I'm going backwards!

[mikmak]

Dear GM,

I have just returned from another cleansing jaunt through local back roads at a moderate pace. Moderate enough to wonder where all the fun has gone. My daily commuter provided enough entertainment to smile but not enough to not want some more. What I am referring to is the lack of throttle steerers available in the commuter bracket.
The current electronic detection environment on today’s roads is getting ridiculous, which is attempting to send everyone to the track with *ahem* questionable success. The market is literally littered (pun intended) with bum dragging wannabes. Sure hot hatches can be fun, but when it comes to steering (rather than correcting) with the right foot, one has to venture into second mortgage territory. The local boys on Oz offer some big boofy weapons, but in the battle for local supremacy, they have pushed themselves out of the “commute to work and take the long way home” market, via weight watchers.

Here’s the shopping list: Similar size to the Liberty/Legacy, 2.8 naturally aspirated V6, six speed manual, under 1300kgs, RWD! 7.0 seconds to a court appearance.
9.0l/100km (26.14MPG). Under 35K AUD (or around 22k for NA).
It doesn’t have to be sprung like a rock. It doesn’t have to blitz all-comers off the line. I don’t care about tri-zone climate control, night vision, lane departure warnings, parking sensors, start buttons or boots big enough to stash dead bodies.

Surely I am not the only one of moderate means, that wants a car involving enough at sane speeds to leave my fingers tingling.

Where is the modern Torana?



Love,





Mik




Note: This is para phrased from a letter I have recently sent to an automotive periodical in Oz hence some editting may create odd tense.

[mikmak]

Bump! Okay so you clowns didn't respond to my letter to GM (perhaps due to the other dozen letters of similar ilk), but I certainly got A response. Any Ozzies might want to get themselves a copy of the latest MOTOR magazine, where your humble *cough* mikmak won letter of the month with words contained above^^^. The prize?
A Tissot T-Race MotoGP 2007 watch RRP $650AUD


Mind you, my wife gave me a new watch for a wedding present so this one will be sold to someone who wants it.

The biggest benefit from a GMfan perspective, is letter of the month now mentions the coming Alpha platform as the impending saviour for guys and girls like us! Yay etc..

[rhvfd10]

That's pretty cool! Too bad you have two watches now.... Try Ebay. When the magazine hits the internet put up a link please. I'd love to see the response to your Letter of the Month!

[paul8488]

Hot dog, you're the weiner! That's a nice looking watch! I don't recall reading your thread before... it's almost good enough to have been written by me! It's unforunate when your favourite car company doesn't offer the vehicle you want. It's one thing to not offer Bluetooth or a pretty key fob... but it's another thing entirely to not offer the size / class / type of vehicle you want.

[mikmak]

thanks Paul. rhvfd10, I'm thinking about ebay. As for letter of the month, it's my third (2 in MOTOR and 1 in WHEELS), but the first time I've won anything worthwhile. MOTOR doesn't have an online website so the letter wont be on the net.

Here was their response:

Originally Posted by MOTOR Magazine

Aside from the turbocharged coupe bit, the venerable Nissan 200SX in S15 guise is dipping into the sub 25K category, as is the drool worthy E46 BMW M3. New? You've got a great point, but it's simple economics. Designing and packaging a front-runner is always going to be vastly cheaper than doing things arse-about. Recently though, our dear, dear friend, the Right Honourable Count von Bob Lutz, alluded to a new GM platform - codenamed Alpha - under developmentthat's based on a mid-sized, rear drive layout. So that'd be your Torana then..

You don't say

Do you like what they call Bob Lutz? He has a few titles including "Maximus Bob Lutz". MOTOR mag is the more performance concerned periodical in Oz, so a car exec that appreciates horsepower, is always going to get lots a love from these guys.

Here's the cover from last issue:

[rhvfd10]

Thanks!

Right Honourable Count von Bob Lutz...

[paul8488]

Ha that's a great response!

Can I have your watch? I'll stop hitting on your wife if you give it to me. I'll even pay for shipping.

[mikmak]

I'll now need to sell the watch to compensate the cost of a new wedding ring (re: my wedding thread). Better luck next time Paul