Drew Dowdell

Chevrolet Cruze has been delayed General Motors Co. has decided to push back by about three months the launch of a critical new small car for its Chevrolet brand, a spokesman said. The auto maker had been aiming to launch the Chevrolet Cruze next April, but the company is pushing the launch back until at least July. GM spokesman Klaus-Peter Martin said the move is "to ensure a flawless launch" and make sure the Cruze debuts with an array of available options, including a variety of fuel-efficient engines. Discussion: Chevrolet Cruze Delayed

Chevrolet Cruze has been delayed General Motors Co. has decided to push back by about three months the launch of a critical new small car for its Chevrolet brand, a spokesman said. The auto maker had been aiming to launch the Chevrolet Cruze next April, but the company is pushing the launch back until at least July. GM spokesman Klaus-Peter Martin said the move is "to ensure a flawless launch" and make sure the Cruze debuts with an array of available options, including a variety of fuel-efficient engines.

Well... what I was getting at is Detroit to Philly in one day is a rather long haul.... probably a good 11 hours if you drive straight through.

Wait... you're doing Detroit to Philly in one day WITH a stop in Cleveland? Are you passing through Pittsburgh? November 7th is my B-day.

Chevrolet Enjoying Higher Transaction Prices While the market share declines of the mainstream domestic brands during the past decade have been well documented, the price declines of these brands relative to their Asian competitors have received less attention. While Chevrolet’s average price was only about $240 above that of Honda, it was more than $1,700 above that of Toyota, due to Chevrolet’s higher prices in three of the four segments. Discussion: Chevy Models Selling at Higher Transaction Price than Toyota on Average

Cause I'm cheap, but I aim for the highest quality I can get for my money. Right now, that seems to be michelins. $800 for a set for a Bonneville would give me heart failure.

on gravel with the parking brake on I'm guessin.....

People who just love the V6 in their BMWs

wait... you were spinning tires in a Prizm??

Don't get me wrong. I like the Bonneville also... I just would have heart failure putting tires on it.

Absolutely true, but the B-bodies tend to be extra reliable once you get the kinks worked out.

Olds was still selling over 250k a year until the announcement. They were the only division to have DOHC engines available across the line (except for Silhouette), It was the only division to have the cruise not mounted on the turn signal (again except for the minivan), they regularly got compliments for their interior and exterior styling, they were one of the first to have NAV and Oldsmobile cars were generally considered to be the best version of whatever platform they sat on. but there I go ranting about something that can't be changed.....

Wait till HoLottaBuicks gets in here

None of those things would cause me to junk the car. The starter is a trip to the local garage. The trunk gasket is a call to J.C. Whitney (or a click from the C&G front page) + an hour of time with a flathead screwdriver. The power antenna is a super easy fix you could do yourself. You can buy the NOS antenna on ebay. Don't get the "universal fit" ones from Pepboys. The temp light could be a thermostat. The interior smell is just a good strong interior detail which includes shampooing the rugs. The rear window problem is well documented and the Impala guys have a detailed fix for it. Just make them small day projects and enjoy doing them. If I'm right about my diagnoses, you're out no more than $600 if you do everything but the starter and thermostat yourself. How many car payments is that for you?

I don't usually recommend Walmart for anything, but since you'd be helping local labor.... Walmart will install tires purchased from Tirerack. If you do end up buying the tires through tirerack, could you buy them through the link on the front page so C&G gets creedit for it?

Fisker unveils Boxwood plans Via Delaware Online Fisker Automotive could create as many as 2,500 jobs in the next five years as it renovates and reopens the Boxwood Road plant near Newport to build plug-in hybrid electric cars. The startup automaker announced its plans this morning at an event at the former General Motors factory, with officials including Vice President Joe Biden and Gov. Jack Markell in attendance. Irvine, Calif.-based Fisker plans to use some of the proceeds from a $528 million U.S. government loan at the Boxwood plant, idle since July when General Motors ended production there. Fisker signed a letter of intent with Motors Liquidation Co. to purchase the plant for $18 million. Motor Liquidation is the legal entity disposing of unwanted GM assets in bankruptcy court. The company expects to spend at least $175 million revamping the Boxwood plant to build a family-oriented sedan under development. Production would not begin again at the 62-year-old factory until 2012. Fisker’s first car, the Karma, a luxury sedan with a starting price of $87,900, is being built in Finland by contract automaker Valmet Automotive. The company’s next car -- known as “Project Nina” -- will be a family sedan that’s expected to sell for about $40,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. Fisker predicts Project Nina will ultimately create or support 2,000 factory jobs and more than 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs by 2014, as production ramps up to full capacity of 75,000-100,000 vehicles per year. The company expects to eventually make both models at the Boxwood plant. Boxwood was selected for its size, production capacity, world-class paint facilities, access to shipping ports, rail lines and available skilled workforce, officials said. “This is a major step toward establishing America as a leader of advanced vehicle technology,” said Fisker CEO, Henrik Fisker, in a statement. “Wilmington is perfect for high quality, low volume production and will soon be the proud builder of world-class, fuel-efficient Fisker plug-in hybrids.” Fisker plans to spend $175 million to refurbish and retool the factory over the next three years. The company will be able to tap into a regional work force of experienced auto workers who were displaced after the closure of the Boxwood plant and Chrysler’s Newark assembly plant last December. Fisker is in talks with United Auto Workers union officials and expects to employ UAW members at the Boxwood factory. To lure Fisker, Delaware officials offered the company a 5-year, $12.5 million loan at zero interest to make improvements to the plant’s structure, including a new facade and new plumbing, ventilation and lighting systems. If the plant employs 2,500 workers and Fisker has spent at least $175 million renovating the facility after five years, the loan would convert to a grant. The state has also offered Fisker a $9 million grant to offset utility costs at the plant. New Castle County has offered to abate property taxes at the plant for five years, an incentive worth an expected total of $1.3 million.

Wow! Does the Bonneville require tires made of gold or something!? They are $100 more expensive than what I paid for the CRV on the same model tire!

We just got a set of Michelins from Costco that we're very happy with. The CRV rides like a whole new car now.

Sure! Get a nice enough quality shot and I don't see why not.

Welcome to Cheers and Gears! We're glad you're here. This is the thread for you to introduce yourselves. Oldtimers logging back in after a long hiatus are welcome to post here too.

J.D. Power: New-Vehicle Sales Decline Becomes Less Steep via AutoRemarketing WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — October's new-vehicle retail sales will likely show the first single-digit year-over-year decrease in 17 months, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which has projected the industry to retail 651,600 new units for the month. This would be just a 6-percent dip from October 2008 and a 15.2-percent gain from September. The only time that retail sales haven't fallen double digits year-over-year since May 2008 was in August, when sales climbed 13 percent due to CARS, J.D. Power indicated. Meanwhile, new-vehicle fleet sales are projected to fall 4 percent from a year ago, resulting in total new-car sales volume of 816,600, which represents a 6-percent yearly decrease and a 9.7-percent gain from September. The resulting seasonally adjusted annual rate would be 10.3 million units, compared with 9.3 million in September and 10.5 million a year ago. "While year-over-year comparisons benefit from a low selling base in October 2008, improvements in consumer confidence and credit are propelling the return to positive sales gains relative to last year," explained Gary Dilts, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power. "October's selling rate is expected to come in at 10.3 million units — nearly flat compared with 10.5 million units one year ago — which is an encouraging sign for the industry and in line with our expectations for the rest of the year," he continued. Officials noted that most of the segment mix on the retail side has remained consistent, but pickup trucks' market share has grown to 14, compared with less than 12 percent in September. They attributed this climb to strong marketing programs, steady gas prices and incentives. Continuing on, J.D. Power said it is keeping its 2009 forecast for total sales at 10.3 million vehicles and its retail projections at 8.6 million units. For 2010, analysts expect 9.5 million retail vehicles to be sold and 11.5 million vehicles as the total. "As economic conditions improve, there's a renewed sense of optimism and momentum building in the industry," shared Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at J.D. Power. "While 2009 has been a difficult year, this crisis will lead to innovation and efficiency gains, ultimately creating a healthier industry," he added. "Total sales in 2010 are expected to improve 12 percent from 2009, but given the right conditions, next year could be even stronger than currently predicted."

I'm gonna make you guys guess BTW! Where's LaSalle, Oakland, Marquette, Viking and the others?!?

makes more sense.... especially to all the new people joining

Just in case you hadn't seen it in the Site News thread, we've begun accepting submissions for the 2010 Cheers and Gears Member's rides calendar. Not only do you have a chance to have your ride featured in Cheers and Gear's stylish and tasteful calendar, but the calendar will also list historically important dates AND the dates of the major automotive shows around the world. You have till November 15th to submit a pic of your ride. Full details here: Cheers and Gears 2010 Calendar

Cars only come in metallic black, the rest are just mistakes at the factory.