GTO Failure from the Goat's mouth...

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by dancolkate

When the Monero first hit the US, I visited my local Pontiac dealer. Like many others, I was absolutely amazed that they weren't allowing test drives. I make plenty of money to buy one of those things. The dealers were treating them like some exotic that could only be driven by Italian F1 drivers. No thanks. Same thing happened to a friend of mine in TN, he owns his owns business and buys a new car every year...

Truth is, the car has a tried and true drive train. And EVERYTHING I've read indicates the interior is world class. Thats it.

BUT, the car is:

- A Holden...designed and built in Australia. For those import haters, it doesn't get any more imported than this.

- Ugly.....Eveytime I see one....I think ugly. This is my opinion.

- You say "priced wrong" haha...I say overpriced.

Well that was 2004...it's 2007 now. Go drive one. You do realize that Holden is as every part of GM as Pontiac is right? If that's the case, then you must have hated F-Bodies from 1993 on since they were "imports" built by GM of Canada.

Yup, you can have your opinion that it's ugly.

Yea, it was overpriced, but you can get one now for a decent price.

As I said, have you driven on?

[dancolkate]

Originally Posted by Mr_GTO

Well that was 2004...it's 2007 now. Go drive one. You do realize that Holden is as every part of GM as Pontiac is right? If that's the case, then you must have hated F-Bodies from 1993 on since they were "imports" built by GM of Canada.

Yup, you can have your opinion that it's ugly.

Yea, it was overpriced, but you can get one now for a decent price.

As I said, have you driven on?

I have been to the Holden plant a few years ago. Holden's relationship to GM is WILDLY different than Pontiacs relationship with GM. Trust me. Things are done very differently in AU and they run things "their way". There is a TOTALLY different perspective on life. And there is a TOTALLY different perspective in the manufacturing and automotive industry over there.

Ask yourself this question. Why is GM turning to AU for the GTO and the G8? The Zeta platform? Why is GM turning to AU?

The F-bodies were designed and engineered in the US. GM decided to assemble them in Canada. Totally different scenario....a poor analogy on your part.

Besides the engine, how much of the Holden Monero do you think was conceptualized, designed, or engineered by GM employees that live outside AU? the Monero was an Australian car. You cannot get away from that fact. GM imported an Australian car.

OK....I have a few hours Saturday and I'll go to the local GM dealer and ask if I can drive the Monero. I will do it.

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by dancolkate

I have been to the Holden plant a few years ago. Holden's relationship to GM is WILDLY different than Pontiacs relationship with GM. Trust me. Things are done very differently in AU and they run things "their way". There is a TOTALLY different perspective on life. And there is a TOTALLY different perspective in the manufacturing and automotive industry over there.

Ask yourself this question. Why is GM turning to AU for the GTO and the G8? The Zeta platform? Why is GM turning to AU?

The F-bodies were designed and engineered in the US. GM decided to assemble them in Canada. Totally different scenario....a poor analogy on your part.

Besides the engine, how much of the Holden Monero do you think was conceptualized, designed, or engineered by GM employees that live outside AU? the Monero was an Australian car. You cannot get away from that fact. GM imported an Australian car.

OK....I have a few hours Saturday and I'll go to the local GM dealer and ask if I can drive the Monero. I will do it.

First off, learn how to spell the damn name, MONARO.
Really, what year were you there? Which plant? Was this BEFORE OR AFTER their affiliation with Pontiac?

No, not a poor anology, the GTO was the first step in a global platform sharing...in fact, the Monaro had Opel underpinnings.

Holden IS PART OF GM...you need to understand that fact. Go to GM.com and you'll find HOLDEN along with PONTIAC, CHEVY and BUICK on the pull down as far as sites go. HOLDEN IS GM.