GM Rationalizes Rear Drive

[radz28]

I'd hate to see this platform turn into the K-Car of the 80's, but if it keeps the cars alive, that's fine by me. As long as the car performs, no problem.

[ToneyTone]

Originally Posted by fastball

I like that GM is sticking with RWD for those of us who want it. They are doing what they have to to keep it alive, and it appears the new merged architecture will survive CAFE.

It would have been cool to see the Impala go back to RWD, but I guess the folks who want large family sedans don't care which wheels drive it. So, in that reguard, I guess I don't mind. I have a few years of living to do before I take on a wife and kids

I second that

[LS9CamaroSS]

Originally Posted by ToneyTone

Some folks would say that pontiac should get the small RWD coupe but since GM seems to be in love with creating a car for multiple makes. I say make the cobalt sedan FWD but make the cobalt coupe RWD along side the pontiac version.

I don't know about that... it might cost more money to do it this way... I say keep the car on the same platform no matter how many doors it has... maybe they should make the Pontiac brand the rear drive brand while keeping Chevy the FWD brand... if i could get a G5 type car with RWD and better styling for 15-17k in a coupe I'd be all over it... The only question then is what to do with Buick? is it really an issue of keeping Buick any more? We already have the luxury division... What purpose does Buick have now a days? there is the Chevy brand; good quality at a good price. The Pontiac performance division. The Cadillac Luxury division... Does GM really need to keep Buick around if the platforms are going to be consolidated like this?

[ToneyTone]

Originally Posted by LS9CamaroSS

I don't know about that... it might cost more money to do it this way... I say keep the car on the same platform no matter how many doors it has... maybe they should make the Pontiac brand the rear drive brand while keeping Chevy the FWD brand... if i could get a G5 type car with RWD and better styling for 15-17k in a coupe I'd be all over it... The only question then is what to do with Buick? is it really an issue of keeping Buick any more? We already have the luxury division... What purpose does Buick have now a days? there is the Chevy brand; good quality at a good price. The Pontiac performance division. The Cadillac Luxury division... Does GM really need to keep Buick around if the platforms are going to be consolidated like this?

Yea, not having any overlapping models is the right way to go but GM seems not to be getting that. If caddy continues its march into the true lux and ultra luxury class then buick can survive as a entry level lux brand. They can compete against acura, infiniti and some of the lexus models.

[Splicerguy]

My guess is that the small coupe could be the replacement for the Solstice and Sky in the future. That would put all the RWD cars on a version of the same platform.

[fbodfather]

I won't confirm or deny --

But I will say this: We sold 311,000 FWD Impalas in the 2007 Calendar year -- ......that's a lot of license plates!

You and I love RWD -- but sales numbers would tell us that America tends to like FWD...........

[fastball]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

I won't confirm or deny --

But I will say this: We sold 311,000 FWD Impalas in the 2007 Calendar year -- ......that's a lot of license plates!

You and I love RWD -- but sales numbers would tell us that America tends to like FWD...........

Every driving school in the country should have a couple of 1970's Chevy Impalas..... so kids can learn how to drive RWD in bad weather and find out it's not as bad as everyone says it is. Look at you and me - there was nothing BUT RWD when we were growing up (and I'm sure you're not THAT much older than me ) and we're still here.

Like I said, it really doesn't matter to me if the Impala is front or rear, but would it really hurt to change things up? I mean, if you make the car high quality with just as much value as the current model, it will sell if it's one wheel drive.

[theholycow]

I think people base their idea of RWD winter driving on what they actually get a chance to drive -- old lightweight muscle cars and modern pickup trucks (RWD or with 4WD turned off), neither of which are particularly good in the snow.

I know that I was VERY surprised to be able to get up my snowy icy uphill gravel driveway in my RWD 1980 Buick LeSabre the one time I drove it in the winter. I was amazed as it simply powered it's way right up the driveway. I bet that traction works on the road to prevent wheelspin-induced fishtailing too.

[radz28]

I think it's sacrilege to make a car, like the Impala FWD, however, I can see that FWD is still important to Americans, just like Father's numbers point to. It's one thing for there to be a FWD Impala, however, a FWD Camaro would just make me want to shoot myself in the face. Thank God that isn't happening anytime soon.

[LS9CamaroSS]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

I won't confirm or deny --

But I will say this: We sold 311,000 FWD Impalas in the 2007 Calendar year -- ......that's a lot of license plates!

You and I love RWD -- but sales numbers would tell us that America tends to like FWD...........

i'd still like to see a small RWD coupe that i can afford... there has to be a market for this type of vehicle... one that isn't as sporty as the solstice... but better looking than the G5 one i can drive all year...

[fastball]

Originally Posted by theholycow

I think people base their idea of RWD winter driving on what they actually get a chance to drive -- old lightweight muscle cars and modern pickup trucks (RWD or with 4WD turned off), neither of which are particularly good in the snow.

I know that I was VERY surprised to be able to get up my snowy icy uphill gravel driveway in my RWD 1980 Buick LeSabre the one time I drove it in the winter. I was amazed as it simply powered it's way right up the driveway. I bet that traction works on the road to prevent wheelspin-induced fishtailing too.

Yep, never remember my parents getting stuck in either of their Regals (my Mom had a '79 with the 305 and my Stepdad had an '85 with the 231, which ultimately became my first car, and I never had any problems with it either).

In fact, the first car I can remember my Stepdad driving was a '74 Olds Cutlass Supreme with a 350. Never got stuck in that, either.

[COPO_Chevy]

Originally Posted by LS9CamaroSS

i'd still like to see a small RWD coupe that i can afford... there has to be a market for this type of vehicle... one that isn't as sporty as the solstice... but better looking than the G5 one i can drive all year...

hmm if only they would bring back the Nova..hell i wish there was still a market for all the old muscle cars that r now sadly gone..:( owell new day and age i guess

[SilverTurtle]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

I won't confirm or deny --

But I will say this: We sold 311,000 FWD Impalas in the 2007 Calendar year -- ......that's a lot of license plates!

You and I love RWD -- but sales numbers would tell us that America tends to like FWD...........

and that's the problem: you and I buy G8 GXPs while America buys FWD Impalas, Camrys and Accords... America is still brainwashed by the Ralph Nader followers of the '60s and '70s... too blissful in their ignorance to realize that they're nothing but lemmings on a cliff's edge.

fortunately, GM will be making Camaros, G8 GTs, G8 GXPs, Corvettes and CTSs for those of us who have awoken from the Matrix

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by SilverTurtle

fortunately, GM will be making Camaros, G8 GTs, G8 GXPs, Corvettes and CTSs for those of us who have awoken from the Matrix

The Toyota Matrix?