Something We Need

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
11/14/2014 at 18:29 • Filed to: None

Caliber SRT4 and Cobalt SS replacements.

Two companies that could turn their horrible shitboxes into legitimate performance cars haven't made any based on their current offerings, and that's disappointing to me.

Both cars had the same idea of taking their companies lackluster econoboxes, throwing a powerful turbocharged engine under the hood, a manual transmission inside, and some upgraded suspension underneath. And guess what, both cars, especially the Cobalt could spank cars that cost thousands more.

Dodge supposedly has WRX fighting AWD Dart SRT in the works, but Chevy has had crickets as far as a performance model of any of their small cars. Which is surprising from a company that SS'd all the things before their bankruptcy. It's not like they don't have the engine and transmission for it, it's already sitting under the hood of the Regal GS. And they have the car. I guess they're just more focused on their high-end performance cars.

DISCUSSION (28)

camaroboy68ss > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:36

also need a modern SS 454 silverado. A performance std cab swb.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > camaroboy68ss
11/14/2014 at 18:37

Plz drop LT4 in Silverado, thanks.

camaroboy68ss > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:41

Yes! Lt4, standard cab, short box, 5 lug hubs and painted like this:

Kinja'd!!!

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:42

I lust after the Cobalt SS, but an S2000 is necessary first.

Also, Chevy — Cruze SS T/C, DO IT.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > camaroboy68ss
11/14/2014 at 18:42

While we're at it, throw the 3.6TT into the canyon and make a modern Syclone.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
11/14/2014 at 18:44

I'm going to be disappointed of the next generation of Cruze doesn't have A) a hatchback version in NA and B) a 2.0T SS version.

camaroboy68ss > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:45

yes, why are we not working for GM by now?

Birddog > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:46

The Caliber needed a replacement the day it was introduced. We don't need another.

I'm with you on the Cobalt. The Supercharged and Turbo cars were pretty damn good.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > camaroboy68ss
11/14/2014 at 18:46

Because we'd probably run them down to bankruptcy again. But there'd be SS version of everything in their portfolio.

Firewrx234 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:46

You know that the Regal GS engine is available in the Malibu right? It's a lot of fun btw ;)

But a Cruze SS would be the way to go but I'm assuming they'd want to wait until the refresh happens if they ever did one.

camaroboy68ss > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:47

and lt4s in everything

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Firewrx234
11/14/2014 at 18:48

The only reason I said Regal over the Malibu is because it can be had with a manual in the Regal.

With only one more year on the current Cruze, I'd certainly hope so.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > camaroboy68ss
11/14/2014 at 18:48

Mid-engined AWD LT4 Sonic? I think yes.

camaroboy68ss > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:54

lt4 AWD Colorado?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > camaroboy68ss
11/14/2014 at 18:56

Four wheel burnout? Yes please.

Nibbles > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 18:57

I remember reading somewhere that the dilution of the SS badge is exactly why we don't have SS almost anything any more. Maybe they could bring back other badges? Like maybe a Cruze Z24 and Malibu Z34?

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 19:21

Chevy toyed with the idea with the Sonic RS but it's... lackluster at best. Same power level as the lower trims, has a worse-MPG transmission due to the gear ratios, and has a dual exhaust. It has 4-corner disk brakes, that Chevy themselves said was just for looks.

Firewrx234 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 19:22

I didn't know the regal got a MT. You learn something everyday lol

SlickMcRick > Birddog
11/14/2014 at 19:41

Ohh the Caliber. If only they had made the SRT in AWD then they would have sold more. The torque steer this thing produces is a monster. It'll tear your shoulders out of sockets if you're not braced for it.

carcrasher88 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 19:49

A Cruze SS almost exists, it's just badged as a Buick.

SonorousSpeedJoe > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 20:53

The Verano Turbo is the closest thing we have to a Cruze SS, but GM doesn't seem to want to give Buick any performance cred as much as they do for Cadillac. That's a shame, as I was hoping for more out of Buick's efforts to attract a younger crowd.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Nibbles
11/14/2014 at 21:12

Maybe Z-Spec? Or Cruze Z20T and Malibu Z36 if they wanted to use displacement numbers.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
11/14/2014 at 21:13

RS has always been designation for an appearance package, so that makes sense.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > carcrasher88
11/14/2014 at 21:14

And costs about 30k IIRC.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 21:18

But then why screw with the gear ratios? I think it also has some better suspension bits as well but not sure.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
11/14/2014 at 21:20

I think they did actually. Seems like the only thing they had left to do was drop a more powerful engine in there.

carcrasher88 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 21:36

And that's because it's also an entry level luxury car (that kicks the butts of both the Acura ILX and Mercedes-Benz CLA), whereas the Cruze is an economy car.

Still, performance content-wise, it's the closest thing to a Cruze SS that GM offers, period.

Nibbles > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/14/2014 at 22:08

nah bring back the old monikers. Everyone loves nostalgia. The Z codes meant little more than "stiff suspension" and leave plenty of room for expression

shit GM give me a call I have ideas to sell