My Open Letter to GM

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I used to own a 2000 Firebird Formula, which I loved dearly.

Went shopping for a replacement, rear-wheel drive LS1 based AMERICAN MADE car and was dismayed to see what utter garbage that GM was putting out! Just because you put a "SS" badge on a car, doesn't mean performance!

I went to the NY Auto Show today- and your booths made me sick. You glorified the "small block" with a display and an engine dyno, but all you SS's were puny, FWD jokes.

The only two vehicles that were nice was the Z06 Vette (sure to be priced beyond most) and the SSr- which is a TRUCK.

I now drive a Mustang, and will NEVER buy a GM product again.. my next car will be a SVT Shelby.

I've even seen sketches of Concept Camaro's on the internet- but NO ACTION on your part.. you (at GM) are becoming the domestic Hyundai!!!

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Your on here too hehe

Your on here too hehe

I've been on here since 2001.. along with the defunct SLP board. :D

I share your sentiments, I don't think I will buy a new GM vehicle for a very long time.

I won't buy a new vehicle (let someone else eat the depreciation), but there are several 05 GM vehicles I'd love to own:

- C6
- 05 GTO
- CTS-V
- H1/H2
- XLR
- Escalade EXT
- Saab 9-5 Sedan
- Sabb 9-2X (turbo AWD version only)

There are a few others I'd realisticly own as well (Avalanche, Colorado, etc.) as well, but those top my list. And 5 out of those 8 in that list are powered by LS based engines (2 LS2's, 2 6.0's, and an LS6).

Ford doesn't offer much I'd be interested in. The Mustang is BUTT UGLY (and I'm an SN-95 owner too). Lightning is gone. I guess a Navigator is alright. Ford GT would be cool, but they are selling well over MSRP into the 200k range.....sorry, if I had that kind of money, I'd pimp a Ferrari.

the thing is not many people are buying gm vehicles ....rumor is they are filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy

BS GM would never go belly up. They make a lot of profit off their trucks. Any time a rapper gets a new record deal Cadillac will sell at least 10 new Escalades. :p
GM trucks are what's holding the company together.

thats true, there are tons of brand new chevys drivin around here. alot more than the new fords..

and i also think they are abusing the SS signage

Must we forget that SVT made a focus and now they are going to make a SVT version of all their cars it seems.

Reminds me of when Oldsmobile was adding the name "Cutlass" to all its product.

I agree with the previous post, that there are several cars (I'm not the least interested in SUV's or trucks) that are currently in the GM lineup that I would love to own.

Examples: XLR, STS, CTS-V, Corvette C6

Trouble is: I can't afford any of them.

If there was a V-8 powered, rear drive car in the $40K U.S. range (don't bother suggesting the GTO, it isnt sold in Canada, and the styling leaves me cold), I could buy it. But there isnt. So for the near future, I'll keep driving my trusty old Firehawk (with 115,000km on it now), rain or shine.

Poor old GM, they are so out of touch with the market.

And I just read that Ford is upping production of the 2005 Mustang to 192,000 units, to keep pace with demand.

Send your own comments to:

http://www.gm.com/gmcomjsp/contactus/emailus_comment.html


I used to own a 2000 Firebird Formula, which I loved dearly.

Went shopping for a replacement, rear-wheel drive LS1 based AMERICAN MADE car and was dismayed to see what utter garbage that GM was putting out! Just because you put a "SS" badge on a car, doesn't mean performance!

I went to the NY Auto Show today- and your booths made me sick. You glorified the "small block" with a display and an engine dyno, but all you SS's were puny, FWD jokes.

The only two vehicles that were nice was the Z06 Vette (sure to be priced beyond most) and the SSr- which is a TRUCK.

I now drive a Mustang, and will NEVER buy a GM product again.. my next car will be a SVT Shelby.

I've even seen sketches of Concept Camaro's on the internet- but NO ACTION on your part.. you (at GM) are becoming the domestic Hyundai!!!

1. In the 1960s Chevelle Station Wagons could even be had in SS trim.

2. The small block display is Chevrolet history, and should be there..

3. I think you actually should read about or drive the supercharged Impala SS or Cobalt SS before you start dismissing them. Cobalt especially.

4. The HHR is gaining quite a few fans around here. It looks far better than anyone expected.

5. It's pretty shallow and naieve to say you'll never drive a GM product again. Especially if you intend to be alive beyond 2006.

6. Finally: ANY CAMARO SKETCHES YOU SEE ON THE INTERNET ARE NOT REAL!!! Also there are NO Camaro concepts. Everyone you see on the internet is someone else's drawings. If you wnet & drew a Camaro, & posted it on the internet, you'd be just as close as anyone else (save the sketch that went with the PHR article last year, and even that's been rumored to have been changed).

I wet myself when I 1st saw the new Shelby Cobra. I did worse when I found out it's not going to cost much more than the previous Cobra. Combine that with Mustang's upcoming T-top option, and it's obvious that GM has completely bungled their pony car market.

Here is something you will never see at a GM display.

http://www.bobsraceoil.com/j11.jpg
checking out the new SVT Shelby.


Lots of People!!

As a GM stock holder I can tell you I took it in the ASS with the stock
value falling badly on bad revenue forcast.No bankruptcy, but the rumor
is some future rearwheel projects could be axed.This could also include
a new camaro. :cry:

Must we forget that SVT made a focus and now they are going to make a SVT version of all their cars it seems.
Anyone know what year Ford started the SVT program officially? Just wondering if it was before, or after John Moss's? :eek:

I don't think they will axe it, when the sales of the Mustang show the market is still there. I would just say to The General or Chevy, make damn sure our new "friend" is worthy of its old name in every sense, this is no time to be conservative. This thing shoud scream ******, and smoke the competition from "Across Town", just as it did nearly 40 years ago. And let us build it how we want it too, with lots of options Z28,SS, RS, etc. Or, for those on a budget no options, like the good ol days. There are so many ways to make it work. The possibilities are endless, but don't forget ads cost alot cuz they work.

1. In the 1960s Chevelle Station Wagons could even be had in SS trim.



Sorry Guy, that never happened. But, you could get a straight six Nova SS.
:D

Quoted from Anthony Young's book, "Camaro," published in 2000 by MBI Publishing and in 2003 by Lowe & B. Hould Publishers. It cites various sources for information, including enthusiast groups, and I would imagine some people here even had their input. I'm not citing it as "flawless," but this is the information I've got about the SS option...

"In the early 1960's, Chevrolet introduced the SS moniker on a number of its cars. The Impala SS, Nova SS, and Chevelle SS were dressier versions of the standard line of cars with higher levels of interior and exterior trim. The Super Sports did not automatically come with the hottest engine that be shoe-horned into the engine compartment. In fact, they typically were equipped with the standard engine of the base model."

So it was that the SS came as an appearance package, to begin with. I don't like a four-banger sporting the tag, or a super-6 either, but it actually is keeping with GM tradition.

I think the issue with the "SS" moniker is perception. It is my opinion that most folks think RWD V8 performance car when they hear/see "SS". As evidenced above, that hasn't always been the case, but perception is reality in the eyes of the perceiver.

The SS package has been restricted in different ways on different cars over the years. For Chevelles, it was never offered on a wagon. In 1965 the SS was paired with the 396 for the first time. From 1968-1970 the SS chevelle was only available with a 396 or 454. By '72 it could be had with most V8s . So, the availability of the package has shifted around quite often over the years.

Back in the Muscle Car era, straight line performance was ALL that mattered, as Drag Racing RULED the streets. But NOW, to compete a vehicle must also brake and turn well...so I'd say the SS(Super Sport) badge should be what it stands for a Super Sports car, the full package. If a vehicle CAN'T do it ALL well, DON'T grant it the badge, period!
If it happens to have 4-doors and can hit the numbers..."SS"!..works for me.. :cool:

(Maybe those numbers are what say the best performing 10% can accomplish...or something like that.)

"For Chevelles, it was never offered on a wagon. "

The SS package was offered in a Chevelle Wagon one year only -- 1973. Engine options were a 145 hp 2 barrel 350, a 175 hp 4 bbl 350, and a 245 hp 454.

Bob

"For Chevelles, it was never offered on a wagon. "

The SS package was offered in a Chevelle Wagon one year only -- 1973. Engine options were a 145 hp 2 barrel 350, a 175 hp 4 bbl 350, and a 245 hp 454.

Bob

Yep, http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/1973_Chevy_Chevelle.html

"For Chevelles, it was never offered on a wagon. "

The SS package was offered in a Chevelle Wagon one year only -- 1973. Engine options were a 145 hp 2 barrel 350, a 175 hp 4 bbl 350, and a 245 hp 454.

Bob


absolutely correct!

I went to the NY Auto Show today- and your booths made me sick. You glorified the "small block" with a display and an engine dyno, but all you SS's were puny, FWD jokes.

I]

really????

so...what do you suppose was in the 2006 Impala SS, the 2006 Monte SS, the Silverado SS, the 2006 TrailBlazer SS and the SSR????? (hint: small block V8s...)

I can assure everyone on this site that you have not driven them yet, so how can you fairly judge them?

Perhaps you need to study the history of the SS moniker. In the mid sixties, most SSs did not come with the big block unless you ordered one..in fact, Impala SSs from 1963 thru 1967 could be ordered with an in-line 6.

I don't mean to flame, but perhaps you should get your facts straight and drive one first. I wouldn't call you an idiot without meeting you first.....and I suspect you aren't. So give the cars and trucks a chance.....

Finally....while GM has its problems..and I certainly don't mean to minimize those problems, you might take note that Chevrolet outsold Ford in passenger cars this past year for the first time in 18 years.......Cadillac is also doing well.....as is GMC...the problem is that we have other divisions dragging ...........

As a GM stock holder I can tell you I took it in the ASS with the stock value falling badly on bad revenue forcast.

On the other hand it provided a great buying opportunity ...

CEO buys shares (http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=10906499C8B97767&p_docnum=1&p_theme=gannett&s_site=detnews&p_product=DTNB)

Finally....while GM has its problems..and I certainly don't mean to minimize those problems, you might take note that Chevrolet outsold Ford in passenger cars this past year for the first time in 18 years.......Cadillac is also doing well.....as is GMC...the problem is that we have other divisions dragging ...........

LOL. I read that Ford was trying to slough-off Chev beating them as "fleet and rental car" oriented. Where are Ford's fleet sales?

I think sales are down mainly due to dated models from GM. I expect there will be a mild recovery this year with the advent of newer models like the Malibu and Cobalt. I also believe GM has sadly neglected Buick and lost Oldsmobile for the same reason.

Buick and Olds were the marques that should have been rebuilt and targeted toward the Acura and Lexus buyers. A new Grand National could have taken on the BMW M3. Cadillac is doing well but really has to compete with Mercedes and 700 series BMWs - the very high-end market.

I don't have any objections to how GM uses the SS designation. But if it means "Supersport" then isn't that what the car should reflect? The problem in both the SS and the GTO cases is that GM failed to realize that those names had become larger than life. So many legends have been told about musclecars that people actually think they can take out Ferraris and Porsches. Why not take advantage of that legend instead of belittling it?

The vehicles carrying the SS brand are quite nice. But the Cobalt is no SRT4 or WRX. So where does that put the SS moniker if not in mediocrity?

I completely forgot about the '73 SS wagon! :shrug:

Oh well, no one is perfect. I guess I just think of Chevelles as stopping in 1972. :D

The '73 is so rare that I have never seen one in the flesh, and my radar is especially attuned to things Chevelle.

I don't think the problem with SS being on the cars it is on is really the problem. The problem is what SS isn't on. No RWD V8 cars. If we had one or two (I'm hoping for 3) of those it would be easier to accept the SS badge on the others.

"For Chevelles, it was never offered on a wagon. "

Bob


:Owned: :D

This SS lineup is great,
went to the GM autoshow in Motion...great time...learned alot about the cars, the Ion Redline WOW...the GTO I can say now I want one...best think diffrent about the SS line...they are nice cars :D

the thing I think is 3 things...one we dont have our Camaro and I along with alot of people are ticked off, two, they have no marketing of these HALO cars....Caddy has all the marketing of the GM brand...Cobalt is getting some good ones, that they need but the SS lineup that commercial sucked...the SS lineup should be marketed like the HEMI commercials..power power and performance and attitude..
and last price..though 3 of the cars are in my reach, I think most are wanting something new at GM like the cobalt but V8 and RWD ;) something like what DCX is doing.. :cry: :death: :(

I completely forgot about the '73 SS wagon! :shrug:

Oh well, no one is perfect. I guess I just think of Chevelles as stopping in 1972. :D

The '73 is so rare that I have never seen one in the flesh, and my radar is especially attuned to things Chevelle.

I don't think the problem with SS being on the cars it is on is really the problem. The problem is what SS isn't on. No RWD V8 cars. If we had one or two (I'm hoping for 3) of those it would be easier to accept the SS badge on the others. i agree dude. i would defiinitely be interested in a new chevelle ss or even base model as i would be able to retire my daily driven 81 malibu(with a p.o.s 267). also the way 2 door cars are getting hard to come by at least my 81 is a2 dr. since this was the last year the 2 dr. was made! btw the malibu max is butchering the chevelle/ malibu name! :D