[I.Like.Nice.Cars]

Hey Madmanmapper, great post. At least you demonstrate you have a brain in your head and know how to use it, instead of spamming and flaming like most imbeciles out there.

NASCAR RUINED our cars, and for what? NOTHING. I HATE THEM! Fair enough, I see your point. But who do you think encouraged NASCAR to begin with? All the redneck hicks who live in trailer parks and crappy ramshackle rundown old houses and who drive 25+ year old rusty pick up trucks. They’re the ones who overwhelmingly bought millions of overpriced NASCAR tickets (not to mention they’re the ones who buy $10 beers [usually Coors light or something just as awful] and $10 packs of smokes while at these races). So if it’s anybody to blame, just blame the rednecks, who never will get it (not to mention who will never be able to afford any new set of wheels). What it all comes down to is the almighty $.

But I'll bet the only reason that GM is still alive (even if it's on life support) is because of loyal GM customers. Agreed. I’ll freely admit I am a GM guy myself. This is because GM has always made other cars (somewhere in their line-up) that I thought were pretty good and I wanted. For example, I always liked the full size, RWD cars GM produced in the past (especially the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham). I was a teenager and almost 20 when those were cancelled (and very pissed off too when they were cut, because I always wanted to get one brand new and obviously couldn’t afford one as a teenager). But GM produced other cars that are/were decent that I also liked/wanted, namely Oldsmobile and Buick. Which means I was also pissed when Oldsmobile was killed, although I was lucky enough to be able to get a 2002 Alero as my first new car (still owned). Thank heavens that Buick is still around, and as long as GM keeps making them, they’ll have me as a customer as I really like Buick for several reasons. However, if GM cuts Buick, they’ll lose me as a customer for life as they don’t make anything else I like. And because there aren’t any other domestic cars I like, I will in all probability defect (for life) to a German or Japanese car maker.

I also agree with you about the brands that Ford and Chrysler made in the past that are now extinct. The market for cars in the past had changed, is changing right now and will change again in the future. Ford and Chrysler have seen this and adapted with the times. Thankfully, GM is now waking up to this reality and is responding accordingly. Still you have to sometimes wonder about the mentality of car companies. I do know for a fact that about 4 or 5 years ago Chrysler came out with an Imperial concept car. If Chrysler actually went ahead and put the Imperial into production as the came up with it or something extremely similar to it, they would’ve had a lot of positive, killer buzz over this car, not to mention a lot of people wanting this car. Even I would want a car like this. To wit, here’s what Chrysler came up with, and I’ll let you decide for yourself: http://www.autosite.com/content/shar...le_id_int/1526

I think Pontiac, today anyway, is pulling off the sporty body style on their Chevy-based models quite well. I beg to differ. To me, Pontiac and its offerings are a bunch of bland, boring and uninspiring vehicles (and have been for at least the last 20 years if not longer, with the odd exception here and there). And I don’t believe I’m alone in my thoughts. And really, who wants to patronize a car company that came out with something as hideous and unsightly (to put it politely) as the Aztek?

They don't want crap, this is true, BUT THEY KEEP BUYING IT ANYWAY! Agreed. Look at how many Chevy Crapolier (uh I mean Cavalier) cars that GM was able to offload on an unsuspecting public. The Crapolier was a really terrible car that people kept purchasing BY THE MILLIONS because the were way too dumb/stupid and especially way too blind to see otherwise. And this was/is not an isolated example in all of GM’s offerings either.

Looks are all any GM car has going for it these days anyway. They pretty much all suck. Agreed. Other than Buick. I think Buick is about the best thing going right now in GM’s portfolio, and killing it would be a huge mistake. If Buick can keep doing what they’re doing, and improving on it (plus implementing the cuts they’re planning), then we will see a Buick renaissance. When I first saw the 2010 Lacrosse, my first thought was WOW!!! I want one. And I’m only 31. Buick is the bet quality car GM makes. If Buick can keep up the quality, keep on designing cars like the 2010 Lacrosse, and keep prices reasonable, GM will be laughing.