Good Bye Cavi, Hello Cobalt!

[BigAls87Z28]

Cavi production has stopped after 22 years of service.

Cobalt production starts on the 17th at the Lordstown plant in Ohio.

[Tru2Chevy]

Cavi production has stopped after 22 years of service.

Cobalt production starts on the 17th at the Lordstown plant in Ohio.

Must bring a tear to Tim's eye :cry:

- Justin

[foff667]

got any pics of the cobalt al?

[superblonde]

Cavi production has stopped after 22 years of service.

Cobalt production starts on the 17th at the Lordstown plant in Ohio.

Must bring a tear to Tim's eye :cry:

- Justin

cry cry, tear tear, sadness :( you mean they stopped making family members for my wonder purple people eater? :lol:

[ar0ck]

hello :wave:

I really like the cobalt. I just wish they ran something last year like a Cavalier SS, with a Super-Charged/Turbo-Charged 2.2 EcoTech 6-speed with the Z34 Ground Effects and suspension mods, would have been hot.

[NJSPEEDER]

Cavi production has stopped after 22 years of service.

Cobalt production starts on the 17th at the Lordstown plant in Ohio.

Must bring a tear to Tim's eye :cry:

- Justin

not really, since the cobalt is mearly a renamed cavy. gm wants to change it's market position with the car a little and raise the base price a touch to make it more profitable.
they aren't adding any features to teh car and the styling will nto be a dramatic change, so they can still play the familiarity game even with teh new name plate.
has teh potential to be a big win for marketing if they pull it off.

later
tim

[BigAls87Z28]

they aren't adding any features to teh car
later
tim

ahh..yeah, where is that SS option where it supercharges my 2.0 ecotec engine, with 5spd manual trans with short throw shifter, 18 inch rims, leather seats w/color matching interior, 6cd/MP3/XM with subwoofer sound system option for the Cavi?

Didnt add any features eh? This is FAR from just a "warmed over" J body. This is a brand new car on a brand new chassis, and its serious this time! 8)

[Mister_Johnny99]

I never really considered the Cavi, but when my Camaro got wrecked last year I had to pick up something fast. I found a 98 Z24 vert, and I was very impressed. I drove it all year and I'm keeping it as my beater.

[NJSPEEDER]

This is FAR from just a "warmed over" J body. This is a brand new car on a brand new chassis, and its serious this time! 8)

a bunch of bliong parts as an option group is nice. the reason i call it a warmed over cavy is because teh new platform was decided a few years ago and they were, at the time plannign to continue the cavalier name plate.
after som emarket research they decided that the "cheap car" image of the cavalier name plate was not gonna win them any followers in the boy racer crowd who are teh ideal age group for teh car. that is when it was decided 2 years ago to move to a new name when the platform revision came through.
it is a great marketing move, if the "ss" group will sell or not is another issue. most of those options are not available seperately and i am sure it will be a serious premium for those features(i haven't seen teh final price sheet yet).
from that aspect you end up with a car that is slower than an SRT-4 at a higher price but with arguably better styling(no james, neons are not sexy!! :))

it will be interesting to watch, especially once the solstice drops onto the market in a similar price tier and with a lot mroe sex appeal. if it works it will be one of the biggest wins gm has had in 2 decades, if not bob lutz will be firing some people.

later
tim

[Fasterthanyou]

To me it's just another wrong wheel drive car.
When GM or Ford finally figure out that a rear wheel drive compact car will make history.... THEN I'd consider one. Oh wait, I'm 6'4" so I'll never consider such a car.

[BigAls87Z28]

To me it's just another wrong wheel drive car.
When GM or Ford finally figure out that a rear wheel drive compact car will make history.... THEN I'd consider one. Oh wait, I'm 6'4" so I'll never consider such a car.

RWD...compact....history...

...Solstice?

http://pic.enorth.com.cn/0/01/16/02/1160272_988527.jpg


Warmed over is still FAR from what this car is.

[NJSPEEDER]

solstice is a really sweety car. got to see it first at the detroit show back in january. definately lookin forwardto teh vrsion with the supercharged ecotech in it.
according to gm it will accelerate in a straight line as quickly as a Z4 and handle as well as a miata. all this at a price point several thousand less than the bimmer or the mazda. plus the styling is really sweet.

later
tim

[curt86iroc]

so, an SS badge on a 4 cyl car......


way to go GM :?

[NJSPEEDER]

so, an SS badge on a 4 cyl car......


way to go GM :?

it is fairly typical if you look back. the whole "Z" thing that gm does. we all know what a Z28 is, once that got well known gm started to apply it to the whole line up. lumina Z34, cavalier Z24, beretta Z26, the trucks even have a Z71 package.
car companies do stuff like this all the time. recycle the popular or image worthy to try to sell other models.
at least they are associating it with a performance package this time, not jsut the usual bunch of stickers and maybe a fancy seat cover.

later
tim

[Squirrel]

pre-charged monte carlo SS :hail: :roll:

[BigAls87Z28]

The Z28, as well as the other "Z" cars are based off an RPO code. Z71 is an offroad package, Z34 gave you the DOHC 3.4 V6, and the Z24 was the 2.4 Quad 4 "hi-po" cavi.

Does the SVT badge belong on a Focus? How about an F150?
Its not just slapping on badges...there is a bit more then just two little letters on the fenders this time around.

[foff667]

The Z28, as well as the other "Z" cars are based off an RPO code. Z71 is an offroad package, Z34 gave you the DOHC 3.4 V6, and the Z24 was the 2.4 Quad 4 "hi-po" cavi.

Does the SVT badge belong on a Focus? How about an F150?
Its not just slapping on badges...there is a bit more then just two little letters on the fenders this time around.

unfortunatly they rarely use it correctly...the 03+ cobras use it well, as well as the 99+ lightnings...the prototype turboed, intercooled svt focus wouldve been nice :) and your talking about their special vehicles division name vs. a Z in front of every turd car they can think of...next it will be the Zventure or the Zcentury putting a Z and an extra cam in a car to make 10 more hp over the base model isnt doing it for me. Putting a 300hp ls1 into a camaro Z28 over a base mode 6 that makes 180 to the wheels is what the **** im talkin bout :)

[BigAls87Z28]

The Z28, as well as the other "Z" cars are based off an RPO code. Z71 is an offroad package, Z34 gave you the DOHC 3.4 V6, and the Z24 was the 2.4 Quad 4 "hi-po" cavi.

Does the SVT badge belong on a Focus? How about an F150?
Its not just slapping on badges...there is a bit more then just two little letters on the fenders this time around.

unfortunatly they rarely use it correctly...the 03+ cobras use it well, as well as the 99+ lightnings...the prototype turboed, intercooled svt focus wouldve been nice :) and your talking about their special vehicles division name vs. a Z in front of every turd car they can think of...next it will be the Zventure or the Zcentury putting a Z and an extra cam in a car to make 10 more hp over the base model isnt doing it for me. Putting a 300hp ls1 into a camaro Z28 over a base mode 6 that makes 180 to the wheels is what the **** im talkin bout :)

Well, first off the Venture and Centry no longer exist...well, after this year.
2nd, the intergration of FWD cars kinda hurts the "performance" aspect of cars. This isnt the 60's.
I think outside of the SS Silvy, all cars that have the SS badge are well deserving of it.

[Tony Danza]

The Z28, as well as the other "Z" cars are based off an RPO code. Z71 is an offroad package, Z34 gave you the DOHC 3.4 V6, and the Z24 was the 2.4 Quad 4 "hi-po" cavi.

Does the SVT badge belong on a Focus? How about an F150?
Its not just slapping on badges...there is a bit more then just two little letters on the fenders this time around.

unfortunatly they rarely use it correctly...the 03+ cobras use it well, as well as the 99+ lightnings...the prototype turboed, intercooled svt focus wouldve been nice :) and your talking about their special vehicles division name vs. a Z in front of every turd car they can think of...next it will be the Zventure or the Zcentury putting a Z and an extra cam in a car to make 10 more hp over the base model isnt doing it for me. Putting a 300hp ls1 into a camaro Z28 over a base mode 6 that makes 180 to the wheels is what the **** im talkin bout :)

Well, first off the Venture and Centry no longer exist...well, after this year.
2nd, the intergration of FWD cars kinda hurts the "performance" aspect of cars. This isnt the 60's.
I think outside of the SS Silvy, all cars that have the SS badge are well deserving of it.
I've agreed with you so far in this thread but are you sure that the late Monte Carlo SSs desserve it?
I would think that the SS badge on one of those would mean even more due to the monte being the NASCAR dads' type of car......maybe a v8 or something, but just recently they got a supercharger right?

[Fasterthanyou]

The SS badge's have always been reserved for the best performance package on any chevy model. I think GM is shaping up to cut there losses. Like Tim said, put a Z and some numbers will get some increased sales. Now that the whole Z thing is gone people are looking for options. Models like LS, XE, XS, SE, SS, etc. are all just packages with badges. Look at the BMW M series, always the highest offered performance package for the specific chassis.
I don't think chevy could have used any other badges other than SS for the supercharged Impala's. I don't like the car because it's wrong wheel drive but if I worked for GM I'd have voted for "SS" over something like "SE".
Pontiac never uses the W RPO code in anything but then look at there sales. I'm actually suprised GM brought back the GTO before the Chevelle. Probably to just test the waters so to speak. Bring back the Chevelle, a Judge version of the GTO and maybe even an Olds 442 :) . Not that I'd buy a car because of it's name but 98% of the population doesn't think they way we do!
I'd like to see an f-body comeback that wasn't retro. ***** retro. Set a new style record, don't just follow suite. The corvette was America's style setting car, the T-bird in close 2nd. Those cars used piss of Europeans or at least make them wish they could own one. Now the c6 is designed to compete with ital designs and european standards.... it'll flop. Top Gear (auto show in europe) has already done some bashing on the new vette. Oh well. Maybe we'll stop trying to apeal to them and get back to doing what we do best.... making other countries jelous 8) .
That Solstice looks pretty good. I just hope it does as well or better than the Honda S2000. I'm not a big fan of the inline 4 in rear wheel drive. If they're going to do it, make it all wheel drive or mid/rear engine. If they do a turbocharged ecotec that'll be one hot seller. Maybe a v6, I can dream can't I?

[NJSPEEDER]

Now the c6 is designed to compete with ital designs and european standards.... it'll flop. Top Gear (auto show in europe) has already done some bashing on the new vette. Oh well. Maybe we'll stop trying to apeal to them and get back to doing what we do best.... making other countries jelous 8) .

gm has moved to teh "european" styling on teh vete because they actually plan to start offering it as a regular production car all over teh world. until late in the C5 run(2 or 3 years ago) gm only offfered the vette in 4 countries on teh whole planet.
the C6 will be offered all over europe and will most likely sell well against europes continental offering simply because of the bang for the buck value.
and don't worry about top gear, as soon as those baggers hear a car is from america they startt bashing on it or sellign it short. if you watch their attempt at ripping the vette you will see at teh track it landed well up the tiem charts at their test facility, teh comparisons to "better" cars they made were all to cars taht cost twice as much, and the only consistant rip they had on teh car was that it rides harsh(something that is mentioned in some of the domestic press as well)
as far as teh solstice, it will be supercharged because gm has known reliability with small blowers. gm hasn't offered a turbo car in a decade and a half, but they have had superchargers since the late 80's. i wish it was turbo too, but gm won't step out on that limb until until they get bean coiunter approval.

later
tim

[BigAls87Z28]

I've agreed with you so far in this thread but are you sure that the late Monte Carlo SSs desserve it?
I would think that the SS badge on one of those would mean even more due to the monte being the NASCAR dads' type of car......maybe a v8 or something, but just recently they got a supercharger right?

Outside of the SS S10 and the non-SC'ed Monte SS's, most Chevy's with the badge live up to the name. The SS Silvy is on that line. Its not ment to be a barn-burner, but more of a psudo-luxury performance truck. With that interior, they are far from it, but the seats are nice.
The Non-SC'ed SS Monte's will know be know as "LT" models. All SS's are now supercharged.
Next Impala SS will get a V8....but still be FWD.

The SS badge's have always been reserved for the best performance package on any chevy model. I think GM is shaping up to cut there losses. Like Tim said, put a Z and some numbers will get some increased sales. Now that the whole Z thing is gone people are looking for options. Models like LS, XE, XS, SE, SS, etc. are all just packages with badges. Look at the BMW M series, always the highest offered performance package for the specific chassis.
I don't think chevy could have used any other badges other than SS for the supercharged Impala's. I don't like the car because it's wrong wheel drive but if I worked for GM I'd have voted for "SS" over something like "SE".
Pontiac never uses the W RPO code in anything but then look at there sales. I'm actually suprised GM brought back the GTO before the Chevelle. Probably to just test the waters so to speak. Bring back the Chevelle, a Judge version of the GTO and maybe even an Olds 442 . Not that I'd buy a car because of it's name but 98% of the population doesn't think they way we do!
I'd like to see an f-body comeback that wasn't retro. ***** retro. Set a new style record, don't just follow suite. The corvette was America's style setting car, the T-bird in close 2nd. Those cars used piss of Europeans or at least make them wish they could own one. Now the c6 is designed to compete with ital designs and european standards.... it'll flop. Top Gear (auto show in europe) has already done some bashing on the new vette. Oh well. Maybe we'll stop trying to apeal to them and get back to doing what we do best.... making other countries jelous .
That Solstice looks pretty good. I just hope it does as well or better than the Honda S2000. I'm not a big fan of the inline 4 in rear wheel drive. If they're going to do it, make it all wheel drive or mid/rear engine. If they do a turbocharged ecotec that'll be one hot seller. Maybe a v6, I can dream can't I?

SS hasnt ALWAYS been about performance. SS was just a trim option that you could get for a few bucks. Only the Muscle Car Era really made the SS name stand out.
As for the SS being always the TOP performance model...again, not always. Camaro Z28's with its 302 were known to outpower 396 big block cars. The Z28 was the true "performance" car.
Pontiac's performance badge will be GXP from here on out.
Why should the performance division, Pontiac, get a RWD V8 performance coupe before the bread and butter division, Chevy? GTO was always about performance. You could get a Chevelle in a 6cyl. And an Olds 442? Maybe no one told you....but....I dont know how to break this to ya...but Olds is dead.

I read the Top Gear review in the mag....and if I didnt watch the TV review, you would never have guessed they didnt like it. They LOVED the car! They compared it to the M3 and the Vauxhaul Monaro VXR...aka Monaro. They railed on the Monaro's itnerior more then the Vette.
IMO, making the Vette smaller and giving it a tighter package makes it more attractive, and therefor makes it more pouplar. The C6 might use Italian design...but is there a better design out there? 8) The agressive front fenders, the creases, the lines, the stance....its PURE American.

Solstice should do fine, and be a gread car for the price. Its such a sexy looking car. I constantly have a internal fight between the C6 or Solstice for the sexiest car alive. Since I got to...ahem..."touch" a C6 the other day...Vette is winning.