PurdueGuy

I do agree that the majority of the styling for the Chevy line should be moving forward with modern design. I just think there might be room for one or two more small vehicles that play on GM's strong past - something the imports can't do much of with any resonance with the buying public. As far as Ford's venturing into retro, the mustang has done well. The Thunderbird didn't do well, not because of the styling (most I've heard loved the styling), but because it was heavy, impractical, and freaking expensive. By playing with it in cheaper vehicles, buyers have fewer expectations - a $30k+ vehicle automatically comes with a huge laundry list of expectations. I see this happening with the main Chevy vehicles being purely modern design (no retro), and with just 2-3 vehicles with retro cues aimed squarely at Scion & the like. The buyers are looking for something cheap, but also something novel.

have seen a couple driving around. They actually look rather plain & boring, even bordering on cheap looking, IMO. The last gen looked more upscale to me.

So, I'm somewhat a fan of what Chevy has done with the HHR - tasteful retro in a useful package. I think they should build on that... First, the idea of a "Heritage" line of cars. The HHR can be billed as the first one (and works well since it stands for "Heritage High Roof." Then try one more. If that's a hit, try another. Essentially having some semi-specialty products in the line of Scion, but without the need for an actual new brand (just a "series"), and with actual product heritage to draw from and inspire people. Granted, some do not love retro design - that's why these are nitch products (they might command a better profit margin that way anyway...). First idea for the next "Heritage" product, tentatively named the H5S "Heritage (19)50's sedan." This is a car that shares platform & drivetrain with the next gen Cobalt, but features unique sheetmetal and interior. Drawing from 1950's sedans, but with a simplified, smooth modern look. The front might feature a modern twist on 50's hood ornaments, rounded headlights, and other classic front features, without going overboard on chrome (which would drive up expenses anyway, and could be offered aftermarket for some extra revenue). The windshield could be more upright than many modern cars, but not as much as the classics - finding a happy medium that offers reasonable if not good aerodynamics while giving a classic look. The rear could hint at tail fins, without going too overboard with them. A simple rounded trunk would give lots of trunk space, be simple & cheap to manufacture, and look great between the semi-finned tails. Perhaps further success of the "Heritage" line might justify: +Coupe version of above (H5C *Coupe*)? +Convertible version of above (H5V *conVertible)? +Wagon version of above (H5N *Nomad*)? +Kappa-based convertible inspired by the original Corvettes? +Replacement for Colorado? (I'm not totally thrilled with any of the above names, but just figured they'd be something to work with) Might also be interesting to play with using famous names from GM's past, but my fear with using specific names is that people will complain about "things not done right" to match/pay homage to specific vehicles. A general collaboration of multiple vehicles with a modern twist, and a name that doesn't draw a direct comparison might be more wise. There are a lot of possibilities, and I think drawing on GM's rich heritage might be a good bet, especially if they do it in consistently classy ways. Thoughts? Wish list/day dream items to add or change?

Yeah, no need to tick off a giant volcano. lol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_Caldera

quick copy/paste from babel fish:

Finally made it to Yellowstone this past weekend when my parents came out to visit. I should go more often - the west entrance is only 2 hours away. Picasa photo page link - LOTS more photos than shown below Some highlights: DAY 1: First buffalo sighting: First hot spring we came to: Beautiful blue pool: Bubblin' mud: Old faithful (not spewing) to the right, and all the other towers of steam rising from the same little valley. DAY 2: It snowed overnight, and was supposed to snow during the day, but we decided to risk it, which turned out great. Nice scene just after the waterfall: Nice path back to another set of hot springs: One of many elk herds we saw (back in the trees): Herd of buffalo just off the road: Another waterfall & nice scene: Herd of buffalo: (btw, those black dots in the back & a little to the right... more buffalo. Probably that many more not in the picture off to the left. Probably at least 200 buffalo in this little valley alone) Big ol' elk, just laying along side the road in a warm thermal area: (we could see at least 14 points) Oh yeah, and we left Yellowstone through the south exit, which takes you through the Grand Teton National Park. (this one came out a little dark, but still looks cool):

sweet It's understandable why people are so anxious for production of the 6-speed to be ramped up & put in pretty much everything.

Wait a minute... I thought there was something a little while back about how most of the Scions were being purchased by old people? lol

In other words, they decided to photoshop a solstice to pretend they had real news.

what's up with the doors? what's up with the ugly? so much CF would make it cost way too much. Sad but true.

I like how they integrated the headlights & grill.

looks like a $500k wheelchair... kinda interesting, but somehow it just strikes me as something for those who want a Segway, but are too lazy to stand up.

1st impression: laugh-out-loud ugly Upon continued looking at it... still ugly, but the idea has potential... maybe. They forgot to build the rear part of the cabin. Interior might as well be thrown out & redone. Exterior needs major restyle for hope, but might have some... maybe.

...and if you're buying new, it's likely to be the second biggest single purchase after a house. Personally, I think it's worth some research. Unfortunately, most of the media doing the reviews are so full of bias that they're worthless. This one doesn't sound any better... maybe even worse.

While certainly a good idea, they can only produce so many, so fast. The way some people act on this site, the moment GM produced one 6-speed auto, every GM vehicle should have had it. It doesn't work that way.

but can this technology be used in, or in place of, the battery products of 123?

It's a neat concept, though. A slight restyle, and it could be really cool.

wow... a subjective analysis of a bunch of subjective reviews of vehicles. How can that go wrong? lol

Full size truck-based SUVs have their place. They may be used by some in situations where something much more efficient would do, but there are plenty of situations where no other vehicle will do. In the case of my wife & I, our Suburban works great as our "other" vehicle. 2 Saturns make great daily drivers, while the 'burban works great for hauling people and/or stuff, towing, and going places cars and crossovers would not do well at all, and probably get stuck in many cases. I'm not even talking about off-roading, but just rough roads. Welcome to the western US. May truck-based SUVs live on, and may vehicle owners gain wisdom in understanding what vehicles will meet their needs best.

Even Toyota doesn't do things like Toyota says businesses should do things. I've seen them contradict their own Toyota Production System mantra so many times in the last handful of years...

I used to be into model railroading a bit. Good way to learn about electrical systems, as well as many other skills.

This is for the BAS Green Line, not the 2-mode, then? I wonder what pricing will be on the 2-mode...

The "black tie" radios are a great design, it seems there are only 2 problems with them, and neither has to do with the radio itself exactly: -it's not integrated, you can see a rectangle around it -it's in everything At least they didn't design a crappy radio & put it in everything. lol

oh boy, more plastic. (and this coming from a Saturn owner...) return of polymer panels? I doubt it.

that's pretty cool. Wonder what mpgs we'll see out of 'em.