regfootball

cute! not worth 4 grand IMO though!

we've got a 95 MB on our lot right now and the leatherette looks like it's only a couple years new. Leatherette can hold up quite nicely. I was kinda hoping the base base ATS would be closer to 30 than 35, but I certainly have no issues with them asking for the same price as others. At 34 though I think I'd rather see the turbo as a base mill. End of model year that base base car will have room for huge rebates when those are the only ones left on the lot. All wheel drive turbo really should get the stick too. Actually a base base with a stick would be fine for some but the turbo is not much more than the 2.5. I think it's interesting how stoic the design of the ATS is in proportions, where the XTS is very pushing the proportions into a new paradigm. The ATS has the whole long hood, upright greenhouse...the XTS is almost monoform with no hood, no trunk and is super egglike. One thing i did notice at the auto show is how deceptively curvy the ATS actually is. It's lines seem more rigid at times, but from a distance you can see the curvature in its forms you don't pick up on when it's close and your eyes are drawn to all the bling. I do hope they bring a diesel. Add stick to the 4 pot turbo. And i would do a coupe. No wagon here.

oh, and to add, I am SOOOO glad I never bought a CObalt SS. No way it was worth 7k more. Yes the engine and dynamics were fantastic....but at the end of the day, it was still a cobalt......

there was a fantastic astra XR coupe w leather and about 20k miles at a dealer recently i was oogling. prob right now is if i buy, i should buy from my own shop + i would prob lose money and 2 years. another 4 door astra with panaramo roof and stick is out there from an affiliated sourced but has more miles. by this point in time, with 2013's and 2014's on the horizon, i would only backtrack to an 08 of anything unless it was a screaming deal. remember, the astras had no armrest, cupholder, bluetooth, or USB ......... but boy did they drive nice. I could not believe how nice the black leather interior of the verano was i sat in the other day. blown away. might be GM's best interior. Or close to it. where is the verano coupe!!!!! Verano could seriously be the car that busts the door open for Buick, it's unassuming at first but i think with the right tweaks and marketing could really define a new Buick moving ahead. Another local shop has a used 011 Regal Turbo stick with 1k miles i would love to own. Too bad I could in no way buy the car, too much dough for me.

I've always wanted an Astra......at the time i bought the Astras were gone. I actually once had a deal on a new Astra and then passed up on it due to layoff rumors at work at the time. I still look for used ones. If I found the right deal, i would trade it in a heartbeat.

2 year review 21,500 miles anyone want this car? highs - cheap, sprightly motor in some cases, mpg at 55 mph darn nice lows - cheap, steering not the best, engine booms, clutch and shifter not much good, mpg at higher mph not what you'd like, panel gaps, interior not great summary - would like to get rid of this vehicle by now but i am actually lucky to have it so ............ for what it is and what i paid it does the job but the cobalt in no way is aspirational.

i have found that searching for a manual cruze, there are very few out there! they must go fast....

dart looks nice in silver.....didn't expect that...... why do cars with such large wheelbase lack rear leg room (also see cruze)

The new 2.5 should be pretty good for enticing new customers.... ecotecs in general are zippy, and the ATS is light. I envision 15% of ATS to be the base motor. Trans tuning will be the key. If it's tuned for aggressive tip in and lauch feel, it should impress those shopping in the low thirties, which is all it needs to do. Cadillac's key will be a cheap intro lease on the ATS. Keep it closer to 300.... if someone wants whiz bang, then the turbo and six are there. On the whole, a base 2.5 ATS will be a far more refined and enjoyable car than the turd 3.6 G8....if all you want is a rear drive GM car. The best value on the ATS will be a turbo RWD with few options. The price will be palatable and the performance will satisfy, not just be sufficient for the status seekers.

yeah, you touched on it. 'nice car', but something a bit amiss. to me it needs an engine and some powertrain refinement to go with the obviously capable chassis. i would have to go cruze here, the 6 sp manual is awesome in the cruze, the turbo four has a personality and zing and running quality to it that seems to impress me. the focus back seat has an edge for me but overall the interior of the cruze seems a bit more appealing. focus is a good car, but right now the contest is like 51-49 in favor of cruze to me. Why do people buy corollas and civics now?

i would hope the ATS and Regal prices are not too similar.

nice

I just took out a 12 Focus hatch manual with winter package, moonroof, and convenience pack.....also had aftermarket rims..... my first drive in a manual. Quick impression. I am still impressed with the handling. There was a little heaviness in the steering though, probably from the aftermarket. Front end felt heavy. You can tell though, the car feels solid and euro. I had to sit lower than normal, for me, just so i could feel like i had enough headroom. The roof is low on this car. Lots of dashboard intrusion. Shifter was alright, but really with only five gears does not work for me. Knob is nice, and throws are ok, if a bit long. Clutch was a bit heavy and lacking feel to me. Engine is a bit rough to me, and not overly powerful. In fact, it's kind of like driving my Cobalt....with more sound insulation it. Interior feels less claustrophobic with the moonroof. What seems busy at first become alright once you get used to the level of detail....it becomes attractive. Clever bins....the little one by the driver leg and the ones on each side of the rear bench...the location of where the rear seat belts come out. All nice. Driver's leg gets intruded upon though....not liking that. Seat heater switches are sort of a far reach back under the armrest. Mirror glass with sep. blind sport portion is sort of useful and interesting but is a bit busy and confusing at first. Trunk is a lot larger than I envisioned.....trimmings are ok. Not luxury. Hood latch detail on the hood is sort of cool. Base radio button and display is cheap, even if it is stylish. This car looks cool, but i think is bit too euro or egglike for a lot of the US population. the world car quality that makes it a nice car is also a little bit different than some US buyers are used to. My nits are it needs a 6 speed manual, and the clutch and powertrain refinement need some work. Cruze feels more lively and upbeat. But this is not bad. the interior finish is fine for the price, and has lots of interesting detail. When this car gets a decent powertrain, maybe like a 1.8 turbo, it would be a hoot. I should try one with the sport pack to see if it feels better......too bad i had to drive this one with aftermarket tires and wheels......doesn't match the suspension tune on the car.

agree

bizarre

scion iQ is the only worthy Scion car now. Agree the FRS should be a toyota.

awesome

sweet now i have a few more years to move those equators off the lot as carryovers yes the mpg is a turn off however they do get better than on sticker.

and how often.

did very many people use the midgate?

Hyundai is sort of repeating what Honda+Toyota did, and they have cheap overhead. Hyundai makes a good car now, but I still see them and not really feel anything for them. Give them credit for making signature styling and for doing what they do.

really dig those old wraparound style 70's dashes.......

always loved this car + Monza

camry and avalon are VERY distinctive = this works well for Toyota. Nissan's Altima being somewhat evolutionary will be a major plus for them. Nissan has established a very predictable design continuity with the Altima now since 03 or 04 and look at the sales go off the chart and it may not knock off Camry but I think the Accord has some trouble. Still not much digging the new Fusion, even if the MKz has grown on me. WAYYY too many sedans out there....

"I don’t care as long as we’ve already paid for it, it’s all done"