jlgolden

Upper-level optioned Jettas start touching Passat prices...at which point I'd skip the Jetta and go on for the Passat. - But, between the three choices you provided us for discussion, each has its own desireablity factor. - The Lucerne and Azera probably offer similar driving dynamics, and the Hyundai has a better warranty. They both offer similar elegant styling, comfort, luxury, and are "mature" in their mission statement. Passion? Not really. Hmmm. - Ooohh, I'm not getting anywhere with this thought process - I'd skip the luxury cruisers and go see the VW dealer for a couple of test drives.

Ever see a certain car and flash-back to vivid memories...maybe good or bad? 1978-80 Grand Prix: My "real" dad and his second wife had a 1978 GP....all I remember is sticky vinyl seats in the hot Florida sun. - My first car was a 1979 GP, which was a hand-me-down from Mom....bought new. Lots of childhood memories and later, beginner driver memories formed there. Had my first car wreck in it. Learned how to do burnouts and slide sideways in it. Insane, youthful, indestructible feelings. - My great Grandma had a base 1980 GP. Lots of memories of going places with her when I was a kid. Lots of trips through the Jack-in-the Box drive-thru. - So when I see any of this generation GP out on the road (very rare nowadays) I feel rather emotional... and cannot help but smile.

In 1997 I bought a brand new '98 Escort (base) sedan...my first new car purchase...still in college. Anything seemed nicer than my 8 year old Grand Am. But after 3 weeks, I hated the road noise on the highway and the lack of torque on acceleration. - So after a total of 5 weeks of ownership and 1200 miles, I traded it on a '98 Ranger V6 and lost about $3500. Lesson learned. Almost. - In 1999, I bought a new 2000 Celica, and hated it after about 6 months...again, due to road noise and puny torque...damn! Again! Lost $5k when trading it in after 13 months and 39,000 miles. OUCH. - At least now I'll spend more time test driving before buying a car. The biggest lesson learned is that lightweight, small cars with small, high-revving engines will wear me out on my highway commute.

The size, pricing, and performance of the G6 coupe puts it up against rivals like the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Ford Mustang, Tiburon V6, and Accord V6 coupe. Of course, a "basic" Mustang GT is probably a better buy, and the G6 is overpriced by $3k to $4k. But the reviewer's comments that the G6 is overpriced by $8K to $10K??? WTF???

I like the 2007 Kia Optima...sat in one in Detroit a few weeks ago. In person, the front end has a Lexus LS450 look to it. Good interior textures, fit & finish, sporty "dual exhaust" tailpipes on th V6...very classy.

With the success of the Scion xB, Honda Element...why not go boxy? And upcoming Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, and a re-done Aveo...Dodge would be wise to enter the B-size segment with a funky, edgy design. I approve! Now, lets get them started at about $13K and watch them FLY off the delaer lots.

Subaru, just like many other brands, is challenged to position its products in the US market. It has a loyal base (but still a niche market) in the snowy states, and it's an even smaller player in the Southern states. Good products...yes. With a turbo, even more fun. ** But unless one drives agressively (dry) or drives in alot of wet & slush, the AWD is not a major selling point. All of the current base models (Impreza, Legacy, Forester) are priced decently. But step up to a turbo model and add few options, and prices crest the $25K mark and run over $33K. Ouch! ** Around these critical price points, there's alot of tasty competition with more persona and features (Colbalt SS, Altima 3.5 & SE-R, Mazdaspeed 6, Malibu SS, Dodge Charger, Impala SS... all come to mind).

I love the look and feel of the 9-3. However, in this entry-lux class, it's odd that XM radio is not available from the factory. Same issue with Volvo S40 and the upper-end Subaru Legacy models. Who wants to spend 26K+ for a new car and then have the add-on XM or Sirius system hanging off the dash panel?

Laroche Chevrolet-Cadillac in Brenham, Texas has an '07 Tahoe on the front lot...saw it there on Friday.

My partner (also a beginner rider) has a 2004 Suzuki SV650S...purchased used for $4800. That bike is very entertaining, and was a consideration when I was shopping. Now, do tell us your "interesting" story!

I've always been a car nut, but now I've developed an interest in motorcycles. I'm a total newbie in the moto area...so I took a safety course and bought a new 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R to learn on. What a blast...what a rush!! Any other moto fans, owners out there???

I bought a "base" 2004 Grand Prix GT shortly after my 30th birthday...back in 2003. I love my car!!! I'd say I still don't fit the demographic for that particular car (based on big-car image, price, etc). When I got the Pontiac, I traded in a 2002 Sentra SE-R, which was very much in line with my age...but I was tired of the firm ride, road noise, and engine hum at highway speeds. It was a soothing upgrade to the luxury-sport offered with the GP. I have rented two "base" Lacrosses in the last year - and I loved them both. Quiet, powerful, confortable, elegant. My friends thought the cars were way too conservative and laughed at me...even though they are kind about my GP.

I saw the Aspen in Detroit this weekend, overall nice derivative of Durango. Picture of me at the display...

Happy, proud, and comfortable to tell everyone that I'm gay, too. I believe that attractions, tendencies, love, lust, and sexuality are very complicated issues. At 32 years old, I finally came out to my parents (about 6 months ago) and have never felt more relieved.

I can't say any ONE type of guy is attractive to me. Certainly, initial physical attraction is a starting point - and that's a very complicated and mysterious "drive" all by itself! Some primative, subconcious sexual urges at work, I guess. Beyond that, I notice a guy's posture, eye contact, body language, and attitude. Then there are many characteristics and tendencies that make-up his personality: -Is he headstrong, brash, always barking his opinion? Uuuhhh, tread lightly! -Does he attract fuss, misery, and drama? Stay away! -Can he make entertaining and intellectual conversation? Good! -Can he take a joke? Good! -Can he TELL a joke? Good! -Do our conversations make me feel good? GREAT! -Then there are issues personal ethics, hygeine, etc...but we will stay out of those. Of course this is only a little slice of the complex forces of attraction.

I enjoy people-watching...mainly at malls and other crowded places. I often look at (what appears to be) a couple and wonder "what brought THOSE two together....?" But relationship dynamics, attraction, intimacy, and love are very compliated and hard-to-explain...they can be fragile. Finding satisfaction and compatibility is nothing short of a small miracle. So I look at couples with respect and curiousity, rather than being critical or judgmental based on appearances.

I enjoy around-the-house projects: painting, decorating, and a little "handy work" like changing fixtures. I'm just not good at cutting precise measurments and stuff - like woodwork & trim. I especially like landscaping stuff...it requires vision and creativity, and alot of physical effort...but it requires no precision.