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Why is GM continuously screwing up...Solstice

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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 07:52 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by CoronaL
GM is ruled by weenies and is slowly dying like the rest of American manufacturering
parish that thought. as much as i hate to say it its true. i would give anything to live one day in the late 60's when american horsepower ruled the streets. but now its like the exact opposite. cheap forgin lack of horsepower and liberal douches that drive them rule the street. its a very uncommon sight to see a high performance american muscle car on the streets now a days. and thats a sad sad reality that a lot of people, myself included are having a hard time swallowing.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:24 PM
  #22  
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I like the look of the New Solstice, at first I thought it was going to be something like a NEON....Not an SRT....but as time progressed and then they showed it....I was floored!! I like it.....If it wasnt for the fact I need a decent truck....(Thinking Dodge Dakota) I would buy one.....The only reason I said Dakota is, they look good....has a fair V-8 with full size truck towing capabilities.....

GM may not be on the ball but they do have "SOME" things decent still left.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:50 PM
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It's funny how "car guys" vision of reality can be so skewed from actual reality.

Okay, let's look at the 1960s/1970s. There were some fast American muscle cars, definitely. HOWEVER, they still only made up a VERY small percentage of the total cars on the road. A ton of cars were RWD V8s, true, but the majority of them were inefficient pigs, driven by weenies.

Mind you, the Japanese have stepped up in a big way, and nabbed a big chunk of the young, stupid kid market, that IS a change since then, but the fact is, the VAST majority of cars sold have always been sold to weenies, by weenies.

In regard to the Solstice, it makes no sense from a marketing standpoint to sell an LS2 Solstice. Why would they sell a low margin car (which it is) vs. the much higher margin Corvette, especially when the Solstice would KILL it if optioned with similiar HP. GM won't make another GN mistake, you can count on that.

If anything, GM is finally catching on; what stops them from selling cars hasn't been lack of HP (actually, most of the GM cars/trucks are very competitive in HP, and especially torque), it's been lack of QUALITY (mostly interior quality) and mainstream accepted designs. They are slowly coming to grips on getting the interior quality up to par, and cutting down on the amount of plastic/cladding stuck on vehicles, as well as going to "modern" engines. All of these appeal to the everyday driving weenies, and will sell cars. It just sucks for us is all. At least there are still a few people there worried about building acceptable Halo cars.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:51 PM
  #24  
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Heck, my dealership HATES to see ppl wanting the Solstice.......Big, Big, backlog and waiting list!

Another GM blunder on the production side, OR somewhere in the chain.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 09:13 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by Firehawk526
Heck, my dealership HATES to see ppl wanting the Solstice.......Big, Big, backlog and waiting list!
No, That is good for GM. The demand is greater than the supply. That allows for GM to set the price at 20k and get 20k for it. If they had more cars than people wanted, then they would have to discount the car to move it. My buddy just got his Solstice sight unseen. He didn't even get his GM discount since there is soo much demand. That is what puts GM in the black.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 09:23 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by prince xizor
No, That is good for GM. The demand is greater than the supply. That allows for GM to set the price at 20k and get 20k for it. If they had more cars than people wanted, then they would have to discount the car to move it. My buddy just got his Solstice sight unseen. He didn't even get his GM discount since there is soo much demand. That is what puts GM in the black.

Good for GM, but not good for GM salereps or customers......Excellent point, but you know how the American public is on conspicuous consumption.
I can understand the delay on Z06 specialty vehicles, but an ordinary production vehicle?????

2-sides to every story I suppose
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by SAM98WS6
That new Tahoe is bland and still a pooch. No reason the Hemi motor is top dog over GM trucks/SUVs...a 350-400hp LS2 should be an option....just like the Duramax in the Suburban/Avalanche. Most people here have long switched over to Titans which is a much better pickup. An SS Avalanche with a 350hp 6.0L should have been out years ago. And now the trailblazer SS comes out and its competition has 425hp...loses in every performance catagory to the JEEP SRT8. 395hp is playing catchup...making us soup them up the right way.

Its bad enough their designs are bland (chevy cars) but when you have all that HP in your arsenal and dont use it...they deserve to be in financial trouble. A new Camaro is an disaster waiting to happen.

What do you guys really think is the problem?
The 2007 Denali will have the new 6.2L rated at 385hp and 415-ft torque equipped with a 6-speed automatic. The engine also has displacement on demand for better fuel economy. The Escalade version will be rated at 400hp.

Have you actually driven a newer GM full size SUV or truck and other brands out there to base your opinion on? People love to rip on GM's SUV's and full size trucks but I can honestly say from experience they are some of the better ones out there. The GM interiors are much better than other comparable brand models out there including the Nissan Titan. The Titan engine does make good power, but it's mpg sucks compared to the GM engines. It's pretty sad when my full size SUV gets better mileage towing a vehicle than the Titan does with truck alone!

BTW - The Tahoe equipped with the 5.3 already comes equipped with 4.10's from the factory.

Last edited by DrkPhx; Feb 8, 2006 at 10:31 PM.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 10:31 PM
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Here's some pics of the Solstice GXP I took at the Detroit auto show.

Last edited by DrkPhx; Dec 14, 2009 at 09:17 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 12:51 AM
  #29  
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I agree.. GM needs to pull their pants up and put some damn power in these trucks! Whats wrong with putting the LS2 engines in these trucks, or getting 400+ hp out of them!? Its not that far away, and more hp will sell! I think GM could use some crash courses on Marketing!

I've drivin the new Solstice and quite honestly... It is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY too small even for me.. I'm only 5'9 170, and I felt cramped... I wouldnt consider buying the car if it had an LS7 in it. (an LS1 would be scary as hell in this car, let alone the 7!). Sure its cool, but not for me. I'm not saying others wouldnt buy it, and its worth some consideration... Cost would be phenominal i'm guessing........
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 03:59 AM
  #30  
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I say wait until the VVT/DOD 6.2's become available then offer a Trans-Am off of the Solistice frame with the DOD powerhouse (put it at 450hp) and sell the thing for 38 to 40k (right where the Convertable WS6 and Firehawks price ranges were back in 02).
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 12:45 PM
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The new 260hp turbo ecotec engine is no slouch.. and has virtually no lag.. I think its a great option.

If you want an LS2 then pay Mallet $18k and they will make one for ya
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Old Feb 12, 2006 | 12:21 AM
  #32  
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I would love to see GM do a version of the RWD 4 doors again. They sell like crazy over seas. Here in Kuwait they drive Lumina SS's which is a RWD Opel variant,( http://www.drivearabia.com/chevrolet...tlumina06.html ) has the option of a M6 and is LSx driven. When I get back down to Kuwait I am gonna see about shipping one home.
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Old Feb 12, 2006 | 02:55 AM
  #33  
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Hmmm Looks Like a Holden from Ausy land....

Probably find a decent amount of parts for the 05/06 GTO's would be interchangeable for that little Chevy

hmmm 5.7 for the high end... maybe they are still using the 04 layout...
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Old Feb 12, 2006 | 12:14 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by BadMonkey
I would love to see GM do a version of the RWD 4 doors again. They sell like crazy over seas. Here in Kuwait they drive Lumina SS's which is a RWD Opel variant,( http://www.drivearabia.com/chevrolet...tlumina06.html ) has the option of a M6 and is LSx driven. When I get back down to Kuwait I am gonna see about shipping one home.
so its basically a GTO with a sixer engine option and 4 doors. if you can get it cheaper than a Goat go for it. youll have a one of a kind chevy lumina.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 09:10 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by digitalsolo
It's funny how "car guys" vision of reality can be so skewed from actual reality.

Okay, let's look at the 1960s/1970s. There were some fast American muscle cars, definitely. HOWEVER, they still only made up a VERY small percentage of the total cars on the road. A ton of cars were RWD V8s, true, but the majority of them were inefficient pigs, driven by weenies.

Mind you, the Japanese have stepped up in a big way, and nabbed a big chunk of the young, stupid kid market, that IS a change since then, but the fact is, the VAST majority of cars sold have always been sold to weenies, by weenies.

In regard to the Solstice, it makes no sense from a marketing standpoint to sell an LS2 Solstice. Why would they sell a low margin car (which it is) vs. the much higher margin Corvette, especially when the Solstice would KILL it if optioned with similiar HP. GM won't make another GN mistake, you can count on that.

If anything, GM is finally catching on; what stops them from selling cars hasn't been lack of HP (actually, most of the GM cars/trucks are very competitive in HP, and especially torque), it's been lack of QUALITY (mostly interior quality) and mainstream accepted designs. They are slowly coming to grips on getting the interior quality up to par, and cutting down on the amount of plastic/cladding stuck on vehicles, as well as going to "modern" engines. All of these appeal to the everyday driving weenies, and will sell cars. It just sucks for us is all. At least there are still a few people there worried about building acceptable Halo cars.
You are way off man. GM trucks are underpowered and lack the towing capacity of the other brands. Looks are old and stale. They are followers and not leaders...they have the ammo but wont use it. The Colorado is embarrasing.

GN mistake? two years of a great car (intercooled) and Everyone wishes they would do it again. They need to make the GN mistake. More people can afford a $25k LS2 Solstice than a $50 C6...its all about volume.

Last edited by SAM98WS6; Feb 13, 2006 at 09:46 AM.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 09:21 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by DrkPhx
The 2007 Denali will have the new 6.2L rated at 385hp and 415-ft torque equipped with a 6-speed automatic. The engine also has displacement on demand for better fuel economy. The Escalade version will be rated at 400hp.

Have you actually driven a newer GM full size SUV or truck and other brands out there to base your opinion on? People love to rip on GM's SUV's and full size trucks but I can honestly say from experience they are some of the better ones out there. The GM interiors are much better than other comparable brand models out there including the Nissan Titan. The Titan engine does make good power, but it's mpg sucks compared to the GM engines. It's pretty sad when my full size SUV gets better mileage towing a vehicle than the Titan does with truck alone!

BTW - The Tahoe equipped with the 5.3 already comes equipped with 4.10's from the factory.
Yes Ive driven them all..GM (which I own), Ford, Dodge and Nissan. All feel quicker than the GMs. The Nissan Titan is hands down a better truck than GM. I would guess the Armada is better than the Tahoe but I havent driven one. Titan interior is nicer too as is Ford. GM HVAC controls suck.

But I agree the GMs get a little better gas mileage than the rest...especially the Hemi and Titan. But I want GM to give the people the POWER option. For those of us that dont give a **** about 1 less MPG..we want the best. They can do it with the motors they have already. Not everyone can afford a Denali or Escalade like you so that isnt even up for debate. Make the 6.2L a $3000 option on the Avalanche and Tahoe let alone the Duramax. I would pay it.

If you think you can find a Tahoe with 4:10s you are dreaming...it took me a while to find an Avalanche with them. Most GMs come with 3.42s now for fuel economy. Drastic difference in acceleration. The 5.3L is 7 years old and can barely compete Powerwise with the competition. Make the people want GM.

The Silverado SS is a great idea...just underpowered for the money...and the Trailblazer SS would be tops 3 years ago...now its behind.

I wouldnt have let the press say the only problem with the Solstice is the power to weight ratio.

Last edited by SAM98WS6; Feb 13, 2006 at 03:06 PM.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 10:05 AM
  #37  
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Here is another way of putting it.

I owned a 2001 Silverado Z71. In 2004 I drove GM, Ford 5.4L, Titan and Dodge Hemi. I bought an Avalanche because of its cab space..otherwise it would have been the Titan. All it needs is the 6.0L and better HVAC controls to be the best full size vehicle in my opinion. 4 Friends bought Titans..they went from Ford and GM trucks. 2 Friends bought new Fords..they are loyal and die hards. One went from GM to Dodge Hemi. Thats 8 Gm Silverado sales lost in the last 2 years.
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 12:49 AM
  #38  
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Well I bought a Solstice today, and you cant imagine how many looks it gets. Its a black vert, with tan interior and they got the asking price +$2,000.

My wife and I have been looking at the Solstice since it was a concept, and fell in love with it back then. We now have two Trans Ams, an Expedition, and a Solstice. Talk about overkill. Anyways I told her the closest thing to an import she'll ever own while she's married to me is a Ford, and well she got an Expedition a few months ago. Anyways I'm happy with the price, I love the car, and I'm quite happy there isnt alot of them out there. Makes it worth it to cruise the car around and have people staring at ya.
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 06:06 AM
  #39  
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Well dude I think you got a good looking car...definately unique...but im sorry you gave the dealer $2k...wish you could have paid that $2k for an LS2 option and had something inspiring and *** kicking like your other rides instead of getting smoked by honda accord V6s...

There is a red one running around here..in the winter...
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