caddycruiser

Cool. Cobalt doesn't mean it's pathetic, as it may not get respect or revere from most general people, but like most cars...there's always a following.

I should so do that in the G8...a roadtrip vacation somewhere. I haven't been on a vacation or, really, had any "time off" since, uh, about 5 years ago I think. I just never, ever getaway...to anywhere. gmcbob...Cool trip. Video, ey, what a good idea :AH-HA_wink:

Awesome present, if you do it. As for the dealer, I agree, and most went well in my regard there (great place...I'm picky), but my new favorite little place in Jersey just read my mind & felt like home in a way they couldn't match. It was a hard choice, for the most part. Intrigued to hear more about this if it happens...and to see how this particular car is equipped. Cool to have insider info, to check every little detail.

I concur again, but ignore the sticker. Dirty pictures, just dirty :AH-HA_wink: I don't buy from places who rivet, tape, etc. up their cars...hence my single striped, no front plate Jersey G8. Otherwise, why thank you...again. Thankfully 2 months into #3, I heart it and haven't had a single negative thought, comment, etc. about it. Unexpected for me, I just haven't looked back in an "I miss it" at all way for either #1 or #2, even though both were quite nice...uh, just, troubled. Weird, how that happened. The G8 makes me want to do things...a lot of them...just like with the Fleetwood, the desire to mod (only effective, clean, "could be OEM") things is non-stop. That's what will keep me extra entertained, for some time.

Yep...that would be who I'm talking about. A little south and to the left, from you, right over the border, ey?

If we're talking about the same dealer, when I was G8 shopping "they" back in February told me an official from GM was bringing a coupe over the next day for a special preview and I almost went back to see it. Too bad, however, in the end they and I didn't work out regarding the G8. Jersey did. I've always been a Solstice fan and through my, uh, 3 '08-09 GM vehicles considered one more than once. Just wasn't a great daily driver, and I always preferred a coupe/roof over the convertible...problem solved, at least on the latter, now. Make mine a GXP. The G8 could always use a friend. Hah.

New question, same topic... I signed up for and the payment was processed for my premium membership back on the 14th...yet it still hasn't been validated or the payment accepted. Who controls this stuff?

Completely true, and like I said, if anything it may be inspired design wise but not much else. Again, very much like our Chrysler LX cars where more was put into getting the whole car right, especially underneath, than extra bucks on softening and finishing up a few more interior details. I see and feel it everyday, and while some things like the glovebox door, bits of the center console & stack, etc. could be richened, the interior is still impressive, solid, has terrific seats, etc. As for the other comments here, regarding Zeta and the story around it, I picked up a really interesting "Autobiography" book on the full story of past Holden Commodore, etc. series and then how the VE came to be from start to finish. Really, REALLY interesting to read about the debates within GM as Holden was figuring out what to do for their next gen model vs. what the rest GM, particular GMNA, felt they should do (especially regarding the 110% world disconnect where GM officials from here seriously could not understand why the new Holden sedan series couldn't just use a current Chevy sedan of ours, FWD and all, and be successful...), etc. only for Holden to eventually design what they always wanted from scratch with Zeta. Did it make everyone within GM happy? Of course not. But at the same time, the new Commodore thank god isn't a restyled Impala, G-body Buick based, etc. It isn't perfect, but it's damn good, inspired by the Sigma but more cost effective and stouter, and has made for some killer cars.

Borg...I heart you. And so agree. Sounds like a review of mine after getting back from, well, anywhere. Hah. Malls = something I don't frequent, ever. Then again, we just have the outlets locally.

It's definitely not Audi comparable, other than being "inspired" I would say in design and some textures. Not that I'm used to it, it is very good and very solid, but also clearly not done with a limitless budget. Door panels and seats are terrific, as is the dash top and such, but lower dash and center console is all essentially harder, shinier stuff. That said, it's still a quality piece, and between the layout, the Blaupunkt, the door panels & dash, etc. definitely not typical American based design. Could really be taken to the next level with more polished and solid lower dash panels and center console/lid, for sure. It's actually a bit like the Chrysler LX cars in this regard, to a unique level, where the money clearly went into the overall design, structure, suspension, drivetrains, etc. and a bit less put into every bit of the interior. But it's still quite well done, as is.

Apparently. They never liked me, as much as I tried to like them...reallly :AH-HA_wink:

Seriously? Even my new Malibu driving mother apparently saw that commercial and said to all of us "Hey, did you see that cool new Kia in the commercials with the hamster? So cute. What is the car?" Guess the marketing is working. Otherwise, Cory, how's the barely used Cobalt doing yet in regards to the clunks and thunks you first noticed, aside from the trans performance and such? I still don't know why, but I actually preferred the 2.2L/4-spd in the lighter '07 Malibu I had a bit to our '08 2.4L/4-spd, partly for economy and partly because of how zingy it felt and with better placed shiftpoints, oddly. Ah, the days of 37mpg...I always wondered why the last gen Malibu with that engine could pull off numbers even better than some Cobalts of the day with the same little runner underhood.

Nope. The first people to report the "changes" were with Aura's that only come from Fairfax, and then as '09 production continued on and we started a direct comparison/log of Fairfax vs. Orion Malibu's also on the forum, the same was true. It apparently was one of those unspoken, not noted revisions. If you had never been in an earlier model or just aren't too sensitive to noticing such things, you'd not notice. But if you compared both an '08 and '09, were trading an earlier one for a newer one (some Saturn Aura guys came in here), you likely would...something. Roger...exactly true. I wouldn't tell anyone to fret over a 3.6L/6-spd EP or any GM, after what then was going on with my Malibu too, as I've driven quite a few from a G6 GXP to other Malibu's and of course Lambda's, all perfect. I compared it once to a friend's '08 GXP, too, to confirm my sanity and hers is and was perfect after 15k or so miles--just a strong, smooth, screamer as normally known. But, too, something is up and there's a handful of GM cases right now regarding the issue, so we'll see where it goes. Yes. Oh, the world is right again...and who'd a thunk you could be happy with the gas bill with a 6.0L underhood? Really.

Dead on review Roger...though I had issues and a few other posts were made, I hope it wasn't implied the EP cars are excessively trouble prone. They have their common bugs, but overall are very good and solid midsizers for most owners. Case in point, our '08 Malibu that impresses everyday. Terrific car, well, except for the power/efficiency that I now get carped on for after selecting the 2.4L/4-spd combo for the queen. You also made an interesting point on seats. I'm not sure what it is or was, as the basic guts of the seats are also shared but otherwise they're different, but while I was comfortable on the somewhat flatter cloth seats in my G6, there was always something off about the shaping of the Bu's front seats, particularly how they force my shoulders forward. I noticed it before, but it was never an issue until I had one. Also used to give me some pretty bad lower back pain on long drives, again something I couldn't figure out. Oh well. I guess once your first 2 cars ever are consecutive RWD, V8 Cadillac Fleetwoods, there's a "feel" thing that's hard to get over, as well as a size & comfort one, even if I previously thought that was something I no longer did want. Tires squawking pavement into 2nd and sometimes, possibly, 3rd can be fun...then let off and cruise silently with AFM active frequently, getting great mileage. All on a platform that's not a lightweight, for sure, but is built to handle monster power and quite the beating, and still ask for more. Ah, Zeta...I want to marry you.

I concur. I actually really liked how my G6 ran and drove, well, if it was having a good day and nothing was chiming or creaking too badly, but if I hopped from it into our '08 Malibu 2LT at the same time, or vice verse, WHAT a difference. As I said when I got my Malibu replacement, then, almost hard to believe they were on the same platform in a lot of ways. Though, however, the "new" EP-I Malibu's and Aura's have started apparently loosing some of the original polish, with reduced insulation, use of the original triple laminated glass, etc. and are noisier. Overall still definitely better than the G6, but not as they started in '07/08 overall--I could tell that difference as well between my '09 and my mother's '08, as far as road/wind noise slightly and the sound of the doors closing. Weird, but it's been discussed in some other forums in relation to new '09s. Our '08 Malibu 2LT 4-cyl continues on well, solid and silent as could be (impresses me every time I ride in it, still), although my Subie driving father is liking it less and less day by day. Moans about the seats & ingress/egress, and moreso that the power & fuel economy with the 2.4L/4-spd aren't great (okay, actually, today he actually said "on the highway I put it to the floor and it's revving but dead as a doornail, slurping down gas doing it"). Mom loves it, and it has been nearly faultless, however. The G6, maybe so. It seems to have had more than its fair share of issues, in a lot of different ways, for sure. The Aura and Malibu seem to have improved on this greatly, which is good, yet still of course I end up with one that has a drivetrain issue--not exactly Epsilon related, but rather a 6T transmission flooey of some random sort that is becoming more and more common with more on the road--we're still monitoring it with actual report #'s on a Malibu forum, owner by owner. I posted these in the other thread...I have a LOT of videos, as I had to drive daily with my video camera to record all of the madness, but here's a few good ones back in my G6 days: The last 2 were from "the day" that GM called me later that afternoon, apologizing again and offering me the trade repurchase...oh, fun times. Too bad the Pontiac Excitement with this car meant videotaping the latest surprise day by day. Hah.

I've just started watching my G6 videos again...wow...what a car it was. These were some random classics: The last 2 were from "the day" that GM called me later that afternoon, apologizing again and offering me the trade repurchase...oh, fun times. Too bad the Pontiac Excitement with this car meant videotaping the latest surprise day by day. Hah. Still, a shame, because design, interior, powertrain, etc. I really, really liked this car, G6-ness and all. Then again, with a G8, out of sight out of mind...I'm certainly not missing anything much, hah.

At least that thing is almost gone...then again, not. Ah, the Impala. I must say, having had 2 Epsilons with more problems that I could possibly spend a day on detailing, I got the chance to ride in the service shuttle '08 Impala LS many, many times and wasn't disappointed. Mushy mouse-fur seats and the worst, no legroom rear seat of a lot of sedans--let alone one that large--but overall a solid, smooth car and the 3.5L/4-spd always felt like buttercream in comparison to the same in my G6 and especially the bonkerific rumbling and shuddering 6-spd in my Malibu. That said, either Epsilon still was more polished, crisper handling and with better seats and space inside...but I wasn't totally unimpressed by the dinosaur W. Lord knows, I depended on that old boat with non-stop service shuttle miles most of all some days.

Very true, but that's life and the effect of current times. Such a shame, but we've discussed this before. Especially given facts like that my Malibu 3.6L 4 month "lifetime" average fuel economy never got past 21 daily or 25/26 on highway cruises, but my G8 with the 6.0L and all that pesky weight, RWD, etc. easily pulls mid 18's with a lot of redlights, sitting, and the same stopping & going. Do a steady cruise, even just as I did the other morning from the Shell station to work with no redlights and I hit 24.5, or higher on all highway with beastly. 4-cyl mode is a great thing, as is a transmission that's actually uses the power effectively vs. the slosh, bog & bang driver connected to the 3.6L. I did like the sound and feel of the 3.6L, as expected, but eh. Then again, the issues I had, and that I wasn't the only one with, didn't help my impression.

Thanks...I concur. The G6 interior, especially, looked completely different in taupe/black, but also clearly not to the Malibu level as far as the dash and center console. But, I must say, details of the door panels at least in my G6 with matching cloth inserts and such were better than parts of the standard Malibu fair, to an extent, both in looks and feel. Otherwise, it was really interesting to have both a new G6 and then a new Malibu back to back...same guts, but so definitely not the same car. Too bad both had issues. Then again, out of sight, out of mind now. The G8 Pacific Slate really is something else. Partly because it looks so great and also partly because it's not a "common" shade lately. If anything, it's most like the ex Bermuda Blue on GM SUV's that was offered for a short time, very popular, then cut. They're not overly easy to find, either, I must say when it comes to G8's. The vast majority are black, red, silver, or white. I had NO trouble picking a color this time around when I decided I wanted a G8...and after silver-white-white, who'd a thunk I'd go with this in the first place. Not typically a blue or green fan, but this is too cool and looks hot a GT Sport G8, especially with black glass and such.

Since everyone is so stuck on the stripe and the hellish dealer sticker... ...new test for you. Who can spot a clear bra? Look hard...

Of course :AH-HA_wink: I take the 3 month variety. Then again, after what the G6 and then the Malibu sort of put me through...the G8 is just the nice reward for staying GM true despite best efforts by the cars themselves to push me off. And thank you.

Okay guys, 2 for 2...ignore the dealer sticker. Tell yourself it isn't there, on any of the 3 and enjoy otherwise :AH-HA_wink:

I know about the pinstripes...like my G6 I wasn't sure, but I really like it. I bought it in New Jersey at a dealer who--shockingly--actually made it a policy to not install the front plate brackets unless requested (strange for NJ), but once in a while will do a stripe on a car. The other one I looked at was pure & clean, but I actually liked the stripe. Still do, and am glad it's on there. As for the dealer sticker, that can come off at anytime but I never take them off unless they're big, tacky, etc. Again strangely, I'm just proud to say where it came from--especially the dealer this car came from. I'm happy to advertise for them, too. This and the stripe seem to really stand out in pictures, more so than real life, I swear. Oh well. Thanks for the comments otherwise...and yes, the new Malibu looks the toned, older brother of slab sided, fragile standing last gen. No comparison for my G8, however, hah.

I’m trying to make this short, but if you’ve seen even my other single posts...humor me. It’s a long time coming. For more pictures of each of my 3 new GM rides, hit the Member’s Rides Showcase HERE. If any of you remember, last year early in the summer after I had just graduated and started working officially, I posted about new car shopping. Driving my beloved ’95 Cadillac Fleetwood at the time, I thought I wanted to make a drastic change and was looking at anything from a Chevy HHR to a Honda Fit to, essentially, what I “really wanted” with another new Malibu like I had chosen for my mother earlier in the year and loved. #1: 2008 Pontiac G6 GT Coupe White Diamond Tri-Coat, Light Taupe cloth, Sunroof/6-CD, 18” 5-spoke wheels, Remote Start, Cargo Nets & Floor Mats. Ended up with an ’08 G6 GT coupe that I actually really, really, really liked, and it was a car I never expected to even give a second thought but stumbled upon on the dealer lot, sat in, checked out, and drove a few. Had to have one, really. Spec’d out the perfect one & my dealer got it for me from a dealer in south Jersey, no sweat. I really did enjoy this car for what it should have been and honestly still miss it—yes, really. It fit me well, was fun, looked terrific and enough so that it garnered positive comments and questions daily, and I liked how it drove. And, also unexpectedly, I did a 3 year lease so I for sure could jump into something else by about the presumed time I was ready. BUT, but, BUT, even in the first 24 hours bizarre things started happening and from that first night onto the next 3 straight months of insanity, despite how much I enjoyed the car, it was a nightmare in regards to un-resolvable issues. What went wrong? A list works best, I guess. 1) First night I drove it home, it poured and for whatever reason with this, steam/vapor would just pour out of the front when it was running and got wet. Not a real issue, per say, but not at all normal vs. any other car we’ve ever had, especially when parked in the driveway and it would just keep spewing for 5+ minutes. Alarmed someone at a red light beside me once in the rain too, steaming away. Talked to other G6 owners, even at the dealer, never heard of it with anyone else and eventually—I think—it just stopped happening. Really, this was nothing compared to the other problems. 2) The “Check Gas Cap” alarm & light, or, shall I call it, my in car greeting at least once a week if not once a day from the first morning I had it. Initially, all excited to drive my new car to work, I left home and within a mile ding-ding-ding, Check Gas Cap came on. Probably one of the most common car alerts around, I knew it well and, although unexpected, pulled over, tightened the cap, and went about my merry way. If only I had known. This ding-ding-ding, alert message on, and then even having gas fumes clearly apparent in the car happened 17 times in total, in the 3.5 months I had the car. Another issue that may or may not have been related was the car chugging and/or shaking from time to time, at idle, under power, or just lightly cruising—often, although randomly in degree. It was checked, checked again, GM TAC was called, and in the end as part of the final repair attempt, after again checking every kind of evap & fuel system part & test they could, dropped the gas tank, replaced the fuel pump, fuel level sensor/sender, gas cap, and re-installed. After? Ran the same if not worse, ding-ding-ding and Check Gas Cap came on more than once and was now accompanied by a gas gauge that would go up-down-up and dance around as it felt, the Check Engine light came on one day with the crazed gauge, AND now even the Outside Temp readout was goofed, sticking on a wrong temperature forever throughout the day only to maybe update or not, if it felt like it. Never, ever fixed, and just went on and on…ding-ding-ding. 3) Creaking, popping, rattling, crackling, thunking, banging, and any other obnoxious sound that could possibly come from the roof, sunroof, and headliner of a car—and go unfixed, baffling everyone. Like the gas “alerts”, this too started early and after repeated fixes, nothing. The very first time I drove the car around the lot when it first arrived after the dealer car swap down from Jersey, there was a light creaking from around the sunroof but only very slight and I—too concerned with the cool new car-ness among other things—dismissed what I heard as maybe a dry or dirty sunroof seal on a car that really had never been driven or used much, at all. Oh, again, if only I knew. Fix 1 actually did work, but only for a day, with the dealer techs dropping the headliner tightening up what they thought were loose sunroof cables, and re-assembling. Drove home and after a few normal road bumps and vibration, Mr. Creaky-Poppy was back by the time I hit the driveway. Took it in again and again along with the fuel issue and they’d try, calling GM TAC, searching bulletins, etc. and despite actually doing everything GM told them to do as far as tightening, lubing, insulating, adding foam, etc., it only got worse and though the sunroof always worked perfectly, just left me with a roof full of “galloping horses” as my mother called it after I showed her a video, that simply would not stop. 4) Maybe in relation to the fuel system issue, maybe not, the car also always had a low grade rumble/vibration that always felt powertrain related—and a road force tire/wheel re-balance certainly never helped—that essentially manifested itself as a shake felt through my butt & back when cruising, albeit most of the time but also sometimes when it randomly felt like being smooth. In relation to the fuel issues and otherwise, they tried but it never went away, and I essentially just got used to the oddity. After about a month and a half, I finally called GM/Pontiac assistance, started a claim and though they tried, apologizing for the amount and repetition of issues I had, it never all actually met the “3 repeated times and attempted repairs for per issue” rulebook, so they alone couldn’t do much. So I filed a BBB AutoLine claim, requested it either finally fixed or replaced, and after a month of the process and an official final repair, and an AWESOME GM rep who I still have the contact for and hope remains with GM, they offered me a no upcharge, no usage fee trade repurchase for any other GM vehicle I’d like. A shame, but it happens was the attitude I tried to keep amongst the extreme aggravation and craze it drove me to. Though I was mentally planning it for a while, picking a replacement was a bit nerve racking but I did it and eventually the G6 was turned back in on October 22, 2008 and now, after a trip through GM headquarters soon thereafter, hit the auctions and a GM dealer used lot in Wisconsin (thanks Carfax) and resides in the Midwest somewhere. Probably the most influential factor in my case and having it repurchased was videotaping EVERYTHING EVERYDAY and doing daily send offs to my GM rep, who thanked me greatly for doing so...I watch them now just to remember the daily nightmare. NOT. But still, enjoy: http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/cad.../G6%20Problems/ Funny thing? Whoever now has it STILL has yet to set up their Ontar account and I STILL, every month get the Onstar check up email, like clockwork. Hah. Nice to see how it’s, uh, doing, I guess. #2: 2009 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT V6 Summit White, Cocoa/Cashmere UltraLux, Power Sunroof, Premium Mats, Power Package (rear window shade & 110-volt outlet). This was a great car, for sure. I completely fell for the Malibu after having a last gen rental (yes, the ugly Enterprise special variety) for a month while my Cadillac was being re-built, and then saw and drove the new ’08 model. Got my mother into one and really liked them even more after living with one for a bit and being impressed by it in so many ways. Originally when I bought the G6, a Malibu was high on my list if not first but I ended up liking the coupe layout of the G6 more and the price/features was better for me at the time. Once the G6 turned out to be a disaster and GM took it back, a new Malibu was my natural choice or at least the one I naturally gravitated to after being so used to the Epsilon platform and our other one having been so terrific at the same time. My G6 was rather loaded so the trade repurchase allowed for a very loaded Malibu, and I decided on another 2LT but with a V6 and more stuff as my replacement. Definitely better than my G6 in so many ways, especially refinement where it felt like a completely different and more refined car in ways, smooth, quiet, sharp handling, compact but roomy, and the generally creamy and nice sounding 3.6L underhood. Everyone else loved the interior and features on this car when I’d drive, and it gave a good showing, for sure. Too bad it never felt “right” to me, from interior comfort to some driving dynamics AND it also had issues (basically AN issue) too, that escalated to the point of GM engineers coming for a visit and me then having to drive with a data recorder to continue the R&D in my daily driving and car payment making. What was it this time? Though I test drove the car 4 times before signing anything and not one thing seemed at all abnormal, just splendid, smooth, and such a nice ride, from—I guess like the G6, kind of—the first day I drove it home I felt what was a bizarre and very noticeable drivetrain shudder that would reverberate through the floor and seat based on my throttle and speed from the trans/engine right from around 40mph exactly up to around 55’ish, depending on the day and time. It wasn’t an everyday thing and never to the extent of the G6 issues, by any means, but still something that drove me bonkers from time to time and eventually by the end of ’08 (literally, December 31st) I took it in for a check out. A tech drove it, noted the same thing I had and even called GM TAC about it, but was told—at least based on their account—it was normal. Didn’t think so, and after my G6 saga they knew I wouldn’t even fathom bringing something back in unless it really was happening, so I moved on to the next steps while still, really, enjoying the car overall and—after such a saga with the G6—not saying a word to anyone except for on a Malibu forum I still frequent. To make this quick, I never went back for a month, but in the meantime we started a poll on the forum regarding who had the issue and who didn’t and the results were pretty telling, I forwarded this off and my experiences to date to both Chevy customer assistance and Ed Peper (yep, really—he replies to emails quickly and was a help with this), and the next day had the GM exec offices calling to set things up. Another long story short, 2 engineers were sent, they test drove the car and data logged, met with me, I drove, etc., etc. but of course like most car problems, Mr. Malibu was having a good smooth day. Still, they were great and believed me so the car was set up with a mobile data recorder “Family Feud button” for me to press whenever driving and the shuddering was happening. I obliged and had gotten farther than any other affected Malibu owner had so far, so I wanted to push on but after the G6 being an R&D tester daily was beyond getting old, and I had already started “shopping” right after New Year’s casusally. By the time I turned the device back in I had already been shopping and was making a deal on the replacement—enough was enough, and beyond issues I was already tired of making a lease payment on something that simply didn’t “do it” for me enough, had seats that never agreed with my butt or back, etc.. See yah, ‘Bu #2. At least #1 is still around, doing great, and I do still like it a lot—very impressive car, just not for me, as I saw once again AFTER the fact. #3: 2009 Pontiac G8 GT Pacific Slate, Onyx Leather, Premium Package, Sport Package The best. I love this car like nothing else I’ve ever driven, owned, thought about, etc. It’s just a killer car. Before I ever even started with the G6, a loaded G8 GT was “the car” I looked at a few times on the lot and just was enamored by the looks, the interior, how things like the door handles felt, the idea of a 6.0L/6-spd underhood, etc. but still, it never seemed like something realistic to me, both from a price and, uh, needs perspective. The Malibu was a great car and I still miss things like the interior look, features, suede, etc. but otherwise, the G8 is a whole other playing field. 6+ months of living with two consecutive FWD V6 cars, issues and all, gave me a much better view of what it was I really did want and would actually be happy with—happy enough to enjoy paying for monthly. The answer remained a G8. Amidst dealing with my Malibu issues and having yet another case going with GM, February came around and so did finally some unbeatable deals on the G8. I kind of knew what I wanted this time around to, in model, color, and options and after the playout of both the G6 and Malibu with my dealer, I certainly wasn’t going to shop there amidst the latest case, so I shopped. Found a handful of G8’s, got quotes all over, and narrowed it down to 2 matching cars in both MD and NJ, handling everything by email. Drove up the first Saturday of February, test drove both, got great trade prices on the Malibu from both, and then just had that week to sort out the deal. I just couldn’t get over the warm, happy atmosphere and a staff that seemed to read my mind when it came to special requests at the Jersey dealer, plus the internet sales guy was just the absolute best ever, anywhere. Had some extras added on (trunk mat, tint, clear bra), and then drove up the end of the week on Friday 2/13 to give them the Malibu and pick up my new G8. Never looked back even once regarding the Malibu, which I didn’t expect, but the G8 just does it for me…and NO issues. None. It’s great, and after what was 7 months of enough things to make a person think they’re insane almost, nice to be back in the normal world with a hot new car. The G8 is just beautiful. Physically, if it’s not just for the looks, the Pacific Slate color garners fans all its own, and underneath it’s so solid, rides so well, handles like a well bred performance/luxury sedan, and has that glorious AFM equipped 6.0L purring away that it’s hard to beat—and everything I ever could have wanted. Even better, unlike both the G6 and Malibu that were leased and I had that “last day” forever in mind, the G8 is really mine (or, will be) and I’m already modding. I learned from my Fleetwood that I need that ability to keep me interested more…and there’s no shortage with the G8. SO…that’s the synopsis and random beauty shots of my bouncings through the ranks of GM for months on end, only to end up “Down Under” with the dreamboat I never fathomed I’d have. EDIT: OH, and as for the Fleetwood...sold it to a friend/fellow Fleetwood enthusiast in Chicago who has black '96 show car version, to be his daily driver. He put some money into it to take care of some basic maintenance, re-did the suspension & brakes, and then sold it again to an older next door neighbor who had an early 90's Town Car but was apparently enamored by the Fleetwood and would come over to ask about it every few days, cash in hand. It's now his, sitting garaged and the replacement baby for his ex Town Car. I was supposed to head out there 2 months ago and make a stop to see it, but have yet to make it.

3) The car: 2009 Pontiac G8 GT The stuff: Pacific Slate, Onyx Leather, Premium Package (heated leather), Sport Package (19” wheels, sport pedals, sport steering wheel) The pictures: MORE pictures here: http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/cad...0Stuff/09%20G8/ Enjoy! And be sure to check out the, uh, long and fascinating story about how each of these 3 beauties came, aggravated, went, drove me crazy, and then made me smile once again in the Lounge HERE :AH-HA_wink: