Getting ready to buy a new car. Considered a GM model. But...

[Jag_Warrior]

The Chevy dealer said he was all out of the ones with the optional brakes and air bags that actually worked. Might have some more in next month though. Maybe I'll check back then. Wonder if BNP Paribas will finance it for me?


Thank you and good evening. I'll be here all week. And don't forget to tip your waitress... or is that "wait person technician" now?

[odykas]

What are the specs you are looking for, Jag?

[airshifter]

Remember to also get the optional key cylinder that won't turn the car off while you are driving. It's just a much better driving experience when you retain power steering and brakes on a twisty road!

[Jag_Warrior]

What are the specs you are looking for, Jag?

They had two on the lot that they said wouldn't randomly catch fire. But functioning brakes and air bags were only on the limited edition models. Dude said he could get me a Camaro that was hand-signed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. that very day. But if I wanted one that also had functioning brakes and air bags... I'd have to get on a (long) waiting list.


Remember to also get the optional key cylinder that won't turn the car off while you are driving. It's just a much better driving experience when you retain power steering and brakes on a twisty road!

The dealer said the models with the ignition switches that wouldn't shut off, if slightly bumped with a knee, were just prototypes right now and those actual cars wouldn't go on sale til late next year... if then.

[Starter]

GM = general malfunction?

[Rollo]

They had two on the lot that they said wouldn't randomly catch fire. But functioning brakes and air bags were only on the limited edition models. Dude said he could get me a Camaro that was hand-signed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. that very day. But if I wanted one that also had functioning brakes and air bags... I'd have to get on a (long) waiting list.

The dealer said the models with the ignition switches that wouldn't shut off, if slightly bumped with a knee, were just prototypes right now and those actual cars wouldn't go on sale til late next year... if then.

You'd be wanting a Chevrolet SS then. Those cars are the Holden Commodore and built in Australia... until 2016.

Oh yeah, the only part of the entire of the GM empire which was profitable during the Chapter XI restructure and which didn't have any of those ignition switch problems at all because those parts were also built in Australia (because Holden refused to import those parts because of quality control issues), was deemed too expensive and GM decided to terminate Holden production entirely.

Aside:
Come 2017, Australia will be the only nation in the G20 which doesn't produce cars any more. Thanks Ford, Thanks Toyota, Thanks GM. You can all go into Chapter XI for all I care.

[Tazio]

You'd be wanting a Chevrolet SS then. Those cars are the Holden Commodore and built in Australia... until 2016.

Oh yeah, the only part of the entire of the GM empire which was profitable during the Chapter XI restructure and which didn't have any of those ignition switch problems at all because those parts were also built in Australia (because Holden refused to import those parts because of quality control issues), was deemed too expensive and GM decided to terminate Holden production entirely.

Aside:
Come 2017, Australia will be the only nation in the G20 which doesn't produce cars any more. Thanks Ford, Thanks Toyota, Thanks GM. You can all go into Chapter XI for all I care.
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkNomj7f3An41d0qTvHdaF8hIiAjrYs rAb8GJBE7bgOGP66xq9

[Rollo]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkNomj7f3An41d0qTvHdaF8hIiAjrYs rAb8GJBE7bgOGP66xq9


The real tragedy of all of this was that the Abbott Government dared GM to leave... so they did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvWbO_mIpn4
In one fell swoop, the Liberal Party lurched even further to the right and is now doing its level best to out-Thatcher Thatcher.

The Australia Network which was owned by the ABC was a target of the Murdoch press and was summarily shut down. Australia Post is set to be privatised and there's even plans to privatise the ABC, SBS and Medicare.

This country is on an express train to hell and it's selling off the coal to China to help it get there.

[Rollo]

Just to confuse people:
The Liberal Party of Australia, is a member of the International Democrat Union which is a group of centre-right political parties of which the Tories in the UK and the GOP in the US are members.

[Starter]

Just to confuse people:
The Liberal Party of Australia, is a member of the International Democrat Union which is a group of centre-right political parties of which the Tories in the UK and the GOP in the US are members.
Nice to know that the US isn't the only country with screwed up politics. Restores my faith in human nature.

Perhaps if we took your Liberal Party and our Democratic Party, put them both in a blender, we'd have reasonable government for two countries.

[Rollo]

Nice to know that the US isn't the only country with screwed up politics. Restores my faith in human nature.

Perhaps if we took your Liberal Party and our Democratic Party, put them both in a blender, we'd have reasonable government for two countries.

That experiment kind of already exists. The GOP is kind of the US equivalent of the Liberal Party here; so all you'd be left with... is all of Congress.

[Jag_Warrior]

You'd be wanting a Chevrolet SS then. Those cars are the Holden Commodore and built in Australia... until 2016.

I had to Bing it (trying to avoid Google these days) to figure out what an SS was. Looks like it has good horsepower. Plain Jane styling though. But $45K for a Chevrolet RWD sedan is waaay too much, IMO. And I have to have AWD. Plus, that's getting close to a Merc CLA45 AMG ($45K vs $48K). I was joking about looking at a GM model, BTW - even if it did have functioning airbags and brakes and wouldn't blow-up or catch fire. But I have been car shopping in the past month, though I didn't look at any GM models. Although I guess my shopping trip triggered a wave of promotional offers in the mail from GM and others. You can get some very good deals right now (cash back, credit card loaded with bonuses once you buy a GM car, free gas for a year or whatever, "free" options or upgrades, discount financing, etc.). But I'd already decided on an STI and placed the order that first day of window shopping.

I'm happy that they sold their interest in Subaru/Fuji. I cannot see myself ever buying a GM vehicle, certainly not under its current leadership. And if they still owned a big chunk of Subie, I might have to look at that Merc CLA45 AMG instead... great car, but crazy expensive maintenance and there's no service dealer within 50 miles of me.

[Starter]

I had to Bing it (trying to avoid Google these days) to figure out what an SS was. Looks like it has good horsepower. Plain Jane styling though. But $45K for a Chevrolet RWD sedan is waaay too much, IMO. And I have to have AWD. Plus, that's getting close to a Merc CLA45 AMG ($45K vs $48K). I was joking about looking at a GM model, BTW - even if it did have functioning airbags and brakes and wouldn't blow-up or catch fire. But I have been car shopping in the past month, though I didn't look at any GM models. Although I guess my shopping trip triggered a wave of promotional offers in the mail from GM and others. You can get some very good deals right now (cash back, credit card loaded with bonuses once you buy a GM car, free gas for a year or whatever, "free" options or upgrades, discount financing, etc.). But I'd already decided on an STI and placed the order that first day of window shopping.

I'm happy that they sold their interest in Subaru/Fuji. I cannot see myself ever buying a GM vehicle, certainly not under its current leadership. And if they still owned a big chunk of Subie, I might have to look at that Merc CLA45 AMG instead... great car, but crazy expensive maintenance and there's no service dealer within 50 miles of me.
The STi is an excellent choice. A tad rough though for a daily driver (IMO). That's why I have my Infiniti G37S. On the GM management, sounds like the new CEO is trying to clean up their act - at least not hiding her head in the sand like her predecessors did.

[Rollo]

I had to Bing it (trying to avoid Google these days) to figure out what an SS was. Looks like it has good horsepower. Plain Jane styling though. But $45K for a Chevrolet RWD sedan is waaay too much, IMO. And I have to have AWD. Plus, that's getting close to a Merc CLA45 AMG ($45K vs $48K).

I had a look at the CLA 45AMG on both the US and Australian websites.

List prices:
US: $47450
AU: $95909 (usd 89847)
Looks like the "Australia Tax" is in play again.

I love how CLA45AMG is a completely fanciful nomenclature. It's a 2.0L Turbo in-line 4 (355bhp); meanwhile the SS is a 6.2L V8 (415bhp).
It's a pity that GM never offered the Ute in the US. They could have used the El Camino name or some such. That too also dies along with Holden in 2016.

[Jag_Warrior]

It's a pity that GM never offered the Ute in the US. They could have used the El Camino name or some such. That too also dies along with Holden in 2016.

For whatever reason, that bodystyle has not sold well here (in more modern times). To be honest, if they offered one with AWD (does the Ute come with AWD?), I'd be more likely to look at a GM product. Several years ago I searched for a used Subaru Baja... 2008 or 2009, I was thinking. I didn't realize they'd stopped making them around 2006. :( Somewhat similar vehicles that flopped here: the Chevy SSR and the Hummer H3-T. Maybe a more pure version would do better, but no one seems to want to take a chance with it now... too much of a niche.

[Jag_Warrior]

The STi is an excellent choice. A tad rough though for a daily driver (IMO).

Compared to my WRX (with about every racing suspension component that I could find), the STI actually rides like a 1950's Cadillac. :D

On longer trips, I'll still use the XK8. But my trip to work includes some major twisties. So for 20 minutes a day, I can be Senna at Monaco! :champion: I'm as much in love with the WRX now (10 years on) as the first day I picked it up, so I'm hoping the STI and I develop the same kind of "relationship".

[Starter]

Compared to my WRX (with about every racing suspension component that I could find), the STI actually rides like a 1950's Cadillac. :D

On longer trips, I'll still use the XK8. But my trip to work includes some major twisties. So for 20 minutes a day, I can be Senna at Monaco! :champion: I'm as much in love with the WRX now (10 years on) as the first day I picked it up, so I'm hoping the STI and I develop the same kind of "relationship".
You'll enjoy it for sure. My last two fun cars were a 1st gen MR2 (needed a bunch more power but man did it handle) and a '72 240Z which I bought new and kept for a very long time. Seriously considered the WRX before I bought an Acura CLS. I don't have time for a weekend car anymore and that's why I got the Infiniti. BMW 330 handling and power at 2/3 the price. Very comfortable on the interstate and much more reliable too.

[Gregor-y]

What's wrong with the old Subaru? Mine's ten years old and other than some rust it's worked like a charm. Two days ago I spent fifteen hours in it driving home from Colorado and all it really needs is some sound padding since the roads in Nebraska and western Iowa seem to make a resonant wail from my Continentals (thanks Donkey).

[Jag_Warrior]

What's wrong with the old Subaru? Mine's ten years old and other than some rust it's worked like a charm. Two days ago I spent fifteen hours in it driving home from Colorado and all it really needs is some sound padding since the roads in Nebraska and western Iowa seem to make a resonant wail from my Continentals (thanks Donkey).

Oh, nothing at all is wrong with it. Just like me, it's got higher mileage on it now, but it can still kick some @$$ when necessary. :D But it's time for a new car. And I can't keep it (if I park any more cars near my shop, they might make me get a dealer's license or something). I really do still love this car. It's truly been the best, most reliable and fun car I've ever owned. Being a wagon, it's the ultimate sleeper. At least once a week some goober will do something silly on the highway and I cackle like a mad man as I make the boost climb and make him disappear in the mirror. People just don't expect a wagon to have almost 300 horsies and be able to flash away like that. So to let it go sort of hurts - we've had fun together. But I figure I'll let someone else enjoy it now.

[Jag_Warrior]

You'll enjoy it for sure. My last two fun cars were a 1st gen MR2 (needed a bunch more power but man did it handle) and a '72 240Z which I bought new and kept for a very long time. Seriously considered the WRX before I bought an Acura CLS. I don't have time for a weekend car anymore and that's why I got the Infiniti. BMW 330 handling and power at 2/3 the price. Very comfortable on the interstate and much more reliable too.

I think Mr. Jan Yeo has/had a 1st or 2nd gen MR2. It used to be in his avatar. I liked the 1st and 2nd gen MR2s. The second gen looked like a little Ferrari 328 to me. I've heard the Infiniti is a good car. You know how you're not a kid anymore? Just like I did, you mentioned reliability! Youngsters don't care about reliability. They can walk if their cars break down. I can walk too. Just not very far. And not without my knees popping and cracking!

[Starter]

I think Mr. Jan Yeo has/had a 1st or 2nd gen MR2. It used to be in his avatar. I liked the 1st and 2nd gen MR2s. The second gen looked like a little Ferrari 328 to me. I've heard the Infiniti is a good car. You know how you're not a kid anymore? Just like I did, you mentioned reliability! Youngsters don't care about reliability. They can walk if their cars break down. I can walk too. Just not very far. And not without my knees popping and cracking!
My left knee doesn't make noise anymore, had it scoped last Feb. :D I've always liked reliability because I like to work on cars when I want to and not on the side of the road. I also got spoiled when I had the Chevron B34 and had a nice dry garage with tools and parts right at hand.