Comments on: Like Ford, GM seen abandoning minivans http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: avlight http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282545 avlight Sat, 25 Nov 2006 18:46:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282545 I usually like GM. But I will give credit where credit is due. The GM front-wheel drive minivans were awful. From the underpowered, 'dirt-devil' styling, poor visibility of the Lumina APV to the improved but poor quality Venture / Uplanders ( a friend who worked at the Chevy dealership stated that every one they sold had major problems). This was something they grossly failed at. But they ax their popular and over-reliable rear wheel drive Astro and Safari ????? _____________________________ The again, Ford was no better, their rear-whel drive Aerostar was problem plagued and underpowered and the Windstar was notorious for the 3.8L engines that had the heads that warped and poor head gaskets and the poor marketing gimmick to rename it the Freestar _____________________________ Chrysler did win the minivan game. From the K-car van throughout it's evolution, the styling, quality, horsepower, handling, visibility, and storage features improved over every model re-design. GM and Ford did the right thing and conceded the market. I usually like GM. But I will give credit where credit is due. The GM front-wheel drive minivans were awful. From the underpowered, ‘dirt-devil’ styling, poor visibility of the Lumina APV to the improved but poor quality Venture / Uplanders ( a friend who worked at the Chevy dealership stated that every one they sold had major problems). This was something they grossly failed at.

But they ax their popular and over-reliable rear wheel drive Astro and Safari ?????

_____________________________

The again, Ford was no better, their rear-whel drive Aerostar was problem plagued and underpowered and the Windstar was notorious for the 3.8L engines that had the heads that warped and poor head gaskets and the poor marketing gimmick to rename it the Freestar

_____________________________

Chrysler did win the minivan game. From the K-car van throughout it’s evolution, the styling, quality, horsepower, handling, visibility, and storage features improved over every model re-design.

GM and Ford did the right thing and conceded the market.

]]> By: chris2 http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282369 chris2 Fri, 24 Nov 2006 13:38:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282369 Perhaps when Chevy gets a Lamda it will have sliding doors.... Perhaps when Chevy gets a Lamda it will have sliding doors….

]]> By: autonutt http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282240 autonutt Thu, 23 Nov 2006 07:37:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282240 Ford and GM need to stop praising their "marketing decision" to abandon their subpar minivans.. consumers made the decision for them by avoiding them like the plague! Minivans are probably the most meticulously researched vehicle purchase because of the safety-minded family types that buy them, and they overwhelmingly tend to purchase the leaders in the segment.. Toyota, Honda and DC. Ford and GM need to stop praising their “marketing decision” to abandon their subpar minivans.. consumers made the decision for them by avoiding them like the plague! Minivans are probably the most meticulously researched vehicle purchase because of the safety-minded family types that buy them, and they overwhelmingly tend to purchase the leaders in the segment.. Toyota, Honda and DC.

]]> By: TomF http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282227 TomF Thu, 23 Nov 2006 06:16:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282227 The Uplander/Relay are actually the worst build American vehicles I believe. They're shockingly awful. I checked out a relay on display at a minor league ballgame last summer and was stunned to see it sticker out at $32,000+. You'd have to be insane. There is still a ready market for minivans -- just not these pieces of crap. The Uplander/Relay are actually the worst build American vehicles I believe. They’re shockingly awful. I checked out a relay on display at a minor league ballgame last summer and was stunned to see it sticker out at $32,000+. You’d have to be insane.

There is still a ready market for minivans — just not these pieces of crap.

]]> By: GarbageMotorsCo http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282204 GarbageMotorsCo Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:58:36 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282204 They certainly haven't been trouble free, Problems and Solutionsforums on Edmunds are chocked full of complaints. But it's their abysmal safety records from the Dustbuster days that killed the consumer confidence in GM to build a decent minivan. The new pugs may have kept them off the "Poor" list in crash tests, but the downside was they just made them even uglier. Good riddance to bad rides... They certainly haven’t been trouble free, Problems and Solutionsforums on Edmunds are chocked full of complaints. But it’s their abysmal safety records from the Dustbuster days that killed the consumer confidence in GM to build a decent minivan. The new pugs may have kept them off the “Poor” list in crash tests, but the downside was they just made them even uglier.

Good riddance to bad rides…

]]> By: 1c3d0g http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282199 1c3d0g Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:50:23 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282199 Renton: couldn't have said it better myself! Cheers! :D Renton: couldn’t have said it better myself! Cheers! :D

]]> By: century24 http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282189 century24 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 23:42:13 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282189 Renton- I agree. I tried out a CX-7 recently and was very impressed. Just too bad I'm not in the market for one. Renton- I agree. I tried out a CX-7 recently and was very impressed. Just too bad I’m not in the market for one.

]]> By: Renton http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282106 Renton Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:31:53 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282106 That CX-7 is a nice ride. If you need more seats, you have to go to the CX-9. In any case they for kids only. That CX-7 is a nice ride. If you need more seats, you have to go to the CX-9. In any case they for kids only.

]]> By: century24 http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282103 century24 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:23:51 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282103 A4- You're right, they already have. I stand corrected. A4- You’re right, they already have. I stand corrected.

]]> By: A4 http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282095 A4 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:03:42 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282095 Pontiac already ditched the montana like 2 years ago Pontiac already ditched the montana like 2 years ago

]]> By: A non E Moose http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282083 A non E Moose Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:57:31 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282083 joseph; How can they recommend the CX-&? It has only two rows of seats. I need 3. Maybe the CX=9 when it comes out, but I don't need a "sporty" ride, and my personal preference for looks is the lambda based units. I do really like the look of the Mazda, but not enought to buy one. Same goes for the Santa Fe, two rows are USELESS. Buy a car if you only need two rows of seats. joseph;

How can they recommend the CX-&? It has only two rows of seats. I need 3. Maybe the CX=9 when it comes out, but I don’t need a “sporty” ride, and my personal preference for looks is the lambda based units. I do really like the look of the Mazda, but not enought to buy one. Same goes for the Santa Fe, two rows are USELESS. Buy a car if you only need two rows of seats.

]]> By: psiclone http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282081 psiclone Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:34:39 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282081 agreed - good riddance to the uplander et al. the last update to these vehicles made no sense stylistically. i never heard anything bad about them mechanically but i never heard anything good about them either. agreed – good riddance to the uplander et al. the last update to these vehicles made no sense stylistically. i never heard anything bad about them mechanically but i never heard anything good about them either.

]]> By: joseph http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282079 joseph Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:16:08 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282079 Well said Broken Caddillac..."admitted defeat". "...Unless another manufacturer comes out with something to match them" Ummmmmm, my bet is that there are some already out that will match, if not surpass them. It's just a hunch though. Ford's new Edge is getting killed in the reviews. They are recommending the CX-7 and Santa Fe (and many others) over the heavy/pricey beast. Well said Broken Caddillac…”admitted defeat”.

“…Unless another manufacturer comes out with something to match them”

Ummmmmm, my bet is that there are some already out that will match, if not surpass them. It’s just a hunch though. Ford’s new Edge is getting killed in the reviews. They are recommending the CX-7 and Santa Fe (and many others) over the heavy/pricey beast.

]]> By: Renton http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282077 Renton Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:12:47 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282077 Good riddance. Good riddance.

]]> By: A non E Moose http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282071 A non E Moose Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:23:32 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282071 I wont miss them. They are all ugly as HELL anyway. The new crosovers are beautiful and servea very similar function. I am buying one of the three (Saturn, Buick, GMC) for sure, I just am waiting until they are all available to decide. Unless another manufacturer comes out with something to match them, I know I am not looking at anything else. GM has a hit on it's hands, they just need to hurry up and release them! I wont miss them. They are all ugly as HELL anyway. The new crosovers are beautiful and servea very similar function. I am buying one of the three (Saturn, Buick, GMC) for sure, I just am waiting until they are all available to decide. Unless another manufacturer comes out with something to match them, I know I am not looking at anything else. GM has a hit on it’s hands, they just need to hurry up and release them!

]]> By: BrokenCadillac... http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282069 BrokenCadillac... Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:04:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282069 I wonder how owners of the current Uplander clones feel about this... Resale is gonna drop like a rock and I'm sure confidence will be affected knowing that what they bought isn't worthy even by GM's own standards. They've admitted defeat which is plausible. I wonder how owners of the current Uplander clones feel about this… Resale is gonna drop like a rock and I’m sure confidence will be affected knowing that what they bought isn’t worthy even by GM’s own standards.

They’ve admitted defeat which is plausible.

]]> By: century24 http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282066 century24 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:57:10 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282066 Something tells me the current minivans were just stopgaps until they could be replaced with crossovers. The Relay and the Terraza are being replaced by the Outlook and Enclave. Pontiac is going to ditch the Montana (just doesn't fit in with the whole performance brand thing). And that leaves Chevy, maybe the one GM brand that actually should have a minivan, or something similar. I've read that they're also going to be getting a Lambda-based crossover to slot in between the Equinox and Tahoe, but not until MY2009, probably once GM axes the GMT360s (Trailblazer, Envoy, etc.). And GMC, I've read they're going to be getting Pontiac's would-be 2009 minivan, but that doesn't make much sense, given the fact they've got the new Acadia (and a minivan just doesn't scream "Professional Grade"). So if Chevy and GMC do end up sharing a new minivan down the road, I doubt it will be the prototypical minivan (see: Ford Fairlane). Or at least it will be a far cry from the Relay/Terraza/Uplander/Montana quadruplets. We'll see what happens... Something tells me the current minivans were just stopgaps until they could be replaced with crossovers.
The Relay and the Terraza are being replaced by the Outlook and Enclave. Pontiac is going to ditch the Montana (just doesn’t fit in with the whole performance brand thing). And that leaves Chevy, maybe the one GM brand that actually should have a minivan, or something similar. I’ve read that they’re also going to be getting a Lambda-based crossover to slot in between the Equinox and Tahoe, but not until MY2009, probably once GM axes the GMT360s (Trailblazer, Envoy, etc.). And GMC, I’ve read they’re going to be getting Pontiac’s would-be 2009 minivan, but that doesn’t make much sense, given the fact they’ve got the new Acadia (and a minivan just doesn’t scream “Professional Grade”).
So if Chevy and GMC do end up sharing a new minivan down the road, I doubt it will be the prototypical minivan (see: Ford Fairlane). Or at least it will be a far cry from the Relay/Terraza/Uplander/Montana quadruplets.
We’ll see what happens…

]]> By: youngm7 http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282064 youngm7 Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:14:27 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282064 Hopefully 07 is the last year for the current ones. They're junk, and nothing but a black eye to GM. Hopefully 07 is the last year for the current ones. They’re junk, and nothing but a black eye to GM.

]]> By: buenos http://www.leftlanenews.com/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans.html#comment-282062 buenos Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:48:53 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/22/like-ford-gm-seen-killing-minivans/#comment-282062 Is that a tear I see slowly trickling down the faces of soccer-moms across North America? ... oh... no... just the sun in their eyes. Is that a tear I see slowly trickling down the faces of soccer-moms across North America? … oh… no… just the sun in their eyes.

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