GM Slashes Prices of Remaining Pontiacs and Saturns by up to 46%

If you ever wanted to buy a Pontiac or a Saturn and you don't mind that both brands will soon pass into the books of history, now's the time as General Motors is offering dealers huge incentives to move a few thousand leftover vehicles from the two discontinued marques, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

According to the paper, the Detroit automaker sent a letter to dealers on December 23 stating that it would pay them around $7,000 for every new Pontiac or Saturn on their lot that is moved to their rental-vehicle or service-vehicle fleets.

With this move, the leftover vehicles will be classified as used (even though they're new, the dealers will technically be the vehicles' first owner) thus allowing dealers to sell them at a huge discount which is said to be as much as 46% off the sticker price.

The daily newspaper said that the offer will expire on January 4 which is the last day of the December car-sales month with GM booking the sales to dealers as fleet deliveries.

Saturn's leftover portfolio includes the Vue compact crossover, Sky Roadster, Aura Sedan, Astra compact hatch and Outlook crossover, while Pontiac's range comprises of the Solstice Roadster and Coupe, G6 Sedan, Coupe and Convertible, and the G8 sports sedan.

However, you'll have to check with your local dealer to see which models are available. And if you do, don't hesitate to leave us a comment here telling us what kind of an offer they made you.

Via: WSJ (Sub. Required)

Pontiac Gallery

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Saturn Gallery

The Return of the Bandit: '70s Pontiac Trans Am Conversion of the 2010 Camaro comes to SEMA

The team over at Trans Am Depot showed off a revised version of their Pontiac conversion of the 2010 Chevy Camaro at this week's SEMA Show. Compared to the original Phoenix T/A that was revealed earlier this year (see photos after the jump), the new model features some stylistic upgrades such as the reworked graphics, a new front fascia with quad headlights, revised lower air inlets and a ground effects package with chunky side skirts and a front apron, all of which bring closer in looks to the 1977-1978 Pontiac Trans Am.

The Phoenix T/A kit also includes other body parts such as the new hood with a shaker scoop, specific front fenders and rear fascia complete with taillights and a boot spoiler. The 20-inch gold or silver machined face snowflake wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 305/35ZR20 tires and the unique tail pipes plus the interior trim and badge appointments complete the cosmetic package.

Trans Am Depot will also offer a range of performance upgrades including a suspension and engine kit for Camaro SS' V8 powerhouse.

The company plans to sell the Phoenix T/A as a completed model (based on the Camaro SS) or as a conversion kit starting early next year.

PHOENIX T/A PHASE 2

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PHOENIX T/A PHASE 1

Lingenfelter Pontiac 455 T/A: First Live Photos of 2010 Camaro-Based SEMA Show Concept

These are the first real life shots of Lingenfelter's 455 T/A Concept that is set to make its world premiere in the metal at this week's 2009 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Lingenfelter joins an emerging group of tuners such as Trans Am Depot that are testing the waters for a modern-day Pontiac Trans Am conversion kit based on the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. That said, if there's enough interest generated from the concept car, Lingenfelter will go ahead and offer the completed vehicle (or the kit) for sale.

Lingenfelter's proposal that harkens back to the 1970s original Trans Am adds several new body parts to the Camaro such as a new fascia with custom headlights, grille and turn signals and a newly styled hood with a shaker scoop and blue keyed stripe.

At the back, the rear corners of the car have been extended nearly 4-inches with a wrapped down stand-up spoiler while there's also a new rear fascia with custom-made taillight housings. The front fender air outlets and the 20-inch Honeycomb design alloy wheels with Nitto Tires in size 275/40ZR20 at the front and 315/35ZR20 at the back, complete the exterior package. .

Inside, Lingenfelter said that it has upgraded the Camaro's cabin with bright blue woven vinyl seat inserts and metal turned instrument panel accents.

Power-wise, as its name suggests, the 455 T/A is fitted with an aluminum 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 engine with a 11.5:1 compression ratio, CNC ported and polished LS7 heads, and an LSX FAST 102 intake finish, for an overall output of 655 hp and 610 ft.-lbs. of torque.

Other upgrades include a 6-bolt LS9 twin disk flywheel and clutch assembly, a custom-made stainless steel exhaust from Corsa and heavy-duty Driveshaft Shop halfshafts.