hyperv6

You can have your veiw as much as I. While you look at past GM cars for their differances I look at them for thier similarities. It goes back to the saying glass half full or half empty. I can see the differance in thr Canadian full size Pontiacs with the Chevy frames that lack the wide track suspensions built in the 60's but I also see the full size Pontiac SD cars int he late 60 with 396 engines to. I know they were limited in Canada but it also shows these parts are direct boilt in's. And don't give me that Packard crap as you know what I mean. You might change a Safari wheel base 7 inches but it was a two door wagon with the same roof line that was developed for a Chevy. I see the cars as near twins [while not identical but similar in many ways]. If Chevy did not have Nomad would Pontiac have not has a Safari? How many other Pontiacs would have disapeared if Chevy did not have a sister car? Pontiac and Chevy are tied closer in many way just as was Olds and Buick were. Either way this is a argument that neither of us will win as it is more on how you view it. If you want to count exact parts you win and if you count similar parts and basic engineering I would win. The bottom line is today Pontiac is a mess and returning to its past is not the answer. Building great styled cars that are performance based are. Instead of being the great American touring car they just need to be a real touing car period. Cars like the G5 and Vibe are just not getting it done. I just think it is sad while Chevy has a Cobalt and HHR thas share much they are more different than a G5 is from a Cobalt. It is time GM need to make Pontiac different or based on cars not old here in any form of Chevy. That is why the Solstice and G 6 to me are the only real Pontiacs offered. They may have hidden the relationships of these vehicles in the past better it all came out in the later years when they did not work as hard to hide them. GM is not fopoling many anymore like for is not fooling anyonw with Mercury. Automotive Incest is a wicked thing.

I have 7 coworkers and two friends other than myself that have HHR's. Each one of us bought them as they were affordable, sporty in the 2 SS versions we have and not a minivan. Each one of us would never buy a traditional styled minivan. If the future HHR is retro or not the key is styling. If GM just make the new one a traditional box I can point to 10 owners of an HHR that would be lost if it was not replaced with a cool fun styled affordable vehicle. Chevy sold 99,000 plus HHR's this year based on the sheet Scott Settlmire sent me. This was down till gas went up and they became hard to find at many dealers from June to August. I had to go throght 3 days of shearching to find the SS with the options I wanted and one color change. For the HHR to perform as well as it had after the press claiming it was too late to the market is a big win. Imagine if they were first. The key with people movers is to find ways to make them stand out. Hummer H2 and 3 were nothing but Chevy Tahoes with some improvments and look at me styling. People were willing to pay more. The Malibu is dfoing very well as it is price well and the styling is very well done for it's price class. Styling in general is what Lutz has preached and if they forget that they are going to return to their past and GM can not afford that right now. Also Japan can hardly style themselves out of a corner. GM needs to take advantage of that. Styling is what will save GM if they let it. And I don't mean it in a Aztec or Transport kind of way. The new CTS, HHR and Malibu each have shown what they can do and GM needs to learn from itself.

The HHR Nomad concept from SEMA was a good second gen. It featured the Malibu new Chevy face but hat the slanted pillars of the Nomad in the roof line. Kind of something old something new. Now that I have a HHR I have learned from many other owners what drew them in and it was styling and price. More recent buyer also went for the same reasons but also MPG. Just for Chevy to go to a Mazda 5 formula shows no imagination and just makes them just another boxy minivan. The other thing is they can do like Chrysler did with the PT and not chang it much at all. I can say the reaction I have had with the SS is that most think I customized it. Once they learn it is stock they are shocked. When they learn the prices they are really shocked. The age appeal also ranges from 6-60. The import guys are all over it as well as 40 somethings as well as those approching 70. Find a minivan that will do that. Chevy has a good formula here and needs to capitalize on it. If they just do a normal mini van replacment the sales will never top 100,000 for any year.

Cloudy and conflicting usally means they are making changes to the platform. I think with all the new CAFE rules it has changed GM's outlook on the Alpha and may have expanded its future roll. Lets face it everything has to be smaller and lighter and Alpha could underpin many new cars GM has set for Zeta< Kappa and other RWD projects they may still have. RWD is not dead but it will be smaller and mostly 4 and 6 cylinder offerings.

That was my thought. Kappa II may be dead but not the Solstice or Sky. If based on a Alpha it wouls share the cost with other lines while also helping spread the cost of Alpha over 5 more cars for 5 more different divisions. It all would equal cost savings for the Alpha and Solstice/Sky.

I agree that prior to 1977 there were more differances but the GTO was a A body. They may have called it a Fisher body then and today they call it a corperate platform. Times change but other the engines and rear ends they are no different for the most part than todays cars with some styling changes and and different suspension tuning. I will agree they did do a better job than they did in Canada with the Beumont and Arcadia. But everytime I have seen or replace things like 12 bolt rear ends that bolt straight in to replace the Pontiac part or pull out a Small Block Chevy that was a streaight bolt in to replace the 400 boltin with mounts and bell housing it remind me just how close these cars really were. On the good note the corperate window cranks and other mechanical bits do make them easier to restore. I am not saying Pontiac did a bad job on their versions in the 60 but they were still a shared car to a greatr degree. The 55-57 Nomad and Safari are good exaples of cake with different frosting. The different fenders and rngine did not hide the roof line and what it was based on.

All they need is this. Replace the Aveo with the Beat. Bring on the Cruze Merge the Impala and Malibu into one line. Do they relaly need two cars doing the same job if the Impala remains FWD. Keep the HR but keep ist special. Copy a 1955 Suburban or Nomad. Keep it Cheap Keep, it cool, keep it fun and keep it usable. This is why they bought this vehicle when everyone said it was too late. The Camaro is set but start work on a Alpha. Bring on the HHR/Opel box and sell it along side the new HHR. Go smaller on the Colorado. Take it back to the S10 concept size and look for ways to remove weight. On the full size trucks and SUV. Invest in ways to improve the mileage in the trucks and keep most of the money in the trucks. The SUV need to be consolidated. Less models and less variations please. Less but more effective models will better focus money to making better products and marketing them. They don't need 50 ok flavors when 20 really good ones will take care of the needs. Anything Chevy can't cover is what Buick, Pointiac, GMC and Saturn are there for.

I agree as Pontiac has been nothing but a hand me down from Chevy even farther back than some want to admit. The great GTO's were all Chevelle A body based. The Firebird whould not be if there was no Camaro. The Large Pontiac cars were all based on the GM full size platforms for years. They got different trim and for a while different engines but they still were based on the other lines sold by GM in the states. The crazy truth is the only 100% Pontiac that has been made in decades was the Fiero 2M4. The P car was Pontiac only and while it shares some parts most were redesigned to fit the Fiero and were not interchangable with any other GM cars . Also the 4 cylinder Iron Duke was a Pontiac engine. Then lets not forget this was one of the last Pontiacs built in Pontiac MI. I find the G8 be more Pontiac than many of their past models as this car was not shared till the Camaro in the states and for once Pontiac got the platform first VS the past where Chevy would get it first. I would be fine with only 4-5 true perfromance base cars RWD and FWD mix. I have learned GM can make a FWD performance car after buying my HHR SS. If a G5 ran like that I could respect it as a Pontiac. As for calling the Bonneville the "Great American Touring Sedan" That crap has to stop. If they want respect Pontiac can be just a Great America Car it has to be a great Car period. Right now Chevy is selling some damn good cars and if you want people to buy Pontiacs you need to give them a reason. The HHR SS and Malibu I just bought were both better than the offerings from Pontiac. They also were cheaper. I am a die hard Pontiac fan and I am buying Chevys is that telling you something about Pontiac and what they are offering. If they can't sell me a Pontiac fan a car then who the hell are they going to sell them too? If Pontiac had gotten the Astra restyled as a Pontiac G5 with a 260 Turbo I might have looked. IF Pontiac has a G6 that was advancing with improvment vs not much better than a few years ago I might have looked. If Pontiac had offered a 260 HP Turbo in a small RWD sedan I would be all over it. The hell with the old names as the new cars have to be different. It is the products that make the differance and not the name. You could have called the G6 a Grand and a G5 a Sunbird and I still would not have bought one. Right now the only two cars they have I was intersted in was the Solstice which I had to pass on as I need more than two seats. Also I looked at a G8 ST but again two seats. I may replace the wifes GTP with a G8 if they are still around when it is time. One last note the Malibu I bought for my Mom made me wake up and realize how cruddy my GTP is. The 2LT I got for $20K is quieter, better interior, rides better, handels as well and is nealry as fast. has a 24 vlave V6 with a six speed tranny. The sad part is the V6 2LT is not even a performance car and is a better all around car than my Comp G. At the Pontiac Nationals this year it was generally accepted by many if GM ever files for reorganization Pontiac will be gone. If the market does not improve that could very well happen. It is sad even the base is accepting of the fact Pontiac could be gone with little out rage.

Enough.... Enough...! Stop all the chatter as there is only one word to describe the stying on this car. Shocking!

The HHR is best called a cross over as it is a car with small truck like or van like qualities. I can haul a 9 foot ladder and a bunch of 2x4's and still do 155 mph while pulling .86 G's. It a car, it's a SUV, it is best discribed as a HHR. It is in a class of it's own. To be honest a cross over does not have to be AWD and as time goes on more of the cross overs will be class breaking. Scion is not much different. As for that blue thing above it looks like a Popemobile.

It is a tall Cobalt wagon but in the eyes of the goverment it is a SUV. That way it gives GM a truck that gets over 30 MPG highway to off set the CAFE of large SUV and truck poor CAFE. Chrysler did the samething with the PT as it was termed a SUV. Unless it was a convertible and then it became a car in the eyes to the goverment since it had no hatch.

The name is Heritage High Roof and it is a knock off of the 49 Suburban to be exact per Chevys statment.. This is all common knowledge form 3 years ago. The Hot Rod statment was based on the performance of the SS not the HHR name! I still love how the press said Lutz was too late with this and the HHR was going to tank 3 years ago. Right now at 300,000+ served I know the dealer where I bought mine wishes they could get more with sales doing well for them.

Come back after a test drive of a HHR SS and say there is nothing Hot Rod about it.

Well this is a day before the crash picture. But I saw it yesterday and I am please with the repair so far. They say it should be ready to pick up Friday. I had to wait till they got the SS front bumper cover but it is painted and ready to be installed. All the parts are new GM and nothing was seriously bent. the only paint will be on the bumper as the sheetmetal held up well.

Mazda does better than most Asian import to be different but the 5 is nothing more than something to appeal to an average Caravan owner. After reading some of the HHR web sites over the last few weeks I can onlyhear the wailing and nashing of teeth over there when this is presented as the replacment. IF the HHR was not selling 100,000 units I could see a change to a new modern styling but to make it look like everyone else this thing will not even come close to 100,000. The different styling like it or not along with the affordable price is a badge of honor with HHR owners. Lets face it the HHR sell great and they do it with nealy no advertising. I still have many people who think my SS is a custom because they never saw or heard of one. Now do that with this box. To me my HHR is my daily driver but to many it is their toy and car to fix up and play with. these people would put a poster of it on the wall. I just don't see that with this thing. My feeling is Lutz was over ruled on this one.

If this replaces the HHR I do not see it selling the 100,000 units a year the HHR has sold in each of the last 3 years. Yes this year also was just a few units less than 100,000 in a bad sale year. I myself never considered a HHR till the SS and now I own one. I bought it in part because it got good milage, was fun to drive, will carry about anything I need to haul and it is not a traditional mini van. Above all most people buy the HHR because it is a good value. Chevy need to keep the HHR as it's own identity. I would like them to move the styling a little more like the HHR Nomad show car with the more modern Malibu nose but the more 1955's roof line. Chrysler failed when it changed the PT but it still looked the same. I work with 9 people that also own HHR's and would not buy the vehicle pictured as we all wanted something different. Lets also face it how often does anyone need to carry 7 passengers? I rarely carry 4. Chevy does not need to do another generic box that looks like a Mazda and 4 or 5 other vehicles. The HHR is an easy sale just keep moving the design to a unique but stylis design. And keep it cheap. Oh, the HHR name has nothing to do with the popularity it is all about being different and affordable. You call it what ever but it must be cool in a differnt kind of way.

What about the 2.1 Turbo that I seen a spec sheet on? They have given the 2.0 a little more stroke and a little more compresion. 283-300 HP.

I must say after spending some time in the Malibu it is a amazing car for the money. The LTZ is nice but a loaded V6 2LT is one of the greatestr values in the automotive market. The Six speed tranny is one of the smoothest I have ever driven and the 3.6 V6 is a improvement over the past GM V6 engines. I liked my GP but this Malibu lets you know ow old the present W body was. The platform stiffness is such a vast improvment in ride, feel , handling and safety it is amazing. At this point other than fleet sales I see no reason for the Impala anylonger.

Only a hand full of GP's had 300 HP this is a 300 DI HP for the masses. I am not too suprised as I can see GM looks to have stepped up the infusion of DI on all vehicles. I can say just my observations of DI in my own car it is just plain major improvment in all of GM's engines. The power and fuel milage improvments are amazining. Now if I can get useds to the clicking sound on the outside of the vehicle.

Yawn! I do think the two tone interior is long over do for Pontiac but the wood grain needs to be axed. I am begining to believe that Pontiac is just on life support till GM Files and kills the line. For a division in critical condition the moves are too slow and too litte. Once GM files they can axe Pontiac and cust the losses vs doing it now. THe question is will buick and GMC follow or will they still save Buick and team it with Saturn/Opel. Spent a lot of time in a Malibu this week end and for the money and the quality of the cae the G6 ain't no Malibu. When you can load up a 2LT with a V6 and 18 inch wheels along with the other goodies the G6 sedam pales.

I am seeing Aveo's everywhere here. They are selling like crazy. Before gas went up they were that car you saw once in a while and mocked.

Well we bought a 2LT with a V6 package. This car stickered at $25,940 and we got it for $21,000. This is a jewel Red with the 18" wheels and only lacks a sunroof and the Six disc radio. She did not care for those items as she is 72 years old. I drove the car and ws impressed with it and the 6 speed is a marvel. We went to look at the LTZ that was advertised for $23,585 and was given a price of $25,800? I would love a phone number to GM to complain about the false advertising. They said that was the price if we had a GM discount and a non GM car in the house hold. It did not state this in the ad. To be honest the car had a great interior but was not any nicer than the 2 LT we got. It drove, rode and handled the same. It did have a sun roof and rear electric package that we really did not need. If we want the better floor mats we can get them on our own. While the LTZ is a great car the real buy is the 2LT if you opt for the V6 package. It is just as much car for a lot less money. This salesman owes me lunch as this is his second sales to me in 2 weeks.

THe congrats need to go to my mother as it will be her gem. I will only get to wax it from time to time. She wants the metalic red and it should look nice. I have not seen the car yet as she looked at it when I sent her to the dealer to look. She has been reluctant to trade off her 97 Buick but I detected a sound in her voice she really liked this car. As for the DI engine I expect the DI will ben in in 2010-11. They need it for the milage and they had not planned to have it this soon. But I expect they are moving it up as soon as possible. The HHR SS with DI was getting 26-27 city and 31-32 highway with DI. I have spoken to other SS owners and they are getting the same. The numbers are much better than the window sticker estimates. Just 700 PSI injectors and up to 2000+ PSI fuel pressures blow my mind. I wonder how many shade tree guys mess this one up.

I may be buying a LTZ for my mom Saturday. We found one advertised ar $29,090 sticker for $23,553 in th paper. It is still there tonight and we will be there in the AM. I will get the extra $1,000 off on my GM card and it should make for a good buy. The Malibu was marketed well to start but it has faded into the background. IF Chevy wants to keep it going they need to keep pushing it. I noted on my new HHR SS that most people think it is a custom job. They can't believe I bought it from the dealer as is. I have been amazed at all the positive comments and looks it gets. With 4519 built and really no advertising most people are shock at what the SS is and what it can do. I thought I would get more of the you bought a HHR? commnets from freinds but all are like it goes how fast and it only cost how much! Chevy now has great cars and very good prices and they need to push it a little more. I will post tomarrow if the deal goes through.

Go drive a new Turbo SS Cobalt or HHR and you find the beam rear axle is a non issue. They handel and ride as good as any of the Indies in the Honda or Ford. I have indy in the back of my GTP and my HHR SS rides like a Cadillac compared to the GP and easily out handels the GTP too.