WOW!
I was able to get into the show early to spend quite a bit of time with the car without having to tick people off and feel like I'm "hogging". The car there was a Jewel Coat Red 2SS and a black 2LT. Both autos. The JCR had tan guts. BEAUTIFUL!!!! This combo looks amazing. The tan is a good color, I prefer it to be a little more khaki, but that is a preference. The first time I saw the car was in Chicago (V Red with grey stripes). I was not able to spend as much time and felt rushed. I posted some thoughts on the car then. After spending more time with the car, and taking more time to look at more details here are my thoughts.
First....I was glad to see no sunroof on this car. I confirmed my thoughts that there will be more headroom. Not a ton more but enough for me. Plus the reverse mohawk is cool.
I love the high polish wheels. (Scott did say the final color of the Midnight silver is darker than I have seen in person.)
I was able to open the truck. Small opening, but we have seen it will hold lots-o-stuff. 2 golf bags No problem. Plus the opening means the car is more solid. It closed with the precision and chunk of a fine German sedan. I closed it several times to hear it. Awesome.
This car had the cloth tan door inserts. (Scott, at least make them an option) I think there are a great addition. I would prefer the cloth because it breaks up the dash with some texture. Even in the black interior, I think the cloth looks great. The fit and finish, were.....outstanding to say the least. They were off the charts for GM and great for any car. Grand slam home run! The leather felt great. All the switch gear felt good. I changed a lot of the controls around and the temp controls and radio controls felt well engineered. They had a buttery smooth motion with the proper detent feel.
I will address something people have voiced their opinion on...visibility. First you are buying a sports car. If your priority for a car is good visibility then look at the Malibu, or Traverse, you will be ecstatic. When I first saw the car in Chicago, I thought the visibility was poor and the car would feel overwhelming. Now, I think it will be OK. I had the seat all the way down and wanted it to go lower. (I'm 6'5"). Originally I thought it would feel like sitting in a bucket trying to pear out over the top of the dash (this is the feeling in the Challenger). I do think the belt line is a tad high, but after spending more time in the car I feel it is acceptable. I think visibility is OK. Let's face it the is one huge C pillar. But learn to use mirrors, and be aware of your surroundings, you won't have a problem.
The steering wheels controls....Bravo! take a bow GM, you got it! GM is getting all the little detail stuff down now. Express up and down windows, beautiful. Steering wheel felt really good and thick in my hand. It felt like a BMW, just maybe not the same level of materials, however it is in the ball park, and for $10-20K less. Not all cars can come with Gucci leather luggage.
I feel I am very critical of cars especially interiors. I am liking the interior more and more on this car. (can-o-worms smiley) Hendricks car was not what you are getting. It is not what HE is getting. This car is the real deal, you will not be disappointed. I am starting the see what HeatheR and Number 3 are talking about.
The whole "keep the faith" thing... I must admit I have waited to see what actually happens when I hear that phrase. It has always turned out well. I have been cautious to jump on a band wagon like that. These people have proven themselves to me to not just tow the company line. I have seen the proof of what they say. I told Scott and a few other GM people at the show, be aggressive on the competition. They do NOT have anything to be shy about. Quit apologizing, you have corrected the problems. Look at Malibu, CTS, Camaro, Silverado, Acadia, G8, Solstice.... I could go on. It is a shame Wagoner got let go. GM needs car guys and it seems he was one. GM, don't be afraid to do a side by side comparison in the hands of consumers, you have a better product.
While I was looking under the back of the car, I saw a couple of Ford guys come up and look at the car....I said, "Guys you should get used to looking back here, because this is the view you'll have most of the time!" They had a comment back, all I heard was the LS3 revving.
