FenwickHockey65's Great Thread of GM Knowledge

[FenwickHockey65]

By the way, with the demise of the SS this year, I once again offer this suggestion:

RWD Impala on Omega.

2.0T and 3.6L LS/LT/Premier models for retail and rental/corporate fleets.
3.0L TTV6 or 6.2L LT1 V8 SS/9C1 models for performance niche and law enforcement applications.

That replaces the finally dead Impala Limited, Impala, SS, and Caprice all at once. And GM can continue to brag about how its NASCAR entry is the only one true to form to the production model. Plus, it helps subsidize the cost of developing Omega which thus far has been used for just one low volume Cadillac.

And if I can get a RWD Impala 9C1 patrol car I'll be a very happy trooper.

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by RaceFuel

What's fairly surprising for me is how long they're dragging the Taurus out. I thought for sure they'd have it's replacement out (the expanded wheelbase Fusion).

With the Focus ST and RS being a pretty big hit I'm a bit surprised that GM isn't going after a slice of that pie with a Cruze SS.

Taurus' main sales is to municipalities, and stuff like that. So Ford probably doesn't care all that much about updating it, just look at the Crown Vic lol...

Also, the Focus RS is a dud. My friend is a GM at a large Ford dealer, he said they aren't selling well at all as the price point also buys a Mustang GT. He had two, they took awhile to sell and needed deep discounts, he said he will not stock anymore.

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

By the way, with the demise of the SS this year, I once again offer this suggestion:

RWD Impala on Omega.

2.0T and 3.6L LS/LT/Premier models for retail and rental/corporate fleets.
3.0L TTV6 or 6.2L LT1 V8 SS/9C1 models for performance niche and law enforcement applications.

That replaces the finally dead Impala Limited, Impala, SS, and Caprice all at once. And GM can continue to brag about how its NASCAR entry is the only one true to form to the production model. Plus, it helps subsidize the cost of developing Omega which thus far has been used for just one low volume Cadillac.

And if I can get a RWD Impala 9C1 patrol car I'll be a very happy trooper.

That all sounds good to me.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by SS 1LE

Taurus' main sales is to municipalities, and stuff like that. So Ford probably doesn't care all that much about updating it, just look at the Crown Vic lol...

Also, the Focus RS is a dud. My friend is a GM at a large Ford dealer, he said they aren't selling well at all as the price point also buys a Mustang GT. He had two, they took awhile to sell and needed deep discounts, he said he will not stock anymore.

I'll be honest, I haven't paid attention to either the Focus ST or the RS because I'm not a fan of the Focus in general after all four times I've been forced to rent one and hated it every time, so I didn't realize the RS was at the Mustang GT's pricepoint. That's insane.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by SS 1LE

My wife has a Equinox, so I don't need (nor do I want lol) anything like that. I have a 2014 Fusion as a daily driver now, and like it a lot. Has been very reliable too...I have a 4 year old, so a Focus ST most likely will be a little too small for when I have to pick her up from school and such. Plus, with my Camaro being my weekend car (with a small interior), having a daily driver with more space is sometimes needed when I go out with work people, or have family in town and the wife has her truck out and about...so I am thinking another Fusion. I like the new Sport a lot, but I am hoping by next year a new Fusion comes out. With how often the manufacturers update and change the mid size sedan segment cars, I think that may happen since the current Fusion came out in 2012 as a 2013 MY.

Well the Fusion just had a mild MCE for 2017 so it might be another 2 or 3 years before we get a fully new Fusion.

Reason I would lean Fusion Sport over ST is exactly what you said. The one day my wife and I took our 1 year old niece for the day in my Focus it was a tight fit with the car sea and all her stuff.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'm not surprised. I mean I'm still shocked ZR2 made it to production, but it's a truck so I'm guessing the profit margin on Colorado probably made that an easy business case.

I do find it odd GM's doing a Traverse RS with a dedicated engine but can't do a Cruze SS, or a Sonic SS, or a Malibu SS, or an Impala SS. Or at the very least, why isn't there a Malibu RS? I mean just stick a body kit and more aggressive grille treatment and sportier wheels on a Malibu Turbo and call it a day.

I find it odd they don't go after the market at all. do something to just liven up the regular models. Just make it a bit more fun to drive and a bit sportier. I don't see the harm in that. When its time to replace my Focus (which will be sooner rather than later) Nothing in Chevy's sedan line up has my interest.

Originally Posted by SS 1LE

Taurus' main sales is to municipalities, and stuff like that. So Ford probably doesn't care all that much about updating it, just look at the Crown Vic lol...

Also, the Focus RS is a dud. My friend is a GM at a large Ford dealer, he said they aren't selling well at all as the price point also buys a Mustang GT. He had two, they took awhile to sell and needed deep discounts, he said he will not stock anymore.

Interesting in my area they are still commanding mark ups lol. But even if its not a big seller, 1 at least Ford brought it here. 2. it's not like they took a huge risk bringing it here as it was already going to happen overseas.

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by shaffe

I find it odd they don't go after the market at all. do something to just liven up the regular models. Just make it a bit more fun to drive and a bit sportier. I don't see the harm in that. When its time to replace my Focus (which will be sooner rather than later) Nothing in Chevy's sedan line up has my interest.

I agree, like for the Malibu...take the Premier, lose a few luxury bits to keep the price point the same, and maybe bump the power 20 hp, give it slightly larger brakes, wider 19 or 20 inch summer tires, and change some trim bits, like maybe a more aggressive front bumper cover or something like that. Not much R&D involved in that, nor costs, and then you will have your Malibu Sport. I'd buy that...

Pretty sure I read they will not dilute the SS badge anymore. So it seems like you will only see SS models that fit in the performance section of their cars...which I agree with. Like right not all you have is the Camaro SS, and the SS (sedan). There used to be a Malibu SS, Trailblazer SS, Cobalt SS, Silverado SS, etc...those days are done.

[RaceFuel]

What's the word on when we might see the new Cruze diesel?

I'm going to be in the market for a new DD here in the next years time and it's a good looking candidate.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by RaceFuel

What's the word on when we might see the new Cruze diesel?

I'm going to be in the market for a new DD here in the next years time and it's a good looking candidate.

Well it'll just be a Cruze with a diesel. Nothing really new to see.

Just waiting on FE and pricing right now.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by SS 1LE

I agree, like for the Malibu...take the Premier, lose a few luxury bits to keep the price point the same, and maybe bump the power 20 hp, give it slightly larger brakes, wider 19 or 20 inch summer tires, and change some trim bits, like maybe a more aggressive front bumper cover or something like that. Not much R&D involved in that, nor costs, and then you will have your Malibu Sport. I'd buy that...

Pretty sure I read they will not dilute the SS badge anymore. So it seems like you will only see SS models that fit in the performance section of their cars...which I agree with. Like right not all you have is the Camaro SS, and the SS (sedan). There used to be a Malibu SS, Trailblazer SS, Cobalt SS, Silverado SS, etc...those days are done.

Agreed, they don't need to even call it an SS, just make it more fun to drive than the standard car. They have all the stuff they need to do it already in house

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

By the way, with the demise of the SS this year, I once again offer this suggestion:

RWD Impala on Omega.

2.0T and 3.6L LS/LT/Premier models for retail and rental/corporate fleets.
3.0L TTV6 or 6.2L LT1 V8 SS/9C1 models for performance niche and law enforcement applications.

That replaces the finally dead Impala Limited, Impala, SS, and Caprice all at once. And GM can continue to brag about how its NASCAR entry is the only one true to form to the production model. Plus, it helps subsidize the cost of developing Omega which thus far has been used for just one low volume Cadillac.

And if I can get a RWD Impala 9C1 patrol car I'll be a very happy trooper.

As I understand it, the Omega platform itself is pretty expensive to produce. A number of the processes are much slower and/or more complex an/or are outright more expensive to do than traditional methods. This is also a big part of how the CT6 is lighter than the smaller (and still fairly light) CTS.

Sure, scaling up might help recoop the investment cost quicker. But you're still left with a basic structure that costs more to make per unit. So it might not be reasonable to make a 30k Chevy Impala off that platform.

[FenwickHockey65]

Holden is again confirming a RWD V8 sports car and it's not one currently in production at this time.

[imaSSnake]

Sweet!!

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Holden is again confirming a RWD V8 sports car and it's not one currently in production at this time.

Alpha chassis?

[rich2342]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Holden is again confirming a RWD V8 sports car and it's not one currently in production at this time.

I wonder if this is the supercharged version that was talked about?