caddycruiser

Hah! I kinda like it too...

YES...

Hah, perhaps, but not likely. Title is signed and about to be sent, with insurance dropping and plate removal to come, probably tomorrow. We're just waiting to hear from the trucking company. I made the reservation Monday, and just have to wait to get a message back that a truck is scheduled and for when. HOPING it's as soon as possible, because our driveway is about to explode and the friend who bought it sold the car it is replacing the same day as he bought mine, which is to be picked up the 14th. That's his daily driver as mine will also be, so we're hoping it gets rolling ASAP. Holiday or not, we'll see and hope. I just gave it another quick wash tonight after the random monsoon, and put the cover on it, awaiting. Tomorrow would be perfect... Also realized, what's funny is I can still park the Fleetwood without a second thought and have trouble with the G6, at least a bit. Harder to see out of and no seeing the corners anymore, hah! But then again, I can whip it in and out of spaces without really worrying about carving a corner off either. Though I expected him to be steamed, I think my father even loves it. I'm sure it's the combination of clean, uncluttered (big fan) looks AND his favorite color, White Diamond. He's enjoyed the look of mom's Malibu too, though not the gray or the 4-cyl. I've seen him outside staring and poking around each several times the past two days, and just starting conversations about them. Now, like I told my saleslady, if ONLY I'd ever get his foot in a new car dealer for 3 seconds. Moans about the dinosaur Roadmaster and frequent issues, yet still refuses to have a payment on anything even if it were barely in the 3 digits. I can appreciate that, and he has zero debt, but jeez. Something like a base HHR LS would be perfect for him, I think. But never...

Yours showcase it well, but I realized with so many of mine today when my mother emailed me at work asking for "any pictures of your new car" (I presume to show people), that they're all dark because I'm not home until evening, and never show the WD properly. It looks stunning at work in the sun, so I may have to snap some at work or while out and around. Regardless, yours are great, and seriously the chrome stock wheels make a huge difference with each--Aura especially, as it otherwise would be drab city with those wheels in silver painted. And I heart the chrome package on your G6 sedan even more now. Purty, both of them.

Okay, take this back too. It's getting worse and taking my brother for a mile long spin tonight with the roof open, it sounds like something just isn't cinched down in the assembly somewhere with a constant light rattle. Radio is always on, but probably may still take it in or poke around myself. But no biggie, small thing. Finally, today more people at work noticed and I was asked to show it off. The best ones? "Sexy car." "That's a really hot car." "I love the color." Yes And according to the DIC, still a 24+ mpg average with lots of red lights and poking around. But I also drove the Fleetwood again tonight to give it a whirl...WHAT a difference.

I love your pictures Roger :AH-HA_wink: I need to desperately get some new scenery for mine, aside from trees galore and gravel. Those 2 chrome wheeled (big plus, IMHO) Epsilons look like best buds!

Exactly, which is why I'm not too perturbed about it--just noticed when being picky. With 200 miles, something very well may just need to settle. It's such a slight noise and everything else is silent, no biggie.

Okay, I take back what I said about the Meguiars Hot Shine aerosol. It did sling a tad, but I think if I start doing even one wipe afterwards, we'll be good. This morning it was a little too fresh when I started to roll, and also with a white car, I probably saw it in a way tonight that I otherwise wouldn't on my previous silver or the gray 'Bu. No biggie...and just LOVING the WD. It's white, but so rich and elegant. And the wheels are gorgeous--though my father, finally looking at the car more, asked if they were the same as on mom's 'Bu. Similar, but no. First day driving it to work and around, and just love. Also it was right around 80 and not humid so PERFECT time for cracked windows, open roof, and no air...and now I'm also so glad I did end up with a sunroof after briefly considering the same car without. Big difference inside, and I've wanted one for a long time. Still seems like I'm getting incredible gas mileage according to the readouts (the same system was dead on in my '07 'Bu, so I assume the same here), though a 1/4 of a tank disappeared somewhere. Probably just smaller tank newness, but we'll see. Related to this, kind of, right after I left home this morning less than a mile down the road I heard a chime and looked down to see "Check Gas Cap" on the radio. Bizarre, but I pulled over and did so and it was already more than clicked. Didn't come back on, so who knows. Otherwise, all seems well. Actually, I think I have a slight sunroof rattle when open or closed (seems to stop if I press on the headliner area right behind or on the shade, that I noticed the first day. Slight, but heard it. Drum tight everywhere else. And I just love how it drives. Though my Fleetwood was HUGE, with the full frame and V8 underneath, the front legroom never was that deep...and now I can stretch out so much especially with the coupe layout and the great long doors, it's just perfect. And in a way even an Epsilon sedan wasn't. My father's reaction has been more than pleasant and he was actually helping me find various items for the Fleetwood I need to dig up before it leaves. Stood and talked about the car with me, and he asked WHY I bought THAT. Not that he didn't like it "But I thought you didn't like GM?" I was a little puzzled, but said no, and after driving several things (albeit only GM) this was the one car that just fit and I WANTED. To the extent that I even don't miss the Caddy now, other than a beautiful landmark. Only little gripes might be the stereo, as for an upgraded Monsoon (whatever that is) it still sounds fairly muddy at least compared to the Pioneer I've been used to, but still working on it. And, of course, the slight sunroof area noise but that seems simple and I'll try to get that taken care of soon. And of course, more pics. First, the driveway brood, now updated. The Roadmaster should be in place of my Fleetwood, but this is how our arrangement (and what a pain in the arse it is), is set up: And them mine, all alone again: As for the pinstripe, I still actually really like it, and it's well done. Not for everyone, but very thin and on a car that's so clean and pure of crap as it is, it's one small and dainty detail.

That's EXACTLY the stuff I used, after Stoner's More Shine Less Time for years but it always seemed to sling without a wipe, and the Meguiars has a nicer shine (I like shiny tires, actually) and seems to stay on better. I'd actually just spray it on and then do a light wipe. This stuff is a little light and being aerosol might be hard to get enough on a sponge to really do much, I think. I washed my car this morning quickly and sprayed the Meguiars on with no wipe after, sat for 30 minutes, and headed off to work. So far, no noticeable sling, but there's probably a little itty bit. I'll have to perfect my technique again too, with white. I'm already itching to do a full detail again on mine...clay and all, just because. At least it seems to have a decent coat of wax so far, you know, part of that $2k Jersey dealer "package".

Ah, yes, my favorite part! Mine was built in April and is still very new and I love the smell of fresh plastic and cloth... :AH-HA_wink: I got up and washed it this morning fully again, and it's definitely a quick & easy car to do with the round downward shape and lack of moldings--and, like our Malibu and my Fleetwood, VERY easy to clean 5-spoke wheels. I heart it, big time already. Especially the mileage. I didn't want to believe in the 3.5L before, but enjoying it thoroughly with even my light driving (hyper-miling...hah). A 10+ mpg jump already? Fine with me. Though the gauge seems to have dropped quite a bit already--might be the smaller tank. Love it...though what's been weird, few at work noticed it in my space temp tags and all, and actually only asked "Where's the Caddy?" Hah. I'll still give a few hours to see who notices without me telling them.

Yep, know ALL about that as an ex detailer and still anal driveway car cleaning guru. With the rain, whatever was on there didn't get to stay around long. I can't stand the look without, but have some that does the job well without spraying...and even if it does, I always do a daily wipe down. Hah for those videos! I should have done that with the white GT and black GXP I drove for an afternoon...I stomped on those things, for sure. And that response was what sealed the dealer for the 3.5L with me. But I drive my own, like everything, in grandma Betty style...

I was worried, but now I see I didn't have to be. Even mom, with the great Ecotec new Malibu said "maybe I should have got a V6" after hearing what I got and driving it. Then decided again no, and she's pleased, but I'm definitely impressed. And more and more glad I actually didn't go 4-cyl, which might have been too much of a shock after a smooth LT1 for 2.5 years. We shall see.

OH...and I actually already like the red lighting. I think because I've seen nothing but blue and green for so long, it's kind of a cool change to have something else, and it does look quite cool as the sun goes down. Me like :AH-HA_wink:

And now videos. When I first pulled in...my saleslady jumping in to go fill it up with gas, as they had JUST finished prep. And while first on the highway heading home...love the feel and look of this car and all my new toys. That exhaust roar is NOT mine, but a muffler'd up Hemi Ram that was beside me. Funny how that happened! The 3.5L has a nice roar alone, though, and even in a sophisticated way despite the pushrod routes. For nearly 30mpg already, I'm impressed and in love.

First, some pictures. While signing the endless papers, from my chair: And outside, when done, right before leaving: Driving home: And finally in the driveway, when I rolled in a few minutes before 7: After seeing it cleaned and crap-free, I have ZERO doubts about the color or equipment. White Diamond just takes it to a whole other level, the 18" machined wheels are a perfect match and also look rich and elegant, and I'm in love with the taupe cloth. No more leather, yay! Except for the sad part of it getting horridly rain-ified on my second trip back with mom driving, it still seems surreal. Mom knew but dad & brother had NO clue...and the jaw drop while outside and saw me backing in was priceless. Shockingly, too, nothing bad was said at all. My father actually asked "What the heck is it?" For a GM only guy, this was odd, but goes to show you how much rarer and different a coupe is than a sedan. Actually, his only negative was "I understand being worried about driving an old car everyday, but couldn't you have gone used and not signed up to take such a big depreciation hit?" Lease, baby, lease...which, to appease them, is, uh, "a 0% loan". I'm loving it...just wish the monsoon hadn't had to come out and ruin the detailing job. 5am, me, a hose, and the WD lovely...

Yeah, I just love it...and still can't fathom it's mine. Even seeing such fantastic mileage for my typical driving, with less than 200 miles, is a sign of good things to come I predict Pics...soon.

It's HERE! Left for home in it around 6:30 after the paper signing marathon. Looked GREAT, as it was just being pulled out front when I pulled in, having been de-stripped of the black crap, emblem, and all else and cleaned. Much, much better without those things...and the White Diamond shimmering plus properly cleaned wheels and shined tires... Ran home, ate, and then ran back with my mother to pick the Caddy up that I left there. I wanted to take another car so it could rest nicely, but she wanted to drive it, and off we went. Then the sadness. Coming back, it looked oddly gray...and then the lightening bolts. And then the HARDEST rain I've seen in months. Literally, it was like a monsoon, and I referred to it as the omen...this car I couldn't even keep dealer cleaned for a full hour, and it's now just filthy. Oy. Sad. Especially for an ex detailer and still anal cleaner. Oh well, early morning, first hand wash...MUST be presentable for work. All is well, too, and the only issue they had was the front plate bracket. On our Malibu, they used little flat push-ins that are hardly noticeable and worked great. I expected the same for the G6, but apparently it was a whole day ordeal and they debated among a few people. The idiots in Jersey drilled overly large holes and when they tried the smaller, flatter ones, they fell right in. Finally ended up just using some that were larger and have a bit of a bubble to them, and painted. It's not the best look, but it didn't bother me yet and they gave me the front bracket inside should I want to do a custom front plate or anything. The best part, aside from the rain muck sadness? I reset the average to drive home from the dealer and got...28.5 mpg! Holy wow! 2-lane roads, max 55, and some red light take-offs, and it has grunt if you step on it...but otherwise hums at no rpm. So, in that regard, even with 190 miles, my socks are blown off. That's already better than our Ecotec, seriously, and it doesn't have to rev as much. I've seen the light with the 3.5L, and am SO glad to have it. Pictures to come...

Same here, but just one, at the Ford dealer yesterday on the way back from looking at my new car. Still cool, but not as much of a standout in a completely solid color (roof, body, etc. all black) and the smaller silver wheels (not tiny...but you notice it) of a typical model.

Mostly, and at least with my favorite beach dealer even after changing owners and names, there's never ANY add-ons, never front plate brackets (DE doesn't need them...but even if they did, they should be left off until someone actually buys and then it's decided if needed or not), and just never stupid stuff. You want a car, go here. You want crap glued to it...go somewhere else. About the only thing the new owner & name added to the equation was, actually, really rather nice license plate surrounds that are chrome with the name & lighthouse logo. I didn't even realize they were dealer items until I got up close and saw one in detail. But alas...your wife didn't mind the stuff and actually likes it, and mine will all be pealed off, holes plugged, and set back to the clean DE way. Not that the G6 is now the hot new car on the block, but we both certainly made great choices with our colors and options

Funny you also thought this--I did when I first saw one, that I did like the upper chrome grilles (or just being inset, as they also offer black or body color) as they're a bit more interesting than the flush basic black ones, but that the lowers are a bit much. ANOTHER one...okay, it is a Jersey thing. I haven't seen or known of any in Delaware that do such things or even the surrounding Maryland eastern shore. When we were looking at other combos, one found at a dealer specified (they have dealer trade instructions they can set...who to call, when, etc.) said $35 Pinstripe on all vehicles. I sarcastically said who still does that, and was met with the response..."Well, old timers...".

Hah! We've never had a dark interior and try not to, and it's always either light gray (such as mom's almost white, very light gray Malibu Titanium) or tan. Last to have tan was our Avalanche and in a similar black/tan setup to this car. Never any cleaning issues or even grime, just a lighter, brighter interior. But the materials do matter a lot here, and we'll see how this G6 cloth goes--feels almost just like the Av's did. It was hard to find. Regardless of outside color, it was next to impossible to find a car in a few different paint colors that had Taupe cloth. It's seemingly the rarest, but almost all had Ebony. I actually didn't mind the black in my rental Malibu, but didn't love it either. Still too stark and dusty, hot, etc. for me.

Yeah, you know, for $2 grand...they should have

Actually, no, unless you're seeing something else. If it looks to you like the bumper is set back further into the wheel well than it should...it's an illusion thanks to the black rubber strips the dealer stuck partially around the wheel lips. Look closer, and you'll see it, I think. Is this what you're seeing? Should be as I checked it out pretty thoroughly and nothing stood out to me.

Oh, and little story on that silver Solstice I mentioned before, too, with the same MSRP. It did show up online as a newly arrived vehicle but was a bit odd equipment wise for what they usually stock and I wondered why it was parked off to the side, unlike the rest. Then when I was there yesterday I saw it in the prep booth and while chatting with my person, they ran it back around clean and gave her the key. "Oh, you sold it?" She said yes, actually she went and got it from another dealer recently (she's like the dealer trade extraordinaire) for a guy from DC buying it as a wedding present for his wife! Hah. Nice gift. She proceeded then to ask me if I knew anything about it, to help her figure out something. She pulled the manual out and showed me installation instructions and card for the new GM PAL (iPod link), but was confused as the originating dealer never mentioned it or charged her anything, and she had never seen one. I knew what to look for and took the keys, and low and behold, wala, in the glovebox the white iPod cord. Seemed too short but was definitely there and installed, the first one they've seen and that she had even heard of yet. She tends to know the product well but not the accessories (they honestly don't do much in this regard, as few even ask), and I schooled her on what it was, that it was new and a lot of people had actually been wanting it, and that she could have a good little surprise for the guy buying it if he was iPod equipped. The car also had a weird little setup of 3 leather pouches with Pontiac emblems stitched on them connected to the center console, apparently another accessory. Oh, and finally in one with the top up...the legroom is fantastic actually, but I was brushing the roof with my hair when I tried this car out. I kinda liked it a lot, though, in base'ish form with cloth seats and few options--seemed pure and simple.

Very, very nice. And what a combo, too, with the color and trim, again. I've gone back and forth on those grilles after seeing them on a few cars locally, but do like them. For mine, without the chrome wheels, I think it probably wouldn't match as well. Love it on yours. And she looks very happy :AH-HA_wink: Looks like Burns added door edge guards to yours too...just like Kerbeck stuck on mine, along with other junk. Jersey thing, maybe, hah.