caddycruiser

Hah, now THAT is a once in a lifetime experience. Other people saw it too, but I bet you guys will be the only ones to say you were ever in NYC and saw the ball drop, all lighted...BEFORE New Year's. Darn I wish I could even get back to NYC sometime soon...it's been too long since my last stroll around, lunch at Planet Hollywood, etc.

Sounds like my father and brother...dad was jealous of the insane gas mileage my rental got, but still is far away from ever buying himself a new anything--and few things still compare to his cash paid for 200k mile Roadmaster, in his eyes. And my brother, with his '86 Regal, is anti FWD and 4cyl for his life. Oh well. I have a monster LT1 V8 Fleetwood and really fell for this thing...so it's all in what you like. This new car...when all goes through...is technically going to be a surprise for both of them. Kinda like, she'll just come home in it, with me entrail, to get a "So...when did you buy that?" Hah. Daddio should at least be smiling the first time he fills it up, vs. the weekly 30 gallon tank & 13-16mpg for the past 3.5 years.

Yeah, it varies a lot with color. Looks larger in light shades and trimmer in dark. She's gone back and fourth on color. Always wanted white and finally got it with the Suburban, only to actually be bored with it after a year ("it looks like a cheap refrigerator") and not liking how much it shows everything--just like black, but in the opposite way. Doesn't like blue. Doesn't like red. My '07 rental was the Amber Bronze, which I like, but she also doesn't like gold and the brown'ish color was out too. That left silver and then also black after seeing pictures. Still thought silver too was boring (it is...but the best for not getting old AND hiding dirt/scratches well), so it was #1. Same with the interior. I know the general consensus, since new Malibu pictures came out, was that the Titanium gray inside looked really too rental car, but she has the same 2-tone gray in her Suburban and likes it a lot. Had beige before and liked it, but is REALLY picky about it being just the right shade--questioned the cocoa/tan in the Malibu. Similarly, black can be nice looking, but had it too and between dirt scuffs, dust, and dog hair, it's a big no as well. At least with the LT2, the leather/suede and the silver trim make the gray look richer. SO...the perennial silver & gray we go. Still seriously considering a Black Granite & Titanium if something changes, but I'm a tad iffy on the color and she wants something that's really easy to keep looking nice.

Yeah, must be the same thing here. Oldsmobile is gone from all their ads, the main signs out front, etc., but they simply just left that one Olds insignia on the building. Not a bad thing, in my view, and for the most part, doesn't seem like a lot of people even realize it--I'm there weekly and never did until I took these pics and someone pointed it out.

True, and you know, that actually isn't that unordinary. Of many different cars that don't sell...I remember last year being on Ebay and seeing 2+ year old BRAND NEW Sebring coupes on Ebay, being sold as really old new leftovers. Really just a car that happened to sit...and really sit...

Just for the heck of it, here's some other random Malibu pictures I took on Christmas day when I buzzed by the dealer to see what they had. They've since sold the Dark Gray 1LT (replaced by the white one I had today), and the LS is still there, along with a black LTZ inside. I posted these on GMI, and as I said there, one thing you can really tell from these pictures are the differences between a base LS and LT and up models. The black mirrors, plainer hubcaps, and lack of extra chrome bit here and there do change it quite a bit. Still a great looking car, and drastically better than a last gen base model, but base'ish for sure still. You can see my freshly repaired Fleetwood in #3...and in the last, the Oldsmobile insignia they still have on the Chevy/Olds building This brought up a comment on GMI, and I never noticed it until now. I remember back in '04 chatting with the sales manager about how they were deleting Oldsmobile from all their stuff...but I guess that one light-up logo just stayed as a piece of nostalgia? Should have asked today, but will next time, about that.

YES...this (again, if all goes through) will be still one of the first few even this dealer has sold--the last being a special ordered Black Granite 2LT to my salesperson's son. Will be the first car, ever, I think, that she's had while still "new & hot". I certainly got more looks driving around in the white 1LT today, than any other car I've been in.

Back to the Malibu...my "you'd really like one of these" paid off again. Well, that, and my zippy little ugly '07 Malibu and the great new commercials promoting the new Malibu helped. NOW, once this is all settled, I shall figure out the model/color I want myself come summer '08. My impression of the Epsilon cars certainly changed in a month's time. Went from "Eh...okay" with the old Malibu, G6, and even the better Aura...to simply "Wow" with this new '08 Malibu. It really is, yet ANOTHER new GM that's just...well...fantastic. That full Lutz effect, mentioned by C&D in their Malibu review, certainly has finally shown up in full.

Hah...I know, isn't it? Side note, but that first picture is actually from Friendly Chevrolet, in Puyallup, WA. Here's a few others that show that Silverado: Seems like a custom order (fleet order color, maybe?) color, or just a custom job, with special wheels.

After about a month of serious "I want an Enclave", the car talk from my mother died down. Then at Thanksgiving, I picked up an '07 Malibu 1LT 4-cyl and had it for a month while my Cadillac was being repaired post-accident...and the new frumpy mobile spurred a whole new family conversation. Why? First trip I made in it, after being very impressed by the general build quality, refinement, and performance, I got an easy 37.0mpg highway doing 70-80. Owning an LT1 Fleetwood, that essentially dumbfounded me, and I praised the car and its gas sipping (but very zippy) 2.2L everyday I had it. I could definitely see how it wasn't greatly reviewed (the '04-07 is built well and generally refined, but has too much road roar, steering can be odd, and the suspension was a bit clunky...let alone the drab looks). But this post? Well, after all that chat and my experience with that rental PLUS all the new 2008 Malibu commercials, we had a new contender--for both myself in the next year and my mother. She decided she really did want to downsize, as the Suburban has been loaded to the hilt many times, but 9 times out of 10 is just her commuting to work and back...it's an extreme vehicle for that, and pretty soon I'll be gone for good and my brother has a car, etc. As I've tried to point out for many years...that 1 or 2 days a year we need a big van, etc. to haul stuff--RENT ONE. It took years, but that finally sunk in. Gave the Suburban a quick detail this morning, called up the saleslady we bought it from back in '04, and she was happy to get a new Malibu ready for me to pick up and swing by my mother's work for a look-see and drive. From the second I started it, I was astounded at the differences compared to the '07 I had. SO much quieter. SO much smoother. SO much better looking. And the 2.4L was definitely more authoritative and refined than my 2.2L old model. She loved it, first look, and within her first few hundred feet of drive. "I love it. Go make a deal, and get me one." So I did--why can't I have days like this more often Heck with shopping for other junk...I could look at and deal on cars all day, everyday. After looking at pictures, she decided on either Silverstone/Titanium or Black Granite/Titanium...in a mid-level 2LT with the leather/suede Ultra-Lux and the 2.4L, with options up in the air. We DealerWorld searched and got about 3 or 4 of each color & model combo. She printed them out for me, and while she went to get the Suburban trade priced, I narrowed it down to 2 of the Silverstone ones (black pearl does look nice...but I know silver is better for her). Faxed a dealer swap request for the one and was going to put in a call to the other, and we weren't sure if either would get back today because they might be closed early, etc. Didn't respond by later, so Wednesday I should know. Having dealt with her before, the saleslady was also great. She knew, from me being with my mother when we got the Suburban, that I already knew options, models, prices, etc. so was just printing out invoices and freely showing invoice, etc. No hassle, and even with short supply, said "Cut to the chase, we'll do a couple hundred over (invoice) and that's that." Couldn't have been easier, AND she even knew the product. Trade value wasn't glorious, but realistically, understandable and it isn't going to go up with more age and miles, so big whoop. SO...long story short, after 3.5 years and 56k miles of Suburban, time to go back to a car--and a fantastic one at that. Hopefully this all goes through and will be more settled by mid/late week, and she can get one before too long. Should be just like this, likely with a sunroof too (the 2 the dealer is trying for have it):

I agree, it's the overall vehicles that need a THOROUGH re-check. Test and revise the suspensions. Note and fix any seating issues (was at least a "running change" issue with the Avenger). Fix/change any necessary interior details. Fix up the outsides a bit. Basically, refine everything you can to how it would be "best" and should have been all along. If anything is an emergency in this regard...it's the worst EVER Chrysler/Dodge van interiors, the terrible Compass/Patriot/Caliber refinement and materials, and further small changes across the lines of other vehicles. Basically, the Sebring & Avenger can use some help for sure...but they aren't the biggest red flags in Chrysler's line-up, or at least the only ones. There are many others just waiting to hit the proverbial fan moreso in due time.

They're actually nice cars, since they're essentially a stretched '00-05 Mitubishi Eclipse through and through. And really old leftovers aren't that unordinary, since the coupes never seemed to catch on when new. Sitting so long, fluids and such should be changed, but otherwise, I'd say it's a good buy considering it's technically still new and less than half the new cost. Used ones, of that vintage, with miles and abuse go for around that much.

Does he really need/want an older luxo sedan...or is it more just "because" of the miles, possible price, etc.? Could always flip it after the fact, as I have another Fleetwood-driving friend who bought a '98 Concours cheap and did that with it a few weeks later, on Ebay, and made a decent chunk.

Yep, pretty much my sentiment. I'd keep the old and apparent "goodie" he already has, and just buy something else different if he needs/wants it. The Deville isn't great enough of a car just to buy when you find one in a situation as described. Too risky for a car that's nothing special and not really something needed/wanted.

My Suburban driving mother has had an interest in the Impala ever since the '06 redesign--ESPECIALLY the SS. Dad, who pays the gas bills and knows how she drives, always scoffs at that, muttering "if anything, V6 at most". I've always been indifferent to them, as they're nice appliances, but the ancient W-body hurts packaging and for a larger sedan, things like the rear seat are just too cramped. Then a couple of weeks ago, after I had a last gen '07 Malibu LT 4-cylinder rental for a month while my Cadillac was being repaired post accident...we all had a revelation, becoming more enamored with the Malibu, particularly after how much I enjoyed it AND always got 37 mpg highway in it. So now, and especially with gas still high, I being months away from moving out completely, etc., the Suburban is seemingly getting more of a push out, but not for a Lambda or other crossover as I expected...but a sedan. We're going to go today, so she could finally drive an '08 Malibu, but didn't--so Monday. Especially for gas mileage, if she really wants one, I'm making sure it's 4-cylinder only. AND, at the same time, wondering if I should still have her at least also look at a new Impala, just for the heck of it. Not too attracted to the not overly efficient 3.9L or, as I said, the too cramped for the outside acreage interior, but she loves a deal (GM card, etc., too), and the Impala is certainly rebated up right now.

Semi nice cars, at least equipped as Concours...but can be either basic or very costly to maintain. Tends to vary a lot, based on specific maintenance that's been done and just specific car weirdness. Computer/electro struts & shocks on "sport" models like that--for the ever familiar "Service Ride Control" messages--and the Northstar, although nice, is prone to head gasket, water pump, etc. issues. They're very, very subsceptible to more/faster damage if the coolant hasn't been religiously flushed & replaced, moreso. As I have 2 Fleetwoods, I spend a lot of time over here: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ You'll learn everything you wanted and didn't want to know about the cars. Generally people love the performance of the Northstar, especially in its FWD layout even...but maintenance and issues can be really hit or miss. If it were me, even as much more unique/cool a Concours is over a typical bench seated squishy Deville...there's just too many small and large issue possibilities, and lots of other better choices all around, that I'd stay away. Even with low, low miles. My friend just bought a '97 Deville with 25k on it...and I actually liked it more than I thought, especially the Northstar rush when stepped on. But, still, too common/ugh of a car to me, and too many "possible" maintenance/repair bills.

Yes, only on the Tahoe LTZ 2wd. Odd that it's only on that ONE configuration, but so be it, loaded and 2wd. No clue if it will spread to other models or the trucks, as this alone is a bit out of the blue.

Ah, so you got it! I'm not a GMT-360 fan, but your loaded model in that color combo is VERY nice :AH-HA_wink:

Hope so on the Lacrosse. As for the Riviera, I never "got it" based on pictures and such shown until now, but that one on the Cars.com link has me thinking otherwise. Take a lot of the expressive design cues--that are also VERY Buick--off the nose alone and transform onto other production Buicks, and it'd be a great thing. Not 100% copy, but we'd go from the very, very bland (yet still nice) Lucerne snoze to something more interesting, swooping, detailed, etc...all of which could carry along the sides and all over, like that Riviera. Overall, the Riviera is still a bit weird, but there's usable details there. We shall see. The Lacrosse covered in camo is questionable, but it always is in such a state. I have no doubt on the quality/interior/drivetrain, just waiting to see the final design. If it can be at all an "Enclave sedan", in various regards, it shall do well.

That's odd...especially since you could easily get them as 2007's. One of the leftovers a dealer has near here is a Red Jewel/Ebony Envoy SLT 2wd that has the 5.3L. Seems odd to take it away, even though the TB/Envoy are more than on their way out to pasture.

Yes...especially since it CAME from a 2008 Dodge Ram accessories site :AH-HA_wink: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-dodge-ram/524480/full/ ...which is now, finally, of course down...

I thought it was dead on, and they clearly acknowledged they all preferred the best combination of sport with their roomy sedan. The Malibu got exactly the credit it deserves, including the few demerits it also deserves--it looks great, is assembled great, but the lack of features still bugs many (regardless of whether they'd cost more...they should be there), and despite that great assembly and general materials quality...there still are things, such as some center stack bits, and color combos that are different but not everyone loves, that kick it down a notch. Refine a few more interior bits, polish another thing here and there...and then it'll go higher in the rankings. Still a terrific car, and they said that. Just like the last gen Altima, as they also said--when it came, it ALSO was "almost" there, but missed on some details, and the same is true for the Malibu? My favorite part? Yet ANOTHER article slamming the Camry, commenting on crooked panels, rattles & squeaks, and sloppy as could be driving dynamics and feel. The best quote of it all? Here, in Second Opinions: YES, YES, YES! See, more and more are still "getting it"...C&D did a while ago, Edmunds is more and more, etc. "Mess" is a perfect descriptor. Many still buy and love them...but that doesn't mean they're actually great. Or, as here, a fantastic V6...in a mushy, questionably assembled, squeak & rattle bag.

Yes, this looks quite polished, and less garish than the current--although still cool to me--has gotten. Plus, as rumored and even seen here, should have several cool items that make it unique. Coil spring rear suspension for 1/2 ton models, the locking bedside boxes (seen in the picture), etc. As long as they also have the drivetrains properly updated AND the interior can match the exterior's polish...good stuff. Keeps the Dodge look, but more refined. Really intrigued by that "slip" of it being posted on the 2008 Ram accessories site...almost TOO easy, and more like an on purpose sneak peak for those who happen to look there. Visually much more appealing--to me--than the pleasant, but almost so bland it hurts (and awkward, in many Chevy models...that front...) GM's, which are kind of the Camry of the truck market visually. The new Ford will be getting questionable too, with the new chrome bar face kinda mashed onto a largely current gen body...so Tundra and Ram will continue as my favorite lookers. Of course...everyone likes something different :AH-HA_wink:

This was a very common problem with earlier SRX's that had the Ultraview, then as said, with the similar G6--both early on. Similar things with the '08 CTS, but to a noticeably lower amount, as claimed by many new drivers. A few seem to have noises, some bad, but just about everyone had it resolved quickly and others have been quiet from day one. It's just a nature of the design, when things aren't 101% in check. Here's a common place for the majority of owners, and all of their findings, if you're not already there: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadil...um-2008-beyond/ Hopefully (though still stinky) this is limited to mostly earlier builds, and is eliminated completely soon.

I did the same thing, over the holiday. My father had seen the G8 sedan before ("oh, not bad"), but not the possible wagon/ute. Only showed him the Ute, and remarked IMHO that I worry about how something like that--no matter how cool--will actually do in America, let alone as a Pontiac. Basically, questioning WHO would make up a bulk of buyers. His response? "I would. I could use a bed to haul different things, but like it more with car aerodynamics and mileage. The big problem will just be that it's only a 2 seater...it would be more attractive if it still had the sedan interior space plus the bed." So, still, pretty good--this is coming from a '92 Buick Roadmaster driver. As for the wagon, he's been liking any wagon more and more lately (basically, as he says, like your typical SUV everyone has...but a car base and more efficient), so I knew that would just be a typical "Not bad" reaction. I still worry about the Ute...but we'll see, if it really comes and how it really does.