GMTruckGuy74

I'm more of a Mack Truck guy myself... taking my Marketing classes to the Macungie (Allentown), PA plant for a tour in two weeks This will be the third time I've been to the plant - first though while it's in operation (the first two times were on Saturdays in June when the plant runs tours and provides shuttle buses from the ATHS National Truck Show in Macungie Park). I'll be there with the wife and kids in June again too. International will be releasing an all new heavy commercial truck called "Lonestar". I found these two smaller pictures, but the current issue of TruckTrend features an article on this new truck with better pictures: I'm with you Sixty8... I think Hino trucks are horrible looking, and I'm seeing more of them on the road here in southern NJ too.

I had a friend's son ask me 8 years ago the same thing - however, I had a '99 Grand Am GT1 Sedan and it was over a year old at the time. He and his mom knew they'd be financially responsible if any damage was done, and I let him know that the backseat was not for "prom night baby-making sessions"! But I knew these people well, and it was a similar situation to what your neighbors are going through (financial hardships, poor family structure, lack of a decent car, etc.). I felt bad and in my heart couldn't say "no" - however, the wife <fiancee at the time> was not thrilled with the idea. Though I can definitely see your point - a 2-seater sports car that is still brand-spankin' new - is really out of the question. Maybe he asked just so he could say to his friends that he did ask you? I've been at my school for six years now and it's not a "money" district. I've been a chaperone at each and every Senior Prom since I started teaching there and am amazed at the vehicles these kids get for prom. The ones with money are the ones to rent the limo's - I've seen them all, including super-stretch Hummer H2s and super-stretch Ford F350s with a hot tub in the back. And then the kids with some money will get a family or friend's vehicle that's done up nice - last year there was a tricked out '96 Impala SS and a '60s Dodge - that shines for that night (Yukon Denali and Caddy Escalades, stock and customized, are the norm too). The kids without the extra income just drive their everyday ride and show up to have fun at the prom regardless. I'm sure this kid will make do with what he can; don't feel bad (if you do, then find a way to help him out and make his night really enjoyable :AH-HA_wink: ).

I wish we could... but seeing as how the Terrain won't be out until sometime in CY 2009 as a MY 2010, and our lease ends this August, we don't have the pleasure of time to wait. As we drove around this weekend, we noticed a lot of VUEs and Edges on the road. She likes both very much, and this is a hard decsion for her (I'm staying out of the final decision, because when it's my turn next November I don't want her telling me what I can and can't get!!!). And since I really like the Envoy and get to drive that more than the AURA (the AURA will be mine solely once she gets her new vehicle), I'm not pushing to make a move any time soon. Plus I figure the Memorial Day Sale will start off the summer sales season, and want to watch as the incentives <hopefully> get better (unfortunately bad sales figures for Detroit makes it a better shopping season for the consumer). Dsuupr, I'd love for my wife to be able to get the Buick Enclave over the VUE or Edge, but the way she wants her vehicle optioned/equipped, puts the Enclave way out of price for us (notice that I bolded Enclave; she doesn't want the Acadia or OUTLOOK, she wants the Enclave). I get your point though and agree 100% with your logic, but you're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole! Maybe if the summer sales incentives make the OUTLOOK (equipped how she'd want it) a steal over the Edge, then she'd consider it. But I can hear her voice right now - "If I'm spending that kind of money on an OUTLOOK, I'd rather get the Enclave".

I'm glad to see that the 6-speed automatic trans will be the transmission for the 2009 Sierra (same with the Yukon & Yukon XL)... about time!

Well for one thing, the Enclave she really wants is priced too far out of our league (CXL = $42k MSRP)... so when you consider that she can get an Edge Limited, which come pretty well loaded, add in the Vista panoramic sunroof, all for right around $32k MSRP, it really makes a world of differance. Trust me, I'd go for the Enclave in heartbeat, but it pushes the financial limits for us. She did drive a base CX FWD with the DVD package ($35k MSRP), but it too was up there in price for us and didn't give her the options she really wants. And personally, while the Limited is very nice, if we go with the Edge I think a middle-of-the-road SEL model is more likely ($28-$29k MSRP) - but you never know when the sales start later in spring. She's not a fan of the Acadia, and as for the OUTLOOK, she'd much rather have the Enclave over it. So, if Lambda was for us, it'd have to be a Buick Enclave. And unless GM stops selling these hot cakes and wants to give them away, we'll be looking elsewhere.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BOTH!!!

Thanks for all of the comments and votes so far. Keep them coming! I really am at a standstill here... while I would love to do business again with my Saturn dealer and drive away in a VUE (and more importantly, stay within GM), I will admit that I like the style (interior and exterior) of the Edge and the more room it offers over the VUE. The wife is really interested in the Edge because of the following options that the VUE doesn't offer: Vista <panoramic> sunroof with the Ford Accessory DVD players/screens in the headrest, SYNC, and the power liftgate. We're undecided at this moment, and ultimately the one we can afford the best will win out (having the GM Supplier Discount is a plus; we don't get anything for Ford from her job <there is a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep discount program though>). As for AWD, she really doesn't need it though it would be a nice feature to have (she'd rather put the extra money into the dealer accesory dvd player). We had one big snowstorm this winter and I had the Envoy with me - she drove 32 miles home in the FWD AURA and didn't have one problem at all (thanks to her driving on state & federal highways most of the way). It's something that will consume gas needlessly and is off our "must have" list. Even though we didn't drive it, and she wasn't too impressed with it at the NYIAS, does anyone think that she should be considering the all-new Dodge Journey??? I'd appreciate input on that choice too.

Please vote on your choice, and then post your rational. So far we have test-driven both vehicles, and the Edge is leading in her eyes. I'm trying to wait it out at least until the Memorial Day Sales begin - though I'm sure the 4th of July Sale will probably be better The better deal will most likely win, but who knows??? Thanks

For the lazy here...

Well, how about giving it away free to a dedicated GM truck fan that will care for it for a long time? . . . . . . . . . Okay, stop laughing now!

Well, I'm at work (school) and they for some odd reason have this crappy block on most photo hosting sites, so I can't see the pictures. BUT, you mentioned the key word - TYPHOON - so you know I'm going to say yes to this one. The Syclone and Typhoon are still at the top of my "favorite GMCs" list. I came very close to buying a Syclone back in 1998 at the All-GM Nationals show in Carlisle. It was a cherry truck to - one owner (older gentleman), 25k on the clock, and had all of the original paperwork and was in pristine condition. Having graduated college 6 months earlier, looking for a job, and not having much money available made the deal fall through (my bank would not give me a loan - that's how close I was to getting it). Buy this Typhoon, or more importantly a Syclone, take a couple of years to restore it back to factory condition, and I will play the lottery in the meantime to buy it off of you :AH-HA_wink:

QFT. PCS, if GM is seriously considering building the Zeta lite-light duty pickup, please tell them to continue refining the Denali XT's design and offer that for sale SOON. Thanks!

Okay, I have no design talent or engineering skills, but if you could pull some strings and get me in on the GMC Denali XT focus group, I'd be one happy C&G poster! :AH-HA_wink:

New Jersey here. Currently living in southern NJ (Burlington County) - for the past 6 years. Before that, I grew up in a suburb of Trenton (NJ's capital) in Mercer County. Been a NJ resident all of my life (33 years to date), and still feel the pain of that in my property taxes and auto insurance premiums

No, that's tiny in comparison to what Camino is talking about. I just saw one Saturday at a traffic light; I think it was an 1988 and 1989 only option that thankfully many people did not seem to go for. I found a picture, enjoy:

My only gripe with it is the grille - I'm not a fan of the all-chrome grille (I really like the black with chrome surround grille better). I've noticed that my local BPG dealer brings in 99% of their Lucernes in with the optional all-chrome grille, and many of the Lucernes I see on the road have the all-chrome grille. However, I'm still jealous that you got yourself a CXS and wish you lots of happy miles with her!

A very happy birhtday to you Ocnblu!!! Hoping that all of your birthday wishes come true

Congrats on buying a great car! I wish you many trouble free, happy motoring miles with her. And I'm jealous!!! Is that color the dark garnet?

GMC has the distinction of offering 4WD from the factory in 1956. Chevy then offered it from the factory starting in 1957. Most of the truck manufacturer's offered factory 4WD by 1957. The NAPCO conversions were easily done by the dealerships back int eh mid-'50s, and the NAPCO system is a highly sought-after component by many in the collectible truck hobby. The '57 GMC in my signature is a NAPCO-equipped truck btw.

PM received, and reply sent. :AH-HA_wink:

I posted this elsewhere already, but my just-around-the-corner BPG dealership received their first G8 GT Sedan today. They wasted no time in putting a $3,000 "Market Adjustment Price" sticker on it I'm so disappointed with Pontiac right now First they raped customers on the GTO (I know that the '96-'02 WS6 T/As were also casualties too), then the Solstice, and now the G8. Just wait until the Alpha arrives If Pontiac wants to enhance their image in a positive way, then they need to tell dealers to stick to MSRP and not rape their potential customers. This was another reason I went with the SKY over the Solstice - I didn;t even have to ask the GM at the Saturn dealer whether or not he was placing a MAP on the SKYs... he told me months before ordering began that I' get it at sticker with no hassle. One reason why I like Saturn much more than Pontiac nowadays. Cort, I feel for your friend. When the GTO's started to arrive on the dealer's lots back in 2004, I thought that the dealer I worked for would at least allow me to take it for a spin around the lot. Not a chance. They did, however, let me start it up to hear the engine running

Wow, I am disappointed with Pontiac and its dealers. My local (right around the corner) BPG dealership received their first G8 GT Sedan today (#274 of the 888 VIN editions). $31,3xx and then there's the wonderful "Market Price Adjustment" sticker showing a $3,000 over-sticker increase Do these dealers never learn? First the GTO, then the Solstice, and now the G8. I could see to holding to MSRP; it's not like the first 888 are really that different. I am one who wants Pontiac to stay alive, but if the dealers continue with this raping of the customer on each new model to be introduced at Pontiac, then I won't stand in GM's way of closing down Pontiac

Crisis Negotiation Team to Ocnblu: "Sir, put the keys down and slowly back away from the Toyota, err um, I mean Pontiac" I saw tonight at my local dealer the color you are talking about. You really don't want to get this car, trust me

Balthazar, that's what I get for typing fast when I should have been out of the house! I should have stated that I know the 9' beds made it through to 1959, and I'm sure it was available on the '60s trucks. I would imagine that after the mid-'60s redesign, the 9' bed was no longer popular. You have the proof, I just have what's in my memory

You're lucky that that someone (I think I know who :AH-HA_wink: ) got you one... I've been watching the few that have been put on eBay for sale since a couple of days after the press event. Each one (3 so far) have listed at $9.95, but have sold for more than $25. I got the Denali XT's press kit at $11.95, and the Hummer Hx's at $9.95, so I'll wait it out a bit longer for teh Pontiac 3-in-1 kit. For all the negativity surrounding the G8 ST, you'd never tell by the way the press kits are selling!!!