The Buick

[Phil]

I am not a pro auto mechanic but I am pretty good with cars.

I even changed my own engine in my 1987 Chevy truck. I wouldnt try that at home in the truck I have now. I have a 2002 Chevrolet. I still change my own oil, spark plugs and brakes. I do my own maintenance kinds of work.

My wife's 2002 Buick LeSabre needed a battery. It had to be jumped 3 straignt days.

There's power points for jumping it under the hood. I figured the battery would be under the airfilter box or under the washer bottle.

NO! It was under the passengers side back seat.

That's more like a European car thing I never though General Motors would start doing that. What's the purpose for doing it that way?

Well I finally made a call and found out where to find it and replaced it. How embarrassing it was to not be able to find a simple battery.

[Kevin]

That's really strange. Perhaps engine space was cramped and the battery needed to be put somewhere else. Common sense would be to at least put it in the trunk for easier access. My (hopefully) future job will be as an engineer for an auto company, and I would definitely not do something like putting a battery under a seat, especially with the chance of battery leaks, corrosion, etc.

Then again, it is GM. In my opinion they've been going the entirely wrong direction with the exception of the Corvette and Sky/Solstice. Daimler-Chrysler is the only domestic car company that I think is doing well. They brought back the RWD sedan with the Magnum/300/Charger, make new and completely original vehicles instead of rehashing the same old designs (*cough*Ford*cough*), and make performance vehicles for the enthusiast wanting the most bang for the buck. It's no wonder Ford and GM are beginning to copy some of DCX's ideas.... it's taken them long enough though.

Oh and Phil, why with the Buick? Buicks nowadays are all bland old people cars, not for people in their 30's. The only Buick I'd be caught in that's even been made in the last 20 years is the Grand National/GNX. RWD Turbo 6... mmmmm.

Oh yeah, sorry about the rant-ish post. I'm big on cars so when someone brings them up I always have to say something.

[skier1]

I suggest you find a Jaguar hood ornament, put it on the hood, and sell it to the first person who'll buy it. Then use the money to buy a used Porsche.

That is quite possibly the worst place for a battery. I can kind of see the logic behind it, though. The engine space is cramped, and they don't want to take away from trunk space, as heck knows they've got enough going against them already. It's a pain for maintenace, but I get the impression that an average Buick owner doesn't do their own maintenance...

I'm not too fond of the 300/Charger, mainly because of the styling, but I can't wait for the Challenger. That car is beyond amazing.

[Kevin]

I loved the 300 to from the start, and the Charger took a little while to grow on me. Maybe it was the SRT-8 trim that got me. Supposedly the next generation Charger will be available with two doors, and hopefully with them moving to a new platform )from the current LX to the new LY in a couple years) a manual tranny will be possible. A manual tranny can't be used on the current platform because there isn't enough room.

I have my heart set on a Challenger though. As long as it isn't a pig like the GT500 and comes with the 6.1 HEMI or better, I'll be happy. Oh yeah, black with a six speed and pistol grip shifter please.

[Blastgirl]

That's a strange place for a battery. I read that earlier and asked my Dad why they would do that

My Dad has a repair shop. He said that is starting to be done my a lot of auto makers for several reasons. One, engine space is precious, and also, recent accidents with smaller engine compartments have ended up with the positive side of the battery touching the hood or fender which is a ground and leading to a fire.

My Dad (and my Mom too) have always boughten domestic cars but we have had all of the Big Three. Right now I have a Chevy Monte Carlo. Classic has a Mustang GT and an F350. Classic's Dad is a diehard Ford man so that's all his family buys.

Their construction business has over sixty Ford Trucks.

[Phil]

spartan said:

Oh and Phil, why with the Buick? Buicks nowadays are all bland old people cars, not for people in their 30's. The only Buick I'd be caught in that's even been made in the last 20 years is the Grand National/GNX. RWD Turbo 6... mmmmm.

Just beforehand I didn't think I would have gotten a Buick either.
What came about is my 1987 Chevy got creamed while parked at a curb. Some son of a lemonsucking illegitimate child got lickered up and hit it while it was parked at a curb. My father had bought that truck new and It became mine after highschool. bla bla bla. But it got hit and wiped out in 2002. So I had to buy a new truck and I got the Chevy Silverado.

My wife's car got to be old too. It was August of 2002 by then and that same dealer that I got my truck at was trying to make room for the 2003 inventory and were clearing out leftover 2002 models.

We got a letter about that in the mail probably all recent customers got on the mailing list at the time so we went down to look around but not really thinking of buying something.

But we sat in a few cars and test drove 4 or 5 of them especially the Envoys. but that LeSabre really inteigued her. It just is comfortable and a nice car to drive. The deal was right and we bought it. Me 31 at the time. I won't reveal my wife's age. -chuckle chuckle-

But I have to say its been a great car. I could see you thinking about old man gradpa Phil with the big Buick. That would be a funny thought.

My vehicle is a Silverado 2500 4x4.

[Jersey]

Phil, all you gotta do is say your wife is 29 and holding. Works for anybody over 30. ;D

Also, I plan on getting myself my dream car as soon as I have the money after college is done and I have a job. 1981 DeLorean.

[Blastgirl]

The BACK TO THE FUTURE car. You have great taste.

[Hatson]

I work as a tech in a GM dealer. A Buick/Pontiac GMC truck dealer to be exact. So I could have told you where it was.

Its true study shows that part of the car is seldom damaged in accidnets so the positive has the least chance of touching ground. I think within 5 years all cars will have to place batteries somewhere other than under the hood. I think it will be a mandated thing.

[Phil]

tryout said:

Phil, all you gotta do is say your wife is 29 and holding. Works for anybody over 30. ;D

Also, I plan on getting myself my dream car as soon as I have the money after college is done and I have a job. 1981 DeLorean.

Can I be 29 and holding too? I like that.

Hatson I should have asked you where the battery was.

I think the kids and I will be going to McDonalds today.

[im_an_alien]

No! Get a 2006 DeLorean! You can get them new, did you know that? They put one together with reproduction parts and sell it to you for $46,000 or so, or for the fancy 140MPH Spedometer, 6 Disk CD Changer, etc for $56,000

[Jersey]

You're mostly right. Its a remanufactured DeLorean. What they do is they buy a DeLorean thats run down and in need of some serious help. They strip it ALL the way down to the bare frame, and they refurbish the frame and build it back up again with original parts from the original factory, so basically what you end up with is a brand new 20 year old car. If that makes any sense.

Also, I have no idea when and if Ill ever have that kind of money.

[im_an_alien]

I read that they also use reproduction parts, I think.

[Kimm]

I have a 93 Plymouth Acclaim. Its my little green baby. I love it. Its old but its my baby. The engine blew on it about a year ago I cried.

My dad got a used engine to put in it to keep it going. I was happy I didnt want to give it up yet.