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Detroit, 6:27 AM
Tue Nov 10
27 posts in the last 24 hours
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07/10/09
Half of the picks here are performance upgrades, so they can always be introduced at a later date, once the icy hand of death has warmed up a bit. It's the entire models, platforms nameplates and divisions being axed that hurt.
07/10/09
PS. Commentz- i haz them!
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Looking at exhibits 1 through 12 we see half are performance tune/trim packages of standard offerings... and all 6 of those sourced from one bankrupt marque. The performance version still appeals to purists, but the market on the whole is looking for something a little easer on the pocket book and the environment.
Two of these now retired vehicles are specialized pickup trucks which appeal only to a very focused demographic, not very mainstream. It could be argued that a half ton diesel falls into that same trap, but I submit it's the D-word in general that killed that idea.
One of these casualties is an attempt to avoid badgeneering, a practice long held in dim regard by jalops so I would think of this as more of a victory than a defeat. Simplifies the buying experience for the average consumer as well.
The remaining victim, it would seem, falls into the same category as oh so many GM SS models. But the canceled NSX is a tragedy all its own, especially considering the recent changing of the guard at Honda and the history which that encompasses.
So, like it or not, we brought this on ourselves. Sure, we're obsessed with the cult of cars here at Jalopnik, but there's only so much we can do. So much of the car buying public is treating their car like their refridgerator and hoping it lasts just as long.
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On one hand I'm a proponent of diesel technology, I would like to see it become more popular in the US market. The half ton truck is a North American icon, so the death of its diesel is symbolic of the death of diesel in NA all together.
On the other hand, as a half ton pickup owner who actually uses the 4wd, the bed space, and what little towing capacity it offers I know I'll never own another half ton pickup. Diesel offerings are alive and well in 3/4 and one ton trucks, so I know I'm not missing out when there's no half ton diesel available.
07/10/09
That, or we spend too much time on Jalopnik to work well to earn promotions and make enough money to buy them ourselves.
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I'm totally getting the banhammer for this.
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I can't imagine there's any "getting used to" the new display layout this time around. Maybe I'm just getting old, but this is worse than a freight train driving through a tornado, then staring its own MySpace page.
07/10/09
No ad clicks from me for 1 week. After that, I'll reconsider the situation.
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On the other hand I have figured out (I think, somewhat) stars and heartclicks - stars never seemed important before, but now that I don't have one myself...;...(
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At least this up-down-down-up system completely discourages F1rsts.
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...so, it's still in development.
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Also, as mediocre as the Impala SS was, it's charming if you keep it to highways (where the decent ride and V8 burble are accentuated beyond all of its combined flaws). It's a tiny, tiny step above the Malibu SS and naturally-aspirated Cobalt SS.
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Seriously, an HHR is one of the top 10 most important vehicles lost? Why are you so against the Solstice Matt? Perhaps you should try driving a manual one before you go off spouting that it's nothing special.