hyperv6

I am fine with this truck as is but for the crew cab looks, it needs a longer frame. The nose is fine and should sell well. We have too many wantabe Macks out there now and the chrome all looks like hell in 5 years from stone dings. The Diesel would be a nice option but will it sell? It will take some effort to market it and not just stick it out there and expect people to be interested. If they put some effort into it I think they will be rewarded well. Step side bed? Forget it as it is a bigger waste in a small truck than the crew bed. They even started to sell poorly the last time they were offered. I suspect a V6 may be lacking here. With everything moving down size. I would not be too suprised if they pass on the V6 option and stick to a Turbo 4. I would like a 6 but I just get a feeling based on what has been going on.

GM needs to stop making excuses though and start tackling the weight problem. I can guarantee you that the Sonic is not 400 lbs heavier because it is carrying 400 lbs of sound deadening! Probably heavier steel in the platform and suspension compontents to absorb the shock of Michigan's 3rd world road conditions? That and they also may have gone to more light weight steel but I am sure they are still using enough regular steel to keep the cost down to still build them in Michigan. I do agree that the GM cars often may have more weight but they also last a lot longer on the poor winter beaten roads here in the north. We have few old Honda's here but we have a lot of old Heavy Chevys. Sorry I had to use that as I just saw a nice red 71 yesterday. I bet any Fit on the road today here in Ohio will be long gone and used up in 8 years.

CarAndDriver says the Fit is the best handling compact and that's why they give it the win usually If I recall win was by 2 points as MT usally does. Normally they use Ergo to pick their choice and on this one they could not get away with that.

The same complaints here of too expensive, to heavy, styling and too poor MPG are all here just as the Cruze. May be it will fail as bad as the Cruze has? From the way the test went it sounds as if it is a good very good car and once people drive it they will see how good it is. I think we will hear the same things on the new Bu too but I think this trio will do very well ont he market. The Cruze was the key to unlock the door and will get people to look at the others and find even with the small complaints they are looking at the car as a whole and in many cases will give up 1 MPG and will find they will be priced at the dealer to sell.

I saw this a little while ago. I think the Sonic will suprise many like the Cruze. The Honda has no soul it is just an applicance. No matter if you like the Sonic styling or not it is more than just a uninspired box. It looks as it it was styled by a man with no fingers. They the Sonic may have more weight it will give it a ride the others will lack. It will be interesting to see what performance options will be offered next year. I hope they do something on scale with the GM Performance tuned cars.

All the long term CTS tests I've seen report ~$100 first oil services. Anyhow trying to save a couple of bucks on something you do once a year is beside the point when a CTS retains 42% of its value after 3 years compared to the 65% you get back from a 328i (10k mi/yr, 2011 models). Depreciation is the biggest expense of any new car, and in the CTS you spend an extra $10,000 for that. .... I had a CTS for 4 years, serviced at the dealership Look he has money! Hurry up and tax him before he gets away! LOL!

I think all GM and all BMW's now have this but they are the only ones. This would be good reason for GM to market this. Not only does it work but it would save many people money on unneeded oil changes if they educated them on how it really works. This is a a point Marketing could promote as a money saver in hard times and a green feature to the tree huggers shopping the ECO models. As of now it is a missed markeitng talking point.

So take a Benz to a Cadillac dealer for an oil change. I don't drive a Benz and spend $70+ for oil changes at Jiffy Lube because my car requires 8 quarts of oil. So $90 every 10k miles is still better than me paying $70 every 4-5,000. And I know there are some cheaper places, but Jiffy Lube has good service and does free top off, and my car burns about 2 quarts of oil between oil changes, and they checked, it has no leaks. A Mercedes is also built to last. If may have expensive oil, but I still think a lot of GM product is built to look good for the first 5 years, and not for the long haul. To quote an S-class ad from a few years ago "you get what you pay for, it is that simple" It was once true Benz was built to last but in many cases that is no longer true. They have come down to levels like many other comapanies anymore. As for Cadillac they used to look good for 3 years and today they can go ten with little issue. So past reality has become myth.

Like I said if you are going to complain about the price of service you are buying are car you should not own. I expect soon that almost all cars will come with syn oil anyways. As for me it has not increase my cost as the syn oil goes farther than the regular oil. For the most part we all change our oil much sooner than needed. Oils are better Engines are better and oil range is much longer as it does not break down as it used to. I am amazed how many people do not follow the oil life in the DIC. It is very accurate and does a good job of giving oil life range. GM should promote this more as a useful item and not a novalty as some think it is. I too thought it was a gimick till I learned how GM does this. As for BMW I have changed oil on some that have enough pain in the a$$ issues I wanted to charge them $100 to change it. On some of their cars they must only let the engineers work on the suspension.

That is just it if you are that worried you really are not buying the right car. There was a time when cars like this went to the affluent only and today too many that should not be buying them are then they complain oh my oil cost too much. If it cost too much there is Buick to take care of you. The day where just anyone can buy or afford a Cadillac needs to come to an end. If anyone can buy one it lessens the image of the car. Many people lust for many cars they can not afford and it only enhances the experience of owning one of these cars for the people who do. In the past few people could own or service a V16 and the ones that did it really placed you in society. As Cadillac became more available its image lowered to where it became just another car. GM put less effort into them to keep the price down and volume up hence the Cadalier we had in the 80's and Catera of the 90's. The way I see it is my mother inlaw has money and is doing well. But I don't see here as enhancing the Cadillac ownership image as she is really more Buick material. She likes here DTS because she thinks it makes here look important but the fact is the image she has of Cadillac is an old one that has been gone for a long time. To get it back it needs owners that are better off than her. In the past few people could own or service a V16 and the ones that did it really placed you in society. As Cadillac became more available its image lowered to where it became just another car. GM put less effort into them to keep the price down and volume up hence the Cadalier we had in the 80's and Catera of the 90's. Cadillac should not be a car for everyone. When it was like that in the past it really ment something to own a Cadillac.

I would trash the crew cab. It looks too odd and the bed is worthless. I wish they would use a longer frame and do it right.

We all know GM has not really given a full disclosure on what their plans are. But Ackerson has stated he wants Cadillac to be the leader in the Volume Luxury Market and the standard in styling, Luxury, Technology, Customer Service and Image. Many claim Bob Lutz is back with the primary goal to go after these things and what ever else they have planned. This in mind we know Cadillac is going to look to dominate the $50K-110K market and in time may move up to go after Bently later. Cadillac to survive will need to move up as it can no longer compete with Buick and its competitors. Lincoln is near terminal and only a large gamble with a lot of money will turn them around. They are at least 15 years behind Cadillac in this game and while the Town Car was a profit center it did little for their image. Cadillac is out to do what Porsche and Harley Davidson did to reclaim their image. They will make much better cars, charge more for them and make more money from them. Harley and Porsche both tried to do the cheaper models and cars only to comprimise their image the AMF bikes and the 924 and 944 did little to help the bottom line of either company and in turn they paid the price with poor quality and a hurt image. Right now Benz is not making its best product they ever have made. They have many good cars but they also have issues with many models too. BMW is in a transition and moving to powerful smaller power plants. This puts them open for people to look else where if they have to change what they drive. As of now the only future we know at Cadillac is the ATS and that is only the entry level. It is even still a mystery to us in many areas yet. We has the FWD sedan coming but it is hinted that it is just a filler and not a long term car. We know Alpha is back on now but we know nothing else. Cadillac is much like area 51 where something is heard and seen but tells us very little. The wild card in all this is the economy. While it hurts sales of some luxury cars it helps some of the more expensive. In the future with the economy and fuel economy ratings to come the way of building and selling Luxury cars will change. This give Cadillac a chance to show up and try to set the pace. GM has more ability to do what needs done than anyone and it will only take someone leading the company to let the engineers and designers to do what they can do. Lutz proved this already and it shows in the cars he did. If Ackerson is seriouse we may see him let the horses run like we have not seen them in years at the tech center. FYI Syn oil changes may be an issue for a guy with a Cobalt SS Turbo but not a guy in a Cadillac. Note too what Mr Toyoda has done at Lexus and admitted that they screwed up and did not go far enough to make the best cars for people to get excited about. Thing are no longer done by commitee there and expect the cars to make progress and be more agressive in the market. Things are up for grabs and those who don't get serious in the luxury market may become the next Packard. Cadillac needs to make it special to own a Cadillac again and something not just everyone can but wants to do. It needs an image that says you are one of the better people because you own one of these cars. Most in this segment own these cars because of what the car does for their image says about them. If you can build the best car people will buy it because it is the best no matter the cost. GM first needs to earn this trust buy really building the best cars in class starting with the ATS. It has to be better and no longer just as good as the others.

At least I am not the only one who wants to love this truck but have a hard time doing so. My thoughts too. Great color but after spending time with one just like this recently it told me I made the right choice not buying. The interior was as you said plain. I first found the rear doors narrow and then the back seat leg room lacking. Then I got to the bed. I can haul much easier in the HHR than this as long as the item is not tall. I just hauled home a 8' 2x6 with no issue in the HHR and thought if I had that Colorado it would have stuck out a long ways. I used the Silverado and HHR to move many items since we just got into the new house. If I had a Crew Colorado I would have been at a disadvantage. I suspect much of these issues will be addressed and I think we already have a good idea when and where this truck will be built here already. I think Chris D and the UAW agreement pretty much has let us know where we stand. I really think the new truck priced right will catch Ford and Chrysler flat footed. GM could easily own this segment for a while till they catch up. By then I would hope they move the ball forward. The 4 cylinder engines will be interesting. I know we can count on a NA 4 and I expect a turbo 4. The question will be do they offer a Diesel or a V6. I would say a Diesel is a good bet but the V6 I expect will not be offered or even needed with the right turbo engine. Lets hope they keep this color!

Cute but not a message Cadillac needs to send. I would like to see Cadillac stress more style, quality, comfort and image. A pick up truck pissing contest might be funny but really proves little. Cadillac needs to do better.

As far Toyota, the Tacoma is US and Canada only--the global Toyota pickup is the smaller Hilux. Not sure about Nissan, IIRC the Frontier was sold in Europe as the Navara. The Hilux is not all that different and I am sure they share enough parts to help keep prices in line. You figure with the new Colorado it will be sold here in NA, S America, OZ, Asia, South Africa, poss India and Europe. It could really do wonders to spread cost out and to spread Chevys Image. This litterly could be the best selling Chevy in the world.

Based on the present trucks there is room for improvments. The others have moved on and have hot selling points while GM has really a good truck but it has gained little since intro. The GMC still looks good but the Chevy needs some styling help. Based on my MPG in my 2010 LT 5.3 they need not so much more power but more MPG. Also they need to get the engine and tranny to kick down faster like when you get on the highway. Mine as a lag in it that is annoying and nothing is wrong with the truck. Also they should option a lower suspension package. My 2 two wheel drive sits as high as a 4X4 which is ok for me but many people complain about having to climb in. My elderly mother has never been in it as she can get in it like my past trucks. I would like to see them add things like they should have already on bed storage like the Avalance and other useful tools. Finally I wish GM would make a more basic truck with tires that looked like they are correct for the truck. Too often the tires look stilly unless you get the top line wheel package. They could still offer a better cheaper package that at least fit the looks of the wheel well size. Don't get me wrong I love GM trucks but I am also not to the point to know that they can do even better. I expect the changes in the new truck to be great and will address many of these issues. Two key improvment. Lose all the chome on the nose or make it better. Stone chipped plastic chrome grills look like crap here in Ohio after a couple of winters. Also fix the gold bow ties as they represent Chevy and when they look like hell in 2 years it says little about your brand in a positive way.

They are saying what I have been saying that the price is key. One thing we all have overlooked here is this is also a global vehicle unlike any of the past small trucks. The Colorado, S10, Ranger and Dakota were never sold or were limited to just a few markets. This truck will be like the Toyota and sold world wide. This should help GM control the cost as it should be an easy sell in the world market. It may not be long before we see them in the Amazon or loaded with guns in Libya. I swear that the Rebles in Lybia have gotten Toyota more free air time than anyone. LOL! Anyways this truck will be sold much differently than the past small GM trucks and that should help the bottom line since it will not have to rely on just one market like in the past.

I hope this announcement will occur soon... patience is one of my many virtues, but damn! why does GM have to test it so many times?!?! GM is anouncing things around 16-18 months before release anymore. It seems once they are are relesed over seas we get them 24 months later on average. I think Chris said this was going in to Wentzville as a 2014 so I would expect the fall of 2013 release and showing at the Detroit show in 2013. So we should hear something official in 2012.

Life was just fine with my Muncie M21 and Hurst then the goverment had to make my like better. At least we will finally get the duel disc clutch....At least I hope. For those who have not driven one it is a great improvment. I have driven street and race cars with them and I think most will be plesently suprised on their first drive. We sell a lot of retro duel disc for muscle cars from Ram. They have gotten the price down and many people are jumping on them.

Well I am sure GM has it's reasons to do this. If they did not the money would be going else where. I am sure they have a engineering reason and they will also apply marketing here to keep current. This again is one of those big picture things and is not just a simple don't need it on paper issue. Just be glad in a day when few Prancing Horses have gated shifters anymore you can still get a traditional stick in a Vette.

While you and I may not want a Eco I could see this version being popular in sales and added income for GM. The Cruze version has done better than anyone and even GM I think considerd. I know several people I never expected to own a Cruze let along a Eco version just thrilled with theirs. The love how it drives and even are getting better MPG than the posted numbers. Oil prices have come down but we are still faced with high gas prices. I expect the coming jump into winter they always stick us with.

Ok we both made our points and at this point I stopped reading. I gave you the last word so lets get back to the topic before the natives get restless here. You have your view and I have mine that is just the way we both see it and while I may still may not not agree I can accept that. We could continue this and still never prove it one way or the other. Like I said before Glass half full and half empty here there are no absolutes to prove this one 100% either way.

A Ford rear can be put into a Chevy with the right parts. By your argument, Ford and GM are like fraternal twins. However, that is an invalid argument... most cars share similarities to their contemporaries... and have similar part "units" that can be interchanged if someone, either in the aftermarket or the OEM wants it to interchange. Humans share 99% of our DNA with Chimpanzees, but for some reason, we're not letting them vote. Following somewhat along with your cake analogy, putting frosting on a loaf of whole wheat bread does not make a cake... even if both are made with wheat flour and eggs. Sorry I am not fooled. GM used the term A body for a reason as they are all based on the same platform. Each divison got to trim them in the ways they liked but they are still A bodys with many shared hard point parts. About the only platform that was not shared GM used in recent history was the P body Fiero as it had its own platform but even then it share many parts from the X body and A body. I like how you say with the right parts you can bolt in Ford rear. In my case you can bolt in the Chevy with no extra parts. Now you argument of a Ford rear in a Chevy is not valid as it will not just bolt in unless it is a custom aftermarket unit. Now on the other hand the 12 bolt and 10 bolt stock Chevelle rear will bolt right in to a GTO. It is so simple that chimp you brought in could almost do it. Since the frames are either the same or nearly the same as well as the main structure to the body that makes the car nearly the same. Sure you can bolt a different dash in it as well door panels add a little more insulation and plop you division engine in it and call it a Buick that is fine but the basic car is a A body no matter how you spin.... I mean trim it. Guys if you are happy thinking your A bodies from the 60's are all truly unique cars that is fine. Just accept that I and many others don't agree. Many of these cars even came off the same assmbly line built by the same workers, they were not Buick workers or Olds or Pontiac but GM workers. Just like we are GM fans here we may not agree but we all do agree on liking GM cars. Again this is just a case of where we will have to agree to disagree.

If it does happen more than not it would be a joint venture and not just a BMW engine out of the crate. I would expect a deal similar to the Lotus/Chevy ZR1 engine only this time it would be done right with the better technology today. The present and future electonics can make a lot of things happen never possible in the past. Cadillac does not want a full on BMW engine any more than BMW would want to give them one right out of one of their cars. Their engineering arm and engine plant are just right for building lower volume special engines. They have done it in the past with great results and it could either be a trade for money or electronic help with a Volt like system. You will find the unwashed masses will pay more for a BMW powered V8 Cadillac vs a Chevy powered or V6 one of the same power. It comes down to not what the reality is but the preception is. If they already think BMW is gods gift then give them what they want at a higher price. It is all about making money with a car that people find pleasure in, Lutz is king of understanding this. If people feel pride and have a car that makes them feel special they over look a lot of things they would complain on in any other car. This is something Buick also needs is to make people feel like they have a special car. A car that enhances their image and standing above others. BMW has made some crap cars but people love them and over look the expensive repair bills just because how the car makes them feel. I look for Buick to grow more into their own in 5 years and we will see cars that have more space between them and Chevy. Also with Cadillac moving up more it will let Buick expand into a large market with out stepping into Cadillacs market. This is a growing time and these cars are only setting the direction to the destination.

The water pump will not bolt on but that Chevy engine is a easy fit to the Buick as well as the tranny, rear in most cases control arms, door handles and many many other parts. I see it like a cake. While the base is the same you can frost them differently. I agree the engines were the soul and that was the begining of the end of many of these cars. When they dropped in a Olds in a TA that was when Pontiac for me failed to really be a Pontiac. The Firebird even with a different engine was not different enough many years. But then again when we needed fenders for a 1967 400 it was nice the Camaro units were direct bolt on's. This is why we can argue our points here these cars in many ways were as different in some areas as they were alike in others. It is all just how MFG's have to work too control cost. While most Share hard points they at least in the past let them work the other areas. I see this again happing now that they are down to just a few divisions. I too think the key to Buick and Cadillac's future is to be able to offer differenly tuned engines. I know to do an entire engine would be crazy expensive but if they could dress and tune them just for their division it would help restore some brand pride. This is where the BMW deal would be nice if they could work a deal on a joint V8 for Cadillac that would boost their image. The Chevy engine is nice but it would be nicer if Cadillac had an engine that really was a Cadillac.