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Originally Posted by Unforgiven
Nice to see you getting good numbers on the XFE. Sad thing is GM should have been able to make the car do even better. (see good stats on Impala, a much larger, heavier, auto trans vehicle that I have had good luck with when I drive it).
I had seen a G-5 w/manual here in town, but not able to get it. Other car I am tempted about is the 6sp 4cyl Malibu which shows some good numbers. I miss having a stick to stir as I drive though...lol. Good luck with your XFE, and happy fuel savings.
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Yea, thanks man.
I think most of us can agree that historically General Motors has been likely the SLOWEST company to make changes in the entire world! We HOPE that the NEW GM will finally get it right, because if they don't the American taxpayer will have one giant debtor on the hook for more than there worth. Chrysler went through something almost the same in the 80's, as what GM has been though in 2009, and they managed to pay off every cent of their loans, with interest if I'm not mistaken. I remember people then saying it was a government bailout and they could never repay their loan etc... But they did, and they did it before their due-date! But today's economy is a lot worse for most everyone. It's amazing how political it can get when discussing the taxpayer loaning money out to a company many feel will never be able to repay. I like to think they can and they will, mainly because I have read every page of their 2009 UAW-GM Contract SUMMARY and if they keep on this road I feel that just maybe the company has seen the light and will pull through this alright. From what I read EVERYONE at GM is taking hits, some people taking very large hits, such as the UAW and the Bond Holders. Then because of politics the previous CEO's head was demanded before any government loan was approved, thus re-enforcing the longtime held belief that GM has been mis-managed for many decades.
No doubt the 2010 Malibu and Impala are two of the best cars they have made in a long time. I came close to getting either one myself, but I figured I was placing MPG in the top Three things I wanted in a car. After that was when I read stories of other drivers getting 44 miles and more per gallon in the Cobalt XFE's and it really help sell the car to me.
In mid 2010 The Lordstown Ohio plant is expected to convert over to building a car that appears a lot like the Cobalt, and it's name will be: The Cruise. The Cruise as told by Chevy, will get an EPA of 41MPG (or it might of been higher) and this would place the burning car in the same ballpark as the Ford Focus HYBRID. At next comes The plug-in charge car called Chevy's The Volt which is very controversial and Chevy makes a claim of 230 MPG. It is a reverse Hybrid in that it's primary engine is electric running off of a sole battery. As the batter gets depleted a very small gasoline burning engine charges the battery back up. Over night it is supposed to be able to take an 8-hour charge, and this is where the math gets real fuzzy. On The Volt's own site they claim the over night charge can cost 75 cents to over $2.50.$2.75 a full charge from 110 volts AC and next the car can drive for a full 40 miles before it ever needs the gasoline engine to kick in for a charge. Now take those numbers......
If it really cost the amount they claim for a full charge, it is very close to what a gallon of gas has been selling for in this part of the country for months. That comes to 40 miles a gallon- because if you pay as much for the charge as a gallon of gas and you go 40 miles before it starts getting a dead battery, then you have drove for the same, or close to the cost of a gallon of gas that took you 40 miles. Somehow Chevy claims it gets 230MPG. I dont know, maybe if you drive MORE than 40 miles a day the recharging from the gas motor reduces the cost, we will have to wait.
But, look for The Cruise by Chevy next mid year. It might be closer to the car your thinking GM can build. Only time will tell.