GM Engineers Should Form Their Own Company

[dd74]

BTW: the Cadillac CTS is pretty much a success. So at least that was done right.

[rammstein]

I'd like to drive a CTS or get a ride in one, because I've heard good things. Now if GM could just put something entry level out, I'd be impressed.

Here's a problem I have- I can sit in a $50K+ Corvette, soak in the interior, then get out and sit in an $22k VW. The VW interior is light years nicer. In every way. Why is this? The Corvette is so much engine, so much chassis, seemingly the best thing America has out right now. Whats with the inside?

Not that I would throw one out of bed or anything...

[kach22i]

Laid-Off Ford Employee Decides To Start Own Car Company
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/55167

From the onion.

Thought it was rather on-topic.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

The CTS is really nice, they hit that one spot-on IMHO.

[MichiganMat]

[NICKG]

Originally posted by dd74
Yes, though I think I read GM was thinking of bringing more over.

The Holden GTO was a nicely styled car, with a Vette engine in it. It was quite expensive at the high $30K, but seemed to do well around town and on the track.

If at all, I'd buy one used to avoid the premium. They can't sell for too much on the secondary market.

i am being quoted 26.5-28 on a leftover 06 and 25k on a left over 05(same car) I know it's a holden...

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by NICKG
i am being quoted 26.5-28 on a leftover 06 and 25k on a left over 05(same car) I know it's a holden...

A buddy of mine(a car nut) drove one and said "Wow". He said the car is so grossly overpowered it's comical.

Take that for what it's worth.

[rammstein]

Does the 05 have the bigger engine? Either year, thats a lot of car for the money!

I think they should have gone in a different direction with the styling of the GTO, but at the same time its not bad. Just understated, and a bit bulbous. One thing for sure, that v8 is killer.

I'd like to see a WRX killer from GM or Ford- that would be a radical departure.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by sammyg2
I rented an HHR a month ago, total POS. This thing had torque steer, even though it doesn't have any torque.
Rattle, shake, echo, 30 miles in that ****box was too much.

Yer right about the ergonomics too, nothing fit. Everything was too close or too far away.

and we're not talking rocket science. The windo controls were on the front center console. Took me forever to figure it out. The sideview mirror controls were right where the window control should have been on the driver's side door. Right where you'd sit your hand...over a control that you use infrequently. Idiots...

[the]

Originally posted by lendaddy
A buddy of mine(a car nut) drove one and said "Wow". He said the car is so grossly overpowered it's comical.

Take that for what it's worth.

A guy saying a car that does 60 in under 5 seconds is "grossly underpowered," what's that worth?

[scottmandue]

In four or five years I will be replacing my disposable/appliance/commuter car and I will take a look at the Cobalt.

[the]

Originally posted by nostatic
and we're not talking rocket science. The windo controls were on the front center console. Took me forever to figure it out.

You're obviously not a BMW driver.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by the
A guy saying a car that does 60 in under 5 seconds is "grossly underpowered," what's that worth?

I think you took my comment wrong.

He said the power-train was impressive but that the chassis didn't seem up to the task. But.......he said for the money it's a cheap straight line thrill that commutes civilly.

Edit: I see now, you thought I said "underpowered" read it again.

[the]

LOL, *over* powered, that makes sense!

I thought maybe his daily driver was an F40 or something.

(But for $25K, some cheap straight line thrills and a decent commuter might not be so bad).

[RickM]

Originally posted by legion
From technologies like the visco-magnetic fluid in shock absorbers to winning the design challenge at the LA Auto Show the past two years, it's obvious that there is some serious engineering talent at GM. The problem is, much of it is watered down before it hits the street. Marketing may not like the look or feel of a car, union rules may prevent a car from being assembled in a certain manner.

I think the engineers should break off and form their own car company. I think we'd see some amazing things.

Isn't this the thought behind Saturn?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by lendaddy
A buddy of mine(a car nut) drove one and said "Wow". He said the car is so grossly overpowered it's comical.

It is....I was accelerating at WOT in my (now gone) WRX on the merge ramp to get up to traffic speed on the 202 here...the GTO directly behind me blew past like I was standing still and merged way up ahead.

[legion]

Originally posted by rammstein
I'd like to see a WRX killer from GM or Ford- that would be a radical departure.

Ford already has one: The AWD Focus.

They don't sell it here.

[dd74]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
The CTS is really nice, they hit that one spot-on IMHO.

I've driven a couple 3.6L CTS cars. Believe me - they're not a joke. The interior is simple, the gauges are large and easy to read, and the handling isn't top heavy as with prior American sedans.

Supposedly (because I haven't seen one in the flesh), there's a CTS Sport produced by Cadillac. It has the 3.6 with a 6spd manual, special suspension, tires and wheels. It has no chrome, but a very demure aero package.

One of the magazines wrote a story about it, and suggested it's more impressive than the CTS-V, especially at $15K less money.

I've seen spyshots of the '08 CTS, which is really nice - nicer than the current model.

[dd74]

Originally posted by legion
Ford already has one: The AWD Focus.

They don't sell it here.

SVT may make their own version, IIRC. That is, if SVT is still with us. I heard Ford was thinking of killing the division. If so, it makes for a tragically stupid mistake toward the enthusiasts.

[rammstein]

That's what I don't frickin get. They have an AWD turbo Focus. Did they not see the insane success that the WRX was? And then, that the STI was a success too?