ShadowDog

It's only worked for decades in Canada.

I appreciated my '95 Monte Carlo a great deal, even more, now that it's in car heaven. While the fit-n-finish of the interior wasn't much for praise, the materials were quite pleasant. The back seat region was spacious and plush, seemingly less-than for the latter in the current models. In terms of them being adequate replacements for the B & G Bodies, I don't miss what I never appreciated. The W-Bodies were lightyears ahead in improvements. If GM had lagged at the auto industry transition to FWD, which was largely consumer-driven, they'd have been the laughing stock of the automotive world. One thing worth noting is that the W-Body found a home in virtually every car division within GM with zero badge-engineering involved. Every W-Body make was unique in its executed design and style. GM really needs to get back into that mode of thinking...or at least continue to develop the cashflow to make that expense a reality again. Rest in pieces my dear Monte Carlo, rest in pieces.

Here's your information. The burgers are 'alright'...with a taste that's more backyard BBQ than fast-food excellence (not that you could really use those two together in a sentence). They're better known, locally, for their milkshakes. The extensive flavor menu-board has enough on there to keep you occupied while in line. http://www.calgaryplus.ca/portal/profile.do?profileID=81320

Tim Horton's coffee drive-thru is quite simple, since all I'm ordering is coffee and donuts. The lineups during peak morning and noon times are rediculous, so if I see an extended line, it's typically followed by a scan of the empty parking lot. When it's a fast-food lunch or snack, many times I've made a point to pick out the last car in line I would have been behind if I'd have gone in the drive-thru. More often than not, they are still in line by the time I've gone in and out with food in-hand. Unless you are going to the famous Peter's Drive-In in Calgary on any given weekend, where the line-ups just to get to the walk-up order windows can take half-an hour, the speed of drive-thru isn't what it's cracked up to be. Over there, the drive-thru traffic gets priority. Their street access and exits are tailored for that operation.

One of only one: A Regal convertible, apparently purchased off of GM's proving grounds.

Hand-feeding printer sucks DONKEY balls. It's frustrating to watch the printer try to 'pick up' the stationary from the loading tray. We'll pre-enter our entire retail signage requirements and batch-print the whole operation from one sitting. This way, we can walk away from the printer and actually take a coffee-break... ...nope, it doesn't want to pick up the glossy stationary, so we must 'baby-sit' the damned thing, hand-feeding it one sign at a time. The crappy thing about that is, most times, it does this. But there are times when file maintenance will arrive an hour early, just so they won't lose time hand-feeding...and then it decides to work fine, throwing the schedule out of whack because it's running an hour ahead of pace. That's when file maintenance ends up taking an hour long coffee break - and they'd rather be at home. I can't blame them. Nothing wrong with the printer, I guess...it just doesn't like the stationary.

"You said the "F" word." Damn it! He's right! I always thought there could be a millimeter more circumference on my radio dials! What was GM thinking?! LORD! What a useless nitpicker.

WE'RE NUMBER 1 ! WE'RE NUMBER 1 ! WE'RE NUMBER 1 ! ...in China...

How exactly would anyone be able to stop it if the purchase of the shares on the open trade was their (Nissan/Renault) final intention?

Thanks. Sorry, I quick edited. I forgot to include an actual answer. DuH.

If you want the complete details, go here: w-body.com - check the forums section Highly detailed assistance from self-made mechanics and enthusiasts of the w-body models. I'm not talking about ricer-enthusiasts, but people who enjoy the cars they drive, and the work they put into them. In fact, you've just inspired me to make my new quote on there. "W-body struts and knocking are like Jehovah's Witness and your door. It's bound to happen, and you'll never like it." Helping to answer the question, the rubber boot (I think it's the jounce bumper) can be replaced. As for the plate, not sure it's worth it in the long run, given the fabrication-time and the probable requirement to remove the entire strut assembly anyway. Still, maybe find out through the site I mentioned. The guys are always more than willing to help.

I have to admit, I can't appreciate pavement-pounding SUV's. Even more, I hate the kind all beefed up with enough Lund tack-on crap to be their spokes-vehicle...then there's the kind with steel lamp covers, brush-guards and steel-tube push bars, like they're going on friggin' safari. The same goes for the massive, lifted Z71 or SuperDuty pickups with nice, shining aluminum wheels = never have-or-will see a speck of dirt or anything in the bed requiring more than the suspension of a Pinto. To each their own, for what ever reasons. But I digress... since, these days, most SUVs are purpose-built for soft urbanite transportation. They are basically cars with bigger tires now. A mantra I enjoy, "A dirty truck is a happy truck."

The size of that truck is not so uncommon. City-dwellers and urbanites on here tend to overlook the sole (HA! I had 'soul' here first) purpose of these models because they aren't typically seeing them where the majority are sold, in the rural regions. Fifth-wheel haulers (the massive 'mobile command tents') are just a portion of the utility needs. People still do buy them for hauling three-axle flatbeds, horse trailers, recreational equipment, and of course heavy-duty contractor needs. I'm used to seeing these HD trucks doing just what they were made for...and when it comes to IFS or a solid front axle, IFS tends to get the nod because its more comfortable ride for highway hauling. Let's face it, the grand majority of those driving a truck with IFS aren't rock-crawling. It certainly has its place for these trucks, considering where they spend most of their time.

I shrug my shoulders to the concept that a piece of land should be fought for. The same goes for the lack of simple human respect each culture or nation can have that leads to having gun barrels pointed to each other. It's quite stupid, and borderline childish behavior. Why death has to be the ultimate sacrifice to bring an end to conflict is what I question? It's so simple-minded, it can make me ashamed to be human. A fawn ran into me a few years ago. I rounded a corner and it galloped full-steam into the driver's side fender of the car. I had nothing to do-it-in, so to end the suffering. Cars whizzed by, with nobody even bothering to check if everything was alright; even the witnesses drove past. A passerby finally stopped and he helped with his knife. The oddest situation was when a bird, about the size of a Robin, flew head-first up in front of my windshield. It didn't hit the car, but when I drove under and looked in the rear-view mirror, it had swooped up with the airflow over the car about twenty feet, then did a divebomb into the pavement. I guess he may have snapped a wing or something, and couldn't hang on. Poor fella.

Aside from the typical safety hazards that all too many stupid people tend to ignore, the biggest concern tends to always be the possibility of wildfires. All year, people can beak about how dry it is, and how expensive the wildfires are to their region, and then light up some fireworks like big dopes and have at least someone starting a new wildfire. Yeah, real bright folks. That's right, you only get one 4th of July, (or 1st of July for Canada) to get the opportunity to set fire to your country. I leave the fireworks to the professionals, who get paid to make a good show. A few roman candles, wheezers and firecrackers does not a good show make. Our city has them every year as well; and quite frankly, they should save their money. Some shows are quite pathetic, really. The lightening show we received the night before was far more mesmurizing.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/...0703&ID=5840201 Well, feedback is starting... Please don't break your chair as you jump in your seat BM; however, given the way this wish of yours will occur, it's definitely not the best way to have it happen...even you would have to agree.

If ever there was a vehicle one could say only attracted buyers interested in what could accurately be described as an appliance, the Excrement...er...Element practically comes in a box off the shelf in WALMART.

The Milkshake Song Drill me in the ears with a Black & Decker please.

I can tolerate the upper 90's - however, mix humidity in and I feel like I need gills just to swim through the air. Renovations at this operation have meant a shutdown and tearout of the A/C units. For a few days we had 90 degrees in the building. It's tough to think when the brain is in a state of meltdown. I tolerate heat far better than I do cold. When it's merely 70 degrees in the house in the summer, I have pants and slippers on. Funny how, in the winter, 70 degrees is barely warm enough.

Question for my own curiousity: How's the Titan fairing these days in both sales and perception?

To me, the tire seems to affect the car, so the tire would depend upon the car I'm driving. That said, I've never been a fan of the Goodyear RS/A that continues to be used on GM's sedans. I've had mostly crappy experiences with them on my Monte Carlo, and other cars wearing them.

Story time: Fact, not fiction. Calgary, Alberta. My brother-in-law heads an advertising department in his company and wanted to get together to shoot the breeze and pick my brain for ideas. We decided to go to Starbucks as a sort-of treat, and for inspiration. (My idea, and you'll find out why) He's quite familiar with the place, considering his profession. Strangely, he never put any thought into its customers, or some of their oddball behavior and opinions. We order up and find a seat. Now, he's handing me pamphlets and prints, photos and slogans, asking me which one I liked and such. The pitch was for Volvo to have these pamphlets in their gloveboxes to promote their dealer service departments. I asked him what he knows about some of the people who buy Volvo's (based on the research done by the company). There's bound to be a few of them in Starbucks at that moment. He gives me some feedback, then I ask him what he thinks about his coffee. He says he likes it, then asks me about mine. I say loudly, "Eh. It's not bad, for fast-food coffee." I got about ten people to turn their heads to me with expressions ranging from curiousity-to-disbelief-to-offended. I took a look around, then said to my brother-in-law, "Gauge their reactions to what you might find by printing that slogan you have there. Will it work, or hurt?" My brother-in-law chose the slogan to present to the Volvo dealership that was the most plain, vanilla and non-offending in any way imaginable. THAT's a Starbucks experience he took to the bank.

Do you guys all live together or something? It's like a hen-house in here sometimes. *SQUAK* *squak-squak-squak* *SQUAAAAAK*

What have I done for GM? The most important thing one can do outside of their world of direct corporate influence, buy their vehicles. My family not included, though new GM product buyers themselves, I had a '95 Monte Carlo Z34, and now a '04 Chevrolet Optra5 for my wife. With little need for it right now, the truck I have planned can wait. I don't sit and complain regarding the moves GM makes; however, I don't blindly approve every decision that's come across my eyes. That said, I don't blindly approve every step BM has proposed as the perfect gift to the success of GM. My area is management in the combined operations for foods, pharmacy and petroleum sales. There is nothing overly spectacular through the operation but for what significant planning is required for day-to-day needs to maintain the most profitable levels. To put it plainly, you manage $1.00 perishables to attain the $5 million gross sales in foods alone. This means planning against (not with) every salesman who walks through my doors and having only one thing on their mind, "bookings". They all want me to sign for butt-loads of product, both immediately perishable, and with shelf-life, fighting against ever having to take 'no' for an answer. I know what's best for my operation, because I'm the one there every day doing what's best for my operation. My numbers are proof-positive. Still, their mantra is that their product is the best, and will sell like hot-cakes. In all my experience, this only works if the price is right, and the quality is such that it will guarantee a future sale, down the road, to the same customer. Very few times have I found myself with a stock issue due to purchasing questionable merchandise. This is not to say I don't take risks; however, I don't leave it up to the salesman to tell me what's best for my operation when they have no clue as to who my clientele is, and what goes on in the day-to-day status of the business. This doesn't make me qualified to run GM, or even suggest measures for their success; but it does make me qualified to evaluate what a person has to say about why GM fails, and why they have all the answers (purely from a sales and marketing perspective at that). Why is this important to know? Removing any sarcasm from the negative notions of what a 'salesman' is. BM is still better known as a salesman, but the kind that only offers what 'he thinks' you want to -or should- hear, pushing onward with ideas that do not show potential on a national (or international) scale (based on the feedback that tends to sit solidly in a realm of common-sense). His tactics and negative campaigning put him in a position more akin to politics than corporate development. Keep in mind, I certainly don't take anthing away from his postitive results in sales and marketing, but those are merely elements to assist in successful business development and not the sole grand answer to positive gains throughout; however, his negative campaign-style antics and nature are the reason his posts no longer receive any attention from me. I tend to guard myself against people in sales who tell me that my operation will only grow if their input is considered. More often than not, the ones who don't let a product speak for itself are trying too hard just to make a sale on an entirely questionable product altogether. BM's 'Return to Greatness' plan is overshadowed by his antagonistic and negative opinions. I don't think too many people can appreciate the product from a person who never has anything good to say. That said, I wouldn't feel left out if he were a salesman for whom I would never buy anything from for my operation. His attempts at character assassination within his posts have done well, against himself. Follow him if you wish. I don't care either way. My reply was because you asked the question nicely.

I'm not about to jump into any wagon that suggests an immediate business strategy on the part of an investor, regardless if that investor is another auto-maker or partnership thereof. All this talk of this engine or that transmission, like they are the holy grail to all auto-makers, isn't what this is about. Remembering the talk of when Kerkorian bought up the shares is an example, where all this same fear and speculation came up in suggested 'plots' for the future demise of GM. In the end, all Kerkorian did was sit on his shares, never remotely amounting to any kind of threat based on the doomsday predictions of individuals here. That's my opinion as well. There's nothing significant here but for what the evidence shows in how Kerkorian just wants to unload his poor investment in GM. For Nissan-Renault, it won't amount to much either, but for what they may be able to accomplish together. The way I see it, they could be investing in the future demise of a company that can't pull its pants up just to pick through and collect the pieces for themselves to benefit by...but dare I go, doomsday speculating...bad idea. Suzuki had a lot to gain in assisted development of the original GMDAT products. It is true that the Daewoo vehicles were already in successful development before GM came along, and I tend to think it's a good thing GM didn't have much input in their design or engineering. GM certainly didn't need to rebadge these for themselves; (Aveo, Aveo5, Optra, Optra5, Epica), but their entry in GM Canada has been a good thing due to the much larger small-car market that's appreciated. We'll just have to see what's down the pipe on this one. As far as I can tell, Nissan-Renault may be looking at this with tunnel vision while Kerkorian is simply trying to fast-track the deal as if attempting to unload a few hundred vacuum cleaners onto someone's doorstep in record time. I'm betting there's no real winner at the end of this...aside from what company arrangement is made between GM and Nissan-Renault for future development, if any, between them.