G8 coupe slip-up..
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Posts: 3,577
From: Sandy VJJville
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,958
From: Kansas City, MO
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,577
From: Sandy VJJville
But my point is the Firehawk, for its entire life-span, has *only* been a Firebird. If the name had been previously used on a different model then it might not be such a big deal, but Firehawk has never been anything other than an SLP modified Firebird. Calling the G8 a Firehawk just makes no sense to me, and the argument that "Firehawk is a modified Hi-Po Pontiac" just doesn't hold water with me. If that was the case, then the Grand Prixs that SLP modified would have been called Firehawk, but they weren't.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,045
From: Lake Hopatcong N.J
I'm not wild about it
I think the general population hears "Pontiac" and "firehawk" they automatically think of a Firebird with a big bird across the hood.
How about
Pontiac G8 T/A? (not Trans Am)
G8 X?
G8 GXP W? (like wide Track and WS options?)
Volvo uses R
MB uses AMG
BMW uses M
Cadillac uses V
Chevrolet uses SS
Pontiac needs to create a brand identity for their performance sedan.
I think the general population hears "Pontiac" and "firehawk" they automatically think of a Firebird with a big bird across the hood.
How about
Pontiac G8 T/A? (not Trans Am)
G8 X?
G8 GXP W? (like wide Track and WS options?)
Volvo uses R
MB uses AMG
BMW uses M
Cadillac uses V
Chevrolet uses SS
Pontiac needs to create a brand identity for their performance sedan.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 224
From: Lincolnwood IL
I sadly wasn't able to go to the Summit (missed seeing guys like Charlie, Joe and Doug 
) due to financial constraints, having bought my new house back in June. It killed me to cancel my registration Anyway, I would've wanted to smack Dave Hamburger upside the head, and ask him what the hell he was thinking, if I was handed that card. I sold 10 Firehawks in 2002. These were special cars, sold to die-hard enthusiasts. They were performance SPORTS CARS. Not 4 door sedans.
SLP has lost it...seriously. This honestly lessens the respect I have for the company. I've always been a die-hard SLP fan. The only aftermarket parts on my Z28 are all SLP. I've always respected the quality of their products, and the conviction with which they helped shape the 4th gen years. Were it not for them cancelling virtually EVERY decent third and 4th gen part they had in their catalog over the years, I'd still be buying their stuff for my RS resurrection.
But this is an embarrassment. If I was Dave Hamburger, I'd be ashamed. They were so controlling over the collectability of the old Firehawk, it was impossible to even get a hood unless you had a damaged hood to send back. Now? Throwing Firehawk logos on a 4 door, 4,100 lb sedan? I love the G8...
But this is downright embarrassing. Re-do a Camaro. Re-do a G8, and call it something else. But this? I can see the auto mags now, ragging on the name, but loving the car...
) due to financial constraints, having bought my new house back in June. It killed me to cancel my registration Anyway, I would've wanted to smack Dave Hamburger upside the head, and ask him what the hell he was thinking, if I was handed that card. I sold 10 Firehawks in 2002. These were special cars, sold to die-hard enthusiasts. They were performance SPORTS CARS. Not 4 door sedans.SLP has lost it...seriously. This honestly lessens the respect I have for the company. I've always been a die-hard SLP fan. The only aftermarket parts on my Z28 are all SLP. I've always respected the quality of their products, and the conviction with which they helped shape the 4th gen years. Were it not for them cancelling virtually EVERY decent third and 4th gen part they had in their catalog over the years, I'd still be buying their stuff for my RS resurrection.
But this is an embarrassment. If I was Dave Hamburger, I'd be ashamed. They were so controlling over the collectability of the old Firehawk, it was impossible to even get a hood unless you had a damaged hood to send back. Now? Throwing Firehawk logos on a 4 door, 4,100 lb sedan? I love the G8...
But this is downright embarrassing. Re-do a Camaro. Re-do a G8, and call it something else. But this? I can see the auto mags now, ragging on the name, but loving the car...
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,018
It's as queer as a Cobalt Z28.
IMHO, Pontiac needs to come up with a new name, or perhaps follow the other big brands with a letter or number designation. Or screw the "G" series entirely, the letter alone makes me think "bling bling" --and not in a good way.
I think it's funny when people put wheels of other model cars on their own cars (like Z06 wheels on a Z28). Essentially, Pontiac is doing the same thing with branding. It might look/sound good, but it kind of belongs to, and looks better on, a different car.
IMHO, Pontiac needs to come up with a new name, or perhaps follow the other big brands with a letter or number designation. Or screw the "G" series entirely, the letter alone makes me think "bling bling" --and not in a good way.
I think it's funny when people put wheels of other model cars on their own cars (like Z06 wheels on a Z28). Essentially, Pontiac is doing the same thing with branding. It might look/sound good, but it kind of belongs to, and looks better on, a different car.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
As an aside, I believe this means that we might as well give up on the Firebird returning anytime soon, as SLP would surely save the name for that.
So maybe this means that even though Pontiac is willing to let a storied name die, SLP isn't, so they're putting it on a corporate cousin of the Camaro, since there is no corporate brother.
So maybe this means that even though Pontiac is willing to let a storied name die, SLP isn't, so they're putting it on a corporate cousin of the Camaro, since there is no corporate brother.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,179
From: Ballwin, MO
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,018
You know my opinions aren't always popular, but I voice them anyway.
FWIW, your Z looks good, but I see it and think--"hey, those wheels didn't come on that car...those are...Z06 wheels!"
Kind of like if I ever see a G8 Firehawk, I'm going to think..."damn, I wish they would have brought back the T/A, because the 'Firehawk' was a really hot car when I was growing up."
GM especially has a way of bastardizing names, so this isn't anything new. Who would have ever thought "SS" would have ended up on a front-drive 4cyl car? Or a V6/auto Impala?
...Or that the Malibu came back as a front-drive family hauler/rental car?
FWIW, your Z looks good, but I see it and think--"hey, those wheels didn't come on that car...those are...Z06 wheels!"
Kind of like if I ever see a G8 Firehawk, I'm going to think..."damn, I wish they would have brought back the T/A, because the 'Firehawk' was a really hot car when I was growing up."
GM especially has a way of bastardizing names, so this isn't anything new. Who would have ever thought "SS" would have ended up on a front-drive 4cyl car? Or a V6/auto Impala?
...Or that the Malibu came back as a front-drive family hauler/rental car?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 929
Couple of things here:
First, don't confuse GM with SLP - Pontiac has nothing to do with this car or the name beyond supplying the base car. This is SLP's baby alone.
Second, I have owned two one of a kind Firehawks and I'm fine with the name going on the G8. Not so much on the V6 cars though.
And lastly, here is my post from the Firehawk board. :
Potentially, this could yield the most perfect ride for me ever built.
Provided that it is available on the upcoming G8 ST as well.
2-doors, a supercharger, and a Firehawk badge on my default bodystyle.
It would be heaven for me.
First, don't confuse GM with SLP - Pontiac has nothing to do with this car or the name beyond supplying the base car. This is SLP's baby alone.
Second, I have owned two one of a kind Firehawks and I'm fine with the name going on the G8. Not so much on the V6 cars though.
And lastly, here is my post from the Firehawk board. :
Potentially, this could yield the most perfect ride for me ever built.
Provided that it is available on the upcoming G8 ST as well.
2-doors, a supercharger, and a Firehawk badge on my default bodystyle.
It would be heaven for me.
