New Camaro = D.O.A.?? Options

[slowTA]

ah, just face it. We'll all have to become Ford owners... with a collection of [soon to be] classic chevys in the garage.
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

I could see myself driving a Dodge instead. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[JKnight]

GM does not make anything I am interested in, except a 'Vette, and I doubt I'd ever buy one.

I hear that the C5rs are for sale. Anywhere from $200k to $450k. Now that's a Chevy that I'd love tyo own!

Jason

[rmackintosh]

ah, just face it. We'll all have to become Ford owners... with a collection of [soon to be] classic chevys in the garage.
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

....nah...I've owned a few Fords.....all were CRAP....wouldn't waste my time on another one....I would have to go Dodge....even though the interiors in those look so FRICKEN cheap it is sickening....

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

[rmackintosh]

GM does not make anything I am interested in, except a 'Vette, and I doubt I'd ever buy one.

I hear that the C5rs are for sale. Anywhere from $200k to $450k. Now that's a Chevy that I'd love tyo own!

Jason

...yeah...I saw privateer C5R on the track at Sebring and was like...

WTF???? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

GM NEVER sells there factory race cars.....they just go to some museum somewhere....they must be REALLY hurtin' to need to sell those things....

....what the hell....maybe soon the will be offering a $200,000 rebate on them and ZERO PERCENT financing for 30 years...
(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[94bird]

Found this in AutoTech daily recently. It's a little different spin on the previous posts:

GM PUTS THE BRAKES ON REAR-DRIVE ZETA MODELS
General Motors Corp. has halted development of up to four rear-wheel-drive midsize
vehicles that were due to be launched in North America in three years, according to
several media reports. The vehicles—including the next-generation Pontiac GTO—were
to be built on GM’s Zeta platform, which is expected to still be used for applications
outside North America.
The move is said to have been initiated by Vice Chairman Bob Lutz after it was determined
the vehicles couldn’t be engineered and produced as cost effectively as competitive
rear-drive models such as the hot-selling Chrysler 300 and new Ford Mustang. The
decision also allows GM to shift resources to the development of new full-size pickups
and SUVs that are due next year.
In addition to the GTO, the Zeta platform was expected to be the basis for new
Chevrolet and Buick models—possibly reviving the Camaro nameplate and giving life to a
production version of last year’s Buick Velite concept car. The current GTO shares a platform
with the Holden Monaro and is produced in Australia.
An internal GM memo circulated last week said the vehicles have been put on hold
until further notice by the current business climate, according to some reports. Although
the automaker acknowledges the Zeta platform programs have been stopped, officials
insist new approaches are being analyzed for future midsize rear-drive vehicles.
Those new models may eventually be shifted to the existing Monaro-GTO platform or
the Sigma architecture that carries the Cadillac CTS and STS sedans and SRX crossover
vehicles. But this likely would delay introduction by at least a year.

==============================

In the same issue they spoke of showing a SS version of the Trailblazer with a 391 HP version of the LS2 in it and 20" wheels. Hehe, the 0-60 was touted as 5.7s. Heck, notice above that one of the reasons GM is killing the Zeta platform is it's not as cost effective of a RWD platform as the LX (Charger, Magnum, 300) for Chrysler and the Mustang for Ford. Now, they're coming out with a SS Trailblazer that SRT already has covered handily with a Grand Cherokee. GM's other SS will be a 250 HP V6 Monte Carlo (FWD). Ugh. I'm with you guys. GM is making some outright stupid marketing decisions.

It's in the headlines lately that they will offer "early retirement" to about 28% of their white collar workers asap.

It's heartbreaking.

[pknowles]

SS Monte Carlo, haven't we learned that hotrod FWD's just don't sell. SVT focus, Colt GHL (think that's right), SRT4 (havn't seen one yet). The new VW's I don't consider "performance" because they are so heavy.

A freind of mine still has people making offers on his Impala SS.

[CMC #37]

QUOTE (y5e06 @ Mar 22 2005, 08:58 AM)
ah, just face it. We'll all have to become Ford owners... with a collection of [soon to be] classic chevys in the garage.
mad.gif

....nah...I've owned a few Fords.....all were CRAP....wouldn't waste my time on another one....I would have to go Dodge....even though the interiors in those look so FRICKEN cheap it is sickening....

blink.gif

Randy, we think alike! I think a skateboard, pogo stick or horse would be better than driving a F*rd! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Absolut Speed]

....nah...I've owned a few Fords.....all were CRAP....wouldn't waste my time on another one....I would have to go Dodge....even though the interiors in those look so FRICKEN cheap it is sickening....

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

GM guys have NO right to call other manufacturers interiors cheap. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[rmackintosh]

....nah...I've owned a few Fords.....all were CRAP....wouldn't waste my time on another one....I would have to go Dodge....even though the interiors in those look so FRICKEN cheap it is sickening....

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

GM guys have NO right to call other manufacturers interiors cheap. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

...ever seen the inside of a Dodge truck????...

I have made SEVERAL attempts to buy one, but each time the salesman had to clean the barf off of the seat after I climbed out...

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[bobbylee]

nah...I've owned a few Fords.....all were CRAP....wouldn't waste my time on another one

Not trying to turn this into a Ford vs GM vs Dodge things. but...

I have always liked GM for high performance and Ford for transportation. I've put about 5 times the miles on Fords than on GM vehicles. 99.9% of them trouble free too.

Here's my take on all of this crap:

Dodge - will be running until the next millenium, too bad there won't be anything left of the vehicle to carry the engine around in, a/c systems self destruct as soon as the warranty is up, electrical switches, circuits, etc are all crap, body integrity is about as bad as you can get. How I know - My dad, co-workers, and friend all bought them. I repaired them too, with regularity.

Chevy/GM - still builds a fine powertrain, and has actually improved the rest of the vehicle...if you want something ugly or want a truck. Remember the 70's and 80's? Paint and trim were abominable, interiors fell apart within three years, GM decides that thinner head castings save 1.00 per car so 86 and up cast iron heads suck, most of them were delivered from the factory with pre-installed oil and water leaks. How I know - I owned these POS's in the 70's.

Ford - the worst I can say about them is that their ancillary components don't seem to hold up as long as GM's...water pumps. fuel pumps, alternators seem to go with greater regularity. Other than that--- I have owned three Ford trucks and three cars. I still drive my 76 Ford daily. They have all been stone reliable with never a warranty issue. If you want a full size truck, Ford is it.

I'm not impressed with the current crop of Ford cars anymore than GM or Chrysler. If I ever buy a new car, it will be Honda or Toyota. .The wife's Toyota 4 Runner is amazing. The way she treats that thing - no problems whatsoever. I can't believe how well it is built and the way things stay together.

[2000Z-71]

The move is said to have been initiated by Vice Chairman Bob Lutz after it was determined
the vehicles couldn’t be engineered and produced as cost effectively as competitive
rear-drive models such as the hot-selling Chrysler 300 and new Ford Mustang.

Let's not leave out the Infiniti G35's, Nissan 350Z. All cars that are very much in demand.

So tell me how is it cost effective to produce a less expensive car that doesn't sell?

[sgarnett]

Between my wife and I, we currently own a 2001 Chevy Camaro, 1997 Ford T-bird, a 1996 Dodge Ram, a 1977 MGB. Before the Dodge, we had a Toyota.

There are now so few vehicles made that I would want, even ignoring price, that brand loyalty is irrelevant.

I drove a rental F150 extended cab 2WD on a road trip about a year ago, and was impressed. It drove well and got great gas mileage. I'm not sure it would be my first choice as a farm/work truck (though a new F250 or an old F150 might) but it would be a nice daily driver.

[AllZWay]

I'm not impressed with the current crop of Ford cars anymore than GM or Chrysler. If I ever buy a new car, it will be Honda or Toyota. .The wife's Toyota 4 Runner is amazing. The way she treats that thing - no problems whatsoever. I can't believe how well it is built and the way things stay together.

After all the problems my wife has had with Honda products.... I would be very leary about buying another one.

92' Accord - Busted block at 23K

'96 Legend - WAY TOO MANY PROBLEMS to list all, but primary - axles, rear main seals, transmission, interior falling off, radio, antenna.....etc... all before 63K

'98 Accord - not bad, minor interior crap pieces falling off.

'2000 Passport - BIGGEST POS ON 4 WHEELS. Spent months at a time in the shop for numerous problems....computer, fuel injection, brakes, transmission primary problems al before 24K.

Now she has a 2004 Tahoe and so far so good with about 18K on it.

A guy I work with has gotten lots of miles from his Toyota trucks, but all had to have head gaskets replaced at about 80K, but then chug on to 200k pretty easily.

[94bird]

SS Monte Carlo, haven't we learned that hotrod FWD's just don't sell. SVT focus, Colt GHL (think that's right), SRT4 (havn't seen one yet).

You're kidding right? Hot rod FWDs don't sell? Maybe Maryland is an isolated pocket without a good market for fast FWD cars, but I doubt it. What doesn't sell well is hot rod mid size and larger FWD cars. Compacts are a completely different story.

[CMC #37]

Omni GLH (goes like hell), Caroll Shelby car. Fun little beastie! I had a Dodge Colt turbo back in 1985 new. That was also a nice FWD "pocket rocket." A complete blast until you hit 60mphish, then it shriveled up and yelled for mama! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif) My '89 Formula 350 'Bird rescued me from that situation.... I was disappointed when the turbo option Colt blue book value was *zero dollars* when I went to sell it. It was a completely different car than the stocker, wider and nice 60 series Yokos that kept me giggling constantly. Who makes up that bleepin' blue book anyway!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[00 Trans Ram]

Well, here's the short list of the next cars that I would own as a daily driver (keeping the T/A as a pure race car):

1) Used C6 (2-3 years old)
2) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
3) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
4) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Notice a trend? The Vette is the only thing that has what I want - high HP, RWD, handling, good looks, relatively good reliability. I am hard pressed to think of even a single other car that combines those things!

[94bird]

No offense to you ESPers out there, but the Evo is my car, plain and simple if I was to buy a new car. Problem is a 10 yr old F body is still so much cheaper. It's hard to justify spending the extra money.

BTW, I still have a tender spot in my heart for the GLH Turbos - http://mywebpages.comcast.net/miketaylor68/glh.html

This post has been edited by 94bird: Mar 24 2005, 04:36 AM

[robz71lm7]

No offense to you ESPers out there, but the Evo is my car, plain and simple if I was to buy a new car. Problem is a 10 yr old F body is still so much cheaper. It's hard to justify spending the extra money.

BTW, I still have a tender spot in my heart for the GLH Turbos - http://mywebpages.comcast.net/miketaylor68/glh.html

I'd probably consider buying a rally car too... Sti.

Of course I'd also consider a C5.


But in reality the only realistic replacement for me would be a factory five cobra replica. I've been eyeing these for a while and I think it would be a ton of fun to build and re-engineer and tune the suspension.

Although I would probably try and put a SBC in it. Perhaps LS1 if I got a good deal on a used one.

[trackbird]

No offense to you ESPers out there, but the Evo is my car, plain and simple if I was to buy a new car. Problem is a 10 yr old F body is still so much cheaper. It's hard to justify spending the extra money.

BTW, I still have a tender spot in my heart for the GLH Turbos - http://mywebpages.comcast.net/miketaylor68/glh.html

I'd probably consider buying a rally car too... Sti.

Of course I'd also consider a C5.


But in reality the only realistic replacement for me would be a factory five cobra replica. I've been eyeing these for a while and I think it would be a ton of fun to build and re-engineer and tune the suspension.

Although I would probably try and put a SBC in it. Perhaps LS1 if I got a good deal on a used one.

I've had that same thought, including craving one with an LS1 swapped into it. I'd probably build the spec racer version and head to the track with it.

[mjf454]

I've said all along that GM has no interest in selling anything but trucks. Out here 91 octane is $2.50 a gallon, and all you see are suv's. I brought a friend to the dealer to look at the c6. They had one c6 and a ton of trucks and suv's. He saw a new malibu looking pos and said he didnt know Chevy made anything besides the Corvette and trucks. Every commercial or mag. ad is for a truck or suv. Right across the street the Ford dealer has at least 100 new Mustangs on display, and a new red GT {Gt 40} right in the center for all to see. These people want, and know how to sell cars.

If I need to buy another car, I would have to go with a 67 GTO.That would be pretty trick with a big inch LS1.