
HarleyEarl
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Everything posted by HarleyEarl
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I'm in a cold sweat....
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The Centieme and the Velite would revolutionize Buick's image. They are both stunningly beautiful....and Paulie, a V8 as an option would be icing on the Buick cake.
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Nassau Blue for Vettes. It looks good on every generation.
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I vote: 9 7
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I say get the Pontiac Pursuit for police pursuit. It's a perfect fit.
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Maybe Pontiac should be a boutique division with sports cars and high performance sedans. >Pontiac Grand Prix GTP >Pontiac G6 GTP >Pontiac Solstice >Pontiac GTO ...and that's it, no rebadging, no watering it down. Let Chevrolet do the broad range and have Pontiac do what Pontiac does best.
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September 6, 2005 http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/06civic.htm First Drive: 2006 Honda Civic By Paul Williams Photos by Paul Williams and Greg Wilson Discuss this story in the forum at CarTalkCanada 2006 Honda Civic sedan. Photo: Greg Wilson. Click image to enlarge Chicago, Illinois - At the recent press introduction for the 2006 Honda Civic in Chicago, Honda engineers and executives from Japan and North America carefully and comprehensively introduced and explained the new technologies and goals underpinning their all-new, eighth-generation car. Honda Canada's Vice President Jim Miller, followed by Toshiro Morita (Large Project Leader), Shoji Ota (CVT Project Leader), Greg Thomas (Advanced Product Planning) and others presented important details of the new model, which, even though it's the best-selling-selling car in Canada, has seen sales slowly decline over the past few years. You could tell they were all serious but very enthusiastic about the new Civic, and aware that this model must regain its cool status among younger buyers, while retaining practical appeal for older consumers. The new Civic, said Mr. Ota, is designed to be, "The new benchmark of value and fun to drive." 2006 Honda Civic sedan. Photos: Greg Wilson. Click image to enlarge Honda has focused on four areas to achieve this goal. These are advanced and futuristic design, advanced safety and environmental responsibility, unexpected technology and exciting performance. And the company has sharpened the focus of each model. The result is four models that Honda will begin releasing in early October: Sedan, Coupe, Hybrid sedan, and high performance Si coupe (sedans and coupes will be released first, Si in November; the Hybrid in December), each with a specific character and market relevance. Common to all the new Civics is exterior styling that's pleasing and distinctive, featuring flowing lines and smooth, rounded surfaces. The shape isn't radical, but it looks very modern and sleek for a compact car. The interior may be regarded as controversial by some, or clever and interesting by others. Very close to the concept sketches, the front cockpit sweeps from pillar to pillar, producing a roomy and bright environment for front seat occupants. The bi-level instrument panel with digital speedometer is innovative and daring. Engine size is increased from 1.7 to 1.8 litres and horsepower is up from 117 to 140, except for the Si, which receives a 197 hp version redlining at close to 8,000 rpm. Honda has been criticized for its comparatively low-horsepower engines (Mazda3 is 138 hp, as is Kia Spectra, for example), and this horsepower boost makes the Civic competitive with all vehicles in the compact class. Even though power is up, fuel economy is very close to the previous generation Civic (7.8/5.7 L/100 km city/highway, manual transmission). In real world situations, these cars may even beat official estimates (see CanadianDriver's 50-litre Challenge). The engine uses intelligent variable valve timing (i-VTEC) and is an ultra-low emissions powerplant. Furthermore, the car is exceedingly quiet at highway speeds, with the new five-speed automatic transmission helping to keep the engine speed down while cruising and numerous aerodynamic techniques (including a dramatically raked windshield) all but eliminating wind noise. 2006 Honda Civic sedan. Photo: Greg Wilson. Click image to enlarge While classed as a compact, the Civic feels very much like an intermediate-sized vehicle when you're driving or riding in the car. Honda says it is 35% more rigid than the previous model, and this rigidity and solidity is something that's evident from the moment you close the door. Once inside, the driver first notices the unusual instrument panel, then the original placement of the handbrake and shifter, which have been redesigned to rescue space now occupied by cupholders and a storage box (watch for other manufacturers to copy this). Several cubbies are built into the front seat area, including a thoughtfully located container for your cell phone, just below the power point. The seats are also redesigned for additional comfort and support. 2006 Honda Civic sedan. Photos: Greg Wilson. Click image to enlarge Rear seat room is generous. There's plenty of legroom, even with the front seats moved back to accommodate a longer-legged driver or front passenger. Likewise the trunk space is generous and the rear seat is split 60/40 (except in the Hybrid). The sedan's wheelbase is increased 80 mm compared with the outgoing model. Visibility all around is excellent, with big rear-view mirrors affording a good view of traffic beside and behind. Consumers will benefit from Honda's "Safety for Everyone" program, which makes anti-lock brakes, side airbags, side curtain airbags, electronic brake force distribution, electronic brake assist and active head restraints standard throughout the model range. A tilt/telescoping steering wheel with electronic power steering is also standard on all models. Four trim levels are available. The DX sedan arrives with standard power windows, power mirrors, CD player with MP3 capability and front mudguards and speed sensitive volume control, and 15" steel wheels with wheel covers. The DX-G sedan adds air conditioning, keyless entry, power door locks and a centre armrest. The LX sedan is equipped with alloy wheels and an outside temperature gauge. The EX adds a rear centre headrest, 16" wheels, steering wheel audio controls, floor mats and trim upgrades. 2006 Honda Civic coupe. Photos: Paul Williams. Click image to enlarge Civic coupes receive a sportier suspension and seats, rear lip spoiler and programmable text and welcome screen for the audio system. The wheelbase is 50 mm (2.0 in.) shorter in the coupe, compared with the sedan. Along with the 197 hp at 7,800 rpm engine, the Civic Si (coupe) differs from the other Civics by offering a six-speed manual transmission, 17" alloy wheels, sport-tuned exhaust, sports seats, performance suspension and braking, optional performance (summer only) tires, revised chin spoiler, rear wing spoiler, 350 watt premium audio, ambient lighting and numerous technical, engine and appearance enhancements. The new Si should receive an enthusiastic response from younger buyers who want a genuine performance vehicle right off the showroom floor. But Honda has also designed it to be readily customized and tuned, recognizing that this flexibility was initially what appealed to younger buyers and made the Civic a tuner favourite. In contrast to the Civic Si, the Civic Hybrid features advanced technology with a different goal. Emphasizing environmental and fuel economy, the Civic Hybrid uses a new generation Integrated Motor Assist that enables the car to run on electric power only while cruising at low speeds. Fuel economy for the Civic Hybrid is now rated at a miserly 4.7/4.3 L/100km city/highway while horsepower is up to 110 and torque increases to 123 foot pounds. Complaints at this point are minor. The speedometer hood of the bi-level instrument panel tends to reflect in the windshield; the beige/brown interior is not pleasant; the new wheels of the Civic Hybrid are odd; the digital speedometer may be distracting for some. But the sharp design, comprehensive standard safety technology, roomy interior, excellent fuel economy and strong five-year warranty, coupled with historically high resale values for Civics should justifiably place the 2006 model at the top of consumers' compact car want-list. Pricing has not yet been announced but will start at around $16,500 and rise into the mid-twenty thousand range. Look for Honda to price their Civics competitively, without significant changes from the '05 models. At A Glance: 2006 Honda Civic Type: Five passenger, compact car. Available as sedan, coupe, Si (performance) and Hybrid Notable: All new version of the Canada's best selling vehicle. Built in Alliston, Ontario (except Hybrid built in Japan) Available: October 3, 2005
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In all due respect, this conversation with Lutz has already been posted twice earlier. :) This is now the third time LOL....it's a very popular conversation.
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I like that little chrome rear spoiler...nice touch. I am one of the few that really likes this car.
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Thanks Capriceman.....I didn't know much about that '75.
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Now that you say it FlyBrian....even the hood scoop idea, the lidded headlights...makes you wonder if these two had the same desiger...
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I am begging. Please Buick stop all the truck and minivan foolishness and make this, or something like it:
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So it sounds like ChryCo was the first with the record player. Darn it.
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This truck is really quite astounding, it's so massive. I wonder what the tree huggers are thinking?
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I had never seen that Dodge Granada before. Bathazar, do you know the background on it?
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I have never known anything but Pontiac/Buick/GMC under one roof. It's always been that way here.
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http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...INESS/509020346 Explorer sales fall in August Ford cites gas cost, fading inventories Rising gas prices and low inventories sent sales of Louisville-built Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles down 44 percent in August. Ford started the month with about 25,000 of the SUVs in stock, and it sold 17,151 of them. The Louisville Assembly Plant on Fern Valley Road sent no new models to dealerships in the month as it was building the 2006 model that has only begun reaching dealerships in recent days. The St. Louis Assembly Plant that also makes the Explorer built a few 2005 models. While citing short supplies for the sales drop, Ford sales analyst George Pipas said expensive gas probably has some buyers considering smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. "Gas prices have had an impact all year, and it's continuing to be a problem," Pipas said. "If ($3-per-gallon gas) persists for a couple of months … people may defer SUV purchases." Ford said yesterday it is extending its popular employee-pricing discount promotion through Sept. 30, allowing customers to buy 2005 vehicles and some 2006 vehicles at the same price offered to employees. Ford is following General Motors Corp. in extending the offer. Chrysler also has extended its employee-pricing plan. Pipas said 2006 models have started getting to the market, but it would be late October before dealerships have more than one or two models to show. Automakers saw mixed sales results in August. Ford sales grew 6.3 percent as employee-pricing discount plans continued to pull buyers into dealerships. After seeing huge sales increases for the first two months of its employee-pricing promotion, GM sales fell 12.7 percent in August, the third month it offered such deals. "We were down a little bit from where we expected to be, and the industry was a little softer than we expected it to be," said Paul Ballew, General Motors' executive director of global market and industry analysis. Sales of the Bowling Green-built Corvette grew 6.5 percent. DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group saw sales increase 5.1 percent, mostly on the strength of car sales. Truck and SUV sales were down for the automaker. Asian automakers, which didn't match the discounts, saw sales steadily increase in August. Toyota sales increased 13.8 percent, although its truck sales were flat. Sales of the Georgetown-built Avalon sedan grew 212.8 percent. The redesigned Avalon has sold well since its launch in January. Toyota also saw triple-digit sales growth for its Prius hybrid.
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Click on site for sales breakdowns: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet...=74&docid=17843 FOR RELEASE: 2005-09-01 GM Reports 355,180 Deliveries in August H3 Drives Record HUMMER Sales Strong Start for Chevy HHR and Impala Pontiac Sales Up 7 Percent, Paced by Brisk G6 Deliveries DETROIT - General Motors dealers in the United States sold 355,180 new cars and trucks in August, down 16 percent from the same month a year ago. Car sales in August declined 15 percent and truck sales were off 17 percent. GM's August sales performance was in line with expectations following exceptionally strong sales in June and July, spurred by the highly successful GM Employee Discount for Everyone program. "We knew August was going to be a tough month given extremely tight inventories," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "However, even with August sales, it's been a great summer for us, our dealers and, most importantly, our customers, who got a great deal with the GM Employee Discount Program, which hit home because of its simplicity and clarity." GM's new models continued to deliver solid sales results in August, accompanied by favorable reviews in the press and positive reactions from consumers. For example, as Chevrolet concludes its introduction of 10 new vehicles in just 20 months, HHR and Impala are experiencing some of the fastest turn rates among GM's product portfolio, each at over 40 percent, despite low inventories (turn rates are the percentage of vehicles sold of those that are available). Chevrolet HHR deliveries surpassed the 5,000-unit mark in just its second month of sales and with the vehicle in short supply. Chevrolet's high volume car, the new Impala, is off to a strong start with more than 14,500 sales of the 2006 model in August. The HUMMER H3 is another example of increasing consumer acceptance of GM's new vehicles. H3 sales have improved every month since its May launch, resulting in a 155 percent sales improvement for HUMMER in August and a 76 percent increase for the calendar year-to-date. Automotive reviewers in North America and Europe, where it was introduced in July, have praised H3's fidelity to its HUMMER heritage, with attractive fuel economy, enhanced maneuverability and a base price of only $29,500. Pontiac sales were up 7 percent, driven by brisk sales of the G6 and the first deliveries of the coupe. Saturn sales rose 11 percent, led by over 6,800 deliveries of the new 2006 Vue. Cadillac delivered 19,262 vehicles in August, with calendar year-to-date sales up 11 percent. The employee discount program was very effective in reducing GM's inventory levels. Inventory going into September is about 764,000 units, down 407,000 units compared to last year. Only 359,000 units in inventory are 2005 models. Certified Used Vehicles August sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Used Cars from Saturn and Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, established a new monthly sales record for the certified category with sales of 50,926 units, up 20 percent from last August. This marks the second consecutive month that GM has surpassed the 50,000 mark in monthly certified used sales. Total year-to-date certified GM sales are 360,944 units, up 4 percent from the same period last year. GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used brand, set a new monthly sales record for the certified pre-owned category with August sales of 43,718, units, exceeding its record-setting performance set in July. GM Certified sales were up 24 percent from the previous August. Year-to-date sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles are 306,353 units, up 5 percent. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted 3,457 sales, up 14 percent over last August. Used Cars from Saturn sold 2,843 units, down 16 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 908 units, up 19 percent. "August was another outstanding month of certified sales for GM, surpassing our industry record-setting performance in July," LaNeve said. "The industry's top-selling certified brand, GM Certified Used Vehicles continues to set the pace for the certified segment, with a new all-time monthly sales record for the category." GM North America Reports August Production, 2005 Third-Quarter Production Forecast Revised and 2005 Fourth-Quarter Production Forecast Set GM North America in August produced 491,000 vehicles (181,000 cars and 310,000 trucks), compared to 492,000 vehicles (189,000 cars and 303,000 trucks) produced in August 2004. Production totals include joint venture production of 27,000 vehicles in August 2005 and 24,000 vehicles in August 2004. The region's 2005 third-quarter production forecast is revised to 1.13 million vehicles (418,000 cars and 712,000 trucks) from the previous estimate of 1.10 million vehicles (405,000 cars and 695,000 trucks). This is down 6.5 percent from third quarter 2004 actuals, when the region produced 1.209 million vehicles (463,000 cars and 746,000 trucks). Additionally, the region's initial 2005 fourth-quarter production forecast is 1.3 million vehicles (473,000 cars and 827,000 trucks), up 1.8 percent from fourth quarter 2004 actuals. This is the first time this year that quarterly production is forecast to increase compared to a year-ago, when the region produced 1.277 million vehicles. GM also announced 2005 revised third-quarter and initial fourth-quarter production forecasts for its international regions: GM Europe - GM Europe's 2005 third-quarter production forecast remains at 412,000 vehicles. In the third quarter of 2004, GM Europe built 411,000 vehicles. The region's initial 2005 fourth-quarter production forecast is 471,000 vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2004, GM Europe built 442,000 vehicles. GM Asia Pacific - GM Asia Pacific's revised 2005 third-quarter production estimate is 419,000 vehicles, down 11,000 units from last month's guidance. In the third quarter of 2004, GM Asia Pacific built 314,000 vehicles. In addition, the region's initial 2005 fourth-quarter production forecast is 447,000 vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the region built 386,000 vehicles. GM Latin America, Africa and the Middle East - The region's revised 2005 third-quarter production estimate is 209,000 vehicles, up 2,000 units from last month's guidance. In the third quarter of 2004 the region built 185,000 vehicles. Also, the region's initial 2005 fourth-quarter production estimate is 197,000 vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2004 the region built 200,000 vehicles. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 317,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com. expenditures at levels and times planned by management.
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Yes, the car record player, forgot about those. Will have to do some research, see who was the first.
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The 1970 Olds Vista Cruiser...now that's a wagon.
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This is already in the 'GM Merchandise Lookout' forum.:)
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Edmunds First Drive: 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
HarleyEarl replied to Northstar's topic in General Motors
I think Suzuki will have a hit on their hands with this SUV. -
Yes, but there was more than one Banshee....which one is it?...what year? This is also a Pontiac Banshee:
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Yes, but did they have pink-spoked wheels?.... Blu, tell us all your exploits on your camping trip....maybe we need a holiday thread.