turbo200

copper? no that wasn't the one I saw, copper like a burnt orange right? the one I saw was a dark blue color...cool though two sightings in one day in hollywood

Driving on Santa Monica blvd today there was a Murcielago making some mean noises directly behind me. My attention was being swayed by another harlot, a customized Solstice, well a Solstice with a sweet set of wheels. Looked terrific driving through traffic, and if it already has wheels on it here, then it's pretty much already a hit.

:lol: I don't think Wal-mart sells products that have as cheap a feel or as bad of color combinations as the Malibu. Those cutlines around the grille on the SE are nasty, and I don't think that I'll be warming up to that front end anytime soon, who knows. But the titanium/alluminum dash is exquisite, you see GM? That's how you spend good money. That's how you design modernistically, intriguingly, with a flair for innovation and with attention to details and quality. IDIOTS. Get it right, or don't try anymore.

I have no inside angle on this issue, but is it possible that design work could continue on these cars, while platform issues are being sorted out? HH is reporting NG Malibu and G6 have been cancelled....on Epsilon 1. Thegriffon has stated many times not to get worried over this, it's all just consolidation, in more or less words. Obviously Malibu and G6 have been moved to the global platform that will underpin Vectra. Since these platforms were an evolution of each other, AND thegriffon already stated [or perhaps another insider] that what was shown to analysts in the design preview would still be coming out, albeit with some changes now. So design work could still be continuing on these. What worries me is Aura has been scaled back. I don't understand that, but I hope it only means we were originally going to get a wagon or more derivatives and now it's been scaled back. I don't know, but whatever it is doesn't sound good. I consider HH a good source on these issues. And let me be the first to say C&G wouldn't be nearly what it is without the wealth of information provided by good insiders.

No, HH was always talking about Epsilon 1. NG Malibu and NG G6 were to continue on Epsilon 1, most likely with extensive revisions to the platform, in fact Malibu was supposed to grow in width and length, significantly. Now it seems GM has decided to focus on a worldwide version of EP II. Go back and reread his posts, there is no mention of GM cancelling EPII. Again, this may all look bleak, but for now all we know is the next generations of G6 and Malibu that were supposed to be on Epsilon I have been cancelled, and most likely are being placed on the fast track on Epsilon II. We also know GMX002 [Ion] have been delayed as well and will most likely be full on Astra now, instead of Delta based. We all need to relax a little before we explode.

that's why you are wrong. they are not aspirational because no one aspires to own them, because they are not usually stylish, don't have the best perceived quality, and offer less [generally] than the competition. think of any competitors and envision the levels of technology they offer, then think of the merits of those cars, and then compare them to GM. The merits of the competitors will almost always come out on top [except in the case of the C6 and a CTSV].

What were the "sound marketing principles" and how were they related to your plan? I'd just like it if you were a lot less vague sometimes and gave us something concrete on how your ideas made an impact. As for your plan, there's no plan for getting market share in areas where GM is really hurting. How do you plan to tackle that? Do you just hope to sell to more employees? How will this plan appeal to the coasts?

did i say that, i think you took my comment one step too far buddy

CA still sees sales of GM's most popular models. Cobalt, Impala, Cadillacs, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, are all very popular here. You could say the most desirable vehicles sell because people know the market better here. MI is not just domestic-slanter, imports are fairly non-existant. Taking a look at other markets aside from MI was my point, and the fact that in Flint 8 or 9 of buickman's sales go to employees. Ask him yourself, he gave that statistic himself once at CZ28.

being sick......I am very sick today again, and I have this great party to go to tonight....damn..i'm gonna get better and RWD haters!

put them next to each other and people will automatically see the difference. the general public's eye need to get adjusted to a new design by seeing many copies on the road, then they decide if they like it. Actually, this works for enthusiasts too.

that doesn't sound good

If this is the case, then fine by me, more commonality saves money, then all the better. BUT, similar to how the trucks have been fast-tracked, sedans need to be fast-tracked. It's very good to hear it won't be canceled, instead probably just moved to another platform. Malibu is a lameduck already though, so fast-tracking the successor so it can be at least on the same schedule as the 286 is much better. GM needs all the new cars it can churn out.

Cancelling or delaying high volume sedans is not a good business practice. Yet again, GM appears to be placing all thier eggs in one basket. What about the 800k plus buyers who buy a Camry and Accord? Is there no hope within GM to someday crack the formula and produce something that startles the public into acceptance? Aura and Malibu were going to be a one-two punch in the mid-size arena. Now it seems GM has other plans. Just as much as I believe RWD is a necessity, I beleieve FWD sedans are a necessity, and this is one of the most hotly contested arenas in automobiledom. The Azera has even been more well received than the Malibu and G6. It's a shame. One of the most important categories and it looked like GM would have some world class products. Now, the beancounters are getting to it and figuring they need to concentrate on somehting else. Can't GM be well rounded for once?

G6 GTP or Maxx SS

wow, nice sig Northie.

not through marketing. there are already plenty of ads going for the lacrosse, impala, cobalt, hhr, etc. The best advertisement is word of mouth, the rolling advertisement. HHR became a hit because people liked the design. Now Red Tag will kill the resale, and that IS a problem with marketing, but we've already discussed why that was brought in. STS and CTS were rolling advertisements of Cadillac's style renaissance. Seems GM's only breakout hits of the past few years have been cars that were styled right, Escalade, anyone?

That gives nothing concrete about the level of engineering that went in to all three cars. You are yet again displaying your dealer salesman sense; comparing features hasn't made sense to me since all cars started having all features. The way real people compare a car they are going to live with for an undisclosed amount of time is drive them.

If GM has canceled the Malibu that everyone left and right has been gushing over, they're F*in stupid.

they switched out the entire front clip, except the hood is still 240sx spec with a slight bump in there for clearance. Looks good to me, though the 240sx is beautiful in it's own right, and the Z has a classic shape to its own.

I hope it doesn't have fender sweeps, or a face similar to the Cross Country. that was good for the maxx, not for the camaro

Here's my opinion, and the basis of my argument: This has a LOT more going for it then this I was never talking about quality. If I referred to materials, since I have not sat in either of them, I referenced the quality of materials I have found in Toyotas, which have been nothing but superb (except a 1999 Rav4, to be expected). I agree that the Lucerne is traditionally styled. The upper portion of the dash is wonderful. The center stack and where the center stack meets the console is where GM lost its creative spark. Little details like the gearshift lever that looks unfinsihed, especially compared to the Avalon, the steering wheel's bland design, the complete absense of any titanium/alluminum materials. It all adds up to the impression that this GM isn't really trying to attract the nit-pickers like me. It's not just that I am a nit-picker, but I have opened my eyes to what is out there, and I feel the only way to win back highly discerning customers like me is to really wow them. No bashing, I like the Lucerne overall, and I think it's a nice competitive car. BUT I have no blinders and am tring to be as impartial as possible--to both cars. The mechanical quality of the Lucerne I'm sure will be fine, but performance-wise it does give up to a little to the Avalon. Just a little. very little. efficiency-wise. Pros Lucerne: Northstar engine-smooth and powerful great ride and handling nice quality all around stylish exterior, but very derivative Buick quality (think about this one, how many people respond to toyota quality over Buick quality) Cons old platform--large exterior bulk, interior inefficiency [big problem in my book] Design lacking the umph to really attract masses interior design not completely up to par Pros Avalon smooth, powerful, and efficient engine great ride and handling good quality all around stylish interior design, where I spend most of my time Toyota reputation Cons unattractive wrapper, where I spend most of my time being looked at, and what I like to obsess over---the lines outside and in not totally motivated suspension So you can see, the cons of the Lucerne are not that great, and would most likely not be enough to deter me if I really wanted it. BUT, GM did not go the extra mile, and Toyota did.

congrats on your purchase. it'll be an awesome car. sounds like you got a pretty sweet deal, AND a sunroof, cool!

:CG_all:

happy to have you here :AH-HA_wink: and your post was nice