Robert Hall

So would I, the Evo is fast and handles well, but it's cheap inside and styled like it's targeted to a teenage video gamer. The SHO is larger and more adult. I liked the 1st and 2nd gen SHOs, didn't care for the 3rd gen because the 3rd gen Taurus was so ugly ('96-99 model).

Yeah, but they are old, outdated platforms with 4spd transmissions, cheap interiors, etc. The SHO is modern, much better content and drivetrain. It's a better car at a higher price. It will be interesting to see a Super version of the NG LaCrosse would stack up, though.. (or will the Buick be compared to the MKS now that the Sable is gone?).

Sounds plausible...from what I've heard, the unemployment rate for my thing is about 3% in the Denver metro and a bit higher in Phoenix. I've been talking w/ recruiters about lining up my next gig when my current contract ends, there are still a lot of job postings out there for my thing.. I get daily updates from Dice, Monster, etc for Phoenix, Denver and other metros I like, and the picture still looks better than '01-02 after the dot.bomb bubble burst.

Seems quite nice...much more modern and much nicer inside and out than it's comparable GM models (Impala SS, LaCrosse Super).

Yeah, I'm in AZ now, but I lived for years in snowy states (Ohio, Michigan, Colorado). I didn't have FWD there...my solution was a 4wd SUV (Jeep) for a practical, capable daily driver, RWD cars for fun. And I had all RWD prior to 1994. I would never choose FWD.

Not wings, but something from Ann Arbor I miss is BD's Mongolian BBQ.... I remember when they opened there in '96 or so. There is one in Denver that opened in '99, but none in AZ. And Zingerman's Deli. And Steve's Lunch (a Korean joint downtown). And the little silver trailer all-night greasy diner...don't recall the name.

Those are cool..they also have a '70 Cutlass 442 2dr sedan coming soon.

Wild...can't imagine having a 70yr old car as your only car...brave man. Having an 8 yr old car w/ 95k makes me nervous.

Speaking of degrees of hot, usually Thai places have no spice, mild, medium, hot and Thai hot...I used to have a coworker that I was very competitive with--when i'd order hot, he'd order Thai hot. One time, I ordered double Thai hot---he ordered quadruple Thai hot...his whole noodle dish was covered in red. Don't know how he finished it. These days, I don't do Thai hot anymore--usually just mild or medium. Without downing a few Immodium before and after (and guzzling Pepto-Bismol afterwards), I can't handle really spicy food anymore. It's not much fun not being able to make it home without firehosing.

I've had a few dishes that were supposed to be Russian, didn't really care for it. Can't remember what was in it, some kind of cold soup that tasted like old socks, IIRC. One of my best friends is of Russian ancestry, but he doesn't cook any Russian dishes, just Jewish staples (matzo, corned beef, etc).

Top 15, in order of preference: 1. Thai 2. Italian 3. Mediterranean/Middle Eastern (Greek, Iranian, Lebanese, Israeli, Morrocan, etc---there are a couple great Israeli restaurants here in Phoenix that I like a lot). 4. American 4. Indian (both northern and southern, and Nepalese). 5. Vietnamese 6. French 7. Southern 8. S./Central American--Mexican, Peruvian, Argentinian, Brasilian 9. Japanese 10. German 11. Chinese 12. Sri Lankan (some of the spiciest and most flavourful I've had). 13. Mongolian 14. Korean 15. Ethiopean (I've never wanted 'keel over' walking into an Ethiopian, Indian or Thai restaurant--I love the scent of lots of spices and ingredients...then again, I have a very poor sense of smell, too much perma-congestion). I've also enjoyed Jewish, Carribean, West African (Ghanan), some Polish.... Not much of a fan of Russian dishes. I think my dislikes are not so much specific cuisines but certain ingredients---i.e. I won't touch eggplant or food made from internal organs.

I call BS...now you are contradicting yourself...you said previously the same standards that apply to cars shouldn't apply to trucks. If I bought a truck to commute in, I'd want it to be as nice inside as a car of the same price range, as most buyers would, I suspect, if they use them the same way. Therefore, the same standard applies. A $40k truck should be as nice inside as a $40k car.

Yeah, the market timing was all wrong on the G8...if it had been out in '05-06, who knows, it might have been fairly successful.

GM still plays to the mindset that Americans will only buy subcompact or compact cars if they are really cheap...really cheap translates into low content w/ nasty cheap interiors.

Remember the generic food movement? Cheapo groceries selling unbranded food in white cans/boxes with black letter labels like 'CEREAL', 'CHICKEN SOUP', 'BEER'? Maybe some retailer will market Chinese cars as generic brand cars...white with with black 'SEDAN' or 'SUV' logos.

That's a lot of empty cubicles and offices. Sounds like a lot of Not Good as far as GM's future.

Just anecdotal, based on the reality I've seen in suburbia, but also based on what I've read in the magazines. There are hell of a lot of people commuting to work in 'em.. Not talking about people out in the country that have horse trailers, travel trailers, etc to tow. Of course, your mileage may vary, things may be different in your reality.

My impression is the Central Valley has more in common w/ the agricultural Midwest than the rest of California.. I've been to Sacramento, the surrounding area strangely felt like western Ohio. Haven't been down to Fresno or Bakersfield...worked with a guy from Bakersfield, he described it pretty negatively ("hellhole", IIRC).

Speaking of plates, the latest state law here is it's now illegal to have the state name covered by a license plate frame, was a primary offense w/ a $135 fine at first. Last week, was reduced to non-primary w/ a $30 fine. So many lazy people leave the cheesy dealer plate frame on.

Yeah, I just can't get excited about a nose heavy V8 FWD car... great engine, wrong platform.

Yeah, lots of snow up in Flagstaff lately. But an 4WD SUV makes more sense up in the mountains. I've kept my Jeep registered in Colorado, though registration is about the same here (% value based) (and only 1 plate). Ohio is still the cheapest I know of (a flat $25/year, IIRC).

Nice to see a Camaro pace car, but the paint scheme is hideous, IMHO...I'd rather see white w/ orange stripes like the '69 IPC.

Or 3, a snowbird from Ohio or other frozen winter state. But it did have an AZ plate.

Umm...I haven't been to a BW3s in ages...they have some out here in the Phoenix area, but all out in the burbs. When I lived in Kent, Ohio from '88-94 I used to frequent the one there, was one of the original stores, when it was still Buffalo Wild Wings and Weck. There is a decent local wing chain called Long Wong's that I go to when I have a wing craving, also the Wing Stop chain has a few stores here. Some chains I miss from the Denver area are Noodles & C and Smashburger (though I hear they are expanding here)..

Actually saw a dark red Grand Prix GXP in traffic yesterday. What's the point of having a FWD V8 car in Phoenix??