Chevy Cruze Pricing; "Likely will sticker for a few thousand more than the Cobalt"

[tholland]

Originally Posted by racy

Not really. BAS+ adds about a $5k premium. Given it will cost more than the Cobalt, it puts it close to the price point of a Prius.

I didn't think BAS+ would cost that much.

[Rocket 88]

Originally Posted by racy

Base Prius is about $21k. Plus Prius has street cred unequalled by anything in the GM lineup. I don't see how GM can start a new model name with ZERO credibility, and expect to compete.

Your concern is completely legit, but some really good cars do just take off.

I don't think the previous generation Malibu did a lot to help the current Malibu. Years ago the Neon came out swinging with really strong sales and zero track record. The Minis were good sellers in there first year. It can happen if the product is strong enough.

[Exploder]

I don't see how GM can start a new model name with ZERO credibility, and expect to compete.

Isn't that what the Japanese did 30 years ago?

[Chaz_23]

By the time the moronically-named Cruze show up, the dollar will be at the level of the peso anyway, so of course it will have to cost more than the Cobalt. Plus it's GM's strategy to make sure new models sell far less than the model they replace. So in time to a deepening recession you've got to introduce more expensive cars to bancrupt your company. Chevy going upscale- just brilliant! Does that mean Saturn dies?

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Saturn69

That isn't that bad, really. Unless you want the absolute basest car available, you're going to spend more than the $15,070 the Cobalt starts at. The 171-hp 2.4VVT Sport with StabiliTrak, 4 wheel discs and 17" wheels starts at $20,355.

Yeah, that's what I meant. As long as it really just a few thousand more, as in $16k or $17k, it'll be fine. Especially with that stunning exterior/interior. I'd pay extra for 45 MPG.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Yeah, that's what I meant. As long as it really just a few thousand more, as in $16k or $17k, it'll be fine. Especially with that stunning exterior/interior. I'd pay extra for 45 MPG.

I agree. I won't buy anything other than a compact car, so it'll be nice to finally be able to get one with some of the same stuff that traditionally is part and parcel with buying a mid-to-full sized car. I didn't mean to sound argumentative. If the Cruze is capable of hitting 45mpg, it may replace my Ion and I may have to rethink the fortwo.

[Quickening]

Isn't the Cruze and Astra going to be on the same platform? The Cruze should come in at the same price point as the Cobalt and allow the Astra to continue pick up the more "premium compact" market.

Then you throw in the possibility of a Saab 9-1, and I'm sure a Pontiac version also, and you have got yourself a typical GM mess.

[big swede]

I want efficient cars as much as the next guy but I keep telling people that I think everyone is going to be in for a big shock when they see what the price is for an average midsized sedan in 10 years when all of these CAFE requirements are met. I think the Cruze pricing is a tiny window to look at what's to come as far as pricing.

[rob2299usa]

If the price of gas continues its current trend, this segment will effectively become the "mid-size" segment, especially with cars like the avalon on the chopping block. It will be priced accordingly.

Please can anyone tell me how you get a new car today with a turbocharged engine for ~$17,000??

Most of you seem to have you blinders on... try and look at the big picture.

[Sgt Beavis]

As long as the car is well equipped I think it will work fine.

In the past GM has charged little money for crappy cars. I think building much better cars for more money is probably a better plan.

One thing that has always bothered me about car sales is that the better equipped cars had the bigger engines where as versions with smaller engines could not be had with some of the more premium options like Navigation, leather, power seats. The reasoning was that customers that wanted more fuel efficient engines were value focused and didn't want to spend money on more expensive options. It is nice to see and ending of that trend.

[TruckMan]

I'm all for it. If GM thinks they're going to have a winner on their hands, then bump up the price. If it's as good as everyone one on this site (that hasn't seen or driven the car in person) claims, it shouldn't have any problems selling.

[johnny smallblock]

A bunch of you people are completely nuts. And I mean that in least nicest way possible. How dare GM raise the prices on their new cars. Sure everyone else IN THE WORLD does it. But GM doing it means they're stoopid.

No sir, it is you who is stoopid.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

A bunch of you people are completely nuts. And I mean that in least nicest way possible. How dare GM raise the prices on their new cars. Sure everyone else IN THE WORLD does it. But GM doing it means they're stoopid.

No sir, it is you who is stoopid.

Exactly. It seems they want GM to sell a Lexus LS400 at a Kia Rio price. Ain't gonna happen. Toyota couldn't even do what quite a few of these people think GM should do, and Toyota has way more cash on hand. But, this is America and we do like to get everything for nothing, or at least very little. Only foreign products - whether domestically or internationally sourced - are actually worth what the manufacturer are selling them for. American products should be uber-expensively equipped and finished but must sell at a loss which GM can somehow magically afford to do. Reality needs to slap these folks upside the head, and quick.

[TruckMan]

And let's not forget that every car has to get 100mpg or else GM has no clue what the consumer wants. And there needs to be a government rebate for this type of car!

In summary, all GM cars should look as good as MB, handle like a BMW, accelerate like a Corvette, emit zero emissions, get better mileage than the Prius, cost less than $17k, and the government needs to subsidize it for me. If not, GM is stupid.

[jcgable]

Drama. Drama. Drama.