How many here have less passion for GM and its products than "before"?
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 224
From: Lincolnwood IL
I will always be a fan of the Corvette. The Camaro will have to change (a lot) before they win me back on that car. I will NEVER forgive them for not bringing back the Firebird. On top of that, they are killing off the Solstice coupe (and Pontiac as a whole) which is absolutely heartbreaking to me.
So after the 'Vette, there is really nothing left for me at GM to get excited about
So after the 'Vette, there is really nothing left for me at GM to get excited about
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 319
From: Ottawa, KS
My passion for Ford is building by the day, I loved the 80's Tbirds as a kid growing up. But the IROC-Z made my loyalties go to GM. Fords lineup is making me lean the other way for sure.
Last edited by Andrew R; May 13, 2009 at 06:30 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 234
From: Syracuse NY
GM does not give one sh*t about its customer base. It runs with trends. When Ford was to axe the Mustang....people rose up and it stayed. When GM was to axe the Camaro.....people rose up to watch their car disappear.
That is just one example but they are to corporate with no inner value. It is all about the dollar and to little about public image. In all honesty I really do hope GM is phased out completely as long as they can do it while not drastically impacting the other manufacturers.
That is just one example but they are to corporate with no inner value. It is all about the dollar and to little about public image. In all honesty I really do hope GM is phased out completely as long as they can do it while not drastically impacting the other manufacturers.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
Good question!
Personally, the passion will continue for as long as GM keep the 'smallblock' alive with new developments. Without GM I don't have the same passion for cars and I don't have my hobby (i.e. to me, cars would just become an A to B mode of transport, nothing more).
Having said that, if GM becomes a company that just offer fuel efficient, mundane, FWDs then there is no point in supporting a company that is no longer true to its roots. Toyota then takes GM's place (not Ford).
Personally, the passion will continue for as long as GM keep the 'smallblock' alive with new developments. Without GM I don't have the same passion for cars and I don't have my hobby (i.e. to me, cars would just become an A to B mode of transport, nothing more).
Having said that, if GM becomes a company that just offer fuel efficient, mundane, FWDs then there is no point in supporting a company that is no longer true to its roots. Toyota then takes GM's place (not Ford).
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
I feel like Ford will always have exciting products.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
Then we come to this decade, and despite even better product in many ways (can anyone say Aura? Solstice? Malibu? Trucks? Cadillac's entire line??), the excitement has completely waned to a trickle. The soul seems to be gone, despite ever-better product. It seems like GM has completely lost the attention and desire of the general public. Need proof??
1) Compare a dimunitive little Astra to ANY subcompact GM has made in 30 years...and how many they made before, yet this car wasn't even winked at.
2) The wide acclaim the '97-'03 Grand Prix received, compared to the complete dis-interest the '04-'08 received, and now the G8.
3) The fact that in the mid-'90s, you couldn't spit without seeing a Z24 around the corner...yet I can't even remember the last Cobalt SS I saw.
4) Pontiac went from "We Build Excitement" to "We Build Rental Cars"
5) My high school parking lot when I graduated in '98 was full of 3rd gens, S10 Blazers, '73-'87 full size pickups, Grand Ams and Berettas. Today its full of Civics, Accords, and Corollas.
1) Compare a dimunitive little Astra to ANY subcompact GM has made in 30 years...and how many they made before, yet this car wasn't even winked at.
2) The wide acclaim the '97-'03 Grand Prix received, compared to the complete dis-interest the '04-'08 received, and now the G8.
3) The fact that in the mid-'90s, you couldn't spit without seeing a Z24 around the corner...yet I can't even remember the last Cobalt SS I saw.
4) Pontiac went from "We Build Excitement" to "We Build Rental Cars"
5) My high school parking lot when I graduated in '98 was full of 3rd gens, S10 Blazers, '73-'87 full size pickups, Grand Ams and Berettas. Today its full of Civics, Accords, and Corollas.
I have no fond memories of the '97-'02 Grand Prixs at all.
Today, there are G8s, incredibly capable Camaros, and even the 'Vette is a quality piece (C4 did not appeal to me at all). Plus, for the first time ever, there are a Caddy or two that appeals.
Overall, I think the GM product of today is the most interesting since the early 70s. And the rumored product (Alpha) sounds great.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
GM has Camaro, Corvette, and CTS (including the mighty CTS-V).
If I were in Oz, I'd be all over the Falcon (I don't know what SSbaby sees in .AU Toyotas), but it's not and never will be sold here.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
I am sometimes confused when folks that choose to come to a GM model celebration site concern themselves whit much other than that which has an effect on that passion in particular. This is a place which exists because of the Camaro.
I'll admit to reading many GM forums and many competitor forums, but it is part of being good at what I do. I read them to find what is motivating their choices because I want their business.
Someone being amazed to find brand loyalty on a brand model site is amusing to me.
I don't expect people on a Camaro site to be loyal or interested in much other than that. It would be nice if they were, but logic doesn't dictate it.
I'll admit to reading many GM forums and many competitor forums, but it is part of being good at what I do. I read them to find what is motivating their choices because I want their business.
Someone being amazed to find brand loyalty on a brand model site is amusing to me.
I don't expect people on a Camaro site to be loyal or interested in much other than that. It would be nice if they were, but logic doesn't dictate it.
I deleted my exact same comments thinking I might inflame discussion... that was until I read your comment!
That's what flabbergasts me... how could people who love the 5G also support GM's demise?
Some people aren't thinking with their brains switched on. I've read numerous posts about "Ford looking better each day" and GM importing Chinese made cars... but have those same people also given thought to Ford potentially following GM down the same path... all in the name of staying competitive?
How many of those same people also shop at Walmart?Without GM, the American car industry is over, much like the TV is no longer built in the USA! Obviously, that suits some people just fine!
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
Ford aren't exactly setting the sales charts alight here. The reasons are varied but Ford products here aren't exactly known for their quality, service and reliability. In comparison Holden is viewed in a similar but more favourable light than Ford here - Holden have a well earned reputation for their product which has paved the way for export opportunities.
On the subject of Ford vs Holden: Ford's V8 is generally considered inferior in every way to the Holden V8 (although Ford's turbo 6 is a weapon, just not my style). So why would I bother with the Ford?
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,897
From: Greenville, SC
My love for the old GM stuff hasn't changed, probably never will.
The new Camaro is THE ONLY GM vehicle I would seriously consider buying brand new. There's nothing else in the last 12 years I've been driving that GM has had that I would have bought brand new, not even the 4th gen... sorry fellas... but I would definitely buy a used one
So... for me, I guess it's increased?
SO TRUE!
I graduated in '99, I have the same "memories." LOTS of S-10 pickups and blazers, 3rd gens and a few 4th gen camaros, lots of cavliers, etc. When I went to college, it was almost like a switch was flipped and the lots were packed with civics and various other small imports, but the Civic was clearly the "dominating chick car."
The new Camaro is THE ONLY GM vehicle I would seriously consider buying brand new. There's nothing else in the last 12 years I've been driving that GM has had that I would have bought brand new, not even the 4th gen... sorry fellas... but I would definitely buy a used one
So... for me, I guess it's increased?
SO TRUE!I graduated in '99, I have the same "memories." LOTS of S-10 pickups and blazers, 3rd gens and a few 4th gen camaros, lots of cavliers, etc. When I went to college, it was almost like a switch was flipped and the lots were packed with civics and various other small imports, but the Civic was clearly the "dominating chick car."
Last edited by Silverado C-10; May 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
You can be sure that if GM disappear tomorrow, Ford won't have to offer V8s or RWD downunder. Ford will just become a whitegoods company.
Toyota make fantastic whitegoods on wheels so that suits me fine... at least until I can afford a German machine... which will probably be never!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Don't get me wrong. Toyota are just better than GM at doing it, IMHO.
You can be sure that if GM disappear tomorrow, Ford won't have to offer V8s or RWD downunder. Ford will just become a whitegoods company.
Toyota make fantastic whitegoods on wheels so that suits me fine... at least until I can afford a German machine... which will probably be never!
You can be sure that if GM disappear tomorrow, Ford won't have to offer V8s or RWD downunder. Ford will just become a whitegoods company.
Toyota make fantastic whitegoods on wheels so that suits me fine... at least until I can afford a German machine... which will probably be never!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
Don't get me wrong. Toyota are just better than GM at doing it, IMHO.
You can be sure that if GM disappear tomorrow, Ford won't have to offer V8s or RWD downunder. Ford will just become a whitegoods company.
Toyota make fantastic whitegoods on wheels so that suits me fine... at least until I can afford a German machine... which will probably be never!
You can be sure that if GM disappear tomorrow, Ford won't have to offer V8s or RWD downunder. Ford will just become a whitegoods company.
Toyota make fantastic whitegoods on wheels so that suits me fine... at least until I can afford a German machine... which will probably be never!
What's a BMW 550i, something like $150K?