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Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
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Frisco Fairlane500
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
DIESEL. Say it with me, Deeeee-sel. When will Americans realize that Hype-brids are overpriced battery-packed bullsh*t and diesel can outperform them in every way?

[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: Censored (a little), but also promoted.]
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Al Navarro promoted this comment Edited by Al Navarro at 08/06/09 9:09 PM Frisco Fairlane500 was starred

Maxx Cracker
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
With the blinker left on, how much does that eat into the 10-mile range?
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Tomsk mourns the Jezebanned promoted this comment Maxx Cracker was starred Maxx Cracker was unstarred

mikedrawcar
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
The businessman in me thinks this is a great idea. Expand the number of platforms to use the Volt powertrain in to lower costs, and lower the retail price. Perhaps the next step is to give an electric model to GMC. A combination of car and truck, perhaps. They could even name it something like "Del Schmamino", or close.
Give Buick an eco-friendly model, and get closer to meeting the raised federal economy standards (and whatever bullshit California will pull out of their asses in the next few months). You could even use it as a test model for the true rollout of the technology, the Volt.
The designer and consumer in me thinks this is a terrible idea. Take an unloved model from a brand in limbo and give it to a brand that's trying to change people's perception of itself in a company that is doing the same thing. Test unproven tech that's designed not to run at full capability, and proclaim it a victory, while further degrading and disenfranchising your customer base. All because you didn't have the balls to stretch a double into a triple, or even an in-the-park home run, even though that was the plan all along?
I'm sorry, but this was the kind of thinking that got GM to where it is, and it's not going to get them out of anything.
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Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
If this as-yet-unnamed Buick is going to be made in Traverse City, it's only fair that it should be called the Spring Hill.
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
An appliance becomes an electric appliance. Perfect for folks who need to move about, but don't care about cars.
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usa1
08/06/09

@Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet:
Works for Toyota, Lexus, and many others.
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Al Navarro promoted this comment usa1 was starred usa1 was unstarred

layabout
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
I'm from the James May school of thought,i don't believe in electricity
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layabout was starred layabout was unstarred

citroën67
08/06/09

@layabout SAVE THE JALOP 9 !: Not to get off topic, but I have been gone for the last few days. What is the deal with the "Jalop 9?"
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layabout SAVE THE JALOP 9 ! promoted this comment citroën67 was starred citroën67 was unstarred

layabout
08/06/09

@minardi67: Several commenters got banned for having a joke over at jezebel & sadly it got taken too seriously & they were destarred & banned.
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citroën67
08/06/09

@layabout SAVE THE JALOP 9 !: Holy Shit! I just went and checked it out for myself, and unfortunately I can't read all of what was said due to severe lack of vowels, but it looks as if some pretty big players in the comment scene got banned. Sad too, because I am friends with most all of them on here, and I look forward to hearing what they have to say.
Between them getting banned and the new commenting format...I could easily see myself finding a new place to hang out, which is a damn shame because I really had grown to love this site in the past 15 months.
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citroën67 was starred citroën67 was unstarred

Ash Clutchem, Pokey Master
08/06/09

@minardi67: The big question I have is WHY were so many of them over there? Was it cross-posted on Jalop?
I've found that this site's brand of humor and commentary doesn't translate well to most of the rest of Gawker.
Once upon a time, Jez gave me their Worst Comment of the Day award for just some random snark. I no longer push my luck over there.
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scroggzilla raids again
08/06/09

@Ash78: It was a "panty raid", organized off site, which got a little out of hand, and caused much yelling and gesticulating at Gawker Central Command. Due to the premeditated nature of the incident, heads had to roll and unilateral action was taken.
Perhaps, with time, mercy may be granted and sentences commuted for the Jezebel 9.
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citroën67
08/06/09

@Ash78: That is a bummer. I personally don't ever willingly go to Jezebel to comment. My wife recently discovered the site and professes to enjoy it (and I believe that she will fit in over there quite well due to the fact that she herself is lacking in the sense of humor department). Considering the people involved in this, it is a great and tragic loss for the rest of us. That being said, I guess all that I have to say is: Welcome to The People's Republic of Gawker.
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MushyHeirloom
08/06/09

@SCROGGS!!!: Aye, but at least two of the victims - MarywithanM, Dearthair - were essentially innocents who stayed on topic and respectful, compared with some of the arguably-over-the-line commentary from some of their fellow posters (both Jalops AND Jezbians).
I'm fairly sure the reason they're all still globally banned, rather than just banned from Jezebel, is that Ray got an earful from Nick Denton and has 'em 'grounded' for the time being.
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scroggzilla raids again
08/06/09

@FP - Funny how it seems quiet around here, eh?: Hence my usage of the word, unilateral. In the eyes of Gawker law enforcement, they were accessories to the crime. I'm not saying that I agree with the action...I don't....I'm only identifing the rationale at work.
I don't imagine Ray liked doing it nor, I suspect, is he enjoying the backlash from the commentariat. In my weaker moments, I almost pity him. Then, the devil appears on my shoulder, and whispers, "What can we do to up the pressure on Gawker management to free The 9 without getting banhammered ourselves?" And then the Devil reminds me that Ray's writing about cars for a living......rubbin elbows with gliitterati like Kudlow.......while I'm an unhappy insurance professional........and why am I being nice to that car fucker again?
F%#&in' Devil, always f%#&in with my shit!
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layabout
08/06/09

@citroën67 mourns our loss: "My wife recently discovered the site and professes to enjoy it (and I believe that she will fit in over there quite well due to the fact that she herself is lacking in the sense of humor department)"
Haha,now that i found f**kin funny
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layabout was starred layabout was unstarred

layabout
08/06/09

@citroën67 mourns our loss: "My wife recently discovered the site and professes to enjoy it (and I believe that she will fit in over there quite well due to the fact that she herself is lacking in the sense of humor department)"
Haha,now that i found f**kin funny
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layabout was starred layabout was unstarred

FTGDWolverineEdition'09
08/06/09

@citroën67 mourns our loss: " My wife recently discovered the site and professes to enjoy it (and I believe that she will fit in over there quite well due to the fact that she herself is lacking in the sense of humor department)."
You better hope she is not reading this. Lol!
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FTGDWolverineEdition'09
08/06/09

@layabout SAVE THE JALOP 9 !: Me two.
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Edited by FTGDWolverineEdition'09 at 08/06/09 1:13 PM

FTGDWolverineEdition'09
08/06/09

@layabout SAVE THE JALOP 9 !: Me two.
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Edited by FTGDWolverineEdition'09 at 08/06/09 1:13 PM

citroën67
08/06/09

@Formerlythegreatestdriver: Alas, she has a low-key hatred towards the fact that I have an über obsession with anything that has wheels and an engine...so I think I am pretty safe! :)
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Al Navarro
08/06/09

@layabout SAVE THE JALOP 9 !:
[OMBUDSMAN'S NOTE: I wish you'd believe in putting in spaces after your commas. Though I salute you for reining in the profanity recently.]
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Elhigh
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
So, a hurry-up model to appease the drive-thru generation. And yet, it may be good enough to kill the Volt.
Ten miles of electric operation is, in my opinion, plenty. I'm generalizing here, but I'm pretty sure that the majority of folks who commute spend at least part of their time on high speed highways. That's where the ICE kicks in. And those same folks probably don't drive ten miles to get to the highway.
I don't have any hard and fast numbers. It's just a feeling.
Now, once on the highway and up to speed, how many of those cylinders does the Vuick really need? Could it make do with less than four? I bet it could. It may be possible to engineer this thing so that it could deliver good enough performance to obviate the gee-whiz gimcrackery of the Volt.
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Ash Clutchem, Pokey Master
08/06/09

@Elhigh: For my situation and daily driving, I think 40 miles is at least 10x more valuable than 10 miles. 40 miles is commuting plus any random errands for me (and most of America, who average 25-30 miles per day). 10 miles won't even get me to work.
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Tyson
08/06/09

@Ash78: I'm with you there, I think 40 miles is the magic number for PHEVs to reach. This is interesting though, because GM looks like it might actually be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid, ahead of Toyota.
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Al Navarro promoted this comment Tyson was starred Tyson was unstarred

Steve_in_NC
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
I am so happy to help pay for this
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Al Navarro promoted this comment Steve_in_NC was starred Steve_in_NC was unstarred

Motor_Yakuza
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV

Very Opel-ish.
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Ash78 promoted this comment Motor_Yakuza was starred Motor_Yakuza was unstarred

Ash Clutchem, Pokey Master
08/06/09

@Motor_Yakuza: Because it's based on the Antara...no coincidence there!
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lilwillie
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
10 miles........10 freakn' miles?......for how much more cost over the gas only model? And how much extra power used off that 110v line for the four to five hours?
Baby steps, remember, just baby steps.
What? Baby steps?
Yes, you tool, baby steps.
Ok, cool, I'm good with it.
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P161911 now with M POWER! promoted this comment lilwillie was starred lilwillie was unstarred

P161911 probably shoudn't have
08/06/09

@lilwillie hides autos in the attic: I'm guessing that the EPA uses a 10 mile cycle to determine city MPG.
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Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse
08/06/09

@lilwillie hides autos in the attic: ...baby step onto the elevator... baby step into the elevator... I'm *in* the elevator.
[doors close]
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
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obbie
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
if the non hybrid models are getting a 2.4L or a 3.0L engine, why is the hybrid getting a 3.6L?

hint: b/c they already engineered the 3.6L to operate with the 2-mode hybrid system.

but thats still not a good enough answer
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FP - Funny how it seems quiet around here, eh? promoted this comment Edited by obbie at 08/06/09 10:52 AM obbie was starred obbie was unstarred

MushyHeirloom
08/06/09

@obbie: Because if you want it to go fast, you have to give up any semblance of steering feel.
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PowerTryp, Starless wonder.
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
Ray? Could we possibly get a tag for all Hybrid cars that is something along the line of "Hybrid Car Hell" please?
Any Jalop that agrees with me please second this motion.
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Al Navarro promoted this comment

Al Navarro
08/06/09

@PowerTryp:
Seconded, and promoted.
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Ash Clutchem, Pokey Master
08/06/09

In reply to Buick To Get First Plug-In Hybrid SUV
The Buick Pacemaker.
What's the voltage on those portable defib devices? I guess you'd still need an inverter, but maybe they'll build it into the dash.
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Elhigh
08/06/09

@Ash78: The voltage is pretty good, but the amperage is pretty lightweight for a defib. Even with a limited-range battpack like this one, it'll deliver enough amps to jump-start your heart...and microwave it all the way to well done.
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Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred

mytdawg
06/17/09

In reply to Best. Vanity License Plate. Ever.
I've always liked this one. It's probably not that funny if you're not from Michigan...

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mytdawg
06/17/09

@mytdawg: When SOS figured it out they made them give it back.
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mytdawg was starred mytdawg was unstarred

Elhigh
06/16/09

In reply to Best. Vanity License Plate. Ever.
Classy.

And just as classy, Jalopnik posting it. Way to keep the 'Net upscale, guys.

Not that I've got much room to comment from, but there's something about it that strikes me as unfunny.

I've never been happy about any use of the C word, and sneaking it past the DOT when they're trying to keep things clean while allowing you to be entertaining isn't laudable, it's a shame.

Sorry I'm a wet blanket, but that's just how it is.
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Alfisted
06/16/09

@Elhigh: You cnt let these things bother you.
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beercheck
06/16/09

@Alfisted: Ohboy. A meme is born.
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