ocnblu

Well I come in for a while in the morning and a while in the evening, during the work week. Weekends I spend a bit more time here. I wasn't here atall last evening, and there were two pages of new stuff to peruse this a.m., since yesterday a.m., not too bad, imo. And I agree with Z-06. I am content to be locked out of Politics. Loss of Pontiac did take some wind out of my sails as far as car enthusiasm goes. GM was without a plan to make up for that at other divisions and I think it was a snap decision in the midst of bankruptcy, imo, so things haven't been particularly exciting. There are some signs of life, things like the Verano Turbo and new compact truck that will garner some discussion, I'm sure. Sonic's sales intro... post-bankruptcy GM is still in the awakening stage.

I plan on testing out a Fiesta SE manual hatch tomorrow.

Plus a million, Mr. Croc.

They strike me as seeming very modern. Yes, fascinating is a word I'd use.

Every time you misspell "Silverodo", it reminds me of hobbits.

Well, everybody likes a toke on the peace pipe once in a while, don't they?

I find WD-40 to leave a build-up, as on my garage door tracks. I think a build-up would cause harm.

oooo, I missed the curved one the first time I ogled looked at the photo.

Clean it with rubbing alcohol and lube it with mineral oil, stuff you'd use to lube your hair clippers. It should not gum up and strain the motor.

Fantastic!

Hyper, not everybody wants one, but ENOUGH people would consider one if it existed. That Prevue looks fantastic a few years later... An Equinox or Terrain 2-door with a rakish roofline and slightly larger wheels could be a potential knockout. Not to mention a K5 revival...

Didn't go out there this evening. I am waiting until they have a 5-speed to drive, kid is saying toward the end of the week. Also, it is supposed to rain here something awful over the next couple of days, and it won't be fun doing this in bad weather. YES, wow that coffin-nosed Mack is more inspirational to the ex D than I remembered. Looking at the ex D in full frontal, it does have coffin-nose elements. Thanks for the pic, GMTG. Edmunds review of the ex D is rather tepid, painting it as competent but not overly fun. Quick for the class, but not overly engaging to drive. They mention the average-for-class MPG ratings, but Motorweek bested them, with 38 MPG on their test loop. That sounds damn good to me right now. Forte 5-door starts at $16.8k, and is very well-equipped with no options, but local dealer has none, so I can't even kick a tire on that one. Nifty flat load floor on that, but MPG ratings are a match for the ex D, not sure what real-world would be. If this were a horse race, Fiesta would be nosing toward the front due to its universally-praised driving characteristics, smooth engine and surprisingly good price, if equipped smartly. Not sure if back seat folds flat with headrests out though. Also, it is American, definite props there. Drew, that HHR you describe sounds really sharp. Let us know how you feel about the visibility over your shoulder, and please snap a photo, even if you don't bring it home. HHR has been off my radar due to my perceived real-world MPG. My Cobalt returned mid-20s avg MPG, my goal is to average closer to or over 30 mpg. 5-speeds are sooo hard to find these days, even in tiny cars that, in my opinion, need them to keep from feeling sluggish. I really need to find a few manual-trans vehicles to test... can't tell a thing about what's important to me driving an automatic.

Yes, I agree with those that feel the front end is too soft. It still has a metal rear bumper, it needs a metal front bumper separate from the body, and it needs more attitude above the bumper. No, before you pile on me, I do not want an exact replica of the '04-'12 Colorado, but it would be nice if it didn't remind some of us of a miniature atomic guppy, AKA Tundra, with those chubby cheeks and high-set headlights. In this new day of strict globalization though, I am not certain we'll get our own, more truck-like front clip. I need to wait to see it in a media gallery from the Thai show before I panic, however.

The internets have become reality I guess.

rucksack

I see something in there about a Cruze 2-door hatch, but it's all so vague... Let's hope the evil FWD pitchers lose out in forcing their platform on the next, next Commodore.

Well, $50 a week to fill your tank translates into $200 a month, most months. With a $330 loan payment, plus gasoline and insurance at $950 every six months... it adds up when you're on your own. That is my fault. The "Cavalier II", as Satty so cavalierly puts it in another thread, was fine for driving... I averaged 26.4 mpg over the time I had it, which was not bad but not up to the estimates. What it fell down on was utility. I may not need a truck for hauling very often, but the Cobalt's tiny trunk opening made it difficult to even get my sleeping bag in the trunk, let alone the rest of my camping stuff. Home improvement store projects were out of the question. So yes, people might need to re-evaluate their needs from time to time. A hatchback is a utilitarian vehicle that can pull limited double duty... maybe that's enough.

Yup, and look what it says on the door.....

Got an email from Scion saleskid today... he's trying to rope me in and he's changing his story. Says there is "one" green ex D within our trading area (yesterday he said it would be no problem to obtain any color within a couple of days), and, instead of getting a manual for stock "because they need them anyway", he's now saying the one they get in will be the one they get in for me. Homey don't play dat. I told him I'll stop in tomorrow night for them to put a figure on my truck, and reminded him I only wanted to test drive the ex D, that I still need to drive a Mazda 2 (they also sell Mazda, but have no 2s in stock) and a Fiesta.

True, seems dumb... like at sales reporting time. Also, how can they say this is the first of its kind? Caravan C/V has been off the market for a couple years maybe, but before that they made them for years. This new one seems to be built up more though, maybe, nice heavy duty. As always, it's a good idea, although I wish they hadn't cheaped out on the side panel glass coverings. Chevy at least made a different, full steel quarter and rear door skin for their panel HHR.

clothes

Not that I'm being singled out, there are others in my state of mind right now, but here's my story: I made less money in 2010 than I did in 2009, didn't break the $50k barrier last year. Fuel usage has been appalling with this 2010 Colorado, compared to my 2004 Colorado, and well under the 17 mpg EPA city rating. Internet research shows I should be $1k to the good as far as trade-in value v. payoff. Perhaps there is a better match for my budget, while adhering to my concerns for practicality, affordability, style, fun and resale. Is it wrong to take a closer look at budgetary concerns in this economy?

The ex D is $16,915 with accessories... 16" alloys, mat kit, cargo net and short shifter.

I see what you mean, I think it's the headlights, same highset mounting, and general shape.