z28luvr01

Most people forget that the association between SS and RWD began because RWD was the only powertrain configuration used by Chevrolet cars at the time, as well as the majority of other cars at the time. Had the 60s A, B, and F bodies been FWD, and the cars ended up achieving the same legendary status, then today's FWD SS vehicles would be looked at in a more positive light. Today's SS vehicles are among the best GM has ever made. Say what you want, the current Impala SS is probably quicker than any 60s Impy. The new Monte delivers near LT1-Fbody performance. It's a driver's race between a Charger RT and the Trailblazer SS. The Cobalt SS has made quite a name for itself on the racetrack. The two "weakest" SSs would have to be the Malibu (no different than a G6 GTP) and the Silverado (started out behind the pack, and losing steam). Even still, they each represent what SS has fundamentally meant to Chevrolet: upgraded performance and suspension over the base models, with a few cosmetic upgrades to boot.

I would hide from Flybrian if I were you...he's gonna tear you to shreds :D

Sides look like a melted version of the current Camry. Front looks like the corporate Mazda front, only uglier. The back is he same back they're putting on every new Toyota/Lexus thest days. Anyone want to take a guess at what the next Corolla will look like? <_< Honestly, I wonder how similar this will be in size to the new Avalon. If they're too similar in size, they may have just made the Av irrelevant. In summation, except for what this engine does for the midsized sedan segment, meh.

Speak for yourself. :P I'm not biased, I just hate the new Mustang with a burning passion.

:P Welcome Drew. I hope you enjoy your stay at C&G. Glad to hear you're looking at a Cobalt. I own a blue 2005 LS coupe and I have nothing but good things to report. If you need any specific info about Cobalts, I'd be more than happy to share.

Whatever Astra variants that don't make it to Saturn dealerships as the Ion replacement.

Ideally, I'd like to get a boat when I get older, so I'd get a truck to do that, and I'd also need something to handle the trips to Home Depot/Lowes/etc.

3509 for the manual, 3568 for the auto. Not terrible, but probably too much for a small displacement DOHC V6

I would LOVE one of those. Jus take 'em out of the box and you're done. We've always had artifical. If we got a real one, our stupid dogs would probably take turns "claiming it as their own".

Saw a Solstice on the road at sunset. It has a great silhouette. Also saw my first Torrent, which I wasn't able to tell it was a Torrent until I passed it and saw the grille.

You can shoot a couple of questions my way if you like. I might be pretty busy this weekend, but I'll try to get them to you ASAP.

Nah, we shouldn't, because then I'd have to be banned :o

I like that, alot. That should be the grille for the Lucerne. I can imagine how cool that'd look on a dark CXL or CXS. B)

holy crap Harley. That's a lot of Corvette info. That part about the side exhausts being equipment on the 67 is interesting, because I ususally see a lot of big block 65s and 66s with the side exhaust added on. Good to know for when I begin my second career as an inspector for Barrett-Jackson.

I have Simpsons Road Rage for Xbox. It's hilarious.

I love that episode: Bart: Homer! Homer: Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. Homer's what grownups call me. Call me daddy. Bart: Homer. Homer: Daddy. Bart: Homer. Homer: [increasingly irate] Daddy. Bart: Da...da...da... Homer: Yes? Bart: D'omer! Hah, hah, hah... Homer: Why you little...[chokes Bart]

You sound like my experience with an Xterra in San Diego. The first thing I did when I got home was drape my arms across the hood of my Cobalt and say "I missed you so much!" No, I didn't really do that, because the neighbors were outside when the shuttle van pulled into my driveway. But after five days of being thrown around like a marble in a paint can and having to slow to a crawl at every turn, you'd want to hug your car too.

BV, you weren't the son of the seller in that listing, were you?

Word on the street is that the next Malibu just might be that car. Even if it's not, I'm sticking with it as Chevy's best Camcord fighter, as the next Impala is rumored to go full-sized (either on Chi or on one of the Zeta variants). Bodystyles: Obviously the breadwinner is going to be a sedan. Although the Maxx is going away, I still think there's a need for a volume wagon in this segment, especially since the Taurus/Sable wagon are gone and Japan Inc doesn't have one. Screw the idea of trying to make it look like a sedan. It's a wagon, so give it the most stylish rear end possible. See the last B-body wagons for some inspiration. As much as I want a Malibu coupe/conv, I'll leave that to the G6. Trim levels: This car marks the end of trim levels. GM has gotten way too complicated with the way they package cars. I'm hoping this will simplify things: i.e. I want people to be able to walk into a dealership and say "I want a Malibu with this engine, this transmission, these options in this color." Only the SS will have any sort of designation on it. I also think it helps build up the Malibu name, as both the stripper and the fully loaded model will just say "Malibu" on the trunk. Size: The current Malibu is sized all right, but it could stand to use some more width, as it sometimes looks disproportionate from the front and rear. There should be plenty of room for at least five adults <insert debate about bench seat here> Exterior styling: They got the idea right with this Malibu, but failed in the execution. Of course this thing should look every bit a Chevy. The side swooshes should be much more pronounced. The fenders should bulge out a bit underneath the swooshes...not as dramatic as the SSR, but moreso than the current car. Think 73-77 Monte Carlo. Not sure how I want the front, but I'd like quad taillights out back, like on the Cobalt coupe. It's about time Chevy took its most recognizable styling cues and applied them throughout their lineup. Chrome should of course be applied tastefull - the grille, greenhouse moldings, and maybe the license plate surround should be chrome. A chrome door handle/molding package would be nice, with body colored being standard. Interior styling: Use cues from the best Chevy interior designs of the recent past: SSR, Cobalt, and HHR, but use a true dual-cove design, a la the 63-67 Corvettes. A aluminum/wood strip should run along the center of the dash, as in the current car. This strip should wrap around onto the door panels, though I'm undecided if I want it to continue to the rear doors on the sedan. I like the idea of using the HHR's circular vents with chrome around them. Other chrome bits, such as the door handles, door lock knob, shifter, e-brake, and radio buttons would be nice. The piece de resistance would be a center stack that flows gracefully into the console, unlike the current car's, which looks like it had the center stack and console each designed in isolation. C'mon GM, plastic costs the same whether it's styled nicely or ugly. Powertrains: For the base, go with the 2.4L Ecotec, since that's apparently the first engine that gets the hybrid system. Besides, this car's obviously going to be heavier than the current car and might need the extra power. Leave the 2.2L to the Cobalt for now. Now for the V6s, here is where things get interesting. With the HV engines, GM should get going and update them with 3v heads, VVT, DoD, and all the goodies they promised. A 30hp increase across all the HV engines should be minimum. If not, then dump them and concentrate on the HFV6s. In any case, I'd want 230-240 for the mid-level engine and about 270 for the engine used in the SS. Oh yeah, sticks should be available on the base and SS Malibus, but leave that little +/- button on the automatic cars. I actually had some fun with that when I rented a Malibu. AWD should be an option on the SS and wagon (and SS wagon ;)). Colors: The standard green/tan/maroon/black/white/grey will be offered. I also want bright red to make a comeback on a mainstream Chevy car. An arrival-blue color would be nice as well. Dipping into the Cobalt's pallet, I might steal Blue Granite and Sunburst Orange. Pricing: This car will probably cover the spread that the current Malibu and current Impala both cover right now (remember, the Impy is moving to a different segment). THe car will start probably around 17.5 for a base model, and go all the way to just over 30K for the AWD SS. Sales: Regardless of my feelings for them. the Mustang and LX cars prove that Americans will buy anything that makes a styling statement. If I accomplish what I set out to accomplish with this Malibu, this will be the most stylish sedan in the volume midsize segment, just oozing Americana. I don't think 300K is all that unreasonable.

Ugh. The CSVs have that cabin beat, hands down.

SST? Somebody fat-fingered this one.

Aside from the fugly front fascia, it's not bad. The previous Sedona was much nicer looking, though

That is a nice Caddy. Very pimptastic. and that last shot you posted looks awesome. Wahtever you did there, it looks like a shot that GM would've used on an ad.

Gwtting rid of fleet sales is a double-edged sword. It helps out resale value, but on the other hand it's a form of advertising to tourists. A rental is essentially a no-commitment test drive that you have to pay for. I know quite a few people who have rented Impalas on vacation and were so impressed by the car that they either bought one or were waiting for their finainces to work out so that they could buy one.

Family Guy is great. Possibly the closest thing to The Simpsons, circa 1993-1997. When American Dad first debuted, I didn't like it, and now I really like it as well.