caddycruiser

November

He likes the clean factory look aside from 1 or 2 small details (such as the body color painted "piece" in the middle of the 2 front grilles on the '70 Coronet, instead of chrome) and really dislikes aftermarket stuff, bigger wheels, etc. So we'll see. I'll say whatever the off white is, and probably a bit custom. He's very, very specific on colors too and worked for a while to get the '70 Coronet yellow tint and color just right, probably the same here. More importantly, he'll do it ALL himself. Well, aside from paint. He's somehow self taught and perfect at it, having used to do body work and full re-do's in our previous PA garage when I was a baby, but now doesn't have the garage or area to do so. When he had the '69 Chevelle years back, started getting quotes to have paint done but it never happened. We'll see. I still know so little about this car, and it's been around for a while. Apparently it's cool. Mom hates it, I know that much.

Finally an update... The 1968 Coronet is still in progress, now no longer blue as the body work continues and is apparently finally close to complete. Dad said last weekend he is thinking off white will be the paint color of choice. Interesting. ^^In his tarp garage cave. I hadn't seen it in a year, so interesting progress. Runs well but a stripped shell of sorts. Has parts everywhere, new seats, etc. but pending body work and paint. Few more years. The small circle fender signals on this style are cool. Other than that, I honestly don't know much about the car other than it came from western PA somewhere. Or what he wants to do with it in the end, as there is no covered parking except for this 2x4 framed tent.

Another brand new White Diamond XTS on the highway cruising to Delaware. I love these. I eyed his car, he eyed the Regal. I don't care what anyone says, the XTS has a LONG aggressive presence on the road and looks great. I see them often. Then a Eurovan later this afternoon in PA with very cool unique VW wheels, trailer attached too.

Care for the title? Somehow it's already November and my phone camera was out. Time to spot!

Cool.

New Jersey and New York looked insane amidst and after. Philly and Delaware got it, but not as bad as expected because it went north. I was out of work for day #2 because our dealership's electricity was not functioning. Unexpected 3 day weekend, mostly consisting of work at home. End of month car sales in the Northeast will definitely be taking a hit, as most of us in this area are not open until tomorrow. Well, as long as we have power.

A new black FR-S/BRZ in my neighborhood, passing by. Not sure which. Further confused because the owner had changed both the front & rear emblems simply and cleanly to Toyota symbols. Not Scion or Subaru, but Toyota. So maybe either. Not sure why you would do that, but people can be weird.

Been interesting. Philly highways are closed until 2am (I joked, perfect, 3am I was going to go shopping...) but it's mostly been rain and wind, neither too bad. Beachy Delaware is fairing okay, where my parents are. Flooded, but expected. Well, except for the Indian River bridge I thought was higher than it seems when the water goes nuts: The crazy comes in looking at Atlantic City, and then New York tonight. That much rushing water over NYC streets is just bizarre to see. We're re-opening Acura at some point late tomorrow morning, to be decided. Depending on water, wind, etc. Lights on. Stay safe.

Oh, it's definitely in there. That is the body shop "garage". It has been secure through several storms so far, overly braced and staked down. All fine in Philly. Work from home continues. But apparently the city is closed again tomorrow.

Yes. I live at the top of the hill or Green Lane, my general manager lives at the bottom but it never floods where he is due to placement and drainage. We'll see. Stopped at Starbucks on Main St on my way home, was closing by 11am. Strange. Monday is down the tubes already for work, but it's only just rain right now and not the real storm. My parents remain on the Delaware bay, with a boat load of cars and trees. My father's invention to keep his canvas '68 Coronet "garage" in place. Creative. We'll see if it works:

Go from a Buick Verano Turbo to an Acura ILX Turbo and you'll reach for your ear plugs. Excessive road and engine noise is something that really jumps out at me when present in a car. The new Altima is another recent offender in this regard. The ILX is actually quite quiet compared to other Honda models, the fellow Acura TSX included. The Verano is a different stratosphere of tomb silence. Altima, interesting. Wonder why, weight savings a-la Honda that means sound insulation goes away?

Made it out of Manayunk this morning and west to work in Limerick, PA. I was the only one of us from Philly to do so (honestly, rain, get in the car and work) and then an hour later with the forecast our owner closed the store down by 10am. Back home and working, on my way back still just rain and things like 45mph storm speed limits no one is obeying yet. Time for snow day work at home. New Acura's to roll! Stay safe. Looks crazy, but you never know based on meteorologist's antics.

Philly schools are closed tomorrow. It's odd...like a snow day coming. Living in the city and on the top of a hill, I'm not concerned at all. My parents are on the bay in Delaware and their area the usual "evacuate now" but they don't. Windy road down around past them along the bay is already flooded. I cooked myself multiple dinners today. I'll call that my hurricane prep, otherwise it's just prep for the week. Perfect timing with end of month, and car sales. Much to be done indoors instead, I forsee.

My mother is up to 27k miles as of last weekend on her 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-1 AWD with the 3.0L as the only option, and it remains perfect. Oil changes only, as she told me she lost track and never bothered to get the tires rotated. Looks brand new aside from some stretch of the seat leather, the Michelin tires look barely touched, and it's tight as a drum. More so, the 3.0L every reviewer seemed to lament continues to put out solid power and get good mileage (as said above, the sticker ratings and often better) daily. She drove the 2.4L but for her, no comparison to the V6 smoothness or power. I've driven them both and the 2.4L moves well, you just hear more of it. It's a terrific package, and she'll buy another if ever needed. Her only wishes getting close to 2 years in are back seat HVAC vents and a little less road noise in the rear seat (odd, but she rides back there with the dogs on trips and said so. It's a silent ride but I think at higher speeds the SUV/wagon body just gets a little more road sound humming in). Drive and buy, she'll love it. Name aside, I know it has little off road ability, but for the 1-2 buyers who would ever do so, who cares. It's the right mix of on road refinement, efficiency, space and style real buyers prefer. Styling is much better in person than some photos and the interior is nicer than the Equinox, IMHO, with stitched parts of the dash and red lighting.

Ah, yes...last year after I drove a Regal and started looking at them, the Espresso color (unique to the Regal) was a rarity and then a few 2011 leftovers were in that color. I really liked it. I think if I hadn't gotten White Diamond, of all things, Crystal Red would have been #2. I really like it on the GS. Black Diamond with the huge flakes for 2013 is another looker.

Orange metallic new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek in a driveway, owner wiping off some goo amidst the rain. Gangly and all, these things look COOL. Orange included. Very utilitarian and sport mini Outback, in a more brute way.

Something else that happened last weekend, I forgot about. Stopped at a grocery store near my parent's house in DE on my way back to Philly. Parked in front of a new 2012 Malibu LT with temp tags, fresh from the dealer. When I was coming out I saw a guy circling my Regal then back into the Malibu. I pulled out & over to their gas pumps, and he appeared again. "I was admiring your car. How do you like it? Can you tell me more about it?" He was a little older and said he had just purchased the Malibu "got a great deal and I drive a lot so the fuel economy is important", but had never seen a Regal like mine until that night. Turned into a 15 minute gas pump demo of the inside & out, what kind of engine did it have, what was the white diamond color called, when did I get it, and how much did it cost. Told him he could get a "base" Regal with a very similar look and similar powertrain to his Malibu for under $30k, which he didn't realize, and then "maybe next time. I just love your car. I'm a car guy like you, take good care of that Regal, and have fun driving it." Fun experience. The lack of recognition this car exists is still interesting, including my mother who said Lacrosse twice until corrected.

I will always recommend the iPhone, and my latest 5 should be here anyday. Strong battery life, all integrated and easy to use, and as my mother who was on her 4th Droid she couldn't stand or get to function with basic functions from time to time found out, it just works. Apple limits files, etc. but in 4 or so years, I've never once had a single "I wish it did that". Ever. Even my fellow manager at work who said he'd never have anything but a Droid had his iPhone for 3 days and can't fathom how he ever used the previous. Best recommendation? Get some hand time with them in a store and play with the apps and functionality, and feel. Phone test drive. Narrow it down. Lots of great choices. I will always be an Apple phone fan after my 1st. Each is better than the last. Worth a try.

Having sold Acura's for nearly 2 years, which do very well in regards to NVH on most models, I remain perplexed by Honda vehicle "noise". Every single time I have ever had an Accord customer going into a TSX, TL or even the new smaller ILX (had a lady trade a 2010 Accord lease for an ILX), one of the first comments is "my Honda has this...roar...this car is so quiet?". My response, yes. Regardless, Honda/Acura know how to make and tune an engine/transmission, and never have an issue there except for the exploding 5-spds from years back. My TSX is a bit noisy and the ride/handling could learn from my Regal, but the 2.4L/5-spd is a beast and even pushed, is almost too easy to get low 30's mpg's from without trying. The Accord does look like before but no longer a gangly Cyclopes. The V6 sounds fun, but as in most sedans this size, big deal because everyone buys the 4-cyl anyway. Honda people are Honda people loyally, true, without much debate. I can't say the same for Nissan, etc. H doesn't do everything perfectly...cough, NVH...but what they do, people enjoy and the "no issues" remains a hallmark. They're great cars even without the most spirit/polish you see in something like a Malibu people harp on for other reasons. Always something.

First longer trip in the Regal, heading 2 hours south to Lewes, DE last Saturday night for a wedding post reception and then my parents the Sunday after. Verdict. Love this car. SMOOTH is the word. Also, with the packaging and especially the deeply bolstered sport seats, it feels "small" in a good way, and in a way that makes my TSX demo (not a larger car) feel larger every time I get in it. The Turbo 2.0 isn't as strong off the line unless punched, which I haven't done much of, even though it is broken in. But it has power everywhere and is smoother than the Honda 2.4L/5-spd I've gotten used to in my Acura. More importantly it feels torquey, it runs quiet and when needing to pass or merge onto the highway, the turbo boost is incredible. Late night merging onto 95 last Sunday night was a thriller. 55-92 inadvertently like nothing. For the most part I continue to drive it easier, enjoying the ride and steering, and smooth 2.0T power. The Brembo's make black dust quickly and squeak a bit, which I'm getting used to. Seats are very comfortable, but definitely unique after a "normal" car because of the deep bolstering. The tech & nav is great, although I wish I could control it by voice or use it in motion more, a-la Acura. Otherwise, the graphics are great and the iPod, etc. all integrated nicely. Only complaint of sorts is fuel mileage, as on my highway trip I managed 24 or so in the end, not bad. It is a boosted and then some turbo and stomping it will use more, but I also expected just a hair more on the highway. My non turbo TSX can be pushed along at 80 and still return 32+, easily. Getting used to the turbo and I think it will do better as I learn to drive it. Better than any of my past car choices, so it's a good combo regardless. The Goodyear Eagle RS-A's perform well and are quiet and smooth. Hope they last the life I have it, and feel fine to me. Parked behind my brothers '86 Regal Limited, currently getting the rear suspension and interior updated. Mom liked it. Dad said "it's German, right? It looks like it". My classic Regal driving brother also liked. All asked what does GS mean on this car and why did I need GS...well, just because. Up to about 1250 miles, or I've put 500 on it. Great car. Used to not having a backup camera and the sensors work well. It just drives so nicely. Next step. Get someone to clean it for me, regularly. Those wheels, especially.

Too cool! These things still look great, years and generations later. I'll go even rarer, and take one of these in 2wd. Finally saw one when I was in Georgia last month. I swear I still have a Chevy/GMC brochure(s) from the 90's somewhere with these when they were brand new, 2 door and all. Anyone remember seeing the 1999/2000 concept Tahoe 2-door of the GMT-800 generation in a GM test parking lot? Cool.

In reality, I think the XTS on the street looks better than that old Continental looking Cadillac above...but I may be in the minority. Otherwise, cool stuff, especially the Malibu coupe and small Chevy coupe, plus the GMC Sierra I hope looks as good, and not just that grille on an old body.

Weird. Since work moving out of Philadelphia and west to suburban Limerick, PA, I've seen 2 brand new owner driven Murano Crosscabriolets on the road out there. Never before, only on a dealer lot here or there near the city. Out there, people seem to buy them.

I still don't see the Verano as doing THAT well, but it is a great car and very refined. I like the interior more than our ILX, and both that interior and the driving dynamics ARE the Buick brand. The ILX needs to catch more momentum and the pricepoint needs more acceptance, as right now it hits the $30k mark too quickly. I see them daily and the ILX is a more entertaining to drive car, and in Philly I see a lot more of them than the occasional Verano. Interesting to watch as they all catch traction. The GS exhaust is great. Actually seems loud at cold idle, but in a cool way. Under acceleration, it doesn't sound like a 4, but a deep and rich something. It's unique. Oh, and that GS button remains a blast. That it rides stiff like my stock TSX in GS mode but handles much smoother is interesting. Now, can Buick just sell more... If only they hadn't built mostly 6-speed stick GS's (great for enthusiasts, too bad there's only 3 of them a month out there) because that's what's left out there and the GS is the sweetest Regal. I looked at a Lacrosse again and though the style, size and panoramic roof are great, it just isn't as alluring. And I'm glad the GS only comes in 4-cyl. It feels right in the car, and no matter what anyone says about V6, like the stick, real world buyers don't buy them. Not to say this car with a properly tuned V6, transmission and AWD wouldn't be fun but the added weight and extra fuel sucking wouldn't be.