The problem is GM shitcanned Pontaic as extraneous during their restructuring. It would be a massive multi-billion dollar effort just to bring the brand back (they’d have to buy them an HQ build, new stationary, hire new engineers). That’s why it’s not going to happen any time soon, not unless they can make the case…

European cars from the 70’s to 90’s weren’t really any better or worse. Also, I think there needs to be a lot more context for this type of discussion. And that was kind of the point I was dancing around. Sure, Europeans probably would hate a Ford Taurus or Chevy Malibu or any other number of mundane American Cars.But…

Thank you for the elaboration, I think you’re absolutely right. And conversely, most Americans I know that love cars have at least a few European cars on their dream list. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of shitheads who only ever buy GM/Ford/Dodge because ‘Murica, or whatever, but they are the exception, not the…

I didn’t comment on the original (mostly because I didn’t read it until just now) but here’s my critique:

Genuis!

I remember my dad telling me he bought a 1969 Z/28 and paid over $4000 for it. He said when people asked what it cost and he told them, the response was always the same; “Why on earth would anyone spend that much money on a car? What a waste of money.” This includes my aunt, grandparents, etc.

It was about 5:30 in the morning, pitch black out, pouring rain, and I’m on my way to college so I can beat DC Beltway traffic and do a little last minute review for a big electronics exam.

It’s a Navy ship. Could be happening.

Good point about the women’s classes and chicken-and-egg problem of getting women involved in a predominantly male sport.

True, but not nearly as hilarious to me.

Well I know a bit about Humvees. We have a 98 GMC pickup with the 6.5L turbo diesel, so I’m very well versed in all the drive train problems. It’s the CTIS system that scares me.

I think that’s because it is. Those tires are so big, and those CAT 3116s are so low revving they need a whole lot of gearing to get going. They also run like 7.38 rear ratios.

I actually have an uncle who works at an equipment rental company and is well versed in repairing all manner of trucks and equipment. They have a lot of stuff with CAT diesels and Allison transmissions, so I figured that wouldn’t be so bad. What scares me is the brakes and CTIS.

My friend, out of the blue, showed me that last night. He was like “Hey, whats govplanet? Can I really buy this?” I asked him what he’d use it for, and he said “to pick up chicks.” He’s a tall, skinny rail of a kid, I never picked him for a chubby chaser.

I’ve watched that at least half a dozen times. Every time I see it, it makes me want it more.

I wanted a Hummer when I first heard about this. Then I started looking at Gov Planet and thats when I discovered this badboy:

Awesome, you’ll have to let us all know how it goes. I have a friend who took the course at a local HD dealer a couple years ago and said it was first rate. He did the test on the new Street 500 and liked it so much he almost bought one instead of a CBR250R.

Not necessarily true - getting the crap scared out of you usually works, and occasionally age and wisdom. I’m much slower and more cautious now than I was 10 years ago.

It is highly dependent on the command. When I was in the Navy they basically didn’t give a crap if you owned a motorcycle as long as you didn’t try to bring it on base. If you wanted to ride on base you had to prove that you had a license/registration/insurance and had completed the AMA Motorcycle Safety Course or…

Completely agreed. But this is a start. There’s a lot of people out there, civilian and military alike, who are riding without any sort of training whatsoever. I was one of them for several years, and then when I finally took the class it was like “holy crap! there’s so much I didn’t know!!!”