Top 7 Good Cars From "Bad GM"
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jun 3rd 2009 at 12:30PM 
General Motors makes more than a few world-class automobiles. As true as that statement may be, that alone wasn't enough to stall the automaker's steady decline – fueled as it may have been by the global economic downturn – into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. To expedite GM's return to viability, the Obama Administration plans to split the giant automaker into two parts, a so-called "Good GM" made up of GM's best assets and "Bad GM," which is what we're examining in today's Top Ten list.
In case you're not aware, Bad GM happens to include the entire lines from HUMMER, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn. Instead of dwelling on the oft ignored, underdeveloped and stagnant vehicles in Bad GM's lineup, we're taking a look at the best that Bad GM has to offer. Try as we might to make this into a true Top Ten list, we were only able to come up with seven suitable vehicles to lament – which admittedly does tell us something. Some were obvious, a few not so much. That said, follow along as we pick the Top 7 Good Cars from Bad GM.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Radek 12:35PM (6/03/2009)
That is the cruelest/funniest commentary ever!
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Jim in Tampa 12:39PM (6/03/2009)
Is it April Fools Day?
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techstar25 12:49PM (6/03/2009)
Notice the trend:
Pontiac Vibe
Pontiac Solstice
Pontiac G8
Saturn Aura (based on the Pontiac G6 platform)
So what does GM do in their infinite wisdom? Kill off Pontiac of course!
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John 12:53PM (6/03/2009)
Remember, it's not all their decision. There is micromanagement from Washington happening.
Richard 12:57PM (6/03/2009)
You go begging for billions of taxpayer dollars, you're going to get some pretty drastic "micromanaging," as you put it.
Bloke 1:06PM (6/03/2009)
Techstar: the Aura and G6 both used the stretched Epsilon underpinnings first used on the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra estate.
John 1:16PM (6/03/2009)
"You go begging for billions of taxpayer dollars, you're going to get some pretty drastic "micromanaging," as you put it."
It's being done by President Teleprompter on an unprecedented scale. Like telling Chrysler how much advertising budget they can use.
Even with their struggles, GM and Chrysler management certinally has a better chance of success making a business plan than the idiots in Washington who have never worked in a business in their life.
jg 1:30PM (6/03/2009)
'Even with their struggles, GM and Chrysler management certinally has a better chance of success making a business plan than the idiots in Washington who have never worked in a business in their life. '
They ran the company into the ground and had to go begging. You want them to continue running the show using your cash?
'It's being done by President Teleprompter on an unprecedented scale. '
Now you sound like Glenn Beck.
'Like telling Chrysler how much advertising budget they can use. '
That's what running the company means. You control budgets. That what people who work in business do so why not do that when gov't steps in?
Let's not pretend President Palin would do any different. GM and Chrysler are dying and we're trying to prevent them from taking a whole lot of other companies with them. That's all. These companies came to the gov't for help, the gov't didn't just take over a viable industry for fun.
John 1:43PM (6/03/2009)
"They ran the company into the ground and had to go begging. You want them to continue running the show using your cash? "
No what I actually want is for the government to stay the hell out of private equity. They have no business subsidizing any company.
"Now you sound like Glenn Beck."
I would rather be compared to him than your heros on MSNBC like Matthews or Olberman. Talk about shameless, un-objective, butt kissers.
"Let's not pretend President Palin would do any different. GM and Chrysler are dying and we're trying to prevent them from taking a whole lot of other companies with them. That's all."
Palin is the complete opposite of Obama in every sense of the word. She did not study under men with socialist philosophies or who taught racist black liberation theology if that is what you mean.
Miguel 2:58AM (6/04/2009)
By the same token, notice the trend:
Saturn Aura
Saturn Sky (which is sold as an Opel GT in Europe)
Saturn Vue
When six of your seven cars all come from the same stable--Pontiac and Saturn--it's a sign that your "bad" GM is actually pretty good. The G6 and Aura are, as you noticed, similar cars, but based on Opel's Epsilon platform. GM refuses to drop Buick because of its performance in China, but Buick's newer models also share Opel-engineered underpinnings. So why not drop Buick in the states (but not in China) instead of Saturn or Pontiac and merge the Pontiac and Saturn brands to develop a true Euro/performance division. Just slap a badge. No one's buying Opels over here anyway.
Alas, GM, alas...
sk 12:49PM (6/03/2009)
I vote for the G8
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fury604 4:02PM (6/05/2009)
It's also my favourite out of the bunch. But isn't it odd, that one of the best cars that GM makes is Australian? Hopefully, GM continues to sell them under the bow-tie.
I know its a pipe dream, but it would be even better if Opel-Magna can get a hold of the Zeta platform and produce one for sale in North America. Opels are one of the best looking line of cars that GM produces...which they just sold.
blackmage439 12:52PM (6/03/2009)
It's a crying shame that Saturn never realized its true potential. The entire premise of the business (no-haggle pricing, friendly, knowledgable sales staff, etc.) was what drove my parents to purchase two Saturn vehicles. It was almost three, but Saturn didn't have a sufficient large car to satisfy their needs at the time; they're now stuck with a '99 Ford Windstar that has just been absolute hell to drive and care for. As for myself, my '94 SL2 is still chugging away going on 170,000 miles with very few problems, but the once nimble little beast needs to be put down this year if I can afford it. The '08 Aura I rented last year was an absolute dream to drive.
Instead, GM kept dealers too far apart with zoning agreements, and developed some crappy cars for the brand. I would love to purchase a Saturn to help keep the brand alive, but I don't think I can bring myself to drive another vehicle with GM-designed parts inside...
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Judy Zik 9:58PM (6/03/2009)
I have to agree. In fact I would have put the original Saturn SL on this list. FOR IT'S TIME it was quite amazing. Especially for a GM vehicle of that era. The SL is leap years beyond the Cavalier. My husband still commutes in a 1999 with over 250,000kms on it. They were relatively efficient and reliable vehicles and a decent attempt at doing something different. If GM had followed up and updated them they might have evolved into a real import fighter. Unfortunately like everything else at GM the Saturn brand was launched with a bang and then left to rot.
LeeLee 12:52PM (6/03/2009)
These cars are absolutely disgusting (except for the sky).. I'd rather stay with my old 99 chevy tahoe and pollute the environment more
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Chad 1:31PM (6/03/2009)
I dunno. I love my 9-3, easily get 36mpg hwy and it's a blast to drive at any speed... not to mention it turns heads. I paid $25K and that's with cornering xenons, dual zone climate, power heated leather seats, onstar, xm, sunroof. It's surprising they don't sell more of these.
bigMIKE 2:22PM (6/03/2009)
Poor supply of Saab dealers. No one wants a car that they perceive is difficult to find service for. The 93 is based on the Chevy Malibu platform. Problem is that most of America doesn't know this. Personally, I kinda like the 93, but I guess it's further is up for grabs too?
FousString85 12:53PM (6/03/2009)
The G8 is the saddest story of the bunch. The only thing stopping me from buying one today is the dark future of the Pontiac badge. If it were coming as a Chevy with Camaro engines, GM would have my money immediately!!
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amnigo 1:04PM (6/03/2009)
The G8 GXP and Camaro SS have the LS3. And it is sad. I was lucky enough to pick a G8 GT in March for $5k off invoice. I love it.
FousString85 1:06PM (6/03/2009)
Yeah I was thinking even the L99 in the Camaro vs the L76 in the G8. The V6 in the Camaro is more powerful than the G8 V6 as well.