caddycruiser

And oddly enough, before pretty much any of the "stuff" started, tune & intake aside I've just come to accept the fact, I have to keep playing with it or, well, yeah there's no other option. Mom's Camaro shopping made me even think about one of those, but it comes down to I've done so much to this car and heart it so much, anything new will just have to be in addition to it. Ah, thank GMAC for a long, very, very low APR loan

Thanks for the new comments guys As of the past few days, there's even MORE coming. I don't even think I have to explain, at this point, hah. 1) New tires. Seems insane for a 12k mile car, but let's just say 3-4 different suspension setups, 3 alignments and thousands of miles post suspension work without it ever being aligned, no rotations, etc. didn't help my stock 19" summer only Bridgestones much. Add in the fact they are summer treads, even though I have driven it in every condition possible without much trouble, I was having more and more issues with cold/wet traction, noise seemed to continue increasing, and being worn a little off kilter, some shakes and ride issues. Wanted hi po all seasons, based on other G8 guys, TireRack, etc. ordered new Goodyear Eagle GT's at the GM dealer...they better come in by Monday/Tuesday, I have a western PA roadtrip to make and don't want to be sliding or shaking... 2) Corsa. Mmm. Cat-back. Yes. I debated it for the longest time, was jealous hearing stock Charger/300C Hemi and even some Camaro SS exhausts at red lights from time to time, and the Corsa is now legendary especially in the G8 world for being one exhaust that not only sounds great but masters not having issues with the cylinder deactivation. No drone, ugly growls, etc. Just a great V8 purr. These are NOT cheap, by any means, and that's why I never did it but another G8'er in PA who needed some cash was looking to sell his with about 5k on it for almost half price, and I bit. Rare find and I like the already broken in, he's had no issues, has a great installer, etc. aspect. Trying to figure out a date/time to swap my stock & his Corsa system, car to car, in PA ASAP. Stay tuned...here's the system on his car currently: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Oh boy. Western PA roadtrip coming very, very soon...if both things could be on in time, that'd make my day

Ahaha, that's perfect

Looks aside, how has it been for the 3 years in terms of reliability, finish, drive quality, power/mileage, etc.? Enjoyable enough?

Awe, bye Aura. Have a good life Funny, I never even got remotely close to that step on my leased G6 or Malibu...you know, actually having it the whole term. Heehee. Hope you got my emails on the Fleetwood antenna & other stuff later, and good luck with the drive--enjoy!

And all as for WHY...a late night text... "I've wanted one since I was a teenager...now or sometime eventually, I can finally get one." Ah, so that's it All after also saying my brother had told her the other local dealer had some in stock, but "V8's...let's drive one of those!" I had to break the news that they were sticks, but again, she could drive the ole G8, eventually...maybe...

Fo sho. I learned from the best in that regard. Though, as heard yesterday, I've never said "wheel & deal..." ever. She did, 3x. For a Camaro. Seriously. Oy.

Even I like watching this...ups, downs, stops, go's, and then more. Perfect distraction for my life lately (well, and Roger's Fleetwood as of late, too). Not a good day today, starting with a return request "I need new wipers for my Malibu, can you get them?" which I had gotten on the weekend too, but brushed off this time. Ahem, someone is trying to distract themselves. This is exactly what happened with the Enclave saga 2 years ago, too, until someone kept seeing them on the road, another customer bought one, yada, and the "did you find me one?" emails continued. Cars are something my mother and I share, whether it be the 2 or 3 year plan, and it's fun. In the midst of sleeping last night, I played with the GM sites, located some light option silver and gray 2LT RS (and 1 or 2 non RS, cheaper 2LT's) and submitted quote requests--my favorite way to shop--on different cars in PA, MD, and DE. Got some good emails back today. The Malibu $$ remains the issue, but when is that not, with a trade. I'm trying...we'll see. So, it continues. On hiatus today, but who knows. I had to stop in at the dealer today--okay, didn't have to, but that's another story--to order tires for the G8...cough...and saw the white/orange tasty sitting off to the side, which usually means the process has started on papers. Funniest point of today's episode: a local Honda dealer commercial came on, talking about "they've always been fuel efficient" and mommy dearest talked back, going "f@#k off. Ride a F'ing bike. That's fuel efficient too..." I knew exactly what that was in relation to, and part of it is a 2.4L nearby

OCN...yes. Simply put, yes. The only difference, sorta, being she absolutely wanted to and wants to drive and given the expression, I was waiting for a more "spirited" romp onto the highway. Hey, I think we've talked about things like this before This is what happens when someone must have a certain something but also must have, uh, options all over it. We'll see. More so, I started to have panes of how the heck...road trips...3 dogs...western PA...are you serious? Then again, I said the same thing with Suburban->Malibu and now look where it's at. Oxford...not too far, though.

Yeah, but now...can it really work...she seems to want to pay to play, but just not as much as in this case. The only picture I got during the drive, she was moving too quick otherwise: There's still quite a bit of "huh?" when it comes to how much she'd be spending to do so, but I can honestly say it's the first time I've ever seen her discount features (flipped down a visor and "Why doesn't it have lights? Oh well."), just because of the car. Come to think of it, even I wasn't that comfortable, more taken by the experience and interested to feel how much firmer/tighter my G8 GT with GXP suspension bits felt after. The Camaro rode better but just not as tied down or smooth taking some moves, yet still very Zeta. I'm still coming to grips with the fact she, a person who just had her spine fused in April and couldn't work for 2-3 months after, now wants to drive a Camaro everyday and said the backseat even was "just fine". Oh boy. I wanted to see what she built online and at last check it was a silver metallic 2LT with the black stripes, polished wheels, and a black or black & titanium interior...I wish she'd spike up the color a bit, to more like the white/orange one, but who knows how this will go. Gotta pay to play, so we'll see. I brought up again the idea of a G8--"same guts, little better handling, huge interior & trunk and 0%"--and we both brought up new V6 Malibu's, etc. but "no, have one now, it's fine as is...". She just wants POWER and an unmistakable look. Add in the 29mpg highway factor and it's cake.

I've had inklings, or a fear, that this story was going to end quietly in a...nah, wasn't serious...kind of way. Not so. Hah. In the least. The white & orange Camaro 2LT arrived at the dealer last week, I got the call for mom to come see it on Saturday but I was in Jersey with Roger and other errands, and she was in a bad mood. Move to today. I tried to call our salesperson today but she was busy and then midway through the afternoon got a text from my mother saying "I need a pick me up...wanna go for a spin?" I knew what that meant. Called, said we'd be there at 5 and was told great, but another guy is also coming at 5 to see the same car. Pulled up, mom was already there strolling the lot and I saw the white Camaro roll past me and up to her as I parked. Never went in, just walked around the car, waited for the dealer tag to get hung on and, right away, even being white and with orange stripes and an orange interior (would otherwise be 3 strikes, for her), "why do you do this...I already want it...", as if it were my fault. This, while also seeing & knowing the other guy who came to drive/buy it from Maryland was sitting there staring but she was first. I expected complaints of it not being comfortable, of "I can't see", of "these seats hurt my back". Nada. Nothing. It was sitting there idling already and from the time she closed the door, "I love it. I want it. I'm going to buy it. How much is it again?" Hah. Put it in gear and just moving off the brake..."whoa! oops..." she's been driving a sloshy 2.4L/4-spd for too long and it showed. Smiles followed. Pulled onto the highway, loved it more, especially when she heard it rev and just move. Drove for about 3 miles in a loop on the highway and she was all but sold, wanting this exact car as is. "What about trips...can I fit in the back?" She tried the back seat, made it work, and still said great. Loved that our sales lady had a jacket on with "Camaro by Chevrolet" on the back, thanks to her boyfriend with a '67. Got back, the other guy & his salesperson...awkward...they had the next desk over. Funnier because the sales AND finance managers were there to help but really, more so, watch 2 buyers duke it out over a car. "We never see this...hah!" No words exchanged, lots of evil looks, me just laughing at it all, and staff working feverishly to figure out numbers, trade price a Malibu and the like. I knew it was doable but not overly realistic without having, uh, looked at numbers much before, and she was just going on the "show me what ya got" way of things. Yeah, but she didn't like what they were showing. Selling the Camaro's at MSRP but for her & credit union worthy, did credit union supplier pricing, the $500 return rebate and then the Malibu, all factored with "approximate" and high % rates. I knew where it was going, but she didn't want to give up or admit defeat. Kept him-hawing, hmm, hmm, "what about...", and in the end the Malibu was lowballed excessively and not how they'd normally do things, some of the numbers in a rush started getting funny, and it just would have been more than she'd pay, even loving it. All just way too rushed, the pressure of someone else I think with cash there to buy regardless, and that's how it goes. I thought that might be the tragic end, but on the way home I got a text saying "I need to figure out what options to get to lower the price, or something" and knew what that meant! She'd actually take the white/orange car as is, again much to my dismay, and if it were still available, I'd try and find a way because it is hot. But, still, if given the chance, at least she's now driven one, there are colors and such she'd like even more, and a little more time to $$ figure is never a bad thing. I was around for dinner later and it entailed Chevrolet.com and "what's a hockey stripe? No, I want the ones on top..." Never in my life would I expect the day I'd be helping my mother not only shop for a Camaro but WHAT COLOR OF STRIPES SHE WANTS on one, but today just swung that way. Hah. Now, as to keeping the momentum up and the car reality, colors & options...hmm...oh jeez, the last distraction I need right now! But at least a fun one... :camarosmile:

Awe, thanks Roger--glad to help in any little way I could, finally. Just in time too, with the Aura ready to head back to GM. Wish I could have done more, and otherwise, I think you're good with the few other odds & ends we discussed, and if not I like the trip to Jersey & back, so it's not out of question again sometime. The cut up hands have to be expected, hah, and thanks for the bandaids! Your son was hilarious to talk to in the garage throughout the day, too. I had these in another thread, so until yours, the tank: P.S., Again, thanks for the cruise around the development in the car...THAT certainly brought back great memories!

Good day today to be out, even for just an hour. Stopped at the GM lot to finally check out the latest Camaro in the sun, and loved it. The momzie is supposed to take this car out for a spin ("I only want to drive it...that's all...") ASAP. No interest in white, or orange leather for that matter, but look at it...wow. Love it. Then had a quick shopping trip to the outlets, spotted a new White Hot '09 G8 V6 with temp tags & had to park right in front of it. It's odd to now "see myself" finally, but it's still extremely rare and a nice sight. And at the grocery store, another Camaro, this one came in the same shipment as the white/orange 2LT above this week but as sold the second it hit the lot. For $25k, I can see why. Hot car, even without options. I want that white Camaro...hmm...

Yes, and for no apparent reason either, just "no more, that's it" and done. On the Camaro forums, it's now all about "I got one of the last ones...wonder whose was closest to last...my Aqua Blue order was the last to be accepted by GM..." and so forth. Odd, and really, a very "Camaro" Camaro color, but alas.

Aqua Blue...an interesting color with a LOT of fans, and the first of the Camaro shades to kick the bucket. Last orders went in last week, and there will be no more. What a short run, for no reason, really. Now comes the Synergy Green, sort of, in its place after the 1st of the year.

Some good ones from a good trip to Jersey today. 1) The last new Pontiac at my favorite dealer, a white Solstice convertible. Been there a while. As with other Solstices, little interest--found out the one coupe they had, they dealer traded off because it had even less interest than the standard convertible. Still, I liked this one & started thinking "hmm...0% for 6 years...it'd be an affordable little fun car..." 2) New Lacrosse's...I want one...at least a CXS...not sure why, because I got rid of a new Malibu for same things this car has (FWD, V6/6-spd, etc.) but I just really, really like the car itself. Add in the EP-II, the looks, the interior that's 10x better than any Epsilon before, or even my G8 in ways, 19" wheels with road sensing suspension, DI 3.6L, White Diamond...just want one. 3) Roger's Fleetwood. Enough said. Gangsta. And now with working windows on the passenger's side...we did well 4) Camaro's at a dealer not far from home, on my way back. 5) The weird one...really weird...cruising south on the Jersey turnpike tonight, I saw a pop up trailer and a car pulling it. Got closer & realized it was a '97-03 Grand Prix GT sedan without a rear bumper...then slowed to ride by the rear end for a few more seconds and saw it wasn't damaged, but the rear bumper/fascia was just removed and an unusual hitch setup installed going into the center of where the bumper usually would be, attached to the trailer. Again, weird. Couldn't figure it out. But it was cruising right along, not sagging unusually or anything, just like that...I wish I could have seen it in the light!

I concur. And I wonder, just like with a lot of things related, how MANY people do such things every single day..."what's a jack point? just put the jack under the edge and pump..."

Hahaha... Things about to get even a little more hectic, ey, Roger? At least you were thinking ahead with a huge car :AH-HA_wink:

If only I didn't have to spread it around or my truly local dealer gave me the same confidence my 2 hour away one does... ...guess that was a blessing in disguise, finding the right G8 at a dealer I had never heard of before, and having it end up the best one I've ever dealt with in regards to sales and service. I'm fine with spreading it around, though it isn't exactly the most convenient.

Given that I just spent a couple of hours claying, polishing, and waxing her prized Malibu as a favor today...no telling, whatsoever. She's still absolutely gangbusters about "JUST driving one" and when it comes to new car time, I can usually read it well, but it's odd this go round. Doesn't seem like she really wants something new, but then proceeds to ask me..."just out of curiosity, what price range are these in...cloth or leather...what colors...what options..." That means I can do a lot to push one way or the other, a big way being getting her the/some cars to drive and bringing them right to her. In every way except practicality, I think she'd love a V6 Camaro and get better mileage than the Malibu at times, doing so. Otherwise, something like a new Equinox or Terrain, just knowing her, would be ideal for everything but the "want" factor. Unrealistic or realistic, just don't know. P.S., Did I forget to mention, again, I promised to take her out for a race in the G8? I thought she forgot yesterday and then today was accosted. "You said I could drive your car, what happened?!" Mama wants to race, that damn need for speed, and is intrigued to find out what I mean by "it chirps into 2nd and 3rd...". I can't wait to take a picture or video of this... :AH-HA_wink:

Yep. Though otherwise I would generally have gone to my local GM dealer for everything, something about it makes me uncomfortable (and probably unnecessarily so, but still...just don't like the "look" of the techs when they see my G8 come in), and have only had 1 oil change and a tire mounted there. I've been impressed and know the people well at another collision/mechanics/etc. shop where my brother works and now get things like oil changes there--top notch, trust them above and beyond (did my GXP fascia paint & install) and they're cheaper. Have had custom Pedders suspension work done both in Bethlehem, PA several times and then the last in Maryland, both specialty shops. Then, otherwise, for anything dealer/warranty related anymore my level of comfort/quality of the work is 120% at the dealer in New Jersey where I bought my G8...so, odd as it may be, I've now driven back 2 times for things and will be back up again this week. It's all about quality of work and comfort factor, for me. The Jersey dealer, in particular, seems to read my mind with everything and returns the car happily after--I watched them do this once--wiping off fingerprints...perfect for me. I've even considered relocating closer to my Jersey dealer, permanently, so I can just have my car serviced more easily and get to enjoy the place :AH-HA_wink:

Oooh...so many new GM's that are so damn good looking/impressive otherwise...I could spend a day at a dealer again just sitting in them. Yet to catch a Terrain, the closest being one on the road and another that was going directly from the truck to the detail bay as the new buyers waited for it...damn, those and Equinoxes are just gang busters for sales now...

Getting closer...sorta... I've been hearing nothing but "I want one...I want to drive one...ooh, I just saw one..." still to this day. The local dealer has had (2) LT models listed as incoming for a little while now and I finally got in touch with our favorite sales lady to see, and then went down for a visit today. Black/gray 1LT with auto and a white/orange leather 2LT with RS package and auto should be in very, very soon and neither are spoken for. Of course, neither is an ideal combo for momma zuma and she's only touched one at this point, but we'll see. Funny, our sales lady/friend was "huh?" when I brought up her interest in a Camaro and the first things she said focused on is she sure, it's not really, well, easy for a daily "I have trouble getting in or out or seeing...you know..." and then immediately said what about something like the Lacrosse, Equinox, etc. There's a lot of things that would work and be a nice step from the Malibu but she still wants a Camaro, so I'm just waiting for a call now that one is in, not sold, and can be driven...the white/orange one comes first. Another classic. Texts from my mother while I was there? 1) "I want to drive the Camaro I don't care about the Lacrosse!" 2) "I have a need for speed! Haha!" 3) "They don't look any lower than my Malibu. I looked at a customer of mines last night." The need for speed one was great...about that time I was chatting with sales about how a new '10 Malibu could be possible because of the current 0% for 60 months just put on them, but in maybe an LTZ that she's always wanted and...then she said..."and, for speed, an LTZ with the V6 could work..." Around the world we go in GM vehicles, where we stop, nobody knows :AH-HA_wink: I've finally offered to let her drive my G8 too...

Though I have too much stuff going on anymore to even leave the house or work, turned my errands trip today into car shopping time...remember mom wanting a Camaro? Yeah, about that. On the lot, however, and I've snapped it before, but it just looked so damn good today even if the photo quality is awful. That Cyber Gray Corvette Grand Sport convertible with red leather and auto trans...YES, PLEASE! Mom gets a Camaro, somehow, and I'll take this in addition to the G8...yes...

It stinks, in every way, but keep moving on...into that uncertainty, or otherwise. Good start to Tuesday, then close with a stinker. Same time this afternoon I finally, and depressingly, got a rejection email from HR of a big national corp I had been interviewing with and was in DC this time last week to meet with, after a series of "good...good...this is sounding really great..." contacts, calls, etc. Had a weird feeling at the end of last week, and thankfully remain employed where I have been since 2006, just wanting out. I was to the point of anticipating the potential move & getting amped up, looking into how and where, etc. and then detour...bridge closed ahead. So, it was a great experience, just have to keep rolling on to the next. That doesn't make it any less depressing, but alas. More experience, more references, etc. always a great thing, and especially when you're younger. What a time it remains to be, even when there are good glimmers of hope...but it will pick up once again when the time is right.