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Also a Silverado SS, Corvette, and Hummer H2 at GM's CarShowinMotion at Qualcomm stadium parking lot. A very lavish affair, I'd guess about a hundred testers from across GM's lineup, even a couple of competitors' offerings.
At the entry I was informed of the rules, a passenger car must be driven before the Corvette and a truck or SUV before the Hummer. The first line I got into (about 3 people) was for the Sliverado SS. A very nice truck! If only GM would make one in a regular cab, short bed Z71 with 6 speed. I climed aboard, put the shifter in 1st gear and stepped on the gas. The first little bit of travel in the go pedal seemed to have little effect, but then the power came on. AWD is a good thing in this truck. I was only able to get to about 20 MPH when I encountered ther first curve. This big truck handles quite well, no problems with the curves. The only problem was the shortness of the test "track" (laid out in little orange cones). It seemed the ride was over almost before it started.
Next it was the GTO. There were two lines, one for manual tranny, one for automatic. The line for the manual was much longer, it took about 20 minutes to get through it. I has some converstaions with my fellow line "mates" about how the GTO was like a "Cavalier with a motor." They seemed to be mildly amused. Finally my turn came. It was a tight fit getting in, seems the person who tested ahead of me was a bit shorter. The seat side bolsters are larger than those of my Camaro, and I couldn't find the tilt control for the steering wheel. I did find the seat adjuster, though, and got the seat to a comfortable position. The shifter seemed kind of vague, almost rubbery, and the friction point took a few revs and experimental actions on the clutch pedal to find, but by the time I got to the starting line I was ready. This "track" started with a fairly long straight, so I was able to wind it out a bit in first and hit the turn as I was shifting into second. These cars have ASR, I felt the famaliar action as I "launched." The GTO is a very capable, fine handling car, taking curves effortlessly. I was able to catch up with the car that preceeded me on the track. As I was approaching the end of the run, an attendant pointed his finger at me and said "Slow down in the curves!" "You betcha!" I replied.
The Corvette was next. This display had 3 Z06 manual tranny 'vettes and 3 automatic convertables. The SSR was also being demonstrated on this track. Again, the waiting line was about 20 minutes and I ran into the guys from the GTO line. When I got into the car, there was a designated passenger aboard to keep folks in line. "Use just first and second gear," he said before we took off. This track had a short striaght, a curve, then a long straigtaway before the last turn. The idea was to hit the gas in second in order to feel the torque of the engine. But, instinct took over and I shifted into third at about 4000 RPM. Sigh. "Sorry about that, you said no third gear, that's just the way I drive." Unfortunately, there were no second laps, lots of folks waiting.
Last was the Hummer H2. The line here was an hour! There were about 10 testers and two sets of "hills" were set up, actually piles of sand about 8 to 10 feet high with approach and departure angles of 30 to 45 degrees. The H2 seems like a huge beast, but it's really just a 3/4 ton Suburban with a different body and some extras. I can see why folks like these things, the cabin is really quite spacious and comfortable. The H2 also had a designated passenger, the attendant called him the "instructor." We pulled up the the hill and stopped, put the tranny in neutral and pushed the button for 4WD, low range, and the button to lock the rear differential. A light touch on the gas and up the hill we went, seeing only sky. On the way down it seemed like we were going to crash into the tarmac, but no worries. The next hill was a tilt demo, it lifted up the left side to an angle of about 45 degrees. Then there were some small hills placed to raise one wheel at a time. The H2 went over those like they weren't even there. Then we stopped again, unlocked the rear diff, went back to 2WD and finished the course.
There was a kiosk promotong the GM card. They were giving out a very nice chrome detachable keychain with the GM Card logo (made in China!) for all those who would sign up for the card. I asked if those who already had the card could get the keychain, they said "Sure!"
As I was leaving, there were surveys in the exit tent, all who filled one out received a free T-shirt with a Corvette and a Hummer on the back.
All in all, an excellent experience. If the CarShowinMotion comes to your area, I highly recommend it.
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