caddycruiser

Apparently, this guy was coming out of the Phoenix airport, and there waiting to pick someone up was a guy from GM in a camo'd Outlook. Told him to stop taking pictures, but he still got a few: http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100208me.jpg http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100214yn.jpg http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100220wg.jpg A bit boxier, but I think I like the proportions on this thing better than the melted looking Enclave. EDIT: Here, and I quote, was the pic-taker's story:

I'm sorry, but ever since I saw the "concept" I thought one thing--"boy, Buick is sure sticking to their theme of moderately to REALLY awkward proportions". Much better looking than the Rendezvous, but still gangly and awkward as all get out. Why, oh why, can't Buick ever get a vehicle that looks terrific from every angle, and not like it has a protruding fat gut or a big snoze? Should be a terrific vehicle, granted, but still quite an oddly shaped one... For every nice line, there seems to be a matching awkward one Same deal with the Lacrosse and Lucerne...great from some angles, but overweight and blobby from others.

Find me a case where a GM HD truck had a IFS that either failed or wasn't as capable as a nasty old solid axle front, and I'll agree with you. Until then, WTF?! Just looking old school and rugged doesn't mean crap, as I hope you know...

Some of you have probably already been here, but you can get a variety of big size pics here: http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2006-camaro_concept/

Well, to be fair, the Silverado always had rebates higher than that for quite some time, until they recently reduced the MSRP's a bit, while simultaneously cutting down the size of most rebates. Still, it is a good point to show how even Nissan has to result to the same things a lot of domestics do in order to move product.

I know, and I've seen some pretty low real world numbers on them, but I still really like the Honda 3.5L, and it's the biggest they have. That said, there's the potential there for quite a bit better economy than most V8's, especially if the Honda got a little more grunt and then wouldn't have to work as hard. Not a perfect vehicle, but still very likeable to me.

Good point. I wish more companies would get the swing of this--cut the production down, even to very low levels, BEFORE the need for incentives. Most of the domestic makers will lower/stop production for a while, but not until there's a stockpile (how do you think there got to be $8k rebates at GM? :AH-HA_wink: ) I'm not singing praises of the Ridgeline, even though I like it a LOT, especially after finally getting to check one out in person, but just wanted to make that point. Then again, as for the vehicle itself, I loved it. Reminded me of all the good stuff about our Avalanche: comfortable seating for 5, really unique outside look, and the ability to haul "dirty stuff" without having to drive a "real" truck; and all the stuff that I liked better: unibody, so more solid and carlike, much higher level of fit & finish, and a more ecomical, but still strong, V6. I'm definately in the minority on this board, but I still really like it. As for the MDX, its current design is just about done with, so a drop in sales is only to be expected.

I agree, and it definately sticks out on the gray/black interior option. They only make it that way with the "Titanium" interior, but it still looks weird--should just be solid gray.

Thanks, and yeah, that's what I am planning on for the wheel/tire combo once I get around to it. Pretty much all the little older used car "quirks" are now fixed, I just need to replace a few little interior trim parts (already on the way) and clean the interior fully (almost spotless, but I never got a chance to clean/treat the leather or all the plastic yet). Then all should be good.

Yes, that IS the Avalanche pictured there specifically...i.e., note the ORANGE paint showing on the hood :AH-HA_wink: Identical to the Tahoe/Suburban through and through, just as expected.

I really don't think it looks even remotely as close to "mutant" as, say, a new Navigator. That, and if the spy pics and recent releases say anything, the new GM trucks are set to come out looking clean and uncluttered, but also boring and plain to almost a fault...so don't anyone be overly anxious about those. It actually looks like a new, crisp, interpretation of a truck, with a little bit of spice (not Ram flavor, but still...) thrown in. And if you guys think this has odd proportions, I'm assuming you think bloated blobs like the G6 and Lacrosse are gorgeous?

Hmm...I like it I wonder, though, how do those back doors work? I mean, since there's a handle on the back...must be like a regular Dodge Quad Cab. Get rid of those wheels and give me a different color, and I'd take one.

Don't hold your breath on the bumpers...I myself don't like them, and one of the biggest reasons they got rid of them were that they're both too heavy and, mainly, because when they're separately attached and not connected to the rest of the fascia, there was always an atrocious gap between the grille surround and the top of the bumper...which ranges from relatively small, to way too large, to crooked, to lop-sided--it all seems to depend on what day of the week the truck was built ^_^ That, and they're not as "tough" and durable as some people seem to think, because you'll notice before little time has passed, the rust on the underside gets to be pretty extensive, and I've known a few people myself with Tahoes as new as '02s and '03s that then started having that rust come through to the outside. But the main reason for the change to a one-piece plastic fascia was the horrible level of fit & finish, in addition to the weight, that was present on the older models with the big chrome (or painted) bumpers. Made them really old-school trucky, but also didn't look or perform so great--especially in terms of aerodynamics. All that said, there MIGHT be a possibility of a piece or two of accessory chrome trim, as it was mentioned that the new Z71's will: The available Z71 package (available later in 2006) takes this aggressive look to the next level. It includes a specifically designed three-piece fascia with a protective, platinum chrome skid plate. It has larger tow hook openings; larger, more prominent fog lamps; and specific grille texture and platinum chrome grille trim. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires also are part of the package. So, there might be the possiblity of swapping in a couple Z71 parts or accessories. As for the flares, if you'll notice, they also already built in a bit of a protruding lip to flare out the wheelwells on the sheetmetal, as compared to the mostly flat area there on the older trucks, and there's no flare option as of yet or that's been mentioned yet, so that one I wouldn't count on. Lately, GM is going for the absolute cleanest, smoothest, and extra plastic-trim free looks they can, so things like this might be left to the aftermarket industry completely. But, if any model does get them, it might be the Z71...we'll have to wait and see. __________________________________________________________________ I know what you mean about having the "old" model now. Like I've said before, our '04 is still very nice, but can't even remotely compare to the new '07s+, especially if all the driving problems like the mushy brakes, sloppy steering, and body/interior solidity are as improved as people seem to be saying they are. But, this always happens, when you buy a new car or truck not long before a redesign... 8)

Okay...after thinking about it more, I'm going to say that I'm 95% sure I'll be doing a fresh set of whitewalls and a set of chrome-plated factory Brougham wheels. In conjunction with the Medium Marblehead paint, this combo is just too damn pretty! (NOTE: Not my car below, just that same pic I posted before) That, and it'll really help with the sleeper motif when I smoke people...here's a little example (someone else's, of course :AH-HA_wink: ): http://www.badbodies.com/caddy4.wmv

I'm getting more used to it the more I look at it, but I still like the current gen better as far as looks. It's still a terrific truck and could probably do well against a new '07 GM truck (since they were so far behind for so long), so that's not all bad I guess. I *hope* it's one of those cases where all the marketing photos look absolutely horrible, but it actually is pretty cool in person. It definately will have a presence about it, that's for sure...

Well, I wouldn't exactly say that (not sure why...but I like the SUV's overall shape a little more), but it is a very nice looking truck. And, suprisingly, 100% identical to the unmasked silver one in a "spy" pic about 1-2 years ago. Too bad it had to loose so much of it's "aggression", because whether or not you liked it that way, it was actually a great image for the truck's use. Just looked so darn cool, cladding and all. But, I do understand having to do what the majority of the market seems to want...even if that is bland and a bit flat. There was a mention before that GM may offer a bolder molding/flare package later to give something to those who really miss the cladding, but I wonder if that's still on?

Well, there's reasons for that, like I've said before. The main one being, if you want to extend the bed space but still have everything closed out to the elements, you keep the window in and sealed against the panels, and just drop the lower Midgate. For a lot of people, a power down window would probably be more convenient, but it would loose that functionality. And having owned a first year '02, I can say that it's such a well thought-out, well engineered system, we were always happy with just popping the window out and being on the way. Takes a few more seconds and you can't do it while driving, but still very easy and keeps costs down, I would think. The H2 SUT has a power window back there, I would think, because it has so little space to begin with, no one could care less about having max space closed to the elements.

Some pics:

A bench seated LS: Still looks pretty good, and better than our '04 LS for sure, even though we'd have to get an 1LT with some options to be equal to what ours has.

Yeah, the outside is actually a little bit more odd, but the interior looks dramatically better--even just seeing the dash. Actually, as far as the front fascia, it almost looks like they had to use an old part (the bumper) and after changing the grille, were left with that odd notch in there...hmm... I looked at one of these again at the auto show this weekend, and I still really like the out there, very roomy design, but didn't like the excess cheapness of a lot of the interior--sort of a Nissan trademark in the past couple of years. Still has a bit of the spaceship thing going on, but it now looks to be toned down a few degrees, and looks a little more luxurious instead of overly out there. Same basic structure inside, just a little finer tuning, I'd say. Then again, fixed up a bit, and made just a bit more "normal", they might actually increase the sales quite a bit.

I like the "butterfly" or whatever else you guys are calling them (attached, one on the left and one on the right, and open out from the center) better too, because they provide a wider, more consistent wipe than the 1-sided mounted ones do.

Yeah, I think that was just a rumor that got spread around too much. As of now, doesn't exist.

That or it may be an aerodynamics thing when the windows (and/or roof) are opened, due to the overall shape of the car.

At least someone else "in the know" is finally commenting about the odd styling. Overall, in CXL or CXS guise and with the chrome wheels and a proper color, it does actually have quite a luxurious presence...but it's still largely just an ovoid blob. Actually, if the center section stayed, and the front end was heavily revamped to be crisper and more chiseled like that of the Velite, and maybe touch up the rear details, it really would be gergeous. Oh, and make the black center stack pieces the same color as the rest of the dash...it sticks out. As is, not bad at all, but not stimulating at all either, except for looking very nice in fully loaded garb. Moreso, I still don't get why so few people comment on the strangely undetailed front, in particular. Terrific quality, refinement, and equipment, but still ho-hum in the looks...not bold like it really could stand to be, and really get people to notice.

Yes, that'd be awesome if one day the legend was reincarnated, but I doubt the chances of a coupe ever being released again. A supercharged Light Jadestone Metallic one would also be awesome! I LOVE cars that are rare, by way of their color and option combination--just a really, really cool thing to have. Sorta like my one '93 Fleetwood that's white (common) with Garnet Red leather (very, very rare). Makes an already rare car even more unique :AH-HA_wink: