Just as long as they didn't benchmark the MkV Jetta this time around, they should be okay.
Still, I've spent more than enough time around Cobalts, and they're a decent little car, for people who don't care about cars (the SS is pretty good) - it looks like GM's made steps in the right direction.
I like turbo fours, but 2 hp and what ten/twenty ft/lbs more torque make me wonder whether it really offers much advantage. Turbos are great fun, but you do have to contend with the lag.
Bust a six speed manual and big numbers for highway cruising are quite attractive.
To me, this is just a Cavalier designed in Korea, and will eventually find its way to the rental counters every where, just like the cars than came before it (Cavalier, Cobalt, Corsica, etc.)
That's a great looking small car. The interior looks positively Audi-ish compared to some of the other cars in its class. Very much a Malibu/Equinox look to the interior.
A friend of mine had a Cobalt SS and I liked that interior, too. If the QC on the Cruze matches the interior and exterior styling, and the price is a bit below the competition, I think GM has a winner on its hands.
Hopefully it makes them a little money in the process. The domestic automakers have never been good at building a decent small car that is profitable. Need to turn around that deal ASAP.
@Uncle Bo: I have to agree with you here, and that comes from a committed VAG junkie. The new interior looks pretty good, judging by the photo. If its touch/feel is up to the same standard, then this truly is a game changing improvement.
That said, I am getting kind of tired of this insistence on putting a sheetmetal stripe through the grille of every freaking vehicle that Chevrolet produces. It worsens the lines on this otherwise handsome small car. And they need to make the gold bowtie less intrusive too. There are a couple recent example of Chevy vehicles that are otherwise really nice, but ruin the total package with simple cosmetic faux pas.
Hopefully build quality of interior will be as good as its looks. Things have massively improved for Chevy over the past few years but there is still loads of room for improvement.
That's a handsome little car, that closely resembles a somewhat unSanforized Camry after a hot water wash.
I just got done driving my Dad's Passat with the 2.0 turbo engine. That converted me on driving medium-to-large cars with little turbo engines. Boy, that thing would grunt down low - it pulls like a train from 1200rpm, even in 6th! So I'm guessing the Cruze will be super easy, tractable on the road with the little engine and the turbo.
Okay, the wife just brought me a popsicle, so I can barely type. But look at the Cruze and think of this: that'd make a handsomee little wagon.
Basically, almost four black flags per car. Something more than three an hour. Given that I'm sure some teams didn't get any, there's a lot of bonehead driving, contact, and off-course excursions happening.
Still, it's nice to see another golden age of Alfa Romeo's developing in front of our eyes.
@Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: On the first day, I was the guy in charge of telling the penalty box who had been black-flagged. It was pretty brutal. Even if you don't count the dozens of black flags that were given for transponder problems or mechanical issues (one of the corner workers was pretty freaked out when he saw the Caddy's brake discs glowing red) there was a lot of boneheaded driving. Too much contact, too much passing under yellow, too much spinning and going off track. It was annoying.
Then, on the second day, I got to race. After ten laps, I became shrouded in the Red Mist, overcooked Turn 14 and slid the car into the dirt. After that, it was a little harder to get so indignant about other drivers making bad decisions.
I also think we'll see more SUVs in 2010. I used to work at the Linden assembly plant where they built the S-10 chassis SUVs. I test drove a few 2 door blazers and with the 4.3 they were damn quick; a few even came with 5 speeds. Lower the suspension and shed a few hundred pounds of superfluousness and you'd have an interesting contender.
I think the dearth of Detroit iron was due to the location of the race. Everyone knows the BBQ-eatin', moonshine-swillin', Southern Discomfort will be packing some good ole American muscle*. The California races, though, tend to bring out more imports from the tooty-fruity left-coasters.
@Murilee Martin: no worries, i figured it was just a typo. thought i'd let you know
on the other hand... i thought that it might be one more quirk to the LeMons series... much like cars... have the season be named for the next year rather than the year it's available in...??
Edited by günter macbeetle, codename: chrystlubitshi at 11/28/09 11:47 AM
günter macbeetle, codename: chrystlubitshi was starred
günter macbeetle, codename: chrystlubitshi was unstarred
Wow, the latest bulletin is that his wife scratched up his face, he fled the house, and she followed him with a golf club and smashed the Caddy-- the car, not the golfing assistant, but I think a 'Lade is what, a par 5?-- as he tried to drive away--he thought the car had crashed into something, got distracted, looked back and hit the hydrant and tree. And yes, it was allegedly because he was cheating, as some speculated here.
11:03 AM
10:43 AM
Still, I've spent more than enough time around Cobalts, and they're a decent little car, for people who don't care about cars (the SS is pretty good) - it looks like GM's made steps in the right direction.
10:41 AM
10:50 AM
O RLY?
I am enjoying delicious apples, and they are clearly better than your orange.
10:40 AM
I like turbo fours, but 2 hp and what ten/twenty ft/lbs more torque make me wonder whether it really offers much advantage. Turbos are great fun, but you do have to contend with the lag.
Bust a six speed manual and big numbers for highway cruising are quite attractive.
10:42 AM
10:37 AM
10:35 AM
A friend of mine had a Cobalt SS and I liked that interior, too. If the QC on the Cruze matches the interior and exterior styling, and the price is a bit below the competition, I think GM has a winner on its hands.
Hopefully it makes them a little money in the process. The domestic automakers have never been good at building a decent small car that is profitable. Need to turn around that deal ASAP.
11:13 AM
That said, I am getting kind of tired of this insistence on putting a sheetmetal stripe through the grille of every freaking vehicle that Chevrolet produces. It worsens the lines on this otherwise handsome small car. And they need to make the gold bowtie less intrusive too. There are a couple recent example of Chevy vehicles that are otherwise really nice, but ruin the total package with simple cosmetic faux pas.
10:23 AM
And a 6spd MT FTW!
10:20 AM
I just got done driving my Dad's Passat with the 2.0 turbo engine. That converted me on driving medium-to-large cars with little turbo engines. Boy, that thing would grunt down low - it pulls like a train from 1200rpm, even in 6th! So I'm guessing the Cruze will be super easy, tractable on the road with the little engine and the turbo.
Okay, the wife just brought me a popsicle, so I can barely type. But look at the Cruze and think of this: that'd make a handsomee little wagon.
11/28/09
But you have to love those two ancient MoPars--
For some reason it reminds of this:
Two MoPars, both alike in dignity,
In fair NoCal we lay our scene
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny--
Our two hours traffic on the stage.
Wait.
This might be a tale told by an idiot!
11/28/09
Still, it's nice to see another golden age of Alfa Romeo's developing in front of our eyes.
11/28/09
Then, on the second day, I got to race. After ten laps, I became shrouded in the Red Mist, overcooked Turn 14 and slid the car into the dirt. After that, it was a little harder to get so indignant about other drivers making bad decisions.
11/28/09
11/28/09
11/28/09
I think the dearth of Detroit iron was due to the location of the race. Everyone knows the BBQ-eatin', moonshine-swillin', Southern Discomfort will be packing some good ole American muscle*. The California races, though, tend to bring out more imports from the tooty-fruity left-coasters.
*Except for me, I'll be driving a Volvo.
11/28/09
I fear there will be a rather sub-par field of racers at the Blagojevich 500. You'd think salt was free the way they throw it everywhere.
11/28/09
11/28/09
11/28/09
on the other hand... i thought that it might be one more quirk to the LeMons series... much like cars... have the season be named for the next year rather than the year it's available in...??
11/28/09
11/28/09
Back to you in the studio, Stud Beefpile.
11/28/09
Maybe this is just the setup for Elin's new book about working on your backswing?
11/28/09
11/28/09