Views from a travelling Aussie...
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Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
Views from a travelling Aussie...
Yes, I happen to be in NY atm, on vacation and staying with friends from NJ. I recently visited a Chevy dealership and thought I'd express my opinions on where I belive GM are on the ball and where I see they could improve. Generally, I believe GM is heading in the right direction but is painfully slow to react to market trends. 
Firstly, let me start with GM's bright spot: Cadillac. They've come a long way in recent years and I like the way GM have revived the brand... a similar revival to BMW when they were just a shadow of MB in the early 80s. I love the CTS and think the STS also looks the goods. The sporty luxury image (ala CTS-V) is the right way to go for the marque and GM need to be taken seriously by BMW/Benz/Audi/Lexus buyers when they are offering cars in the same price range. Cadillac deserve more products to compete head to head with luxury rivals and hopefully the cars will come.
GM's truck portfolio is ageing in comparison to rival makers but will soon be updated. I'm not an SUV type person but the Tahoe and Silverado have been doing well for GM because they're dependable trucks but they just don't seem to grab attention like the equivalent F-series trucks and especially those from Dodge. Without having driven any of the trucks and based solely on my observations of the vehicles, I regard the Chevy Equinox highly - it's a 'nice' SUV with a modern interior and good quality plastics and well laid out dash design. The Trailblazer, however, looks like it's in need of a serious update. I wish GM would slowly rid Chevy's truck lineup of that bold horizontal bar that takes attention away from the famous Chevy badge. Like I said, I'm no truck person but that's the way I see GM's trucks in light of the current competition. Will now move on to the cars...
Sports: The standouts are the C6 and GTO (despite the relative mixed sales success, especially in the east of the country). The GTO's biggest problem is the fact that people expect it to replace a favourite icon of the 60s... a tough ask for a car manufactured in Australia. The car is obviously marketed incorrectly but the car is necessary insofar as giving GM some credibility to take on the likes of domestic muscle car rivals like the Mustang and Dodge Chargers. I'm sure GM will learn from the GTO experience when they launch their sporty RWD V8s in earnest.
Hopefully, the new 2007/2008 Camaro will be a suitable Mustang fighter as GM need a pony car to relive interest for its fans and fans of muscle cars in general.
Family Sport: The Monte Carlo just doesn't cut it. You can't pretend the car has serious sporting aspirations by shoehorning a 5.3L V8 into it's FWD chassis. And the styling sucks. It's just a big heavy 2-door that is trapped in a time warp.
Family: As popular and dependable as the Impala is, it's not the right car for GM for a number of reasons: The styling is mundane and it looks like a cheap car that looks so outdated compared to rivals from Nissan, Toyota and Honda it's not funny. The Impala looks like a sub-$US20K car especially when viewed from the inside (the interior is drab and that's being kind, irrespective of the fact that the car is popular with fleets) whereas cars from competing makes look more like $30K offerings although they compete on the same price levels.
The new Malibu & Maxx look odd especially when viewed from the front although the interior styling is OK. Again, the car looks like a cheap Japanese wannabe rather than something that makes an authoritative statement in it's class. It's about time people started noticing Chevys rather than viewing their products as 'dependable average transportation'.
I like the design of the Pontiac G6 although I can't help but think about Oprah whenever I see this car on the street (I hate Oprah!!!). Nonetheless, the car is classy inside and out. It looks like a Honda and GM should learn to design pleasant looking cars for Chevy as well as Pontiac.
Compact: The Cobalt is a bright sign for GM. I like the look of this vehicle especially the coupe. The interior looks classy enough without being outstanding but I'm sure Chevy is on a winner here.
The SSR is a halo car that GM needs to make people believe that GM is changing it's stodgy image and capable of delivering something different and exciting. It's sales haven't exactly set the world on fire but it doesn't take a genius to figure out GM priced it out of reach of most enthusiasts or those looking for a semi workhorse vehicle with image and style. I'd liken this car to the Holden Ute but far more classy and retro. I'd have one in an instant if this car were offered in Australia provided it were priced reasonably.
Other: can't wait for the Solstice and Sky. Both cars look sexy and I reckon the Solstice is the more masculine of the two vehicles. GM is on a winner with these siblings. I just hope they build them right and stay focused on offering the customer value. These cars should not be priced badly as the SSR ia a clear example of how not to price a desirable vehicle.
Buick: Nothing interesting for a mid 30s guy like me to get interested about.
Saturn: Agree with a lot of enthusiasts... the cars should be marketed in the USA as rebadged Opels, offering American buyers the option of buying interesting European alternatives.
Other: I love the look of the current Mustang and 300C/Dodge Charger V8s. I wish GM had competitors for these cars.
Anyway, I haven't got all day... so I just came up with the above list of things to chat about as these are the topics most commonly discussed in most forums. These are just my observations only and I don't claim to be an automotive expert... I'm just a car enthusiast from downunder who also happens to love American cars, GM in particular.
Thanks to those who spent the time reading my post.
Cheers
Firstly, let me start with GM's bright spot: Cadillac. They've come a long way in recent years and I like the way GM have revived the brand... a similar revival to BMW when they were just a shadow of MB in the early 80s. I love the CTS and think the STS also looks the goods. The sporty luxury image (ala CTS-V) is the right way to go for the marque and GM need to be taken seriously by BMW/Benz/Audi/Lexus buyers when they are offering cars in the same price range. Cadillac deserve more products to compete head to head with luxury rivals and hopefully the cars will come.
GM's truck portfolio is ageing in comparison to rival makers but will soon be updated. I'm not an SUV type person but the Tahoe and Silverado have been doing well for GM because they're dependable trucks but they just don't seem to grab attention like the equivalent F-series trucks and especially those from Dodge. Without having driven any of the trucks and based solely on my observations of the vehicles, I regard the Chevy Equinox highly - it's a 'nice' SUV with a modern interior and good quality plastics and well laid out dash design. The Trailblazer, however, looks like it's in need of a serious update. I wish GM would slowly rid Chevy's truck lineup of that bold horizontal bar that takes attention away from the famous Chevy badge. Like I said, I'm no truck person but that's the way I see GM's trucks in light of the current competition. Will now move on to the cars...
Sports: The standouts are the C6 and GTO (despite the relative mixed sales success, especially in the east of the country). The GTO's biggest problem is the fact that people expect it to replace a favourite icon of the 60s... a tough ask for a car manufactured in Australia. The car is obviously marketed incorrectly but the car is necessary insofar as giving GM some credibility to take on the likes of domestic muscle car rivals like the Mustang and Dodge Chargers. I'm sure GM will learn from the GTO experience when they launch their sporty RWD V8s in earnest.
Hopefully, the new 2007/2008 Camaro will be a suitable Mustang fighter as GM need a pony car to relive interest for its fans and fans of muscle cars in general.
Family Sport: The Monte Carlo just doesn't cut it. You can't pretend the car has serious sporting aspirations by shoehorning a 5.3L V8 into it's FWD chassis. And the styling sucks. It's just a big heavy 2-door that is trapped in a time warp.
Family: As popular and dependable as the Impala is, it's not the right car for GM for a number of reasons: The styling is mundane and it looks like a cheap car that looks so outdated compared to rivals from Nissan, Toyota and Honda it's not funny. The Impala looks like a sub-$US20K car especially when viewed from the inside (the interior is drab and that's being kind, irrespective of the fact that the car is popular with fleets) whereas cars from competing makes look more like $30K offerings although they compete on the same price levels.
The new Malibu & Maxx look odd especially when viewed from the front although the interior styling is OK. Again, the car looks like a cheap Japanese wannabe rather than something that makes an authoritative statement in it's class. It's about time people started noticing Chevys rather than viewing their products as 'dependable average transportation'.
I like the design of the Pontiac G6 although I can't help but think about Oprah whenever I see this car on the street (I hate Oprah!!!). Nonetheless, the car is classy inside and out. It looks like a Honda and GM should learn to design pleasant looking cars for Chevy as well as Pontiac.
Compact: The Cobalt is a bright sign for GM. I like the look of this vehicle especially the coupe. The interior looks classy enough without being outstanding but I'm sure Chevy is on a winner here.
The SSR is a halo car that GM needs to make people believe that GM is changing it's stodgy image and capable of delivering something different and exciting. It's sales haven't exactly set the world on fire but it doesn't take a genius to figure out GM priced it out of reach of most enthusiasts or those looking for a semi workhorse vehicle with image and style. I'd liken this car to the Holden Ute but far more classy and retro. I'd have one in an instant if this car were offered in Australia provided it were priced reasonably.
Other: can't wait for the Solstice and Sky. Both cars look sexy and I reckon the Solstice is the more masculine of the two vehicles. GM is on a winner with these siblings. I just hope they build them right and stay focused on offering the customer value. These cars should not be priced badly as the SSR ia a clear example of how not to price a desirable vehicle.
Buick: Nothing interesting for a mid 30s guy like me to get interested about.
Saturn: Agree with a lot of enthusiasts... the cars should be marketed in the USA as rebadged Opels, offering American buyers the option of buying interesting European alternatives.
Other: I love the look of the current Mustang and 300C/Dodge Charger V8s. I wish GM had competitors for these cars.
Anyway, I haven't got all day... so I just came up with the above list of things to chat about as these are the topics most commonly discussed in most forums. These are just my observations only and I don't claim to be an automotive expert... I'm just a car enthusiast from downunder who also happens to love American cars, GM in particular.
Thanks to those who spent the time reading my post.
Cheers
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Just what I'd expect from a guy from a country that has Falcon XR6s, XR8s, Tickfords, Holden HSVs, Holden Family sedans with LS1 V8s and manuals, and cars with interiors that do a credible job of competing with vehicles from Europe and Japan. 
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,870
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by guionM
Just what I'd expect from a guy from a country that has Falcon XR6s, XR8s, Tickfords, Holden HSVs, Holden Family sedans with LS1 V8s and manuals, and cars with interiors that do a credible job of competing with vehicles from Europe and Japan.
I love the ausi stuff. Ohhh, how i crave the Xr6 and F6 Typhoon Falcons. The HSV stuff is amazing too.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 114
From: Sydney, Australia
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
just to irritate you more than an F1 race at Indianapolis, we just picked up a long term FPV F6 Typhoon on friday.
sportier Ford Falcon bodyshell (FPV is Ford Performance Vehicles, owned by Ford and Prodrive) rear wheel drive, big five seater.
Oh, did i mention it was a turbocharged in-line six, with 270kW of power?
and 550Nm of torque from 2000-4250rpm?
and a six-speed manual?
and it handles?
and smashes HSVs on rolling in-gear acceleration?
...and you'll never get it
sportier Ford Falcon bodyshell (FPV is Ford Performance Vehicles, owned by Ford and Prodrive) rear wheel drive, big five seater.
Oh, did i mention it was a turbocharged in-line six, with 270kW of power?
and 550Nm of torque from 2000-4250rpm?
and a six-speed manual?
and it handles?
and smashes HSVs on rolling in-gear acceleration?
...and you'll never get it
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by Oz Mickey T
just to irritate you more than an F1 race at Indianapolis, we just picked up a long term FPV F6 Typhoon on friday.
sportier Ford Falcon bodyshell (FPV is Ford Performance Vehicles, owned by Ford and Prodrive) rear wheel drive, big five seater.
Oh, did i mention it was a turbocharged in-line six, with 270kW of power?
and 550Nm of torque from 2000-4250rpm?
and a six-speed manual?
and it handles?
and smashes HSVs on rolling in-gear acceleration?
...and you'll never get it
sportier Ford Falcon bodyshell (FPV is Ford Performance Vehicles, owned by Ford and Prodrive) rear wheel drive, big five seater.
Oh, did i mention it was a turbocharged in-line six, with 270kW of power?
and 550Nm of torque from 2000-4250rpm?
and a six-speed manual?
and it handles?
and smashes HSVs on rolling in-gear acceleration?
...and you'll never get it
Just rub it in you bastard!
BTW, for those of you not up on metric conversions, Mickey is talking about a 6 cylinder engine that puts out over 360 horsepower!!!
Last edited by guionM; Jun 20, 2005 at 10:16 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 576
From: Houston, TX
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by Oz Mickey T
...and you'll never get it
At least we won't have to live down the drubbing Ricky Ponting and his boys got!
Just kidding. (For those that didn't get it.. the Aussies got beat by the worst team in cricket) - I had to find something....
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,870
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by guionM
Just rub it in you bastard!
BTW, for those of you not up on metric conversions, Mickey is talking about a 6 cylinder engine that puts out over 360 horsepower!!!
BTW, for those of you not up on metric conversions, Mickey is talking about a 6 cylinder engine that puts out over 360 horsepower!!!
. And that's still at a conservative 9.2psi of boost. Couple of dyno's of modified 4.0L I-6.
This one is an article. Good read, though it's only a portion of the article. They managed 1035hp on 98 RON (our 93 octane). 1035hp on pump gas, not bad.
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2311/article.html
Vid of an 1,163hp run. Watch that manifold and turbo glow.
http://turbobuicks.net/movies//Non-B...pro_1163hp.avi
They're sweet and potent engines.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by Gold_Rush
And 400+lb-ft of tq....STOCK . And that's still at a conservative 9.2psi of boost.
Couple of dyno's of modified 4.0L I-6.
This one is an article. Good read, though it's only a portion of the article. They managed 1035hp on 98 RON (our 93 octane). 1035hp on pump gas, not bad.
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2311/article.html
Vid of an 1,163hp run. Watch that manifold and turbo glow.
http://turbobuicks.net/movies//Non-B...pro_1163hp.avi
They're sweet and potent engines.
. And that's still at a conservative 9.2psi of boost. Couple of dyno's of modified 4.0L I-6.
This one is an article. Good read, though it's only a portion of the article. They managed 1035hp on 98 RON (our 93 octane). 1035hp on pump gas, not bad.
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2311/article.html
Vid of an 1,163hp run. Watch that manifold and turbo glow.
http://turbobuicks.net/movies//Non-B...pro_1163hp.avi
They're sweet and potent engines.
However, there is no Ford here in the US to put it in or was engineered for it, and a V8 with a supercharger strapped to the top of it is cheaper.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,870
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by guionM
Yep, simply AWESOME engine. Believe it or not, it's also US emissions friendly (Australia also has very very strict emission standards.
However, there is no Ford here in the US to put it in or was engineered for it, and a V8 with a supercharger strapped to the top of it is cheaper.
However, there is no Ford here in the US to put it in or was engineered for it, and a V8 with a supercharger strapped to the top of it is cheaper.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,123
From: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Hey,
How did this topic end up turning into a Ford thread? Mickey T, you're responsible for this.... I agree with guionM... you are a bastard!
Anyway, GM V8s don't need turbos that rival makes need just to keep up.
How did this topic end up turning into a Ford thread? Mickey T, you're responsible for this.... I agree with guionM... you are a bastard!
Anyway, GM V8s don't need turbos that rival makes need just to keep up.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,870
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by SSbaby
Hey,
How did this topic end up turning into a Ford thread? Mickey T, you're responsible for this.... I agree with guionM... you are a bastard!
Anyway, GM V8s don't need turbos that rival makes need just to keep up.
How did this topic end up turning into a Ford thread? Mickey T, you're responsible for this.... I agree with guionM... you are a bastard!
Anyway, GM V8s don't need turbos that rival makes need just to keep up.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,215
From: Coppell, Texas
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
Originally Posted by guionM
Yep, simply AWESOME engine. Believe it or not, it's also US emissions friendly (Australia also has very very strict emission standards.
However, there is no Ford here in the US to put it in or was engineered for it, and a V8 with a supercharger strapped to the top of it is cheaper.
However, there is no Ford here in the US to put it in or was engineered for it, and a V8 with a supercharger strapped to the top of it is cheaper.
Not only that, but weren't the Aussie-Fords not engineered for LHD? Its a sad situation. I think the Falcon would make a great answer to the CTSv for Lincoln.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 114
From: Sydney, Australia
Re: Views from a travelling Aussie...
don't blame me.
i was just teasing.
given that i neither designed it, nor built it, i can't claim credit.
By the way, HSV has just built a version of the ClubSport (its base 6.0-litre, five-seat, six-speed rear driver with 297kW) called the Dealer Team Spec.
it gets good stuff. and it's fast. about 4.5 seconds faster than a ClubSport around a 3km racetrack...
i was just teasing.
given that i neither designed it, nor built it, i can't claim credit.
By the way, HSV has just built a version of the ClubSport (its base 6.0-litre, five-seat, six-speed rear driver with 297kW) called the Dealer Team Spec.
it gets good stuff. and it's fast. about 4.5 seconds faster than a ClubSport around a 3km racetrack...
