GM screws the SRX
07-07-2003, 12:27 PM
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GM screws the SRX
The Cadillac SRX debuts soon (or did it already come out?) at $80,000. It's a roadster based upon the next generation Corvette. The thing is, they put the 4.6 liter NorthStar V8 in it. They didn't put the Corvette engine in, because they didn't want the SRX to compete with the 'Vette.
Buick is considered by many to be a has-been in the realm of entry level luxury vehicles. I've read repeated statements that GM doesn't want to raise the bar with Buick because then it would compete with Cadillac.
Does anyone else think that this strategy is outrageously stupid? I would think that a Buick sedan that steals sales of a few Cadillacs might also steal sales from other manufacturers. The SRX with a Corvette engine that takes away from Corvette sales might (just might) get the attention of a few more people looking to buy a competitor's $80K roadster.
I would think that Nissan execs cry all the way to the bank when someone who looked at a G35 coupe bought a 350Z. Same thing goes for Honda when a potential Honda Pilot buyer goes for an Acura MDX. Crippling your own products in order to promote sales of your own alternatives is stupid unless you clearly possess the best in the business.
Buick is considered by many to be a has-been in the realm of entry level luxury vehicles. I've read repeated statements that GM doesn't want to raise the bar with Buick because then it would compete with Cadillac.
Does anyone else think that this strategy is outrageously stupid? I would think that a Buick sedan that steals sales of a few Cadillacs might also steal sales from other manufacturers. The SRX with a Corvette engine that takes away from Corvette sales might (just might) get the attention of a few more people looking to buy a competitor's $80K roadster.
I would think that Nissan execs cry all the way to the bank when someone who looked at a G35 coupe bought a 350Z. Same thing goes for Honda when a potential Honda Pilot buyer goes for an Acura MDX. Crippling your own products in order to promote sales of your own alternatives is stupid unless you clearly possess the best in the business.
07-07-2003, 12:42 PM
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One minor correction: The SRX is caddies newest SUV, while the car you are referring to is the XLR.
As for Buick not wanting to compete with Caddy, I think GM has a hard time making quality car period. It is not so much an issue of wanting to compete, but the fact that they can't. GM is investing tons of money to remake Cadillac and is giving realitivly little to Buick. Maybe GM will eventually get around to remaking Buick, but until then they are stuck with substandard products.
As for Buick not wanting to compete with Caddy, I think GM has a hard time making quality car period. It is not so much an issue of wanting to compete, but the fact that they can't. GM is investing tons of money to remake Cadillac and is giving realitivly little to Buick. Maybe GM will eventually get around to remaking Buick, but until then they are stuck with substandard products.
07-07-2003, 01:53 PM
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Wow, that's completely absurd.... for an $80k GM, I would expect at the very least a tuned LS6.
The XLR has almost exactly all the same specs as the Lexus SC430, but you get to pay $20k more and get lower quality and reliability? I think were looking at another Lincoln Blackwood disaster here...
The XLR has almost exactly all the same specs as the Lexus SC430, but you get to pay $20k more and get lower quality and reliability? I think were looking at another Lincoln Blackwood disaster here...
07-07-2003, 02:52 PM
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Originally posted by m477
Wow, that's completely absurd.... for an $80k GM, I would expect at the very least a tuned LS6.
The XLR has almost exactly all the same specs as the Lexus SC430, but you get to pay $20k more and get lower quality and reliability? I think were looking at another Lincoln Blackwood disaster here...
Wow, that's completely absurd.... for an $80k GM, I would expect at the very least a tuned LS6.
The XLR has almost exactly all the same specs as the Lexus SC430, but you get to pay $20k more and get lower quality and reliability? I think were looking at another Lincoln Blackwood disaster here...
The XLR also weighs 400 lbs less than the Lexus or Merc. I don't see how that is "almost exactly the same specs". The lower weight makes the car handle better and just so happens to give it an equal or better power to weight ratio versus the Merc or Lexus.
07-07-2003, 02:53 PM
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That is the problem with GM. All of the different domestic makes have to compete against each other because they operate on their own budgets and sales figures. It's like they are little kids fighting for the attention of their parents. If it appears one of the brands will compete with them or steal some of their sales they go crying to mommy. This should change rather quickly though, Bob Lutz (the new step dad) is a smart man and will realize the bullshit that takes place and start whoopin some a$$. That type of behavior is only hindering the company as a whole.
07-07-2003, 02:59 PM
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Originally posted by babylou
Wow, you must be real good to already know how well the XLR is designed and built since you know it will be of poor quality and reliabilty.
Wow, you must be real good to already know how well the XLR is designed and built since you know it will be of poor quality and reliabilty.
Also, you can try splitting hairs here if you want, but there's at the the end of the day, there just isn't any way to really justify the additional $20k over the SC with features or figures...
Last edited by m477; 07-07-2003 at 03:01 PM.
07-07-2003, 03:26 PM
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Originally posted by cueball1029
One minor correction: The SRX is caddies newest SUV, while the car you are referring to is the XLR.
One minor correction: The SRX is caddies newest SUV, while the car you are referring to is the XLR.
07-07-2003, 04:44 PM
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The XLR and its competitors are far too expensive for me to ever consider, so I don't care what GM does with it. But here are some exerpts from Edmunds.
As one engineer explained to us, the company knew that the XLR would have more of a touring personality and would never be driven as hard as a Corvette. Nevertheless, it was decided that the Cadillac should have a high pain threshold on the off chance that a driver did decide to give his luxury roadster a serious workout.
The result of all this is a curb weight of 3,647 pounds — over 200 pounds less than what an SC 430 weighs, over 300 less than the XK8 and over 400 less than the SL500.
and that special something is a 4.6-liter Northstar V8. While not the 405-horsepower supercharged version from the Evoq concept (at least not for now), this is a second-generation Northstar adapted for use in a rear-wheel-drive configuration and improved with continuously variable valve timing that works on both the intake and exhaust valves.
The final product is quite satisfying with 320 horsepower coming in at 6,400 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Acceleration is strong all the way up the tach, and full-throttle applications result in delicious sounds from the engine bay — Mercedes' 5.0-liter V8 has met its match. Fuel economy should be a strong point for the XLR; preliminary estimates have it at 17 mpg city/25 highway — better than any competitor, save for the XK8.
The next day we had a brief opportunity to drive it back to back with an SL500 around some slightly tighter turns on GM's Desert Proving Grounds. Already, we're convinced that the SL is the XLR's only peer in terms of handling among high-end touring convertibles.
The XLR costs over $10,000 more than the SC 430. True, the XLR is the better performer and lots more fun to drive, but to those who just want a cruiser, the finely furnished Lexus will seem like the better buy.
If on the other hand, you're a prospective SL500 buyer, the XLR may have your number. In terms of performance, cockpit accommodations and feature content, these two match up almost one to one. Now consider that the Cadillac costs $10 grand less than the Benz.
07-07-2003, 04:53 PM
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Originally posted by SPDFRK
That is the problem with GM. All of the different domestic makes have to compete against each other because they operate on their own budgets and sales figures. It's like they are little kids fighting for the attention of their parents. If it appears one of the brands will compete with them or steal some of their sales they go crying to mommy.
That is the problem with GM. All of the different domestic makes have to compete against each other because they operate on their own budgets and sales figures. It's like they are little kids fighting for the attention of their parents. If it appears one of the brands will compete with them or steal some of their sales they go crying to mommy.
YOU HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD SPDFRK!
There is a paranoia in the industry about "cannibalizing" your other brands.
Then each brand, especially at Ford where most of the brands where bought recently, want to stay "autonomous" by keeping Corporate away and getting the bigger budget each year by out doing the other brands in the company.
Working in the US auto industry is great practice for being a Congressman!
Is very disappionting, because there are some very talented engineers and business people in the industry. Most get pissed and quit (like me).
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