Intrepidation

That's because the Torrent is so boring no one wants to talk about it for an extended period of time.

While I can live with hard plastic, especially with an attractive interior design and a car that looks that good, would it have killed GM to go the extra mile and put some soft surfaces on there? Ford did it with the new Mustang, and Dodge did it with the Challenger. Again, I personally won't mind it, it just sucks to see that 9/10ths mentality still alive at GM.

This car has such nice lines and detailing. Thanks for posting!

Oh man, I wanna go visit. I voted 5.

Well then, I'll just have to start a thread about whatever posters then. In the meantime.

Yep, or when you have a turd that feels like the size of a shampoo bottle forced out.

In Satty's honor, I hereby bring this thread back from the grave.

As long as $800 doesn't include the monitor. Also you may spend more than that for Quad Core. The $800 rig I built was an AMD Dual Core. I'll looka round and get back to you.

Judging by the looks of this prototype, plans for a GMC version of General Motors' updated Theta platform are almost ready for prime-time. Essentially the replacement for the Pontiac Torrent, this cladded-up GMC Terrain prototype reveals a masculine, blocky exterior with good differentiation between it and the forthcoming Chevrolet Equinox successor. A large, quadrangular shield grille stands proud while the blocky bumperette-style outcroppings in the corners give the crossover a bluff looking front end in a bid to reinforce GMC's image as a truck brand. In profile, the crossover has strong, squared-off wheel arches and flares that alleviate its otherwise slab sides, and the rear tailgate area cribs its cues from the SUV playbook, including an upright rear window, matte lower cladding and large, high-set taillamps. Like its platform-mate from Chevrolet, we expect to see the Terrain debut with a 2.4-liter Ecotec direct-injection four-cylinder (good for 182 horsepower and an EPA-pending fuel economy rating of 21 city miles-per-gallon city and 30 on the highway ), as well as a 3.0-liter direct-injection six-cylinder good for 255 hp and estimated 18/25 mpg. Our spies at KGP Photography note that the Chicago Auto Show has been a common unveiling point for GMC in the past, and judging by the finished look of this tester, a rollout in The City of Big Shoulders seems quite likely. Source: Autoblog

As far as #2 goes that's pointless, the far hotter Camaro is coming out this year.

Budgets?

GM confirms 9-3X, Next 9-5 for 2009 GM has confirmed that the Saab 9-3X and redesigned 9-5 are still set to debut for 2009. Follow the jump for full details and press release. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27830

Over the last six months, the fate of Saab has become even more of a question than it has been for the last several years. General Motors put the marque up for strategic review last Fall and it was not listed among the company's core brands when it submitted its viability plan to the U.S. Congress in December. With many of its new model introductions being delayed this year, one has to wonder if Saab will just slowly slide off into oblivion. Given the seeming absence of anyone willing to step up and buy the Swedish automaker, that may yet happen. Before that time, though, Saab dealers in Europe will get at least two additions to their product lineup. The 9-3X and the recently spied 9-5 are listed among new European introductions confirmed for 2009 in a new company press release. That news nugget came buried in a missive about The General's global sales for 2008. As far as we know, the 9-3X is basically a higher riding version of the 9-3 wagon, à la Subaru Outback. It will probably use a variant of the Haldex XWD system seen on the Turbo-X. The 9-5, of course, is an Epsilon II based replacement for the long-lived Saab flagship of the same name. No mention was made of the 9-4X crossover that shares its platform with the new Cadillac SRX. That vehicle has likely been delayed until at least 2010, if it hasn't been canceled altogether. Check out the press release after the jump. [source: General Motors] PRESS RELEASE: GM Announces 2008 Global Sales of 8.35 Million Vehicles • GM Asia Pacific sales volume grows 3 percent; Chevrolet sales in China grows 16 percent to nearly 200,000 vehicles; 1.09M vehicles sold in China sets record with 6 percent volume growth • Third consecutive year of more than 2 million vehicles sold in Europe; Chevrolet sales breakthrough 500,000 mark with record share; Opel sets sales record in Central and Eastern Europe with volume up 13 percent • GM beats the industry with more than 1.27 million total vehicle sales in Latin America, Africa and Middle East Region led by top-selling Chevrolet Corsa, Celta and Aveo • GM continues emerging markets leadership with 2008 market share growth in 14 of 26 markets DETROIT – Record-setting sales performance in GM's Latin America, Africa and Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, and a third consecutive 2 million vehicles sales performance in Europe during 2008, helped General Motors sell more than 8.35 million vehicles globally last year. GM's nearly 3 percent growth in both the Asia Pacific and Latin America, Africa and Middle East regions partially offset North America sales that declined 21 percent, and growing pressure in Europe that resulted in 7 percent fewer sales. Compared with 2007, GM's total sales were down 11 percent, reflecting continuing global economic pressures that include tightening credit, falling commodities prices and lack of GDP growth. In 2008, GM sold 5.37 million vehicles outside the U.S., accounting for 64 percent of total global sales volume compared with 59 percent a year ago. In the fourth quarter of 2008, GM sales of 1.70 million vehicles were down 26 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago. Most of that decline was reflected in 379,000 fewer vehicles sold in North America as the market yielded to a crushing lack of consumer confidence, and tightened credit requirements, in the United States. MORE GM Continues Growth in Emerging Markets "GM's 2008 sales performance shows that we are continuing to take advantage of new emerging market opportunities and are meeting customer needs with fuel-efficient products that offer compelling design and great value – such as the award-winning Opel/Vauxhall Insignia in Europe, the Buick Excelle in China and the Corsa in Latin America," Jonathan Browning, vice president, global sales, service and marketing, said today. "We saw sales volume increases in the key four emerging markets of Brazil (up 10 percent), Russia (up 30 percent), India (up 9 percent), and China (up 6 percent)." "The challenges in the global financial markets, including credit tightening, the drop in commodity prices, and economic uncertainty continue to negatively impact overall demand for new vehicles," Browning added. "For the total global industry, we saw about 3.5 million fewer vehicles sold in 2008 than the previous year." With these market challenges comes significant opportunity and GM is well-positioned with new products either on showroom floors or on the way in the near future. Chevrolet sales in Asia Pacific grew --14 percent in 2008 compared with a year ago. Chevrolet sales in China (up 16 percent) and India (up 9 percent) powered much of this growth. The Wuling brand continued strong growth in China with sales up 17 percent in 2008 compared with a year ago. The Buick channel is very strong in China with the all-new Regal and soon-to-be-launched LaCrosse. The Chevrolet Cruze and Cadillac SRX also will play important roles in taking advantage of China growth in the months and years ahead. In the Latin America, Africa and Middle East region – a traditional Chevrolet stronghold – 2008 sales grew 3 percent compared with 2007. Chevrolet accounted for nearly 90 percent of GM's sales in the region and Brazil remains the second-largest volume market for Chevrolet. Also, GMC, Cadillac and Saab showed impressive annual percentage increases in their sales volume – up 24, 22 and 16 percent, respectively, compared with a year ago. GM sales in the LAAM region beat the expected industry performance, with more than 1.27 million vehicles sold. MORE A large, relatively young population with a low car-per-capita ratio, hold promise for the market in years to come. Several new Chevrolet product launches are on tap for 2009 including the Cruze, Malibu, Traverse and Camaro. Chevrolet sales in Europe also contributed to the brand's solid 2008 results, growing 11 percent and breaking though the 500,000 vehicle mark for the first time. Chevrolet is also performing strongly in emerging markets. It remains the top-selling import brand in Russia. In addition, Opel sales in Russia increased by 49 percent, while Saab increased 68 percent in 2008 compared with a year ago. The Opel Insignia won the prestigious European Car of the Year Award – a first for Opel in 22 years and a strong statement about GM's global midsize vehicle architecture. Important launches for GM this year in the region include the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer and Astra; Chevrolet Cruze; and the new Saab 9-3X and 9-5. A highlight of GM's North America regional performance was the all-new Chevrolet Malibu sedan that achieved the highest percentage gain in annual sales volume (39 percent) of any of the top-20 selling vehicles in the United States. While GM's total North America vehicle sales volume in 2008 declined 21 percent, there were a number of bright future product opportunities highlighted at the North America International Auto Show in Detroit this month. They included the new Chevrolet Camaro and second-generation Equinox; the second-generation Cadillac SRX and all-new CTS sport wagon; and the Buick LaCrosse. Sales of Cadillac outside of the United States were supported by strong growth of the brand in Latin America, Africa and Middle East (up 22 percent). Note: Global sales results are based on preliminary numbers reported and have been rounded. MORE General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world's largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 252,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, 8.35 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com. Note: GM sales and production results are available on GM Media OnLine at http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en by clicking on News, then Sales/Production. In this press release and related comments by General Motors management, we use words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "objective," "plan," "goal" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, representing our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to comply with the requirements of our credit agreement with the U.S. Department of Treasury; the availability of funding for future loans under that credit agreement; our ability to execute the restructuring plans that we have disclosed, our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt; and changes in general economic conditions, market acceptance of our products; shortages of and price increases for fuel; significant changes in the competitive environment and the effect of competition on our markets, including on our pricing policies. GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on Form 10-Q or 8-K. Source: Autoblog

Ed Peper: Chevrolet to gain market share in 2009 Ed Peper, VP at Chevrolet, predicts that the brand will gain market share in 2009. He sites the fact that despite the horrible year, the Bowtie brand's market share was up six tenths of a point in 2008. He also sites that the updated Equinox will help the Malibu lead the sales gains. Don't forget about the Camaro Ed! Follwo the jump to read the full story. http://www.cheersandgears.com/index.php?showtopic=27828

Here we are, not yet through the first month of the new year, and Ed Peper, vice president at Chevrolet, is already predicting that the Bowtie brand will increase market share in 2009. What evidence does he submit to arrive at this early conclusion? Last year, Chevy managed to post an increase of six-tenths of a point in retail share in 2008, despite the horrible market conditions late in the year, with the Malibu leading the charge by increasing sales by nearly 40% over the previous generation. The latest Malibu is certainly a good place to start, and Peper believes that the updated Equinox crossover will make similar inroads in the market. Peper also points to wins by the Malibu and Silverado in recent J.D. Power Initial Quality studies as proof that the brand's products are improving and are comparable to their import competition. These wins are a good place to start, and Peper says the brand will continue to heavily market its best products, but we maintain that it's a bit early to be tooting one's horn with only a half of one month's sales in the books. Source: Autoblog

Hypocrisy.

That's because a sizeable chunk of the US public are idiots. And please, you calling me bias?

Happy birthday Cap`n sNOSage!

Yeah, your computer is pretty much outdated the moment you buy it. It's a vicous cycle. However the more you spend and the beter the parts, the longer it stays near the top. Also you can be stregic about what you buy, so it can be easy to upgrade later. Some other things to consider. I'm an AMD person, and for Dual Core I would go AMD. However if you go Quad Core I would go with Intel, because last I checked their current lineup of quads were better than AMD's, but even more important is that Intel Quad Core CPUs seem to have better motherboard support. AMD's seem mixed. This could have changed since the last time I went "window" shopping though.

Also a budget would be helpful too.

I fixed the title.

No kidding, I've got at least four Chuck Norris related texts from you lately. Admit it, you secretly long to be his lover.

Well dude, Chrysler NEEDS small cars to sell in the states because when prices go back up, which you can bet your ass they will, that's what people will buy again. Chrysler needs a balanced lineup, to get that it needs a small car or two slotted below the Caliber. It also needs more dealers in Europe. Fiat can give it that. That will help Chrysler stay alive and continue to offer us RWD cars, and the next gen RWD large cars. So just look at it that way. :wink:

Toast

Meh, it's not very clever name wise. Which is disappointing coming from you. I think Poop Joke Central is better.