Opinion
238 topics in this forum
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I believe the HP wars are reaching their limits and peaks. The V8 engine is slowly becoming archaic in the passenger vehicle market for that very reason. Modern 4s and 6 have pushed vehicle performance to sports car territory of only a few years ago. You can only go so fast to 60 mph or the ¼ mile. in real terms. The buff magazines might split hairs over 0 -to-60 times, but the average consumer will not. For that very reason, the V8 for passenger vehicles may soon be phased out because it no longer matters. GM had already cancelled the V10 because they could do the same thing with the LSx V8 in the full sized utilities and pickups. The V10 might have made headli…
Last reply by Duncan, -
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GM Versus the Media -VarianceJ30 December 13, 2005 --- For a while now, it has been the opinion of many a GM fan that the General’s products for the most part do not get a fair shake in the American media and that import vehicles are lauded much more with little exception. GM products are scrutinized more heavily and the company’s management and recall issues are played up more. Rarely does a GM vehicle place first in comparison they appear to be subject to more “cheap shots” by journalists. The media as a whole though, seems to keep quiet when it comes to the company’s accomplishments (product and otherwise). Why does this appear to be the case? Well, I deci…
Last reply by balthazar, -
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With yesterday's report that the Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5/Optima may not be replaced at the end of their cycle, it has become clear that the mid-size family sedan in the U.S. has become an endangered species. The current Sonata and K5 are expected to last until at least 2025, but if they do in fact end, the number of mid-size sedans offered in the market will dwindle to 4. For perspective, that is the same number of mini-van models currently on offer. (Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager, Kia Carnival). The remaining sedans are Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, stalwarts in this niche, the Nissan Altima, and the Subaru Legacy. The Chevrolet Malibu…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Like GM, views of Toyota range from "I love it" to "They are bland and vanilla"...You must admit that Toyota was climbing to the top of the automotive industry leaving domestic companys in the dust. We saw GM's lowest point in recent years but now it seems that they are finally beginning to pick up the pieces of a weathered company. What does this mean for Toyota?....How far in success can one company go before falling straight to the ground? We can all say that Toyota will probably never hit rockbottom but what happens when the company suffers a downfall...Can it happen soon? Recently, we have seen that GM's newer innovative models are moving up in sales and …
Last reply by bowtie_dude, -
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com 2016 Buick Envision Test Drive! June 23rd 2016 started off like most days, up at 4am, in the shower, on the 4:48am 511 bus into Seattle, breakfast at my desk while reviewing email. Work focused and getting things done. A little over 3 hours later I get a call from my local Buick GMC dealership that the Buick Envisions they got in last week are all ready and on the lot for people to come see, test drive, etc. Text message to my sister who has a 2002 Mazda 6 that she is ready to retire that the Buick dealership had the Envision in stock, equipped the way she wanted it and we could test drive…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
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Fabulous Flops is a monthly series profiling some of the spectacular failures in the automotive industry. The automotive industry is by nature an innovator, but sometimes those innovative ideas are taken out of the oven before they are done cooking, and others fall victim to poor timing. Today, we are profiling Chrysler's two terrible piston-equipped children, the 2.2L four-cylinder engine and the 2.2L Turbo I four. During the course of automotive history, we've seen automakers take the engineering that goes into building an engine and turn it into something of an art form. The end result usually is nothing short of something brilliant. For example, Ferrari has …
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Back in December 2023, my wife mentioned to me that she was getting a little tired after 15 years of the Voom Voom Voom of her SS. The sound of the Borla factory exhaust was not what she wanted to hear in a daily driver. I had originally bought this in 2008 for her when, after our kids had finished college, she wanted to fulfill her life dream of getting an advanced education. She started her college career driving our Escalade ESV to the University of Washington campus and finding that a full-size SUV was hard to park in the garages of compact parking spaces with minimal regular parking spaces. Let's put this all in perspective: the Escalade ESV has 345hp, 380 lb.-f…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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An Icon Departs – How America Failed the GTO By z28luvr01 By now you’ve all read the news that GM will be ending GTO production this model year. The last batch of GTOs is scheduled to be completed around September, marking the end of a three model year stint as Pontiac’s performance flagship. I’m here writing this to help give the car a proper send off, something that the finest all-around car GM has graced North America with in a long, long time should be entitled to. It is my opinion that, during its three year stay on our shores, that the GTO never got the fair shake it deserved. Not only is it the quickest, most athletic GTO ever made, it boasts performance credenti…
Last reply by Northstar, -
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For the past month, I have been doing a bit of window shopping for a possible replacement for my current vehicle - a 2006 Ford Fusion with almost 270,000 miles on the odometer. Usually, whenever I go look at vehicles, I tend to have automotive ADD; tending to look at all kinds of vehicles with no set price or type. But this recent excursion caused me to notice that I had unknowingly set my sights on a certain group. All of the vehicles I was looking at were all compact cars and none were crossovers. Why is that? To get to the bottom of this, I began to look at my driving habits when I am not driving a new car for review. For the most part, I tend to drive in a small …
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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I'm retyping this from an editorial written by David E. Davis, Jr., in the October '88 issue of Automobile Magazine.....almost 18 (!) years ago.....about General Motors..... He starts......."When was the last time you heard anyone suggest that General Motors was a dangerous monopoly that should be broken up?" ....and continues......"Never mind, General Motors has come a long way. All of the car divisions have spiced up their product lines, and some great saves have been made. We've seen an Indianapolis victory and a 200-mph Corvette. The Lotus connection is bubbling happily, and lots of exciting projects beyond the ZR1 Corvette are in the pipeline. Some very good ex…
Last reply by Mr.Krinkle, -
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The GM Heritage Center A photographic tour of GM's most historic collection By Brian Dreggors Most people know about this place; if not, its the Holy Land to GM enthusiasts. While Ford and Chrysler proudly display their historic cars and trucks in huge, brightly-lit museums open daily for all to enjoy, GM keeps its most prized treasures in a rectangular building hidden away on the ground of the GM Technical Center, off-limits to the general public. Why? Who knows. But it sure adds allure and makes visitors seem like honored guests, which in a way, we were. Not only did we get to enjoy the grace and beauty of 100+ years of American motorcar, but we had a wonderful cater…
Last reply by Camino LS6, -
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C&G Member Article – “Grading the Revolution” By z28luvr01 Many of us remember the now infamous car-carrier ad for Chevrolet that debuted during the New Years Eve 2004 festivities. That ad represented the start of the “An American Revolution” campaign for the bowtie brand, retiring the lamented “We’ll Be There” campaign for cars and the stalwart “Like a Rock” campaign for trucks. At the heart of “An American Revolution” was the release of 10 new or significantly redesigned vehicles over the next 20 months starting January 2004. With that time just about completed, and the 10 new cars and trucks are either at dealerships now or arriving soon, now is an opportune ti…
Last reply by FAPTurbo, -
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The third and most elusive of GM's trio of fullsize Lambda crossovers, GMT968 (GMC's Acadia), has been caught and the first clear pictures are here for your viewing pleasure courtesy of Chris Doane/Brendra Priddy & Co. and Cheers and Gears. Cheers & Gears has paid for the rights to publish these photos. Please do NOT re-host or hotlink these pictures. URL links to this story are fine. Thank you for your cooperation. This frontal exterior shot gives you a much better idea of how GMC's new yet muscular design language will translate on the large crossover. This interior shot shows some of the more obvious thoughtfullness that went into the design of the das…
Last reply by boblutzfan, -
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Who's the Rental Queen Now? By Brian Dreggors for Cheersandgears.com Remember prom night? Well, not that part, but the part before it at the actual dance where the king and queen were elected? What a magical moment when the most popular and stuck-up get recognized by their peers yet again. Big whoop, let’s go spike the punch… Well, its that time of year (sort of) to have our own little C&G promenade and top honors in this superlative goes to Rental King and Queen of the First Half of 2006. Before you elect the winners mentally, remember we’re talking about cars that go to the good folks that pick you up and try harder, not government fleet sales (police and local…
Last reply by VenSeattle, -
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Thought this needed to be written after the Nissan-Renault deal possibility arose. Here is what I could gather. Renault Say Ray-no or Reh-no. Originally introduced to the US as Ren-alt, but this is not really the right pronunciation. Notable: Debuting a solo manufacturer F1 team in 2002, they took 4th their first and second years. A move up to third in 2004 readied everyone for their takeover of first place from Ferrari in 2005. They are currently leading the 2006 standings with 121 points to Ferrari's 87. Patented the first turbocharger back in 1899. Current Lineup: Twingo, city car: Clio, supermini: Mégane, small family car: Laguna, large family car: …
Last reply by HarleyEarl, -
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The New Tundra 1 2
by Variance- 52 replies
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The New Tundra: Success or Strike 3? -Variance February 11, 2006 Image: Toyota/Lexus/Scion Pressroom The Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in America. It has been thanks to its reputation for being impeccably reliable, styling that’s not unpleasing to the eye (but not particularly thrilling to look at) and being basically just a good Average Joe car. The 2007 Camry with its (slightly) bolder styling, increased power and available hybrid powertrain will likely allow the Camry to keep its best-seller crown. But I’m not here to talk about the Camry. I’m writing this to reflect on Toyota’s full-size pickup, the Tundra, which has been everything but a best-seller. …
Last reply by Hudson, -
GM vs Toyota 1 2
by tama z71- 1 follower
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Foreign Autos Strangle Domestic Economy During an interview taken in the 1950s, former General Motors CEO Charles Wilson delivered the famous quote, “What’s good for GM is good for America.” Fifty years later, that bold statement holds as true as ever. However, 50 years later, GM is no longer the automotive juggernaut that it once was, and what is now bad for GM is proving to be bad for America, too. Whatever the cause for decline in American automotive dominance, GM has lost nearly half the market share it had thirty years ago, and that number continues to fall today. The losses have reached into the pockets of GM’s longtime rivals as well, as Ford Motor has experienc…
Last reply by Cory Wolfe, -
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Saturn Poised to Steal the Show By Bimmer325 Saturn's transition from second-thought to center-stage will soon be more apparent than ever. GM's planetary marque is a brand in transition, and the General isn't banking on any-one model to spark its turnaround. Rather, an entire fleet of compelling product is set to steal the show. The stage, it seems, will be the New York International Auto Show next month. Saturn's New Outlook Saturn's revolution commenced with the debut of the Sky, and if any vehicle could shatter perceptions of a brand, this is it. Its crisp origami design aesthetic is a mere sample of what’s to come, and those not familiar with it may be in …
Last reply by corvette_dude729, -
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Pontiac’s Focused, Niche Role The One Product that can pull it off. By Andrew Currie News has been grim as a of late from GM. All options are on the table with GM’s brands. Latest word is that at least one brand, Saturn or Saab may get the axe, in addition to the sell-off of Hummer. According to GM, Pontiac may very well become a niche, even one model brand. Supposedly it will be much more focused than it is now, with its lineup made of mostly rebadges. GM is strapped for cash; it doesn’t have the money to poor into the development of an all new vehicle for Pontiac. This would seem like a major problem, as though Pontiac would once again be placed on the backburner…
Last reply by FUTURE_OF_GM, -
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My 2006 G6 GT is THE worst GM vehicle I have ever owned or leased. From the horrible electric steering (which is going to the dealership next week for its first repair, the 6 or 7th time the car has been in the shop) to the absolutely horrific Panoramic sunroof, which does nothing but squeak, rattle, knock, ping, slam, crack, pop, and any other noise you can think of right above your head, all the time, whether the roof is open or not. It's obvious that GM has no fix for the roof. It has been back to the dealership twice (one of those trips was for over 3 weeks, while I paid a $341 lease payment to drive in the dealership's stinky 2003 Buick Century with nothing in it…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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G. Noble Editor/Reporter CheersandGears.com 28th February, 2012 It’s now official; the majority of my generation — Generation Y — has a deep-rooted dislike for the automobile. Unlike our parents from the Baby Boomer and Generation X age brackets, we no longer associate cars with our own independence. Instead, smartphones and laptops have become symbols of autonomy in my generation. I’ll admit that it didn’t exactly make sense to me when I first caught wind of it. I’m a ripe 21 years-old, which almost puts me smack dab in the middle of Generation Y, and I personally love cars. It’s always been that way since I discovered the ability to talk and walk. As a boy, I grew…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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The grand plan was a separate new service to the house of 200 amps so that the garage would have plenty of power for charging multiple EVs and I would have a separate bill each cycle for knowing what I was spending for EV driving. Waking up in the morning to a full charge of power and never having to stop at a gas station due to having a Level 2, 240-volt home charger is a luxury everyone should have allowing you to smile as you drive by a gas station with folks outside dealing with their fueling. The ultimate perk of EV ownership. I started with reaching out to my local utility and inquiring of the process for a new service. My local utility was more than acco…
Last reply by ccap41, -
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Drew Dowdell - January 26, 2012 - CheersandGears.com Yesterday on Facebook, Aaron Bragman a new friend I met at NAIAS, and I got into a friendly back and forth over whether the Audi A3 was a hatchback or a wagon. I insist that it was a wagon and Aaron insists it is a hatch. My original position is that the A3 is a wagon because of the third rear window. Aaron says no, it is an identical car to the Volkswagen GTI which couldn't be called anything but a hatch. Now before I go on, I'm going to preempt some of the old timers here. For the sake of this argument, we are going to use body style definitions that apply to cars post.. oh... 1980 or so. That means a sedan is a 4-d…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Just Who Is The #1 Automaker In The World?
by Guest Josh-
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Who Is The #1 Automaker In The World? A Simple Question With A "Simple" Answer? When I walked into work this morning I knew it was going to be a day like no other. Not because of the raging snow storm that was before us in Metro Detroit, or the fact that the Solstice was left exposed in this bitter cold weather. Never mind the competition I was involved in with a fellow coworker for a steak dinner to be paid for at my discretion. Yes, the snow storm came, the Solstice was under the heavy blanket of snow & ice and yup, I did win the competition for the steak dinner. But what lead up to the events of this day shocked me. More than I could have ever im…
Last reply by Charger4U, -
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Welcome Aboard! A Tama Fictional Letter May 10, 2006 Dear Toyota, Hi! I'm General Motors, and, welcome! You boys seem set to take my spot at number one. Hell, if I didn't know otherwise, the media would have me believing you were already on top! Oh well. Since you seem set on staying here for a while, I thought I should write you this letter, and let you know what things are like around here! When the time comes to pass that you've officially taken my spot, these tips are going to help acclimate you to the position. - When you've officially reached number one, you are going to find yourself making all kinds of new friends! Those who have so far supported you will to…
Last reply by Mr.Krinkle, -
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Last week, April 15th, Tax Day for those of us in the U.S., we started a new series called Tariff Tuesday. President Trump's tariffs amount to one of the largest single increases in taxes on the American People in history. The tariffs which, if fully implemented, will raise $1.4 trillion in revenue, an increase per household of $1,900 to $7,600 per year. Trump's tariff policies change daily, sometimes hourly, so as always, this information is correct for at least 15 minutes after publication. Each week we document the effects the tariff have or could have on the U.S. automotive industry. Last week we made the case that under Trump's tariff policies, affordable sports cars…
Last reply by ccap41, -
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Are “Give Backs” Worth It?
by Guest Josh- 1 follower
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We all know my stance and opinions on the UAW (and Unions in general) and General Motors. I’m a firm believer in that the company and the membership can work side by side for the greatest cause, providing good pay for hard work. After all, that is the American Way as classified by our founding fathers. We are all raised in the sense that to achieve something, we must work to achieve it. The UAW had paved the way that “30 and out” is a very real possibility. You work 30 years, you are eligible for retirement with full pension, health benefits, employee pricing opportunities and the like. The UAW has also worked for its members to ensure a somewhat comfortable lifestyle m…
Last reply by LS1powered_Z28, -
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Fabulous Flops is a monthly series profiling some of the spectacular failures in the automotive industry. The automotive industry is by nature an innovator, but sometimes those innovative ideas are taken out of the oven before they are done cooking, others fall victim to poor timing. Today we are profiling the delightfully bizzare Renault Avantime. There’s no mistaking that Renault has built some bizarre looking cars during its 113 years in business. Back in the 1950s, Renault rolled out the Colorale, a very butch looking five-door car with optional four-wheel drive meant to compete in Europe’s large family car segment at the time. The 1960s brought about the 8 sedan, wh…
Last reply by timelord731, -
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New York Times editorialist Thomas Friedman's recent piece attacking and accusing General Motors as being a major contributor to our dependence on foreign oil by analogizing that, among other things, the automaker is like a "crack dealer." These inflammatory comments have raised the ire of many here and on web communities like ours elsewhere. If that weren't enough, the Times refuses to print a rebuttal from General Motors unless it tailors it to the Times' wishes, removing among other things, the word 'rubbish' and 'irresponsible' as they are "not the tone we use in Letters." Really? 20th Century Fox, producers of The Omen, may have a bone to pick with you as another e…
Last reply by carman21, -
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If we really want to save the US auto industry then we got to do something bold. 1) Detroit has no independent market share above 1% in any East Asian market and as such we should kick out the Japanese and Koreans from the US and keep the Chinese and Malaysians out of our market. 2) Restrict all Foreign automakers to a 20% combined cap in market share. 3) Restrict all Foreign automobiles to be sold under $30,000 and above $150,000. 4) Restrict all sales of Foreign automobiles to those built in the US. 5) Work to force out the Asians throughout the Americas and all of Europe. What will result from this radical departure in US policy? -US Automakers are gi…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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Is driver chivalry dead? -VarianceJ30 November 16, 2005 I often find myself vexed at human nature. Most people on their own are courteous enough (or at least they don’t act like asses) to other people. Sometimes people will hold a door open for you, they’ll tell you the time if you ask, and they may even give you a little change if you need it. However, put them behind the wheel of a car and 9 times out of 10, everyone becomes an adversary. Nowadays, it seems more and more people are acting like they and they alone own the road. I seriously question how some of these people keep their licenses (or even obtain them in the first place). Here are some of th…
Last reply by mustang84, -
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To put GM’s situation in perspective, here is a list of assembly plants along with their respective product’s 2009 sales run rate based on US January 2009 numbers. Mexican, Canadian and export sales are not included so there’s some need for adjustment there. Assuming each plant has a 250,000 unit capacity with 3 shifts and that we might see US market sales in the 10-11M unit range this year and next, it’s clear GM needs to rid more facilities and people to become profitable. Below that list is a plant outline for a new GM made up of Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC at 100% capacity utilization at a 10-11M market sales rate. Enough capacity is left to allow for a 30% incre…
Last reply by Lamar, -
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Imagine you’re me: someone who has used 0-60 MPH to judge how fast a car is. If a car is slower than 8.0 seconds, I wouldn’t poke it with a 10-foot pole. If it’s faster than 4.0 seconds, I cling to it to feel the rush and acceleration. That was until I was a short-lived car salesman and automotive blogger. As a car salesman, I found out that people didn’t understand or care that their vehicle did 0-60 MPH in 6.7 seconds. As a blogger, performance enthusiasts did care, but there are other statistics that mattered more. When I combine both, which happened at different parts of my life so there was no conflict of interest, I found out that 0-60 MPH has a few flaws. Let’…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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Dear GM, I was born in Flint in the mid-eighties and have lived in or near it all my life. I've had to watch you gut this entire town these last twenty years by taking away our factories one by one and decimating our workforce. I'm not the only person who thinks this is unfair. I'm sure the entire city thinks its unfair. I'm sure the entire state, the entire country thinks what you did and are continuing to do to Flint is unfair and uncalled for. How can you wonder why you're losing sales to foreign competitors when you have shown so little loyalty to your home town? Toyota is showing more loyalty to the American cities they've put their plants than you have been.…
Last reply by razoredge, -
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Feel Good About GM It’s about time An Explicative Automotive Commentary by Tama September 25, 2006 If the recent slew of good news coming out about General Motors from the company and its critics isn’t enough to make you sport an ear-to-ear grin, promptly see yourself away from this article, because it wasn’t written for you. This one is for all those faithful who have waited the months and the years and the decades since GM was last the juggernaut of the auto industry, through every broken promise and half-assed CEO, through the seemingly unending bureaucracy, and through every damned Cavalier, Aztek and CSV. To those faithful, forget the past and look to the future,…
Last reply by GMman, -
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For the past few years as an automotive writer, I've been keeping something quiet from a lot people. Some, including some of the members of this site know this secret. It's something that I have been slightly embarrassed by for the position that I have and know that it has kept some doors shut. I can't fully work a manual transmission. (Please put down the pitchforks and torches. Thank you.) It's not like I have never attempted to learn how to use a manual transmission before. The first time I ever drove a manual transmission in my friend Adam's 1991 Isuzu Stylus sedan. We drove around in a parking lot with me learning how to disengage the clutch and listen to the engi…
Last reply by SAmadei, -
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Saturn’s Revolution: Why I think it’ll become GM’s hottest brand -VarianceJ30 October 14, 2005 Debuting in 1990, Saturn was made to be General Motors’ lower-end import fighter. Saturns were a unique breed in many respects. With their spaceship-like styling and space age dent-resistant polymer body panels, one would think the name “Saturn” was indicative of where they came from. GM established a plant specifically for making Saturns, Spring Hill. They had unique engine and platform shared with no other GM vehicles. Lastly, the dealership experience at Saturn differed from everyone else in that they employed a “no-haggle” policy with their cars. Basically, the p…
Last reply by Newbiewar, -
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Let me start this off by looking at the value of the three companies that are in play because of the recent game of chance that Kerkorian and Tracinda put in motion last Friday. GM – 16B USD Nissan – 50B USD Renault – 30B USD Total – 96 B USD Now let us assume there is a merge of equals, to parody the infamous 1998 Chrysler Corp and Daimler Benz deal. Let us look at the percentages that each respective company will own in a newly formed Global Motors as a result of a merger between GM, Nissan and Renault. GM Share Holder: 17% Nissan Share Holder: 52% Renault Share Holder: 32% If this deal were to actualize, the world’s largest automaker on volume will c…
Last reply by 76ChevyTrucker, -
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Hi, I'm new, so if I sound dumb, give me a break. Anyway, I was wondering. I have a '95 Chevy Beauville that can carry twelve, with the back seat very reasonably fitting four across. What if someone built a sedan that was as wide as my van (76 inches), with two bench seats, and marketed it as both a better minivan (no climbing out of the back over seats, legs, and seat belts), an exceptionablly well handling large sedan (just think how it would handle being so wide. I just DARE you to try to flip it!), and the sedan with the biggest trunk, period? It would have to be a reasonable weight (as close to 4000 lbs as possible), either RWD or AWD, and if you really want i…
Last reply by 2005 EquinoxLS, -
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The Death of the Saturn Auto Company (Alas, we hardly knew ye) The upcoming Chicago Auto Show is touting a full lineup of Saturn’s best and brightest, an all-new lineup in less than two years, full of Euro flavored promise as the brand moves upscale to do battle with competition both foreign and domestic. But at what cost? The concept of affordability and innovation has all but left this young division of General Motors, to be replaced by high content in a slick package, the only remnant being the hope of bringing import buyers into the GM fold. This is by no means a condemnation of Saturn, only a reflection of what the company has left behind. When the Saturn cor…
Last reply by Mr.Krinkle, -
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A friend of mine has a 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6R. It’s a very safe car, has a good interior, and a rather weak engine. Oh, it also has a CVT or continuously variable transmission. When I talked with him while he took me for a spin, he told me he doesn’t mind the CVT and it is smooth for his Lyft passengers. While being a passenger in his car, the CVT did act like a conventional transmission, although it did dip in the rev range lower than usual. Then he floored it. Drone. It stayed at 3,000 RPM for at least five minutes. It was extremely annoying, but not surprising. Let me explain how a CVT works, and how I think manufacturers need to stop using them. Nerd moment appr…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Bring it back, Bobby. Making the case for a great awakening. October 16, 2005 A Tama Editorial I DRIVE A TRUCK. I drive a truck because I need a truck. I need the last vestige of rear wheel drive in the Detroit stable. I need to carry stuff. I need to tow stuff. I need to drive where the pavement ends. And I need a vehicle with some balls. By dammit, I need my truck. I WANT A CAR. I want a car because I need a car. I have a girlfriend. I have a phone bill. I have insurance payments. I have to get to school and to work. And now I cannot afford gas. By dammit, I need a car. Catering to one need, my occupation in general contracting essentially …
Last reply by Slick_Holden, -
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Start With Solstice A C&G Staff Commentary | by Louis Buccheri March 1, 2007 A recent trip to my local Pontiac dealer left me with an impression strong enough to inspire this article. The reaction that so struck me as I browsed Premium Pontiac's overcrowded lot? No brand offers a clearer snapshot of where GM has been, and more importantly, where GM is headed. I'd venture to say that the general public currently associates the arrowhead more with Avis than excitement, but before you write this off as yet another piece fixated on poking fun at the brand's recent past, consider the following. Amidst the rows of Vibes, G5s, Torrents and Grand Prixes gathering d…
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First let me explain myself. I have been gone for the past two weeks on a trip to Oregon and Northern Cali. We saw the coast and the Redwoods. I am still getting my photos from the trip onto the pc total of 2,500 photos! Its me keep in mind. I will be posting some of the rentals I saw mostly GM but there were a few things that stuck out... Some lucky bastards got to rent Impala SS's thats right a 303hp rental car, for the price of renting a regular LS model. To the company it is still an Impala lol. I also saw just one rental Grand Prix GXP. But for my tally. Will start off with GM stuff. These are bar coded rentals, not people that own or lease "there" own car. …
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Notes from the Board Saturn Brand Advocate Board Meeting Recap By Brian Dreggors As many of you know, I was recently invited to attend the first Saturn Brand Advocate Board Meeting in Detroit, Michigan. From April 18-20th, myself and thirteen other people representing other Saturn enthusiast organizations were given an in-depth and comprehensive look at the Saturn Division, its heritage, and the direction it intends to follow into the future. I have to begin by saying that no one knows how to dazzle like General Motors. From the events, to the accommodations, to the entertainment, it’s clear that this corporation is well-versed in the art of making good first impression…
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Cheers and Gears goes Back to the Futurliner! Hershey, PA - Today I visited the AACA meet in Hershey PA. The last time I managed to get out there was in 2006. In both instances the General Motors Futureliner was there. The first time I visited, I was unable to get up into the cab. This time would be different.
Last reply by Z-06, -
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Well, it took a week, and Camino and I are ready to gouge our eyes out with a melon baller, but the results of the C&G Census are in. Take a look at the numbers below and come to your own conclusion. One thing's for sure: each brand is not without its appeal in the GM hierarchy. Buick Total responses: 52 Total number of new Buicks purchased sine 1998: 24 Total number of people who have purchased new Buicks since 1998: 14 Number of people who will buy a new Buick within the next two years: 9 Number of people who will consider a new Buick within hte next two years: 10 Number of people who will not consider a new Buick: 31 --- Cadillac Total response…
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While Hyundai owns a controlling interest in Kia and they share a significant amount of technology, they still operate as somewhat independent companies. For that reason, Kia needs a luxury brand to match. Genesis Proved the Playbook Works Hyundai officially launched its Genesis luxury brand in the US in 2016 with the G90, the replacement for the Hyundai Equus. Since then, Genesis has rapidly evolved into a true luxury automaker with three sedans and 3 SUVs. My recent drives in Genesis vehicles gave me the impression that Genesis is Hyundai's torpedoes to the Mercedes-Benz's Bismark. With its sumptuous ride, coddling interior, and robust engines, Genesis proves t…
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Some of you may remember the traditional Full-size Cars of the 1960s & 1970s.They had big V-8s, RWD, and were well over 200 inches long, usually 210 or higher. Their flaws were their size and their poor gas mileage. The Oil Crisis of the 1970s,the influx of imports like Toyota, Datsun, and Honda, and gov. regulations slammed the brakes on a once thriving segment. Of these cars only the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and the Town Car are lone remains of a segment that once dominated autosales for 25 years or more. From 1955 to 1980, 2/3 of all cars sold were considered full-size. During the early 1980s volume collapsed altogether and the top selling cars were all comp…
Last reply by balthazar, -
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About a month ago, before C&G went down, me and my cousin Jim (Aka Montana on this site) Went ona trip to the Gm Oshawa plant to check out some of Gm's new models. Particullarly, the Pontiac Solstice. Now we have all heard about Gm improving thier products, some people like Gm's new line of products, others despise the bread-and-butter fwd sedans but love the new sports cars coming out of Gm. Now on my trip to Oshawa with my cousin (Thanks for the transportation) I investigate Gm's new offerings, some upclose and every detail on the car, (Solstice) and others that just got a snapshot. (Torrent) I hope C&G enjoys looking at these pictures, and I h…
Last reply by Paolino, -
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Some people here on NET are marred by stupidity and so much ignorance it isn't even funny. Since Lutz's arrival we have see GM go from a company that produced mediocre vehicles that were reliable, and often attractive but never exuded the norm in terms of quality and performance. We have, because of Lutz's product direction, Welburn's design direction, and Andrew Farah's engineering direction, a company that hasn't once yet, in the past 5 years put out vehicle that didn't win some sort of acclaim. Corvettes are considered Ferrari beaters, Cadillacs are comparable to BMWs and Benzes, Malibus are more efficient and better styled than CamCords, Cobalts are as efficient as …
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Will 2006 be the year of the 355? Two trucks need to outpace one in 2006 A Tama Article The difference may only be less than 5700 units, but the pressure for sales will continue to mount on GM in 2006. Chevy Colorado - 128,359 GMC Canyon - 34,845 Toyota Tacoma - 168,831 Despite having twice the models, twice the dealer network and the hugely successful employee pricing program, sluggish year-end sales put GM behind Toyota in the 2005 midsize truck market. A total loss? Probably not. GM managed to climb from the number three spot with the 355 twins to outsell the Ford Ranger for the first time, and locked up a solid second place in terms of sales. But GM can no lon…
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So I'm sitting at home Friday evening, watching TV and I see the commercial for the new Rav4. I turn to my wife, who happens to like the Highlander, and ask her what she thinks. She says, "Its ok." Now my wife doesn't hold the same prejudices as me, but she also doesn't see in Toyota what growing numbers of the nation and the media see. You all know what I'm talking about. Toyota, despite current reality, is seen as the end all be all of vehicle reliable and quality. Now this is a reputation rightfully earned in the past, but isn't quite as upheld today. Now don't get me wrong. Toyota's are good vehicles. But in many ways, they're not better than their competit…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 13, 2012 Walking around this year’s North American International Auto Show, I noticed that something was amiss. It wasn’t the amount of vehicles that made their premiere at the show; nor wasn’t the amount of press, industry, and guests walking around during press days. No, what missing were the concept cars. The lineup of concepts ranged from group design is not a good idea (Chevrolet Code 130R) to this is a production model in concept clothing (Honda Accord and Lincoln MKZ). Only three vehicles, the Chrysler 700C, Lexus LF-LC, and the Smart pickup thing were actual dream concepts. But even these concepts had …
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I’m sure you have thought of it before; the car you would buy if you won the lottery. I’m also sure that you probably have a picture of it in your head right now. So tell me, how many people do you think, would now have their minds eye filled with a Hybrid vehicle, or even a true EV? How about something that is just smaller and more efficient than what you have now? Maybe a few extra hands would have been raised then, but I still would not expect even near a majority. Probably not even half. More at: MotorGnomes
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Fleet: The Other “F” Word -Variance May 3, 2006 Fleet sales have been a part of the automotive sales industry for some time. Typically, fleet sales are defined as car sales to companies rather than individual consumers. Rental car companies like Enterprise, Thrifty, etc. are usually the first things that come to mind when people talk about fleet sales. Some cars (more than others) are sold by automakers to fleet companies to contribute to their bottom line. In fact, Hyundai recently announced they were going to increase their sales to fleets in Europe to aid in the company’s growth. Now, some people will say things along the lines of fleet sales don’t count or they …
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SPY SHOOTS BACK -An Editorial by Chris Doane (CD/BP) For the uninitiated, read the story of VetteGate here. - Flybrian It is not uncommon for the prototypes we see in spy photos to be deceiving. Some cars may be comprised of fake body panels, others may be covered in rolls of tape that appear to be inspired by a zebra. Sometimes even the entire shell of a current model car is shoehorned over a chassis that’s still in development. On Friday afternoon, word started getting around on several automotive websites that something was awry with a few current spy photos of a silver corvette purported to be the Blue Devil “super vette.” When these photos first hit the web som…
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With the average transaction of a new vehicle reaching $48,247, buying a new car is quite expensive. And while this price gets higher each year, automakers still make inexpensive vehicles. We compiled a list of 10 models that come in at under $22,000, less than half the average transaction price of a new car. Even though these are the least expensive model year 2024 new cars you can buy, most have a good set of standard features and all come with reversing cameras, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. These vehicles are ranked from most to least expensive. For two of them, this is your last chance to buy one new. The Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa a…
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Phase Out Pontiac to save Buick and GM: Can Pontiac adjust? Or more importantly, can the public adjust to the new image of Pontiac? Pontiac has called itself the brand that drives excitement, but truthfully, it lacks any such excitement. I mean:the Grand Prix as a performance car? Come On! It is a masked vehicle most youths would never want, the stodgy, yet elegant in my opinion, Buick LaCrosse. These days the brand uses hyperbole to sell,and not in a limited amount, I mean calling a V6 a powerful engine is normal, but saying sleek styling, performance bred engines, is over the top! The main reason Pontiacs arent selling is the fact that they are no longer performance…
Last reply by GMC, -
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Okay, before you read this hold your breath. Then, relax and breath easily. This is a radical yet possible idea to rebuild Pontiac and Buick. Remember that these are just ideas and reflect little in fact. Pontiac and Buick will both see major reform but, Pontiac will be altered significantly. Pontiac will be a youth niche brand in the mold of Scion. Buick will be the second broadest brand behind Chevrolet in the model of Toyota. GMC would target Toyota trucks. Here's how it could go down if this were to happen. 2007 will be the last year for the Buick Rainier, Rendevous, and Terraza and the Pontiac Vibe. 2008 will be the last year for the G6, Grand Prix, and LaCross…
Last reply by carman21, -
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Maximum Bob A Tama Article www.cheersandgears.com April 16, 2006 General Motors Vice-President Robert Lutz gives much-needed personality to the cars and the company. Before General Motors lost itself in the corporate anonymity that is now definitional of the company, it produced some of the most memorable and legendary leaders ever to enter the car biz. DeLorean, Duntov, Engine Charlie Wilson – these were car guys who presided over a true car company. It has been almost four decades coming, but GM has found its next charismatic car guy in Bob Lutz. In his book On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors, DeLorean detailed the systemic and anonymous nature of the 14t…
Last reply by tama z71, -
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Chrysler is once again going in the wrong direction, The primary reason I believe this is occurring is because Chrysler group is drifting without direction. Who thought of the brilliant idea to create a whole new brand called "Ram" when Chrysler is on life support? The simply fact is that Chrysler needs to consolidate into one brand simply called Chrysler. Yes, I hate to see two storied brands, Dodge and Jeep to disappear but, I do not believe in the long term survivability of any of the current four Chrysler brands. Here is my pipe-dream of what Chrysler should be. 2012 Model Year Require that all Chrysler group dealerships sell Chrysler branded vehicles. 2013 Model …
Last reply by riviera74, -
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-Variance January 15, 2007 As we all know, General Motors is in the middle of a spectacular product turnaround. At the moment, the most excitement seems to be circling around Chevy as the anticipated release of the new Camaro looms ever nearer and the “Blue Devil” Corvette will show up sometime in the future in an attempt to obtain top dog status over sports cars. On a bit of a tamer note, the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado have been reworked inside and out and so far have been garnering high praise even in the face of stiff new competition. The Silverado has been named Motor Trend’s 2007 Truck of the Year as well as the North American Truck of the Year. When talkin…
Last reply by TurboRush, -
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At every auto show there are big headline grabbing releases. These are releases like concept cars (Buick Avista) and production high end luxury vehicles (2017 Lincoln Continental and 2017 Lexus LC 500) that draw crowds and clicks, but after the lights are turned off at the Cobo Center those vehicles mean little to the average car buyer. Then there is news that matters to more in everyday life… important, just not headline grabbing. One of those important news items from the 2016 Detroit Auto Show was the repositioning of 2017 GMC Acadia crossover from full-size to mid-size. The GMC Acadia was introduced for the 2007 model year becoming one of the largest crossover veh…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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http://themagsreport.blogspot.com/2007/04/...t-25-years.html SRX Z06 Aurora SL2 CTS-V Aura Impala SS (Caprice body) Grand National Fiero GTO Thoughts?
Last reply by vonVeezelsnider, -
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In my previous article, I praised four-door coupes. I love how they look in exchange for lost practicality while making up for the latter with charm and class. This is fine because they’re usually based on regular coupes or sedans. Great. Unfortunately, BMW had to mess things up. They had the excellent X5 and thought to themselves with a German accent: “We need to appeal to even fewer people. What if… we make the X5 ugly and harder to see out of?” Hence, the BMW X6 was born. Excellent, thank you, BMW. It sold well and now Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Acura at one point, and even Lamborghini have SUVs with raked rooflines. There must be a reason why I like sedan to coupe to four-d…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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The Near-Future of Saturn By Brian Dreggors SKY Introduced in early 2006 as a 2007 model, Saturn's SKY was a true watershed in the Saturn lineup. Cutting through the clutter to deliver halo car performance at a ridiculous price, the small roadster proved extremely popular. Retailers quickly saw their stocks of naturally-aspirated SKYs and turbocharged SKY Red Lines evaporate before their eyes; some markets have even resorted to purchasing barely-used SKYs on eBay just to have something on the lot. With 2007s completely sold out, early adopters got bragging rights, but those who wait for '08 get the following: Standard (formerly optional) Limited-slip differential S…
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Yeah, try and guess.
Last reply by VenSeattle, -
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Tariff Tuesday is the day where we cover how President Trump's tariffs, if fully enacted, will impact the auto industry, increase costs, and limit consumer choice. We started this series on April 15, Tax Day for those in the United States, because Trump's tariffs amount to one of the largest single increases in taxes on the American People. The tariffs which, if fully implemented, will raise $1.4 trillion in revenue, an increase per household of $1,900 to $7,600 per year. Last week we discussed Buick's Tough Spot - Killing it in China, Killed in the U.S. and one of our readers brought up an excellent point: Big Trouble in Little Crossovers The little cros…
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com Manual Trans, Woman versus Men! Are Men becoming soft? Came across this story on Autoblog. After more than 50,000+ leases reviewed at swapalease.com shows that woman more than men enjoy driving a manual trans. Sadly this seems to point to the save the manual campaign as failing as manual auto purchases are a dying breed. According to the data, leases on Manual auto's have dropped by 22%. In 2012 85.4% of Manual Trans leases were by men, 2015 that number had dropped to 81.2%. Woman on the other hand in 2012 was 14.6% of their leases were a manual transmission but in 2015 that number has rose…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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I'm serious. We now have a way of actually directly talking to GM management thru the "TELL FRITZ" http://www.gmreinvention.com/?commentSubmitted=true LINK I wrote: Please for the love of GOD.. Get rid of the 3.0L in the Cadillac SRX, CTS, and Lacrosse. It does not improve the MPG and obviously performs worse than the 3.6L or 2.8Lt. I am willing to bet the 3.5L would do better . Unless the 3.0L has a turbo. Kill it.
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com Can Cadillac ATS, CTS and SRX European Roadshow Win over the Public GMs Cadillac division has gone on a European Roadshow. The tour will be visiting 3 countries, 12 cities, and 22 different locations with the goal of connecting with 10,000 existing and potential customers as well as European Media. The idea is to get these people behind the wheel and check out the 21st century versions of Cadillac and to change the perception that Cadillac is a Land barge V8 powered float machine. To quote FastLane's own write up; "Above all, luxury car buyers on both sides of the pond have…
Last reply by balthazar, -
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Is the Chrysler Group in an Identity Krise? -Variance August 5, 2006 In 1998, Daimler-Benz merged with the Chrysler Corporation to form the company we know today as Daimler-Chrysler. Some would say this wasn’t so much a merger as it was a takeover. Either way, after a shaky start, the Chrysler half of DCX has made some solid strides in terms of product, most notably when it comes to RWD machines: 300C, Magnum, Charger and all of the great SRT versions (not to mention the upcoming return of the Challenger). However, what I’m concerned with here is the Chrysler Group itself. In other words, what the company sees itself (or at least, what it wants to portray itself) as…
Last reply by rosserman, -
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The Auto Enthusiast Appeal -Variance June 6, 2006 Automotive enthusiasts and enthusiasm have and has existed probably for as long as cars have been around. There have been many automotive clubs, websites and magazines. You can read books and/or watch movies (such as Cars, a pic of which is above) or television programs featuring cars and driving. Of course, if automotive enthusiasm is nothing new, why am I bothering to write anything about this? It’s like writing about the new phenomenon of bathing or eating. Well, to some, those may be new things but I digress… The point is I think car enthusiasm is at its strongest level ever. All you have to do is look around… C…
Last reply by knightfan26917, -
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EV-curious. That’s what I would call myself. Someone that is interested in EVs but just hasn’t found the right one. There are many aspects of an EV that is appealing to me. Instant torque, quick acceleration, the ability to charge at your house or apartment, and the continuation of creating semi-autonomous driving. It’s all so exciting! I’m ready to go out and trade in my 2016 Volkswagen GTI for one now! Or am I? Let’s take a quick look at a small field of electric vehicles, starting with the brand new 2020 Porsche Taycan. The release of the 2020 Porsche Taycan is a feat in and of itself. The car itself is downright sexy, is has a handsome interior, and performanc…
Last reply by Anthony Fongaro, -
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In 2007 the auto media was projecting that GM might fall from being the worlds largest auto company in production terms. In 2009, the final numbers proved that Toyota Motor Corporation had surpassed GM as the worlds largest auto company by production numbers. Also Toyota was growing in sales of their Hybrid line under the Prius moniker. Fast forward to 2021, battery electric auto's are all the rage by auto companies. Toyota production of auto's in Japan has 50% of them exported to other countries such as the Prius Hybrid and TRD Trucks. The CEO of Toyota has stated that the country is a "export-reliant country" and by shifting Japan as well as other cou…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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G. David Felt Alternative Fuels & Propulsion writer www.CheersandGears.com Elio Motors Ultra High Mileage Auto / Trike? Elio Motors is promising to have on the market next year an 84mpg $6800 2 person auto / Trike. This 3 wheel transportation has a configuration like most 3 wheel modern motorcycles with 2 steering wheels in front and a single drive wheel in back. Unlike Can-Am bikes where you still get wet, the Elio is fully enclosed auto. So what do you get for $6800? Exterior measurements are as follows: Overall Length: 160.5″ Overall Height: 54.2″ Front Wheel Track: 66.8″ (center rim to center rim) Wheelbase: 110″ (center of front wheels to center…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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I have read stuff all across the board about GM as of late. My turn to rant, this is my first offical rant... Let the fun begin. What is GM thinking buy Chrysler? Seriously they have enough of their 'own' stuff to work on!-Why do people keep pushing the RWD DTS and Lucerne for the next redesign? Do people not understand that FWD suits the buyers of these vehicles just fine and could be pissing sales down the toilet? I hope they do Toyota manages okay with not one US badged RWD Toyota car! That should say something! Get a new platform going and get to WORK!-Why is GM so slow to putting 5/6spd. automatics in cars, I understand the production problem but no reason the Im…
Last reply by gm4life, -
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There has been a lot of discussion recently about rising gas prices and how it will affect sales of vehicles that don't get great gas mileage. Here are my thoughts on the issue: 1) We haven't seen a huge decrease in sales of big SUVS that get terrible mileage. Why is this? It has been proven, more or less, that owners of big, gas-guzzling SUVs have the income to support the cost of gas. 2) Most cars that get poor gas mileage are more expensive than cars that get good gas mileage. What does this have to do with anything? People who can afford more expensive cars can, in most cases, afford to pay more for gas, just as owners of the big SUVs can afford to pay more for g…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Thanks, Mercedes-Benz. You created a car that literally no one asked for. What did they do? Well, in the early 2000s, they went to their E-Class, removed the hideous body, and replaced it with a different body. The new body looked like a coupe, but it had…four doors. With this, Mercedes-Benz created the “four-door coupe.” Let’s be honest—this vehicle, called the CLS, was beautiful. AMG created powerful versions that made the CLS even more appealing. Mercedes-Benz created a segment that nobody really asked for, but it worked. Granted, it cost more than the E-Class and was less practical. Both cars have been redesigned within the last few years, but these vehicles pose a qu…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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*Note: this isn’t my opinion. This article is more to spark a discussion. I love #savethemanuals. With that, please enjoy a controversial article. Some people are fans of electric cars. Others regale the days of the glorious V12s which are now few-and-far in-between. Same goes for interiors. While the days of analog gauges, non-infotainment systems, and simple controls hearken back to an easier time, trends are making those just memories. Most people, car lovers or not, accept changes to vehicles. Fuel economy, safety, performance, and technology are constantly evolving. However, there is one aspect of vehicles that isn't sport or performance-based that needs to g…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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G.Noble Editor/Reporter CheersandGears.com 27th February, 2012 Fabulous Flops is a monthly series profiling some of the spectacular failures in the automotive industry. The automotive industry is by nature an innovator, but sometimes those innovative ideas are taken out of the oven before they are done cooking, others fall victim to poor timing. Today, we’re going to go after one of those rare flops where the idea was half-baked and still somehow managed to be popular. Since the dawn of the automobile, mankind has found himself thinking of new ways to brave and drive in the elements. After all, driving isn’t the easiest thing to do when it’s pouring an inch of rain e…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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For the past week, I have been driving an Infiniti Q50 and for the most part, I have liked it. The model has the makings of an excellent compact luxury car with a powerful V6, expressive exterior, and a nice balance of sport and comfort for the ride. I don't even mind the direct-steer system which replaces many of the mechanical parts for an electrical system that turns the wheel based signals from the input on the wheel. But as I driving the Q50, I felt something was missing. It was only when I writing some notes on it that I figured out what was missing, an identity. Not only for the car, but for Infiniti itself. In psychology, identity is used to describe the items…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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Some might say a steering wheel is the #1 interface a driver has with a vehicle. Those 'some' would be, of course, correct. Used to just steering and honk, now more & more controls are moving to it. Sure; airbags and crash standards are forcing ever-increasing homogenization in steering wheel design, but there's got to be room for something FRESH. There was a HELLA lot more creativity in the past, maybe a look back would do designers good. Some interesting wheels :: 1966 Toronado Deluxe with tilt/telescopic ~ 1961 Imperial ~ 1956 DeSoto with optional self-winding hub clock ~ 1956 Lincoln ~ …
Last reply by ykX, -
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A few months ago, I posted some results of a very un-scientific survey I performed myself on about 250 cars in an upscale shopping/dining/entertainment center here in The O.C. It opened my eyes as to the real-world demand for domestic (and specifically GM) cars in this market. Being bored, and recovering from Chicken Pox, I decided to run down to John Wayne/Orange County airport and do a new survey. I counted 413 vehicles in the A1 parking lot outside terminal one of John Wayne Airport. Since these are cars parked AT the airport, I'm assuming it's a relatively high-percentage of people that live locally. For those of you not from California, John Wayne Airport is a b…
Last reply by asusenior, -
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Saturn was orginally intended to be an All-American can-do brand. Remember back to the 80s when some American thought wejust couldn't build cars as well as the Japanese. So, GM developed a project brand of how to build an American Japanese car. It succeeded to the extent that it proved Americans can build great quality cars. This problably saved GM and Detriot from ruin. Bob Lutz said recently that Saturn will be an American version of Opel like England's Vauxhall or Australia's Holden. Well, Opel is VW's main German Competition. VW out prices all other non-luxury brands, including Toyota. This would likely mean Saturn's prices will sky-rocket to match those of VW. If …
Last reply by MyerShift, -
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Auto enthusiast have since the dawn of the car had a desire to go faster and in this, the 2 door, 2 person auto was the focus of go fast compared to the 4 door, 4 or 5 person sedan and especially in comparison to CUVs, SUVs and Trucks. Yet in the last few decades we have seen performance Trucks and SUVs / CUVs that have gotten close to what some call Muscle Cars. Even some specialty sedans like the Chevrolet SS of recent decades has also introduced performance fun to the family. Tesla burst onto the scene in the early 2000's and had a Roadster that blew people away that could afford such a novelty with it's gut pounding acceleration. Later came the T…
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As you may think from My recent article, I dislike pontiac. I think the opposite! PONTIAC RULES! I have been upset since 2002s end of firebird production, but if the Firebird becomes the performance god it used to be, I will indeed buy one! It will go niceley with my soon to be purchased bonneville(Its my first restoration)! This will be SO AWSOME!!!!! I couldnt wait! Heres my Idea of a firebird trans am! Any opinions on a new firebird? I am going to write an article on why Pontiac needs THIS car for its halo vehicle! Heres the *concept*
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Drew Dowdell - March 26, 2012 - CheersandGears.com All companies do it. They make outrageous claims about their products in an attempt to sell you something. That is advertising and I accept it. A lot of times, these exaggerations are just playful and funny attempts to sell you on an idea and no one takes the exaggeration seriously. Take for example the Chevy truck ad that ran during the Super Bowl this year. Chevy made the claim that their trucks are so dependable that the truck, along with a box of twinkies, could survive the apocalypse while Dave and his Ford truck couldn’t. Clearly no one is going to hold Chevy to that claim. It was just a funny commercial filled wi…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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The Revolution Revisited -Variance April 14, 2006 You may recall six months ago I wrote my article Saturn’s Revolution. In it, I waxed lyrical about Saturn’s latest products and thought they were they key to a complete Saturn turnaround. The three products as you know are the Sky, Aura, and Outlook. The thing of it is that back then, we didn’t know the Sky would have much more to offer, the Aura was still a concept and the Outlook hadn’t even been revealed to public eyes yet. Fast-forward six months later to the New York International Auto Show... The Sky with No Limit If you needed any more reason to lust after a Sky, I’d first smack you upside the head and kin…
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It's time to roll back the clocks, and one of Cher's most famous songs, "If I Could Turn Back Time" debuted in 1989. That same year, automakers introduced at least 51 new models to the public. Each week for the next four weeks, we'll take a look at some of those cars, and you vote for which car would make you wish you could turn back time. The categories will be Family Car, Sports Car, Luxury Car, and Exotic. 1989 was a good year for people who liked sports cars as many fun new options hit the market. Mitsubishi Eclipse / Eagle Talon / Plymouth Laser – This trio from Mitsubishi was a product of the Diamond-Star Motors partnership with Chrylser. While …
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Is Wagon the New SUV? By Bimmer325 Contrary to popular belief, the majority of SUV’s rarely venture beyond regional highways or even the local Home Depot. While SUV owners adore the style and space their vehicles possess, off-road prowess is normally of little concern. Until now, inefficient fuel-economy and even the sheer lack of maneuverability that these vehicles present have had little effect on style-conscious consumers. However, the current trend toward rising gas-prices and a social-stigma that grows further against the SUV each day now threaten to limit the once mass-appeal of SUVs. At the same, more suitable options are emerging both from a segment that…
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By Cory Wolfe As another year falls into the grasps of history, a new one lands filled with drinks, dreams, and the Detroit auto show. With all its shiny cars, crazy automotive espionage, and endless cappuccino, Cobo might just be my yearly heaven. Or is it my own personal hell, taunting me with sore feet, pushy journalists, and a severe lack of sleep? This year may just pin it towards the latter... This show sure can make someone relatively young feel frighteningly old rather quickly. Then again, a smart and well-prepared individual likely wouldn't have this problem, nor would that individual attempt to lug a 20-pound camera bag on his back for two days straight. Yea…
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Cort Stevens Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 21, 2012 Toyota Camry. Honda Accord. Since 1982 and 1976 respectively, these two models have evolved and changed with the times, without enduring a name change. Similar history can be traced for such entries as the Honda Odyssey. The first one wasn't much about which to write, but Honda persevered with the name and developed it into a top seller in its segment. While some examples of continuous monickers don't celebrate similar history, the names have stuck. For instance, the Nissan Quest, first available in 1993 (with a re-badge model sold as the Mercury Villager), is today in its fourth generation even though …
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In a December 29th decree, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev states that people "with disorders of sexual preference" are banned from driving in the country. Identifying as gay, transgender or transsexual is considered one of the many "'mental disorders' now barring people from driving," according to the BBC. Fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism are also included, as are amputees and those under 4-foot-11-inches. This move further suppresses Russia's LGBT population, forcing people to remain closeted for fear of losing mobility. The wide-ranging law was signed just before Russia's government recessed for the New Year Orthodox Christmas holiday. It is the late…
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com Sand into Fuel, Reality or Fiction? We have all dreamed of the ultimate dream, how to drive the auto's we love without having to pay through the nose for fuel. Especially for performance, premium fuel can really hit the wallet and many of us have been forced to decide, our dream auto, or commuter car? Lately, I have noticed many Motley Fool stories about unlimited free fuel from sand. There have been other web sites and like the Motley, they are all long speeches without getting to what this new fuel is or how to make money on them. Most people today want you to get to the point so these mo…
Last reply by Chris Skinner, -
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 24, 2012 A few weeks ago, Cadillac debuted their ad for the 2012 Super Bowl. The ad features the new ATS sedan and some footage of it undergoing testing at the Nurburgring. The ad ends with this line, “So if anyone tells you that Cadillac can’t beat the world’s best, just tell them to go to green hell and see for themselves.” The ad also calls out one of the ‘world’s best’, the BMW 3-Series. A bit audacious to call out the best selling compact luxury car in your ads. But on paper, the ATS makes a good case; three different engine choices (2.5L, 2.0T, 3.6L DI V6), two transmissions, a low curb weight, the li…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Whenever someone finds out that I'm an automotive writer, sooner or later I will get asked "I'm looking for 'x' vehicle and I was wondering if you could help me out," or some other variation. These are the times where I wish I could make a smoke cloud appear, allowing me to make an escape. But alas, that is only a dream. This is a common thing that a number of us - automotive writers - tend to get whether it is from family, friends, or some random stranger. We want to try and help, but most of the time the suggestions seem to go nowhere. It comes down to various reasons such as none of the ideas are appealing or the person going in a completely different direction (wa…
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Get Your Priorities Straight A Tama Article February 12, 2006 When the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon made their midsize debut in late 2003, they were touted by General Motors as the most powerful and most fuel efficient trucks in the class. As unlucky timing prevailed, rival midsize trucks outgrew, outmuscled and outsized the GM twins, leaving them as the most fuel efficient trucks in class by a slim margin. Today, the Toyota Tacoma continues to run away with the segment sales lead. Dodge has introduced a refreshed Dakota, replete with the most powerful engine in the segment. More and more, the 355 twins are looking like the oldest trucks in the class, if only by a few…
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to read the preamble and analysis click here. http://www.christonium.com/automotive/ItemID=12363409028356 to get right to the point, just read the following. I continue to believe consolidation is necessary to improve the viability of the industry and that includes the terminations of brands and companies. It is time for governments to coordinate a restructuring of the business model prior to recapitalizing the industry. For example does it really make sense for the US government to aid both GM and Chrysler and end up with three weak companies including Ford or for France to bailout both Renault and PSA? Does the market need both Opel and VW or BMW and Mercedes-Benz?…
Last reply by regfootball,
