Northstar

I think 200,000 by the end of 2008 is okay. The Zetas won't come on strong until 2009, so that means they should still be getting the DI. Also, note that it says 1 out of every 6 vehicles by 2010, so I assume that means trucks and SUVs too; I wouldn't expect many trucks or SUVs to get the DI except for the SRX and the Lambdas, so really its 1 out of every 2 1/2 cars probably. I'm guessing Aveos, most Cobalts, some Malibus, and most stuff that still has OHV V6s by then will not get DI. The 200k by the end of 2008 probably means the CTS, possibly SRX and STS, and Holdens. What's important is the 1 out of every 6 statement in NA by 2010.

I think it will. The Corvette gets 30MPG highway and while it weighs more it also doesn't have AFM.

Saw a highly modded Prowler (we didn't race but it was almost as fast as the GTO... he floored it so I followed suit behind him in the same lane, and I was pulling on him a little). I think that's the first Prowler I've seen here, though I've seen Prowlers elsewhere (Chicago and Michigan). And in the Best Buy parking lot I parked next to a black CTS-V. The guy came out about the same time I was walking in so I talked to him for 5 minutes or so. He had a Maggie on it and was pushing 550HP.

No. There's no reason why it can't be smaller and have more modern proportions. Zeta will have sedans as big as the 300 and Charger (and bigger even), so why can't the LX platform provide a basis for the Challenger that is a similar size to the Camaro? It's 198 inches long and looks like it. It needs to be about 8 or 9 inches shorter (GTO sized) and not be such a remake of the original. The formula should be/should have been: Design a sleek modern car without a lot of finished details, basically a blank canvas to apply styling cues to, then, add classic Challenger cues where they work on this new car and get a vehicle that has all the cool retro cues that everyone loves about the Challenger but delievers it in a cool modern shape that so many people complain about the Challenger for. This is basically the formula the Camaro has, and there are far fewer complaints about it. I have no problem with most of the styling of the Challenger. What I have a problem with is that it looks huge and the proportions are from the 70s. If it was smaller with modern proportions but still had the same styling cues I would probably like it. Someone should chop a Camaro with the Challenger styling to see how much better it would look than the real Challenger.

Chazman posted this over at CZ28: http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=450698 I think a 3.0L V6 TDI with 220HP and 400lb-ft could go into a variety of applications and do well. Right now it sounds like Holden will be getting a Zeta diesel, so I wonder if the US will too.

I'm thinking the G6 convert. I doubt they'd do the GTO as there weren't any significant upgrades for '06.

Whoops, I knew sans meant without, but for some reason I typed "with." I think that if it was on the front wheels doing the SH thing it would make it easier to spin out, especially in the rain/snow.

SH-TEC sounds dumb. How can it be SH with the AWD? Wouldn't it just be normal? I wonder what MKR could be. Maybe the LS replacement (if there is one)?

Not happening. I bet it bases at just over $20k or $21k, and I'm guessing it will get some pretty nice options. I wouldn't be surprised to see NAV, kickass sound system, heated seats, etc., and those aren't on many $20k cars, much less something with 310HP.

I thought Lutz said it wasn't getting cliniced so it would basically be identical to the concept? I realize some of the stuff will get changed like the huge wheels, rearview mirrors, and some other minor details, but I thought it was going to be pretty much the same as the concept? He also mentions the Malibu at the end as being the cure of what ails GM. A very positive statement!

I think they should start over and take the Camaro's approach. Make it smaller, sleeker, and lighter, and start with a modern shape and add retro cues, not the other way around. Everyone says the Camaro won't sell well after a year or so, but the Challenger is even more retro, so wouldn't it sell even worse after a year or two?

Hmm, maybe I'm forgetting the cake, but I thought my B-Day "cake" (which was of the ice cream variety) only had icecream. If it does have actual cake in it, then yes I'd say it is a cake. Lots of people put ice cream on top of their cake (after they cut the piece off), so I guess it's similar to cake.

In the future Buicks (at least some of them - NG LaCrosse will be) will be the same as the ones made in China much like how Saturns will be Opels. This will help to cut costs and give MG more money to invest in Chevy and Pontiac. IMO, GM's midsize to large sedan lineup should look something like this: Epsilon II Models Malibu Covers lower end of the segment, takes on Sonata, some Accords, some Camrys, some Altimas. 2.4L standard, HVV6(s) optional. 9-3 Keep target as-is. LaCrosse ES350 would be the target. Focus on luxury rather than sport. Lower-level LaCrosses would also target high-end CamCords. Aura Should be a less-expensive Passat without all the high-end goodies. Let the LaCrosse and possibly 9-3 take care of upper Passats. Also targets high-end CamCords. Zeta Models Impala Takes on Charger but also would offer an alternative to lower Avalons. Comfort would be a priority over sport. A pretty similar target to the current model but with much better execution. Grand Prix This would be smaller than the Impala and focus on sport rather than comfort. Should target the TL, etc. GM could use the Commodore with different sheetmetal to cut costs. Lucerne Similar to current model. Targets Avalon, 300, and even some Lexi, RL, and possibly lower E-Class and A6s. Much bigger than the Grand Prix, allowing them to share the same showroom. Kappa II Models (this is obviously somewhat speculation - but pretend we know it's coming) G6 Smaller than the current model and would be the sportiest midsize sedan. Think a slightly larger BMW 3-Series/Lexus IS starting around $20k with an I4 and moving up to $30k for a loaded GXP with 300+hp. Holden would get a version to cut costs. "Skylark" I don't like the name but couldn't think of anything better. I'm not sure if this could happen, but Buick needs something to attrack young buyers. Maybe this should just be a four-place convertible, basically a mini-Velite. ---------------------------------------- GM has an advantage if it chooses to clearly focus each brand. No other automaker can cover all segments of the market and offer something for everyone. The problem is that right now GM's brands are not focused and greatly overlap with each other. Besides styling, not much seperates the G6 and Malibu, and the same goes for Grand Prix and Impala. Pontiac needs to be totally seperate from Chevy, and I think Saturn is going to be. Buick just needs to move farther upscale and it will be fine.

Well, I think cake implies that it has some sort of bread-like substance, and most ice cream cakes don't have that. Really, ice cream cake is just ice cream molded into a shape. Cake doesn't have to be any sort of shape, it can be round, square, or whatever shape you want it to fill, so I wouldn't say there is really a shape for cake.

I don't understand how CR can recommend so many Asian vehicles when they have 12 problems per 100 vehicles, but they can't recommend so many American cars because they aren't reliable enough when the average American cars have 18 problems per 100 vehicles. I guess that's 1 1/2 times as many problems, but it doesn't seem like one vehicle should be recommended for only having a 12% chance of having a problem when one with only a 18% chance isn't. A 12% and 18% chance of having a problem are pretty similar.

Wow, those are some fantastic shots. Much better than typical GM photography. If the T900 SUVs are this good, the T900 pickups promise to be grand slams!

There is a next-gen G6 planned and it has codes.

Used Aleros can be had for cheap.

Yeah, that's why I'm trying to keep it relatively inexpensive. They keep asking me what I want for graduation and I really don't have any idea besides something for the car, that's why I started this thread. If I tell them I don't want anything they'll still give me something, and I'd rather get something I like that something I don't really like but just pretend to "like."

A computer upgrade might be a possibility, but headers are like $1k (more than I want to ask for sense I'm getting a laptop for college) and unfortunately I have an auto or else I'd ask for the GMM Ripshifter for sure.

What should I get? Since I already have a cam, I think about the only thing that would be reasonable to ask for really is a CAI, but that's not going to give me a ton of power. I'm hoping to someday do headers and exhuast, but that's too expensive for graduation IMO.

It will probably get the black tie radios, but other than that I think it will be the same.

That looks pretty good, though I'd like to see it as just a sedan.

So I'm graduating on Friday, and I don't really know what I want for graduation. I really don't have many ideas, so maybe you guys have some good ones. But, one idea I have is the black taillamps from the 06 GTOs. What does everyone think and what would be some other good gifts to ask for instead?

Well, for the most part at least. Today was the last real day of high school for me. I still have to finish up some Calculus (Final Exam, take home test, and 3 HWs - the teacher always piles stuff on at the end) but other than that I'm home free. I'm not going tomorrow as I have until Thursday to finish up the Calc. Who else is out of school or close?