Thier are rumors the Solstice may get a new name when it goes into production.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,121
From: Houston
Originally posted by Chris 96 WS6
Honestly I think it would be a mistake for it not to be called Solstice. Its a fresh but catchy name and the car already has quite a bit of buzz associated with it. Changing names would throw a lot of people off and the Firebird and Sunfire names have a lot of connotations associated with them that the Solstice probably doesn't need or that would not fit it.
No better way to ruin a fresh, new product than putting an old name on it.
Honestly I think it would be a mistake for it not to be called Solstice. Its a fresh but catchy name and the car already has quite a bit of buzz associated with it. Changing names would throw a lot of people off and the Firebird and Sunfire names have a lot of connotations associated with them that the Solstice probably doesn't need or that would not fit it.
No better way to ruin a fresh, new product than putting an old name on it.
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Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,282
Knowing that........
.........we are still a few years away from public discussion concerning the return of the Camaro..........and I would assume the gag order included the Firebird.......I doubt this will happen.......
Now I know some will point out that a "Solstice - Firebird" would be a major departure for the Firebird....the 5th gen Camaro ain't gonna' be on a "f-body" platform either....
Now I know some will point out that a "Solstice - Firebird" would be a major departure for the Firebird....the 5th gen Camaro ain't gonna' be on a "f-body" platform either....
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,072
From: Lilburn, GA, USA
I do wonder if that gag order applies to the Firebird, one would think so. Put me down for another person against naming that car "Firebird". Even though the new Camaro will not be based on the F platform, it should, and I think will, stay true to it's form and that is far more important than what platform it is on.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 388
From: Racine, WI
Originally posted by cmc
The '90 or '91 Fiero concept (the really sleek NSX-looking model) was at an auto show (or some other event on display) at one point with a "Trans Am GTA" badge on it...
Hmmmmm...
The '90 or '91 Fiero concept (the really sleek NSX-looking model) was at an auto show (or some other event on display) at one point with a "Trans Am GTA" badge on it...
Hmmmmm...
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Originally posted by Chris 96 WS6
This would be acceptable to me ONLY if Trans AM remained dead forever, or came back later as a limited edition variant of the Camaro. Tiny 2 seat, v6 roadster is not a Trans Am. Divorcing Firebird and Trans Am would be just as big of a jump as divorcing Camaro and Firebird, though.
This would be acceptable to me ONLY if Trans AM remained dead forever, or came back later as a limited edition variant of the Camaro. Tiny 2 seat, v6 roadster is not a Trans Am. Divorcing Firebird and Trans Am would be just as big of a jump as divorcing Camaro and Firebird, though.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Originally posted by centric
Sunfire = connotations of 80's POS crapboxes.
Firebird = connotations of gold chains and chest hair.
Keep the Solstice name, GM.
Sunfire = connotations of 80's POS crapboxes.
Firebird = connotations of gold chains and chest hair.
Keep the Solstice name, GM.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,724
From: Hebron, KY
Originally posted by centric
Sunfire = connotations of 80's POS crapboxes.
Sunfire = connotations of 80's POS crapboxes.
It's styling isn't that dated!Of course it was Sunbird perviously, and I had one that was very reliable. It was a '90 and still going with nearly 150k miles when I sold it off...never had any trouble out of it and it went through a lot.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 764
From: Crystal Falls, MI USA
Why not?
As being the proud owner of a 2002 T/A Ram Air, I personally don't mind the useage of Firebird on the Solstice. This could breath new life into an aged name. As it goes for history, the Firebird name only refered to the V6 F-body in it's later years. Then when it becomes time for a new Camaro, call that the Trans Am to fill in the real bad boy void left buy the 2002. So then there would be a sports car for all types of enthusiast, a 4cyl Firebird sports coupe, a muscular Trans Am muscle car, and a larger V8 gran touring muscle GTO.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 764
From: Crystal Falls, MI USA
I see how you could get that! I didn't mean T/A on the Camaro, I meant a Pontiac version of the Camaro, but only called the Trans Am and not Firebird Trans Am as it was. Two completely different Pontiacs instead of one with different appearance and power packages.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 528
From: The land of ice and snow.
What on earth would be the point of calling it a firebird?
I mean the firebird conjures up an image of big engined muscle - not generally regarded by the general masses as a nimble little car (though us hardcore afficianados know that in reality they still handle just great).
The solstice is a different design mentality altogether - smaller, 2 seater with something like miata like handling and looks to match.
So why would any sane marketing person even consider confusing the general populace of consumers by renaming the Solstice as Firebird?
And yes I agree, the Firebird should come back modernized - but ultimately true to it's brawny, v8 roots or not all, just like the Camaro. Anything else would be heresy.
Pontiac - are you getting the message??
I mean the firebird conjures up an image of big engined muscle - not generally regarded by the general masses as a nimble little car (though us hardcore afficianados know that in reality they still handle just great).
The solstice is a different design mentality altogether - smaller, 2 seater with something like miata like handling and looks to match.
So why would any sane marketing person even consider confusing the general populace of consumers by renaming the Solstice as Firebird?
And yes I agree, the Firebird should come back modernized - but ultimately true to it's brawny, v8 roots or not all, just like the Camaro. Anything else would be heresy.
Pontiac - are you getting the message??