GMTruckGuy74

Well, the wife called about 45 minutes ago to let me know that the AURA was struck by ice flying off a tractor-trailer on her way into work this morning on I-295 North. She wasn't able to swerve into a different lane, but was able to brake without being rear-ended. The damage? The front bumper is heavily damaged, as it took the brunt of the force. She drove over the ice, so I'm hoping nothing underneath is damaged. She didn't stop and check the car out, rather she drove the rest of the way to work, said nothing seemed wrong with the car. When she got out though she noticed the damge to the bumper. I'm glad she's okay and that the ice didn't hit the hood/windshield, but I'm not thrilled with having to file another claim and paying another deductible to fix my 2nd Saturn. I'll take pictures either tonight or tomorrow, depending on when she gets home. BTW, is this a sign that I'm not suppose to own Saturns?!?!

Congrats on the new vehicle and here's hoping the dealer-trade goes smoothly. You know that I approve of this vehicle choice big time too! :AH-HA_wink:

No biggie. I went to my local K-mart around 10:30 AM and they didn't have much of anything good left. Definitely no yellow Ram or white GMC Motorhome. I'll have to check out a couple of the other K-mart's around me soon to see if they have any leftovers available. Thanks for posting what they offered.

Well, what everyone here hasn't mentioned about the G8 to be successful is retraining of Pontiac's dealership salesforce. The recent past is what I'm basing this on. First there was the GTO, with $5-$10K in markups OVER MSRP. Then there was the Solstice with $2,500 to $5K in markups over MSRP. The G8 will be in limited supply, so do you really think that the Pontiac dealers won't put a markup on them? That right there will screw with the success of the G8 and ultimately hurt Pontiac's future. And while I did pay MSRP for my SKY, I have never paid MSRP or over for any of my other nine new GM vehicles bought/leased to date. And if I was in the market for a G8, I would not make an exception either (the SKY is my toy and is driven as such; the G8 would be regulated to daily driver duties). Pontiac would definitely drive me away as a customer. I can already forsee all of the Pontiac dealers readying their "Market Price Adjustment" stickers now :angry2:

Thanks for the compliment RBB, but in actuality I'm more compared to this actor: (Jason Alexander, aka "George" from Seinfeld) And I'm not saying that to boast my ego...

FOG, I have to inform you that you're wrong here. The '03-'07 VUE RL isn't as you make it out to be - it is still a wheel & bumper package, with some differing interior materials and colors. Just like the 2008 VUE RL. Here's the option package description for the 2007 VUE RL: I'll bet the farm that the 2008 VUE RL option package will be similar.

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Camino, you have now officially earned the new nickname of "EARL"!!!

Here's me at the Philly Auto Show last weekend (2/4/07) sitting in a 2007 Corvette convertible (photo courtesy of Chevrolet).

Well, when the first thread started, I stated I was wanting to trade-in my '04 Malibu LT sedan for either an AURA or Lucerne, and in the middle of November I went with the AURA XE (XE was the wife's choice, I wanted the XR). That is being leased, so I know at some point in 2009 (Pull-Ahead programs baby!) I'll be in the market for its replacement. It's too far away to even start guessing, but not too far away for dreaming - so far I'd say the G8 is a contender, but also a Sierra SLE Z71 4wd Crew Cab too (I sat in one, equipped 98% how I want it, at the Philly Auto Show last week). Now next summer (August '08) our Envoy lease is up - so far the wife is interested in one of the Lambdas (Acadia is leading, Outlook isn't too far behind; however, I think the Enclave will be out of our price range and I'm not all that crazy for it as much as the other two) or quite possibly the all-new 2008 Saturn VUE (I'm liking the Redline). It has to be a family vehicle, and it has to offer 4WD/AWD as an option (my wife works 32 miles away from our home). So I don't think a car will be replacing the Envoy, nor my choice of the 2008 Sierra SLE Z71 4wd Crew Cab, but who knows!

In last weekend's K-Mart sales flyer on the back cover, it stated that Saturday, February 10th is the 2007 HOT WHEELS COLLECTOR'S DAY EVENT at 9:00 AM. I know I'll try getting out to my local K-Mart, but that is usually a crazy morning. Last time I went about 3-4 hours later and found just about what was talked about (collectible K-Mart issues). Anyone know what to look out for this time?

I have to say that if the production car stays 99% true to it's showcar version, I might just be enticed away from Saturn when the AURA lease is up at the end of 2009. By that time, I'd be looking at a leftover 2009 M-Y G8 or a fresh new 2010 G8. And I have to say that I just love this picture: It's what I've always liked about Pontiacs - bold, in-your-face styling. I was a Pontiac-guy for a long time (owned a '95 TA, '99 GA GT, and the wife had a '00 GP GT). So the fact that Pontiac currently had nothing in my price range or style led me over to Saturn. The G8 may just bring me back

Geez, you guys just have to throw salt into old wounds by bringing up the fact that I'm no longer the GMC Truck Mod... j/k! For the record, I didn't resign but was one of several cut in a restructuring move. That's life for you and I hold no resentment towards anyone for that decision. FOG, you have been around as long as I have (I probably found the site in late 2000 or very early 2001). I've seen too many people leave here (Budman, god I forgot about him!) and hate to see some of us ol' timers going away. Please stick around, as I have always enjoyed your posts

Sorry to change the subject somewhat, but what diesel engine was offered in the 1981 Buick Regal? There's a used car dealer around with the following advertisement: 1981 BUICK REGAL 2Dr: Blue, Auto, Factory Diesel Car, 1 Owner, Only 73K, Garaged, Collectable Car, $3550. Just wondering if this car is anything special?

I can't wait to see all the new VUEs at the NYIAS in April. At the Philly Auto Show last weekend, the Saturn information booth had the all-new 2008 VUE booklets. I took one and didn't bother to look at it right away. Next day I looked it over and thought the picture made it look nicer than what I originally thought here. Showed it to the wife and she likes it too. She said now she has to decide between a big and comfy OUTLOOK/Acadia or a small and efficient VUE. I think I'm liking the Redline version the best, but it depends on how the driver's seat is designed. A regular VUE XR AWD would be nice too.

I believe that someone in the Northeast did that to their Lumina APV or Pontiac TranSport... I recall seeing an orange one at the Carlisle All-GM or All-Truck Nationals within the last 2-3 years. And it looked 10x better than the one featured here (was completed, with rear glass, an actual bed, and taillights!

Thanks caddycruiser, I changed the album to "public". The link should work correctly now!

Here's the 2008 H2 Dash: ] Now here's the 2007 GMC Sierra's "pure pickup" (or WT/SLE1) dash: Can you see that the new H2 interior has GMT-900 pickup parts in it? I wouldn't be surpirsed if more of the H2 is based on the all-new GMT-900 pickups/suvs!

It was great to meet Camino, Black and Blue Landscaper, and BatmanVW at the show, even if it was only for a small amount of time. It's really nice to finally put faces (and some personality) to the names here. I'm sorry I missed you caddycruiser... it looks like we weren't far from each other at the Saturn press event (I already looked at your photos & videos). It would have been nice to go over the Acadia on the floor there to see if it had the same issues as the one at your dealer did. I took my regular SLR 35mm with me, as I forgot to charge up the batteries for my digital camera the night before. Big mistake, as most of my pictures came out "blurry" or "fuzzy". That's sad too, as there were hardly any people around to get in the way Tomorrow the wife and I are going with another couple to the show - they've never been before and asked to join us. I'll make sure I charge up the batteries tonight for the digital camera this time! Anyway, here's a link to my photobucket account of some of what I shot today: http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b194/GMg...2007/?start=all The Saturn SKY Redline that was on display was Silver Graphite (same as mine) and had the Black & Red leather -- which is how I originally placed my order, but for it to be accepted, I had to go with the all black (that option was constrained at the time). This was the first time I saw that color combo in person, and while I don't regret my decision, I do like the black & red leather with the Silver Graphite!!!

This picture was posted over at Skyroadster.com: I think I like what GM has under the wraps better!

Not too bad, but yeah, on shorty 2WD's that jacked-up rear just isn't going to work. I can't wait to see pictures of it after you install the new shackles. Are you going to make it look similar to this? (thanks Harley!) The regular cab pickup is my favorite style - the shortbed with the Stepside/Sportside is my #1 favorite combo, with the Longbed being #2. Seeing as how GM isn't offering the Sportside Bed option anymore (or not right now), I'd have to go with the Regular Cab Longbed SLE Z71 4WD for myself if I was in the market.

Well Camino, since you want something cheaper to work on, how about this idea - maybe something a little bit on the classic side, maybe something with 4WD, and something that has BARN DOORS, check this out: 1971 Chevy Suburban 4x4 You can check more details at this link here: http://www.autoshopper.com/viewfull.asp?ID...;FromSearch=Yes; it's located in southern New Jersey btw.

Bob, is there anyway to know that we have been accepted? Or do we just go ahead and show up? I will be *sick* next Friday from work :AH-HA_wink: , so that's why I want to make sure I know I can get in (I'd hate to use a sick day and not be able to get in the show).

(even though I have an Envoy, it's not a Sierra!)

Satty, my little guy had 9 ear infections - all before he turned 1 (a downside to having to rely on daycare 5 days a week). When he was just 13 months old, he had surgery to get the tubes installed. They have really helped him a lot; only one major infection so far, and minor irritation recently. That's not to say he hasn't had other illnesses, but the ears are becoming a thing of the past now. I had my reservations about the surgery, but it was quick, little pain afterwards, and no implications to date. We go back to the ear doctor every 2-3 months for check-ups. P.S. - what is it with the grips these guys have today? Going on 18 months old on 2/8, but his grip is getting stronger. I have a beard, so when it's not trimmed short, he can really grab on to it