Camino LS6

Thanks for responding to my questions. It would seem we are in greater agreement than would have been indicated by the earlier portions of this thread. We mostly differ on the methods and timing of how to reach the same goals. I think KappaII will give us exactly the sort of platform (architecture) that you are calling for. Meantime, I have a feeling that we are yet to see the full array of models on the current Kappa. I would advocate a Kappa coupe for SAAB and a Nomad-like Kappa for Chevy without any more roadsters. There are many difficulties in building a Nomad as seen in the concept , but I think a fair approximation could be done. A high performance coupe version of Solstice could be a viable option as well. I don't think we will see any true sedans until KappaII.

I bought a skip shift eliminator for the Firehawk and I'm glad I did. Haven't gotten around to getting one for the GTO yet, but I've only cursed the skip shift in that car a few times(always seem to have my foot in it enough to avoid the effect).

GMT900 and the Saturn lineup are the big news, the rest isn't much different. I think 08 will be pretty big.

Let me demonstrate what I have outlined in my above post. Three questions: Do you believe we have already seen all of the Kappa variants that will be produced on the current platform? Do you think that GM will increase production of the current platform? If more variants are approved for production and/or more capacity is dialed in at Wilmington, would that change your view of the business decision to release Kappa in its current form?

I find this post to be very encouraging. This entire thread has lead me to the conclusion that we have all missed an opportunity to make the discussion more worthwhile. By that I mean that we get into a pattern of attempting to disprove one another's assertions without fully understanding them. I believe that following a pattern of questioning rather than criticizing would improve the quality overall. I have re-read the thread again and again and attempted to distill the information down to the core of the disagreement. Putting all of the personal criticisms aside, this is what it comes down to in simple terms as far as I can see. One side of the debate feels that the release of Kappa was premature and that it would have been a better course of action to delay the release until a more volume rich architecture was ready. The conclusion being that the decision not to wait was a bad business move. The other side believes that to have delayed would have been a major mistake and that the relatively small investment in Kappa is more than justified by bringing hot product to market now. This side also places a greater value on the goodwill generated by the current availability of these cars and believes that it makes a better case for Kappa II than could have been made if they were still upcoming. The conclusion being that the correct business decision was made. My conclusion is that we simply have two opposing strategies here and that only in hindsight will we be able to say with any credibility which position is correct. I do think that we could reach a better understanding of the whole topic by asking such questions as "why do you believe X and not Y?" of each other. Rather than attempting to refute the "other side's" position, we could come to a more complete assessment of the issue and draw our own more considered conclusions.

Good point,Fly. Touche.

The pics seem to show a bunch of people standing around not knowing what to do. Weird, but it gave me that impression. I do think your forum mate was going a bit faster than he thinks.

O.C. is absolutely correct about skip-shift. It is complete garbage and I view it as potentially dangerous as it can really throw a driver buy not allowing expected accelleration during quick-reaction situations. As far as the 6spd. itself goes I have found that it depends on the setup of the engine. My Firehawk and my GTO act very differently even though both are LS1 6spds. Even around town all 6 speeds are useful in the GTO with its increased torque (different cam) vs. the Firehawk where 5th is often too high to use at slower cruising speeds.

Precisely.

Great news on the settlement,Decka! Are you still keeping the car or are they taking it?

Good stuff,Nos, keep it coming.

Poll edited to reflect the change.

This thread has fractured into at least 6 separate debates, maybe we should re-post some more concise topics to deal with them. Edit: Thoughts?

Note the smiley,Croc. Just interjecting a laugh.

Good points. Hell, the Vette and XLR aren't even opening a new market for GM like Kappa, must be a waste.

Agreed.

Accepted.

I should also point out that my assertion that Kappa is a positive thing is not predicated solely upon the profitability of the current roadster pair.

I understand that. Croc seems to think I misinterpreted what you meant by your comment about looking at this in Sept., Did I? My impression is that you meant retail deliveries of 06/07 models,correct?

how many magazine covers and the like feature the Solstice or Sky? And, what are the headlines? Pics please.

Hmm, since the 06 cars are already sold out the only change we can look at in September will be the early returns on the 07s. Still, I welcome the idea.

Already dealt with, see Fly's earlier post.

Never the twain should meet. Disgusting.

Cool pics,Walt - made me grin.

I want my cut.