What is the best ever car from each the GM brands?

[smk4565]

I thought an interesting topic would be come up with the best car throughout history from the primary GM divisions, Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Oldsmobile. Saturn was pretty short lived, so not too many cars to choose from there. It should either be a game changer, or car way ahead of its time or maybe just best best car that brand ever made or that you want want to see return. I'll start with my nominations.

Buick: 1987 GNX It is fast by today's standards, for 1987 it was insane, and menacing looking in black.

Chevrolet: 1969 Camaro and 1963 split window Corvette Stingray.

Cadillac: 1953 Eldorado

GMC: 1937 to current Suburban/Yukon XL Since this is one of GM's longest running nameplates and a vehicle with few competitors over the years.

Pontiac: As much as I like KITT, I have to go with the late 60s GTO.

Oldsmobile: Both Auroras. I am biased but I think the Aurora took Oldsmobile to a higher level and had more technology than other cars of similar price.

[balthazar]

Interesting.

Buick :: '63(-65) Riviera

Cadillac :: I don't think there's a way I could pick one car- the heritage here is too vast. 1st production V8, the V16, the OHV V8, early Eldorados, EB program, 1G Seville...

Chevrolet :: '55 V8 Bel Air

GMC :: I got nothin'

Oldsmobile :: '66 Toronado : engineering tour de force.

Pontiac :: '62 SD cars, paved the way for the GTO. SD program really started with the '59, and moreso the '60, but the program hit full stride by '62.

[G. David Felt]

I agree with everything here, but have to state two amazing auto's not on the list.

Balthazar, I help you out here.

GMC Syclone & Typhoon

[SAmadei]

Chevy: 1957 Bel Air. Just too iconic. Honorable Mention: 1967 Camaro RS/SS
Pontiac: 1969 GTO Judge. HM: 1967 GTO and 1998-2002 Trans Ams.
Oldsmobile: 1966 Toronado HM: 1981-1988 Cutlass Supremes coupes.
Buick: 1971 boattail Riviera HM: 1986-1987 Regal GNX

Cadillac: 1959 Coupe De Ville.
GMC: 1st gen Sprint. HM: Syclone/Typhoon.
Saturn: Sky.
Holden: Monaro.

[smk4565]

The Cyclone and Typhoon are good ones for GMC. The 66 Toronado is as well. The Cyclone and Typhoon would be so easy to recreate now too.

[smk4565]

Perhaps it would also be interesting to come up with the worst car each brand ever made.

Cadillac is easy, Cimarron

Chevy Vega

The other brands might be harder.

[smk4565]

Worst car list:

Oldsmobile Achieva was pretty awful, especially near the end of the life cycle.

Pontiac LeMans from the late 80s. The only thing that car had in common with cars that raced at Le Mans is that is had 4 wheels and a steering wheel.

Buick I would say is a toss up between the early 80s Skyhawk and Skylark,

[Lamar]

I'm gonna stick with more recent history since I'm on the younger side. :-P

Best:

Buick - GNX

Cadillac - 2nd-gen CTS-V (to date)

Chevrolet - Corvette (pick one)

GMC - Any of the Denali models

Oldsmobile - Aurora

Pontiac - A big part of me wants to say G8 GXP

Saturn - Aura or 2nd-gen Vue

Worst:

Buick - Terraza

Cadillac - Do I need to say it?

Chevrolet - Chevette or 1st-gen Aveo

GMC - Envoy XUV

Oldsmobile - The last Cutlass

Pontiac - 2nd-gen Montana

Saturn - Relay

[Drew Dowdell]

Do a worst car list in a separate thread