caddycruiser

Same designs, different spec'd pieces from tires to dampers, spring rates, and final assembly. Makes huge, huge, huge differences. Same reason why a Cobalt SS is still no Astra, but very, very different in overall feel. If only things weren't cheaped out so much, including the final design/interior/assembly, a base Cobalt could very much be made Astra like if it were developed with that intention from the start. Same way even an Ion isn't at Cobalt level, and feels notably different, looser, and cheaper.

Still doing quite well with my "I'm not going to mod...I'm not going to mod..." when it comes to the Avalanche, which was a big point all along. 2 months in, the only recent items have been a custom mild ECM/TCM tune by Vector Motorsports in Michigan who tuned my G8 (to sharpen it up a hair & help durability over stock--can flip back in a minute via laptop), and just yesterday tires. Only 2900 miles and the luggy Bridgestone Dueler A/T RH-S treads were quality treads, common to GM trucks with an off road package and 18" wheels, but I had some issues. Started with vibration that turned out not to be all the tires, as verified by a Bridgestone dealer, but then a questionable road force balance job by my local dealer who has trouble even inflating tires or putting a correct oil level in. They rode well, were oddly quiet for such meaty treads, and were smooth, but just not crisp enough for me on top of the off road suspension and I thought still contributing to my wobble/vibration. Que a Craigslist ad for the Bridgestones that I sold quickly, a Tire Rack order for new Michelin LTX M/S2's and drop ship delivery at a little shop I'd never been to before, about 25 miles away with glowing ratings on Tire Rack. They were great. Told me about the wrong wheel weights the dealer used & the scratches left from them on my wheels, mounted & road forced the Michelins and perfectly placed the Bridgestones in the bed, in less than an hour. "Have a blessed day & come back again. We do everything a dealer does, will stamp your warranty books, etc...." Nice find. I may go back, for sure. Truck is sharper, steering feels better, it's so quiet it's creepy (the guy who mounted the tires tested it & said the same before giving me keys), and best yet, gas mileage is already up, and they don't throw every piece of dirt, gravel, etc. all over the place like rockets. Just seems to roll easier and my Instant MPG screen was logging higher #'s the whole way home yesterday. Michelin claims as much, along with shorter braking and such, and it seems more than true. Smooth. Crisper. Solid. Not the same lugged look as the A/T Bridgestones, but not smaller either and just smoother. Look nice, for a road touring truck, as I use it.

I think some people here like the shiny chrome/metal knob top better... ...but that doesn't mean it is, there are reasons why & some people like the all leather knob in the Camaro. Regardless. The steering wheel. Oh, the steering wheel. It's actually quite nice in a Cobalt, Malibu, etc. like that, when leather wrapped and button'd up galore. Then you see the same with less on it, same mold lines, etc. in a Corvette and go NICE Cobalt! As I told ocn when he visited once and we went for a spin in my G8, a Cobalt is a Cobalt BUT if you get the right package, wheels, options, etc. it's a totally different car. His Silver Green coupe with aftermarket wheels & tires was, and your sedan loaded up with almost everything and--the rare part--a stick, is the same deal. Great little car, for a great deal. I loved the pre-VVT 2.2L in my '07 Malibu rental, especially more than the oddly pig'ish 2.4L, so this should get some spectacular mileage numbers. Red, red, red, zoom, zoom, stick, optioned up with Bluetooth and all the other little nice bits--great choice

Ahaha...what a video...wow...boom!

That, or little flat plastic push pins from the hardware store. Local dealer fixed (2) of our dealer traded cars that way, after getting the bracket off. Sounds great otherwise, nice accessories already. I know what you mean now about sitting up high. It's great. An adjustment after something as "crisp" as a G8, but crappy steering wheel adjustment ratchets aside, I'm so comfy now. Europeans & other mini car lands, just don't understand

Haha, that's a good one

Light'ish yellow '04/05 Silverado crew cab, fully decked out, John Deere green insignias included. The yellow caught my eye first, but then I realized it wasn't wrapped but a GM fleet/special paint color. Cool.

Random black Range Rover Sport Supercharged that's someone visiting in the office building, and that's been back a few days in a row, always parking next to my truck. Not uncommon, for for an expensive RR, nice long scrape scratch down the side and an indent to go with part of it, scrapes in the bumper, door handle cups scratched all to crap like someone did it repeatedly on purpose, and otherwise just car wash swirled. Driven by a suited guy in his 40's. Must like to hit things, or just bash his $70k+ SUV around like a ragged Cavalier. Then again, pretty typical. Several new Lacrosse's in the past few weeks, and oddly all white CXL's. Both Summit White & White Diamond. Purty car, really purty.

Nice! Not the green...but WHAT a looker in Navy! What dealer up there did you get this one from? Welcome back to the GM truck club. They've made small but dramatic improvements to the looks of these trucks since intro, and though no one knows about them, they seem like great runabouts. Having had one before, hopefully this one turns out just as well for you. Trucks=accessory central. The one thing I'm still trying to avoid, in every way, with the monster Avalanche. Doing well so far...but I like your list for the Colorado already in a day Roger has said we need to get our Summit White trucks together for a shoot...depending on when, we just might need a little blue too

I think the Fleetwood sold again...no longer on the dealer site...hope it has a nice new home... I even showed my father, who no longer drives his white/red '93 but still complains about it, and got a "how much? Where? I'd buy it..." It's all in the black. When he first wanted one of these cars, he had to have a black one "just makes the car" but every one was trashed. Ended up with the pristine white one, then I got a silver one...shame. Who knows where that car will turn up next...

Both. The decal shop where we did the clear bra at is actually right next to a track of some sort where there are frequently Porsche events. The guy had just had the GT3 there, or his son did, and the son was the one that drove it over to the shop. My clear bra guy had already wrapped the full car, essentially, but does the headlights for track cars and it was brought back for that. Sat there all day so I got peak around it...yet not being schooled in the Porsche world...had no IDEA what it actually was...whoops... Cool car. The center caps fascinated me. Sounded great. Funny, that evening, came to find out the actual owner was out of town, it was his son/wife driving it to get things done, and the son was interested in 'ye 'ole Avalanche while there. Oh, the life to let give your $100k+ top end Porsche to your teenage son to get things done on it. Then again, I'm 23 and driving a $45k truck...so...things are all relative Av is doing well...I still don't have my plates on because the title is MIA somewhere...and it has a bad vibration sometimes that has yet to be solved, but I love driving it. Still so glad I got 1) white with beige and 2) the Z71 bits. So bright & happy, and looks so much meatier when next to a typical LT/LTZ Avalanche, Tahoe, etc. out in the wild.

I hope I didn't poo poo on the Camaro idea too much...I love it and would buy one...it just takes a special person, and non-typical uses, to work out well. Smaller 19" wheels will fit on a V6 RS, yes, but at that point why bother with the RS? The main reason for the RS package are the killer 20" wheels and halo HID headlamps, otherwise, skip it, save the $$ and get the polished 19's. With this setup, it's NOT dramatically better in snow, at most, just enough to keep you going a little easier. It's a RWD car without a limited slip (V6 automatic form), and a lot of power, after all. You just have to learn it and realize the limitations. If you live in upstate New York, PA, etc. and have nothing else to drive when it gets bad, a dedicated winter setup should be accepted as a must. Great road trip car for 2 and no more, providing you've gotten used to the ingress/egress, sitting low, and not seeing much out. Rides and handles very well, but is a sports coupe. Not as refined on the road as, say, a G8 is, but that's a moot point now that the Camaro is the only Zeta we're left with. I was always jealous of the look and stance vs. my G8, but liked my G8 better in every other way, especially as far as day to day usability. Getting in and out being the biggy, but mom and her fused spine have gotten used to it and I've not heard a complaint yet.

Okay. We've had a current Malibu, 2 in fact, I've had a G8, and we currently have a Camaro 2LT RS. I voted Regal 2.0T, 2nd place going to the Regal DI 2.4L... The Camaro is a stunner. It's built like a tank--amazes me how solid the thing is inside & out, that you feel when even washing. Plus the lines are just too cool and over a year since intro, continue to get gas station comments I've been told. Mom traded her '08 Malibu 2LT 4-cyl for the Camaro, the 'Bu being mostly comparable to a Regal now, just not as up to date. Kids have their own cars, mom has always had the family mobile and the newest car. She went from a Suburban to the Malibu, and the Malibu while not huge, was comfortable for 4 tall adults, efficient and peppy enough in daily use, and really comfortable. Around town, to work, trips, errands, shopping, etc. there was never a doubt. Long holiday trips, 3 people, 3 dogs, and all their stuff would get piled in and away it went. Again, no question, and all were comfortable without having an SUV, van, etc. The Camaro is a different story. Mom wanted "her car" period, coupe and all. She got it. The front seats are very roomy, there's a lot of leg space, etc. You can get in the back seat, but there's very little leg space and at 6'-0" or taller, you hit the ceiling in a non sunroof car. Visibility wise, it's a big adjustment, but you get used to it and after a few minutes, you're fine. Just different than a "typical" car. Backup sensors on 2LT, 2SS, etc. models that were a late intro were a very good idea. No issues. The DI 3.6L is a grunty, growly, grrr OHC V6 that works very well in such a RWD platform. So far, in 3k miles, mom hasn't been winning any fuel mileage records, driving 3 miles each way to work and back with lights, saying she averages around 17. But it never warms up and is stop-go-stop-go, park. She's actually only had it on the highway twice, once when we bought it and once a few weeks back going to Baltimore, where she said she was doing 92 without realizing it at one point...NEVER said that in the vroom but go nowhere non-DI 2.4L Malibu...and then said she averaged 24mpg because of the traffic and, well, driving so fast. People with these cars realistically get 30'ish on the highway, as rated, and with the 6-spd & tuning it's not hard--just depends on conditions. So why would I recommend a Regal over a Camaro? Practicality. Coming from a Suburban, then a Malibu, then into a Camaro, I've seen some big changes for sure. The Camaro has been a terrific daily driver for mom and she loves it. Loves showing it off, loves romping on it, and can still go mega grocery shopping with dad and what is a pretty big trunk in all honesty. Yet, it's still a task to get in & out of, the back seat can be used if you're under 6ft and slide the front seats forward, and so on. As a 2 person ONLY car, it's workable. Very workable. The issue comes in if you do anymore than that, like a roadtrip with more than yourself, have a dog or two, grandkids, etc. You can't really take them with you easily. It's a blast to drive, gets good mileage with strong power, is RWD, looks cool and DOES have nice trunk space, etc. But it also makes you go "umm...I don't think..." if you do anymore than that. Mom wanted & bought quick, then after only to realize & say "well...I really don't want to visit PA or family anymore..."...seriously...when I brought up the issue of 3 dogs, luggage, and so on that she's been used to tossing in the car and road tripping for years. Still haven't figured out how she's going to handle this. As for snow, as I learned with my G8 GT, RWD works well with Stabilitrak & otherwise, but a sports sedan/coupe is still a sports sedan/coupe. A Camaro with the 18/19" all season tires is better, but I wouldn't recommend testing skills out in winter in a Camaro with the 20" summer Pirelli's. When it snowed several times in the past months, the Camaro was parked, period. I had driven my G8 GT with summer Bridgestone tires the year before once or twice without much issue, but I knew from reading that the Camaro Pirelli's with even a shorter sidewall weren't to be messed with in such conditions. They're really not suited for it. It took my mother a while to still understand what "summer tires" actually meant, but she learned quickly once the car was stuck even in its driveway parking space after shoveling. The automatic V6 also does not have a limited slip, only manuals and V8 cars do, something else that helped my G8. Dad also commented a few times when it was in the 40/50's out and rainy "it feels weird sometimes...like it's letting go from the road..." I said it was, basically, because cold+wet=summers Pirelli's no like. It can handle winter and plenty of Camaro drivers do so with dedicated winter setups, but ours was parked in a Delaware beachy winter and that should say something. Even a non-RS with the A/S Pirelli's isn't the best, it'll go fine but is an adjustment for anyone used to a FWD sedan or otherwise. All relative. Terrific car. I love it. I know people of all ages with them, including retired couples that it's now just the 2 of them, and single girls & guys. But these people all have "another" car/truck/SUV to also use, and that's pretty much a must unless the lack of space and needing a winter setup--if you experience anymore than a freak snow flurry and live down south. It's just pushing it as a DD if you do or need anything more than that. It would work great for me, for instance, as a single guy with just his own stuff...but... So I recommend the Regal. Preferably a Turbo model once they're out to give it some kick. Looks to be another great car, looks terrific, and yes it's a Buick sedan, but that's a cool thing anymore. Better yet, it's all season capable right off the lot, it's not a trapeze act to get in & out, visibility is normal, there's a back seat and doors for visitors, family, dogs, stuff, etc. and so on. Plus the 4-cyl's should be peppy and really efficient, easily matching or comparing to a recent OHV V6 from GM in a lot of ways. It's just a more functional car without being boring, and in the first year, very cool being German--in a way--and the first return of the Regal. Functional. Cool. "Special" without being a chore to worry about daily tasks, visitors, winter, or otherwise. Heck, right now I'd even try a Lacrosse CXL 3.0L if the size isn't too much--maybe it's a good thing. The Regal is a sportier, trimmer package, but both are worthwhile looking at for the heck of it. Hope that helps. Long, but still

I'm going to respond, I swear, I'm going to respond...been busy...but I voted a couple of days ago. Malibu, G8, Camaro, we've had & have a collection I've become familiar with on a year round basis. Stay tuned.

Dead. You just are. Admit it. Posting from the grave. Somehow I always get mine taken right after a road rage incident going to the doctor...and get the eye "um..."

Yes. I wondered whose that was. And sighed. Oh, memories. Top of page worthy.

Seriously.

Also on Friday, the day of rain to start, followed a black Viper convertible to work. I think I've seen it once before. Whoever it was, seemed to have just decided it was Viper to work day, rain regardless. In all black, takes you getting up close for it to stand out.

It's nice again. After this early in the week... ...it was kinda nice to have a sweatshirt on but it sunny & breezy the past 2 days. Woof. Spring. Not mid July. Nice.

Another. Went for Chinese yesterday with co-workers. In the parking lot, one goes "hey, park next to that other Avalanche" and then they commented on cladding being ugly, etc. After we came back, a 3rd had showed up to make a row and there was a black '08 LTZ with a lift kit right behind mine. Great shot. Av family.

Having grown up in Punxsutawney, that was all I knew about Grove City--the outlets. Went there once. Otherwise, seemed like a nice rural place, within a drive of many others, like Oldsmoboi said first.

From last weekend, out errand running & shopping. New dark blue Sonata at Wal-Mart. Great lines. Not a great color and doesn't help it stand out, but a looker regardless, for a mid-size sedan. Well, in any other color but faded dark blue. White Diamond Tri-Coat '10 Malibu 2LT V6 at a grocery store. Local "old lady" car, equipped identically to the Summit White '09 I had for a brief time, but in the fancy color. I like. High class. Then a black '09 CTS-V with MD tags firing & backing out of a space at Wal-Mart as I walked from my truck. Hot.

Mom's new 2002 Chevy Avalanche 2wd, Z66. Onyx Black with Tan cloth interior. After her first "wow" new car, a 2000 Chrysler 300M that turned out to be an annoying mess of noise, bizarre gremlins and then an accident to top it off, the Avalanche was a revelation. She wanted a Tahoe/Yukon, but the Avalanche had just come out and for a larger vehicle that was a 5/6 seater, based on the Suburban, it was thousands less for more stuff. It was a new world. She loved it. It didn't have a single issue, period, other than getting a flat tire and the GM truck ISS needing lubed after 2 years. Solid as a rock. Quiet. SMOOTH. With the Bilsteins and Z66 specific "Premium On Road" suspension & wheels, we called it the magic carpet ride, without being floaty. Cloth seats looked great & were comfortable. Everyone just loved riding in it, including weekend cruises with the back window out, down to the beach. It was all the refinement and luxury--leather & chrome aside--the 300M never dreamed of, and just glorious. Also started me big time on car forums & clubs, and resulted in me hosting 2 local Avalanche meets near our house, which hosted around 20 Av's at one point. Such a cool culture. Have yet to have it get to that point with any other vehicle. 2.5 years later with good deals, decided to "get the same thing but with a 3rd seat" and traded for a Suburban. Functionality wise, the Suburban worked so much better. But it was never the same & lacked the Av's verve. Mom cried when trade in day came, had a soft moment with the Av and I almost felt the same way... ...psychologically why I just traded a stunning G8 GT for a new '09 Avalanche Z71? Perhaps. One reason. Hmm...Avalanche me...

Closing out the month... A dirty black Escalade Hybrid with DC plates, heading into Home Depot. First Hybrid Escalade I've seen in person, on the road. Gotta have an eye for the emblem.

NICE LS Didn't even try to wash my Avalanche this weekend because I knew it was going to pour today & tomorrow, and it is. After the first cleaning, I'm finding I'm a lost less concerned with care of the white than I was darker colors like my Pacific Slate GT...truck is filthy now, but it's so bright you really can't tell much difference until up close. Clayed soon after I got it, with a first all in one polish to give it some protection & clear bra prep along with Zaino'ing the leather. Will do sealant & re-polish windows and such in the coming week or so, to finish it out for a while. I think the Camaro is due for some sprucing up too, since December, but not sure who will get suckered into doing it yet...