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z28luvr01

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Everything posted by z28luvr01

  1. It doesn't have a plow, though the front bumper should suffice.
  2. One of my favorite pictures of that 2008 show. Seeing all three of the same stage together, illuminated like that, seemed very symbolic. Pontiac's future was supposed to be bright with these three vehicles lighting the way, while mistakes like the G6 GXP, G5, and G3 would eventually be swept under the rug and forgotten. Alas it was not to be. GM has the opportunity here to bring 66% of this picture to reality, albeit under Chevrolet. Don't screw this up GM. Not everyone wants a CUV.
  3. I anxiously await Camino's response, because I have no idea what he will pick. Me, the Chevelle is a first choice followed very closely by the El Camino and the GTO.
  4. Haha I remember that day well. It was center stage at the Pontiac presser, flanked by the G8 GXP and Solstice targa. All threee were pretty mobbed the whole day. In contrast, the G6 GXP (also introduced that year) was tucked away in the corner and there were crickets chirping at that display. What the G8 ST could have done was take the car-with-an-open-bed bodystyle out of he shadows of the El Camino's heritage and help a new generation of buyers see it for what it is; something that can be fun, efficient, and useful all at the same time. I know not everyone that's responded in this thread is particularly fond of the Ute, but hey, if the Acura ZDX, Accord Crosstour, Hyundai Sonata, and 5 series GT can attract enough people crazy enough to take them home, then there's no reason to think the Ute can't do the same.
  5. This is for a certain someone with a certain El Camino project sitting in a certain barn in a certain suburb of Philadelphia. http://longisland.craigslist.org/pts/3189871135.html
  6. Mine is currenty holding a set of OEM 15" rims and old tires. A set of Firestone Winterforce tires are headed to my local Mavis Discount Tire to be transferred to the 15-inchers. Since I sent the Cobalt packing, I figured I'd get a good set of snow shoes for the truck, if notthing else than to prevent any snow from actually falling.
  7. For those that don't remember the Sandman concept. name one tradesman who couldn't make good use of a vehicle like this.
  8. No plow, but a fat block dually with a five speed is one heck of a truck clicky it's not far from me at all. I'd gladly do recon for ya.
  9. Vans are amazingly practical. It's too bad the socer mom stigma kind of killed them. As if the crossovers that soccer moms drive are so much cooler.
  10. To dismiss the Ute as something just for El Camino enthusiasts is an error IMO. I get that GM needs to focus on its core products and enthusiasts aren't important and yadda yadda yadda, but the Ute does have the potential to nudge its way into Chevy's core. I've already said its a great "lifestyle" vehicle, but it's tidier proportions and fuel efficiency also perfect for fleet and "work truck" applications. If GM ends up doing a half dozen or so variants a la the prevous gen Ute (4dr, AWD, chassis cab, flatbed, Sandman) its chances for success will only increase.
  11. The Ute is significantly shorter in every dimension except width.Plus, Holden has no problem selling the Ute and Colorado side by side in Australia, so I don't think that'd be a problem in truck-happy USA.
  12. Just put a tiny dab of RTV or silicone sealant over each hole, then push the nubs on the back of the weatherstripping through the holes. Wipe off any excess for appearance's sake. Problem solved. RTV/silicone sealant should be avaialble at any auto parts store for under $10. Either (or both) are good to have because though they have adhesive properties they never "harden".
  13. Consider how big the "small" truck has gotten these days. There's definitely room for something smaller than a Colorado, Tacoma, or Frontier. The Ute/El Camino is perfect to fill that role. I could stand behind creating Ute variants, even sending a couple to GMC and possibly even Cadillac.
  14. I know you're being facetious, but a 4cyl VF Ute could happen. GM has in the past consdiered dropping the LNF in the Camaro. HP/torque numbers for it are actually very similat to the non-DI 3.6L. The LNF's replacement (the Regal GS engine) should do pretty well in the VF cars and especially the lighter Ute. If they can get highway MPG figures well into the 30s, it could become a reality. Things could get interesting if they continue with the LPG system they currently use and adapt it to the Ute. That would be a boon for government fleets. So would all electric and hybrid versions. GM really should start thinking outside the box with the Ute/El Camino.
  15. As I thought, the tariff excuse was lame and not really true. Taking emotion out of the picture, having the Ute here does make sense. GM could market it as more of a "lifestyle" vehicle - something to throw your bikes in for a weekend ride, or to help move your friend to his new apartment, or to handle the occasional Home Depot run, while givng you the comfort and economy of a car. The new Colorado is supposed to be bigger than the current truck, so there is breathing room for a true "light" "truck" that could serve as a CAFE mule. That said, I still see the logic behind not going through the effort to send the VE Ute here at this point, though you could argue for sending a few here as a trial run to gauge interest. This generation has just about run its course. I agree with those who say keep an eye on Oshawa. I could see it turning into a North American export hub for VF cars - covering GMNA, Europe, and some of the ME while VFs produced in Australia are sent to the Far East, Africa, etc.
  16. That is gorgeous. You could also go with silver, charcoal, white, or black for the exterior, but I think you're right and dark metallic red would look best. The late 90s/early 00s G body Cadddies wore one of my favorite versions of dark red metallic:
  17. A subcompact car costing 1K less than a Cobalt SS of seven years ago, or a base Z28 of ten years ago. I'm not knocking the Sonic, but wow...holy inflation.
  18. I would have expected that the US-AU free trade agreement eliminated the tariff for Australian light trucks. With the VF Commodore intro just a few months away, it's probably not worth the trouble of bringing it here now. I'd rather them spend the tooling up Oshawa to handle VF Ute production.
  19. Here's an offbeat idea...buy this as a donor and make the Mothertruck your workhorse.
  20. Good review. Gives us the bad news without resorting to bashing I can't fault them for downsizing the Malibu to put some space between it and the new Impala, but the other stuff is just inexcusable. This just shows that Dan Akerson is an idiot and not fit to be CEO of a lemonade stand, much less GM. Hopefully he gets an inside-the-gate retirement package really soon. I had some seat time in a 2012 Malibu LTZ with the 4cyl last week, and that is fantastic car that could have more than held the fort until the current car was ready. Considering that it went its entire existence without a single touch to the exterior and was still one of the more handsome sedans on the market says something. It was built like a vault, very peppy, very roomy, and got great fuel economy. It's a shame that the new car doesn't capitalize on the momentum of the previous car. Still, as bad as it all sounds, much of it can be fixed with running changes. I'd hold out for a '14 at the earliest.
  21. '87 GMC 2500 with plow - 3200 '99 Chevy 2500 w/ 454 but no plow - 4K
  22. Good move by Fiat, essentialy splitting the difference between the base engine and the Abarth with the turbo. This should satisfy most of the prospective 500 customers out there. I've noticed that some rental companies have 500s in their fleet. I'm up for a 3 week trip to Vegas next month. I kind of hope I get one for a rental, even if it'll be "interesting" getting a bike inside one.
  23. I have a hunch that Camino won't be voting in this thread. Of these, I'd go with the Beretta or the Cutlass Supreme 'vert. The ads for the Colt and Conquest are hilarious, given that they're both rebadged Mitsubishis.
  24. BAM!!! Some mildly cheesy aftermarket stuff done to it, but it's a big block Avalanche. It's worth a call.
  25. Look up "nice" in the dictionary and there's a picture of this. North Great River is probably about a half hour from me, and I'd be willing to do some recon work for you,
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