[Shotimes] (OT) Mazda 6 and '04 Maxima

[Ron Porter]

IMHO, I feel that the GTO was created to hang on to the F-body folks until
another RWD performance car comes out. There was a consumer review group
that a local newspaper took to the Detroit show to get opinions. I don't
recall any of them that liked the GTO, and one of them was a guy who had
owned a few in years past. He felt they should have done some hood scoops or
SOMETHING to tie the car back to the old GTOs, but it's basically a
generic-looking coupe that really looks like something that one of the
Japanese manufacturers would have produced.

FWIW, I like the new iterations of the 3.5l Nissan motor! The 350Z is a
near-14-flat car right off the showroom floor (there were two out at Lapeer
this past year). The fact that it is used in many models should insure that
the aftermarket will be producing a bunch of go-fast parts for it.

The new styling cues on the Bonneville GTX make it look better, IMHO. The
taillights are not "sculpted" like the current model, plus they have done
away with the big round foglights in front, and gone with a more subtle
design (as did Subaru on the WRX......looks like the "big foglight" thing is
going away). The design just looks cleaner and more pleasant. I suspect a
touch of Lutz influence here, as he doesn't like the Pontiac body cladding
and over-the-top stuff. Although it's an ATX, the 4.0 V8 should be sweet. I
forget the HP rating (Ryan, do you remember?) but it should be a decent
ride. Although the Bonnies (and 300Ms) are a bit softer than the SHO, my
dad's '00 SLE model is a decent car to drive (red dash lighting
nonwithstanding!).

Ron Porter

-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Mallinson [mailto:dmall@mwonline.net]
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 2:23 PM
To: ronporter@prodigy.net
Cc: SHOtimes (Team.net)
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] (OT) Mazda 6 and '04 Maxima


I'm really having trouble getting worked up about anything
out there.  I can't believe that GM will bring back the BEST
name it has other than Corvette, and squander the goodwill
of the GTO on a bland car.  The driveline is OK, even great,
but I agree, the pictures I have seen so far look boring.
If that is what it looks like in person, then I guess I will
pass, because I don't want to help ruin the GTO reputation.
  I guess GM didn't want to spend anything on new
fender/hood molds, because it looks like the took the Aussie
car and put a new front cap on it.  Too bad.

The G-35 is about the next best thing out there, but I have
driven lots of stuff with the universal 3.5L Nissan motor,
and none of it excites me!  maybe I will just spend a few
grand on a supercharger and tranny beef-up for the '96?

The new Bonnie styling leaves me cold, nothing from GM
excites except the Vette, and I just don't see myself in one
yet.  They have neutered the Saab.

Oh well, the search continues.

Don M

Ron Porter wrote:
> Don, the RX8 does not have much room inside for folks our size. It is
> basically a 2-seat car, and the front seat isn't too roomy, either.
>
> FWIW, I found the GTO to be a big disappointment. They had a yellow one at
> the show. IMHO, the styling is very bland, it really doesn't look much
> different than a GTP coupe. This is a car that will not stand out on the
> street. Granted the LS1 motor with a 6-speed and RWD will make it nice to
> drive, but the styling is DULL.
>
> The car that grabbed my interest more was the upcoming Bonneville GTX.
Nice
> styling, with a 4.0 V8!!
>
> Ron Porter
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
> [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Donald Mallinson
> Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 11:34 AM
> To: Steve Tatro
> Cc: SHOtimes (Team.net)
> Subject: Re: [Shotimes] (OT) Mazda 6 and '04 Maxima
>
>
> Unless the new GTO looks a lot better in person than I think
> it will, I may have to consider the RX8 if it has any sort
> of room inside at all.  I am looking for something fun to
> buy in a year or two, and with my SHO's to back it up, I
> don't need something totally practical.
>
> Don Mallinson
>
> Steve Tatro wrote:
>
>>The RX8 is another one of those torque-less engines.  As cool as the
>
> rotary
>
>>is, it really needs TTs.  If I really wanted a small low-torque sports car
>>I'd still choose an S2000.