News Update
Driving a yellow Corvette can be a ton of fun
By Jerry Reynolds, The Car Guy Column
I had the 2009 Chevy Corvette for a week, and as always, really enjoyed driving it. I said on-air last Saturday on the Houston show that it should be a law that every male in America has one Corvette before he dies. There's just something super special about this American icon.
By Jerry Reynolds, The Car Guy Column
My yellow test car came with the standard 6.2 liter V8, producing 430 horses. It came with a 6 speed manual transmission that was REALLY easy to shift. In spite of not being able to resist running through the gears performance style, this car averaged 17 miles per gallon and I feel like driven right, it would do 20 or better.
The car handles superbly with quick steering, a very tight suspension that corners great with very little lean, and great braking.
The interior has improved on Corvette since the last one I had and the seats are much more comfortable than I recall. Dash was well laid out and easy to read, and my test car had the heads-up display. A projector throws an image on the bottom of the windshield so the driver can see his speed and tachometer. It is a terrific option I highly recommend.
This car is a ton of fun to drive and people can't resist looking at it. The other surprise was how well it handled in the serious rains we had this past week. It did great. The chrome wheels just set off the bright yellow exterior as you can see from the actual picture of the test car.
The only knock on this car was the clear plastic removable roof. While nice to look through and look at, it has an annoying creak at times that is very loud. I would not recommend this option to anyone, save the $1000.
At $56,000 on the sticker, this car is worth every penny.
AUTO NEWS
A group studying Saturn's possible spin-off from General Motors has been approached by GM competitors, including foreign manufacturers, about selling their cars under the Saturn brand, an adviser says. Steve Girsky, long-time industry consultant who is leading GM's task force, declined to name which automakers have talked to the group.
Sonic Automotive Inc., which suspended its dividend last month to save cash, said its auditors may raise doubts about the dealership group's ability to continue as a going concern. Locally, Sonic owns the Frank Parra Dealerships, North Central Ford, University Park Audi, as well as a host of other dealerships throughout the United States.
Mercedes-Benz Hybrid L.L.C. on Tuesday was awarded a large state tax break to make the Ann Arbor, Mich., area the site of its permanent hybrid electric vehicle and advanced propulsion research and development center. The tax credit was one of many approved by the board of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, for eleven Michigan projects expected to create 1,254 direct jobs.
The Chevrolet Camaro, which started production Tuesday morning in Canada, carries a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 29 mpg on the highway -- two miles per gallon higher than General Motors estimated. Figures released by the EPA certify the base model V-6 Camaro at 18 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway, putting the Camaro ahead of its rivals. The high-performance Camaro SS with a 425-hp V-8 delivers 16 mpg city and 25 highway.
In another sign Mitsubishi's days are numbered in the U.S. the following email was sent to dealers: They can now share showroom space with other franchise brands and consolidation of service facilities for Mitsubishi products into other dealer locations in the interest of cost reduction." In the past this was not allowed. In other words, Mitsubishi dealerships can be folded into the building with other brands.
Congress shot down a 'Cash for Clunkers' bill earlier this year - a program that would have given new car buyers cash rebates in exchange for trading in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles on newer, more efficient models - but a revised version of the bill appears to be gaining momentum on Capitol Hill.
General Motors has announced a big recall of 2009 vehicles---ranging from coupes to sedans to crossovers---for a faulty transmission cable that prevents park from being properly engaged. The flaw allows vehicles to roll forward even in the shift lever appears to be in park. The recall covers 2009 Chevy Cobalts, HHRs, Malibus, Traverses and GMC Acadias, Pontiac G5s, G6s and Saturn Auras and Outlooks.
GAS PRICES
DFW average today: $1.81 (up 3 cents from last week)
DFW average one week ago today: $1.78
DFW average one month ago today: $1.80
National average today: $1.92
National average one week ago today: $1.92
DFW average gas price one year ago today: $2.76
Cheapest unleaded in DFW today: $1.67
Cheapest diesel in DFW today: $1.87
Cheapest premium in DFW today: $1.92
Cheapest mid-grade in DFW today: $1.79
Crude oil per barrel: $48.15
Crude oil per barrel one week ago: $45.46
READER'S QUESTION
Q. I see that Chevrolet has a new 5.3 L V-8 engine that is available with an active fuel management system. What is this and how is it different than any other V 8?
A. The GM system works great. The vehicle starts out running on 8 cylinders for full acceleration, then drops to six cylinders, and at cruising speed it drops to 4. This not only gives you some super fuel economy, it cuts down on the wear and tear of the engine with it running at lower rpms.
That is why I am such a fan of GM's Two-Mode Hybrid system. It works the same as the V8 system, but under 35 miles per hour you run on all electric, then to 8 cylinders, 6, and finally 4. All this with 6500 pounds of towing capacity.
For me, the best part of the system is how seamlessly it operates. Other than a gauge that shows you what you are running on, you'd never have a clue.
The Car Guy radio show is on WBAP 820-AM on Saturday morning. As always, if you have any questions for me, it is jerry@carguyshow.com
By Jerry Reynolds, The Car Guy Column
My yellow test car came with the standard 6.2 liter V8, producing 430 horses. It came with a 6 speed manual transmission that was REALLY easy to shift. In spite of not being able to resist running through the gears performance style, this car averaged 17 miles per gallon and I feel like driven right, it would do 20 or better.
The car handles superbly with quick steering, a very tight suspension that corners great with very little lean, and great braking.
The interior has improved on Corvette since the last one I had and the seats are much more comfortable than I recall. Dash was well laid out and easy to read, and my test car had the heads-up display. A projector throws an image on the bottom of the windshield so the driver can see his speed and tachometer. It is a terrific option I highly recommend.
This car is a ton of fun to drive and people can't resist looking at it. The other surprise was how well it handled in the serious rains we had this past week. It did great. The chrome wheels just set off the bright yellow exterior as you can see from the actual picture of the test car.
The only knock on this car was the clear plastic removable roof. While nice to look through and look at, it has an annoying creak at times that is very loud. I would not recommend this option to anyone, save the $1000.
At $56,000 on the sticker, this car is worth every penny.
AUTO NEWS
A group studying Saturn's possible spin-off from General Motors has been approached by GM competitors, including foreign manufacturers, about selling their cars under the Saturn brand, an adviser says. Steve Girsky, long-time industry consultant who is leading GM's task force, declined to name which automakers have talked to the group.
Sonic Automotive Inc., which suspended its dividend last month to save cash, said its auditors may raise doubts about the dealership group's ability to continue as a going concern. Locally, Sonic owns the Frank Parra Dealerships, North Central Ford, University Park Audi, as well as a host of other dealerships throughout the United States.
Mercedes-Benz Hybrid L.L.C. on Tuesday was awarded a large state tax break to make the Ann Arbor, Mich., area the site of its permanent hybrid electric vehicle and advanced propulsion research and development center. The tax credit was one of many approved by the board of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, for eleven Michigan projects expected to create 1,254 direct jobs.
The Chevrolet Camaro, which started production Tuesday morning in Canada, carries a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 29 mpg on the highway -- two miles per gallon higher than General Motors estimated. Figures released by the EPA certify the base model V-6 Camaro at 18 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway, putting the Camaro ahead of its rivals. The high-performance Camaro SS with a 425-hp V-8 delivers 16 mpg city and 25 highway.
In another sign Mitsubishi's days are numbered in the U.S. the following email was sent to dealers: They can now share showroom space with other franchise brands and consolidation of service facilities for Mitsubishi products into other dealer locations in the interest of cost reduction." In the past this was not allowed. In other words, Mitsubishi dealerships can be folded into the building with other brands.
Congress shot down a 'Cash for Clunkers' bill earlier this year - a program that would have given new car buyers cash rebates in exchange for trading in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles on newer, more efficient models - but a revised version of the bill appears to be gaining momentum on Capitol Hill.
General Motors has announced a big recall of 2009 vehicles---ranging from coupes to sedans to crossovers---for a faulty transmission cable that prevents park from being properly engaged. The flaw allows vehicles to roll forward even in the shift lever appears to be in park. The recall covers 2009 Chevy Cobalts, HHRs, Malibus, Traverses and GMC Acadias, Pontiac G5s, G6s and Saturn Auras and Outlooks.
GAS PRICES
DFW average today: $1.81 (up 3 cents from last week)
DFW average one week ago today: $1.78
DFW average one month ago today: $1.80
National average today: $1.92
National average one week ago today: $1.92
DFW average gas price one year ago today: $2.76
Cheapest unleaded in DFW today: $1.67
Cheapest diesel in DFW today: $1.87
Cheapest premium in DFW today: $1.92
Cheapest mid-grade in DFW today: $1.79
Crude oil per barrel: $48.15
Crude oil per barrel one week ago: $45.46
READER'S QUESTION
Q. I see that Chevrolet has a new 5.3 L V-8 engine that is available with an active fuel management system. What is this and how is it different than any other V 8?
A. The GM system works great. The vehicle starts out running on 8 cylinders for full acceleration, then drops to six cylinders, and at cruising speed it drops to 4. This not only gives you some super fuel economy, it cuts down on the wear and tear of the engine with it running at lower rpms.
That is why I am such a fan of GM's Two-Mode Hybrid system. It works the same as the V8 system, but under 35 miles per hour you run on all electric, then to 8 cylinders, 6, and finally 4. All this with 6500 pounds of towing capacity.
For me, the best part of the system is how seamlessly it operates. Other than a gauge that shows you what you are running on, you'd never have a clue.
The Car Guy radio show is on WBAP 820-AM on Saturday morning. As always, if you have any questions for me, it is jerry@carguyshow.com
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