NFB Four door or not...holy smokes

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Have ya'll ever watched the show called blunders on the history channel? There was an episode about how GM thought that if it was a GM the people would buy it no matter what because they had a high brand loyalty rating. So they ignored all of the marketing people and decided to retool some plant to build I think Grand Prixs back in the late 80s or early 90s. The problem was they did not build in the ability to change the tooling to make anything else. They were so sure that they were making a car that would sell that they didn't see the need to pay a little more and build in flexibility. When the car came out, it did not come close to selling as well as they thought it would. The had completely shut down the second shift and they couldn't sell all that first shift was making. They wanted to change the line so they could make another car as well that was selling. But the tooling could not be modified. They had to shut down the plant again and totally retool it to be able to make both cars. They wasted several million dollars having to do it again over the cost of what it would have cost them to do it the first time like the marketing people had told them. The show host used the word arrogant in describing GM's management. I'm not sure GM learned to much from the event.

[markd79ta]

trouble is.......DC's quality control. ... i dont care how awesome a car is...if it spends more time in the shop than it does on the street...it aint for me.

Oh, and my dad's new Envoy was already in for a malfunctioning transfer case; not bad in the first year and 12 miles of ownership.


I almost forgot this one: a good friend of mine lost her tranny in her S10 Blazer with less the 50k on the clock.

[Christopherrr]

all I can do is hang my head...a shame GM is literally turn its back on us. Granted "us" only makes up a small percentage of the whole automotive popluation, it's the loyalist that will turn a company around...GM is losing the fight and losing my mind.

[markd79ta]

all I can do is hang my head...a shame GM is literally turn its back on us. Granted "us" only makes up a small percentage of the whole automotive popluation, it's the loyalist that will turn a company around...GM is losing the fight and losing my mind.

Like I said before, my being a GM enthusiast resulted in 7 new GM car sales among my friends and family in the last 13 years. How many people, in our camp, refer friends and family to the GM line. When Dodge and Ford went though this, their companies were almost destroyed...the same will happen to GM.

[thomas]

Well if ya stand on the top long enough you forget about whats really important and you get cocky.

Everyone needs to get there a@@ kicked now and then to realize that there not invinsible.

[ryan34]

Well if ya stand on the top long enough you forget about whats really important and you get cocky.

Everyone needs to get there a@@ kicked now and then to realize that there not invinsible.

Exactly!!!

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

GM is in big trouble guys... people are getting really worried here... I can't imagine what is going to happen to my city with all the rumblings of what is going to happen...

Just recently, GM sold its stake in GMAC - the only profitable part of their company last year. That should tell you how desperately they need the money. There is talk of bankruptcy. People are very, very worried.

Right now, GM is fighting for something a little more important than who's faster. It's trying to stay afloat.

There's also talk of the Buick and Pontiac lines going the way of Oldsmobile.

It's really, really bad.

[Joe 1320]

What I wonder about is if the Hemi would fit in the Crossfire..........

That would be the sweetest combo of all. Might not handle too good but the acceleration should be about right.

[markd79ta]

GM is in big trouble guys... people are getting really worried here... I can't imagine what is going to happen to my city with all the rumblings of what is going to happen...

Just recently, GM sold its stake in GMAC - the only profitable part of their company last year. That should tell you how desperately they need the money. There is talk of bankruptcy. People are very, very worried.

Right now, GM is fighting for something a little more important than who's faster. It's trying to stay afloat.

There's also talk of the Buick and Pontiac lines going the way of Oldsmobile.

It's really, really bad.

Unfortunately, that is what happens when a company ignores the consumers. It isn't about who is faster...some of the cars I want are not fast at all like a new Caprice, it is about turning the company's back on those that put them on top...us. There is nothing from GM in the 20-35k range worth buying...certainly not new. Most 20-40yr olds can't afford GM's exciting stuff, and the boring stuff costs more then their competitors. It is going to get worse before it gets better, and I feel bad for the people GM's mismanagement will hurt. Between the 2k on my GM card and my friends GM employee discount, I can walk away with a new GM car for about 2/3s of the cost, and there is nothing that will get me to the dealer even at that price. When I was looking at Cobalts as a possible daily driver, a 2004 Dale Earnhardt signature series Monte SS was still on the lot in February of '05...that tells you how bad things are. I could have walked away with that car for a little over 20k. However, as much as I want one; I refuse to buy a FWD Monte SS. The car is beautiful; the supercharged 3.8 is awesome, but FWD Monte? ...not going to happen. I was willing to wait for the Zeta cars, but that was scrapped so I am unwilling to wait any longer. Unfortunately, it is going to get a lot worse. Market indicators show that the saturated truck and SUV market is tapering off and in some cases declining. GM certainly doesn't have the cars to compete with the other manufacturers, and the Tahoe/Avalanche/Trailblazer gravy train will eventually run out. If they are going to throw all of their eggs into a full bucket, what will happen? ...probably the same thing that happened to Chrysler Corp 25 years ago.

[markd79ta]

What I wonder about is if the Hemi would fit in the Crossfire..........

That would be the sweetest combo of all. Might not handle too good but the acceleration should be about right.

6.1 Hemi in a Challenger/Cuda. I would sell off my stuff for that!

[raroZ28]

Dad has a 01 Silverado 2500 6.0L vortech. Thing runs great 50k, no problems, hauls a 20 foot trailer everyday.

My camaro has had one issue... Fuel pump.

[Joe 1320]

Market indicators show that the saturated truck and SUV market is tapering off and in some cases declining. GM certainly doesn't have the cars to compete with the other manufacturers, and the Tahoe/Avalanche/Trailblazer gravy train will eventually run out. If they are going to throw all of their eggs into a full bucket, what will happen? ...probably the same thing that happened to Chrysler Corp 25 years ago.

That's what I've been saying all along. Unless something magical happens, it's going to get ugly.

[SS_CarGuy]

I have owned a number of Chrysler products and Chrysler muscle cars. The big problem I have with that new car is the fact they called it a Charger and the fact that it is ugly (IMHO).

But I will give them credit. Chrysler has adapted a sucess formula from the 60's........you produce a car with both V6 and V8's and it appeals to everyone from the Mom and Pops to the Enthusiasts. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes do the same thing today with almost their entire lineup of cars. GM used to do it as well and their cars were among the most appealing anywhere (back in the 60's that is). Oh well........enough has been said by me on this subject before........I doubt GM really understands at this point.

[dochidalgo]

I have not been Chrysler fan ever, the resale prices, the quality, you name it; but....
Thing is, Daimler-Mercedes is changing Chrysler Co., the "german touch": where engine-trans performance does not fight with confort & handling.....that's the main reason that explains the better Chrysler products nowadays.
A neighbor (sport cars lover) with 2 children purchased a Dodge SRT4 Neon sport...good price, good finance plan, sport 4 door sedan, well assemblied, and man, engine-transmision-confort-handling...nice, very nice.....My wife's cousin purchase a 300C, well more confort than performance but he found what he expected in this car. My brother in law, has a Town & Country and the car had not any problem. Lucky guys???...I think "luck" isn't the answer.
Then, this car, a muscle car with 4 doors ???, yes.
I feel forgotten by GM
Dochidalgo

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

There is nothing from GM in the 20-35k range worth buying...certainly not new. Most 20-40yr olds can't afford GM's exciting stuff, and the boring stuff costs more then their competitors.

You just DRILLED the nail right on the head right there.

Anyone who is considering a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP who also takes a look at the Nissan Altima SE-R is no longer going to consider the GTP. That's one example... but there are plenty more.