caddycruiser

Yes, oddly enough, they're out there. All the little snippets said 2009, but I was just browsing a local dealer's inventory and saw a recently delivered 2008 LT in the special Carbon Black color (upgrade on some and used as a "special" on other GM models), with the 50th Anniversary thing. Beats me. Maybe they just said the hell with it and started building some, even though they're "49's"?

Doesn't need it. Realistically, the 1.8L does great as is. Yes, it needs to be wound out at times, but it has just the right amount of zing for the car while sipping gas. There may still be RL models, etc., but I'm glad it came out with what it did, and hasn't yet become part of the horsepower race everything is in...especially not with gas prices, CAFE, etc. It's fine. Also, as said here, the XE vs. XR is a bit odd...but the main reason for the no A/C XE is of course that low price worth putting in commercials. Same with a lot of cars with base trims that they talk about the price of, but few people buy. All in all, this is a car that feels and drives to a level much more than it's pricetag. Well, actually, in Europe and elsewhere this is what small cars ARE like just as necessity...but in the US, it's sort of a revelation to have one so good.

Yep, old story. Here's his blog of sorts: http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/index.html and his other homepage: http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/ He did the lecture a very long time ago, and has run into various complications, but keeps going. Keeps his blog updated with what's happening, as much as he can...but still realizes the end coming.

Jaguar XF's, everywhere. Helps that the dealer is a mile up the street, they have some parked in view, I've seen several on test drives and a lot of salespeople using them as demos...and also one being used as a Jag loaner. Really like them, and the "un-Jag" factor.

Completely. What are your thoughts on all the continual changes that were (and probably still are) happening with the Avenger, and probably Sebring, now that you have two from different time ranges? Notice the seats, suspension, etc.?

And wait, what, at least another year to have one? Unless you mean the Charger, that is, which is a bigger, etc. car.

Oh I SO, SO have to send this to my brother who drives an '86 Regal LTD daily Oil burning 307 and all...he could convert it to a pedal car!

Awesome, I'm a HUGE Lucerne fan. And you just got the ultimate, and even a "limited" of sorts now that the CXS is caput. Congrats :AH-HA_wink:

That's what I thought too, and what's been on everything I've read and seen from Chevy and elsewhere.

Awesome cars! Transforming that GTO back to a Monaro makes it really a standout, and should get it some extra attention--I assume it does. And the diesel Cadillac...another special one :AH-HA_wink:

You know, I had similar "odd" vibes with my '07 Malibu rental as far as random loose-tight-loose, etc. feeling and an overall arcade feel. Felt great in my typical around town driving, and really great manuevering around tight spaces, but could get screwy at speed. Not as horrible as I was expecting, though, and I loved the no hydraulic power drain, etc. when turning the wheel. That said...mom's '08 Malibu 2.4L with it feels completely different, as does the same Aura 2.4L. More firm, crisp, and direct, and without any of the noticeable shifty feel of before and random looseness/tightness. Just great, and though it took a while, it's really well sorted out now. I prefer it to the hydraulic setup. But how it was on the first Malibus and G6s...I completely understand your opinion of it :AH-HA_wink: NOW, you just need the extra time and methods to keep that pure black not only clean but marring & swirl free

You KNOW, at the auto show, I thought the overall look & materials of the Avenger were quite good in reality...but those seat frames in both it and the Sebring are just bizarre. Guess it's a weird floor pan vs. seat travel thing, but still, not what you see in a typical car.

Very true--only a handful. Still, it hurts a touch that it isn't on the options list, but in reality, only a handful would splurge on it in the first place.

Oh, and finally, there ARE '08 Malibu Hybrid's in existence...they were nowhere to be found, but now a lot of dealers (at least in PA-DE-NJ-MD) have 1 in stock or on the way. For a while there, with the constant delay, it looked like '09 was going to be the first year for them, largely.

Very cool, actually. First "special" GT I've seen. I'm iffy on the package looks, but my '08 Malibu driving mother dislikes the regular G6...and when she saw a new G6 GXP Street Package (hood scoops, big wing, and all, in red) simply said "Wow, what an improvement. I like that now." So, it seems, women in particular like it more universally...or at least 2 of them do :AH-HA_wink:

Actually...may be due to random (and likely ongoing) "fixes" they applied as more Avengers rolled, and people complained. Anything from different seat foam, to bushings, to struts, they've changed things based on initial feedback, which is just bizarre...should have never even been an issue: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/review...5-avenger_n.htm Regardless, looks quite cool, and better--in a sporty way--than the more luxury (or attempt at it) Sebring. Fun having 2 of the "same" thing to compare :AH-HA_wink:

Gone, as far as the Cobalt. It's VVT 2.2L or the SS's 2.0L Turbo DI, and nothing else. Simplification, and gas mileage, gas mileage, gas mileage. Well, not that a 2.4L Cobalt wouldn't get the same...but it's been expanded further into the Aura and Malibu, so it may even be a supply thing (at least a little bit).

The '08 2.4L's are rated at that too...nothing changed, except for the 6-speed availability.

caddyguy109...started towards the end of high school when I was on more and more forums and then finally got AIM, and was because of me becoming known for driving the '93 Fleetwood my dad bought for my brother and I to use. Caddy = for the Caddy Guy = well, for being a guy 109 = street number of home Since then, I've used a random few variations, such as Caddycruiser (same start, but added the cruiser after a random thought), as well as using Beach and then 15 (again, random number) or 109 after it (house number again). Years later, I still am using variations of all of those...for everything. No use in changing now! Well, the Caddy thing may get odd when that's no longer true...but no one asks anymore, and I rarely think of it, so whoop.

No. Just ditched the 16" wheels for the regular Aura 17's, and a few detail changes like the rest of the Auras. Then again...there were NO '08 Aura or Malibu Hybrids literally except for a handful that sneaked through (and were never seen except for by a few people) to an exec here or there. Battery supply an other issues, I guess. But a whole model year of waiting...and still nothing. Hopefully for '09 they can actually produce Hybrids from day one because, even without the system being that spectacular, some people still would like them...me included.

I agree. It's now in the shadow because of the Aura and Malibu, which are arguably better done, and also how much it has been fleeted, but it is still a nice car. Odd, smooth and bland lines, but still strong. Not a huge standout, but as you said...out of this WORLD compared to the Grand Am and that disgusting (in feel as wel as looks) interior, 3.4L, etc. But oh well. Nothing big, but quite a lot of small stuff still, and should soldier on until something new replaces it. Thinking back...you know what's odd? I actually think the G6 has a higher quality feeling dash upper and doors as well as some trim than the 2 newer models do, particularly the Aura, and at least equal to the Malibu. It's just been hampered by the now ancient center stack and such.

Oh, and the power pedals are still a mystery. I highly doubt they'd actually drop them...and based on how the titling/arrangement of them was re-sorted for the end of the 2008 year, it may just be a terminology thing. Guess we'll see.

No. Actually, the ordering guides are always published around this time every year. Order cut-offs for 2008's across GM are next week, and then they actually open the system to start filling in 2009 orders at the end of the month, to start production (Malibu/Aura, at least) on June 16th. Typical model year.

Yes, there needs to be more everywhere. Not that we miss it, but another reason why mom is not driving a new Saturn right now...one dealer, and not exactly that close. Otherwise, great--but small--changes for the Aura. The 2.4L models that dealers get seem to be the only ones that sell quickly, so giving that engine more features, trims, and the 6-speed can only be a great thing.

It said this, but I think it's in the naming. On the actual order sheets, Repeater lamps, side-mounted is still listed as standard. I keep thinking this is just in the naming and a re-sort of features, but can't find them on the order sheets either. They did just make a change to the 2008's where they came with the 3.6L V6 package...but I don't see them now. Hmm.