First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Spark

In the North American market, we have the Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, Smart ForTwo, and Scion iQ as the main players in the supermini class. These car are small cars with seats in the rear. These cars are designed for getting most fuel economy while still being practical for city driving. In August 2012, General Motors released its supermini car, Daewoo/Chevrolet Matiz, to the United States market. The supermini would be sold in the United States as the Chevrolet Spark. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, the Spark was available for test drives, but the only Spark available for test drive was pink. However, the Spark does come in other colors. The Chevrolet Spark is a front engine, front wheel drive, five-door hatchback.

On the outside, the Spark is a smaller version of the Sonic, Chevrolet's entry in the subcompact market. The styling is average, nothing really sticks out. Like the Sonic, the rear door handles are integrated nicely behind the windows of the rear doors. The rear door handles do not stick out on doors, like most cars. As far as the interior goes, nothing special. But for a supermini car, I did not feel cramped. I had plenty of leg room and head room behind the wheel. Even when I was sitting in the rear, I still had good leg room and plenty of head room, and I am 5"9. Now for people over 6'0", you might feel cramped. As compromise for the roomy cabin, the is little room for storage in the truck. The rear seats come close to touching the rear hatch.

Powering the Spark is a 1.2L I4 engine, paired with either a five-speed manual, or a four-speed automatic transmission, that produces 84 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque. The Spark goes from 0 to 60 mph in 11.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 90 mph. On the test drive, it did not feel slow. Over the five days of test driving, other cars felt slower. The ride was smooth. The car responded nicely when I pressed the accelerator and brake pedals. Steering is responsive. The Spark just needs a little bit more power out of the 1.2L engine.


Overall, the Spark is good for what it is. For a supermini, there is plenty of room. I was comfortable inside the Spark, but I wish General Motors had a different color Spark available for test drives instead of pink. Some of the other superminis had noisy rides and when I am trying to talk to a product representative about the car I am driving, it is hard to hear them over the noise from the engine. But, when I was in the Spark, I did not have this problem. It was quiet inside the Spark. I could hear every word from the product specialist. The Spark is ideal for city driving. However, for highway driving look elsewhere. If the Spark came with an engine to produces over 100 hp, then the Spark could be good for highway driving. If you are looking for a car just for city driving and very little highway driving, then test drive the Chevrolet Spark. The base price for the Spark is $12,995, which is a good price for what you get with the Spark. The Spark is one of the least expensive new cars you can buy in the United States.

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First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Chevrolet discontinued production of the Camaro in 2002. In March of 2009, Chevrolet started production on a new Camaro. The new Camaro is a very popular pony car/muscle car. I see Camaros everyday on Houston roads and highways. Both old and new Camaros are on display at the various car shows in Houston. At the Houston Auto Show, General Motors/Chevrolet brings a Camaro SS available for test drives. Since moving back to Houston after graduating college in 2010, I have attended the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Houston Auto Shows. I did not test drive any cars in 2011. I attended the 2012 Houston Auto Show with my dad and we test drove five cars. Unfortunately, there was a line for Camaro, so we went in the Chevrolet Volt. During the fall of 2012, I test drove a Camaro RS, which is powered by a 3.6L V6. At the 2013, Houston Auto Show, I finally got behind the wheel of a Camaro SS. But in order to drive the Camaro SS, I had to first drive another General Motors car that was not a Cadillac. I test drove the Chevrolet Spark before I was able to test drive the Camaro. However there was a line, so I drove the Buick Enclave and hope that the line shortened for the Camaro. After driving the Enclave, I had to wait behind five other people before I got my chance behind the wheel of the Camaro SS. The version of the Camaro I drove was the Camaro 2SS, which is the upscale trim level for the Camaro SS.

The Camaro has a retro sporty styling, which I like. The Camaro has a low roof line, which minimizes head room. The is a SS insignia on the corner of the grill. The Camaro has a great side profile. The Camaro has a sporty interior. There is not much head room in the Camaro, especially for rear passengers. The Camaro has a 2+2 seating arrangement, but adults would not be comfortable sitting in the back. The seat itself is comfortable. I had good leg room behind the wheel. The Camaro 2SS comes with a rear camera and a 7: touchscreen. 

The Camaro SS I drove is powered by a 6.2L V8, paired with six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 157 mph. The Camaro SS is a quick car. It has really good power distribution throughout the rpm spectrum. Gear shifts were smooth when using the paddle shifters. The car drove smoothly on the Houston roads. Steering is responsive. For a car with a 6.2L V8, it was quiet inside the Camaro. Prices for the Camaro SS starts at $33,535. The version I drove, the Camaro 2SS, starts at $37,035, which is not bad for a performance car. 

Overall, the Chevrolet Camaro SS has great performance at a reasonable price. The Camaro also has a sporty retro styling. The Camaro lacks in the head room department. The low roof line minimizes head room. Since this is a sports coupe, there is very little leg room for rear passengers. If you are looking for a performance car at a reasonable price, give the Camaro SS a test drive. If you want a family car, then the Camaro is not for you. So after passing up the opportunity to drive a Camaro SS two years in a row, I was glad that I finally drove one. The Camaro SS is a fun car to drive, even if it is lacking in head room.

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First Drive: 2014 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback 1.8L

From 2002 until 2011, Chevrolet produces the Chevrolet Aveo, a subcompact car that was available as either a sedan or hatchback. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet debuted a car using its Gamma II global subcompact platform. The new car would be sold as the Holden Barina in Australia and New Zealand. In Korea, the new car is called the Aveo. In all other markets, the car would be known as the Chevrolet Sonic. The Sonic is a front-engine, front-wheel drive subcompact car that is available as either a four door sedan or a five door hatchback (the version I took on a test drive). The Sonic is available with a six-speed manual transmission, but the version I drove came with a six-speed automatic transmission (which costs an additional $1,285). The Sonic is available with a turbocharged 1.4L engine (a $700 option) that produces 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, but I drove a none turbocharged Sonic. The version I drove came in a color called deep magenta metallic, which is only available with the LT trim level. The magenta color replaces the inferno orange color that was available for the 2012 to 2013. The deep magenta metallic color will be replaced by cool blue, a grayish, dirty blue color. The cool blue color will be available from November 2013 until March 2014. Dragon Green will become a permanent color starting in the first quarter of 2014.

As far as styling goes for a subcompact hatchback goes, the Sonic is very above average. The headlights and the split grill give the car an aggressive look. The Sonic also has a good side profile and the rear hatch is integrated nicely, unlike some other subcompact hatchbacks. The version I drove also included a moon roof and fog lights located on the bottom of the front bumper. The interior is good, especially for a subcompact costing under $20,000. The Sonic features a motorcycle like gauge with an analog tachometer on the left and a digital gauge which shows the fuel gauge and the speedometer. This set up works in the Chevrolet Spark, and it works in the Sonic. This set up helps give the cars a unique feel. The Sonic I drove also features a seven inch touch screen with Chevrolet's MyLink system, which is also present int the Spark. The Sonic has a comfortable seat. I had good headroom and great legroom behind the wheel.

The Sonic I drove is powered by a 1.8L I4 engine that produces 138 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 124 mph. The Sonic felt slow when accelerating. The 1.8L does lack power, but there is a 1.4L turbocharged engine that boosts torque output to 148 lb-ft of torque. That is an increase of 23 lb-ft. But the Sonic's ride quality is impressive. The car is smooth and quiet, even at highway speeds. The Sonic responds very well when I turn the wheel. Prices for the Sonic Hatchback start at $15,595, including a $825 destination fee. The car I test drove goes for $19,540. For that money, you do get a some great features and a good car.

The Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback is featured in Vrum, Motorweek, The Client List, The Call, Awkward, and The Last Stand. The Sonic Hatchback is playable in Game Stock Car, Car Town, Car Town EX, and 2K Drive.

Overall, the Chevrolet Sonic is a great subcompact car and for a reasonable price. It can use a little bit more power, but the ride quality is tough to beat. It is very comfortable behind the wheel. The car responds well while traveling quietly and smoothly along roads and highways. For around $20,000, you get a car with a quietly smooth ride quality, a moon roof, a touchscreen infotainment system that works with most smartphones, and plenty of headroom and legroom behind the wheel. If you are in the market for a subcompact car, give the Chevrolet Sonic a test drive. This is one of the better subcompacts on the road. As far as the magenta color goes, it is a unique color that works for the Sonic. I did not mind driving a Pink Chevrolet Spark and I had no problems driving a magenta Sonic. Just keep these colors away from the Corvette. A Corvette should never be painted with any shade of pink.

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First Impression: Chevrolet Camaro Breast Cancer Awareness Pace Car

During the month of October, it is all about Halloween. It is all about costumes, candy, horror, and the macabre during the month October. But, Halloween is just one day in the month. October is known for something else besides Halloween, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I watch my beloved Houston Texans and I see players with pink gloves and pink cleats. I watch WWE and see a pink middle rope in the ring as well as wrestlers wearing pink wrestling merchandise. As someone who has lost female family members to cancer, including an aunt to breast cancer, I admire when car companies donate money to the American Cancer Society. A pink Chevrolet Camaro SS was used as the pace car for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Chevrolet would donate $200 to the American Cancer Society for every caution lap, which there were 64 caution laps during that race. Chevrolet ended up donating $12,800 to the ACS. Chevrolet has made several pink Camaros for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also, this is my 250th article, so what better way than to celebrate with a car dedicated to a cause I support, especially with my family history.

I saw a Breast Cancer Awareness Camaro at the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This Camaro has pink with white in the middle. There is a big pink ribbon on the hood. Also, the Chevrolet emblem is pink. There is "CHEVROLET" going across the top of the windshield. There are even pink ribbons in on the rear sides of the vehicle. I applaud Chevrolet for making this type of custom car for Breast Cancer Awareness..

The powertrain for the Breast Cancer Camaro is the same as a Camaro SS. The Camaro SS is powered by a 6.2L V8 that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 159 mph. Even with the pink and white paint job that includes pink ribbons, this vehicle still has power and performance. A SS Camaro coupe normally starts at $32,750 for the 1SS and $36,350 for the 2SS. I have not seen one of these pink Camaros go on sale at an auction.

Final thoughts: I admire Chevrolet for building these pink Camaros for a great cause. My family has been affected by cancer. I have lost two grandmothers and an aunt to cancer. I am all for any company that does something special and donates the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. These pink Camaros would make a great addition for Chevrolet car collections and pace car collections. I wish Chevrolet would auction a few of these pink Camaros and donate the money to cancer research. Still, I applaud Chevrolet for making this car and donating money to the American Cancer Society. As for me personally, I could see myself with a Camaro at some point, just not pink.

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First Impression: Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray

The Chevrolet Corvette is an American icon. It has been around since 1953. The Corvette is a two door, front engine, rear wheel drive vehicle that came either as a coupe or convertible. The Corvette C6 has been around since 2004. Now, Chevrolet has been planning the next generation in 2007. Chevrolet planned to release the next generation Corvette in 2011, but delayed it. The plan is to bring back the Corvette Stingray. A Corvette Stingray concept was shown in the Transformers live action movies. I even saw the concept car at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. However, the concept car was not the C7 Chevrolet ended up releasing. On January 13, 2013, at approximately 6:00 PM CST in Detroit, General Motors revealed the all new Chevrolet Corvette C7. The C7 is the third Corvette to be called "Stingray." The other Stingrays were the C2 Corvette and the C3 Corvette. The Chevrolet Corvette was available for purchase during the fall of 2013. While the C7 has been released, the C6 will still be made in Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR-1 versions.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept at 2011 Houston Auto Show

While the Corvette Stingray Concept was at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, it was absent at the 2013 Houston Auto Show (BOO!). I had to wait until the October 2013 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee to see the C7 Corvette. There were five group together, three coupes and two convertibles. The C7 Corvette looks amazing. I love that Chevrolet pays homage to the original C1 Corvette with the Mako Shark grill that was present on the original C1 Corvette. The C7 has a peak hood, whereas the C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes had flat hoods. I also love how the headlights are designed. The C7 aslo has a nice side profile. I just love the design of the rear end. There are four exhaust tips below the center of the rear bumper. I just love the design of the taillights. This is the best looking vehicle that Chevrolet has ever made, let alone the best looking Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette is powered by a 6.2L V8 engine, paired with either a seven-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 195 mph. Prices for the C7 Corvette Coupe start at $51,995, including a $995 destination charge. The MSRP for a Corvette 3LT with Z51 Performance Package starts at $62,995. Prices for a base C7 Corvette Stingray Convertible start at $56,995. The MSRP for a Corvette Stingray Convertible 3LT with the Z51 Performance Package starts at $67,800. Compared to its competion, the C7 Corvette is a bargain. A base Porsche 911 Carrera starts at $84,300. 

The C7 Corvette has been featured on Motorweek, Top Gear US, Jay Leno's Garage, Turbo, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The C7 Corvette is playable in Grand Theft Auto V (Invetero Coquette' C7), GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience, Gran Turismo 5, Asphalt 8: Airborne, Need For Speed; Rivals, and Gran Turismo 6.

Final Thoughts: While it would have been cool to see the Corvette Stingray Concept as the actual C7 would have been nice, the C7 Corvette we got instead is even better. The C7 Corvette is the best looking vehicle made for the Chevrolet brand. The C7 Corvette is a bargain with a starting price of $51,995. This car has near supercar performance at a fraction of the cost of a Ferrari or Lamborghini. The C7 Corvette has been named Automobile of the Year 2014 by Automobile Magazine and Performance Car of the Year 2013 by Road and Track. It is also a finalist for Motortrend's Car of the Year. Chevrolet has announced a Z06 version of the C7 Corvette starting in 2015. This version will have supercharged 6.2L V8 that produces 625 hp. I am hoping somewhere in the next few years that Chevrolet comes out with a ZR-1 version of the C7 Corvette. So far, I have been impressed by the C7 Corvette.

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