GMI Covers: 2008 British Motor Show

[PA Dweller]

Hot car, this is what Saturn needs. The Aura is nice, but this car is amazing.

[96_impala_ss]

Originally Posted by RCDonner

Now everybody wants this car so much. And when it is available in US nobody buys it. This has been with everything from GM and Ford coming from europe to US. Look at the Astra or catera. In case of catera I remember how much car magazines praised it before it was available and you all know what happened then. Same with the Astra. Otherwise the Insigna has to be built in US, an export from europe would be far too expensive with current dollar rate.

The case for the Astra is different from the Catera, but they have the same flaw.

Catera - the Caddy that zigs.
That car may have worked if it had more engine options than the 3.1 V6. I think the Opel version a option or two bigger than the 3.1, and if they didnt they couldve used the Buick V6. Maybe with the manual tranny as a option to work with the "sporty" marketing, or at least make it something more in the lines of BMW.

Astra - :
Once again, the mistakes of the Catera wasnt learned, in fact I think they took them the wrong way. I dont know how they expected to sell them if they didnt bring the 4DR with it too, and they dont advertise them. I havent even seen a ROAD TEST done on TV. That and the lack of everything that makes the Astra desirable is whats going to kill the Astra.

Originally Posted by djo165

That's because GM always does it only half right. Yeah, they'll bring the car in, but won't bring the coolest options. Look at the G8. No manual transmission options for the V6 or GT. Sure, the GTP might have one, but what about those of us who don't want to spend over $35k? Also, the Holden Commodore has more interior and exterior color options than the G8. What does the G8 get for the interior? Black, or black with red inserts. Woohoo! Two choices for the interior.

I want my next car to have four doors, a 6-speed manual transmission, and RWD. But you know what? If GM makes the Insignia the next Saturn Aura and keeps the manual tranny with a powerful V6, I'll take it.

But bring the brown/tan interior as well!

Thats why the G8 wont sell as they had planned. When/if they bring the Insignia they better do it right. If not thats a beautiful car that once again like the Astra and Catera were will be a failure. I guess theyre hard heads. Oh well though. Hopefully theyll learn before its too late.

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

It's beautiful, inside and out.

AND LOOK! A MANUAL TRANS! . GM actually offers those somewhere

lol. The Insignia is a nice car inside and out. In other countries the manual is cheaper than the auto, and most people prefer it.

When will GM learn??
Bring the car over how it is in its home market, make sure its a name that goes with the car (reason why the GTO failed) advertise it (why the Astras Failing) and market it right (why the Catera failed) and you will have a hot selling import.

[Ach]

People the take rate on manual transmissions in this country is miniscule. Even sport-luxury marques are moving away from them. If the G8 fails, it won't be because a manual isn't available on the V6 model (remember the Lincoln LS V6 manual? No one bought them). Same goes for the Insignia. Whatever people prefer in other markets, the manual is an endangered species in North America. Note, for example, that Honda and Mazda are no longer offering manuals on the V6 versions of their midsize offerings.

[steined]

Man... I torture myself every once in a while looking at the Insignia hatch. That thing is a thing of beauty. With the versatility it provides, a 300HP DI V6, and a 6 Speed, I'd be sold.