Chevrolet "sport" models

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

No amount of cosmetic enhancements will lipstick cover the pig that is known as the Equinox, so why bother?

If you want "sporty" models, Chevrolet is the wrong place to be looking. All you will get is obnoxious exterior treatment (see. Cobalt wing, Camaro bodykit, Trailblazer's prehistoric everything!) and cheap leather with "SS" embroidered in the headrest, as opposed to just plain-old cheap leather without headrest embroidery.

If you want sporting models, look at Mazda or you wake up and realize that your wasting your time because the sportiest of GM bread and butter will NEVER compare to the driving experience in a base-model BMW...

I'll totally disagree. I have been perfectly happy with the improvements GM has made in their previous "sport" models, and if they made a 'sport' version of the new Equinox, that is the one vehicle we would probably purchase over ANYTHING else available in the USA or Canada for under $35,000.

We have a 2008 Redline Vue, and we love the way it looks with the slight lowering of the suspension and the subtle ground effects (although the Grill was a bit overdone).

If we didn't buy the Vue, we would have DEFINITLY bought the previous Equinox sport (the one plus size wheels, slight ground effects and 3.6 engine with the 6 speed auto was a worth update over the base equinox to be called "sport".

I think what they did to the HHR to make it the SS model was good also. We may debate whether it should have been a "sport" or an "SS", but the upgrade was suitable.

Even the Trailblazer SS...while I would not have bought it because of the fuel economy, was a great update. My cousin bought one and it is a great update over the base Trailblazer, and I still see a good ammount of them on the road (meaning my view is they sold pretty well, at least in my area).

While some (like you) may not think the upgrade Chevrolet did to their vehicles are as good as what Mazda did or does...my point is a lot of us liked exactly what they did, and wish they would do the same to their current models (make a Malibu sport, DEFINITELY make an 2010 Equinox sport with 19 or 20" wheels and an engine with a little more power than the 3.0 has, and of course a 'sport' or "SS" version of the upcoming Cruze).

And BTW GM, if you DO decide to make the sport versions, Most of us understand they might not be available at launch, but please, don't make us wait 2-3 years after the launch of a vehicle. Let demand for the base models carry it through the first 6 months, but don't wait much longer for the 'sport' models.

[SAngelo]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

I understand GM had to make some budget cuts, but I'm a little upset at the reduction of Chevrolet "sport" or "SS" models available.

A couple years ago, we had the Equinox SS, Cobalt SS, Saturn Vue Redline, Torrent GXP, Equinox Sport...and others. They are now dissapearing.

I'm not saying you have to spend a ton of money developing a new model, but how about at least a sporty trim level?

The best example would be the new Equinox. I love mostly everythign about it. BUT it could stand to have a "sport" model with lowered suspension to get ride of that AWFUL, huge wheel gap...and also a better engine for a top option than the seemingly "torque-less 3.0 V6".

Yes, the LTZ options are top of the line, but they are more luxury oriented. I'd like to see a few more "sport" trims instead of LTZ that give me the sport suspension, Larger wheels, wider tires..etc...without having to take the memory mirros and seats, heated and cooled seats, etc. In other words, it doesn't have to be a 500 HP SUV, but how about some trims with the 'sporty' options instead of all the luxury options?

And as I said above, PLEASE make a quick update to make the 3.0 DI engine more competitive, or just replace it with something better.

This is so puzzling why GM did not make the Torguey 3.6 DI available in the Equinox. Terrain and even teh new SRX. They should come back with the Equinox/Terrain Sport and give it a 3.6 DI of 280 hp (the same engine in the new Lacrosse). This would shutup the the supporters of the Rav 4, Muranos etc. Caddy should trash the 2.8 Saab Turbo for the SRX and give it the 304 hp CTS 3.6 DI engine. Sometimes GM really puzzles me. Didn't the anticipate that the torqueless 3.0 would be criticized ?

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

Originally Posted by solman98

But Pontiac hadn't offered anything of it's own it decades. There is a reason there gone. Grill swaps does not = sporty.

I disagree. Pontiac tried and did a very good job having some kind of a performance edge for it's cars post-RWD. STEs, SEs, SSEs, SSEis, and all backed up by the halo Firebird at the top. What killed Pontiac was taking off the cladding, a reborn GTO with non-Pontiac/traditional GTO styling, getting rid of classic names, and dropping the Firebird and Grand Am. Take away the halo, take away the heart and soul of the brand, and take away the best seller, and you take the life away from the brand. Simple as that. Pontiac was decimated by stupid GM managenent.

I agree that Chevy should have sporty option packages across the board. It's a part of Chevy's heritage. The Malibu is just BEGGING for the SS treatment. That's a beautiful sedan, so with a bigger, better motor, sport suspension, sporty tough trannys, and an SS body kit, it'lll sell like hotcakes!

[HHRDude]

When and where the Hell did they ever offer an Equinox SS? I knew of the "Sport " model, but "SS"!!! Show me a picture of this so i can sleep easy, will ya!

[BigAls87Z28]

I agree that now that there is no fear of rubbing into Pontiac's area, chevy should have a sport variant of every-single-vehicle, save the Traverse, and the 2500/3500HD's.

Driving in my Malibu, I realize that while I like the paddle shifters, I think that they are uncalled for in a family sedan. They should be grouped with a sport package, that would equip the car with larger wheels, better tires, wood-delete, tighter suspension, more monochromatic body.
I wouldnt even say that there should be a "Super Sport" model of every car, but that there should be a sport model available, with all powertrain set ups.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by HHRDude

When and where the Hell did they ever offer an Equinox SS? I knew of the "Sport " model, but "SS"!!! Show me a picture of this so i can sleep easy, will ya!

I think he meant Equinox Sport. There was no Equinox SS. Here is a picture of the Sport, just for the record.



I absolutely agree that Chevy needs a sport option on their vehicles. SS may be too much, but at least a Sport trim I feel is necessary. This is a niche that the NEW GM just doesn't have right now (outside of the Camaro).

[Smellhound]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

I agree that now that there is no fear of rubbing into Pontiac's area, chevy should have a sport variant of every-single-vehicle, save the Traverse, and the 2500/3500HD's.

Driving in my Malibu, I realize that while I like the paddle shifters, I think that they are uncalled for in a family sedan. They should be grouped with a sport package, that would equip the car with larger wheels, better tires, wood-delete, tighter suspension, more monochromatic body.
I wouldnt even say that there should be a "Super Sport" model of every car, but that there should be a sport model available, with all powertrain set ups.

Speaking of paddel shifter, I wish GM would go back to the console/gated shifter for their manu-matic options. I'm not a fan of the paddle shifters...and in the new Equinox and Traverse, it is simply a button that you push that happens to be on the shifter. The way Saturn did it (the console mounted shifter when you push up or down to up/downshift) is my favorite. I wish GM would do it that way in more of their cars.