North America. The most unusual thing about this one is that the car had plates with BG, which means Bulgaria. Its license plate also used the Latin alphabet instead of the Cyrillic one. In photo searches, it's somewhat amazing how many big American cars, and GM colonnades, were featured from Eastern Europe - mostly Hungary and the Czech Republic. Where will they get the parts for them when they'll need them? - - - - - I saw this about a week ago. I was walking past a gym and went in to inquire about pricing. I saw this thing (see below) on the floor and asked about it. The guy said he knew that it came from a Corvette, but didn't the year or engine size. Knocking on it, it was a cast iron block. Not what one expects to see in a small bread and butter gym.

Everything is more legible and clearer from a laptop than from a smartphone. Per the homepage, there are 2 birthdays today and I only really "know" one of the birthday folks. That said, happy birthday (or buon compleanno) to @Paolino. Enjoy the special day.

I figured the sales of high priced/high quality and workmanship vehicles would be low in terms of units. They are interesting to look at, but not to own, always having to worry about door dings and small scratches. I had to laugh because around 1976, Oldsmobile sold over 1 million cars, of which 512,000 (IIRC) were Cutlasses. Now, Oldsmobile has been absent for some 20 years. It's the truth. The worst thing that may have happened to the U.S. and Canada, and several other "first world" (somewhat of a controversial term anymore) countries, is the erosion of the middle class. It made for a healthier country in terms of fiscal soundness, morale, and, yes, even basic health. It's very sad.

Woke up this morning and realized it's January 20th. That means January 20, 2025 is exactly a year away. (The leap year buys us a little more time.) The variables are daunting. * sigh *

I saw this today. Generic looking and the driver was somewhere else, so probably not a fast charger. There are either 0 or 1 car(s) at these 2 dedicated spaces.

I was listening to the news and they stated that rental car agencies in Italy are shelving 20% of their EV fleets. It didn't name companies, so it sounds like an average or aggregate. With the infrastructure here, and rural swaths and poorer regions, getting them charged could be a problem. People shouldn't be scared, but they are understandably apprehensive. Everyone wants EV infrastructure they can work with and understand. I remember when I found a Tesla charger and was thrilled. I then came to learn it was a Destination charger. That's why no one was around. I had to move on to a Supercharger at 11 p.m. I had the 20 minutes, but not the molasses slow 2 hours that would have kept me up until 1 a.m. - - - - - What I was really going to post: I dislike and don't trust vessel dishes at eateries. It has a smoke and mirrors aspect about it.

Joyce Cooling - given that she's from the Bay Area and the time she was born, some Italian DNA wouldn't surprise me ... the city's demographics are much different now Sporting a "don't be giving me any crap as I walk down this Berkeley street" look - I don't know if that's really Berkeley; however, I have a weird "relationship" with the place I would just hear her stuff come on some jazz stations when channel surfing and figured she would be more of a tree hugger than being quite hip, with the NorCal coastline in the background

As for the crucifix and all the other consistent demographics, don't get me started on schemata. I could extrapolate and then some. - - - - - Yes, I'd have to say I miss it. It and the Buick coupe before it were the most reliable cars I've had, bordering on almost unbelievable. As for a new ride, I'm going to hold off. I know driving has always symbolized freedom for me and I do do enjoy it, but I want to make sure everything gels a little more. First, transit is very good and popular and I just got a monthly pass for 34 Euro! That even includes some local train use, which makes it even more appealing. As for cars, I will have to do some research, both in published form and by asking around. I'll have be making trips back in both April and July, so I don't want to buy a car just yet. - - - - - At this point, I'll list some cars I'm considering (alphabetically) and ALL of them must be automatic. With that comes learning whether it's a decent automatic and whether it appears to have been taken care of. Alfa Romeo MiTo - the most "exotic" on the list Citroen C3 Fiat Tipo 4-door (only, not the wagon) - definitely practical and you don't see all that many Ford Fiesta - a little nicer looking as a coupe, IMHO Ford Focus Hyundai i-10 Hyundai i-20 Kia equivalents to the Hyundais above or similar Opel Astra - this was sold as a Saturn in the U.S. Opel Corsa Opel Karl - yes, it's related to the Chevy Spark, but the dash and finish inside are nicer Renault equivalents to the cars in this list Seat Ibiza - now related to VW and it shares tech with them, but a little nicer looking than its Teutonic relatives Smart four four Toyota Yaris VW Polo - - - - - I'll also have to consider whether I will default to a sedan even though most of the coupes are more attractive and will have to consider trunk capacity (I'd like to be able to fit one regular suitcase, a duffel or gym bag, and possibly the tote that slides on top of the regular suitcase. Also, as with anywhere else, there are so many gradations in styling/appearance, trim, color, engine/trans. choices across adjacent years.

This Joyce Cooling is talented. Native San Franciscan

I think that, once we branched out from mostly GM, the focus should be pluralistic ... for anything that was, is, and will be on the road and that members like. I obviously still love and carry a torch for GM's colonnades, from 1975 through their derivatives until ~ 1987. (I don't ever see becoming a fan of Tesla, specifically ... especially after being "traumatized"by one ... lol.) Change requires stretching. I've stretched some from only GM to other domestic manufacturers ... then to foreign brands ... and prospectively most likely to something just a bit larger than the basic econobox.

I just noticed this. That's impressive. Was that an illuminated crucifix on the building's wall? Drive-through religion? 5.0 liter V8? Manual? I'm thinking you probably would have enjoyed the twisties of the Front Range with a stick (even more). - - - - - What I was going to post ... What did I do to my car today? Well, I THOUGHT about the car. It would have been its 16th birthday. I sold it with 128K. There is almost no doubt that, aside from smaller annoying fixes, the powertrain could deliver at least twice that. They'll have to take care of it. I'd hate to see a babied 3800 Series III not delivering the service it so easily can. * sigh *

I was scrolling around earlier today and saw the birthday list. Then, I ran errands and also went to Ikea. I checked it again later to make sure I didn't have sleep in my eyes ... and didn't want the day to pass without wishing @balthazar a happy birthday.

I saw this interesting video on what a Boeing 797 could be. I disagree with his thoughts about the 787 being sort of a gamble. It's great. It's got range to go very far and also works for 2 to 3 hour flights. The 787 rolled in the 757 and 767, so it was good that way, although it's more similar to a 767. I didn't know there was that much love for the 757 ... and that it left a gap. The 737 is one of the best planes ever. It's boring, but has been a workhorse for decades. Now, if all these MAX issues could be resolved and fade into the rear view mirror. The biggest thing is that Airbus is scoring big with the 321-XLR, which carriers are increasingly using for transatlantic service. I flew on one for 7 hours for a 177€ deal back to North America and it was better than okay. It was better than doing it on an older Boeing 757, though both are 3-3single aisle. So, this 797 is meant to go head-to-head with Airbus. It will be like a long 737, have longer range for transoceanic service, and, best of all, this concept shows it having 2-3-2 twin aisle seating, so 7 seats across. You really want that on a long haul flight. It opens up the feel of the cabin. I'm no marketing researcher. Boeing has their work cut out for them. They also have to deliver with this latest 777, which is behind schedule. I think this line-up from big to small looks plausible: 777 - their biggest remaining airliner and as close to a 747 as we'll get anymore 787 - aka the Dreamliner 767 - they have kept a line in operation, but only for freighters - UPS, Amazon Prime, etc. use them a lot! 797 - new plane to slot into niche 737 - local and domestic workhorse - - - - - What do I know? I just know which airplanes I like, but that's aside from how they pencil out. Primarily, I wish Boeing success.

I'm surprised and not surprised. I'm surprised because they had made a commitment and were making a statement. I'm also surprised that they didn't buy them with any volume purchase incentives. I'm not surprised because many renters did not like the Teslas. They do not have a scan code with a "to do list" for you because it's not obvious what you should be doing to operate all the "necessary" aspects of the car. Or a sheet they hand you with your rental leaflet. A person sometimes even has to hunt around to find how some things work on a newer ICE car. We're no longer talking 1999 Cavaliers where you could hop in and go. I'm open to EVs in a rental fleet. I will plan and work around the charging and range issues. The dashboard and its interfaces basically need to be more user-friendly and intuitive. That's what I ask.

As I read the comments, I learned that this was a reboot of a song done by 4 or 5 guys earlier on. This reboot is better. Decent music started tapering off right around this time. I can't remember if I was in a rented Grand Am or G6, but I definitely remember where I was.

I am a little stressed right now as I read about the polls and polling. I know there are more qualified people available on both sides who aren't showing up or aren't monopolizing the media with theatrical high drama. - - - - - What I was really going to say: health care professionals don't like smart people. You can read an awful lot about things on line and, if think in visual and diagrammatic terms, you can practically self diagnose. I have correctly done it numerous times. I had to trade in my last doctor after 3 years because he was so crass, but his medical assistant had a pleasant demeanor. Now, I have a doctor I like enough, but his medical assistant can sometimes be a mercurial sn@tch. I think I go in too late in the day, so she's probably on edge craving a smoke break. This is why I do what I can to avoid the doctor's office. My only vice is the occasional buffet or Brazilian steakhouse visit where they shave off the meats right at the table. My dad didn't stay on his medication regimen for decades and courted cardiac issues later. My mom was never in the hospital between having me and passing away.

I agree. Bonneville Model G was a head scratcher. The front grille was too tall and the rear taillamps full of eggcrates. Similarly, for a few years in the early '80s, Buick threw the Century name onto what was really a Regal notchback, right along with Limited trim found in the Regal coupe of the same year. My dad had that sedan in dove gray enamel inside and out. It was a mostly a good car with intermittent spark knock and a metal pan had to stay on the garage floor for seeping oil. That Catalina coupe is nice! You didn't see many. I forgot that Pontiac stopped making their 4.9 and 4.3 in 1981/2. I've never been a fan of the 305 after being "burned" by one in a Camaro I kept for a short while. Pontiac's 301 never made it into California IIRC and what they did is substitute 305s.

The Toro/Riv that definitely did not belong on the list was '86 and '87. They were disappointing. Yay for Toro's trestle shifter. I loved it. But that was about it. In 2007, a neighbor had an '88 Coupe de Ville in triple chocolate brown/mauve metallic. It had the velour interior with the wreath embroidered into the cushioned seats. Also, alloy wheels. It was beautiful. It had the 4.5 V8 and it had been hassle free for him. Cadillac improved their aluminum V8 engines as time marched on.

I should have included this for a laugh. Sometimes, Google Maps does a great job of telling you where you are but scratch its head when it comes to providing directions to get you somewhere.

This was just great, in terms of what he has to say. I agreed with most of it. 5. Those years of Eldos and Toros were too big and too thirsty. I'd always opt for an Olds 455 over a Cadillac 500. Then, if we're talking that span of years, it has to have a true opera window. That would limit me to the '75 and '76 Toronado. The '77 would have had a 403. 4. Uh ... no. 3. Mostly, I agree. My favorite would be the Parisienne (he didn't mention it) followed by the 88. Right, 307s and 301s over 305s (for me, anyway). By the end of this mentioned period, the Chevy 4.3 TBI Vortec V6 was available in the Chevys and Pontiacs. It made for better fuel economy and it's 3/4 of a Chevy 350, so very durable. In '81 and '82, the 88 (certainly not the 98) could be had with Olds's 260 V8, so the biggest Olds to have this small but quiet and smooth powerplant. 2. I have never liked the LeSabre. It's about its dowdy looks. He gives a long span of years, with '88 onward getting the nod. To that, I would instead say Bonneville for '90 and '91 - nicer, color blocked taillamps. And then, skip over to 2000+ Bonnevilles, which is usually my favorite GM full-size car as it is. 1. I agree. Not a huge fan of FoMoCo, but these cars became more attractive and were in fact reliable. Some later years of Grand Marquis actually looked very nice. (But so did the last 2 years of Mercury Milan with the vaned grille.) Yes to the 4.6 SOHC V8, but it would be great to know which few specific years had quirks. - - - - - He does not mention any colonnade coupes or their 4 door variants. It's that the nicely kept ones are not cheap. Also, from his many vids, he is definitely fond of larger cars. He also did not mention the '94 to '96 Caprice, which people later realized are/were very good. Again, I'm guessing it has to do with their used car purchase price. - - - - - He knows so damn much about a vast span of years for so many cars from different manufacturers, right down to trim related stuff and mechanical specifics. I might only file this stuff away in my head if I was a big fan of certain (GM) cars.

This was shocking. The Airplanes sub-forum is intended to be a celebration of airplanes and aviation. The following does not qualify, so it's here in Random Thoughts. You know how when you sometimes get a snippet of a piece of the news and the gravity doesn't sink in? Well, it sounded like 2 planes in Tokyo bumped into each other while taxiing or maneuvering and would need to be repaired. Far from it. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67879308 This was an actual crash as a newer JAL A350 had landed at Tokyo Haneda and clipped a smaller aircraft with 6 people in it while moving on the runway at high speed. Five of the six people in the small craft died (the pilot is in serious condition) and everyone on the Airbus 350 - 379 people - made it out in time as they plane was starting to catch fire. They filed out to the different slides and listened NOT to reach for their carry-ons. The hull is a complete loss. They are investigating the situation and Airbus experts have gone to Tokyo to assist, but people have some general ideas about what happened. This hearkens back to the weirdness of Air France 358 from Paris to Toronto where the A340 overshot the runway (there was no other plane involved), went into an embankment on the side of the big 401 expressway, broke up, caught fire, and yet everyone was able to exit the aircraft and survive the crash.

Thank you for encapsulating what 2023 meant in global terms and for the automotive scene. Yes, cheers to the new Envista. I will have to test sit or even rent one when possible. It brings around a Buick at an entry-level price point that's not a jellybean-like Encore, although a very different Buick. Having driven a Citroën C3, I had assumed there were 4 cylinders under the hood. There were 3, as with the Envista! That shaves off mechanical hardware and weight. It did what it was supposed to do without much fuss and 3 cylinders under one cylinder head can be made to feel balanced "enough." And cheers to it for being made available with a simple enough geared automatic transmission. Yes, jeers to Subaru most of the time ... for me, anyway. I had to take a look at this Forester. If not badged, I might question what it is. It looks less Subaru because of trim that says Nissan and volumes that say Fiat, specifically the Panda, and Toyota. The new front end is mostly clumsy. The dash loses the cubby with information at the top of the center stack that I like - which the Ford Focus and Fiesta also used - in favor of larger and more vertical touch screen. Many jeers for world events and situations. Some megalomaniacs put their needs above human lives and seem to sleep easy despite how many lives have been lost. Dysfunctional is an appropriate word for people, things, and processes that seem to be gaining acceptance as being status quo. Thanks for the well wishes, too.