Automakers have no sense of heritage...

My dad called me this morning to tell me Pontiac is letting go of the flagship it's had since 1957, the Bonneville. Production will end this summer after almost 49 years.
Just like the Buick Regal, dropped after 30+ years...
I've heard on some GM enthusiast websites that many people are pouring over emails about their dissatisfaction.
Apparently Pontiac In particular will be changing the entire line to Alpha-Numeric Nameplates, eg. Current G6, Bonneville= New G8, Montana=SV6
Just wondering what a woman's perspective is...
Do you care, as much as a guy would about a nameplate? Or would you, rather own something you've known for years to be good? The reason I ask is because the people on the auto forum beleive, and it's rumored they are going to start trying to reach the female market, instead of targeting men....Eg, Oprah Giveaway of the G6.
I know it's not a cat thing, and out of ordinary for my posts, but I am curious. lol

Well as I work for one of the big 3 these new name formats I think are terrible. The Freestar then the Freestyle. The Fusion coming this summer. I know there are 'focus groups' that the auto mfg's have to approve the new vehicle names. Why don't they just ask us the employees!! Oh another thing- the 'female market' has been targeted for several years now as they are the influence in auto buying decisions. But also if you watch the ads there are certain vehicles to targeted to specific demographic groups. Take Texas for instance-its a hugh truck market-they will run more ads there for trucks than other parts of the country. Thank goodness the Mustand nameplate remains!!

I hung out with gearheads for a while in high school...and I am SO not good with cars! I can basically tell you the model of most muscle cars, but year, etc. fuggetaboutit. That being said, I REALLY can't get all the stupid alphanumeric cars straight. I want a car that I can SAY the name, associate it with something. Saying "I've got the new G8" doesn't impress me. I don't know how that compares to anything past, present or future. Tell me "I've got one of the new Mustangs" that means something. That evokes history, muscle cars, drag races, Barret Jackson auctions.

My boyfriend is a car enthusiast, so we end up talking quite a bit about them. I tend to feel that if it's a classic car the name should always remain. No matter how many times they restyle the body it should always remain that particular nameplate. For newer cars I don't really have much of an opinion. My boyfriend actually is a HUGE Volvo (yes, you heard that right) performance guy so all of those have always been numbered. I drive a Saturn SL1 and I have to say that I do find it to be easier to remember which model it is if it actually has a name. For instance if you tell someone about a Saturn Ion they are much more likely to know what you're talking about than if you start discussing a Saturn SL1. Back to the Volvo's, I believe that their numbering system is quite good. In contrast to most car companies, theirs actually changes as the years go on. So if someone says something about a 240 or a 950, one could easily imagine that the 240 is a much older model of Volvo than the 950. So I guess there's arguments both ways. Perhaps I'm just too wishy-washy for this debate?

I just want something semi-cute, that is fuel efficient.

My next car is leaning toward a diesel jetta, because of the gas mileage. I live in an area where one has to drive everywhere.

I never really cared about what they called them, as long as they were built well, had decent mileage, and easy to maintain.

I would buy a car called simply 'efficient car' if it truely were that .

I love cars, and I agree with you, Kat Boy. The name of the vehicle is part of what defines it and give it its personality. I can't stand all the alpha-numerics; can't keep them straight, even the tried and true ones like the BMWs.

Thanks Deb
Maybe I am just a whiner....lol....My first, second, third, and fourth cars were all Bonneville's, and I am actually in the process of buying another....lol
Now GM is forcing me to break out of my box....but not till the '06 model year lol

I agree with you, too, Kat Boy! It is a shame what some of the car makers are doing. I almost fainted when I saw what a crappy little econobox they were calling a GTO a few years ago. They didn't do much better with the Bonneville. I love the old muscle cars, and really hated that they had used the names for some real stinkers. I have had several early 70s Chargers, and a Road Runner, and just loved them. Nothing like Mopar Muscle! VROOOOOM!
My daughter is a gearhead. She restored her 63 Mustang, and took 3rd place in her first national show. She is working on a 75 cadillac hearse right now.

Personally, I think in recent years, Pontiac's qualitty has gone down the drain. the materials they use in the vehicles makes them disposable. ther is nothing remarkable abot the engines or the bodylines anymore, and frankly, I see loosing the names as a way to homogenize the market, and it's moronic.

Yeah it's a shame, but maybe it's for the better. Some of the new designs that were going to carry the original names, weren't worthy of it IMO. They've still got the GTO, and to me that's what Pontiac is about


Peace
Brandon

I really think that most women I know are too busy and too practical to keep track of a car by it's Alpha-Numeric name. But refer a car as a Tundra, Mustang, Windstar, and she'll automatically know what make and model you're talking about. I read an article that because women tend to select BMWs and Volvos, GM is trying to imitate those marketing techniques. I think that if GM would do some better studies, they would see that women select those cars based on safety ratings, number one, and presumed reliability. GM has had far too many recalls lately to compete in those departments. I too will miss the old names, but I agree that GM quality leaves much to be desired, and I'm sure the old GMs are glad of it; kinda like having a different last name from your relatives in prison!!LOL

Originally Posted by Kat_Boy

My dad called me this morning to tell me Pontiac is letting go of the flagship it's had since 1957, the Bonneville. Production will end this summer after almost 49 years.
Just like the Buick Regal, dropped after 30+ years...
I've heard on some GM enthusiast websites that many people are pouring over emails about their dissatisfaction.
Apparently Pontiac In particular will be changing the entire line to Alpha-Numeric Nameplates, eg. Current G6, Bonneville= New G8, Montana=SV6
Just wondering what a woman's perspective is...
Do you care, as much as a guy would about a nameplate? Or would you, rather own something you've known for years to be good? The reason I ask is because the people on the auto forum beleive, and it's rumored they are going to start trying to reach the female market, instead of targeting men....Eg, Oprah Giveaway of the G6.
I know it's not a cat thing, and out of ordinary for my posts, but I am curious. lol

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Originally Posted by StormRogueMom

I just want something semi-cute, that is fuel efficient.

My next car is leaning toward a diesel jetta, because of the gas mileage. I live in an area where one has to drive everywhere.

I never really cared about what they called them, as long as they were built well, had decent mileage, and easy to maintain.

I would buy a car called simply 'efficient car' if it truely were that

.

Click to expand...

Yeah! I want my next car to be the Jetta TDI. I currently drive a Passat Diesel and it is the best car I've ever had. I have over 220,000 kms on it and drive approximately 100 kms per day to work and back - it's totally awesome. My husband has a Passat TDI Wagon and he also loves his car. I get over 1200 km per tank of diesel fuel. It also has the best heater I've ever had in a car. This morning the temperature was -2 Celsius and by the time I had gone 20 kms I had turned the heater fan off and opened the window because it was so warm in the car. It's incredible.

I want either the Jetta TDI or the Mini Cooper S next, but that's a way off. I have a pontiac Sunfire, by the way, and it's awful. I hate it. It's almost entirely plastic.

My first car was a hand me down from my dad. He gave me a lovely 1987 Audi 200 Turbo, which worked beautifully until the trannie gave out 2 years ago. awesome heater, awesome options package. it was lovely. *sob* I want it back!

Originally Posted by turtlecat

I want either the Jetta TDI or the Mini Cooper S next, but that's a way off. I have a pontiac Sunfire, by the way, and it's awful. I hate it. It's almost entirely plastic.

My first car was a hand me down from my dad. He gave me a lovely 1987 Audi 200 Turbo, which worked beautifully until the trannie gave out 2 years ago. awesome heater, awesome options package. it was lovely. *sob* I want it back!

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Our daughter just got a Mini Cooper and she's very happy with it.

Hmmmm. I don't really care about the car names, but I've been wondering _ Where have you been, KatBoy???

This is all so interesting to read as I do work for a subsidiary of one of the big 3. One of the good things is that one of the local dealers will bring over the new introductions and do a walk around with us and then we can take them for a spin. It's nice because unlike going to a dealer we have to buying pressure as we should be acquainted with the companies products. A few of my girl co-workers didn't like the new mustang. But I thought it was pretty good. In fact I have a nephew buy the 2005 mustang GT and his wife is expecting their 2nd child -like anyday now!! I personally don't like minvan's though!!