Here's a story that reinforces the need to read property restrictions before you buy a house, and to read them carefully. A home owner in Texas can't park his 2007 Ford F-150 in the driveway overnight. If he drove a Chevy Avalanche, Cadillac Escalade EXT, Honda Ridgeline or a Lincoln Mark LT (which sure looks a lot like an F-150 to me), no problem, but most other trucks have to be garaged because they "look like a truck" or aren't "upscale" enough.

Texan Jim Greenwood is battling his Home Owners Association about the issue. The Stonebriar HOA Web site has a login page for residents, but only basic info for everyone else, so I couldn't find a copy of the restrictions. Board member Bill Osborn told a Dallas reporter that a no-pickups rule had been in place since 1989. Some residents have petitioned successfully for permission to leave their trucks outside, but Mr. Greenwood's request was denied. I'm no attorney, but it seems like allowing one or two trucks to remain in the drive could be an arguing point for other pickup owners who live in the development.

More about the story from Dallas WFAA News

Look for General Motors to bring back its employee price discount program, starting tomorrow (Aug. 20) and running through September 2, the automaker's 100th anniversary. Word is that the program will include just about all of GM's 2008 vehicles except medium-duty trucks, and some of its 2009 lineup. GM is expected to announce the program today.