Don't get me wrong, Jason - I like the Challenger, and the Charger. They really have the same kind of Pontiac spirit. But, realistically, I am in the Caliber/Avenger size/price range. Chrysler is really firing all their bullets right now and they're hitting the mark. I'd just like to see what they produce when it comes time to replace the Caliber and the Avenger. The new Jeep Compass gives me hope.

 

I really think dodge has done a good job embracing their heritage and building truly American cars. Honestly- its what I think Pontiac could have done if they had the right people in place and less politics.

I like the obnoxious ads, bright colors and big wheels. I'm glad they have found a way to make it work.

And yes, if there was a real pontiac 5th gen I would be counting change to buy one!

 

I think it is kind of skewed. We always have some form of GM truck..so if I buy a truck..since I am a Pontiac owner..GM can pat themselves on the back and say they retained me? More accurate would be how many buyers are trading Pontiac's in for other GM products.

That being said, I think most of Pontiac's "core" buyers already defected. I know Nissan grabbed a bunch of the core FWD Grand Prix crowd.

 

I wonder what Pontiac's version of the Sierra or 1500 would of looked like.

 

Agree 100%....bright colors, big wheels, funny ads and real "American" style cars is exactly where Dodge appears to be headed...and I love it. Its exactly what Pontiac did in the times it was popular.

I remember my dad's '91 Grand Am SE (back when the SE was the loaded one)...160hp 4 banger, 16" alloys, a killer body kit from the factory...in 1991!!!! No Honda or Toyota 4 cylinder was within 40hp, and their cars had little 14" hubcaps.

 

That being said..my wifes aunt who has always had a Pontiac sedan did trade her v6 G8 for a Lacrosse. I asked them why and they said because they liked the dealer they always deal with.

 

I understand...I too am in the Avenger-sized price range...hence my interest in a 200 in another thread. I like the new Avenger, but I don't love it. I don't like it enough to put my own hard-earned money in it...the 200 is a different story, at least for me.

The Avenger is too chunky outside, and the interior is a great improvement from a looks, quality and functionality standpoint...but its kinda weird looking. I too hope the Caliber and Avenger replacements are "hitting the mark"...I need them to.

 

This Pontiac owner is waiting for the ATS.

 

A little edit in there for you and it's perfect

 

Heh... Let's see what the price tag is first

 

Its funny, I've always owned Chevy's and usually preferred them over other GM offerings. (expect for the '00 Olds Intrique we had, which was about 100 times better than the Impala at the time) But something happened about 10 years ago, Chevy became boring styling wise. Now we have two Pontiac's in our driveway, and Pontiac is dead . I came close to buying several Pontiac's over the years, but never pulled the trigger for one reason or another.

When my Camaro got totaled last month and I had to get something new, there was really nothing at the Chevy lots that interest me for my personal ride except the Camaro SS which is out of my budget. My shopping list was really short, Pontiac G8 GT, Pontiac G6 Convertible and 1st gen. Cadillac CTS-V. In the end the Pontiac G8 had everything I wanted.

Looking to the future, I don't know what we will end up with now that Pontiac is gone. Replacing the Torrent GXP (wife's ride and family hauler) will be fairly easy, even though GM no longer makes a "sport" crossover. I see us up-sizing to an GMC Acadia or Buick Enclave. For me I am really picky, but I'd like to see myself in a Camaro convertible at some point.

Its kind of strange for the past 15 years or so, we've ended up getting all dead GM vehicles. Back in the 90s I had a '94 Caprice LT1, in '96 it was killed. In 2001 I picked up my '97 Camaro Z28, in '02 the F-Bodies were killed. In '01 we picked up an Olds Intrigue and shortly afterward the whole Olds brand was killed. In 2008 we got our Torrent GXP, it had one more year before it was killed along with every Pontiac. And just last month I picked up my G8 GT which was already dead.

How can GM develop any kind of Brand/model loyalty with all the kills and/or all the name switching going on after every product cycle. No wonder the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are the best selling cars!

 

Quoted for TRUTH!!!

Brand names matter...a lot. GM partially killed Pontiac with the stupid G name thing. I have customers coming in now EXCITED to see a new Durango! Imagine that! The Durango was as damaged a nameplate as we had, after the ugly 2nd gen plasticky behemoth was panned and cancelled in 2009.

But, people recognize it as being Dodge's SUV, and we've had a LOT of traffic on it...partially from previous owners, but also new people recognizing it for its merits. Its a great SUV...far better than before.

If it was called the Dodge "whatever"?? Part of this clientele probably wouldn't even be checking it out. I too have owned a bunch of now-dead GM cars...

Oh well...

 

It really is too bad that the 2nd gen has that reputation, because underneath it all, it really is a solid vehicle, at least my mom's 2004 has been. It is coming up on 100K miles of basically trouble free miles. The only thing it has required is 2 set of tires and the regular maintenace (oil changes). She loves the way it drives and is not looking forward to replacing it eventually. They drove a new Durango last weekend but I haven't gotten their thoughts on it. It was the V6 version and I know that my mom will want the Hemi.

I am glad to see that the new Durango is getting some positive attention.

 

Unfortunately, most automakers are not immune to this at times. Dodge Stratus -> Avenger; Chrysler Sebring -> 200, Dodge Intrepid -> Charger, Chrysler Concorde -> 300 (yeah, there was the 300M on the LH platform). Even Honda is guilty, with the Acura Line. They fell into the alphabet soup hole, abandoning names like the Legend (RL), Integra (RSX), Vigor (TL), etc. Not that all of the names / cars were good ones, but still. Ford Taurus -> Fusion, Ford Five Hundred -> Taurus, Ford Freestyle -> Taurus X, etc.

This just got me thinking. At the other end of the spectrum from Toyota, you've got specialty makes like Ferrari who never carry over a model name. The F430 doesn't get redesigned into the 2nd gen F430; the new car is the 458 Italia. Lambo goes Countache -> Diablo -> Murcielago -> Aventador. I guess that is a way of keeping each model unique and special. You say you have a Ferrari F40, and one knows exactly what you mean. There aren't 5 different generations from which to choose.

 

I think Regal production is supposed to start at Oshawa any time now, but I'm not sure we'll see a much cheaper Regal with the Verano (I can't get over how much that name sucks even though I kind of like the car...) coming down the pipe.

Since Buick is dropping trim lines completely for 2012, GMI are reporting that Buick are strongly considering not doing a lower-priced "entry level" Regal.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...-regal-100874/