Drew Dowdell

There wasn't a volt post yet. I had an exteremly busy day today and William was doing sales numbers

What were the prices for you at the highest?

CNG is not a green fuel. Green(er) maybe, but it is still a fossil fuel.

Buncha dirty old men!!!

I suppose you'll all forgive me that it isn't actually a car.

The arguments and comments are the point of this site. We come here to argue about cars.

Huh?

interesting... a chinese car press conference we might have to attend for a change.

fun looking lil bugger

... what about wanted pokes?

no. The sedans crash test pretty well. The minivan doesn't, but very few minivans do crash test well. In my experience, the Chrysler V6 seems to be one of the most efficient V6es out there returning highway fuel economy numbers that would make some 4-cylinder cars jealous. The 2.4 liter 4cylinder could use some updating... it's not the most fuel efficient.

some of you haven't seen me in a while

Generally, option for option the Encore tracks about $3k higher than the Trax. If people bother to drive both, I'm betting most would select the Encore as long as the money isn't an issue. The trax can be for the people who would never drive a Buick just because it is a Buick.

Even with age against it, I would still pick a Cruze over an Elantra or Civic or Focus. It's not because I'm some fanboi, it is just a more solid feeling car. The quality of the Malibu or Cruze or Impala isn't an issue, they are all fine there. The Malibu is just out classed in size and efficiency compared to its competition.

That may be how Chevy is doing it.. but in the marketplace the Sonic is playing against both the Fiesta and Focus on price (and in the Sonic's favor, the Focus just got cheapened out big time). A Sonic LT 5-door automatic is $18,490, a Focus SE 5-door automatic is $19,045, the price difference in the sedans is similar. Sonic RS tops out at $24,000 and Focus Titanium at $24,560. That tells me that Chevy may be sizing the Sonic against the Fiesta, but they're pricing it against the Focus. The Cruze starts at $16,100 yes, but you can option it all the way up to $29k if you get the diesel with nav and a sunroof. That's clearly Fusion Hybrid territory (Fusion Hybrid SE is $26k) that the Focus doesn't play in. The Fusion starts at $22,5 (Malibu starting price too) and gets nearly to $33,700 if you go crazy.... and as already mentioned, the Impala starts at $27k which is what the Taurus does. The SS's competitor from Ford is the Taurus SHO. Can't base segments just off of size because often times people buy cars for how much room they can get for their dollar. With a set amount they're willing to pay, that means they can often cross multiple size segments. "I want to spend about $23k" puts Focus, Fusion, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Civic, Accord all on the same shopping list until other attributes are selected. At $28k the competition is even fiercer. Chevy is casting the widest net, but is suffering for it with a less than 100% middle entry.

The way people took to the more expensive Encore, I have a feeling the Trax will do well. Outside of the Buick, it also has the advantage of being first to market.