You know, there are a lot of assumptions, based on what GM has said, that a base Code 130R would start at ~ $20K. What if they had a more realistic starting price of $25K, is it worth building?
That would step right into Camaro pricing as of current prices. I'd rather fork over some more bucks for the bigger car unless 130r had alot of standard goodies and power for the price.
Of course, it does beg the question: where does the new Camaro start? 28K? And is that too much? 'Cause we all know that Ford is going to be selling a brand spankin' new Mustang with a turbo 4 (and a modern rear suspension, finally) for probably under $25K.
$25K is too high. My issue is more with the price of cars in general these days, everything seems so outrageously priced, I don't understand how people can truly afford to buy new without being up to their eyeballs in debt. Much above $20K loses my interest real fast.
I voted "I don't know". It would all depend largely on the standard performance and equipment features. If $25K only gets only bare bones cloth seats, steel wheels and plastic hubcaps and skinny tires & no performance motor then $25K is way to much. If it comes standard with great performance 2.0L Turbo on base model , my link, 6 speed manual alloy wheels and sticky rubber then 25K is fine. Extra bling, leather, sunroof, stabiltracK, brings it close to $30K.
I'm going to say that the only way $25,000 makes sense is with the 2.0T as the Focus ST base price is $24,495 with 250 hp and a VW GTi is in the same price bracket. Those are closer competitors in many ways the the Suburu BRX/Scion as (I presume) the Code's upright styling will give it a small-but-usable rear seat. If a $25,000 Code comes with the 1.4T, I can't see a market. Perhaps the 1.6T at 200 hp. But, I'm guessing with the ATS already certified with the 2.0T, it would be simpler and cheaper to go with that mill.
If GM can't do this car for under $25K, they shouldn't do it at all. Unless it will be a two-seat roadster like the Solstice, that is lighter and significantly more nimble than the Camaro.
25K for the base model seems a bit high if the Camaro is going start there too.
22K sounds about right for the base model - Either NA 2.5 or 1.6T.
For 25K, I would expect the 2.0T.
Now, the issue is that I would expect the Code to compete with the BRZs and FRSs of the world, so GM needs to think about how they are going to position the Code price wise since those cars already start at the same price the Camaro does.
YES! The base model (Nomad LS) should be cheaper by a couple of grand. The Nomad RS powered by a HF3.6L V6 (or better yet, the SS powered by a 5.3L V8), I would pay, $32K. Tomorrow.
Why is the base price of $20K unrealistic? The Solstice had a base price of $21k if i remember correctly and i'm positive that was more expensive to build than the the the new Alpha Chasssis will be.
At $25K, on an Alpha chassis, this car is now squarely (no pun) in the Gen-6 Camaro's starting point...no?
Are we going to have TWO Chev Alpha-based 2-drs, or have I missed something? If yes, then the 130 should be the modern version of the old Monza/Sunbird 2-dr Coupe...more basic, with more basic features, and more basic driveline(s).
To accomplish that, a 130 @ $25K is NOT "realistic". It's a Camaro-killer, volume-wise...unless Chev is looking to move the entry price-point of the Camaro significantly up-market and is looking for "volume efficiencies" from the 130...
I guess the other possibility is that the Code won't be offered as a two-door. Imagine it as a four-door sedan only, prices just a hair lower than the entry-level Camaro. Then, it's more of a companion than competition. Dare I say: Nova?
I am thinking that the car will be built and the base prices will around that of a 1LT Cruze and move up from there.
Approx prices off top of my head without checking inventory
This is plus or minus because of destination ETC. So Considering a base Camaro with the painted wheels starts around $23k and goes up to 40k for an SS, more for ZL1, this car makes perfect sense. There is a place for a $21-22k to $30k coupe.
I foresee about the same overlap as the Sonic and Cruze. These two are basically the same class of car, same power trains, trim etc. Just different sizes. Sonic 4 passenger, Cruze a snug 5.
The Sonic starts realistically optioned with what most people want around $16,400 (We have one in stock for this) .The Cruze $2k-$3k more. Give or take a bit.
If the Code 130R is a GOOD car, and shows real value, not a low price but a fair cost based on its quality and content, it will find a place. Much like we are seeing the ATS settling in under the CTS, and like we have seen from the Sonic and Cruze.
I do not support another under priced "get them in the dealership " coupe/roadster or the like. The Solstice was lower than common business sense should allow. We were losing money on each just to put a "look what we did " product on the road. A sub 20k base would do just that to the 130r . it would be just another short term waste.
Sorry for the lecture. just an old car guy (Since 1998) and how he sees it.
At $25k, it's well in line with BRX, GTI, Focus STi, and all the other hot small cars. And it'd be superior in enthusiast's eyes to all the FWDers. Works for me!
$25K for a Code 130R is too expensive of a base price for what will essentially be a baby Camaro, especially with the Camaro starting at just over $23K.
Start it at about $19-20K... more than a base Cruze, but less than the Camaro, and it would work better without stepping on Camaro toes. Remember, it's supposed to be more of a Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ competitor. I know the FR-S starts at $25K, but the Camaro is a cheaper car... starting out.
That does leave a bit of a dilemma for Chevy. Both Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro start at $22-23K. If you make the Code130R $19-20K to properly slot it below the Camaro, then what features will the Code130R be lacking vs. the Scion FR-S? However, if it IS priced at $25K and is made as or more competitive than the FR-S, then it'll either steal sales from the Camaro, or not sell very well at all.
As much as I like the Code130R, as good of a car as it would be, I just don't see it realistically doing very well in production form without either cheapening it or stepping on Camaro toes. Now the Tru140S... a 2-door FWD coupe/liftback... that car would fit better in GM's line-up in lieu of the absent Cruze coupe.
The suggestion of an "economy" 2-dr, like the 140 Concept, intrigue me more than a Camaro-killin' 130. Different mindset for potential buyers, who otherwise may overlook/ignore the Camaro. And a Cruze-based 140 would definitely fill a $20-ish+ pricepoint...
Amen. Chevrolet was just starting to develop a following with the turbo Cobalt SS, and then BAM, nothing. Build a standard Tru140 with the turbo 1.4, and a hot version with a turbo 2.0 and they will sell far more cars than if they were to build the 130. It could start at around $18k depending on how it is equipped.
Is that base price with or without destination charges?
I said "too expensive" even though I agree with those that said it depends on specs and content, and that it would be a good price for say, a 2.0T; but at that price it would need to be more unique from the Camaro to work (unless next Camaro moves much further up in price?). Unique bodystyle, like a liftback or hatchback; or a 2-seater, but that would probably limit its potential and I think could even make it cost close to the same to insure as a Camaro.
Only price we have to work with and so it's our only reference. I use it just as a starting point to show differentiation between models, and where they may over lap.
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