wildcat

Did you guys see the latest episode of "South Park" this past Wednesday? It had to do with the "smug" (not smog) created when people buy a hybrid car and think they're better than other people. Anyway, it showed one car labeled the "Pious" (not Prius).

Public perception of GM bankruptcy = fatal wound.

What color did you choose? I see that you wrote that you were an "older" Buick owner, but -- never say never? -- maybe they'll come out with something in the future that you can't resist. If not, thanks for 25 years' loyalty (somebody should say it and I'm willing to). And I hope that you get only pleasure from your new Buick. P.S. - Welcome to Cheers & Gears!

Congratulations on the purchase of your new car! I hope that you always like as much as you seem to now. But I wish you had said "...the latest in a long line of Buicks..." not last

Has the Pontiac Solstice / Mission Impossible III item been removed from the autoextremist website? But here's something which has been added: "Editor's Note: What started out as a lighthearted conversation between two colleagues at lunch has escalated into a minor firestorm. Rumors were making the rounds last week that The Autoextremist himself was on the short list of candidates for a drastically revamped board of directors in a post-Rick Wagoner GM. When asked for clarification, The Autoextremist had this to say: 'It was a joke - at first. But now several people have come forward saying that I'm exactly what the GM board needs. I'll leave it at that.' As one high-profile individual put it (he must remain nameless for the time being): 'The guy has a deep knowledge of the business that's brimming with insight, perspective and experience. They could do much worse.' - JJP"

Did you see what Peter DeLorenzo wrote in his March 22nd AutoExtremist? He gave a "negative arrow" to Pontiac and GM, stating "Word on the studio lots in Hollywood is that GM paid the producers of 'Mission Impossible III' $2 million for the 'privilege' of having a Pontiac Solstice blown to smithereens in a scene in the upcoming summer blockbuster - this after every other car maker turned them down cold. Now, that's what we call March Madness." Please tell me GM didn't waste $2 million on this. (Especially when Toyota would gladly blow up a Pontiac for free - ha-ha!)

Nvere. But I'm far from an angel.

1st place: 2 Five portholes, yeah man! If there is any bulkiness to the Enclave concept, you've removed it. You've also made the overall design even more cutting. Yours would make a fine smaller Buick brother, on Theta. Unsure only of the suicide doors. Thank you for entering the competition. 2nd place: 1

C&G will be less than it was because of your leaving. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm about cars with all of us. I can understand you not posting here anymore, but why was it necessary to give up your own website? Now where will I get any glimmer of hope about Buick's future?

If Zeta plans go through. < whispered > "According to AH-HA... "

Josh: If you have seen an image of the Buick "Statesman," should we simply expect a Holden Statesman but with the Velite-type grille and portholes? Or is there something else that will surprise and please us about the Buick?

Well, Mr. DeLorenzo certainly has it down to next-to-nothing for Buick and Pontiac. No Riviera, no Velite; no GTO, no Firebird. And as much as I love the model name "Electra 225," wasn't that, to use his own words, "configured for a bygone era"? The 225 inches was the length of the '59 Electra; isn't that a bit too big for today?

Josh: What did you mean (elsewhere), that seemed to imply the Buick is anything but retro?

Chicago Tribune auto reporter Jim Mateja reports that "GM To Channel Its 8 Brands Seperately." Click here for the entire story, including a mention of Buick's upcoming "Super" series.

But if that were the case, wouldn't Mr. Lutz be setting himself up for a reprimand from Mr. Wagoner and/or the Board?

You mean like the Audi A8? Do you expect the Statesman to replace the Lucerne? Can you give us a sense of how you think the Statesman will work as a Buick - a good move? Thank you.

What, no "Invicta" name? Could someone please chop a Buick Enclave grille, etc. onto a Holden Statesman? Or will the exterior be the NG?

On autoextremist.com, Peter DeLorenzo has a lot to say about Pontiac. Click here to view his March 1st "Rants."

Patsy Lou Buick-GMC in Flint Twp, MI was the nation's (and the world's) top-selling Buick dealership in 2005, with sales of 1,283. This was the dealership which, at one point, hired Buickman to help them. Click here for the full article.

Is the grille a little nod to NA? Previously, Chinese Buicks had grilles with horizontal bars, while NA Buicks have had vertical bars. This one has vertical bars - like Buicks in NA. A small but meaningful change? Would you rather have the LaCrosse Super, based on the small, silver photo we've seen, or the Chinese LaCrosse on sale in NA? Will this Chinese design influence the NG LaCrosse on Epsilon? Will its interior be way upgraded?

ehaase and Camino LS6: How do you feel about the suggestion that Pontiac become a line of small, agile, RWD cars... based off Kappa? Is that preferable to do? If GM makes a RWD Pontiac sedan and/or coupe on Zeta-lite, wouldn't that delay for at least a few years afterwards the possibility of a line based on smaller cars?

We can hope for the best. But, don't take offense, are you sure it isn't a matter of they needed something to send to Canada and the Enclave and Camaro were already committed at other shows?

Sixty8panther: Roasted like a leg of lamb? Get the tzatziki sauce ready! NOS2006: No, Firebird probably shouldn't be on Kappa. But I'm open-minded. Whatever will restore Pontiac. [ I like Pontiac second only to Buick. ] And who's to say Pontiac can't have all three big guns (GTO, Firebird, G8 / Grand Prix) at the same time? They did in the late '60s.

Well, at least it had somewhat of a bright spot for GM. It wasn't totally negative toward GM, like so many other stories. Thank you for sharing it. (And we'll all await the full monthly sales results at the end of February.)

Yes, you understood the question. But what if GM thinks the GTO was somewhat of a flop, in their eyes. Maybe they'd rather try reviving the Firebird name? Maybe they'll assign GTO to a trim level of a G8? Maybe they haven't decided or don't know what to do. And if they do a Firebird, what will that mean for the proposal to do a bunch of small RWD Pontiacs off of Kappa? Would the Firebird be the Pontiac "flagship" then?