Well, no, I think its nicer then the Kia Sedona, the Honda Odessey or the Dodge Caravan...its rugged and has a great fuel economy...best bang for the buck IMO

So is the Olds Silhouette

I like GM more than any other maker. But I agree there screwing up. Like you said the new GXP is front wheel drive. I dont think it would have been too much of a hassle to make it rear wheel drive, hell the new GTO is. As for the 3.8 and power. I think some of the blame needs to be put on the envirmentalists and the government. Gm has to make these cars to have a certain fuel economy and emissions. If these limitations would be somewhat lifted I think we would see a 3.8 close to 300 hp. Let me tell you. I would not mind having a 300 hp 3.8, even if it only got 15 miles per gallon. As for GMs design, I hate the new Box look that has overtaken the market, such as square headlights, and such, ugly. I hear some that some of Ford and Chryslers losses are due to there degrease in vehicle reliability. Like everyone I know, knows that chrysler transmissions are more prone to failure than GM and Ford.

Great thread, guys. Keep it up. GM reads this forum regularly. This could have some influence.

personally i think gm has done a great job...i wnat to see some japanese car catch a corvette...is a corvette scd no.....gm haas a vast variety of cars to where japanese cars dont...compare their fastest car to gms...gm will win...now compare their family car to our family car...gm will win.....i dont know specs of the top of my head but i know a stock corvette will keep up to a modded out turbod civic...and what about gms modded cars....can a import keep up to a 600 HP chevelle that tweaks teh axle everytime ittakes off? i think not....gm has made great cars...yes i think that they should have ran a SC V8 in the GXP but im not the creators....And i want to see a family of 5 fit in a supra or celica! and still pull a 14sec 1/4 mile...so im for GM all the way!!!!

IMO, GM needs to keep bringing out fresh new cars. I go to the Toronto Auto Show every year and I just started making the trip down to the Detroit one last year and 9 out of the 10 coolest concept cars they bring out never even make it to production despite the fact people love them. look at the new Chevy SSR. A dealer paid over 90000 (i think) to have the first one. The Cadillac EVOQ inspired the new CTS & XLR - two fantastic cars. If GM keeps being innovative with the styling & the powertrain and they'll beat anything toyota or Honda can do.

One reason for not having silly performance out of an engine is insurance ratings. Insurance skyrockets the second you hit century numbers...

The 3.8 doesn't have the HP # but it will kill the maxima'* engine in torque. It uses pushrods which reqiure more displacement normally, but are more reliable, cheaper, and easier to fix. So what if a 3.8 can't match a 3.5 in a category? As long as the engine performs i dont' care how much HP per liter it has. Different designs call for different measures. A supercharger isn't a bad thing even if it'* not that much difference. Remember these aren't small block chevy'* you won't see the power increase as you will there. The supercharged 3800 is one of the few supercharged engines that'* mass produced for everyday cars. It'* the #1 supercharged engine for a reason. If something works why change it? The valve covers on a 1988 bonneville, are the same as the 04 GP. So what?

The magazines are VERY biased, they feel that they aren't good enough if they rate GM products, but every year GM comes out on top. Plastic dash? I happen to prefer my bonnies dash over the leather ones in imports. Why? Well i can stick things to it, touch it, and not have to worry abotu scratching it, or staining it or whatever.

The 3800 Series III is a very technologically advanced drivetrain. With tapshift shifting, electronic throttles, and a high performance supercharger, it is way ahead of the game. Variable valves/over head cams, and all that are different ways of making power. OHV was actually an improvement on OHC in the 30'* mind you. GM is sticking to the american way of making cars and i applaud them, and hope they keep makign american cars, that defy the imports.

I need to add one more to the list...I have fallen in love with the 2004 Buick Park Avenue Ultra...



What a car! It'* one of the most stylish luxury cars on the road and packs the same power as my beloved Bonnie. I'm not going to go trade in my baby for it :P , but if I find I don't like the new Bonnies, and it comes time to get a new car, it'* a serious consideration.

Well, not here in the Midwest. I'd say about 90% of the farmers around here buy Ford for their fields, both trucks and tractors, because they are just proven by consumers and people who actually use them to be more durable. The only Chevy or Dodge trucks I see are city boys, who turn them into some sort of...I dunno...non-truck...

I read somewhere that within a few years, GM is going back to RWD...

That would rock. *crossing fingers*

Naw...not a good idea for northern climes, fine in California, but try convincing a daily commuter who is faithful to GM that all he can have is RWD. Not for anyone that has to deal with ice and snow...

GM will lose more customers that way. I would MUCH rather drive my Aurora in the snow then my moms RWD Crown Vic.

And I'm done :?