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They have been saying same thing for at least last 1.5 years. Yet, nothing happened. I am not saying it will not happen, maybe it will. However, if it happens, many economists will say we predicted it, while they were wrong many times, before their "professional prediction" really came true.

I was projecting my biases towards the Grand Prix over the other W-Bodies with that post. In 2005, when I traded in my Alero for the Impala because I needed a more comfortable family car to fit my growing family in, kids and stuff, (my Alero was the coupe...4 doors were not necessarily needed but appreciated) I could no longer buy the Oldsmobile W-Body anymore as the Intrigue was no longer. (bye bye in 2002) The Buick Allure (the Lacrosse in Canada) was a tad old man-ish so that one was out of the question immediately. So that left the Pontiac and the Chevy. Yes...I did indeed want a W-Body. I did want the supercharged 3.8. Had the Intrigue been available (new), Id would want the Shortstar and seeing that Oldsmobiles were sporty and luxury, but more luxury than sporty, and seeing that I was an Oldsmobile guy, the Intrigue and Oldsmobile as a brand fit beautifully in my image. But alas, Pontiac or Chevy was the only 2 W-Bodies that I could see myself driving. (Not the Allure...) The Grand Prix...I preferred the original launch of that generation. Exterior and interior. But the refresh was welcomed by me so that was a moot point. The Impala (2005)...I LOVED the exterior styling over that generation Grand Prix (2005), but that wasnt the reason why I chose the Impala over the Grand Prix. It really was what I wrote above. I knew the red interior lighting would eventually wear me down. Both Chevy and the Pontiac had cheap plastic interiors, none of which bothered me then, nor now, but, I knew that BECAUSE that console was angled for the driver's benefit, I felt claustrophobic in it. The Alero and Intrigue were like that too, but it was more subtle. The Grand Prix's center console was also very clunky. The Intrigue's center console was more "luxurious" if you will as well. The materials used in Oldsmobiles at that time were better than the other GM brands save for Cadillac. Id say, Oldsmobile was very close to Cadillac in that time, being the late 1990s all the way to Olds' death. On a side note, I feel very claustrophobic in my Acura today. Clunky console and interior as well... I preferred the openness of the Impala's interior... And lastly, I seem to recollect that you sit down low in the Grand Prix as compared to the Impala, and I preferred a more higher seating position. THAT is why I would have bought the Intrigue instead had the Intrigue been around in 2005 when I bought the Impala...

She won't appreciate it for what it is... a good, reliable, solid car that will get her where she needs to go. It's no longer a cool car and wasn't anytime during her adult life. It's not an SUV and it doesn't have AWD, things that are desirable especially in Reg's part of the world. In the end, the car will simply keep going and she'll want something newer (SUV, with AWD, and "cooler"), but with no good reason to get rid of the GP it will make the justification hard and she'll end up resenting it. Eventually it will get traded for a used but fairly new Honda CR-V or Chevy Equinox with AWD.... a "good" car. For now, she'll be happy to have some wheels once it is fixed up.

So what you're saying is... reg's daughter would rather have a 6 cylinder 1970 Mustang? Better watch she doesn't slip one past ya, Pops!

Yup, shows desperation to the point of wishing economic hardship. Extremism.

What is this, a Mary Tyler Moore episode?

Left to my own devices if this car wasn’t gifted I would have tried to find a cheap Verano or 2011ish vintage Regal for her. Or maybe even an Encore or Fusion. the 13 -15 era Malibu also. Maybe a captiva or aura or astra also was on my mind I think the verano would have been the coolest option once she grads high school maybe a current style Cruze hatch too But your point is true. The CUV is more chic. Although I think she is a bit against the grain. I really think the verano would be the best ride if the price was right.

Yes. Please elaborate Drew. But I will guess on why she will hate it eventually as I have a good idea. The red interior lighting will start to become annoying. The clunky and plasticky dashboard and console will get on her nerves. Especially the way its angled towards the driver. Sure, its a GREAT driver oriented and focused console, but that only benefits enthusiastic and spirited drivers. Im guessing she is not the spirited and enthusiastic kinda driver. I havent been in a GP in a long time, but If I remember correctly, you sit lower in it than, lets say, a W-Body Impala of the same vintage. Like my 2005 Impala SS for instance. And seeing that this is a CUV type world, sitting low while having high CUVs around you gets frustrating real quick if you aint into that sorta thing.

Grandpa giving us 2008 Grand Prix for our daughter to drive....wish there was more cladding!

I bet Renault/Nissan is wishing they had that FCA merger right about now. Because not only are their sales in a spiral, they rely a lot on rental fleets for Nissan/Infiniti sales also, so they aren't even profitable sales. Infiniti has nothing in their line up, that brand is more dead in the water than Lincoln was a couple years ago. Really they are a lot like FCA in terms of product offering but don't have the storied brand names like Jeep or Alfa Romeo in the stable or have the marketing ability that Dodge has to keep older than dirt product alive with trim packages, styling tweaks and Hellcat engines, etc.

Had a friend over and put the tree up. Happy holidays everyone.

Nissan/Infiniti obviously still in a death spiral. Can't see how NIMOCO can sustain the consistently deep red sales numbers for much longer. If they can't get in the green this time of the year with all the model year end close outs then they might as well close up shop. SMART "car" we're all going to miss you...NOT!!

Genesis benefitting from those Monday Night Football halftime shows. Although they still only sold 2,000 cars.

Nah was laughing at this continual obsession and urgent need to interject all things EV into every single comment.

Verano equals turbo free motor. And the style is cool enough for teens I think despite being a Buick. Nice size car for a teen.

The Verano is also a good starter car while still looking “new” today. Drove a couple of those and I know it’s a reskinned Cruze but it drove so much better and it is naturally more comfortable on my back with the better seats. The Cruze seats felt a little too firm and flat for my taste but the Verano was about right. Only thing I didn’t care for was the space (in regards to width) but that is going to happen when one has driven a full size for so many years (and why current runabout is even worse in that regard lol).

Very odd it lacking ABS. Even my wife’s ‘03 GA had that. No love loss on though IMO. Her ABS would get a little flaky at times so maybe that’s a good thing here. Personally I always like this gen. of the Bonneville. Came real close to buying an ‘05 years ago but the guy sold it before I could get it. They have been harder to find because their sales tailed off hard during their last years. Oh well.

WOW ? Such a soft voice for being so young.

I like the updated look much more than the original one.

Whoaaaa

When we @ Rancho Balthy were shopping in this era, we tested out an '05 but really didn't care for it. Bought an '03 GP SE instead, and that was an excellent car overall, drove great, good power, comfortable.

I was just out in it for 45 minutes. I could really see myself living with one on a daily basis since I'm shopping in this size class anyway once I find a new job. BTW, here's a close-up of the center console and the gear selector.

They can. Google GM Duramax 6.6 turbodiesel (L5P) -- that's pushrods, 4-valves and 910 ft-lbs @ 1,600 rpm. Also, most of the Honda Civic engines in the 1990s and 2000s were SOHC 4-valve designs -- Google Honda D16/D17. Even today, the 3.5V6 in the Pilot, Odyssey and (Acura) MDX is a SOHC 4-valve design -- Google Hona J35.

Missing PHX about now? 61 right now, 45 this morning. Beautiful! If you say "No" I know you're lying!

That’s supposition, not official information.

It'll be trusty and reliable and she'll eventually hate it, but it won't die.

How ridic would it be if you need to rock your vehicle in deep snow, mud or sand to try to get unstuck? Imagine twirling that little dial back and forth as fast as your brawny wrist could twirl it, what a nightmare, especially with the lame-ass electronic delay built into it. I think it would hold its breath and turn blue. SAD.

Now we are a member of the W body club, the 3800 club, and the red instrument panel lighting club. Had to have a full brake job done just to drive it. Need to replace some bulbs and get a working fob. And a complete fumigation to get rid of the smoke or dead animal or whatever smell is going on inside. And I'm sure there will be other stuff. But i drove it back the other day for 230 mile return trip and i must say it brings back the older days of GM with the slow tractor like torque of the 3800 and smooth shifts of the 4 speed automatic. Not a speedy car but a reminder of what a good road car the older GM's are. And the ride on the grand prix is arguably better than my TourX. Shame this doesn't have ABS or side air bags.

Tidbits over at the order guide: AWD models have 8" ground clearance! 65.7" tall with roof rack. 39.4" minimum rear legroom. And GREAT news, stop/start has an override button. 1.2t has 137 hp @ 5000 RPM and 162 ft/lbs torque at 2500 RPM. 1.3t has 155 hp @ 5600 RPM and 174 ft/lbs torque at only 1500 RPM. The FWD model can be ordered with a Performance Package which includes the 1.3t engine and drive modes with the CVT. 4 wheel antilock disc brakes on all models. 25.3 cu ft of space with the backseat in place. This thing has a LOT of stuff on it!

It isn't about cannibalizing sales. It was about saving money. https://www.motortrend.com/news/new-cadillac-escalade-ct5-v-no-blackwing-v8/ It's amazing how far those two companies have come(Hyundai/Kia). It says a lot coming from somebody who drives as many things as you do.

Interesting read on the current state of the global economy. http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmauldin/2019/12/03/we-are-on-the-brink-of-the-second-great-depression/ We Could Be Nearing The Second Great Depression - Forbes