CreativeVision

Hmmm...I'll wait to make comments when I see real world pics. As of right now, my first impression of the picture on the homepage is that this is simply a rebadged and re-fascia'd Aura. That front 3/4 view gives a strong nod to the greenhouse shape of the Aura. However, from the side shots I do see how some are comparing it to a Lucerne. Can someone throw up some side-by-side pics of the Aura and this spy shot?

Northstar: The real life pics are AWESOME!! Looks even better now. I noticed the + and - on the side of the shifter knob. Are these for autoshifting? Not sure I like the location if so, as I tend to hold on to the knob if it is within easy/comfortable reach. I may accidentally be upshifting/downshifting at the wrong time causing damage. Now seeing it closer, it also looks like the dash is a hard plastic again. Is this true, or is it just look this way and actually has some give to it, like my current Envoy?

Oh yeah...so how does this compare in size/stance to the SRX? Trying to get a handle on these relative to that vehicle...

I think they did a good job. My two only dislikes are the grey lower body panels(this is a pet peeve of mine), and the taillights. I suppose as someone mentioned the Denali version could get monochromatic color schemes, but then the car will probably be out of my price range. The taillights could have done without the round circles in the middle. They just remind me of cheap APC aftermarket lights all the ricers have. Solid Red lower with the upper white would have been classy and cool.

Can't be an Evo..if so why did they lose the wide fender flares of the concept? I'd say this is a tamed down model. Also note the high "pad" looking thing in the hood. I would bet this is a tunnel of sorts to let the hood vents breath. However I also see the same "pad" like item on the front fenders...More vents possibly or just weird camo?

I'm surprised no Avalon as I just recently read on another thread that they ranked at the top for side impact crashes. Are they that poor in other areas? I also agree Subaru was a surprise

Maybe I didn't state what I was asking for correctly...although I think some of you did sorta answer it. I'm not asking if a 4cyl would ever sound like a V8 if I put a Corvette muffler on a civic. Its not about the loudness, but more the distinct tone. Again going back to my original example...Infiniti has a very distinct sound. So take that muffler(G35 Coupe V6) and install them on some other V6. Would I expect to get a similar sound? I understand the loudness may vary depending on the other engine factors(compression, cams, etc...), but would it still sound like an Infiniti?

So for whatever reason I was daydreaming the other day and started wondering what gives certain cars their distinctive exhaust note. Is it the muffler only or the engine, or all sorts of things? Now before I get flamed terribly, I have installed and/or have been around cars with full turbo-back exhaust systems, cat-back systems, and just universal mufflers on them. I see how they completely change the exhaust note. But the muffler from a V8 car put on a 4-cyl, isn't alone going to make the 4cyl sound like that V8. So the engine has to be a part of it as well as the pipe diameter. Take for instance Pontiac...there is a distinctive sound that a Pontiac makes(thinking about Grand Ams, Grand Prix's). Also Infinti G35 Coupes(and the FX) and Nissan 350Z's also have a very distinct sound. But I would'nt expect to get that same sound out of another car simply by welding up one of their mufflers to it...or would you? Jason

Just saw a news ticker this morning stating that the GM board will be meeting about this on July 7th to discuss.

That really sucks that the Avalon is down. I personally like the car's styling(in and out) and "status" as was mentioned earlier far better than the Camry. But its hard to argue these things alone can justify the additional cost. My budget is getting tighter in the upcoming year, so the Avalon may not be a smart move. I still like the Lucerne and Impala styling, but they too lack some other important features I would like to have.

NorthStar: Where do you work? I'm from the Western Burbs of Chicago...

Why must they add MORE chrome to this car...speaking about the rear bumper. One of the things I hate about the LaCrosse is the amount of chrome it has(door handles, around the windows, along the body molding, and the bumper strips. Aren't sporty models supposed to get more body-color parts to segregate them from the lower models? So why add more chrome when they could really appeal to the younger crowd by color-matching everything to go along with the 18" wheels and 303-HP motor.

So I recall in another thread about this car, that there was concern over how GM would get all 600HP to the ground effectively. Some thought there was potential for the car to be AWD. I personally LOVE this idea, but for the purists, does this ruin the Corvette heritage? We are of couse talking about a $100,000 corvette afterall, not much heritage kept in that either... My ideal for this 'Stingray' is supercharged, AWD, and split window, carbon fiber everywhere(including underbody panels to make it flat), but retaining all the creature comforts of the everyday Corvette(magnetic ride, leather buckets, etc...)

Bring it on!! Great decision to change to the Stingray name...especially since the "retro" stuff is gaining momentum, why wouldn't you want to bring back another great historical nameplate for the 'Vette. Now if they could only make it a split window for just 1 year to really make it stand out!

So are you your own boss and how did you fall into this line of work? Or is this just a hobby for you? Photography and cars, two of my favorite things and yet I had never thought to make it a career.

Thanks Balthazar and PrizePig! I was sitting here thinking if I was to purchase a new Impala, was anything in it's heritage(mostly from a aesthetic standpoint) that could be done to pay homage back to those days and make a new Impala stand out a bit. Doesn't sound like it though, aside from Impala emblems from that time frame...

I'm still holding out for a 6-speed and higher HP V6.

Looking to get info and especially PICS of old school impalas (60's-70's) that were considered the top of the line of their day. Were there any special packages back then for Impalas? Like higher HP engines, graphics packages, etc... like the Yenko cars or SS cars of that time period? Something that made them stand uot amongst the average Joe Impalas? Thanks!

Right on!!

I don't think this is that bad of an idea. I'm actually surprised I didn't see it coming sooner though, given the fact of the Vue Redline model. It looks lower in ride height to me, and I'm happy to finally see rear disc brakes on this thing. Overall though it doesn't appear to be aggressive enough to be considered an SS. Aside from the wheels and ride height, it could easily pass as just a refresh for the current model and not an upgraded 'SS' model. I'd be very curious as to the interior and if that got any more refinement and better quality materials to go along with the rest of the SS package. It will also be interesting to see how much of a premium one will need to shell out over and above today's top of the line model. In the end its still going to be a question of justifying the additional cost versus what you get for the money...

Just read in Autoweek that the 2007 G6 GTP will get a new 252 HP 3.6 V6 as well as a 6-speed. Is this the same combo offered in the Aura?

Sorry, didn't realize Saab already had the 6-speed. Don't recall it being as big a conversation as when the Aura got it and hence this topic being started. And to go back to my truck comment...they may be GM's bread and butter, but if they want the rest of the meal someday, they need to expand their sights. To me they are losing big in the family sedan/midsize categories and this is where I see the need to step up to the 6-speed.

Your right I'm forgetting that Aura Concept was shown before the introduction of the new Civic. Prior to the Aura, I hadn't really had much insight into Opel/Vauxhall, so I was not aware this was used there previously as well. Thanks for correcting me on this.

You've got to be kidding me that you don't see striking resemblances to the last gen Status/Sebring. Take a close look at the two side by side and note the body lines of the lower half of the vehicle. You can't tell me that the line that comes from the front end, over the fender flares, along the rocker panel, and again at the back bumper isn't a almost duplicate. Also the taillights have almost a similar shapeing to them from the last gen Sebring. The wheels, while not the exact same number of spokes, still invoke that impression to the consumer. And the shape of the greenhouse is also similar. I'm not saying these things are spot on, but they are not different enough to not be compared. To me there is really nothing too revolutionary about this car. While I admit when I first saw it at the 2005 Autoshow, I fell in love almost instantly, it was the aggressive fender arches and grill that did it for me. The more I see the production model, the more I turn up my nose at the thought of owning what appears to be a new rendition of the Sebring...BOOORRRINGGG!!! The only thing I like on this car is the crease at the Beltline(shoulder) line. Gives it at least a little bit of brute PS. Nice Honda Civic Chrome Grill bar...haha

Screw the trucks...when are we going to start seeing these in more of the sedans to help them compete(finally) against higher end and import models? In my opinion GM must have the 6-speed in the following vehicles by MY 2008. Impala(and make it RWD), same for Monte Carlo SS Lucerne LaCrosse Saab 9-5 at least(9-3 would be nice too) Grand Prix(G8?) Then I could at least begin to consider actually purchasing some of these vehicles rather than looking elsewhere for my next purchase.