ocnblu

So, you and your buddies are running the great Bob Lutz out of town, only to replace his promising vision with your own dull, gray, tiny, FWD bitter pill. I am not impressed, Borger.

It turned out nice, I'll try to post a pic or two. We've got nasty weather here. Thanks for the kind words, guys.

Based on what we know so far... Carl-Peter Forster and those who resist Bob Lutz.

Great, I got "edited". :AH-HA_wink:

Got my truck back today! :dancing banana hammock: It feels so weird, after driving a crappy (but handy) '07 Taurus for all these weeks. But I'll get used to it.

My stance is, customers will demand better fuel efficiency on their own. We do not need CAFE. Technology like diesel, and renewable fuels are the real answer... NOT picking an arbitrary average fuel economy mandate.

Dude, that's gross, showing that to your mother, of all people. Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible. Volkswagen Eos. My two nominations.

spark

Agreed, turbo.

...could be... :AH-HA_wink:

I just feel a heart-stopping chill coming and I am dreading it.

I've testified here about my dichotomy when it comes to vehicles... a small, fun car or minitruck sounds appealing to me now as ever... but all of these events occurring... Lutz' lessening influence, head of GME, Mr. Forster possibly in place to replace him, and the elephant in the room... CAFE, all come together in a perfect storm of uncertainty and concern that lead me to believe our vehicle CHOICES will be severely limited. I bought and love my GMC Sierra, and I support the right of every American to drive what they want and can afford. I agree with everyone here who says a "moonlanding" national effort needs to be brought forth to bring to market a renewable source of internal combustion engine fuel... like ethanol in its many forms... instead of these communist, 35 mpg CAFE standards, which will only make people hold onto their more affordable, less fuel-efficient, more comfortable, and reasonably-sized current vehicles. Less dependence on foreign oil does not HAVE to mean driving a tiny, cramped car if we put our minds to it and defeat these new fuel economy standards.

It would sure as hell appeal to me, even with a turbo DI Ecotec... but that's assuming Pontiac and Buick are even around by the time Alpha's home continent is decided. I am not optimistic right now, and I feel a major shoe is about to drop regarding GM.

K.C., that is disgusting. You did the right thing, of course, by asking them to leave your home that you worked to pay for.

I like the Avenger, with a spruced-up interior I'll like it even more.

Our beloved Bob Lutz looks to be replaced upon his retirement ("assisted", or otherwise) by Carl-Peter Forster, head of GM Europe. What does Mr. Forster know about the GMNA market? Will he attempt to turn GMNA into Opel? Will Pontiac and Buick survive? What has Saturn been able to do with all the money GM has invested in them?

That's all another FWD Impala will ever be... another fleet queen. I wish for something more.

Malibu is too narrow and too cramped to be a true flagship. It is fine as a midsize car, but Chevrolet needs a bigger sedan. Chevrolet is a workhorse brand, always has been. A RWD large sedan is needed at Chevrolet as a service vehicle and a retail vehicle.

Ripken

66, is that a direct quote? You could have had that guy's job over that a-hole comment.

"Throw-away", meaning no chance of making the kind of emotional connection with the owner that has kept Impalas from the 60's, 70's and 90's alive and vibrant in so many people's hearts. I will wager that nobody will ever collect, or covet, a W-body Impala. They are just too soulless to warrant lasting love, and in that, they match Toyota and Honda.

I am wondering the same thing moltar is... where in the heck is the OP coming up with these "new" figures on old cars? I didn't know there was a strict formula for the "new" numbers v. the "old" when the EPA does their calculating. The "loss" in mpg varies by vehicle, as far as I can tell, there is no strict "percentage".

Who is this enzl person, and where does he get his information regarding the HHR's "mediocre" status in a changing market turning away from large SUVs but still yearning for a vehicle with a modicum of utility? If any product in this class is "mediocre" (at best) it is the Dodge Caliber, or even the gutless Vibe.

This article is where I got my info from for my gloomy post in the NG LaCrosse thread. The Great Bob Lutz, it seems, has been overruled as GM product czar by some other forces within the company. And it is a sad day. I see no reason why a modern RWD Impala cannot be offered with a wide range of powertrain options... 3.6L DI, hybrid, diesel, and AFM gas V8s. Heck, a clean, torque-rich diesel engine could sell itself if the price isn't outragous. This whole thing stinks. I have a sneaking suspicion Mr. Lutz' product planning power is being usurped and I don't like it... because he's a genuine car guy, the type of guy who has been missing from GM since their heyday in the 60's and 70's. If Bob Lutz loses, everyone who cares about GM's renewed success loses a bit, as well. CAFE has already sent a chill through the industry, and compliance is still 12 years away. The auto enthusiast is being told to sit down and shut up, and take our minicar medicine... for the Congress knows what we should be driving better than we do. I'd like to see a list of all vehicles owned by every congressperson and senator, just to see how hypocritical they are.

Nice truck. It'd be cool if the side steps were silver with black upper pads.