GMTruckGuy74

Wow .... somebody that actually GETS it. I'm impressed!

Big Homer fan here! Watched the show ever since it began. Probably the only show I've consistently watched during it's run. I've got Homers all over the place! In my office (24" singing & dancing Santa Homer), homer boxers & pjs, stuffed Homers galore, air fresheners in 2 of my 3 cars - you get the point!).

I'd give you all my strength if I could in your time of need. Just remember that some of us here have experienced the loss of a family member in this way and we know what you're going through. I, like everyone else, am here for you if needed. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I agree SuperSport623, if Pontiac made the Smokey & the Bandit-styled Trans Am, I'd just might consider getting rid of the SKY for one! I've always liked the looks of the '77-'78 T/A's the best, followed by the '68 Firebird 400, '91-'92 GTA's and of course the '96-'97 WS6 Ram Air T/A's. Those are my favorite years.

Commodore, welcome! I'd like to see the pics of your car, however when I click on the links it says I must be a registered user to see them. I'd like to comment, but can't!

Too bad it isn't a '61 or '62 model year. I'd have to find some $$ quick and make my way to Brookville if it was!!!

Hahaha... I asked this question like a month or so ago! My Malibu engine and underhood area is in a dire need of a wash. I had a '92 Cavalier Z24 that I used to spray some Simple Green on, use a toothbrush to scrub some areas, and then hose off (the only thing I covered was the open air cleaner). I did this for about 5/6 years, at least once a year - never a problem. Then I had a '95 Trans Am that I washed the engine once and the car wouldn't start for over two hours. This made me stop doing this when I cleaned cars. However, I'd like to clean the engine areas again so maybe I'll suck it up and just do it. Hopefully I won't mess up the Malibu!!!

If you don't mind, I'd like to answer the second part first... I've finally come to terms with the fact that I'm a shop-aholic. Really, I'm being serious. I have an obsession of going to stores constantly. My wife says I can't go a week without stopping by Target, Wal-Mart or some other retail place. And it doesn't matter what it is I buy - I have to make some sort of purchase or I don't feel "complete" when walking out of the store. Of course I've spent a good deal of my money over the years on toys (Hot Wheels, Matchbox, other diecast and Star Wars toys <-- never grew up!). Toys that are just sitting in my basement, and that I have no real use for other than saying "I have that toy". Although I have come to accept my "disease" and recognize the financial debit it has put us into, I am having a hard time with coming to terms with liquidating most, if not all, of it. I love watching the movie "40 year-old Virgin" and the wife said recently, "Wouldn't it be funny you made a million dollars by selling all of your toys?" I wish - most of them are from the '90s and newer, so no "47 GI Joes" worth a $1000 each! So to answer the first part, I have not YET liquidated my collection of toys. But I know I have to and I have to get over this obsession of "shopping" too much. I added the SKY to my small fleet this past spring and that is really pushing the financial issue with the wife. She said I could get the SKY as long as I stop buying toys. Well, I did cutback a bit, but recently began buying some new toys that I have to buckle down and just return. One of the hardest things I had to do was get rid of an extensive collection of GM literature dating back to 1989 back when my parents moved in 2001. I was able to keep some, and of course added to it afterwards - but that was the biggest "clearing out" I have ever done and once I get the nerve up to do the same with all my toys it will replace that milestone. The hardest part will be saying to myself that I don't NEED that toy.

begin rant How this should be worded is like this: there shouldn't be a Chevy version of every GMC truck and SUV. Remember, GMC is the totally-dedicated truck divison of General Motors and should have every version of a GM truck in it's stable. GMC is a highly recognized nameplate (look at their demographics - higher income levels, more professional careers, etc over Chevy truck buyers) and brings in a lot of $$$ for GM. This old hierachy thinking that Chevy trucks are more important needs to finally come to an end. They couldn't even get the SSR right! And Caddy needs to give the EXT to GMC. end rant

You'd think with the Sierra & Silverado being all-new for 2007, the redesign of the Savana & Express would soon follow. Especially sine the vans are still based on the pickup truck platform and its frame is all-new. I'd imagine that the vans would be all-new for 2008 or 2009. Doesn't that make sense???

Thanks Walt, I appreciate you doing that for me. I'd love to get the windows tinted soon. I don't understand why window tinting isn't a factory option on passenger cars like it is on SUVs and pickups? And I don't understand why dealerships don't offer this service aftermarket, like they do with pinstripes, VIN etching, and other stuff? This is one aftermarket option, assuming it's done right, I'd actually be interested in purchasing! Anyway, I look forward to your update later this week.

Fly, just one mistake that I noticed: With the Remote Start option, you receive the extended range feature which allows you 200 feet. Trust me, I have this feature on my '04 Malibu and I have a much greater range than the standard RKE system. Otherwise, great article! Thanks for the pictures too!

Thanks Walt for posting that information. Freehold is the closest, about a 45 minute drive for me, so I guess that's the location I'd choose over the Edison, Woodbridge or East Brunswick faclities. If you have any contact info, would you please send it to me by e-mail? TIA! Please post back after they have completed their assessment, as I'd like to know if they found any problems. With the baby, I'd like to get the backseat windows tinted to keep him cooler.... plus it would help to keep the car cooler in the summer anyway. But I don't know af any reputable shops in my area, nor anyone that has had the job done to recommend a place. The last thing I want is to spend the $$$ and have a crappy job done. Also, how dark is the 20%? Is that the legal limit in NJ? I'd like to get it as dark as I could, but light enough for the rear passengers to still see out the window at night. Anyone know what the % is on factory-installed tint windows (like on my '05 Envoy)???

Walt, if you don't mind telling me, where did you get this done at? I've been really interested in getting my '04 Malibu sedan's rear doors and rear windshield tinted - but don't know a reliable place to take it. How professional does the job look? What exactly did they do to the windows - apply a film or something else? TIA!

My friend bought a new 1996 Mustang GT coupe that he loved, until he got a little bit older and realized what a harsh ride it had! He kept the car for about 4-5 years. It was nice, and being that the back seat was tight he wasn't always asked to do all the driving. Personally, I like the styling of the '99-'04 Mustangs better than the '94-'98. Here's some pics: I really looked into the '99s when they came out - but I knew even then a pony car like that wasn't a good choice for a family car (I had a '95 T/A at the time, and ended up with a new '99 Grand Am GT1 sedan). I think the edgier design of the '99 Mustang is more attractive over the softer styling of the '94-'98. Good luck with your search!

I'm glad to hear that you want another Solstice (A GXP model might just help your broken heart heal a little faster you know!). Here's to hoping that your insurance agent/company doesn't screw you with the amount they give when totalling out the car. I worked in a claims department (taking reports) for a large NJ insurance company during college. It might be helpful if you have any up-to-date pictures of your Solstice showing it's immaculate condition. This way your agent/insurance company can't claim the car might have had prior damage they won't want to pay for. Again, I'm being selfish about wanting to see pics b/c I'd like to know just exactly how strong these Kappa cars really are. But I'll totally understand if you choose not to take any to share online. How's that head today? Have you been checked out by your doctor or at the hospital? Don't let this slip by - taking care of yourself is priority #1 right now. Get better soon.

NOS, I believe the Acadia & Outlook will be available in late December/early January. Anyone with different info may correct me!

Josh - if the car is totalled by your insurance company, what are you going to do? Ironically I was thinking about this very thing over the weekend. I wondered what I would do if my SKY was totalled in an accident. It's not like I can just go to the dealership and pickup a new one - I know there's a backlog of orders, and the Redline model hasn't even been shipped yet. Would you, if you had the opportunity, get another Solstice (or slide over to Saturn )???

Thanks for thinking of me. However, from your wording "head on" I take it that there's a ton of damage and repairs seem unlikely. Even though you don't want to take pictures, your Solstice would be forever remembered (over on solsticeforum.com & Skyroadster.com - they post pics of damaged/totalled Kappa cars from time to time). I'll be blunt and say I'm interested in seeing what kind of damage this car can take to protect its occupant(s), but will understand if you choose not to post any pictures.

Man that must have been one hell of a ride. I can't imagine doing that (pinballing) in my SKY without hitting my head somewhere on something inside. I hope you're alright. How badly damaged is she Josh? Being that most of the panels are hydroformed, I'm sure it won't be cheap to fix. Frame damage? Gosh, I sound like ocnblu here! You and the Solstice will be in my prayers tonight.

I also believe I read somewhere that people were disappointed in that the XUV didn't offer a 3rd row of seats (especially since it was based on the long wheelbase XL that did offer 3 rows of seating). I liked the concept, not the execution. If the regular length Envoy had a retractable roof, that's the one I would have leased in a heartbeat.

I saw it happen with the Solstice and SKY. Many of the Saturn dealers around me were selling the SKY at MSRP and not over (some I believe had some dealer add-ons). However, every Pontiac dealer had a $2,000-$5,000 premium on top of every Solstice. When I ordered my car and again when I got to test drive the demo model, there were Solstice-deposited people in my Saturn dealership putting their recently returned deposit money on the SKY since they couldn't get the Solstice or were being overly charged for one. I love my car but refused to pay over MSRP for one (thank God I lucked out with my Saturn dealer sticking to MSRP ).

No lie... in Atlantic City last Monday there was a 2004+ Grand Prix with rims very similar to the ones on the Solstice. I wish I had my camera! What is it with PONTIAC owners???

Okay, the sad thing about this is a neighbor of mine got rid of his Corvette (2002 or 2003) for a new 2005 Caddy STS and the options you listed Fly are on his car! A beautiful car (cream colored) ruined by aftermarket crap. Now another neighbor has a black 2006 STS done the right way - factory stock.