gm4life

This is wonderful! I am so glad a few lucky owners will be able to drive one! Why GM won't release these to the public is beyond me, it would make 10,000 maybe 20,000 happy customers a year! I am sure this will end all chances of a consumer like me being able to get my hands on one new in the future. It will have to be pre-owned, but pre-owned could mean 10 miles on the clock too. I figured there would be a loop hole in all of this and a smart dealer has found it!

I have something brewing Camino but might not get to it for a while. I have been rather busy as of late.

Could you please get a few more photos of the interior and exterior of the truck Oldsmoboi? I just love looking at this beast! Anyways just look at the window sticker... It is certainly pricey but you get a TON of truck!

I do have a few questions... How is riding/driving it? How did it perform in tight areas (parking lot) and on the back roads? Did it feel as feel like a big truck? Also if you get a chance how did the bed handle a load? I am already enjoying the photos, and might like one of these for myself but with a 6.0L.

Better looking than the first five door concept. I like this thing. If it would sell and they can build a business case for it, I would love to see them on the road. A 2.0L Turbo would make it nice to drive as well.

Your sig... It tells me something good is about to happen... Whatever good that might be I can't wait to see it.

2011 Ford Taurus SEL FWD (Rapid Spec 401A) The Story... Last Saturday I spent the day in a family members 2011 Ford Taurus SEL FWD Rapid Spec 401A with the 3.5L Duratec 35 V6 and six speed select shift automatic. This Taurus listed for $28,895.00 and was painted in Kona Blue Metallic with 18 inch alloy wheels, along with a long list of great features, that I will talk more about next. The Features & Interior... As an American car fan, but one who prefers GM some of things I have to say are hard for me to accept but I must. The Taurus SEL with the Rapid Spec 401A which adds Sync and rear parking assist is a great fullsize FWD sedan full of many neat features. Lets start with the Sync it performed like a champ, super easy to use and was a true tool especially for a road warrior! The dual zone automatic climate controls were fairly easy to use and worked great, and the multi-line radio screen display was bright and easy to understand. The center stack was full of many widgets enough to keep any pilot busy, all buttons were arranged logically and functioned well. The seats were covered in nice material and were very supportive and comfortable. The gauge cluster looked very cool and was easy to read. The shifter had a nice quality feel to it and the steering wheel as well. The materials used on the dash and the door panels were impressive for a sub 30K car and many were "soft" not the typical hard plastic used in domestic cars years ago. Over all the interior from the "flowing" center console to the sharp looking silver/gray trim with black cloth it was clearly a winner. Did I mention the huge truck and rear seat? The Drive... The 2011 Taurus SEL is clearly no CTS or CTS-V and nor should it be, but for a large fullsize FWD sedan it certainly was impressive. The car took corners with confidence, and was always pretty responsive to driver input. The 3.5L DOHC six was a joy to ring out up to the 6,500 rpm redline, and paired with manual paddle-shifters it provide a pretty good driving experience. Once again spot on for a fullsize front driver. The car launched with authority, and really moved when you would drop the hammer. At 80 mph the car is a delightful cruiser and passing was a total breeze with the big twin cam six which would rev right up and serve up 263 horses on driver command. The six speed automatic shifted crisply and never seemed to be in the wrong gear, and paddle-shifters were fun as well. If this car was scored on powertrain alone it would be an A, because it was pleasure to drive. Along with the responsive steering and sporty but not overly firm ride the SEL is a clear winner. My Final Thought... The 2011 Taurus left me impressed with what the folks at the blue oval can do. They seemed to have hit the market spot on just like Chevrolet did with the Impala back in 2000. I must say compared to the current Impala the Taurus is a far superior car. The interior features, powertrain and stlying just can't be matched by the current Impala any longer. GM needs to take the Taurus as a seriously threat and build a car even better than it, if they seriously want to win in this segment and not just on price alone. Which brings me to the best news of all GM has some great vehicles to battle with in the market place, and something to shoot for. If I was in the market for a fullsize sedan lets just say it would be on my short list. Now if asked the question would I buy one? That all depends on how much extra one would cost over an Impala. Any thoughts, ideas or comment are always welcome! Please someone tell me I am crazy liking and now preferring a Ford product! *Note the photo above is not of the actual vehicle, but looks just like it.*

This is good news. Pop this in a new "small pickup" (Colorado replacement) and you would really have something. This motor would also be great in a CTS Wagon or juat about any other GM vehicle. It would work will with Enclave/Traverse/Acadia as well.

I'd kill for the T37!

Yes I was as a matter a fact. I am from Iowa actually so it was nice to get away for a week!

Yup you are correct sir, it was head South West toward Denver from Nebraska.

I would go with a painted set in the factory color, then again I am boring. Actually I do personally like Colorado's without them. Or a set in gray to play off of the two tone look would be cool. Anyways sweet truck, and I would love some more photographs of her!

Thanks Caddy for all the info. You said with a set of smaller wheels and all season tires the Camaro is much better, so will a set 18's or 19's off an LT fit on an RS? That way they could have summer/winter set-up. She is still sold on the Camaro though, and if a winter set (wheels and all season tires from a 1LT or 2LT) would work then I think they would be fine. Also keep in mind her husband will have a new 2011 Ford Taurus SEL so they will have one "practical" car. They have looked at the LaX but they weren't sold on it, he likes the look of the Regal better. If they did not live in the midwest there next car would be a Camaro no question. Honestly they don't need something super practical like they used too. I think the back seat in the current Impala has been used about a dozen times. That really isn't the issue, being able to use it year round, and with a winter tire/wheel combo it doesn't sound like a problem.

Just the man I was hoping to hear from! I can't wait for your unique and informed perspective.

The only problem with the GS is it will priced more aboue 35K I am told and they don't want to spend more thank 30Kish.

What about all season tires? Continental has a set that of all seasons that just came out that fit the RS front and rear. I think they would pop for those. I have yet to see a set of snow tires that match and fit the Camaros 20's is the main problem. Although I think a set of 18's off of a LS or 1LT would fit right? Then you could put snow tires on those.

Oh trust me they really don't care about the price of gas. Nor have have they once complained about the 3.9's fuel economy. They say if its empty we fill it.

Anyways back to the two options... Anyone have any comments on snow or all season tires for the Camaro? Or how they drive in winter?

That will happen when pigs fly. I can't even begin to think of myself suggesting a used Benz! Also they don't want HUGE repair bills either. You are corrent they HAVE been traditional sedan buyers, but for the first time they have option to get something fun. Well her drive once out of town is VERY flat and great road. In town they have two hills one very slight (should be no problem) on there street and the other is on a main street so I am not worried.

I had mentioned that to them. Although I think the price will easily surpass 35K (in G8 GXP range) and far past the roughly 30K they want/can spend.

I hope everything works out, and the price or pain are that bad.

Well that is what I am thinking but that might mean investing in another set of rims. Blizzaks do not come in the size of the orginal wheel 20 inchers, so would a set of 18' off a 1LT or steelies off a LS fit? No she is not a total ditz, just a careful driver. Ahh Roger love having you around... Yes where is Caddy Cruiser when you need him? That is what they seem to "want" and trust me folks like these most often don't "want" a car but "need" one. They all must be hiding... Except for you and Von that is! Figuring what the price a 2.0T it puts it right in prime 2LT/RS price range, and that would push them closer to the V6 powered sports coupe. Thanks for the input and I respect your view, but the Camaro is just so much "more" than any front driver can be. (Even a great on like the Regal 2.0T.)

Hello everyone! I have been very busy with life lately so I haven't been posting as much as I would have liked to lately. Anyways I was talking to some people in my family and we got talking about what the next ride could would be. Some backgroud information... My brother and his wife will be in the market for a new car soon (before the end of this year) more than likely and have two very different options to select from. They recently became empty nesters and now have the freedom to really drive whatever they would like. My brother who is interested in cars, (not crazy like me) wants something with some serious "balls" as he would put it. That is his first thing on his list. After that the list moves onto style and function. His wife values style/luxury and is young for her age, she has exceptionally good and dare I say expensive taste. Currently in the stable they have a 2008 Chevrolet Impala LTZ in Precision Red with black leather and silver interior trim. The car has also has a sunroof and six disc CD changer. The car they handed down to there son, is currently getting long in tooth and high mileage. They will be needing it to replace it soon thus the need for a new car. They figure might as well get something new so he can take what they currently have and know it has been taken care of. The Impala currently has about 40,000 miles on her as she is driven 250-300 miles a week due to her daily drive to work. So her next car will see roughly 1,000-1,200 miles a month on average. It is a 50 mile round trip drive on four lane at 65 mph. They also have a fairly steep driveway and keep in mind they live in Iowa. In addition to the Impala my brother has a current generation Grand Caravan as his company vehicle (he travels alot and is in sales). His next company vehicle will prolly be a new Ford Tarurs SE or SEL (which I suggested to him). Keep in mind this is Iowa and we do have snow and winter to contend with, and with that in mind here is what they have narrowed it down too... (Also the car must be GM they have had great luck with GM products and maxed out there GM card!) 2011 Buick Regal CXL 2.4L 2011 Buick Regal CXL 2.0L Turbo 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT (automatic) 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS (automatic) So before I go out and push the Camaro which based on the looks alone and excellent fuel economy they are both pretty much sold on (for entirely different reasons) does a V6 Camaro RS stand a chance in the winter? Mind you if the weather is bad she doesn't go into work most times but still. Is a RWD car with summer tires and 20 inch rims a deal breaker? Anyone know how they get around in snow? Have any experince with the Zeta platform and comments on the durability and longevity of it or the 3.6L DI V6? Would they be okay on the summer tires year round, if they put some weight over the rear axle? I would just like some comments and votes, I really would love to see them in the Camaro. But do they stand a chance especially with the RS package in the winter? (They both want the RS package and called the car bumble bee when they saw it in yellow...)

Decent car, just needs a little cosmetic work. I hope he has good luck with it.

Time they have... Just not more than a year or two... Because in a year or two I hope to be crusing around in a V8 powered fullsize RWD car and if GM doesn't have one, I'll have to buy a Mopar. (If I can get a back room deal on PPV fine, but if I can't then screw it, I'll reward the company that has what I want!)