Struggling...mightily .... not ... to... comment....

Remember Skunkworks?

Whoops! did I say that?

 

So are you looking for a MN12 (Cougar / Thunderbird) type car for the next GTO?

 

Ok, I'll chime in here with some thoughts I already have made for a "possible" 5th gen firebird that I thought could work. Now I'll actually change my tune somewhat and say Pontiac doesn't have to call it Firebird or Trans Am, but they can still make a car which I'm about to describe. ( Also, I know others have thought of this as well, this isn't my idea per se).

Anyways, with Zeta being so modular and able to accomodate different platform sizes, as well as AWD capability, I think Pontiac should offer a Turbo V6, AWD performance sports coupe with aggressive enough styling and handling abilities that can make it a Pontiac Halo performance flagship car. Now I'm a bit confused exactly what is happening with Zeta, if it's still going to come here or not, and all the other little tidbits, but assuming Zeta is still on track, I feel that this could be a great opportunity for Pontiac to develop a Halo car for its showrooms. Again, if done properly and can come in at say $35k or even below, with great build quality I think it could work.

 

You won't see a Chevelle from Chevy. If speculation is that the GTO will be cancelled, what makes you think GM will make a Chevelle? Some of the thinking around here just doesn't make sense to me.

 

Hmmmm.....yeah, I guess.

Actually, if the former Grand Prix coupe were RWD, had a V8 and manual trans........that would pretty much be right there for me.

 

Just reading some tea leaves I've run across - and, I admit, hoping.

 

Its called a Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. And it weighed more than a bull elephant. The car you describe I think would be north of 3600lbs. I also don't see GM doing any more turbos, the only turbos are the Saab Ecotec(Saab put the turbo on there because its their tradition) and the Duramax dieseal(which was designed by Izuzu, not GM). GM is obessed with supercharging currently.


I think all of the muscle car nameplates that have been out of production for 30 years should remain dead. And look at all the crap DCX got over the Charger, nothing good can come from calling a 4 door sedan a GTO. And hopefully we will never have suicide door coupes, those things are eyesores.

 

Fair enough. I was just tossing around an idea for a Pontiac performance flagship. Something in the vain of the 89 TTA, but with the possibility of all wheel drive. I beleive if done right, and not weighing too much, could cause alot of excitement for Pontiac and GM and bring in people to Pontiac showrooms. Basically, there really isn't a car like that out there in today's car market, so GM and pontiac could have an exclusive take on that niche. As much as I love the GTO's performance, and can accept the toned down styling, a more aggressive, hot performing car for Pontiac would be ideal.

 

If they did that car you described right, I would be all over it.

 

That's my feeling as well. I'm a Pontiac diehard, and am disappointed that the Firebird was cancelled and there isn't a direct "replacement" in the pipeworks. I just think that with an offering with that setup, hopefully not too pig heavy, and not too expensive should be an unbelievable halo type car. It should generate excitement and buzz. Pontiac needs a car like this badly.

Also, in the thread I started a few months back with this same idea for a possible return for a 5th gen firebird, GuionM even stated that top of the line TA's such as the TTA were basically $40k in today's value and still sold (though obviously the TTA was an anniversary edition and in limited production). He also said that a car like this should be a huge hit due to it being basically the only one on the market.

Note: GuionM, I don't mean to speak for you or anything. so if you read this and want to say what you feel and/or meant back in the other thread go right ahead. With your sentiments being it could be a success, and the amount of respect I have for your opinions , I just wished GM and Pontiac would do something similar to this.

 

I think a Turbo 2.4L Solstice coupe for $27K with 250-275HP would kick *** and be Pontiacs cross between a 350z & TTA. RWD, affordable price and lightweight would make it an instant street legend. Worked for the Evo, STi, and Grand national.

 

Know what, now that you mention that that could be a great performance flagship for Pontiac. And this is what aggravates me, how hard would it be to build that? There's just so many things that GM can build and yet they don't. I'd take either or for a performance car for Pontiac, and would allow GM to build a proper Camaro without a sister car ala Firebird. Does it just make too damn sense for GM to not see?