FUTURE_OF_GM

See, the current Aura looks fantastic because it does what the G6 attempts to do so well. It uses curvacious (For a sedan) design to COMPLEMENT hard edges. This just looks like a typical asian blob. It seems that the american designs are getting more edges while the euro designs are getting more curves, which is in sharp (no pun intended) contrast to what was happening a few years ago. I hope I'm wrong about it.

THIS Might be the G8's saving grace in my eyes... Come new car time, it'll be either a Camaro Z28 or G8 GXP in the driveway. The question is; which one?

But surely they're (the strategy board) not that blind... I still think something else is up with the sport wagon. I'm not sure what, but I don't think it was nixed just because "other wagons don't sell" Uncle Bob is just good at politics.

I agree and disagree... I mean, I don't trust or like the government but that's beside the point in my mind. (I mean, after all, who am I and why the hell would they care; right?) Guns worry me, especially with the new 'gangsta/no tolerance' culture really taking hold of the youth here in america. But I don't think the solution is making people give up their guns because then only the criminals will have guns. I think the solution is better economic conditions, more opportunity, more 'class' in our pop culture/media and better education on all fronts. I'd also like to see the thumbprint technology incorporated in guns as fast as possible. For those of you who watch the History Channel or have seen "Shoot 'em up" you know what I'm talking about.

My uncle got arrested for drunk and disorderly one time when he was riding a bicycle home from a bar. He spent the night in jail to "sober up" He was very young (in his 20's) LOL. For some reason he no longer drinks.

Probably my favorite: Scrubs. A few others: Futurama (CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEW ONES!) Metalocolypse and Kyle XY BTW; has anyone watched the show "My Redneck Wedding" on CMT? I was flipping channels the other day and saw this train wreck and just couldn't look away. Seriously... If anyone wants to see some "interesting" people, check it out.

I agree... I think Rick and Bob have showed us that they know how to lead the empire back to the front and I think they will continue to do that with a combination of great products. COMMENTS: 1) Wildcat has the best posts in this thread so far IMO... Spot on! 2) If GM does so much as phase out 1 more division, I will abandon the corporation for good. If this were 2005 and GM was financially screwed, then I might be able to accept it. But as of now, there is simply NO reason that another division should be phased out. If anything, the more competitive/fragmenting market and emerging alternative fuels gives GM that many more outlets for each of it's divisions to FOCUS on. 3) Likewise, if GM doesn't offer me a RWD V8 car, I will probably take my business elsewhere. There is no reason that V8's can't be offered in the face of CAFE. GM just won't be able to offer them in every car and truck they make. But seriously, does a FWD Impala really need a mass production V8? Does an H3 or Colorado or Canyon really need a V8, if a V6 that is just as powerful becomes available? However, do Cadillacs and sports cars need V8s? ABSOLUTELY! Does Pontiac need at least one model with a V8? You bet your ass it does. 4) Alternative fuels will make internal combustion viable for a VERY long time if not indefinitely. Hydrogen is the key to this. I'd rather die than drive an electric car... A hybrid I can handle, but I don't need a golf cart. 5) PCS shouldn't be banned because he hasn't given us a reason to ban him. However, it would be nice if he would stop casting gloom and doom all over the board. Things were finally looking up for GM again and now he comes around and takes a sh*t on everything. It's just not cool, but at the same time, I don't think he realizes what kind of effect he has on the people here. I never realized how negative I made the place back in the not to distant past until I stepped back and took a look. 6) GM, you will be getting my first new car purchase in the form of a Camaro, G8 ST or G8. Yes, initially I did not like the G8, but I'm willing to give it a second chance if it means the very survival of Pontiac. However, if you go the route of GME, you'll not see another purchase from me for a long time.

Exactly! I agree 100% and i think it's a great idea. Heck, maybe it's a smoother piece than the 2.2 to begin with.

I didn't really like the design of the G8 interior from the pics (Actually, I didn't really like the whole car) I'm just hoping for the best. :shrugs: And I agree that there should be no excuses for a cheap G8 interior, but I think it'll do okay as long as it isn't complete trash. After all, look at what the Astra has to offer and it seems to be doing fine.

Maybe the better product that's already in the showrooms will help remedy this.. I think the reason Pontiac dealers were gouging is because they were starving for something to sell. Now that they have the Solstice well established, a decent G6, a new Vibe, a white hot and profit crusted Enclave, quick selling Acadia and the hybrid/non hybrid 900s, things will be a bit better balanced.

But I thought both were going to go? Alpha can contribute to GM CAFE numbers, Zeta is so limited that it wouldn't matter anyway. Now that GME doesn't want Alpha, maybe it increases Pontiac's chances of getting a seat on the platform.

WMJ FTW!!!

The reason I own a gun is simple... People have been getting robbed and shot around my school, so I figure I'll not be a victim. Especially since I average leaving studio at 2-3 in the morning a lot of times. And my hometown is overrun with drugs and violence now ('wannabe' gangstas and their 'gang wars') so I figure I'll not be a victim. As far as the rural Republican thing. I'm a country boy at heart and an independent/moderate by nature that currently lives in the main arts district of (5 mins outside of) one of the largest and fastest growing cities in America. It's hardly my political affiliation or upbringing that inspires my gun ownership. (Not to mention I'm a huge dude, so if someone is going to fight me, they're going to probably pull some sort of weapon)

That is the coolest thing I've seen in a while! I've always loved the Futurliners!

I've been here for 7 years now I think? I was one of the first 10 members. (I can't remember what number though)

I usually play the machines around here or go to the reservation. Can't win much on the reservation since the big dogs moved in ((Harrahs) But I know people around town with machines who are willing to pay out whatever I win... F*ck Uncle Sam, that's what I say I'd love to go to Vegas some day!

Wow.. You'd think I might know something about this since according to some members here the resident "ignorant redneck" It's news to me

And this is the weak spot that Toyota will capitalize on. They'll come in with their massive hoards of cash and undercut the price of the Volt significantly. They'll market it as "The affordable electric car. Toyota: Moving EVERYONE forward."

I agree... Before the Malibu hit the lots, all we heard on this board was "cheap interior" this and "subpar" that. So far, it seems to have faired pretty well in the press and the eyes of the public. I think the major issue is that the enthusiasts here continue to compare Pontiac and Chevrolet interiors to Cadillac and Buick interiors. The price point of a Pontiac just doesn't give it the $$$ required for a 'premium GM interior treatment' The media seemed to like the show car and I think it'll do fine in the market.

So CPF intends to fight the new legislation with crappy, small FWD cars... Just as GME starts to show some promise, they go and regress to the mid 90's again. Of course, the regulations f*ck every car enthusiast over and I feel doubly sorry for Europeans now. Hopefully the US isn't dumb enough to start anything like this. I'm sure the industry as a whole is going to regress on performance in the near term. Oh well, that's fine. Holden, the middle east and GMNA can have all the RWD fun. GME can rot in it's own mess while the REAL premium automakers (BMW, VW, MB, etc.) charge ahead to meet the regulations with actual solutions. Apparently the "greenies" are now winning the war against car enthusiasts on 2 continents now.

I agree 100% I'm sure it'll sell to enthusiasts initially, but it needs more than that to stay afloat. Hopefully GM cn successfully market and promote the vehicle as a true truck alternative. The promotion for some of the new vehicles is pretty good, but this is GM that we're talking about so I have my doubts.

As far as insurance, you can go the classic car insurance route. But there are a few stipulations. 1) The car has to be in a locking garage 2) You have to provide proof that said car is not your daily transportation. 3) SOME companies require that you are 21 and older. 4) The car has to be insured for an agreed upon value, which means you have to pay to get the car appraised. 5) SOME companies have mileage limits. I will probably go this route sometime this year. When I priced it a few years ago, I could insure each of my cars for $15,000 a piece and the premium was only $111 each year. Not a bad deal considering that was "no questions asked" which means if the car is totaled in any way, they mail you a check for the agreed upon value. So, if for instance, one of my cars burns to the ground, I would get a check for $15,000. (Man, I hope that never happens.)

My personal opinion: Be very careful about this. I went far beyond my means to get and retore both of my Camaros right out of high school and it really slowed the advancement of my education. I'm 25 and still in college largely because of my preference to spend my money on classic cars as opposed to a full class load. So just be careful! I'm not telling you to put off your purchase because I wouldn't change a thing, I love my cars too much. But you have to find a balance and be sure to have your priorities in order. Chances are, you'll never be finished with the project because there is always something that you want to add to the car. The restoration of my '73 has been 10 years long now (I am able to drive it though) How are you going to come up with the money? (If you don't mind me asking) If you have it in savings, then that's cool but if you're going to have to finance, that's not so cool because you'll have to take out a personal loan (Which means interest = rape) which is what I did to buy my '68. Now, with all of the responsibility out of the way, if I were you I'd go with the Firebird. That's because the car is more rare and will become even more valuable if GM ever does phase out Pontiac. (god forbid) Then again, I'm pretty biased as I've ALWAYS wanted a first gen Firebird. They convey a certain machoism that the first gen Camaros just can't. $4500 appears to be a pretty good deal by the pictures of the cars. they both seem to be pretty solid and it's an especially good deal if they run. Funny thing is, I can remember when $4500 would get you a car that was much further along in restoration; my, how times have changed. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding parts for either of the cars and last time I checked parts are pretty cheap (Compared to my second gen, parts or my first gen are cheap) Not to mention the cars are VERY simplistic and easy to restore. Floor pans are about $70.00 per side from where I source my parts (National Parts Depot) www.npdlink.com I recently had new front pans put in my '73 and it cost me about $300 in labor. Of course, I've done all of my resto work with this body shop and I know them on a personal level, so he might've given me a pretty good deal. Unless you do your own work, I'd advise you to find a good mechanic and body shop and stick with them. I do some of my own work, but not a lot simply because I don't have the shop to do it in. (My garage is so small that it can only be used or storage mostly. I actually live about 7 miles from the National Parts Depot distribution center here in NC, so if you ever make a parts trip let me know. But I think Camaro Specialty is headquartered in Kentucky so you might be better off ordering from them. I will tell you this; normally it's cheaper to make a trip to the parts place and buy a lot of stuff at once as opposed to ordering stuff piece by piece and paying shipping. I personally wouldn't deal with Maaco. I think it's better to find a mom 'n pops place where the guy will sweat the details a bit more than a chain. I'll look for Camaro Specialty's website. The best 'big' parts sources are probably NPD or YearOne though. YearOne has a lot of NOS and concours parts if you want to go the $$$ route.