There IS a God!

Anyone want to buy a lightly-used GTO?

I'm ready when GM is.

 

Do you think this would be less volume than say SSR?

Also how would it be priced. Would the 4 door come over, maybe to replace the Colorado? Would it get unique front fenders and such?

Lots of questions floating around in my mind.

 

If there was ever a business case for the SSR then there's totally a business case for this thing, which will be cheaper, more practical, more iconic, and more fully developed. I wouldn't exactly expect to sell 50k a year, though.

 

Don't get me wrong, I hope that GM does import it here. The more interesting RWD products available to us, the better.

But I won't expect much more volume than SSR however. Back-halfing a unibody sedan and adding a bed to it, does not make it a work truck, as was alluded to in another post.

This would be a boutique product - pure and simple. And there is nothing wrong with that, as long as we fully understand that up front.

BTW, as far as the business case for the SSR, I think that had more to do GM trying to test it's low volume production techniques and practice building steel convertible tops - and show the world it still could muster up a ********, more than anything else. They made abit of money on it as well, but when production ended, there was nearly a year's worth of inventory left.

I've thought about buying a used SSR down the road, because I think they're kinda neat. Of course that has no impact on what the SSR's business plan might have been. I suspect that a speculative El Camino might end up in the same boat.

 

Could be, but one of them will end up in my driveway.

 

Interesting that the LS2-powered SS Ute weighs in at a hair under 3600 lbs in terms of curb weight.

In terms of power to weight ratio, it may end up being a better modding platform than the new Camaro.

 

An El Camino would be the perfect vehicle for me. Since I no longer live in the country on the Farm, I have no need for a fullsize pickup with 4x4 any longer. I don't haul a lot of stuff anymore, except computer equipment and what not at work. A crew cab ute would be perfect for me. I could haul the stuff I need to now and I could carry people as well.

Plus it comes with a V8 option, something I can't get from the Canyon or Colorado at the moment.

 

no I havent. I guess it just isnt me. There are a few I thought were kinda cool. I think the 80's Monte Carlo SS and the late 60s Chevelle. Both instances I liked the regular Chevelle and Monte Carlo SS better.

 

Yes, but low-volume niches are the direction the car market is going in, and GM needs to be in a lot of them to stay competitive. Every GM car competes with 20 other models, and the days of filling a plant with three badge-engineered cars are coming to an end.

So, I think they need wagons, utes, personal lux coupes, etc. It would be silly not to sell them, especially if the design work has been basically completed for other markets.

 

I like the way you think!

 

ME for one!!!

As a truck:
1. a portion can be written off on taxes.
2. It should be cheaper to buy & insure than a comparable car
3. it's lighter than the comparable car version.

Being based on a car:
1. It handles like a car because it IS a car.
2. It will accelerate like the comparable car... perhaps a fraction quicker.
3. It's as comfortable as a car, not a truck trying to be a car.

As both:
1. It's unlike anything else on the street.
2. You get a performance car with more favorable truck legal advantages.
3. Have you checked the going prices for good condition 80s era El Caminos? And they weren't even all that great looking, and sure as hell weren't quick.

If I can get a VE ute based, V8 and 6 speed El Camino for about $25K (not far fetched considering current Impala SSs go for that much), consider it sold.

 

Me first,Guy!

 

Unfortunately the small business credit doesn't start until you get to 6,000 lbs GVWR. Otherwise I think you'd see more small business owner/enthusiasts driving Magnum SRT8's, (which are classified as trucks),

 

I honestly don't see why it needs to be a work truck to avoid becoming a boutique product.

Everywhere I go I see people driving trucks that don't have nearly enough cargo to make that extra bit of stuctural rigidity remotely necessary.

I'm sure a worthwhile percentage would accept the compromise.

Besides, isn't the general consensus that 'boutique' SSR didn't sell spectacularly because it was priced like a Corvette, didn't go as fast as a Corvette, and didn't have the truck functionality of even an S10?

As long as the Ute cost less than a 'vette, drives similar to a RWD unibody sedan, and has a bed that isn't just for show, I don't see why it would be a "boutique."


Correct me if I'm missing something.

 

Would you, ( and I mean you personally), go to your Chevy dealer and plunk down $30K for one?