vonVeezelsnider

Sounds like the Big 3 is once again...

I saw this video and I just had to share it... I have to say this is perhaps the funniest and best explanation of why you'd want an LT1 Roadmaster that I've ever seen!

As for the DTS just remember that the more complex something is, the more complex it is to fix. For a first car I'd shy away from the Northstar Caddies, especially the higher mileage ones, just too many things to go wrong. Lots of electric doodads to take a dump at an inopportune time. The head bold problem that kills head-gaskets on this engine wasn't properly fixed until about model year 2003, although the 2000 model engine is very much improved and runs on regular fuel. Repairs on the Northstar require lots of special tools and is generally a very labor intensive engine to do repairs on. While engines like the 3800 Series II have their problems I think it's a safer bet to go down that avenue. On smaller cars the Ecotec engines have a pretty solid reputation for durability as well. Yeah, I'd rock that Roadmaster. You can tell him that even though it's a "grandpa" car, he should drive it before he judges it. With the LT1 and high 6s 0-60 (perhaps something that you as a father figure don't want to think about him doing), it has the ability to convert critics. Sure my grandpa lusted after the Roadmaster when I was a child (I'm serious), but these old codgers still have red blood and know their cars/appreciate the power. Also relatively easy to maintain outside of the Optispark (not as problematic on the Roadmaster, Caprice and Fleetwood as the Camaro and Vette, perhaps because of the way they were driven), but even this can be done by a relatively wet behind the ears shadetree mechanic if the time and proper sockets are there. The W is also a safe bet but I'd aim for the Regal, Century Limited (maybe too anemic for him) and higher-spec Intrigues as they tend, in my experience, to have been more rigorously and properly maintained, gently driven, lived in garages, etc... due to their higher cost when new. The Buicks (Century, Regal, even LeSabre) have significantly lower insurance rates tied to them than their Pontiac, Chevy, and even Oldsmobile counterparts for some reason. This factors into the cost considerations as well. Our Regal was previously owned by a visibly wealthy petroleum engineer and his wife, was only driven about 6000mi/yr, and while there have been some issues with the car since we purchased it, it was generally well taken care of and not cheaped out on. The Regal, especially the later models (I think 2002-04) where even the LS got FE3 suspension (our is one of these), it's not a bad driving car at all. Certainly floats less than my Impala, with a nice controlled ride and good road manners. The 3800 Series II also has a nice power band that doesn't starve as bad at the top end as my 3500 VVT does although around town they feel about the same.

I agree with you about the hood, hopefully they can sort that out with the flagship model... It needs to be longer and lower, but I'm afraid with all these new pedestrian impact regulations, we're about to see more cars that look like the XTS than don't.

Take a look at the XTS in the light of day... I say it looks pretty good. While I do agree that there needs to be a proper S-Class fighting Cadillac, I'm sure they'll sell more of these than they did DTSs.

Quite frankly I'd have a 5-GT before I'd consider it's ridiculous stilt-wearing X6 stablemate. Just as pointless as the ZDX, think I've only seen one on the street in the years it's been out.

Usually Mexico is the issue, I have heard.

I think the idea of badging a Regal back to Vauxhall is appealing.

This is very promising... the push button go and cheaper NAV should make this even more competitive. Still eying a lightly used or end of year clearance LTZ in a couple years.

Legendary Lordstown at it again, this has got to be a cultural thing, as I think it goes back to the Vega IIRC

Sales in Canada are still sucking pond water. Outsold by Ford and Chrysler last month and I think pricing has something to do with that.

Already preordered it months ago, it was originally supposed to be out last week but got pushed back.

Happy Birthday

We've had many ex-rentals. The trick is to pick one up with like no miles on it, less people have the opportunity to rag the car. If you buy one off the GM lot, GM won't take back rental cars that have been in major accidents.

I'm looking forward to the Verano. I know my next daily driver needs to be a 4cyl and be smaller with fuel prices going up and probably having a project car on the side, I'm going to need something thrifty at the pump to support my car habit. The Cruze is very attractive, but for not much more than a loaded 2LT or LTZ Cruze you can get the Verano which has got more power and benefits from being classier. I'm certainly going to have my pick for sure of some great models coming out in the next while for sure.

That's the route I'll probably go in the next few years as I get my degree and get out on my own. Realistically my budget for a new car is probably going to be around 25-26k when I graduate and move out. If I bought new I'd be able to afford a low-spec Malibu LS or a mid-high spec Cruze LT. If the car doesn't have to be new you can look at more well equipped cars- Malibu 2LT and LTZ, Terrain, LaCrosse CX, Regal etc etc... Look at it this way, a new Malibu LTZ-4 costs about $32'000 MSRP and at one or two years old with less than 30k KM the same car sells for $22'000-$24'000, throw on a GMPP extended warranty to compensate for it not being new and you're still well ahead of where you'd be if you bought it new.

Disagree. http://bacon.frymybacon.com/2006/07/19/test/

When we bought the Regal as with other used vehicles we've bought, our salesman friend ran the VIN number in his computer and could pull up all warrantied repairs on the vehicle as well as recall campaigns performed. I should assume Ford has a similar system.

Done!

Paolino? 'cause that makes like no sense /jk

As you may have read in my thread in the lounge, I'm looking at purchasing a 1994 Fleetwood which has been sitting for about a year and a half without being driven. I'm concerned that despite a proper inspection and whatnot that this could bite me on the behind later so I'd just like to be sure of what I'd be looking at replacing. I know the tires would be replaced by me sooner rather than later with a new set of Hankook Mileage Plus II whitewalls but for all I know they could be dry rotted now. The thing will be inspected and compression tested before I buy it, and it runs and drives fine now according to the seller. Haven't had a chance to drive it yet. Obviously the fluids will all need to be changed at the same time and I should be looking out for rotted hoses and belts. Is there anything else I should be looking for or that might give me pause?

The guy sent me pics... The Good: -Brougham Package -Dark Green Gray Metallic w. Vinyl Top (A personal favourite) -Factory Chrome Wheels and Whitewall Tires -Factory Astroroof -All Chrome is straight and clean except for RH rear quarter panel upper trim (crinkles) -No Rust -Runs like a top, no error lights or codes -Deceased previous owner was meticulous licensed mechanic The Whatever: -Mileage within tolerances, but not as low as I would have liked -Gray Prestwick Cloth interior (meh, but rare and the right color) The Not-so-good: -Car has been sitting for over a year, as it is an estate sale -Could the tires be dry Rotted/have flat spots? Anybody's guess -Fluids and Belts would need to be changed ($$$) -Bottom Vinyl Top molding would need to be replaced ($$$) Overall the 1-2 punch of Chromes and Astroroof make this a desirable car from what I've read, along with a not so common colour. Not a plain-jane everyday Black, White, or Gray. Not a common option package to have all that kit and no leather, and since in 1994 more Fleetwoods went to Saudi Arabia than Canada this is an impressive find indeed. Some pics the seller sent me. I don't know what to do next. I obviously want to see it in person to evaluate what is needed on the car that seeing pictures doesn't tell, and I think given the amount of time it's been sitting I'd have it inspected (which the seller has agreed to), also have to check the accessories and toys work (power antenna, trunk pulldown, lamp monitors, Astroroof, seats, etc...) but colour me VERY interested.

Notice he's ruled out the VE but not the next gen one...

I believe it's similar in finish to the wood I saw in a Lexus ES recently...

Very nice, but I have to admit the Exec Series is far and away my favorite.