The GTO is dead?

[Dave M]

As a few others have said, I don't think it's any one thing that's hurting the big three. It's a "perfect storm" of a lot of factors coming together. Quality difference, perceived or not, past performance in car building, price difference, advertising, a number of other things no doubt.

I just finished reading "Behind The Wheel at Chrysler". It was written back in '95 and focuses on Chrysler and the Bailout of the early 80's but also has a lot of background about the other 2 automakers and how the Japanese auto industry and how it got it's foot hold in the U.S. and how the U.S. automakers completely ignored the Japanese threat until it was too late. It has a lot of good info in it from the era when Japanese makers were getting their footing in the U.S. It was also, coincidentally, the time some of the worst cars were coming out of Detroit. I recommend reading it for anyone who wants a little more info on the subject or who, like me, is too young to really know any of the details from that time in history.

Bob Lutz plays a big part in the book, and has his own chapter.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/015...lance&n=283155

[fastTa]

There is a great opportunity for hackers!! Hack the frequency the vehicles communicate on and fake them all into thinking there is a collision about to happen. Nice.

As long as it has a "off" switch. I dont like any technology that takes control of my vehicle away from me without a choice.

I have a friend with DRLs on his car. He cant shut his headlights off, no matter what. This sucks because there are times when it is proper to shut off his headlights, like when we have the holiday of lights presentation at Olin park. Everyone drives through the park with their lights off so they can enjoy the presentation. Not him, he cant do it. Someone else decided they knew what was best for him and took the ability away.

Like.. What if I want to kill my wife by smashing her car off a steep embankment? I dont want my car to prevent me from hitting her.

I like to look at the positive side of things I guess. I think this V2V system can and will save countless lives and thousands more injuries. Do I like the fact that this system would have the capacity to apply my brakes for me? Not necessarily, but if the system saved your wife's and children's lives by applying the brakes when a car has run a red light up ahead and you yourself have not noticed it, you will instantly change your mind about this V2V I guarantee it.

I'm sure they will incorporate a type of on/off switch to override the V2V, or perhaps maybe even a more complex interactive system that will allow you to precisely control the system such as each individual function.

I remember when airbags were first being introduced to production vehicles, everyone was of the attitude that they did not belong in the car because they feared the airbag could just go off at any time. After several years people got used to them, and now we don't even think twice about it, it's just part of our car. It will be the same with this V2V.

Do you ever use your cruise control? Sure you do. You are letting the cruise module completely take over your throttle.

[TraceZ]

Do you ever use your cruise control? Sure you do. You are letting the cruise module completely take over your throttle.

Cruise control has an off switch.

I wouldnt mind the system if it only kicked in to absolutely prevent a collision.
If it did anything more than that without giving me the ability to turn it off, I'd oppose it. There is a good chance this V2V system might be a-ok in my book. I'm just a bit guarded.

[fastTa]

Cruise control has an off switch.

I wouldnt mind the system if it only kicked in to absolutely prevent a collision.
If it did anything more than that without giving me the ability to turn it off, I'd oppose it. There is a good chance this V2V system might be a-ok in my book. I'm just a bit guarded.

Well, my point with the cruise control was that you are allowing the car the take control of the throttle. Sure you can hit the brake pedal or flip off the cruise switch, but while the cruise control is activated you are entrusting the absolute control of the throttle to the car. Has it ever caused you any harm?

Like I said, I'm quite sure GM will incorporate some type of override driver control.

I think they should do it like this. Let's say if the system were to "sense" a system perceived imminent collision and it began to apply the brakes, if the driver were to then apply the brakes it would immediately give complete control back to the driver.

What I think is super cool is the proposed ability of the V2V to sense another car say in another lane that you are about to change into. If the other car was in the right lane and you were about to change into that lane but you failed to notice the other car because it was maybe in your blind spot, the bottom of your seat could vibrate on the right side to warn you of the other car being there. We've all done it.

[wolfdogs]

driving safety has become a major concern in this country today. drivers just dont give a rats (_!_) about the law anymore....period. (majority of them...not pointing the finger at any certain individual).....

for instance, its the law in VA that if your wipers are turned on..your headlights have to be on. so here it is, pouring rain, dimly lit and dark gray outside....... along comes some tool in a silver suv with no lights on......nada......

our Envoy has the auto wiper feature, if it starts raining, the wipers come on... i'd like to see that apply to the headlights, turn your wipers on...and the headlights come on! there needs to be some stuff done to save lives folks.... its getting worse by the day...

[wolfdogs]

oh...and back to the subject...hee hee........

maybe my goat will end up like the Grand National, and 90's impala SS.... a "got have one some day"......LOL

[Joe 1320]

oh...and back to the subject...hee hee........

maybe my goat will end up like the Grand National, and 90's impala SS.... a "got have one some day"......LOL

I can definately see that happening. It already has the ingredients.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

...

Like.. What if I want to kill my wife by smashing her car off a steep embankment? I dont want my car to prevent me from hitting her.

OMG Tracy What a thing to say!!! If she knew you said that, I doubt she would ever put on her little school girl outfit for you again as long as you live.

[Injuneer]

Buick is just about the worst-selling GM brand there is. It's because of their bland styling and completely uninspiring driving experience. I don't assume if it's American it's junk... I'm aware of the quality... but drive a LaCrosse and then drive a 5-series Bimmer. The driver experience is completely neglected in Buicks - just like most other GM sedans.

Not sure by what logic you arrive at the conclusion that a $25K LaCrosse should somehow compete in any way with a $55K BMW. That's just silly.

[wolfdogs]

Not sure by what logic you arrive at the conclusion that a $25K LaCrosse should somehow compete in any way with a $55K BMW. That's just silly.

see what happens when you sell your f body and buy a ricer? it warps the mind.....to think like a ricer..........






















hee heee


d&r !!!!

[TraceZ]

OMG Tracy What a thing to say!!! If she knew you said that, I doubt she would ever put on her little school girl outfit for you again as long as you live.

I showed it to her, she thought it was cute. Death threats are so romantic.

[Outlaw187]

At least you guys were lucky enought to even have the new generations of the GTO in the USA. I live in Vancouver Canada and I have yet to see the new GTO's available in Canada. Anyone know why that is???

[Crazy Canuk]

I think the GTO is an amazing car. Is it retro, no, does it look like a standard grand am? a bit. Can it smoke most cars out there, yes.

Thats the whole idea behind the original car and alot of people don't think about that. I think the problem with North Amarican Car manufactures are that they are still dipping in the same tested and true pot for them, the baby boomers.

I was totaly shocked the day where the financial results for GM were released (and they were real bad) CNN did a story on the quality levels of North Amarican made cars and how on avg they were above avg in quality and most GM brans were gunning for top spot held by Lexis.

In a week or so GM will start an add campain about there diffrently coloured gas caps and how those cars equiped with them can run on mostly ethonal fuel. At the moment it's a PR stunt but its a good step in the right direction. GM needs to take there focus off of the v8 and put it on the v6 and v4 engines and make them able to compete against the vtec engines with quality and feel. Then take a look at acura's/toyota's interiors and learn how they make such a nice feeling interior for a lower cost then you would expect.

My post was a bit off topic but we saw them kill off the Camaro/Firebird I don't want to see the same happen to the GTO because the whole corporation is sinking.

[wolfdogs]

I think the GTO is an amazing car. Is it retro, no, does it look like a standard grand am? a bit. Can it smoke most cars out there, yes.

Thats the whole idea behind the original car and alot of people don't think about that. I think the problem with North Amarican Car manufactures are that they are still dipping in the same tested and true pot for them, the baby boomers.

I was totaly shocked the day where the financial results for GM were released (and they were real bad) CNN did a story on the quality levels of North Amarican made cars and how on avg they were above avg in quality and most GM brans were gunning for top spot held by Lexis.

In a week or so GM will start an add campain about there diffrently coloured gas caps and how those cars equiped with them can run on mostly ethonal fuel. At the moment it's a PR stunt but its a good step in the right direction. GM needs to take there focus off of the v8 and put it on the v6 and v4 engines and make them able to compete against the vtec engines with quality and feel. Then take a look at acura's/toyota's interiors and learn how they make such a nice feeling interior for a lower cost then you would expect.

My post was a bit off topic but we saw them kill off the Camaro/Firebird I don't want to see the same happen to the GTO because the whole corporation is sinking.

its a Holden Manaro with pontiac skin.... period. and thats the reason i wanted one. for years, some f body folks kept commenting on "we want the Manaro here in the US".. me being one........ i love the car.

[Crazy Canuk]

No offence intended

I was just saying it dosn't stand out like many would expect of a car with its performance. I don't want to see a signature brand like the GTO to be canceled do to bad sales all around the Company. This summer should belong to Pontiac anyways with the Solstice.