caddycruiser

Wow, the BEST pictures ANYWHERE of this much talked about and debated hole. Even answered a wonder question of mine about it, hah. All after I was just looking at a base '09 V6 that was one of the early ones to show up on my dealer's lot, that has the gauge cluster still in the center. Either way, doesn't bother me, though I think I do like the usefulness of a rubber based cubby.

Awesome. I agree on the FWD--I stay away from AWD/4WD like the plague just because of the added drag, weight, maintenance and lack of need (well, except for dad's Subie...and he's been thinking of ways to get rid of it, until I stopped him), but that said, you will still have great traction in any kind of situation. That EB look really takes it up a few levels. Hopefully wifee learns how to use the Sync quickly and doesn't give up--that would be a shame! Reminds me of my father and remote fobs when they don't unlock all the car doors on the first try..."seriously, just give me the key, and not this thing". Sounds like it's going well and you made a very good choice! My only question...does it have the power hatch option or the power folding middle row? I assume not, as it seems a ton of them don't, but I'm a power hatch fan and just play with them too much...great feature, if you have it.

Exactly my thoughts. The Durango/Aspen, for what they are, have always been quite good and at a price level lower than a competitor in size and features. If you need it, their Hybrid versions are a heck of a lot cheaper than the GM's and their performance and mpg's are better in many ways. Not the highest tech, not a car based ute, but still a solid and feature packed truck at a reasonable price level compared to many.

Awesome, and very overlooked, choice! The Freestyle/Taurus X has always been one of my quiet favorites since intro, along with the 500/Taurus/Montego/Sable because they're all extremely solid and unusually well built and refined vehicles that also get better than expected fuel mileage and are loaded with space. Looks have been hit or miss, but that's about the only thing. My father, the previously Ford hater in every way, even came around to the Freestyle so much after seeing them in person and me telling him people really got 20-25 mpg with them, and loved the space of the sedans and idea of "Volvo guts underneath". It's bigger than an Edge, no doubt, but performance should be similar with the benefit being that--at least in my experience--the Taurus X still feels more solid and refined with considerably better materials and such than the Edge. You wanted a Flex, and as the Flex is now considered the "stylish Taurus X" and will faze it out, you just got the classy original one. Great, great choice and the 2/3rds'ish price with a few miles is even better.

Sedan is more useful, but the coupe looks so better aft of the front door and is still the same size overall. WELL, unless it's a top Sport or SS model, then oddly--at least to me--even the sedan looks very nice. I say that as someone who almost bought another new Malibu but was woo'd by the coupe'ness of a G6 coupe. I have the same length and space, but only question it when I think, wow, really only me and one other person can easily ride together. That said, the back seat is still big (same as the Malibu) except for upwards and it's even easier to toss a bag or something behind a seat when getting in rather than opening another door. Coupe looks better or more sporty, but try both and see what you might actually like using...and/or looking at, too.

If the screen is the same one common to these in place of the standard stereo unit, it is navigation definitely. There was no other way to get the screen. It was the navigation radio alone as an option (U3U code) with a top slot that plays CD's only with the DVD Navigation slot behind the screen: Or navigation (UVB code) teamed with the factory rear seat DVD player with a top slot that plays CD's or DVD's (for the rear system or also shown on the front screen if in park). Not the extra logos along the bottom of this one: There was no other way to have this screen in place of the regular radio, unless it's an aftermarket system and screen of some sort without Nav. In this case, the Nav DVD is either just missing or out and hidden somewhere in the vehicle.

Back to the GXP specifically...I do wonder how it will fare. They've now been out for a year, and top trim G6's never were the big sellers as it was, let alone with such an out there body kit. It's a standout look, but it's just so much what everyone thought Pontiac DIDN'T want to touch anymore, in the garish plastic way. I could see more in terms of a light underbody kit around the GT base and a slightly lived up nose, but anymore just is loud. I don't know. Both from a sales and an image standpoint.

What's weird is it looks like that in some pictures and from some angles in person, but overall, really doesn't. Or at least I don't think so. If anything, the butt is up a tad, but it's fine to me. Maybe a 0.5 inch drop all around would be ideal as an OEM change...I don't know. Like here: I've seen them lowered down and it looks completely different in a cool way, but almost at odds with the shape of the body...if that makes sense. But also walking towards it in a parking lot yesterday, it does have a bit of an elevated look to it, for sure. Fitting for me, regardless. I will say this. With the ground effects and all the "stuff", the GXP does LOOK a little lower even though it isn't. Probably ground effects alone do that. But I won't be adding a thing, as I leased this one and like it exactly as is. Really abiding to the less is better and cleaner, idea. When I first was turned onto the coupe idea, it was the rear end that I still wasn't fully sure about. Not that I was gaga over the GXP wing, but from what I had seen, I always thought it looked a little too egg-like. It does, but now that I'm used to it I really, really like it. Especially when around an Altima coupe with its chunky butt or the Lexus SC convertible which is looks VERY much like, in a good way. Especially in White Diamond. Also like the Accord both last gen and current, I kinda wish the sedan had more of the coupe's svelte flow to it...though I'm not sure how that would work with 4 doors.

Most of the comments, good and bad, about the G6 are worthwhile...but I love my new coupe. And, still, a G6 is the LAST thing I ever expected to buy let alone be my first new car and an expensive one at that, but it fit and I liked it more than other things I had tried. The other unexpected part has been the attention mine in particular gets, partly because of the coupe style (they're a lot less common than the sedans) and mostly because of the color and the wheels. I was used to the gas station remarks with my Fleetwood, but in a month, I've been getting the same things...with the G6. Sure, I wish some of the little bits and pieces felt as slick and well done as our Malibu but it isn't THAT far off. Both are definitely very different cars, though, for sure. I'd never buy a sedan one--and had I never noticed the coupes on the lot one night, I probably would have forgotten they existed--but love the coupe look, huge space for me and comfort, the power (overly impressed, still, with the 3.5L), the features, and even the economy which is very important. The only thing that catches me at times is when I go to think "Oh, they can ride with me..." at work or wherever, only to realize I'm best suited to 2 and leave it at that. With the same wheelbase as our Malibu, the back seat is NOT small, but the low roofline further pushed down inside by the sunroof makes it a ducked position. Oh well. I'm the only one in the car 98% of the time anyway. GXP? Eh, it has its ups and downs. I love the powertrain and actually appreciate--in a weird way--the styling which is just so different than anything else factory out there, but also at the same time think it's overdone. I'm 50/50 on it. One thing I frequently ponder is that the GXP is SO old Pontiac, in a bad way, it's almost baffling such a choice was made. The GT's give off such a different aura and especially with the right colors and wheels, look almost double their cost. Just clean, smooth, and svelte. Oh well, one for both sides of the equation, I guess. I hope the update coming with freshened fascias and such helps out some of the older details still hanging around on what is a solid and often stylish car with a bit of age and lack of polish in little areas.

I still wish the GTP model was around with the clean look of the GT with the 18's but also the 3.6L/6-speed. There's still some 2007 leftovers around and I considered a few of these, for a nice discount, when buying my '08 GT. Then again, gas mileage and power wise, I'm still elated with the 3.5L as it is...AND my White Diamond with Taupe cloth, which I never could have had otherwise.

Yep, these are out and about albeit in scarce numbers. When I was car shopping, I actually started to like them...hah...after looking at some coupes. But price wise and equipment, color, etc. I went for a GT coupe and love it. But that's not that I dislike the GXP...the 3.6L/6-speed alone was swaying me there for a few hours of romping around in one. Good thing I was just as impressed, but in a little different way, with the unexpectedly ferocious 3.5L puhrod. What IS even more rare is not only do I have the '08 GT coupe but an intern at work had an '08 GXP coupe in full Street Package guise before me. Hers is red metallic with black leather, and it's quite the site to see my White Diamond GT and her Red GXP next to each other...so close yet SO different. Oh, and the, ahem, $29k GXP was a graduation gift When I was test driving some and took both a GT and a GXP back to work in the same day, everyone liked the GT more and thought the GXP was bizarre. I said "batmobile" and all still agree. BUT I still really like the GXP...maybe it's the old school, bad days of wings and scoops or maybe it's just because it's another step up on car I love as it is, but it's a cool car in person. Bizarre, and can be garish, but attention getting. I still need to get a picture of our 2 cars side by side...but for the time being... Intern's: Mine:

I wouldn't go so far as to say cultural, rather than just mass stupidity and zero responsibility. Then again, that seems so widespread, maybe it is a cultural thing... No one can fix it, especially not the government and yet another handout program, only the people themselves can. Problem is, they won't, and the same people--not that all are bad--who get themselves into such messes don't annoy themselves with caring about how to fix things.

Oy...not the best. Not horrible, but just over the line of complex enough and not Chevy durable enough that they can be pits used. Lots of them with lots of miles but also need the maintenance kept up and in check frequently. The Northstar is great but certainly not bullet proof with age and miles, the suspensions both electronic and non need the typical old heavy FWD car maintenance, the build quality isn't world class, etc., etc. Lots of people like them, and they have their good points, but if you want a nice used car that's not a headache...best to stay away from a Deville/Seville, IMO. LOTS to read here, on one of my old homes: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ I see you just can't get away from the thoughts of Cadillac :AH-HA_wink:

Yeah, it's a hot car as I said, but as I forgot to...still a bit much. Even rare as could be and beautiful shape, it's an old car and nonetheless, one of those cases where you do start to think, "But for that much..."

It really is dumb. Actually more than that, but I'm trying to be quick & clean. Granted, there are a few cases where the circumstances are terrible and having some kind of assistance, MAYBE I could see. But otherwise it's the continued line of NO personal responsibility or accountability. Don't read loan docs and sign away, for a mortgage that adjusts all over and is 5x what you can afford? Nah, certainly not your fault. Buy something, from the start, that's way more than you can afford? Nope, apparently not your fault either. Lose your job(s) due to downsizing or whatever and not be able to afford your very reasonable house, and get foreclosed? Again, that's an awful situation, but it's certainly no one else's responsibility. It's hard, but you knew going in when you signed what could happen if that IF ever happened. It's like anything. Another coupon package for what--not all--but largely are mass idiots, who continually get bailed out for anything. Funny analogy with the SUV's, but I wouldn't doubt something. Then again, it's not YOUR fault you drive a huge truck you can't afford but also can't trade in...someone else forced you, gun to the head, to do it and keep it. You know, of course. Stupidity and over (or just way under...) thinking at its finest.

Wow, even I'm impressed...old car phobia and all. What a CAR. Love it, looks, sound, Pontiac (gee...haven't said that until recently), and all.

My new '08 G6 GT coupe continues to impress in this regard. It's rated--and not good so--at 17/26 with the sport gearing of the GT. But real world the 3.5L is always a sipper and it gets off the line so easily, it's just loafing at no RPM most of my driving. I've been averaging 23 daily, with a 13 mile drive of largely cruising (wherein I get 30-35 actually) but then also hitting red lights that I have to sit minutes at and re-accelerate. It's terrific. A few days when I breezed through only hitting one light for 5 seconds, my average from the driveway to work was 29.5. Compared to 14-17 with the Fleetwood LT1 in this driving, I'm elated, car payment and all--always a tradeoff, but I like this one.

Hah, yes I hear that quite often. What still baffles me is how MUCH the power goes out. Knock on wood, but it honestly seems like every time there's a blip of a storm in the area there's at least a flicker if not a total lights out, almost like the system is made of bubble gum and tooth picks. Case in point, tonight just rain with a few thunder rumbles, and it fluttered a few times. Actually, what gets me about it all, is at least in this area...so much is under ground. It's not even exposed to the elements, yet still issues. I've grown accustomed--at least while here at home--calling and getting the "Crews have been dispatched, estimated restoration time is unknown". Hah. Oh well, I guess nothing's perfect. But as the topic started, I had flawless service with PECO in PA, and actually nice and easy speaking with them as well.

It was so sad to see this, even though we all knew it was coming. I knew something must have changed when he suddenly disappeared from his site of postings. This finally prompted me to buy his book, however, and as much as I've already watched everything he talked on, I can't wait to read the book. Just an inspirational guy in every way. Rest in peace Randy!

Wow, that's AWFUL. And it brings back completely different memories of my previous year living on the Main Line in Wayne and never ONCE having even remotely a momentary power glitch in my apartment. Completely the opposite of here in coastal Delaware where if it ever storms lightly for more than 5 minutes or a drunk somewhere decides to stray from the roadway, all dies and we have to live in what I refer to as "little house in the prairie land" for way too long and almost always at night. Just miserable especially in the heat and really puts things in perspective. We all have the Delmarva Power line on our cell speed dials and have to call as such WAY too often.

Hah, I didn't notice that until just now! That would be Mr. Roadmaster lurking behind in filth and ignored, now parked as the Subie becomes the official daily driver tomorrow morning. Drum roll please.

For years I always wondered about these things, especially as a kid in the 90's in Pennsylvania where I'd see random ones from time to time. Especially then when they were 10+ years old with mudflaps and the like in various states of condition. Little did I know the following they had and then only in recent years did I start to look them up online and see things like LT1 conversions (there's an interesting one), 3800 S/C drop-ins (common, of course), the Mera body kits (so close to a Ferrari, it's shocking), and more. A fascinating project from GM at the time, that was certainly half baked and/or never got what it should have. Essentially, like a lot of if not everything from them at the time and for years onward.

WoW! I hope you at least got a thank you out of that, from the lady and whoever else

Hah, even I said so. He's never put so much effort even into the last ones...though, fairly, it was I who took care of cleaning up the Roadmaster and Fleetwood for him. He and my mother were away all weekend at a wedding and just got back today. First thing he did outside? Had a towel and was wiping dust and bug crap off the Subie. Seriously.

OH...but also on this note, the license plates. We hate the blue & gold ones, especially on white cars, so the first day he had it he asked me to get him another special plate application. He has the white duck ones on the Buick & Caddy and will probably do the same here. Even little things like that are getting taken care of, so it's definitely been his focus.