DOD FTW or whatever they call it now.
and id so rock a El Camino Return, always wanted an old one.
Indeed, but it can only do so much when it comes to stop and go. But for cruising it’s a definite plus, and with tall gearing the highway mileage will be quite good.
But it’s the typical belief that all V-8s suck down gas, when most people are using that as an excuse to buy a new car. That said, I would most definitely wouldn’t mind one to replace the WRX wagon I have now in a few years.
But I just can’t imagine a huge market for it by the time it does hit the showroom.
My GTO does alright on MPG for what it is, mid 20’s, so this would probabally do the same or better. The people that complaign about MPG’s are usually the ones that start at every intersection like it is a drag race.
:tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::tantrum::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
Despite strong interest within GM, the VE Sportwagon will not make it to America
By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS in DETROIT 15 January 2008
www.goauto.com.au
HOLDEN will not export the VE Sportwagon to the United States in the foreseeable future as Americans continue to ignore wagons in virtually any size and form – in contrast to the situation in Europe where such vehicles have a healthy share of the market.
This was the bombshell dropped by General Motors’ product czar Bob Lutz this week to the Australian media at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
“We looked at that, but the amount of change to meet US regulations was going to be quite a lot of money,” Mr Lutz said. "And the sad truth is, as much as some of us like ‘sportwagons’, they just don’t sell in the US.
"How often do you see an Audi wagon? How often do you see a BMW wagon? How often do you see a Mercedes wagon? The answer is, almost never.
“They’re just not fashionable. I can’t explain why.”
Mr Lutz revealed that he championed the VE wagon strongly, but was shouted down by the number crunchers who could not make a strong enough business case for the Australian Commodore carryall.
“We have the product idea: We say: 'Hey, how about taking the (Holden) Sportwagon and doing a (US Pontiac) G8 Sportwagon of it,” he said.
"Then we turn it over to the marketing guys, who do the volume analysis, and they look at sales of Audi A4 wagons … zero. BMW 3 Series wagons: close to zero. Mercedes C-class wagon and E-class – it’s all close to zero. The Jaguar X-Type … it was sales proof!
"But then we say: 'Well, we think this one looks so good, that it can overcome that, and the volume planners say: well … we can only do two to three thousand, which is not worth the investment.
“So, reluctantly, in my particular case, I reluctantly gave up on that one.”
The production version of the VE Sportswagon – which made a splash at last October’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney – is due to arrive early in the second quarter of this year.
Figures, I wanted the wagon SOOOOO bad too. How bad ass would a V8 rwd wagon be with a 6spd, headers, a tune and a Magnuson blower be.
Mines getting 14. A lot due to my heavy foot, some due to my 2 mile all 35mph zone commute.
Has Pontiac said anything about towing capacity for the G8 sedan/wagon/ute? If they could manage a 3500lb rating I might seriously consider trading the Expedition in on one. That would be an awful lot of V8 siqness in my garage though. I might have to put a little cdplayer on endless repeat playing Disturbed in there. 
F’ing tell me about it:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: I am tempted to go to NAIS and wedge my size 13 shoes up someone’s arse.
I can’t seem to locate it but for some reason I seem to recall 2,000 from the other threads i have been perusing on the G8’s. See a few posts up for the worst news ever. I can not express just how excited i was for that wagon.
Yeah, saw that just after I posted. Either way though 2k won’t cut it for me since the boat goes right around 3k on the trailer with fuel. I’m well past the young stupid days when as long as the tongue weight didn’t lift the front wheels of the tow vehicle off the ground I considered it ok to tow. If it’s over the tow rating or GVWR it’s not safe.
Fuckin bullshit, I really wanted to see that wagon come here :2fingers:
Jeller
Who honestly thinks the wagon would have sold well?
- It’s a wagon, and the proof that America hates wagons is clearly in the sales numbers.
- It’s a big car, which is already going to be a tough sell when so many people are looking at the MPG number on the sticker now. Even in V6 form I doubt it’s going to be getting real great mileage.
While disappointed I really can’t blame GM for killing this. They’ve got enough of an uphill battle getting the sedan to sell, especially since they’re importing it on a weak US dollar.
You and me both. Ever since the G8 was announced, I kept wondering if I would be able to live without the practicality of a wagon. The sportwagon was the answer to all my questions and the time when it was going to be released was PERFECT timing for replacing the A4 Avant and it would also give me time to get the GF to not go defcon 5 by gradually telling her about the other car that was going to follow me home.
Yes, the G8 is a gamble, especially after how well the GTO’s that you and I bought did with the general public. YEs, yes, the G8 was designed with the US market in mind from the begining, but, it is still a gamble. However, they are still bringing over the Ute, that seems odd. I guess I should just stop crying as they are bringing over a RWD v8 sedan for a decent price. Can’t wait for the 6spd G8’s to hit the lots.
Wouldnt they check the sales of dodge magnums in their analysis? I wonder how they are selling.
Magnum is another flop in terms of wagons in America. It will not be in the 09 lineup.
do you guys know if they’re getting the LS2, or the LS1?
edit: and I blame the demise of the GTO on shitty marketing and high pricing.
I still get asked by alot of people what kind of car I’m driving… and when I tell them a GTO, they had no idea they were even made again let alone a RWD v8 configuration
Yes, but someone looking for a sport wagon does not say “I’m going to buy a Dodge Magnum.”
I was at Watkins Glen for a driving event and peopole were asking if my car was RWD, if it was a V6, etc. And this was at a driving event for enthusiats, just goes to show how little the general public knows about them
The magnum did better than I expected though. Even the article mentions that they cut their own throats introducing the charger.
Also the magnum SRT-8 was pricey. Too Pricey. With the G8 Wagon you would be getting similar performance for much cheaper.
Jeller
They are still bringing the Ute? WTF? that is even a smaller nitche market than the wagon imho.
Jeller
According to what I have been reading on other forums that was reported from NAIAS, yes, the Ute will still be coming to the US. I completly agree about the Ute being an even smaller niche car. With the wagon, it could possibly catch the eye of someone looking for a 3 Seris wagon, an A4/A6 Avant, etc etc. The only thing the Ute is going to attract is people who thought that they were a cool car offered in Aus. I would rather rock the G8 wagon than an A4/S4 Avant ANYDAY. I’m so sad/pissed/bummed. Shit, don’t announce it then retract the statement, just never announce it and I will just file this in the awesome cars that we can not get in the US folder. It is such a large folder that one more would not make a difference. But we live in the land of lard asses who drive SUV’s. SUV, WTF is sporty about them? SUV, the ultimate douchebag choice for douchehats that want to get something, have no personality so get something that every other lard ass douchehat has.