BigPontiac

This coming from a carsalesman who can't sell a used Solstice with 3k miles on it he's had since Feb '06. I'm sure you'll just blame that on GM's lack of offering it with a bench seat right?

Practice Run: First Pre-Production '07 Saturn Outlook Rolls Out Date posted: 05-27-2006 LANSING, Mich. — The first pre-production 2007 Saturn Outlook rolled off the line at General Motors' new Lansing Delta Township plant on Wednesday, as workers geared up for the start of production on the new crossover. Article continued Full URL: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=115541#3

They don't really bother me, but it's too bad they can't be consistently put in the same place on all cars. If you don't like it, use dental floss and remove it! My 1970 Chysler New Yorker had a small Chrysler symbol on the lower front fender by the doors on each side of the car. And my 1968 Pontiac has blue "GM Mark of Excellence" badges inside the doorjambs. Not a new concept...

Speaking as an owner of a 3-Series (my 2nd), I found the CTS unappealing because of its size. I like the size of the 3. The CTS appeals to the American "super size me" crowd that perceives they're getting a deal by getting a bigger car at the same price point. It's also nice that the BMW resale value doesn't drop like a rock as the Caddy's does... And the parking spaces in CT (part of New England) are generally wider than they were in Charlotte, NC...the spots at the Harris Tetter in South Charlotte were very narrow.

My point was that Scion is Toyota's entry-level brand. Previously, only the Corolla might overlap with the Scion models. Now, the Yaris undercuts the Scions. Toyotas: - Yaris $11 - $13k - Corolla $14k Scions: - xA $13k - xB $15k - tC $16k So, why spend the money to launch a whole new brand that is still sharing floorspace with other Toyotas? And while the tC is a nice appliance, it's no Celica. Given it appears Toyota's core buyers are now buying Scions these cars could just as easily have carried the Toyota badge and sold just fine. Mini vs. BMW is very different than Toyota vs. Scion.

Without a real deadline and real consequences, the situation would likely drag on indefinitely.

Sorry, I didn't intend that comment to be directed at you personally. The article mentioned Red Bull, which seems a bit off the mark based upon observing the people I see driving Scions. Most appear to be the same buyers who loved their Tercels and Echos. Now the Toyota Yaris clouds the entry-level message. To me, this whole "youth brand" thing is crap. Mini seems to be a more successful attempt, yet they don't appear so focused on age.

IL Exclusive: GM Bans Dealer Premiums on Saturn Sky Red Line Date posted: 05-23-2006 ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak said that orders are still being taken for the upcoming 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line and she promises Saturn dealers won't gouge customers who want the hottest version of the new roadster. "The dealers won't charge a premium, because it doesn't fit with the brand [image]," she explained in an interview with Inside Line. Saturn built its reputation on no-dicker stickers, along with strict attention to customer service. Article Continued Full URL: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=115473

Lots of "facts" being thrown around in this thread with percentages...it'd be great back them up with a link to some type of industry reference...otherwise, they are just your opinion. We all have one. 11%? 99.9%? If GM gets their act together on global engineering, they should have the same ability to sell manuals and autos with no extra cost to the manufacturing process just as Honda and BMW do...among others (Mazda, Nissan, Infiniti, Acura, Audi, VW, Mini, etc). If the goal is to make money, they should be looking for ways to broaden their cars' appeal. If there is no market for cars in North America with a manual transmissions, why was the Solstice introduced with only a 5 speed manual? Why was the Camaro concept built with a 6 speed manual trans instead of an automatic? (the buzz has clearly shown that no one wants a Camaro or a Solstice...Pontiac will likely need to put huge incentives on the hood to get buyers to suffer through the manual trans.) Why would Honda introduce an Accord sedan with a manual trans into their lineup for 2006? Those nutty Honda guys with all the risks they take... A manual transmission conveys a performance image just as a Hybrid conveys an environmentally friendly one. (the only GM car invited to a recent C&D comparo made it there BECAUSE it was offered with a manual trans [Pontiac G6]). If you don't want one, then don't buy it. But if GM expects to win back marketshare from the imports they better get a clue and go beyond quality and styling. And just for fun, here's a link to an article about a 90s fullsize Impala SS that was converted to a manual transmission setup here.

I didn't know the word for "cheapskate baby boomer" was "tuner"... This car should sell like hot cakes to all the loyal Toyota buying senior citizens. Maybe Scion can do some co-branding with Ensure or Depends.

I still have the feeling BMW is going gadget and styling crazy. Between iDrive and "flame surfacing" I think they need to make some changes to get their "mojo" back. BMW Individual (makers of the M cars) is the only brightspot... I really hope that next-gen Cadillac CTS is something special...

So, the donations that some of us made HAVE been being used to pay for keeping the site running, correct? I am hoping the paypal account was not used as a "Solstice gas fund"... Interesting that AH-HA had made an offer to pay for the site before leaving...but had a "no Josh" condition attached to it...since it sounds like that was possible at the time, it's too bad things ended so badly then and now.

My friend's dad had one of those super charged Riv's...he LOVED that car! Ran it into the ground...now he drives and Acura RL (his 2nd). The whitewalls remind me of my mom's old '88 Buick Electra Limited with whitewalls and wire wheel covers. Man did those Goodyear Vectors howl around corners! But even my mom dumped whitewalls with her '93 Buick LeSabre with the Grand Touring suspension.

The point is, for some people, manual transmissions are more fun to drive...it has nothing to do with "bad experiences with automatics." Most of my bad experiences with manual transmissions, however, have been with GM products. Paying attention to detail in the driving experience matters. As for business case, if the Impala is based on a global platform there shouldn't be any additional effort. Currently, the Holden Commodore SS comes standard with a 6 speed manual transmission (see it here). That's the whole point of global parts and platform sharing! As someone who lives on the East Coast, one of the markets GM isn't doing all that well in, it really crystalizes why imports are so popular. I would love a direct order internet channel to order cars the way I want them instead of how the dealers do. Interesting that I had no trouble finding my '05 BMW 330i with a manual trans...or the '00 CPO BMW 323i had before that. Or my '96 Nissan Maxima SE 5 speed. Anyone notice how Honda ADDED a 6 speed manual trans option to the Accord V6 sedan for 2006? (see it here) At least they get it...

A video producer from GM's Concept Car Ride/Drive for journalists provides a "non car person" perspective... Article Full URL: http://fyi.gmblogs.com/2006/05/the_camaro_..._finally_g.html

I just saw a clip of this on the local news, as it's being developed by a local company. They're promising huge gas mileage improvements vs. current gas and diesel engines and looking for licensees... Their website shows how it works: http://www.scuderigroup.com/ Here's a press release I pilfered that explains the details... Wednesday May 3, 3:05 am ET Three More Patents Filed for Breakthrough Air-Hybrid Engine that Doubles the Fuel Efficiency of Today's Automobiles WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2006--Building on the momentum of its American automotive industry introduction at last month's Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit, the Scuderi Group today announced that it will debut designs of its breakthrough air-hybrid technology, the world's most fuel efficient internal combustion engine, to the European auto industry May 9 - 11 at the Engine Expo 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany (Booth 6200.) With three additional worldwide patents recently filed, the air-hybrid system potentially doubles the fuel efficiency of today's automobiles and reduces toxic emissions by up to 80 percent - all within a design that will make hybrid vehicles easier and far less expensive to build. Declared the most visited booth at SAE by show officials, the Scuderi Group will unveil the engine to the European car industry as it also announces its expansion into Europe. (See related press release at http://www.scuderigroup.com/news_and_event...articles.html.) Backed by the U.S. government and verified by a world renowned independent laboratory, the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine is adaptable to diesel and gasoline automobiles, commercial vehicles and any other applications powered by internal combustion engines. Source: The Scuderi Group "These technology enhancements, and the subsequent patents, come at an important time as auto makers around the world look to be more efficient in their use of petroleum products and toxic emissions," said Sal Scuderi, president of The Scuderi Group. "Once the engine's development is complete, the industry will have available the fuel efficiency, power, and impact on the environment that consumers are looking for and at a cost that makes sense." The engine takes advantage of Scuderi's groundbreaking split-cycle technology, (US. Patents 6543225, 6609371, and 6952923) by recapturing and storing energy in the form of compressed air. Unlike conventional engines, the Scuderi Engine produces compressed air during its normal operation. By adding a small air storage tank with some simple controls costing only a few hundred dollars, the Scuderi Engine can recapture energy normally lost during the breaking of a vehicle. To accomplish this with electric hybrids requires a complex electrical system, costing thousands of dollars, consisting of generators, motors, and large batteries. In addition, unlike electric hybrids, the Scuderi Air-Hybrid has the unique capability of recapturing energy from the exhaust of the engine, making it possible to utilize a Scuderi Air-Hybrid design in stationary applications such as electric generators - an application where electric hybrids are considered impractical. While electric hybrids are struggling to reach a 50 percent increase, the Scuderi Air-Hybrid is anticipated to double the mileage of a vehicle. Besides having significantly higher increases in efficiency and better reductions in toxic emissions than electric hybrids, the Scuderi Engine also improves power and performance. Today's electric hybrid cars normally reduce power and performance to obtain an increase in mileage. Because the Scuderi Air-Hybrid increases power while improving mileage at a cost of only a few hundred dollars as compared to thousands for an electric hybrid, the Scuderi Air-Hybrid is the first hybrid system that makes economical sense. Currently under development, the first diesel and gasoline prototypes are expected to be completed in 2007. This patented design represents the most significant breakthrough for internal combustion engines to come along in decades, an advance that takes on added significance given rising fuel prices and growing environmental concerns. The Scuderi Engine has attracted the attention of the U.S. government, which recently awarded The Scuderi Group $1.2 million in federal funding to further the development of its engine. Led by U.S. Rep. John W. Olver (D-MA), the grant is part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill passed by Congress. Developed by a team of thermodynamic experts, the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine is expected to deliver a quantum leap in performance, efficiency and environmental impact. The Scuderi Group accomplished these advances by focusing on the heart of the engine, challenging conventional approaches to engine design in place for over 120 years. As a result of this breakthrough design, the Scuderi engine is expected to: 1. Potentially double vehicle mileage 2. Reduce toxic emissions by up to 80 percent 3. Be compatible with all alternative fuels, including natural gas, ethanol, and bio-diesel 4. Be easy and cost effective to manufacture by utilizing the same components found in today's engines By utilizing fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and the unique features of a split-cycle design, the Scuderi Technology improves how an engine converts chemical energy into mechanical energy. Unlike conventional engines, the Scuderi engine divides the four strokes of a standard engine (intake, compression, power, and exhaust) over a paired combination of one compression cylinder and one power cylinder. These two cylinders perform their respective functions once per crankshaft revolution, while conventional engines require two revolutions of the crankshaft to perform these same functions. The Scuderi Technology can be applied to any piston engine from very small gasoline powered lawn mowers engines to very large diesel powered train engines. The technology is patented worldwide with six patents issued and several pending in over 45 countries. The Scuderi Group plans to license the technology to qualified engine manufacturers. The Scuderi Group includes experts in fluid and thermodynamics, engine technology, patent and commercial law, licensing, government relations, business management and finance. The technology is based on the research and inventions of the late Carmelo Scuderi (1925-2002) who spent over 40 years inventing, developing and commercializing new technology. He is best known in the engineering profession for his oil-less compressor technology that changed the method used by the refrigeration and air-conditioning market to recycle ozone-depleting refrigerant chemicals.

You rarely hear praise like this for GM production models, never mind a concept car. Hopefully this is a preview of good things to come!

At the beginning of this thread it stated: Now as for your "GM hasn't offered" comment, the 2006 Cadillac CTS is listed as 190.1 inches in length (Cadillac.com) vs. the anticipated 196 inches for the Impala. Not a big difference size-wise. Oh, and the CTS is available with a manual trans. As for buyers, if GM choses not to offer it, buyers looking manual will go elsewhere if it's important to them (people like me!). BMW, Mazda, Honda, VW, Audi, etc don't seem to have any trouble selling cars with manual transmissions. BMW tried the SMG and it wasn't well received in North America, so they're responding by offering REAL manual transmissions with a clutch pedal on the floor. What a concept, listening to the customer... I personally think it's nice to have choices. If the guy who wants a Camaro with a manual trans comes into the dealership, but practicality weighs in with the need to carry the wife and 2 kids, an Impala SS with manual trans option might be what makes the sale. Nissan was very successful in pushing the Maxima as a "4 door sports car" many years ago...

Did you compare it against the Honda Accord? All the TV commercials I keep seeing in my area target the Accord. Even on the wesbite mentioned in the ads CT Chevy.com They even look similar! My dad had a 2000 Buick Regal GSE (supercharged!)...handled well with the Grand Touring suspension but MAN did it ride poorly over broken pavement! That car lasted 6 months before he launched it! He drives a 2006 Infiniti G35x these days...and he's in his 60s...

Sounds like typical "GM think." Perfect opportunity for one of those Lutz stickers SEZ WHO? Probably the same person who thought the Solstice only needed a manual transmission at launch. That little "oversight" was avoidable by looking at Mazda's launch of the 1st generation Miata. People like choices. Based on the fact that the German and Japanese competition all offer a manual transmission option, it's a cost of doing business. Without it, they're eliminating themselves from consideration for some of the car buying public. Car and Driver even mentions the lack of a manual trans option in their latest 2006 Impala SS review. As for development cost, since Zeta is supposed to be a globally shared platform used by the Camaro and various Holdens and share powertrain components, the costs should be minimal in the grand scheme of things...certainly cheaper than making a hybrid derivative.

My bet would be the changeover from the oxygenated gasoline used during the Winter to the non-oxygenated Summer blend. My Sierra's 5.3 goes up about 2 MPG once the gas changes over each Spring...drops in late Fall when the Winter blend goes into effect. Might be old info, but here's all I could quickly find: Source: Chevron

I loved this article...this is the stuff C&D used to do... I was hoping they'd keep the Olds and use it as a project car and do a Duramax 6.6L conversion. Back in the mid 80s they made a dual engined Honda CRX...converting the Olds should be easy by comparison...

I'll believe GM putting a manual transmission option in a bread and butter car when I see it...but it works for Nissan, so I hope they finally offer choices...and even Honda is catching on. Getting the "feel" of the gearbox and clutch is also important...the GTO is not a good example...

That car was a knock-off of the 1988 Pontiac Banshee concept... I liked the 1957 Chevy Bel Air in that Knight Rider2000 TV movie better than the Knight 4000. Corvette Z06 might be the only hope these days...

KITT is featured in that new at&t commercial with WOPR from the movie "War Games"... Video Full URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRxGu7Yy5rA I hope the movie doesn't screw up the car...Knight Rider did great things for the 1982 Firebird Trans Am.