WDWFreak53, car discussion

[garyhoov]

WOW!!!!!
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200705091520DOWJONESDJONLINE001060_FORTUNE5.htm

Cool! It'll be interesting to see how many of those people actually take delivery. They set the deposit so low, that many people may just not follow through (but I'm sure there will be others willing to snatch any unclaimed ones up).

I keep toying with the idea of getting one, but it really doesn't make sense for my commute (which has several miles of highway). But I am getting more interested in cool, efficient cars over muscle cars. I think I turned some sort of corner when I saw that the M-Coupe got a "gas guzzler" tax. I like cool cars, but I also hate the feeling of being wasteful and burning more oil and spewing more polution just so I can have a little fun.

I'm really interested to see if they can get the Chevy Volt off the ground. Also I've been hearing that Toyota and Honda may have some very interesting things breaking cover in the coming months.

. . . meanwhile, Linda is looking at the new M3 and 540 hp Mustang KR.:lookaroun

 

[miles1]

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=82644&p=irol-newsArticleHome&ID=997769&highlight=

Just two thoughts: Fifty to Seventy dealers nationwide? That's only one or two for each state. If you don't live near one, it will make warranty work and other dealer repairs a real pain, and getting parts for it will be tough.

Second, they're not really going to call the upscale model "Passion", are they? Not only is it dorky-sounding, but I can't image there's enough interior room for any such thing.:animwink:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Ya know...if you told me the colors of the GT500 KR...I would say, "Ew...that will look nasty." After seeing it though...Melikey a lot!

 

[mkt]

Just two thoughts: Fifty to Seventy dealers nationwide? That's only one or two for each state. If you don't live near one, it will make warranty work and other dealer repairs a real pain, and getting parts for it will be tough.

Second, they're not really going to call the upscale model "Passion", are they? Not only is it dorky-sounding, but I can't image there's enough interior room for any such thing.:animwink:

That's what the upscale one has been called since Day 1

Frankly, I find it better than calling the top model the GT or the XR or anything like that.

And they're aiming for major metropolitan centers first... to quote them "If you have a major sports team, you're gonna get a dealer"

 

[Master Yoda]

Cool! It'll be interesting to see how many of those people actually take delivery. They set the deposit so low, that many people may just not follow through (but I'm sure there will be others willing to snatch any unclaimed ones up).

I keep toying with the idea of getting one, but it really doesn't make sense for my commute (which has several miles of highway). But I am getting more interested in cool, efficient cars over muscle cars. I think I turned some sort of corner when I saw that the M-Coupe got a "gas guzzler" tax. I like cool cars, but I also hate the feeling of being wasteful and burning more oil and spewing more polution just so I can have a little fun.

I'm really interested to see if they can get the Chevy Volt off the ground. Also I've been hearing that Toyota and Honda may have some very interesting things breaking cover in the coming months.

. . . meanwhile, Linda is looking at the new M3 and 540 hp Mustang KR.:lookaroun

Sounds like your wife and my wife must share the same brain. She want's to get the new Challenger when her Saturn SL2 goes to one of our older daughters.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Major Sports teams...

Hmmm...is Boston getting a dealership? :lookaroun :lol:

Oh, and is the Challenger even being made or was it just a concept?

 

[garyhoov]

Sounds like your wife and my wife must share the same brain. She want's to get the new Challenger when her Saturn SL2 goes to one of our older daughters.

I think of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, the Challenger is my favorite. I'm anxious to see what the production version looks like and performs like.

Major Sports teams...

Hmmm...is Boston getting a dealership? :lookaroun :lol:

Oh, and is the Challenger even being made or was it just a concept?

I'm almost positive I heard it had been approved for production and was planned to be out around 2009 (about the same time as the Camaro).

I don't know how today's business deal will affect things . . . if at all. If I was the new management, one of the first things I'd do would be to push that through as quickly as possible (but make sure it has E-85 capability and displacement on demand to offset gas/oil concerns).

 

[Master Yoda]

I think of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, the Challenger is my favorite. I'm anxious to see what the production version looks like and performs like.

As am I. I have seen far too many great concepts turn out to be crap when put into production but from what is floating around on the net there will be only a few minor differences in the concept and production Challenger.

The Challenger is also my favorite of the retro cars in production by the big 3. I only wish that Chevrolet would do a retro version of the 57 Bel Air. If it a retro 57 was done correctly I would sell one of my kids to buy that car.

 

[miles1]

I think of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, the Challenger is my favorite. I'm anxious to see what the production version looks like and performs like.



I'm almost positive I heard it had been approved for production and was planned to be out around 2009 (about the same time as the Camaro).

I don't know how today's business deal will affect things . . . if at all. If I was the new management, one of the first things I'd do would be to push that through as quickly as possible (but make sure it has E-85 capability and displacement on demand to offset gas/oil concerns).

That's what the new management should do. Unfortunately, their aim seems to be a high-volume, low cost company, a la Toyota. Which means the Mopars I've loved since high school may become bland mobiles. They were showing such promise with the LX variants, but already screwed up with the Sebring/Avenger and the Caliber/Compass/Patriot. Not that they're lousy cars, but they're a little too blah--almost utilitarian--for my taste. If they continue in this direction, I, and probably a lot of others will look elsewhere.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

As am I. I have seen far too many great concepts turn out to be crap when put into production but from what is floating around on the net there will be only a few minor differences in the concept and production Challenger.

The Challenger is also my favorite of the retro cars in production by the big 3. I only wish that Chevrolet would do a retro version of the 57 Bel Air. If it a retro 57 was done correctly I would sell one of my kids to buy that car.

I would actually love to see a new Nomad. A muscle-car wagon...done with some retro-flair (not the one based off of the Solstice that I saw bouncing around). Also, a retro-ed Impala SS Drop Top would rock too!

I love the new look of the Camaro...and that's odd because, even though I'm a GM guy (as far as trucks go), I never liked any incarnation of the Camaro...I was always a Mustang-lover when it came to the two muscle cars.

Of the two new redesigns.... Camaro>Mustang

 

[garyhoov]

I would actually love to see a new Nomad. A muscle-car wagon...done with some retro-flair (not the one based off of the Solstice that I saw bouncing around). Also, a retro-ed Impala SS Drop Top would rock too!

I love the new look of the Camaro...and that's odd because, even though I'm a GM guy (as far as trucks go), I never liked any incarnation of the Camaro...I was always a Mustang-lover when it came to the two muscle cars.

Of the two new redesigns.... Camaro>Mustang

I don't know a lot about pre 70's cars, but I did see one of these '51 Chevys this morning on a lot that has some cool cars and it really caught my eye:

 

[Master Yoda]

I would actually love to see a new Nomad. A muscle-car wagon...done with some retro-flair (not the one based off of the Solstice that I saw bouncing around). Also, a retro-ed Impala SS Drop Top would rock too!

I love the new look of the Camaro...and that's odd because, even though I'm a GM guy (as far as trucks go), I never liked any incarnation of the Camaro...I was always a Mustang-lover when it came to the two muscle cars.

Of the two new redesigns.... Camaro>Mustang

Many many years ago...early 90's I think there was a retro concept of a 57 Nomad. It was a 4 door with the rear doors being a slide style like on a mini-van. The current concept you were referring to is about as close to being a "Nomad" as the current "GTO" is to being a real GTO. I don't know what some of these auto makers, GM in particular, are thinking when they are designing some of these retro models. Both Ford and Chrysler have gotten it right with the Mustang, T-bird, Challenger (if it gets made) and the Prowler. The GTO was an absolute joke.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I know that I'm about to get laughed off of this thread...

But...yesterday I saw a PT Cruiser that was really "retro-ed" out...and it looked sweet!

It had those same half-moon hubcabs and the really thick white-wall tires, it was black and had this really incredible flame job painted on the front and a retro grille with a horizontal slats matching the black...and a sleek single chrome vertical slat.

I'm not a fan of PT Cruisers...but I now finally see the allure to what Chrysler was going for.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Many many years ago...early 90's I think there was a retro concept of a 57 Nomad. It was a 4 door with the rear doors being a slide style like on a mini-van. The current concept you were referring to is about as close to being a "Nomad" as the current "GTO" is to being a real GTO. I don't know what some of these auto makers, GM in particular, are thinking when they are designing some of these retro models. Both Ford and Chrysler have gotten it right with the Mustang, T-bird, Challenger (if it gets made) and the Prowler. The GTO was an absolute joke.

I believe this is the one you are talking about...and I LOVED this concept.

 

[Master Yoda]

I don't know a lot about pre 70's cars, but I did see one of these '51 Chevys this morning on a lot that has some cool cars and it really caught my eye:

There is a local car club that meets the first Saturday of every month at a Krystal restaurant about 1/2 a mile from my house. There are about 100 classic cars there for each meet. Most of which are in show car condition. I have to look the other way when I pass by because I am afraid the classic car bug will bite me again.

 

[Master Yoda]

I believe this is the one you are talking about...and I LOVED this concept.

That might be it but I seem to remember it being a bit lower and longer as well as having the molding and fin of a 57 Bel Air.

 

[Master Yoda]

I know that I'm about to get laughed off of this thread...

But...yesterday I saw a PT Cruiser that was really "retro-ed" out...and it looked sweet!

It had those same half-moon hubcabs and the really thick white-wall tires, it was black and had this really incredible flame job painted on the front and a retro grille with a horizontal slats matching the black...and a sleek single chrome vertical slat.

I'm not a fan of PT Cruisers...but I now finally see the allure to what Chrysler was going for.

The PT cruiser has a great shape but it is too small. Had they gone more of a 41 Willys size I would have bought one in a second.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

The front of that car looks like a bad anime cartoon :lol:

 

[Master Yoda]

The front of that car looks like a bad anime cartoon :lol:

That it does!

 

[garyhoov]

I know that I'm about to get laughed off of this thread...

But...yesterday I saw a PT Cruiser that was really "retro-ed" out...and it looked sweet!

It had those same half-moon hubcabs and the really thick white-wall tires, it was black and had this really incredible flame job painted on the front and a retro grille with a horizontal slats matching the black...and a sleek single chrome vertical slat.

I'm not a fan of PT Cruisers...but I now finally see the allure to what Chrysler was going for.

*Points and laughs*:lol:

I'm not a fan of the PT cruiser, but if they did something similar to that on a rear-wheel drive Solstice platform, I could see the makings of a pretty cool hot-rod. . . and it would eliminate the biggest problem of the Solstice: Usable space.

But I haven't been real thrilled with the concepts they've shown on the Solstice platform so far. It's a great platform just waiting for a talented designer.