Any news/rumors on a new Pontiac sports car?

[Cormaster]

Well Amraam's other thread pretty much gives us the answer why there's no talk about a GTO/Firebird yet.

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

who focking cares. I've come to realize manuals are overrated UNLESS you have a car strictly being used for road racing or need it to handle the power (like my RX7). Otherwise at the strip or whatever you will do on the street, an auto is better. computer = shift faster than you (anyone who thinks they are better is full of crap). Now if you feel more vindicated rowing the gears...go balls out. Unless it's a ZO6, Supra, Porsche, Ferrari, no more manuals for me, especially for DDs. It doesn't mean you're any less of a driver.

Except that manuals also have several key advantages over automatics. They are lighter, they have less power loss (clutch>torque converter), and they are typically smaller so better for packaging as well. That's why the OEM's still offer them in some non-performance type cars, becuase they can add to the fuel economy and those all important CAFE standards everyone is talking about. Add to that the control factor and typically better power handling and there is certainly still a good case for manual trannys. Is an auto easier to drive, sure. Are they more consistent and faster on shifts, sure. That doesn't always mean they are better though. You have to weigh all the pros and cons.

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Except that manuals also have several key advantages over automatics. They are lighter, they have less power loss (clutch>torque converter), and they are typically smaller so better for packaging as well. That's why the OEM's still offer them in some non-performance type cars, becuase they can add to the fuel economy and those all important CAFE standards everyone is talking about. Add to that the control factor and typically better power handling and there is certainly still a good case for manual trannys. Is an auto easier to drive, sure. Are they more consistent and faster on shifts, sure. That doesn't always mean they are better though. You have to weigh all the pros and cons.

As usual though, Spy thinks he is a race car driver. I was eluding to the fact that from an "I am a daily driving race car driver" perspective, it doesn't mean a crap if you are driving a manual or auto. i bought the M6 GTO because I thought it would be "cool". I don't hate it, but in reality, I couldn't give a sh1t after 3 years if it was manual or auto. I could save myself the shifting and the car would be just as much a performance vehicle.

[Cormaster]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

Actually, you are both wrong. The GTO stopped because the platform was about 10+ years old and Holden was no longer building the Monaro.

Yeah acctually I just found out recently that the Cadillac Catera was the same platform as the '04-06 GTO

[Exodus]

Originally Posted by Cormaster

Yeah acctually I just found out recently that the Cadillac Catera was the same platform as the '04-06 GTO

Really? I always thought they shared an almost uncanny resemblance

[pauljs75]

Solstice, if anything, probably gets the credit for killing any future Firebird... Sure you give up the hatch/trunk, and the cramped rear seat. But that's not what a Firebird was about, was it? Then with the Solstice you get better handling. Throw in the boosted 300HP engine and hardtop option, and now it's not too hard to see what happened.

Of course, you could just stop calling a Solstice a Solstice and run with Firebird... Some tweaks to body panels, and I don't think such a thing would be completely beyond GM.

As for G8, I wouldn't expect anything too huge over the Bonneville it replaces.

[SpyhunteR]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

As usual though, Spy thinks he is a race car driver. .

What planet are you from? Of course I'm a race car driver. I can't wait until I can actually afford one.

Automatic = daily driver/drag strip w/ repeatability

manual = autocross/roadcourses/SCCA/drag strip w/ not so good repeatability and not so good precision/sunday driving through the mountains w/ a pig headed I need to attack some curves and die attitude................

this isn't including those really super fun german italian boxes



wanna hug it out?

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by SpyhunteR

What planet are you from? Of course I'm a race car driver. I can't wait until I can actually afford one.

Automatic = daily driver/drag strip w/ repeatability

manual = autocross/roadcourses/SCCA/drag strip w/ not so good repeatability and not so good precision/sunday driving through the mountains w/ a pig headed I need to attack some curves and die attitude................

this isn't including those really super fun german italian boxes



wanna hug it out?

better late than never.


You must have been fixing your "danger to manifold". Have a hard time looking all over for that floorboard to fix that problem?

[GregFarz78]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

Unless it's a ZO6, Supra, Porsche, Ferrari, no more manuals for me, especially for DDs. It doesn't mean you're any less of a driver.

Bob is going soft

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by GregFarz78

Bob is going soft

They are a pain in the ass for DD, and the wife complains when she has to drive them.

Crazy enough, the wife loves Corvettes. I would have absolutely ZERO problem having to justify a purchase to the wife.

[SikMindz]

That's why you were a man thong these days too, eh Bob?

[GregFarz78]

I still enjoy driving manual even though I spend 2 hours a day commuting to work...my girl would be the same way though she doesnt want to drive my spec but she'd have no problem driving a vette

[Pontiac Ninja]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

who focking cares. I've come to realize manuals are overrated UNLESS you have a car strictly being used for road racing or need it to handle the power (like my RX7). Otherwise at the strip or whatever you will do on the street, an auto is better. computer = shift faster than you (anyone who thinks they are better is full of crap). Now if you feel more vindicated rowing the gears...go balls out. Unless it's a ZO6, Supra, Porsche, Ferrari, no more manuals for me, especially for DDs. It doesn't mean you're any less of a driver.

Couldn't agree more on this from a normal person DD type of attitude. VERY VERY few of us are "race car" type drivers who can REALLY benefit from a manual and/or have the car for it.

I did read Aaron's point, but the auto still wins for me too.

[fo44rd]

If it is a stick I have no interest in buying it. I live/work in the chicago area......just too big of a pain.

[bballr4567]

Originally Posted by fo44rd

If it is a stick I have no interest in buying it. I live/work in the chicago area......just too big of a pain.

They will only offer a 6 speed auto at first then a manual 6 later on.

[nascarnate326]

Originally Posted by pauljs75

As for G8, I wouldn't expect anything too huge over the Bonneville it replaces.

Thats been dead for like 2 yeas now. Try Grand Prix Cheif....



I think for a economy car like mine, it does add a little more fun to the driving experince. With the 5 speed I get to feel all 150 hp

If I were buying a 450hp or greater car, it would have to be stick. To me an auto in a Z06 would take the emotion out of the car. Im also 20 yeras old to, perhaps that has something to do with it.

[fo44rd]

Originally Posted by nascarnate326

To me an auto in a Z06 would take the emotion out of the car. Im also 20 yeras old to, perhaps that has something to do with it.

That is why I wouldnt consider buyin gthe Z06 OR A FORD GT500 for that matter. All I have say is at least offer the automatic on them. I think FORD and GM would be pleasently surprised how many people would buy them. REMEBER: I live in a suburb of CHICAGO (A.K.A. the big overpriced craphole) were there is a stoplight light or stopsign everywere.