Robert Hall

I've always been a rock fan primarily, but I do like some country..Garth Brooks and Lyle Lovett for more recent, as well as classic guys like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

I've never had a car stolen, broken into, or otherwise vandalized.... Alas, except for a couple of accidents, all the damage that's happened to my cars over the years has been self-inflicted...like the mangled quarter panel on my Jeep from backing into a parking garage pillar..the roof damage from driving through a closed garage door...the broken foglights on my Mustang from hitting curbs.. the bent front axle on my Bronco from sliding sideways into a curb.. the bent tailpipe tips on the M3 from backing into a curb..

The way I look at it, the Prius and Civic hybrid are totally modern and futuristic--efficient monospaces that are both fuel efficient and clean... not sexy, necessarily, but vehicles that make sense environmentally...and they are advanced as far as the powertrains..not just the same-old, same-old engines but with the partial electric propulsion. GM's Ev-1 was futuristic in that respect as well.

Speaking of the X5 4.4, I helped my manager replace the battery in his last Friday...complete PITA--took over an hour. (the battery is under the spare in the trunk well--had to take out 6 bolts, etc).

Interesting..looks completely different than the European Opel/Vauxhall Vectra...

It's funny how people on here bitch about retro, but also bitch about cars that are truly modern or futuristic (Prius, '06 Civic). Nothing seems to please some people on this board...

Yeah, it's a damp kind of cold also... after living with Colorado's dry cold, going back to Western PA/Eastern OH is always a shock to my system....(and the lack of sunshine). It will be fun to see family and visit with some old friends, though..

The Boxster is in the same price range as the 'Vette...would you knock the 'Vette off the list? I can see leaving off the $75-150k and above models (everything is pretty much excellent at that level), but $50-60k is at the upper end of the mainstream, IMHO.. The A3 is an interesting choice, but it is a neat premium compact..a very European car...

Depends on where you are and the local economy and industry. While not exactly booming, the software development job market is pretty strong right now in my area (Denver metro)--much better than the last 4 years.

The Fox cars ('79-93) didn't have the 3-element taillights, nor did most of them have even a pony emblem...they were the most non-retro/non-heritage styled of all Mustangs, IMHO... The Mustang II had the 3-element lights, side scoops, pony in the grille, etc...but the Fox was a complete break with the past..

The SN95 was mildly retro compared to the new car..

Well, we're off to eastern Ohio tommorow for Thanksgiving w/ my mom & brother...looks like the weather is going to be nasty (snow/rain and in the '30s through Sunday)..flying from Denver to Pittsburgh. (we did Thanksgiving at my sister's in Phoenix last year).

About the only retro aspects of the '94-04 Mustangs were the 3-segment taillights, side scoops, the dash shape, and the hood scoop on the later GTs (and the Mach 1). Not much otherwise. (The Bullitt and Mach 1 had some retro interior trim also..) That said, I really like the '05-06 Mustangs... I'll probably get one eventually to go with my Big '80s style '87 GT and my old-school '69 Mach 1. (Need more garage space).

Yes, also the Chevy Mexico line is a mix of US and Opel-based models...I've seen Chevy Vectras, Astras, and a 'Chevy' (Corsa) in Arizona...

I'd have no problem with Holdens or Opels sold here..I've driven modern Opels in Europe (a Vectra and an Astra) and they were fine cars..

It's been over 25 years since the Opel name was used in the US.... I really doubt if many buyers under 45 remember it...

I'll reserve judgement until I see it in person, but I like what I've seen in the spy photos (on Autoweek) so far...the '70 Challenger has long been one of my favorite old cars (along with the '69-70 Mustang).

Agreed... the Alero, Intrigue, and Aurora were a definite cut above the usual blandtastic GM sedan fare of the late '90s-early '00s... nicely styled, good engines, suspension, decent interiors... I liked the direction Olds was taking then--breaking away from their fogey image of the Ciera/Cutlass/88/98s of the '90s into something very competent and modern. Too bad GM couldn't make it work.

1. Daimler-Chrysler (Jeep) 2. BMW 3. Ford

I think the Lotus Elise is sold under some sort of safety-reg low-volume exemption..(though it does have airbags). I don't know what the production figures on the S7 are, but it's pretty low...(i've only seen 4 different ones out and about over the last 2 years).

It makes sense for people buying gas-guzzlers like the obese Ram Mega Cab.., I guess

It's kinda cool in a futuramic way.... (imagine it parked beside a GM EV-1, Honda Insight, the '80s GM future car from Epot Center, etc..)

The Lucerne is a car that I think looks even better in person than in photos. It looks great up close, IMHO...

Those are cool...I'm waiting on the JL 'Chevy High Performance' 6 car set I have on order...has a '69 Impala SS convertible (first one of those I've seen in 1:64th scale).

Too bad about the barn doors not being an option anymore. One rationale I heard for them from a buddy of mine that hauls trailers is that they could be opened when the trailer is hooked up (couldn't lower a tailgate or swing up a hatch in the same space).