caddycruiser

Awe...we had one of those, in "'77 Corvette yellow" (I always remember it from my father responding with that when asked) with a white rear stripe and--unchanged--the original green interior that was almost flawless, but never had a chance to convert to black before we sold it. Loved that car, loved how it looked, and loved how it felt, very cool and it was the last one we took to shows.

I did. And while my G8 was being finished at the shop and the other guy's GTO pulled in, we were downtown with the owner, on one of his renowned field trips, at the new Sands Casino--that was even more fun. I saw, rode in, chased, etc. more great cars and admired more sites yesterday than I have in a while, and the G8 tag team chase on the way home was a great wrap up. Further confirming my predicted soon move to eastern PA, well, for that, and other reasons. Or just out of Delaware, almost anywhere for that matter, but I enjoy PA. Oh...also saw a red '09 ZR-1 up close for the first time on display at the Sands. Yeah, I'll take one, but not in red...killer car.

Saw/went for a spin (for the first time) in a Cyclone Gray '06 GTO M6 owned by a guy in Connecticut who was also down to Rocksand Racing in Bethlehem, PA for a suspension check-up. What a ride and I always forget that awesome extra "thrust" from a stick car :AH-HA_wink: While in PA caught this (Macungie car show day...so there were a LOT of very cool classics roaming the roads): Then at Rocksand the 9.xx second Rocksand GTO: And someone else's project beside it: Then on my way home, a hot blonde in a Stryker Blue Premium/Sport '09 G8 GT followed me out of Wawa in Quakerstown, onto 476 where I first lost her because she wanted to play and went full speed around an on ramp loop and then we continued tagging each other back & forth until the next tolls. Fun. I like her, whoever she is, a LOT

Rodeos, okay, but Pilots? Even the oldest 2003's have trade/private values way above the max C4C credit...something doesn't sound right.

Finally, almost time to come up tomorrow. Too bad it's rained almost everyday for the past week+...the G8 is so filthy, it's embarrassing, even for a roadtrip. Decided to book a room in Bethlehem for Saturday night so I can stick around a bit more and relax, but we'll see if I actually do. Thanks for the suggestions again, guys, should be useful. Well, unless I hit Sands with the guys and can't stop...right :AH-HA_wink:

Yes, it is. Basecoat + clearcoat.

This is what happens, yet again, when there's an idea, a rush to get it out, and then--surprise--not the REAL answer as to paying for it. Health care rush job anyone? Who knows. Then again, I hope the people who wanted new cars and really had terrible clunkers got their new rides, and for the rest, hopefully this will keep many worthy rides alive and either sold privately, parted out, or--gasp--driven cheaply with just gas and maintenance for more time to come.

As of late, finally, Zaino. It's a "system" that has to stay a system, but it works beautifully and the stuff is top notch. Not the easiest, but if you're open to buying a full system and not really mixing much else with it, it's a ticket to check out. From my many years in the detailing world, another favorite I also always keep around is the lower cost version of P21S Carnauba known as S100, but is identical. And, rather than ordering, it can be bought everyday in a Harley Davidson store near you. Wonderful glow, pretty amazingly durable for a real wax, and cheap for probably the highest quality wax you can get "at a store". Underneath/before it or anything, really, Klasse All-in-One and sometimes Klasse Sealant Glaze are about as hardy as a polish & sealant get, and depending on what other work you need as far as correction, various Menzerna if you can order or a variety of Meguiar's polishing products are common.

And it's been suspended... Hopefully for good. I surprised my brother & father tonight about the "rule" regarding seizing the engine and such, and they were beyond enraged. It drummed up a lot of new car sales, which was good, but unnecessarily destroyed some very useful/valuable rides, and moreso has yet to be paid for. Not a good situation to have all these dealers who've cut $3500-4500 off so many contracts and still don't have the actual cash to back that up, or even an idea of when they'll get it. Good going. A news story tonight went to one of the many Hyundai dealers and the sales manager was showing how the site they have to use stopped working and so far they haven't gotten anything, so it was becoming a worry. Gee, I wonder why.

Looks like it is...hmm.

No sweat, I'll sadly be back south by either Saturday night or Sunday morning. I tentatively "booked" an alignment appointment for Saturday afternoon up at Jack Williams up there, but have a feeling it won't work. Depends on what kind of a "field trip" the Rocksand Racing guys decide on and how long it takes for a strut & shock swap out. That and/or if I stay over for Saturday night...still not sure on that but should book something now if I am...somewhere. At least it looks like Saturday will be the one dry, sunny day. Still, seems like it worked out to be a very good weekend to be road tripping north, and I need it regardless. I really enjoy the area.

Great car, great deal. My mother is 18 months and about 18k miles into her '08 2LT 4-cyl and loves it. I think, 1 or 2 dealer visits, but just minor stuff and the car is rock solid and 100% noise, vibration, etc. free. The 2LT suede is great, the interior rocks, and it's so ethereal smooth and quiet BUT without being soft or floaty...very nice. You'll enjoy it. Our only complaint is that ours isn't a 6-speed car, because the benefit in overall performance and fuel mileage is very notable. Oh well. Good choice, again :AH-HA_wink:

Between the suspension work starting at 10am and then--I am trying to plan--heading to a Jack Williams for a proper alignment and such, if I can swing that as well, I'll be tied up at least into the afternoon. So, not sure what part of or how much I'll be able to make it to see at Macungie...but I'll try :AH-HA_wink: Still debating staying overnight Saturday night somewhere and then heading back south Sunday morning, as I want some more roam around time up there, or where I would want to do so at. As long as I have time for more of an area tour than my 78->Exit 67 Hellertown->2-3 miles up a hill to the shop, I'll be happy. There's a lot more of the area I just haven't been able to see yet and hopefully it will also be a pleasant weekend, weather-wise.

Ooh, not bad ideas, Roger :AH-HA_wink:

Agreed. Even though it was a mish-mash for years, it's going to be a problem if some division doesn't pick up any of the sporty/cool/aggressive even in trim packages that Pontiac somewhat left off with. I'd still buy a Chevy and enjoy it, but as I said, even though my Malibu was an infinitely more refined, more polished, better finished, etc. car that felt like every extra dollar put into it, there still was that "something" lacking to me that both of my Pontiacs have given me. And I NEVER, EVER thought I could say such a thing until the red lights somehow sucked me in over the past year :AH-HA_wink:

Finally, heading back north again for a little more "stuff" under/in the G8--the new Pedders struts & shocks that were late last time I was up in May and that will finally compliment the drop springs in 'ole G8. Finally. May get it re-aligned correctly, tires checked, etc. while I'm up too. This means a 3+ hour early Saturday morning hike to Bethlehem and as with the last 2 times I've been up back in May, I must say I REALLY like it up there. Good thing I'm dead serious about a career change ASAP and possibly moving back north, just not sure how far north into PA...I'd really like if it just didn't have the winter. That said, while I'm up this time, for any semi locals...any recommendations of spots to check out anywhere from the DE-PA border to the Main Line and then another hour or so north into Bethlehem? Aside from living in/around Villanova, Wayne, etc. for 4 years, I really have still only seen a part of Bethlehem and from what I've read and been told, there's a lot more, so perhaps I'll just trek around there. Thinking about staying a night potentially as well, for a day fully away and not be rushed to get back. This thread can go about the car, PA, or career ideas in the area...I'm open. Anyone else besides OCN in the vicinity? Time to get out of Delaware, I think, and not just for part of a day this time, beaches, lack of taxes, and all. Hmm.

At the exact moment I decided to run out mid-day from work for a few errands, I first saw a fire truck and then THIS incredible piece roll by in a funeral procession (a well known firefighter guy in the area, of sorts): What a piece. And I've never seen it before, but it's local.

True. I think a lot of why I enjoyed what was great about my 4 months with a Malibu but don't remember it much is the lack of a coupe vs. my G6. Of course, that made the car hugely more practical, but still. That's even with a G8 (uh, sedan), now. The Malibu could use a few more variants...heck, even just "what about a wagon...why not a wagon?"...that I still hear from my father. Same with "why no stick...it needs it..." from him. The same thing that ate the US Epsilon alive--3 variants all vying for EP bucks and having to scrimp--could have, all together, made one even better, still. The Aura looks and minor suspension differences, the Malibu polish, looks, and interior, and the G6's former (although only with a V6...and not a great one...but still) stick, coupe & convertible variants, etc. Lots of things that could really make a single domestic EP-I (as it will be, essentially) even more wide ranging.

Yes, and that can be downloaded via torrent through FinalGear.com...or for $2 each from iTunes, at least the last 3 seasons.

I would agree with this. I actually love about everything they say and all the reviews they do, regardless of what they're for, because although they have a home plate Euro hard on--"fine English...beautifully hand crafted...expertly refined...etc."--about their home market cars that are very often nightmarish, not just here, but there too with any real time and lack of warranty under the belt, they're funny while being pretty honest if you get it. They'll never, ever admit to a lot of that, but it's still okay given the actual reviews and humor in general--they just don't truly understand what we want and need in our uncivilized world over here...hah. Think last gen CTS-V. Essentially that it was fun, not another "horrible old slush-mobile for grandma's in Florida", had the great heart of a Z06, etc. but also that the interior was a little more than bleh, made specific fun of the "bonging" chime whether the key was in the ignition, seatbelt not buckled, door open, etc. Hilariously honest. I'm also now a big fan of Top Gear Australia--a lot of that having to do with my Holden fetish for, um, obvious reasons. This episode of the original with the ZR-1, CTS-V, and Challenger is just great :AH-HA_wink:

A fully blacked out '04-06 Acura TL, lowered, and with 20" (best guess) chrome AMG'ish styled wheels. An interesting combo and that I didn't know was local until I first saw it Friday and then again today. Definitely not your average TL, but also not at all garish. Very well done, if I do say so myself vs. what you'd typically think of some Acura's.

It's okay...some of us love and hate the G6, equally from time to time. Mine drove me insane with the random issues, but I still loved that coupe, had a "thing" for it more than my Malibu even though it was a more polished car in every way, and still miss it most of all. Funny, the Malibu WAS a notably "better" car (felt like the same platform massaged, covered in silk, and expertly dressed inside & out), yet I remember very, very little from it and still have fond memories of the G6, rattles, lights, alarms, and all. The coupe+White Diamond+taupe cloth+18" 5-spokes+torquey 3.5L that MOVED=most of it. Most very much enjoy their G6, and for good reason. There's a 2009.5 Steel Gray/Light Taupe GXP coupe (yes, bugs bunny grille and bigger than the car rear spoiler and all) that was the last G6 my local dealer ordered and I want it. Roger's White Diamond '08 GT sedan is definitely one of the majority goodies. The G6...old and new GM, a car that was one of the first expansion joints on that bridge. Awesome truck, BTW :AH-HA_wink:

Then, on my way home, a stop at the only other local guy with a G8 that I actually know, have ridden in his car, etc. to drop off a part for his G8 from mine and car chat for a few minutes--plus check out the Camaro up close. His mother in law just traded her 35th Anniversary '02 Camaro SS in for her ordered '10 Camaro 2SS in Red Jewel & Titanium/Ebony. What a driveway we had, once I pulled in as well--especially since in addition to the G8 GT his wife drives and the Camaro, his DD Jeep GC SRT-8 was also out in the crowd. All 4, my lowered Pacific Slate '09 G8 GT, the Red Jewel '10 Camaro 2SS, the Red Rock '07 GC SRT-8, and the Stryker Blue '09 G8 GT. P.S., The Mountaineer was just a friend's (doesn't fit the rest, ey?), although, they did have a navy blue '03 Lincoln Navigator before that they traded for the G8 GT. He's big into the Mustang crowd and has had a few, and his wife had a late model Firehawk when they met (enough said there...). He races EVERYTHING too, from the Jeep to the G8, somewhat regularly. We'll have to race the G8's sometime, or take a few better fraternal twin pictures perhaps--love the Stryker Blue, almost as much as my Pacific Slate. The mother-in-law was worried about liking Red Jewel vs. her flame red 35th Anniversary Camaro before but loves it so far...just thinks the car overall is a bit "boring" trim wise, hah :AH-HA_wink: He's working on that for her, little by little.

Some fresh 2010 Malibu's on the local lot, while out running around today. I wanted to see the new wheels and the moved mirror buttons inside, and they had a selection already. Nothing too big, but one "boo" change is the new "Chrome-Tech" 17" wheels on 2LT 4-cyl models. They don't look as good and instead appear cheaper and plainer than the full aluminum wheels (like our '08) used until now. Also, the new Mocha Steel color looks SO much like the Amber Bronze they got rid of after '08, I was confused when I first saw it. Still, a great car, great looks, built very well, refined, etc. They also had some new '10 LS's and a new Black Granite/Ebony '10 LTZ that was quite the looker. Mocha Steel (new color) '10 2LT 4-cyl Summit White '10 2LT 4-cyl Woof, the price has jumped lot since we bought our early '08 2LT that had more than this one, but was only $23,770 back in the day.

I had issues with both of them, back to back, BUT still highly recommend both, our '08 'Bu makes smiles, and I'd even buy another if shopping for this type of car again, no doubt. Malibu, '10 Equinox, Camaro, G6, G8 V6, Aura, hmm...there's quite a few in the GM fold I think would work and that I would DEFINITELY drive, price out, etc. With the deals, plus your card cash, etc., hard to beat any of them.