I'm just saying.

 

EXACTLY!

I didn't put much stock in V6s until I drove a Thunderbird SC. The Ford Fusion I drove changed my opinion of 4 cylinder midsized cars. The new Mustang V6 at 305 horsepower with the manual (the automatic is notably slower) has acceleration that is much closer to LS1 than LT1.

Performance feel is no longer only about the number of cylinders. If there was a way to get a hamster running on a wheel to generate the same "umph" in accelerating as a V6 or V8 then unless you pop the hood, you wouldn't notice the difference.

 

Only if you could get the hamster to put out V8 or V6 noises, both of which sound quite different from each other.

 

Well, we know there's the added plastic intercooler piping, intercooler , and turbo (just the big stuff). But full system DOHC V6 versus DOHC turbo I4 they are close in final price - but the warranty costs per vehicle are a lot higher as well and that is the deal breaker. I've heard estimates that as many as 1 in 25 LNFs see warranty work covering the turbocharger. While the engine has some great stats, GM killed the thing for a reason.

Hopefully GM can do the same. Only time will tell - but 300lb would be a dang good start.

Performance factoid:

The SC 3.8L W-body could hammer out 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. That's decently brisk for a comfy FWD sport sedan of the 90s. The Turbo Cobalt could rocket 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. That's pretty darn fast considering a 2002 Camaro SS also was listed as 0-60 in 5.5 seconds!!!

GM needs to get some sport into the lineup of the Malibu - because there are some people that are still buying the LTZ V6 and like a little oomph. Sticking the 250hp turbo from the Regal GS would fit the bill (though with FWD and not AWD) - but will GM do it? Time will tell.

 

Although the 0-60 Camaro SS times I see are around the 5.1 to 5.2 range (but who's counting ) the Cobalt turbo SS is quicker around a course than a Camaro SS..... but don't tell any Camaro SS owners (they still think their 2002 SS had more power that run of the mill Z28s and B4Cs).... we'll keep those factoids to ourselves.

 

As long as my 2002 Z28 is faster than that pesky Cobalt SS...

 

Yea. I don't think Cobalt SSs run 160.

 

I would also be willing to bet that the 0-60 times of each of these cars were limited by their tires....

 

Pretty darn close...Car and Driver got an as-tested 156:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

But Chevrolet's published number was 160.

 

Grrr

 

Why because you believe alternative energy and 4 cylinder vehicles arent priced competitively enough for people to choose it on their own without being priced gouged out of the market via taxes? You think its a good idea to force people to pay more for fuel especially in a tough economy? Some of whom are barely getting by as it is? That is unless they can afford the over pricing.

Lobby away! Knock yourself out!

I DARE you

BTW Im betting that 11 second Z28 and Silverado do not have 4 cylinder engines.

 

Actually our gasoline is subsidized. If we took all the tax breaks and subsidies away from oil companies, stopped fighting trillion dollar wars for oil, actually had enough tax on gas to pay for infrastructure like roads and bridges, we would probably be paying closer to $5 a gallon.

It also doesn't matter what the price of gasoline is, you will always have people living beyond their means.

 

I am not really sure what you are saying in your post. My point is that the market should decide the cars the big 3 build, not the government mandated mileage standards.

-Geoff

 

That is my point. If gas was $6 per gallon, this thread wouldn't even exist. At $6, the market would tell GM what to build, and it would be all 4 cylinders and more Aveo's! No CAFE needed!

-Geoff

 

This

if you're artificially hiking up gas prices then youre trying not to let the market decide anything. Youre manipulating it to TRY to get a desired result.

I cant tell if youre being sarcastic or serious. Again your Z28 and Silverado is no Aveo. By youre own standards your camaro would be a 4 cylinder Aveo if it had been successful years ago. Same with that Silverado in your Sig line.