caddycruiser

I think the same things...and I had that "vision" of my new Avalanche all stock, all the time, just the chrome bits and a Corsa for the roar I like on my G8. Otherwise, I think either one is a package that might finally be what I've subconsciously wanted the whole time, even back to my Fleetwood days. Also looked at this today at the local dealer, 1 of 2 freshly PDI'd White Diamond Enclaves. The Lambdas just speak to me, but then also say "but...yeah...you might want to trade us for a GMT-900 later..." in weird ways. I admire them, I like riding in them, I'd buy that Acadia I drove...but still don't know if they're "me" enough. It's just that railroad trestle truck "woof!" and tank feel that speak to me above all, in a GMT-900...yet the huge gas tank & lumbering size are also considerations. But you just feel like king of the road, in utter comfort. 1) Any comments on the ORANGEY ORANGE?! Heh...still strikes me...looked like a lightning bolt in the middle of the white, silver, black, and gray other trucks all around it. I liked seeing the orange peaking at me from the hood bulges going down the road--I've only driven GMT-900 GMC's thus far, and the "bulged" Chevy hood top was cool. 2) 4WD...mmm...all my talk recently of wanting year round, all weather, any kind of everything capability, yet I never really considered it. If comparing 2 leftover '09 Av's that are otherwise the same except in color, is 4WD worth the extra $2600 difference to start? I know it seems like a no brainer...but...I over analyze... If I can get the G8 to a good home, amidst all this winter mess, I'd just have to decide on which of which. Av speaks to my practical/long term/cool side...the Acadia/Enclave speak to my fancy, silky smooth, 20mpg+ 7 seater side...

Black Solstice GXP roadster...pulled out of a gas station & followed me almost all the way home. Looked freshly washed, he tried to dodge puddles, then, well, a lost cause with the soaked roads covered in melting snow. Nice little bugger, hot in black.

Okay guys...as for me and selling the G8...I went shopping yesterday, locally and then north to Jersey. Had to see me some TRUCKS 1) Leftover Inferno Orange & Ebony '09 Avalanche 1LT 4WD. Started out by getting a quote on the same truck but 2WD & Graystone vs. orange at a dealer in VA and just needed to see & drive the same thing, as close as I could find. Didn't like the color from pictures beforehand--very red, same shade as offered on the Camaro--but in person? Fell for it. The Avalanche is loud as it is is, in ways, so why not have a color that really makes it pop? Loved this truck. The look, the size, the brute "grr!" solid tankness, big running boards, big shiny 20" wheels, and options galore...but still cloth seats. Even better. Still only had a few miles, and was optioned with the rear camera, rear sensors, power pedals, remote start, power sunroof & auto climate control, and 20" polished wheels. Felt at home just sitting in it, king of something, on comfy cloth seats...and the rear camera in the mirror with beeping sonar were great. Not what I'd call peppy with all the weight & 4wd, but like a quiet tomb rolling down the road & quick enough without ever feeling stressed. Classic 5.3L GM suv feel, with the new 6-spd I like from my G8. Got #'s, etc. and am thinking about it...just didn't want a 4WD one...but at the same time, it doesn't necessarily hurt. And these things are keeping value, at least vs. other things I'd consider. This one could totally work, I loved how it drove, just don't know about 4WD...that we otherwise used to avoid. All I'd get, I think, is the chrome handles, mirror caps and grille, and a Corsa down the road, and it'd be set for life. Nothing else I'd want to do to it, and hard to get much beyond an Avalanche in the truck/SUV world. 2) The Solstice. My first drive at my Jersey dealer, after I looked at everything else they had. Review & pictures previously. What a little slot car. 3) Carbon Black & Cashmere (new color for '10) GMC Acadia SLT-1, FWD, no other options but the paint color. I've always been a Lambda fan & knew about this one before I went. After I poked around a few other things, I asked for the keys & was told to have at it, wherever I wanted to go. Took the same route as the Solstice before. NICE. A fan of the looks, the features, the colors, the wheels, the size, and the bright new Cashmere interior too, with chrome trim & buttons galore. Started up the DI 3.6L, toasted up the seats, and went for a roll. The last Lambda I drove was 1 of each back in '07, pre DI engine. As I was told before I left "you'll notice the new oomph...the DI engine & transmission updates make a big difference". They really do. It doesn't have that OHV V8 torque, but it's silent, silky, keeps the revs really low and if prodded, MOVES. Let's just say I took a u-turn & nailed it to get going, followed by an exhaust ploom in the cold & chirping front tires. Otherwise, just cruising along, so smooth, so quiet, and if prodded, didn't have the delay-slosh-bog issues older versions or even my Malibu 3.6L were like. I liked these before and I still like them, to the extent this black & tan beauty had me smiling by the time I got back & "get me a price". On my drive it was averaging about 23mpg, or better than even the Solstice, and I loved the Bose system--crisper, louder, and clearer than either my G8 or the base system I only quickly turned on in the Avalanche. Steering was a little softer or looser, which is just a trait of these, than the Avalanche even, but not bad. Just extra isolation of sorts. The Enclave impresses more in some ways, but my guy-ness likes the crisper edges, red GMC emblems and red & white interior lights of the Acadia more. It's just that unibody/struts/etc. car-ness...and resale question vs. something like an Avalanche, if spending $35k to start. Also not really exclusive or unique at this point. Honestly? Split between an Avalanche & Acadia/Enclave. Both speak to me in different ways. The Avalanche would always be worth more, it's just MORE of a vehicle, it feels like a rolling army tank and is silent on the road, but also not the peppiest or efficient...though, at least or almost as efficient as my 6.0L G8. It's the ultimate, and I love the package. But things like the 30+ gallon gas tank, etc. give me pause, despite the mpg's and supreme comfort, toughness & otherwise. Then the Acadia...I love the looks, the chrome & soft leather interior, the sound, power & efficiency of the DI 3.6L, the power liftgate & other gadgets, and just the silent, smooth, but also not floaty way it wafts down the road. On the other hand, it's just like a car (and this also makes it why I like it, but...), doesn't have that tough truck feel like a GMT-900, and right now a '10 Lambda as I'd like is just a hair more expensive than an '09 (a year old at that) Avalanche I'd go for. GMT-900 or Lambda, it's a mixture. I could totally see myself with an Avalanche everyday, love the tough truck everything about it, the size, the comfort, the Midgate, the cloth, and "special-ness" of them, especially now that they're making less & less. Add in a unique/rare color, if I were to go with one like the orange one I drove, and it gets another point. But then I enjoy the size, refinement, efficiency, and look of an Acadia/Enclave too...but then don't necessarily love the car-ness, so to say, of them, if that makes any sense. Went to the local dealer today & got the urge when around an Avalanche they have, but then also tried out an unlocked White Diamond/Cashmere Enclave and liked that fanciness again. Pocket & brain says GMT-900, other part of pocket and the other half of the butt says don't rule out a Lambda. All depends on the G8 selling, and again, as much as I love it, I WANT something higher, that I can drive all year round, that can take some big cargo, and so forth. My Jersey dealer took notes on the G8 after the sales manager tried it himself, in case anyone comes in looking for one, I'm going to alert the dealer we bought the Camaro from to the same, and I'm trying to get more postings up. I've done a lot to it and will miss it, but rather than G8 and a 2nd car, I'm just finally starting to see what I think I really want, and that truck bug I had for years but tried to suppress is finally coming out.

Roger - I like the Buick...a LOT! I kept meaning to suggest to you...what about a Rainier or what about a 9-7X...since they were the most tarted up versions but also have lower resales. The 9-7X, especially. Either way, they're also more exclusive than an Envoy, regardless of how nice the GMC is. I like, I really like...keep us updated on your conquest too I'll put the word out on your Fleetwood again, just "potentially", and you put a word out that my G8 is up for grabs...deal I figured there was a knob I was missing on the Solstice...but regardless, what a blast, even with the dog of a 2.4L. Even coming out of my G8, felt like a little slot car, stiff, razor sharp, and I loved it. I would and will buy one if that time comes, at some point, for a fun side car. Oldsmoboi - Mmm, an Avalanche of goodness. The '02 Z66 my mom had remains special to all of us, and even recently still came up as "that was SUCH a great truck...never had any problems, looked so cool, rode GREAT..." and it's a big part of why I'm shopping new ones myself now. Heck, even my Buick-GMC dealer in Jersey when I said I had just been Avalanche shopping said "they're big, but a great package...and you know...somehow, even though based on the Suburban, people never stop commenting on how it rides and feels better than either a Tahoe or Suburban. Hard to explain, it just does." All true. Cool. Higher mileage or not, it's a GMT-800...if the price and condition are right...fun. I always enjoyed how spunky both our Avalanche and Suburban, at least as 2wd's, felt with the 5.3L. Great stuff.

Forgot...yesterday when I stopped at Wawa in Lewes before heading north, a new '10 F-150 Raptor in that red/orange color they keep showing it in, was pulling in with out of state plates. Loved it. In reality doesn't seem like much more than an F-150 "trim package" until you look at it further & underneath, of course. After running around today, on the way back I saw something I thought was...well...not memorable but different. New '11 Kia Sorento in a sort of dark green. Very, well, typical. Clean & crisp, but not really any big verve to it, but at least not awkward like some competitors & Kia/Hyundai family members can be.

Another update...wow, by page 7 a totally different story;-) The G8 had it's 1 year anniversary with me yesterday, while out car shopping. Awesome day. As of mid week, however, it's up for sale. Hard to believe, but after debates, browsing, pricing & test driving galore, just decided what I really want & need is ONE vehicle that can do it all...and in this case I just want a truck or SUV. G8 is incredible, but I just want to sit high, never get stranded or have to avoid bad roads, and I've also finally figured out 1 thing that's been lacking in every car I've had--that chair height comfort. Driving home yesterday my butt just melted to the G8's great seats, but I just want to be higher. And right now in life, having something I just want to keep modding & upgrading and am worried about daily gets to be a bit much. It's part ADD, part reality. Just how I roll...hah. When and if it sells, then I have new replacements semi sorted out as of yesterday. If it doesn't, oh well, the tragedy of keeping such a 'purty & powerful modded Zeta around.

On that GMT-355 note, snapped this one at my Jersey dealer yesterday. Continues to amaze me how different these trucks can be with all the unique wheels, trim & color combos. More impressive than their bigger brothers, that's for sure. This Canyon, in silver, gave a very mechanical/techie look. Cool.

Finally drove the/a Solstice today at my Jersey dealer, and really did like it. Interesting to do so when it's barely 30 degrees out, but otherwise...cool little car. 1) VERY solid. Actually the first convertible I've ever driven, but pounding it over Penns Grove, NJ's finest Rt. 130 lumps, not shake or shimmy. A few creaks, but they mostly seemed cold related and from the top alone. 2) Stiff/firm ride, more so than I expected, but for such a small car, felt right. 3) For such a small car...wow...doesn't feel like it inside. Lots of headroom for my 6'-3" self, and shape/seat placement aside that make it feel more closed in, pretty darn roomy for 2. The seat was also better than I remembered, but doesn't have many adjustments & would have probably gotten to me in time...then again, I couldn't even find recline, if it has it. 4) I don't like the non-DI 2.4L. Didn't like it in our Malibu, where it was eerily quiet but seemed to lack much oomph and would be gurgling gas down at the same time. Between the size, weight, and 5-spd auto of the Solstice I expected more, but it felt and sounded exactly the same and could barely manage over 21-22mpg on the cruise. Punched, the trans dropped & it would move well, but just doesn't feel spunky enough for the mpg's it pulls in. 5) Just looks GREAT. Loved it in white with the new design polished wheels. Somehow less awkward for me to get in & out of than mom's Camaro, too. Inside also has cool lines and the dash isn't bad, but the center console & opening compartments between the seats are really scratchy & rough to look at or use. So, I liked it. Liked it a lot. Had I or should I decide on the "2nd car" prospect, it'd remain high in the running. Just a fun little romper, looks great, very solid and though lacking the greatest pep/mpg's, not terrible either. Not at the top of my list anymore, but I felt bad leaving it there...that must say something.

Sounds like me & the G8, the halo car of many. I've just found I want to sit higher & have more capability, etc. Sport sedans can do a lot, but not all. So I'm truck & SUV shopping too, but just what's in stock because I could never settle on what to order...of anything. Not a truck guy, per say, but I'm starting to figure out what it is I'm "missing" in all of the cars I've had. I like your Colorado combo...and love that color on them. As for inside, my eye naturally goes to anything but black so it has some COLOR, like beige or otherwise, but the showing dirt part is a big factor even with effort, it happens. I had the same worry today when cashmere leather in a new Acadia sucked me in...then I started having visions of a friend's beige leather in her Mountaineer that just is dingy. Bedliner delete too...hmm...there has to be... Otherwise, as I've found, it never hurts to email out a specific request and go from there. Nothing has to be firm, but every single time, the dealers who can actually respond in detail and quickly (and 3-4 automated response emails like some have set up, don't count), are the ones you end up wanting to deal with in person too. Throw it out there & see what you get. Even if it's just a thought right now, it doesn't hurt to ask.

The G8 turned 1 year old, or 1 year since purchase, with 15.5k miles today I promptly put it up for sale. G8 & I had an awesome road tripping day, blasting around other cars & listening to the Corsa roar at higher speeds. What a beast. Nothing ever needed fixed, aside from the XM re-flash after purchase & then, well, the other stuff I just had changed or upgraded on my own. Holden KNOWS how to make a CAR. And like anything, drop a GM small block in it and you're set for life. But up for sale it is, we've become close friends, and he (G8 became known as "Jack" in the past few months) understands. If and when sold, a truck or SUV of some sort will be in its place for the next year. Then...who knows... Ahhh, what a year of utter automotive greatness. I love GM

Roger...generalized vs. on those specific ones...but hopefully helps 1) Colorado/Canyon, essentially new...a choice I think hearkens back to your beloved Sonoma days, but in the more modern equivalent. Efficient/peppy 5-cyl but certainly no powerhouse, decent space as a crew cab but no SUV but also a real truck with a real bed. Could work as a "the family fits...dad" vehicle, if you have another main vehicle that fits everyone & everything more regularly. Great daily with truck bed capability, IF you want that, and depending on if you covered it or not. Otherwise, a little small and/or cramped for a full family more regularly, but a great looking smaller truck choice. I like 'em, I'd recommend one to you, but the space/cargo arrangement issues could be a biggie. Lower the price, lower the miles & CPO, the better. 2) Suburban. GMT-800, I always, always recommend. Had 2 in the family, loved them. Typical things like clunky steering shafts after a couple years, but otherwise pretty simple as long as they don't have the electro Autoride suspension, etc. Roomy, comfortable as a living room with great firm seats, simple materials & style but easy to use & durable. Typical 5.3L/4-spd is VERY peppy in this gen & gets nice mileage cruising. Downfalls is the newest of this gen are now several years old, miles are building, and though that really doesn't mean much, years+miles equal a little more maintenance for anything. A 2005/2006 that's CPO or has an even further extended warranty & not a ton of miles is great, but I have so many close acquaintances that have bought these new or used and driven to almost 200k with next to nothing but oil & tires changed, not a concern. They're legendary. They handle a family & family stuff like NOTHING else on the market, period. Still miss having one around, even for trips, just couldn't beat it & (as my brother continually says, getting to drive lots of things at work) "drive more like a car than any other truck, period". Highly recommended if the right one. 3) Envoy. You had one. You know them. You love them. If you were to decide something like a Tahoe/Suburban is just a bit too big, etc., I think this is the next logical choice. A 2008'ish CPO with low miles and the right price (like the Pointe one that sold) are great. Not super huge, not V8, but still powerful, 4WD, fits 5 comfortably & their stuff without a lot of excess space, and they seem to be similarly durable to the GMT-800's. Another highly recommended, if you think the size for your family & stuff is right. 4) SSR...fun... Given the Fleetwood now and the G6, I think you need something that has Fleetwood room but in a higher up, larger cargo space but still trucky package. Where the G6 would be a squeeze for all 4/5 of you more than once in a while, I think you need an SUV that's new enough not to be a maintenance worry and can comfortably fit you daily without being a gas or parking space pig, as well as it fits the family & their stuff. SUV over a truck, I'd say. And if you go new, a Terrain could be exactly the right bill, almost Envoy sized but in a latest & greatest more efficient package. Now as for me...uh...

Roaring north today on Rt. 1 through Delaware, saw an "odd" Sebring merge in...clearly a Sebring...but lower than usual & clearly had lower gray sill extensions just like a 300M Special... Got closer & saw it. The trunk said TSI & it all looked OEM, but I really couldn't remember anything about such a thing. I think this was a limited run, but first I've ever seen in pictures or reality, period.

And headed northeast! Cha ching! God, I'm going on a roadtrip tomorrow, north, while I still can...hopefully no issues around Philly or south Jersey, at least sticking to main highways. Then Monday/Tuesday...who knows...

Holy CRAP. I don't know what the local yocals were talking about the past few days, with things being cleared, but after I bummed a ride in a 4x4 F-150 again this morning...after days of banned driving & otherwise, the roads were WORSE than Tuesday. Seriously. Ruts, holes, and solid ice so thick the road was banked like a race track in spots, passed a truck on the side of the road that had snapped a control arm or something with the wheel flopped out, and had the F-150 chattering like a mofo on the hard ridged ice. Seriously. Delaware DOT needs to call a spade a spade with the "but we don't ever get THAT much winter" and get some real equipment in higher #'s and better management of how to get rid of it. The auto collision tech brother is about to be very, very, very busy as local cars are piling up with anything from underbody damage to just crash & smash front, rear & side. Oh, winter. Quiet about Monday, but just now starting to hear "some now...gusty blowing winds..." No, really? Surely you're mistaken...

Familiar doesn't hurt, but hopefully this one is at least a different color than the others in the family

According to local people on the radio today & otherwise "big main roads are finally clear"...even "beautiful". Later warning by my father was "what are you doing tomorrow"...firing up the G8..."NO WAY...you'll leave pieces on the road...not gonna happen". Okay then, yet again. Nice. Blowing, ice ruts & otherwise, or so I've been told. TG for 4x4 Ford's, one will once again be picking up & delivering me to work and back. G8...on permanent rest. Come Saturday, hell or high water, it's gonna go out, just has to, I don't care, and heading north.

Not only did it stop today, it's still 35 degrees (holy heat wave) at night, and Delaware lifted the driving ban as of 6pm...it's going to be so weird to be back to a "normal" day tomorrow and get out of the house. Almost exciting...in a not exciting way. Oh, yeah, wait. That snow crap in Texas & the gulf right now will be here Monday. That's right. Of course. I might actually fire up the G8 for the first time in a week tomorrow...whoa...

Dead on. I want to see more of these things...a local FLM dealer has a red one but they put it on the rotating ramp thingamabob out front & it's been on there spinning for quite a while...eye catcher, regardless.

Really? I've wondered...price aside, the package is damn near WOW from build to drive quality...but it's just not turning people on I guess...then again, compared to a Traverse or other Lambda's, the Flex sells a 1/3 or less, I think. Heh. Prices up in the mid $50k range with options doesn't help either, even if it may actually be worth it. It's hard, because compared to a larger BOF utility, even if they're more refined and otherwise, that "bulk", the V8 grunt and big 'ole tow hitch on the back just speaks to people who want a full on luxury tank more than a full on luxury minivan/crossover type thing does, no matter how well you do it. Lots of Tahoe/Yukon trade ins on Lambda's, but at the same time a handful that also switched right back. It's 2 different categories that just don't check off all of each other's boxes. --------------------------------------------- Spotted a yellow Camaro LT/RS in a work parking lot, amidst snow & slush last week, with the painted yellow GM splash guards. Mud flaps on a Camaro can make your eyes bug out, but color matched and a molded GM part, they looked about as good as possible & were obviously effective already in the muck.

Yay, we're all alive...I think Still banned from driving here, etc. and according to the 3 paragraph email I just got from my boss "it's ridiculous...it didn't even do much..." Comic relief, every morning this week. Had the local news on & what did we hear? "There's another system...snow...that should be here Monday..." OMG, the new anchor faces were priceless

No emails for me today, nasty or otherwise, such a shame. So I just decided myself it's a work from home one, and that's that. Unplowed street, the same ice ruts, etc. I can't get anywhere anyway. Just got a call from the one of us that did make it out "no one is to touch ANY of the cars...I had trouble in my Subaru & all the intersections & roads out are drifted shut". Oh well. Work from come, confirmed, it is.

Since it was worse here Saturday than it, well, sort of is today (waiting to see tomorrow morning...it's BAD out there now), sort of the reverse. This morning it got to high 30's, the hard rutted icy slush stuff stayed on chunks of the road and there was a TON of water otherwise. It dropped to the low-mid 20's over the day & started snowing so it should basically be thick shiny ice all over then covered in several inches of snow. Cha ching. Greatness. Can't wait for another 6:45am work email, driving ban regardless, "it's a little slippery but Expedition got me here fine...borrow a truck & get here". Hah! Oh crap, it's still blowing snow...didn't realize until I saw the news & looked again...great... That Avalanche I want to buy can't come soon enough...err...well...

Apparently we had thunder & lightning Friday night into Saturday with the snow, but I never knew...sleeping. Wack Jack, just seems wack

It's exactly like Friday/Saturday...snow...then some rain that doesn't make it seem so bad...but then WHOA snow again & the rain earlier mixed in with sleet makes it heavy and hard like you can't believe. Camino said it right, LEAD. Nuts. Got really bad here around noon and kept on until a little bit ago, then stopped/slowed, now it's sideways blowing gigantic white heavy flakes again. Gee, that looks SO familiar...oh, wait...it's like Saturday all over again...

Okay, the ADD isn't all just my doing... Took a break from work to look up some 9-7X Aero's. NICE. In the course of doing so, got an email from my Jersey dealer asking if I'd finally be up to check out the Solstice after 3 failed trip attempts. Yes. And to check out the Envoy for Roger...perhaps... While doing this, browsed around at other random things and sent a quote request off for a leftover '09 Avalanche in VA. That turned into the home phone ringing 3x and an overenthusiastic sales guy getting excited when I said "yes" about qualifying for every incentive he went down a list reading, and would call right back. Did so gave me nice #'s, then intrigued I saw another $2k special offer on GM.com for Pontiac/Saturn owner's to "stay in the family". Literally would end up being about $7500 in rebates alone, before discount, on a loaded Avalanche...mmm...even equipped like I'd spec on, odd & all. So yeah, now I'm on that. Today is 9-7X, Solstice, and a killer loaded Avalanche deal that's realistic like my G8 was realistic last year...an Avalanche would certainly check off a lot of boxes...except for zoom-zoom. Then again, between the Avalanche & Suburban 5.3L we had before, I never once felt either was lacking any kind of oomph and were pretty fun... Yes. This thread literally did just go from a mini roadster or coupe to a full size gargantuan SUV/trucklet. Hah.