Everything posted by balthazar
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The New Saab.com
You would think so, yet apparently that hasn't stopped daimler-Chrysler from cribbing maybach's entire history (it was on their website last time I bothered to look), and there is NO connection between the maybach that died off in '31 and the current brand, nor is there any connection between maybach of yore and mercedes of the same time period.
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First Look at Dealership-Spec Solstice....
Oh, now it squeaks, too?
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2007 Solstice wishlist
Hey BV- you left a few things out. Like that little 4-in x 4-in section of sheetmetal right behind the door, you know the one; the gently crowned area down low... it should have more crown to it, and maybe a sporty panel seam running thru it... at an angle, too. Now. :lol:
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Japan Also Put Tariffs On US TVS In The US.
Yeah, b-but....... aisian brands still have nicer plastic interiors, so it's all okee-dokee! :rolleyes: :wacko: :rolleyes:
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The New Saab.com
I find it interesting that at this point in time, saab cars are farther removed from saab jets than ever before, seemingly rendering the new tagline a... past-prime curiosity. IMO.
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buick burnout :)
Nah- this is the Buick sub-culture that the mass-market consumer knows nothing about. The GSs & GNs were the breakthrough affirmations of what is a Buick tradition.
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First Look at Dealership-Spec Solstice....
You are of course entitled to your opinions, but lumping your subjective impression of a color combination in under 'cost-cuttings' sure comes off as 'stacking the deck'... As for me, if X dollars were involved in 2 different sports cars and one spent more on the chassis/ powertrain/ performance, that would win out over the hardness of the interior plastics for me, without question. The bland design reguritation mazda is forcing back into the showrooms is a much bigger deal breaker than any single other aspect of this scenario, IMO.
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Goverment aid for auto industry?
The Idealist's time has past. Airy concepts of 'natural selection' don't accomplish a damned thing. Inactivity in this case allows a travesty to possibly occur. Wake up. This is not unlike the religious zealot who watches his neighbor's house burn to the ground because it's Sunday and he doesn't believe in using the phone.
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buick burnout :)
Hm-mmm, pic showed yesterday but it won't link to this morning. I will have to swipe & host it myself. Car belongs to TA Performance of AZ- a Buick-dedicated company designing engine & drivetrain parts for both V8 & V6 Buicks, including HD blocks for both. I bought my heads, intake, valvetrain, valve covers & timing cover from them- beautiful stuff.
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The Proper Terminology Post
I have to agree with chris. These terms are all relative & unquestionably subjective. Tho chris: what do you think makes the Corvette not a 'sports car'- fixed roof or something else?
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Japanese Tarrifs
andy82471: >>"Look, I understand your frustration but your solution is extremely unrealistic and unlikely to happen."<< No kidding. But you see, I'm not a politician or international mediator. Thusly I can spend time tossing out ideas I'd like to see happen without the accountability of wasting taxpayers time. Please stop telling me it won't happen and I'll stop telling you it should. >>"...GM... put all their faith in light trucks and SUVs. With gas prices hovering around $2.75 a gallon that is one market that will not be growing..."<< Let's see a little acknowledgement for General Motor's foresight that the truck & SUV market would grow from maybe 15% to 54% of the new car market, and applaude them for concentrating on an explosive segment while the japanese twiddled their thumbs and handed the bulk of a 8 million annual unit truck market over to the domestics. At the same time, I'd enjoy reading a little criticism of the japanese for failing (yet again) to see the booming truck segment and waiting until after the peak to offer a smattering of non-class leading efforts. At this point many japanese companies are pouring billions into their truck SUV lines & factories while GM has already turned towards their car lines. Hm-mmm...
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buick burnout :)
I think I see a thin slice of daylight under those Front Runners! 8.99 @ 148. No Chevy engine there, folks. I imagine the burnout it could do would be simply stupid.
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Pimp My Ride never ceases to...
Wow; that's right: they'll spend nearly 5 minutes describing stereo & TV equipment & never so much as crack the hood.
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Odd pairings
I too love PWing, especially at car shows & swap meets. There's idiots and wackos everywhere!
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Japanese Tarrifs
I didn't say it was going to happen, Jack. But that doesn't mean I and others don't think it should. And as for Bush, long-range deep thought has never been his strong suit. Did you actually think he gives a flying F about blue collar workers who happen to live in the same gigantic state he does??? Disagree. Tax the hell out of all japanese nameplates, 25% across the board. toyota makes 75% of their global profit out of American's pockets, they'll not soon abandon production or plants. toyota has so much cash in shoeboxes they could afford to lower their MSRPs to pre-25% levels and continue on in their merry steamroller ways. Should I care if their profits are lowered? Should anyone outside the company executive level?
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Japanese Tarrifs
Obviously, such a taxation would be meaningless if U.S.-assembled japanese cars skated under the tariff. In order for it to 'have the impact we want', all foreign company vehicles --regardless of point of assembly-- would be taxed. Wouldn't affect me in the least; I say 'go for it!'
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NYTimes drives the Solstice
I imagine, since he's a 'journnalist', he might talk aloud while he drives, to record his 'impressions'. Thusly, a "tape recorder". And yes FOG; the article was the typical 'I can't believe I have to test an... an... American car. "I packed a load of healthy skepticism..." what the hell is that? Someone who actually believes the media is not biased, please link us to a review of a hyundai where a similar sentiment was used. And why no mention of the steady erosion in sales from it's historic high for the mazda, instead of glossing over that flash bulb and calling it what no one else refers to it as; "the most successful sports car ever"? I think the Corvette handily class-leads in 'success' far & above over the retro mazdamazda. Typical pig slop 'journalism' from the pieces quoted here.
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"Lucerne ready to do battle in luxury field"
The Lucerne is supposed to be the replacement for the LeSabre moreso (if at all) than for the Park Avenue. That would mean Buick is currently without a flagship sedan. Ven- am I on track here?
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Creating a higher standard
Both "1953" and "1953 Eldorado ragtop" are '54s, not that that matters; differences are minimal and all here are beautiful. My favorite post-war that you posted has to be the '58 Series 60 Special (with Sabre Spoke wheels- yummy). Those are stunning in person.
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The 2007 Buick LaCrosse Super?
How can you use the phrase "reality check" then claim toyota & bmw have only "1 or 2" nameplates? As for your point: dump/sell saab & all minority interests in others (keep izusu for diesel engineering) way before discontinuing Buick.
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There was "slightly modified" 55 Chevy on eBay
Some Chevy nut will buy it, no doubt...
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Japanese Tarrifs
Apparently the policy-makers in the japanese government would agree with Razor's sentiment. And remember, they're 'smarter' than us...
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Insane gas prices
WTF- Jersey traditionally has the best prices in the U.S.(lots of picturesque refineries upstate...). $2.59 for 87 this evening... :angry:
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Overhaulin's takin' mirrors off the cars.
My '59 has a day/night. My buddy's '59 Star Chief had one, also.
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Overhaulin's takin' mirrors off the cars.
Didn't see a date/standard for dual side view mirrors. Most all of my '60s vehicles have had day/nights, tho I did install one in my '64 Cat if memory serves me.