Dawn of the no-fun era?, Is GM going the way of Toyota? Options

[BigEnos]

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f12/bre...isbanded-75664/

I understand the need to do this, but I hope they dive back in to the performance vehicle segment when/if GM is healthy again.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/bs.gif)

[axoid]

This is a sign of why my next car will be a BMW. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/surrender.gif)


GM (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/brick.gif)

[1meanZ]

Amen to that. I read the report GM submitted to the government to sweet talk them into loaning them money. From the sounds of the report they are going to dramatically reduce the # of vehicles offered, increase fuel economy, and focus on smaller efficient engines. I don't really know where cars like the Corvette and Camaro fit in that model. I have no plans to get rid of my Camaro, but I would sell one of my kidneys to buy an E46 M3, any takers?

[00 SS]

I guess the best we can hope for is the good folk that were designing the cool version of the cars will get some input on the regular models and step up the performance in base trim. Could it be possible that future GM cars will go, stop and handle without a special version having to be created? Here's to hoping (but not holding my breath).

[mitchntx]

There was about a 10 year stint, beginning in 72 or 73 where the auto-makers built boring cars. then there was about 20 years plus of ever improving "fun".

Are we at the end of an era? Probably.

[codename Bil Doe]

I feel sorry for anyone who buys a bimmer. I owned a new E46 M3 for two months before I sold it. Best line from the dealer: "These cars are hit or miss and you got a miss." With the dozens of things that are guaranteed to go wrong with them ("That's the price of luxury" as they say on the boards), I wouldn't take one if it was given to me. Overpriced pieces of junk. Really nice seats, though.

[rmackintosh]

I feel sorry for anyone who buys a bimmer. I owned a new E46 M3 for two months before I sold it. Best line from the dealer: "These cars are hit or miss and you got a miss." With the dozens of things that are guaranteed to go wrong with them ("That's the price of luxury" as they say on the boards), I wouldn't take one if it was given to me. Overpriced pieces of junk. Really nice seats, though.

FINALLY, someone who KNOWS the truth!!!!!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

After years of hating on BMW yuppiemobiles, the wife and I drove them while helping my parents see "what was out there" for them....they had weird needs that would take too long to go into at the time. You know.....they were REALLY nice! We found a 528 that was driven by the dealer for a few months and had been REALLY worked over looks wise. Had been lowered a bit, had the M5 wheels on it, all the emblems and markings were removed, had the European marker and headlights......pretty much this car looked BADASS! Had like 8,000 miles on it.

After owning the car a week, it was in the shop running on 5 cylinders....dealer had it for a MONTH! They told me it was fixed, I picked it up on a Saturday due to work, when the shop was closed. I ALMOST made it to the driveway before it started running on 5 cylinders again! That went on for another 2 weeks. Basically we owned the car for 2 years or so. I rarely drove it...it was my wifes. She went out of town on business and I thought.....hey I will take the BMW to work. Started running on 5 cylinders 1/2 block from my house. I was so pissed, called my wife and she told me how it NEVER really runs well 100% of the time....she had been complaining to the dealer for 2 years but was scared to tell me because I about drove the car through the dealer's window after the first 2 months of owning the car.....

Took it to a new dealer to work on it......told him about the 2 year issue....they fixed it with a $20 cam sensor! The original dealer had torn the ENGINE DOWN trying to fix it!

I told the service manager that was just stupid...he told me....and I quote:

You have never owned a BMW before have you? These are "precision machines" that have a lot of moving parts and electronics that can go wrong with them. This is quite common with cars like this.....

I looked at him like this (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) There was a lady next to me as he said this who had the 800 series $90,000 car and was "in line" to bitch about HER issues. She butts in and says, "I have owned my car for 2 months and it has been NOTHING but trouble to me....this is what you tell your customers? I am going next door RIGHT NOW and trading this car in on a Lexus!"

I looked at her and said...." AMEN! "

Turned to the service manager and said that I had better experience with my very first car, a Ford Escort GT (sorry, all I could afford as a kid) and if that is how BigMoneyWaste feels, I would never been seen in one again....

Went next door and bought a Cadillac Escalade.....I LOVED THAT RIDE! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[rmackintosh]

but I would sell one of my kidneys to buy an E46 M3, any takers?

Keep your kidney.....a BMW would REALLY disappoint you! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[1meanZ]

but I would sell one of my kidneys to buy an E46 M3, any takers?

Keep your kidney.....a BMW would REALLY disappoint you! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Thanks for the advice. Cadillac CTS-V then??? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[nape]

There was about a 10 year stint, beginning in 72 or 73 where the auto-makers built boring cars. then there was about 20 years plus of ever improving "fun".

Are we at the end of an era? Probably.

You mean my kids are going to feel bad about how many 3rd & 4th gens we cut up just like how I feel bad about how many Novas and Chevelles my dad and uncle cut up? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[BigEnos]

Our 330xi was great, no problems. Sadly it was wrecked by a careless driver. I'd own another one in a heartbeat. Buying used is a good idea, though. Far too expensive new.

[mitchntx]

There was about a 10 year stint, beginning in 72 or 73 where the auto-makers built boring cars. then there was about 20 years plus of ever improving "fun".

Are we at the end of an era? Probably.

You mean my kids are going to feel bad about how many 3rd & 4th gens we cut up just like how I feel bad about how many Novas and Chevelles my dad and uncle cut up? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

Probably so. And machines with flux capacitors will be ESP legal.

[rmackintosh]

but I would sell one of my kidneys to buy an E46 M3, any takers?

Keep your kidney.....a BMW would REALLY disappoint you! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Thanks for the advice. Cadillac CTS-V then??? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

probably can get one for PENNIES on the dollar VERY soon! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

[Eskimo]

When I lived in Bavaria, BMW's were called "Bayerische Mist Wagen" by the locals.. Loosely translated into "Bavarian Shit Car"

[BigEnos]

When I lived in Bavaria, BMW's were called "Bayerische Mist Wagen" by the locals.. Loosely translated into "Bavarian Shit Car"

Many Americans say the same things about Chevy and Ford.

[poSSum]

GM is in a world of hurt ... so while this announcement really sucks, I guess they have to survive before they can develop more really cool cars.

What I'm worried about is the G8 not selling well .... I fear this will spell the end of affordable RWD from GM.

I guess the best we can hope for is the good folk that were designing the cool version of the cars will get some input on the regular models and step up the performance in base trim. Could it be possible that future GM cars will go, stop and handle without a special version having to be created? Here's to hoping (but not holding my breath).

Ditto on this.

[rmackintosh]

When I lived in Bavaria, BMW's were called "Bayerische Mist Wagen" by the locals.. Loosely translated into "Bavarian Shit Car"

Many Americans say the same things about Chevy and Ford.

..right.....but Chevy and Ford don't act like they put out automobiles designed and driven by Gods either..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

And I DOUBT VERY MUCH if BigMoneyWaste wants to even be in the SAME SENTENCE with Ford and Chevy.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

[T.O.Dillinder]

but I would sell one of my kidneys to buy an E46 M3, any takers?

Keep your kidney.....a BMW would REALLY disappoint you! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Thanks for the advice. Cadillac CTS-V then??? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR!!!!!! DING!!!DING!!!!!DING!!!!!! HE'S A WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[pknowles]

This is GM bowing down to the government for money. I'm not so sure that this will really happen unless they get in real trouble. They will probably cut back on some of the real special cars, but I don't think all the cool cars will go away. What I find hilarious is that among $4/gal gas and tough economic times in the second half of the year, what was the best selling vehicle in 2008? The poster child of small car and fuel efficiency, the Ford F150 (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) . The Chevy Silverado was #2. To me that says that people don't want small cars, but yet that's what GM has been pushed into making. I'm sure Congress wouldn't give them money to keep on building trucks and SUV's.

[sgarnett]

That also says trucks were being discounted heavily because dealers didn't want to be stuck with them.