Dark Phoenix

Well... that kinda gets into "what is excitement?". Is it only RWD? Is it only big power and low cars? I think that "excitement" can be more. It depends on the market. I know that we seem to be RWD people here (hence the aspersions cast at the FWD Grand Ams), but there is a huge "tuner" market out there that either doesn't care which wheels drive the car, or worse, actually LIKE FWD. And in that case, it's not really all that far off. The G5 is a great tool to lure in the import crowd. Pontiac is into ALMS and drifting now, they just need to start hanging out at NOPI events and start blowing the doors of Hondas in the various events with the G5, and listen to input from the crowd. But above all, don't expect it to be a huge seller (and most of that "input" should be channeled into dealer installable upgrades, since most of these cars are bought on the cheap, or by these kids parents because it's felt that they can't get into much trouble with a civic). The Vibe, is another good one. It should be cut to only 2 models - the FWD base, and the GT, and the GT should be the AWD model. And even then, the FWD should be treated like the 1LE F-Body option - ignored. People should have to request the FWD model, and little to no mention or emphasis should be put on it. The GT should be AWD and if not turboed, then at least some sort of S/C or turbo should be a dealer installable upgrade. This would compete against the Scion Xa & Xb, the new Imprezza, and the Mazda 3. For those so-inclined, it could be a "lifestyle vehicle" (ala Aztek or Xb), or a cross-over, like the Mazda 3, or a rip-roarin' beast like the WRX and STi. If the WRX can remain in the fight agains the Evo with it's new hatchback form, then the Vibe can CERTAINLY play in that space. Supposedly it's already built to GM spec, so change the spec to focus on performance and move the drive torque to a rear bias with front assist. The WRX should be an easy mark to chase and beat. (so do it the way that the Corvette team tested against a Ferrari and such) The G6 should probably be dropped. It's a really cool car, but if the G5 takes the FWD, I'm not sure what a larger version would accomplish. However, a RWD G6 hard-top 'vert could be interesting. Could go up against the M-B 230's and Kompressors and such. The G8 is obvious. Make the V6 the Caddy DI engine, and leave the rest as it is. (well, other than adding a manual) The Solstice is another obvious one, roadster is kicking ass and taking names, and has all but run Mazda out of the North American market. The coupe should bolster that quite a bit. Be a perfect Exige fighter (in the glaring absence of the Fiero). Not everyone needs a big cross-over, or little SUV, but... even though I would have said just last week that the Torrent should go, reading the review of gm4life who got one, I may be swayed on that. Seems even that can be "exciting". So why not embrace it and go all the way? Chase the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne. Again, AWD with a 50/50 split or RWD bias, and a supercharger or turbo. It doesn't have to smoke the big Cayenne, but it could be the lower cost alternative to it and just get within range of it's performance. (then just work deals with the aftermarket to make Cayenne killers) But something is still missing.... The Trans Am. It has been aggressive and in your face, and it has been sleek and futuristic. Whether you go with the GTA mentality, or the LS1 WS6/455 SD 2nd Gen mentality, or even the '89 Anniversary path, it's presence is required. Stuff all the gear and goodies in that you can before Cadillac cries, refine the ride like the G8s (comfort with a clear bias toward performance), just with a little MORE bias toward performance. As long as a fully worked out model falls below the base Corvette, it's good. The top dog, the beast for people who want V8 growl and grunt, coupe styling, and every goody and doo-dad out there (whereas the Solstice is about the raw simply driving experience), offer it in T-Top and Hard Top models only, and only 1 or 2 variants (maybe a Formula, and a Trans Am, the former as stripped out as possible, for people who won't by a Solstice coupe due to it's I4 engine). Acutally, the Holden Coupe 60 is the perfect platform. Put a '78-like front end on it, and drop an LS3 in it and you're golden. People who want to spend less can get a camaro or drop down to the little brother Solstice. The 2002 WS6 Trans Am re-born. Loud, aggressive, in your face, and intimdating. With performance to back up the looks and the bark. (just keep it maxed out in goodies, more-so than the camaro, it should be as KITT-like as possible, that's been the Trans Am's thing since '82) THAT would be Driving Exitement that is Designed For Action and Fuel For The Soul. Get On Your Pontiac and Ride!

Linkage?

Another WS6 here. 2002 Trans Am WS6, black on black, M6. Bought it new in June of '02 with 9 miles on it off the truck. It now has just over 10,800. Has SLP Sub-Frame Connectors (welded in), SLP Shock Tower Brace (the consensus is it's nothing more than a handle for leaning on when working on the engine though), 4/3 Koni's with the front lower perch and rear heater hose mod, and a 10" Polk in a driver's side stealth box, powered by a 600W Kenwood amp (oh, and the !Jack and Spare mod to provide room for the Amp). I love the hell out of that car. It has to be the best all around car out there. The Bosch 5.3 ABS/TCS system is phenomenal in slick conditions (and even in dry), on rough backroads it'll run with a 'Vette (because to push nearer the limit is to end up in the woods anyway), and it'll seat 4 reasonably well (I'm 6'2" 230lbs and I fit just fine in the back), and do it all with a reasonably comfortable ride, killer sound system, and the most killer aesthetics ever. In the future, rims, tires, exhaust, lid, and tune are all coming, along with some appearance mods and ripping out of the entire interior to put down some sound-deadening and cinch down all the interior panels as they go back together to silence it. I originally wanted a 97 WS6, and when the 98's came out I didn't like them. But I got the brochure, and eventually the LS1 face-lift grew on me. And I'm glad it did. I still love the sleeker, more stilleto-like, more futuristic LT1 style, but I'm really sold on the LS1 style now and the engine is the engine that was touched by god. Bob Putz needs to be taken out with extreme predjudice for his attitude about the Firebird. And for his overall schizophrenia. But I digress. I've owned an '84 T/A T-Top (also WS6 equipped), and an '88 GTA hard top (all GTAs were WS6 equipped). Loved the hell out of both of them too. (each was taken from me in a wreck that was caused by other people) Each of them was bought because of a passion for Trans Ams. I simply can not understand people who simply want an engine, transmission and drive wheel combination from a given corporation and will take any old box and crap they care to slap on it. No camaro is, was, or will EVER be good enough. If not for the Trans Am, I may well not have become the Pontiac die-hard that I am. I started out with Olds, and I did like the GTO, but was never really swayed by it. But once I got hooked on the 3rd Gen styling, I bought one, and slowly, the Pontiac mentality rooted itself in my mind. I started exploring other aspects of the brand, became more interested in GTOs and Fieros, and the marketing and the overall style.... I can't really explain it. Weird how that stuff happens. lol I love the Solstice (the sky does NOT look right at all, those proportions do not match those angles, nor do the angles match the curves of the rear deck lid), and think the G6 looks really cool and would make a good daily driver. The G8 rocks, though I hate sedans, I'm really glad to see it coming and generating so much buzz. Hell, even the G5 looks cool - and is proof that any time Pontiac gets their hands on a chevy chassis, they make it look better. And while I'm not really into the El Camino concept (meaning, of that KIND of vehicle), the G8 ST _is_ kinda cool. I can't help but picture it drifting. lol Currently trying to nudge the g/f into a G6 hard top 'vert, and my dad into a G8 GT or GXP. A friend of mine may well snag the Solstice Coupe when it hits (he digs the Solstice, but hates 'verts, he's always said if they made a hard top he'd buy one, and now they are). But I'm rambling.... lol BTW - While SLP may have offered the package on LS1 T/As, REAL Firehawks are Formulas. :AH-HA_wink: (pic is pre-Koni lowering)

Cute. Until the disastrous corporate homogenization, this was not true, and even after that, they've been trying, they remain chained by managerial stupidity and schizophrenia. They need to be unleashed, and we need another John Delorean back. Someone with balls and vision. That said, even the 3rd Gens were differentiated in ride. The GTA's especially had a more comfortable ride and were better suited to the back roads. Plus they've always had more refinement. If the guy in charge of Pontiac's "sporty cars" back in the 80s, who created the GTA, had gotten his way, ALL GTAs would have been like the '89 Anniversary (with the GNX engine), leaving the V8 crowd to chevy. Soon after, IRS would have been implemented. He was chasing RX-7/300Z buyers with that car. The Fiero was another home run, snuck in only as an econo-car, but killed off in it's prime for no good reason. That would be perfect along the MR-S and Elise. A perfect stable-mate to the Solstice. Management ruined this brand too, but that's all water under the bridge. The CTS is a better car than the 3 Series and the -V is better than the M.

I actually think that "Pontiac is CAR" is a good campaign/slogan. Yeah, you can spin it whatever negative way ya want, but they aren't speaking broken english or anything, they are talking about a concept. The concept of what a car is - as they said in the launch commercial "when you hear "car", what do you think?" And they proceed to talk about freedom, expression, passion, everything that makes us love and long for cars - everything that Pontiac is. It's also short and to the point, easy to remember. I think that "Designed For Action" is better, but it's still good. "Fuel For The Soul" was even better. In reference to the debate about old campaigns, I don't believe that anything can be "used up" and be no good anymore. That's "politically correct" thinking - that something has been besmirched and is therefore off limits to everyone, for all time - words, phrases, images/symbols, even thoughts and ideas. People can re-claim all of those things, and the PC types be-damned. We Build Excitement is a damn good campaign, with the accompanying "Driving Excitement" for print ads and such. The BEST ever car commercial was made in '87/'88 under that campaign. Check it out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0IIoYkJaM That makes me want to break out my 2002 WS6 Trans Am, pull out the T-Tops, pop that song in the CD player, _crank_ it and go blitz the back roads and look for trouble. It also makes me miss my '88 GTA. In the comments for that video, user RazorRC3 pretty much hit it right on the head - "After reading Jim Wagner's book "Glory Days" It's true that this is about capturing the image of what Pontiac is all about. Excitement, Youth, cultural times, and Product marketing. It's true that in today's automotive world everything is bland, even for for Pontiac. Slogans used from the past: "Wide-Track Pontiac", "We build excitement," and "Wider is better" themes were great to bring the product out. Today is nothing more then hyping up products that don't inspire anyone to buy unfortunately" I can just see that re-created/edited with modern footage of Solsti, G8s, G6 GXPs, G5s, and Vibes. Hell, toss in some GTO and '02 Trans Am action to REALLY show 'em how it's done. Others would work today too. I watched that 09 Vibe launch thing at Pontiac Underground and they mentioned that they widened the track - why? "Wider is Better" On a side note - anyone have access to the full length track of that song in that YouTube link? I see people have asked on YouTube, and I emailed PontiacPower.net asking about it, but so far, nothing. I've heard that it was on cassettes in 87 handed out with (some?) purchases, so it has to exist and be out there somewhere.