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

[Ron Porter]

Ah yes, GXP. I will probably  always call it a GTX.....not a bad thing, old
Mopar 440 GTXs were cool!!

Ron Porter

-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan M. Dudek [mailto:rmdudek@mindspring.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 2:57 PM
To: Ron Porter; dmall@mwonline.net
Cc: SHOtimes (Team.net)
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] (OT) Mazda 6 and '04 Maxima


http://www.auto-report.net/index.html?04bonneville.html
Bonneville GXP (GTX is the hopped up Grand Prix GTP)
4.4l 32valve v8, just a slightly smaller version of the Northstar. HP has
been quoted anywhere between 285 and 300.  Was a VERY nice looking car when
we saw it at the show.

Ryan Dudek
98 Black
Clarkston, MI

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Porter" <ronporter@prodigy.net>
To: <dmall@mwonline.net>
Cc: "SHOtimes (Team.net)" <SHOtimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 2:50 PM
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] (OT) Mazda 6 and '04 Maxima


> 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.
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