Duncan

That and the BMW 318ti, known everywhere else in the world as the Compact. Could have done with at least the 2.5L six, sure, but still a neat package.

Well-said. We'll start with what I'd call "public approval" of the ST and the Camaro. Buying those by the trainload should be a good start toward making GM realize there's more to the automotive market these days than front-drive, V6-powered, slush-o-matic boredom capsules. As soon as the production model is unveiled (sometime this year, maybe?), I'll be putting in a deposit at one of the three local Chevy stores for a black Camaro SS with a six-speed. I'm no longer even going to consider other options, and my Mazda will be very nearly paid off by then. And if GM's smart, they'll make the Camaro E85-compatible, too...hint, hint...

Ah. You've read my signature, then...

Lots of Pontiac dealers sell GMCs, right? Oh, wait. All those buyers are gonna switch to Pontiac Solstices instead. My bad, sorry.

Note that I'm not making that assertion; just explaining what the rationale behind their decision seems to be.

Those bumpers are way too small - it's gotta pass our crash tests. Although somehow the Smart ForTwo made it through, with basically the same layout...so maybe there's a chance.

40mpg is hard to fault, regardless of climate. And I've never heard of VW TDIs having any cold-start issues...

From CAR Magazine - Opel cans Calibra Mk2 In short, Lutz proposed the idea as a way to get more utilization out of the Alpha platform, but GME nixed it based on Europe's upcoming CO2 regulations. That is, a rear-drive car is naturally less efficient than a comparable front-driver, and hence produces more CO2 pollution - it's basically Europe's version of CAFE regs. Lutz also noted that the Alpha-based small Caddy would be imported to Europe regardless when it appears. The comments under the article basically seem to rag on Lutz for trying to push an "inefficient" product on Europeans - I fail to see how it's any more wasteful than the supremely overweight BMW 1-series, personally. I'm sure PCS can regale us with tales of the boardroom meetings behind this story...

Kinda like assuming that all Japanese car enthusiasts must be into the import scene...or that they're loyal by default to Japanese makes. Less of that kind of thought would probably be a good thing...

Assuming the ST is successful - and I don't think that's a difficult scenario, despite some of the weak arguments raised earlier - it'll be a fine experimental success to tell GM that they ought to bring over the Crewman as well. I can almost guarantee that on day one, lots of prospective buyers will be asking their dealers, "when can I get one with four doors?" This also helps to solve the problem of what other products GM might be able to give Oshawa.

You and I must have the same brainwaves...I love the '93 "Grand Wagoneer" with fake wood trim and all. Looks best in white or, as you mentioned, deep green. Other '90s favorites of mine include the earliest Eagle Talons and Plymouth Lasers (turbo AWD, of course), the 93-97 Mazda MX-6 (another rolling sculpture), the Mazda Millenia (severely underrated car, but also somewhat underpowered in base form), 91-94 Ford Explorer (either the basic Sport two-door in primary colors or the loaded Limited in monochrome pearl white), the 92-95 Honda Civic hatchback, and probably five or six others I can't think of.

"Whaddya mean, Buick's a hundred years old? I thought that was Oldsmobile..."

Brings up an interesting point - Dodge is apparently painting the 43rd Challenger off the line in Petty Blue, as a tribute to the King. It will be a strictly one-off color, not one that's available on any other Challenger. What other significant numbers might be used to create special collectibles? I was thinking that number 1955 - representing the first year of the Pontiac V8 - would be nice for the G8. Maybe paint it a 1950s-style two-tone red-and-white. Any other suggestions?

Why couldn't the next Cobalt just as well be the next Epica? They can build it wherever they want to keep costs down, but I don't see the point in having dueling platforms within the same nameplate around the world. Honestly, Daewoo seems to be able to design and build a decent car, but GM's got to integrate itself a little better than it seems to be doing currently. Sharing more platforms around the world (including, say, the ZETA for instance) would be step one.

If you mean Massive Cardiac Embolism, then hopefully. I don't despise the W-body outright; there have been some nice models. I always thought the original Cutlass coupes were the best-looking of the W-bunch, and you can't deny the sheer force of any of the 3800 or 3800 Supercharged versions. Then there's the turbocharged McLaren Grand Prix...that one was already rare when it was new. The problem, though, is that the vast majority of people's experiences with the W involve some combination of low-level trim, four doors, and a thrashy 3100 under the hood. Thankfully, at least they hold together forever like the A-bodies do - or maybe that's not a good thing. I'm not sure. As many have said, the W is the final vestige of the "old" GM. The Zeta was supposed to be the biggest switch for the "new" GM, but apparently we're now going to be stuck with some sort of a "transitional" GM for a while.

There is an Altima coupe now too...which means I'd still choose the Accord coupe. And hey, the Malibu beat the Camry - that's good enough to build several months of an ad campaign around.

That's a good one. I was thinking of one where you see the truck from a variety of angles, but not into the bed. Then, when the truck finally arrives at something like the Giant Sand Dunes, you finally see the tailgate open up - and a little kid rides out on a Power Wheels Hummer. The tagline: "H3T Alpha. It really hauls." :AH-HA_wink: I am also in agreement that this very capable-looking pickup ought to spur Chrysler into giving us a production Jeep Gladiator.

Just one comment: the SLR, and its massive list price, begins to look really silly in the wake of the Corvette ZR1. And believe me, it will be in the ZR1's wake...

I will concede to you that an RDX is a horrible waste of money and (apparently) a poor seller compared to much of its competition, but that has nothing to do with engineering as far as I can tell. Just value for money and, perhaps, Acura's growing invisibility in the marketplace. Except for the RL, which really should offer something with V8-like power, I don't think that engines are the issue.

You will recall, of course, that neither Honda nor Mazda have much experience yet with large-displacement turbo fours. Note the judicious and crucial use of that tiny word, "yet". I expect generation 2 (or even 1.5) of either of these engines will begin to see improvements in mileage, along with ever-improving transmission technology. For now, though, they're focusing on performance, which is what these engines are designed for. Finally, keep in mind that the last prominent turbo fours built by Ford date to 1987 - so I'd expect them to have some catching up to do, too.

Well, no one said it was actually a very good copy. Also, is this their subtle way of admitting that the new Highlander is boring as hell?

Well, since I don't expect to see the G8 ST at my local-ish Denver Auto Show, I'll just have to be content to wait until these slick little haulers show up at the local dealer. In any case, I'd wait to see if the GMC front clip (from the forthcoming Crewman) could be grafted on. That, along with some old-school Sprint SP badges, and I'd be set.

Or maybe a Firebird? If we got a new Firebird, that would instantly seal any Camaro-vs-Challenger doubts I've been having. The Firebird wins that one, hands down.

Okay, seriously. You WORK FOR GM. I don't care what division or far-flung corner of the world it's in - shouldn't you give a damn by now about the strategy that the COMPANY WHO'S SIGNING YOUR PAYCHECKS decides to use? If we, the disconnected enthusiasts give a crap about what happens to a company we HAVE NO STAKE IN, why do you spend all your time bashing it? I thought Europeans were supposed to be open-minded. Maybe you actually are; in which case you won't mind when a decimated GM decides to sell its "European assets" (formerly Opel) to the Chinese after grossly miscalculating their North American product decisions. Enjoy the future! See you in Shanghai!

I like some small cars, but only within limits. Having driven from Colorado to Iowa in a 1989 Honda Civic sedan with three other people during my life, I believe I am intimately familiar with EXACTLY what those limits are. (Put it this way: the car had no problems, but everyone else sure did.) That said, I would never totally swear off buying any type of car. For instance, I currently have absolutely no need whatsoever for a big pickup - but that doesn't rule out my eventually owning one someday (preferably a GMC 4x4 in the '73-78 range) as a play truck. And while I currently drive a fairly boring (save for the stickshift) midsize V6 sedan, my next car will be either a Camaro or Challenger with a V8. Unless something changes my plans drastically, but I don't have any reason to believe that will happen. My ideal car should have room for at least four people (or two and a full complement of luggage), a real shifter-and-clutch manual transmission, and enough power to pass anything I want while driving up US 24 into the Rockies. Besides that, who knows? As a second car, I might get something like a Volt strictly for the pleasure of a new experience. I like to keep myself open.