Once those governments paid him, it became his money. How he chooses to use those funds is a private concern. If they paid him for the express purpose of launching this and retained ownership, then it would be publicly funded.

I know T. Jon ( we worked at the same company for a short time) so I’m not going to argue with him, especially since his explanation is accurate. But there is another reason.

That’s why I use Canola oil and change it every 50 miles!

Luckily 95% of the population isn’t buying these. So, no, it’s not necessary for most people.

The interior in these was bargain basement trash, the current Civic feels like a Mercedes in comparison.

Just because it’s a common mistake doesn’t mean it’s not a mistake.

I think he’s talking about operating the vehicle and not it’s construction.

1.) You can’t roll coal in an F-150, at least not until the turbodiesel hits the market

since those guys are never leaving their coal-rollers anyway

F150's are NOT coal rollers. Those are solely HD trucks. 90% of people do not want a small truck. 90% of people want a crew cab or at least a double cab and a useable bed(5'8" minimum, GM short bed). Even if you don’t use your truck every day for towing and hauling, you want to be able to carry your family around. No…

This one just came out and looks terrible!

Yeah, TechArt is still around. They make a thicker rim steering wheel for 991s that is an absolute must-buy. Good quality carbon, too. I actually like some of what they’re making now.

Mansory looks like butt. Gemballa is the upper limits of my intestinal fortitude when it comes to Porsche tuners. 

Horseshit. I certainly fit the enthusiast definition by any reasonable standard and I’ve owned the 2013 version of this car with the same options. I’m no less of an enthusiast than anyone else just because I don’t want my bad knee to get eviscerated clutching every time I’m stuck in traffic on my commute.

May I ask why?

- dude who ran a G/Z club in a fomer life with several automatic G owners who spent more time/money/sweat/tears wrenching and driving and showing their cars than 90% of the people on this board

As someone who works in the auto industry - and has a nice heap of experience and “behind the scenes” knowledge. I can confidently say your comment is rather ignorant of all the factors at play here.

“And they’re around 60 years old.”

Go buy something else, then. That is more than enough power.

Easy answer: GM should design and produce better looking, higher quality parts for a car that wants to eat at the big kids table. The margins exist. It’s a matter of desire and dedication to being better, or in this case, the lack thereof. 

It’s funny you mention that. I have a background in dealer ops management before taking up a career in building software and interface experiences... with a couple OEMs as past clients, and one of them was a certain Detroit-based make. So yes, I do have an idea.

I mean, some us can do both.