caddycruiser

Hah, that would be too perfect in an older Century...

My first reaction reading your post was WOW...those old beats are pricey. Either they're showroom little old lady cars with teen miles, or I'm missing something. None of those, unless rare or unique (and even then...) are worth it today, from my ex B/D body driving perspective. Tanks of cars, but still. Then the massive jump to almost news for many times multiple the price. You really wouldn't go "wrong" with any of those choices, it just comes down to when you're spending that much...you want it to be for something you really WANT, not just "eh, it fits the target". So that's my biggest thing...you said winter beater, but if you're considering anything from pricey antique dinosaurs to typical lightly used new'ish cars, what's the real goal? How long will you keep? Something to become the new daily, essentially, when weather is bad, etc.?

Yes, sparse production and given out through a program where people who live in areas with Hydrogen stations (i.e. very few) can apply and then are given the vehicles free of charge for, I believe, 2 months to use and give feedback.

And I've been miffed ever since that we couldn't do that in Delaware...but with only 3 counties, it's understandable only doing it on the real official day. I've yet to do so.

I've had Windows XP Pro for years on 2 desktops and a laptop, as well as Windows Vista on mom's laptop, and now also have Windows Vista 64-bit on a new HP laptop...interesting change, for me, after the XP. I've always been curious about Linux and other systems, but am never enough of a programmer, etc. to care beyond the basics.

$2.27 today, pretty much everywhere, from Millsboro to Lewes-Rehoboth Beach, DE. So, 2 cents down from the weekend.

From a similar thread on a Malibu forum, it seems like a LOT are actually under the $2 mark. I just filled up yesterday at $2.29, and paid $2.39 to do the same Thursday at the beach before a highway trip. Probably will drop lower, in days to come, here in southern DE.

Yes, new nose and painted mirrors on all, and it looks like the stripped Special Value sedan base model is gone. Some improved features packaging, as well, and more choices in general, plus the new Bluetooth, etc.

The center stack itself and even the plastics don't seem to have changed, but the head unit and climate controls on it are now updated from their old setup to the current GM units. I'm also interested to see if there are any other finish improvements like to the current flimsy glovebox, etc., to more like the Malibu. I enjoyed my '08 G6 coupe for what it was, and really like this minor improvements. They just did a latest revision to the ordering guide today: http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/...6863&type=0 Lots of changes, most like a model year switchover, and including some options/standards juggling as well as a new interior color of Titanium/Black in addition to the all Ebony and Taupe/Ebony which remain.

Flipping through my December issue of Automobile magazine that came in the mail today, I saw a Pontiac insert in the middle that said "posters". Looking at the pics, specs, etc., boom, there was the revised 2009 G6 from the front stating "benefits from a slew of 2009 improvements". Outside, the new nose with more detailing and new shapes and also the--finally--painted mirror caps. And then below the 2009 convertible exterior is the revised dash, with the current gen GM head unit, new auto climate control from the Aura & Malibu as well as their steering wheel controls, as well as the new gauge cluster with revised numbering and the now moved DIC. Having just come from an '08 G6, I really like the new nose and the much improved center stack, even though it's minor, thanks to the new controls. I just wondered if they made any other revisions aside from the fascia & center stack, like some Aura-Malibu suspension revisions or quieting. Don't think so, but oh well. A cheap update for a car that still sells well enough, and gets it a little more current in basic GM ways. And things like the new 2.4L/6-speed 33mpg coupe should help with a few more sales, as a great new combo.

Wow, awful... And weird for me, I know that EXACT spot and even that sign, having passed through there many times. If PA is good for anything, it's hilly, curvy roads, and big signs. Seems like a combo of those things made for a bit of a problem here. Hope he gets better!

YES...one of the best wheel looks, and OEM, ever for the Cobalt. They've never done "good" looking hubcaps for the Cobalt ever, and 2009 is no exception--probably the worst. But the aluminum upgrades have always been pleasant, from LT to SS. I could see those or, yes, something OEM'ish (i.e. properly matching style) in chrome for OCN's new car, as the new silver moss is a bit dull without some brightwork to liven it up.

I really enjoyed it, and it was dead on. Fan of Stossel, too, and have never understood what people don't like about him vs. other less than stellar reporters. It wasn't extremely hard hitting, but the truth is just something a lot of people don't like or are unable to answer to, as this showed in little ways again.

The steering wheel paddles, as the Aura and Malibu do, or just the same system but operated via the shifter it--and the GT--have always had? I first saw this in a recent C&D GXP review, but thought they were just mistaken vs. the other Epsilons and the G6's floor shifter system. As a G6 coupe owner--at least for a few more days--even though mine was a disaster, I still really like this car and think with such updates, it will continue on well enough. The only thing more I'd ask for is some improvement to refinement a-la the Aura and Malibu in terms of some finishing and ride/handling, but it's still honestly fine as it stands, just not perfect.

Wow, not good...but fascinatingly entertaining in a weird way. Reminds me of the local 89 year old lady who, back in July, just drove up to the GM dealer and my saleslady one day in her '92 Mercury Sable and said "it's time for a new car...like this one", parking next to a new G8. She tried to show her some Buicks, but as she said "I really love the Pontiacs" and before long, was signing on the line for a new base '08 G8 V6 in dark gray. My saleslady was a little worried that it was too much car for her, especially when she didn't even want to test drive but rather test "ride" the first time, but she chirped the tires when she did first drive and I see her tooling around occasionally. She even lives in an apartment where she has to parallel park out front and does it without an issue daily. At least she "only" got the V6...hah. Not all "old" people want chrome, soft, and silence, as you know a lot of us here won't. And when you have the cash--those who buy cars like these typically just write a check--why not? Well, the gas pedal is the brake pedal and slamming into a pole is one issue, but aside from that...more power to them :camarosmile:

Oy, good question. Bad enough for people trying to buy, but what about dealers now who finance their inventory through GMAC? Yet again, I am SO, SO glad I jumped and bought back in June, and even have a great deal with a now impossible to get SmartBuy/lease. This should be an interesting few years to follow. I guess dealers can do more farming out loans to banks and such, but the days of GM financing offers? Hmm...

With the previous ('08 and earlier) gen, I'd see the occasional Fit every couple of days but it wasn't necessarily a common site even around here. Then, somehow, from the days that the new '09s first became available, I've seen one after another after another of the new ones buzzing around in their shined up, temporary paper tag state, everywhere I go. In the past week, I saw at least one everyday in a different color and clearly just purchased. People are also clearly driving to get them, because of all that I've seen, only a couple have been from the "local" Honda dealers with others from bigger places across the bay in Maryland and up north in Pennsylvania...so people are driving to get one, too. Just based on this, there seems to be bigger than usual interest in the Fit, for sure. I don't know how I'm now seeing more '09s than others that have been out for years, but I am. Anyone else seeing similar things or is the explosion just local for me?

You KNOW, I love White Diamond but after the past weekend where I started looking in depth at Summit White cars and parking the G6 near them, it did start to look like yellowed or dirty white to me. I still love it, but now like pure bright white more...a good thing. G6 troubles coming soon, I promise. I'm stretched as it is just getting my latest 'Bu news on the forums, but watch for this weekend, a new thread.

Here we go, from today after the official arrival (but of course, as it will stay on the lot for a while yet). First some pictures: And now for those who think the 3.6L is a pig... This was the average (no idea when last cleared, but still) on the DIC when I first got in after 75 miles of test drives and bringing it to my dealer: And here's me driving it down the highway, where you can notice the Instant MPG readout at a steady--albeit slower, but still--60mph cruise: YES, I am so glad to have a V6 again, that can loaf along at low rpm and sip gas or drop a few gears and blast by anything in sight without delay. Oddly enough, like on my original G6 test drives, I still think my pushrod 3.5L now is ballsier right at line step off but the 3.6L is a screamer and has more to it as the speed keeps increasing. Love the 6-speed too, and it works very well with the 3.6L.

Okay...not so fast... The GM "paperwork" still has a long time coming. I called GM just now and since they now finally have the 'Bu invoice, it's now going to the repurchase department who will then contact us in 7-10 days. I heard that and was baffled...so it seems like Mr. Pontiac will be around for a bit longer.

Drum roll please...it's in, I took pictures pre-prep, and went for a test drive again and all seems A-ok. Even tried playing with the Bluetooth already but was shot down as I did it while in motion:rolleyes: Me like. Me like a LOT. Now, if we could just get paperwork from GM so we can do more than just look at it sitting down there...

While Malibu shopping this past week and weekend, of course saw the first Traverse arrival on 3 of the 5 lots. Before that, saw a white Traverse LTZ strolling down the highway as I left work, with an out of state dealer plate...I think a dealer on a beach weekend. Cool look, and that great Lambda presence & quality aura. I like them.

Nope. Our Dark Gray Malibu is sure a looker, and people still comment on it, but I'm still glad I picked this color. In my weeks of casual shopping, this car matched my specs but was at the bottom of the list due to the white. Funny how the tides change when you actually start looking at things in real life. Oh...and we're now at 13/13 2LT/LTZ. That's a pretty good showing, and I definitely understand points from both sides.

Oh, and still no news on the car. It was supposed to be in today, but I just ran by the dealer again while out and the HHR being traded is still sitting there. No rush, I guess, we still have paperwork to receive and figure out.

Thanks Roger, I hope so too! You know...it's not THAT much of a leap. When buying my G6, I drove both a GT with the 3.5L VVT and then a GXP with the 3.6L back to back. I loved the scream and silky pull of the 3.6L BUT off the line and at low speeds, I swore and still do that the 3.5L with the sport gearing of the GT G6 feels stronger. It runs a little out of steam where the 3.6L still wants to start roaring higher up, but in typical driving, wow, does the current setup impress me. I never expected it for "only" 219 horses and the old growly pushrod engine. But yes, good advice;) I still haven't driven a 3.6L long enough to know the setup, but combined with the extra smoothness and quiet of the Malibu...warp speed cruising can sometimes just happen. You know.