GM could drop Trans Am, but they have tried it before with very little success.
Trans Am would HAVE to be there. Its as hardcore as Z28.
To rephrase a phrase from around these parts....
Any Pontiac can be a GT or a GTP or a GXP, but only a Firebird can be a Trans Am.

 

For me, the Trans Am just brought everything to a new level. (Aside from a couple years in the middle there). Especially in the 4th gen. They took what was a nice looking car and made it gorgeous.

 

yeah, only GM doesnt have to pay anyone to use the Z28 name.

 

I think this gets played out alittle too much around here. Unless GM was paying an absurd amount of on each car to use the name, it would probably be in their best interest to use the Trans Am moniker.

 

dont know to be honest. I based it entirely of what Ive read here. I think it might have been guy who said that they werent paying too much but after the cancelation of the 4th gen for GM to pay TRANS AM to use their name it went up considerably. If thats the case I dont see why they dont pick another Firebird name from the past.

 

It was a whole $5. YES f-i-v-e devalued U.S. dollars. No it hasn't gone up because as far as we know, there have been no negotiations to use it again. For all we know, the original contract may still be in effect if GM were to use it again.

If the Trans Am series thought it was worth so much more then I'm sure they would have found time to renegotiate for a higher rate in the 33 years of GM's use of the name.

Who doesn't think the Trans Am series wouldn't be overjoyed to get some kind of publicity? Who knows that they even still exist?

The "Trans Am name is too expensive" arguement always has been and always will be a joke.

 

That is entirely speculation. With Trans Am racing being as uninteresting as it is, I can't see why they would jack the price up for using the name and try to alienate GM. Advertisement is good.

 

I think the Trans Am badge should absolutely come back because I think it's got a bigger following that people assume. Most think the stereotype of mullets and rednecks defines Trans Am, but a LOT of people loved and still love those cars. My nephew is 22 and he absolutely lusts after the '77 Trans Am!! I think Trans Am lovers would come out of the woodwork for a great car, despite the stereotypes that people would start slinging.

Sadly, I think GM sees it in strictly stereotypical terms - I think they see "Trans Am" as evoking an image they don't want for Pontiac. Although with a good car they can change that image, no company wants to invest the massive cash on that much of a risk.......and that's a real shame.

 

I highly doubt that.

 

I kinda find this "image" talk kinda funny. Yeah there are plenty of Trans Am/Firebird stereotypes. Eyecatching cars shouldnt be overlooked.

Image,Image what freaking image does Pontiac have as we stand right now? Come on?!

 

The "trans am" badge would cost them too much money to bring it back.

 

Yeah, that has already been addressed. It has also been noted that there is no definitive on what the cost of using the nomenclature would be. Care to back up your blanket statement with any concrete evidence? The Trans Am badge goes hand in hand with Firebird. It would be foolish to dismiss it based on a few dollars a car.

 

I agree with you - but I think companies like GM are too driven by image and Bob Lutz himself said that he saw Pontiac becoming the "American BMW" and that was one reason for the G# nomenclature.

Personally I think GXP should have been GTO and Pontiac needs to go back to inspiring names. G5 doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, and Trans Am would be the PERFECT halo car for a no-holds-barred American performance nameplate.

 

Ive never bought into this BMW fighter idea. With the current pontiac lineup what competes with BMW???? G5 NO G6 maybe some vs 3 series arguement could be made Vibe i guess but i doubt it. Soltice is in its own niche G8 Yeah ill buy that theres solid competition. More than likely BWM people are gonna buy BMW' s ,Its a status symbol. Other luxury brands will get a look before Pontiac.


Pontiac was the Excitement Division , not a wannabe BMW. (Half there cars arent in BMW's price range.)

Cars that make you just wanna check them out. I remember the first time i was in a Pontiac showroom. I remember asking my dad (Die hard chevy man) Why we werent looking at chevy cars. He replied Pontiac's just have that something extra. So i grew up loving Chevy trucks and Pontiac car (Not BMWs)

 

I dont buy the status "image" arguement. Or to put it better.

G8 and Solstice are BMW competition. At the very least its BMW on a budget which it should be. The rest of the brand should follow suit via Holden, and alpha.