Got a reply from GM about the email I sent them - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Nate · #1 02-14-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Gm's in the hole right now, and I think I have an idea that could help
out. 30-40 years ago, kids cars were cheap and fast. They were known as
muscle cars. Most were fast, minimal interior, and minimally accessoried cars... The car companys made a KILLING selling them. I'm 16, and have been dillgant about saving money without spending it(mowing yards, b-day, Christmas)... If GM could come out with a car thats basicly a stipped down grand prix, satern or whatnot, I'd buy it if it had theese options for base/option. The base would have power nothing, heat only, no radio (but a spot for one), cloth seats, 3.8, 5 speed and no ABS (if thats legal).
Options could be Supercharged 3.8, auto, radio, tilt, radio, leather seats, AC, power windows/doors, and an automatic...
Base would be a fast, stipped down car, and sell for <10 grand. the optioned one would would be <15 grand, and still be a sporty ride for us kids... Just an idea, PLEASE email me @ ************

And i think I got a mix of a form letter, and an accual opinion...

Their responce was

Quote:

My name is Prisilla Mowrey, and I want to thank you for taking the time to write me and I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to assist you.

Thank you for contacting the Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate your interest in the design of General Motors Vehicles.

We are interested in your suggestions and appreciate it when customers like you take the time to write to us about them. We value the opinions of our customers and we always take them into consideration as we plan for future models.

Again, we thank you for your e-mail and your interest in General Motors . If you should need to contact us in the future, you may e-mail us again or call our Customer Assistance

Our goal here at the General Motors Customer Assistance Center is complete customer satisfaction. If I have been unable to completely satisfy you (add thus far if not closing file), please do not hesitate to reply to this message or call me directly at 1-866-952-4368, Extension.57714. I am available Monday through Friday from 10-8pm, Eastern Time.

Again, thank you for contacting General Motors.

Sincerely,

Prisilla Mowrey
Customer Relationship Manager
General Motors Customer Assistance Center

Basicly, I want a fast stripper for less then 10 grand... Is this a pipe dream or what?

I realize my paragraph's all screwed up, they sent it back in a tall/skinny paragraph...

O well

Any comments about "us damn kids" wanting a new car, thats fast and cheap?
~Nate

whunter · #2 02-15-2006, 01:18 AM

Hello Nate

Wow, you got your first DON'T CALL US; WE'LL CALL YOU from a failing mega corp..

Now you can figure out why they are failing.

H-townbenzoboy · #3 02-15-2006, 01:54 AM

They probably got mad at you for misspelling one of their brands, "Saturn".

Anyone want to write a letter to DaimlerChrysler convincing them to restart production of the W123 and OM617A? Maybe send it in large bold red font?

Kuan · #4 02-15-2006, 07:31 AM

They're out there already. It's called a 70's muscle car.

GermanStar · #5 02-15-2006, 09:31 AM

Looks like Prisilla Mowrey has an email autoresponder...

Wes Bender · #6 02-15-2006, 09:35 AM

that uses up a lot of words to say almost nothing......

yal · #7 02-15-2006, 09:55 AM

Basically a none response. The person filled out an email template and sent it back to you. See line 11

"...(add thus far if not closing file), please do not..."

They forgot to delete part of the template.

As someone said above get a Honda Civic and go mod crazy with it.

#8 02-15-2006, 10:18 AM

Call Prisilla at her toll Free number and ask if production has started yet ,if not Why . Tell her ya got Cash burning a hole in your Pocket...

Ali Al-Chalabi · #9 02-15-2006, 10:43 AM

I don't think they would have a good profit margin on a stripped down muscle car or sell many of them.

Buy a used one and fix it up yourself, that's the best way to accomplish your goal.

#10 02-15-2006, 10:49 AM

They are basically saying, "thanks but shut the F up." The big 3 all suck especially in customer service. They don't care what a 16 yr old thinks. I think you should send the same mail to Honda, Toyata, Nissan, Acura and Lexus and see what kind of response you will get.

G-Benz · #11 02-15-2006, 11:01 AM

GM (and others) are still targeting "baby boomers"...who at this point are in their late 40's and early 50's and have far more available $$$ for their high profit margin vehicles...suffice to say, 16-yr olds don't count right now.

They have to charge $1000 more for their vehicles than the import counterparts just to clear the pension and labor overhead, so they would have to be able to build a car for $8K and sell it for $10K just to get a $1K profit...not likely...and they won't recoup R&D investment unless the model is an incredible success (along the lines of the Ford Taurus).

Remember that a lot of the safety and pollution control features absent in the muscle cars of the 60's and 70's are mandated. So figure in the cost of ABS, airbags, fuel efficiency, passenger cage design, and such into the total cost of the vehicle. Not going to happen for $10K.

BTW, I watched the Barrett-Jackson auction last month, and the venerable muscle cars guys like me could pick up for $3K back then were sailing out the door for between $150 -$300K!!!!

#12 02-15-2006, 11:17 AM

What are you, bob lutz's lost love child?! Do some searching for lutz's ideas on what a car should be like-i think you two would get along. He green lighted the solstice; here are the standard options...

http://www.gmbuypower.com/vehicleHomePage.bp?make=Pontiac&model=Solstice&makeId=002&modelId=086&year=2006&subModelId=288&subModel=&categoryName=Standard_Equipment&lowerPrice=&higherPrice=

Unfortunately, it costs about 20k =P

Depending on where you live, the best <10k muscle car might actually be a kawasaki... Otherwise i'd agree with the honda civic dx with some mods...still, rearwheel...

cheers,
dan r.

whunter · #13 02-15-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intelligent

They are basically saying, "thanks but shut the F up." The big 3 all suck especially in customer service. They don't care what a 16 yr old thinks. I think you should send the same mail to Honda, Toyata, Nissan, Acura and Lexus and see what kind of response you will get.

That is a good idea!!!

Yes.

Hatterasguy · #14 02-15-2006, 03:53 PM

Buy a base Civic for $3k or so and drop a Jap spec motor in it. Throw $5k under the hood and it will spank any 3.8.

Remember FWD cars are only fast to a point, they cant hook up with street tires.

Thats why if you ever see the import drag races they weld those massive bars to the rear of their fwd cars to keep the wheels on the track.

Nate · #15 02-15-2006, 11:36 PM

how about I get an 82 f150, grey, with a white topper, and alot of fishing stickers... and stick $1000 into the 302?

Fwd sucks, period... but its cheaper, and "better" in the snow. BS if you know how to drive, but whatever...
A properly maintained 3.8 will run forever. It man not run WELL for ever, but it will run untill the block rusts through...

I need some sleep, good night
~Nate