caddycruiser

Yes, saw it--but also knew what to look for :AH-HA_wink: As always, enjoyed watching the GM commercials repeatedly too...especially the fun Malibu-only ones Hey...I had to do SOMETHING after everyone in the house passed out asleep in various places before even 10...well, aside from also clicking on & off C&G.

Depending on the year & trim you're looking for...Tahoes aren't THAT hard to find, well, unless you have an unrealistic price in mind. Even then, they're out there. Aside from local ads & papers, have use perused places like Autotrader.com and Cars.com? So far, as used car buying goes, we've purchased 2, finding 1 on each of those sites.

I've still not seen one out & about, but today was driving one all around and certainly getting looks--my Fleetwood gets questions & comments at the gas pump, but this car even in white had people twisting their heads around. Fun feeling, especially considering the pricetag :AH-HA_wink: Will certainly be seeing one a lot now too that, as of today, we're buying one to replace and downsize from the Suburban. Should be fun, for the first time, to get a new car in that first few months of hotness...and be one of the few. On another hand, as mentioned above, I don't think I've yet seen 1 new Accord here at home in Delaware yet, either...MANY up in the Philly suburbs I live in during school, in the past couple of months. Just not down here.

You know what's really hitting me now, later on? Suburban...to...Malibu! Similar to 5.3L V8 to 2.4L Ecotech 4-cyl (though the latter is so peppy, in addition to economical, in a light car, it's still fun). Our previous Lambda plans weren't shocking at all, but this jump down is almost bizarre. Then again, the car is an upgrade in every respect except for size, so that's not a bad thing. Actually, in chatting with the saleslady about this (she herself has an '07 Yukon), she said a couple was in on Saturday with a Yukon XL of similar vintage to ours, wanting something new. They were thinking of going down a bit to a regular Yukon, but weren't sure, and while just there talking about it, the wife said "You know, I really don't use or need all the space except for once in a blue moon" and they left with a sedan. Didn't say which, but that sounds exactly like us now. The Suburban was the "ultimate" vehicle she ever has had, in size, features, and moreso price, so it will be missed. Having been in an Avalanche and then this since early 2002, and adjusting to driving both like Vettes...momma-zuma will be in shell shock later.

GREAT cars, especially after my month long experience with an '07 Malibu 1LT with the 2.2L. Not a Maxx and not the 3.5L, I know, but same basic car. I loved it, basically. Very solidly built, the materials actually are quite good, the ride/handling decently sorted, and the electric steering not at all objectionable as I had expected after reading so many reviews. These cars (the '04-07s), both goodly and badly have NO resale value after being so heavily fleeted and such, but that's great if you're buying used. You get a heck of a car, for a bargain. We're now buying the new '08, based on my experience with the "old" '07 and just how much nicer the new one is...but I wouldn't hesitate in a second still to buy an '06/07, etc. especially for a good deal. All the same guts, just a more pleasing (to most) look and further refinement, for '08+. Coming from a minivan...again, GREAT car. You get the maneuverability and economy of a sedan, but still the most flexibility you'll get in a car this size because of the--now missed--Maxx layout.

Hah...just found this thread, and originally being from Punxsutawney, that is SO true. Actually, as I've referred to at least our town for years..."Blazer/Jimmy capital of the world". It's definitely a "Are you a GM or Ford person" kind of place...with very, very few anything else thrown in. Couple VW's that a select few have, a Toyota and Honda here or there...but little else.

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.