Snow, we're used to - the earthquake was abit freaky though.

Not a whole bunch of news, just some first hand impressions from media day. Saw our man Scott and got the VIP treatment.

Cadillac XTS: GM is gonna make a mint on this car. It's very attractive in person. Far nicer than the DTS and STS it replaces. The ROI on this car will be sweet.


GMC Granite: Liked it alot. I know it's not everyone's cup o' tea, but it'll be an interesting addition to the GMC portfolio.

Aveo RS: Chevy needs a car like this NOW! Not sure how many of the showcar doodads will survive for production though.

Regal GS: OMG! I love this car - more than I thought. It's quite abit more badass in person than it is in pictures. I'd buy this car in a minute. The wheels are simply awesome. The Recaro seats look great as does the rest of the interior. Scott let me sit in it and give it a good once over. GM Design had John Cafaro there representing the GS. I had a chance to chat with him about it. I said, John, let me guess what's NOT making it to production. Those OPC wheels, right? John: Nope production. Me: Those Recaro seats? John: Those seats are production. Me: This brushed finish trim? John: Production. The GS concept is pretty much the one you'll buy. Cool.

Caprice cop car: Love it! There was a Chicago cop checking it out more than just casually, in fact maybe even officially. I said: Cool car, huh? He said (in a Chicago cop way): Ahhhh we'll see.

Ford Focus: Ford is going to clean up with this car. Very striking.

Mustang GT500: BAD-***!! I love alot of the stuff they've done with it. I really love the pewter finish on those wheels, the super agressive F1 Goodyear rubber and the staggered 19's in front and 20's in back, which give it a nice rake. The shifter ball feels perfect in your hand. Pure evil exhaust note. Nice job Ford!

Chrysler: Nothing new except, it's new Italian bosses seem to be having an effect on the models (as in the ladies). It seems that their tailored dresses are about 3 or 4 sizes too tight. A good thing! Keep up the good work Sergio!

Synergy Green Camaro: Okay, you just can't have black, red and silver.

Ford Edge: Nice! Equinox had better quicken it's step.

Production Cruze: I hope it has a good heart, because it's not very pretty.

 

I thought you didn't like 20s!! Or rather, the idea that the cars have "thickened" up enough to support 20s.

Did you get to see the new HD Silverado?

Pretty sweet news about the Regal!

 

Darn, we'll be up in Chitown for it next weekend. I'd love to sit in the GS, I assume that its going to be my next car.

Did he happen to say that the turbo 6 would be in the production car too?

 

20's are fine if they fill the wheel wells and look agressive. If they don't fill the wheel wells and are fitted with tall tires to visually thin a "thickened" car - not so much.

The HD was there. Urea tank and all.

 

No turbo 6, but the turbo 4 is good for under 6 seconds 0-60.

 

You didn't happen to catch the tire size on the '11 GT500? IIRC the staggered wheel size was chosen to keep the tires as close to 27" in dia as possible.

 

What you know about earthquakes... what magnitude?

 

I did, but can't really remember the fronts now. The rears were 285/35/20's I think.

 

30 mph winds, 12 inches of snow and a 3.8 magnitude quake. We get it all here.

 

Getting back the Regal GS.....


For those of you who haven't seen this car up close, this is an American Audi S4 (actually a GME w/Buick grill). Just as nice. In fact, I think it's interior is nicer than the S4.

I know alot of you may dismiss it because of it's turbo 4 vs turbo 6, but Cafaro was telling me that he drove it and the car really flies. In fact he says he'll be buying one in black.

In some ways, there's abit of initial shock that a package like this, (stick, AWD, Recaros, Brembos and all) comes with Buick emblems and waterfall grill. Can't wait to drive one...

 

Sounds like Cafaro and I would get along well

My wife and I were playing the "if we needed a car under $30k, what would we buy?" scenario when out the other night. She's obsessed now with a used 5 series, for no immediately obvious reason other than "they're gorgeous!" OK...

Anyway, my choice was a BLACK Regal GS, when they are available. If they can keep it under $30k, or around there, they should have a huge winner on their hands. I wonder what this thing will cost? I'm hoping its GP GTP money, because it seems like its a similar target, but a tad smaller.

I can't wait to drive one, either. Is it sad I'm more excited about this than the Camaro??? With that being said, neither a used 5 series nor Regal GS will hit this yard...maybe a Regal in about 6-7 years. Now I'm paying on a horse trailer, too

 

I agree with 100% of what you said just based on what I've seen and read. I can't wait for the NY show to see them all in person.

 

Awe that's just a baby tremor to tuck you in bed. Under your foot of snow blanket.

I'm really excited about the Regal GS. It's got the look and style that GM much less Buick needs. My only concern thus far is power to weight ratio. It seems like if the car comes in at 3600-3700 will the Turbo 4 with 255hp be able to pull that weight around and make the car feel lighter than it is?
0-60 times under 6 sec are impressive but how much of that is because of AWD.

 

I brought up the issue of weight, saying I'd bet this thing will be pushing two tons. I was told it would be less than that. We'll see...

This will be Buick's performance bad boy for the foreseeable future though. The showcar's 20's will also probably be an option with summer only tires with 19's and A/S tires standard.

Getting back to the interior. You know, this is not an $80K Cadillac, this is a $30 something K Buick. About what a well optioned Camaro SS will cost. You look at how well turned out the interior of this car is, (those very cool seats, steering wheel, shifter, etc) and compare it to a similarly priced Camaro across the aisle and just say WTF? I mean this interior is SPORTY - sportier than Camaro's. GM needs to get some of those guys working on the 6th gen.

 

He seemed like a cool guy Jason. One of us. I told him that I felt I knew him after reading All Corvettes Are Red. He said not to hold that against him.