Which one of these was the worst idea?

[kman10587]

Yeah, the T-56 is fine; it's not as smooth as the top-of-the-line import transmissions, but it's reliable, tough, and cheap. The SSR came out in '04, not '03; for '05, it gets the LS2.

[Jimster]

Originally Posted by kman10587

Yeah, the T-56 is fine; it's not as smooth as the top-of-the-line import transmissions, but it's reliable, tough, and cheap. The SSR came out in '04, not '03; for '05, it gets the LS2.

Yes, but it's all very well that it's reliable, but to make the most of it's strength and reliability you actually have to use it, which sort of cancels out that advantage. Though, as I recall the T56 in Fords is supposed to have been modified somewhat to the point that it's not almost terrible as it is in Holdens and Chevy's.



Syr- Ah, I completely forgot about the fuel tank having to be moved forwards for US safety regulations, touche on the boot thing, then.

[dampachi]

I'm not sure about the T-56 being modified but I'm pretty sure they try modifying the TR-3650 every year to make it seem like it's not the piece of shit it actually is.

[Layla's Keeper]

Well, the GTO is building momentum for '05, that's for damn sure. A mild face lift, a bigger engine, and some very high profile motorsports ventures (all road racing) coupled with dealer incentives have been bolstering initially underwhelming (but by no means unrewarding) GTO sales.

I've always viewed the new GTO as descended from the stylish and understated 1964-1967 models which were marketed as a mixture of raucous performance and upscale style and comfort. In fact, by 1966 the GTO had become Pontiac's little Catalina/Grand Prix and the styling reflected this attitude.


GTO

Grand Prix

GTO is a part of the Pontiac line and SHOULD look like a Pontiac. Hell, there's some damn good cars in the Pontiac line like the Bonneville, Grand Prix, and G6.

Now the Blunderbird, there was a mistake. It drove heavy, it looked ungainly, and it was priced about $20,000 too high. With that car Ford proved just how wrong the retro trend could be and forced other manufacturers to reconsider dipping too far into the retro pool. Remember how after the Thunderbird tanked that retro concepts were quickly swept under the rug and more modernly styled cars made their debut.

However, if you really want to talk about modern failures in the high-priced car market then let's talk about the unfortunate case of the Infiniti M45. While a very good idea (midsize RWD sedan with a classy body, sport tuned suspension, and whomping big V8) the M45 failed to make an impression at all on the US market and became little more than a place holder until a new car could be developed. The M45's sale numbers, quite frankly, made Infiniti dealerships wish they were carrying GTO's.

[kman10587]

Yeah, the GTO seems to have improved quite a bit for 2005, especially in the styling department. The GTO has been showing up and doing well in everything from autocross to drifting, and you can get them for as low as $25,000 now, so I bet the sales will pick up this year.

[mason_RsX]

but sales will pick up if your throw enough incentives to make it a can't miss deal...I think in terms of effort and design its a tough choice between the gto and the t-bird. I think I have to take the t-bird in this because it just smacks of effort and looks hideous, especially compared to the old tbirds...the gto smacks of effort but I think it looks decent

[christophv]

well the cayenne sells better than any other porsche model - and it helped porsche out of it's economic depression -

tell me why it was supposed to be a bad idea? it was one of the best porsche had, economically-wise.

[syr74]

The 944 made a lot of money for Porsche too, and was a fine car wihout doubt. It was likely the best car for the money Porsche had built up that time. But, as people so often like to say it never made a very good Porsche. There is a reason the 944 faded into obscurity as the 968 eventually leaving Porsche's lineup. Although, it would appear that even Porsche seems to have forgotten the reason why now.

Heck, I could probably make a lot of money quickly for my business by opening up an "ahem" massage parlor on the side. It does not make it a good idea, and certainly does not mean it will help me in the long term.

This is why not everybody makes a good CEO. You have to be able to see the bottom line and beyond....there is more to it than just immediate profit. Unfortunately in our day-trader world people see next months earnings, bottom line-profit, and nothing else.

That said, Ferrari could no doubt roll in the dough by building a 75k sports car as an affordable Porsche. When you can tell me why they don't (I know already), then you will know why the Cayenne was not a good idea.

[dampachi]

Ferrari already rolls in the dough with their $150,000+ sports cars. If Ferrari made like..an entry level sportscar...that would take away some of the prestige of a ferarri. More people would have them, making them less unique and less desireable by people searching for an elite car.

[drunken monkey]

slightly off topic but someone mentioned something about ferrari's profits....

so what does ferrari actually make more money from;
sales of new cars,
sales/cost of servicing/parts,
sales of SPECIALIST OLD car parts,
sponsership - F1 (it all goes to ferrari right?),
licencing,
something else?

[feenix z]

why do all these cars fail to deliver the goods? because they tried to live up to their legendary predecessors. here's how t all ended up

SSR: tried to be a camaro truck, but forgot something: power to weight ratio

GTO: old Gto= Vin Deasil. new GTO= Richard Simmons, enough said

thunder bird: the only thing thundering about this coupe was its portly stature (means it's too heavy)

cayenne: What would Proff. Porsche say about a car bearing his name that weighs more than a circus elephant on 'roids?

ok i'm done ranting.

[dbebesi]

i'm a chevy fan, and i really, really hate the ssr. they should just bring back the camaro. that would of been a GOOD idea.

[dampachi]

They need a redesigned f-body platform. With that 405hp LS6. Mm.

[ricesucks]

Originally Posted by feenix z

GTO: old Gto= Vin Deasil. new GTO= Richard Simmons, enough said
ok i'm done ranting.

Vin desil is gayer then richard simmons. So take that back! Old and new gtos are cool by me. Never refer to anything the slightest bit cool as vin desil. Got it?

[RedLightning]

SSR. Come on my trucks faster(then the 04 SSR).