NEW CHEVY MODEL

[Gary84]

a positive writeup...

[Winhelm]

WOW!

[Brock]

Hi acosean,

 

So late 'working' ah? 2.45am post your reply?

[Watwheels]

I'm not siding any brand to make it clear.

 

U have to look at the buying trend and the mindset of car buyers here. Buy car is one thing, as for servicing and parts ppl think it's no problem for outside workshops to handle brands like Toyota.

 

The brand being established is also a factor. Since ppl here have been driving Toyotas and mechanics repairing them for generations. It's seen as reliable and dependable, sth that won't go too far wrong. The Chevy marketing and service got to work hard to make their brand get known or even noticed. Most car buyers knows alot about Toyota but knows little about Chevy.

 

For those who are a little more aware of the American brand will comment about their build quality issues and their strength in building V8 engines. "I have heard Asian Chevy production line is in Thailand and not Korea" is also common.

 

I have no comment on how or why ppl make their decisions on car buying. If they deem it as a worthwhile package and they could afford it, why not?

[Rickster]

This is exactly what is happening to Hyundai cars now. It has a much better image than the Hyndai cars 10 years ago.

[Stary]

I second your opinion. I have been driving the Optra for nearly 5 years now and it is one hell of a tough son of a bitch. I am saying this not that it has no problems, but it's darn robust. I am one hell of a driver which gives no regard to care and concern about cars. I drive across kerbs, fly across humps and take thrill in rolling down corkscrew car park ramps. Let's just say that I can be a perfect candidate to torture any cars.

 

The Optra is just unbelievably tough. There was once I did a crazy thing to my auto gearbox (don't ask what) which would damage any auto gearbox immediately, but still the car drives for 320km before ultimately failing. There was another time I drove across a flood where clearly in front of me many cars stalled, but being crazy, I just took the chance. The Optra sputters, coughs, brake failure, but it never dies. It passes through the flood, brake started to function again and then moves off like normal. Korea? If Korea produces a car like this, I wouldn't mind another 10 Korea cars.

 

Before this I was driving all kind of Jap cars and let's just say I had enough of them. The Altis floats at just 140km/h and considering the way I drive, it gave me countless problems.

 

Today, I develop some sort of relationship with the Optra. It never dies on me no matter how bad condition it was. People have been tempting me to get a new car but I find no good reason to dump the Optra. It's not fancy and the internals look utterly dated. But it works well and drives well. Maintenance? I only leave the periodic maintenance to the agent and does nothing myself in all 5 years.

 

GM or Daewoo, quite honestly I don't give a damn as long it is a good car.

 

I am already thinking of the Epica next or if I can wait longer probably the Cruze?

[Acosean]

Hey, good to see you here, Brock. Ya, am on leave these 2 days, so can afford to "chiong" a bit!

 

I'll be joining the TCS meetup for the first time (officially) later at Kallang Mac. Will you be joining us too?

[Acosean]

You are right. That's why I am so happy to hear the following news, that Chevy parts are to cost less in the future:

 

http://www.motortrader.com.my/NUS/articles...1498/page_m.asp

[Acosean]

Agreed. In the future if if income doesn't allow me to keep the Epica, I might downgrade to an Avante, since it is indeed an superb car given its pricing.

[Speeddemon]

Today, i spotted about 10-15units of a model of Chevrolet cars that i've not seen before in port. The cars were rolling out of the ro-ro ship. I used the bino and saw that it had the Chevrolet badge.

 

I've attached a pictures of two Chevrolet models that could be the car that i saw. Will use to bino again tmr and try to see the butt of the car.

 

 

1) Chevy Impala (butt)

2) Chevy Impala (front)

3) Chevy Epica (it could be this model since StarsAuto did mention that it will import this model in)

4) my office view.

 

omg....you are working in the same place as me

 

Hmmm....are we colleagues?

[Brock]

acosean,

 

Since TCS had the 1st meet-up, I have always wanted to go but my wife never stamp my passport. Do send my 'hellos' to Cookie and Maded if they there.

[Acosean]

You are absolutely right! When I was with my Optra(A) for the past 3.3 years, I found it a totally sturdy and rugged car.

 

For example, when I was driving it with my friend in M'sia, I went on full rev on my acceleration to make a right turn in fast furious traffic. My friend was astonished that the meter could actually hit close to 6,000 rpm, as he said that "family-oriented" cars like the Corolla wouldn't allow the rpm to hit so high, that it will be cut as soon as it touches 4,000 only!

 

I loved my Optra except for its high FC (maybe blame it to the cheap engine oil I use and my driving habits?) and loud engine noise/poor cabin insulation.

 

Getting the Epica is such a contrast. It is a gentle, refined and quiet car that seems vulnerable, though it is about 0.3 ton heavier than the Optra, and with more power and grip. So I dare not "wreck" my Epica the way I did to my Optra. But I realise the importance of safety, esp in having traction control, so that there is less chance in skidding and turning turtle. That partly explained why I decided to upgrade to an Epica.

 

I realise that drivers who "play" cars are usually getting Subaru, Honda or Chevrolet.

[Acosean]

Same here. My wife FINALLY agreed to let me meet up with them after so many years! Will send regards to Cookie and Maded if they are there on your behalf!

[Julian]

I used to drive an Optra, and now driving an Epica. There is nothing wrong with Daewoo. But there is a catch. What's the catch? Hope you have the patience to read:

 

Guess why is the Camry 2.0A selling at $20k more than the Epica 2.0A, despite the fact that if we compare specs to specs, that the Epica far outweighs the Camry?

 

For e.g., the Epica is assembled in Korea whereas the Camry is in Thailand. Epica is 5-speed auto while Camry is only 4-speed. Epica uses inline 6 while Camry uses inline 4. Epica has traction control but Camry doesn't have it. What about speed-sensitive steering, reverse rear tilting mirror and many more?

 

My brother who just bought a Camry without consulting me regretted his move after we've test-driven each other's new ride. His engine is coarse and less responsive/powerful as compared to mine (he conceded to it) and my FC is also better.

 

My Sales Engineers told me that when they were selling Daewoos, it was very hard to clinch a sale, due to its poor branding and image, especially being associated as a Korean car. But once GM acquired Daewoo and transformed (I hate to use the word "rebadge") its cars, sales escalated! Why? Because humans are brand-conscious/status-conscious.

 

However, why can't Chevy's sales volume continue to surge so that it becomes comparable to Toyota/Honda/Nissan?

 

It is because they are FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE trying to artificically deflate Chevy's branding image by "unveiling" to state, "What Amercian Car you're talking about, it is a actually a Korean Daewoo lah!"

 

We all know about statistics. While some would still remain steadfast (like me) to go ahead to buy a chevy, there would be lots that would be affected/shaken by this. Many of my friends/colleagues (esp those who have just passed their driving) are such living examples.

 

"Actually after hearing from you, I was almost ready to buy a chevy; but, but....., when others tell me it is a Korean Daewoo in disguise, I think I'd better get a Toyota."

 

The world is governed by demand and supply. When rumours are so strong that certain things are happening (which in fact is not), the stock market may crash.

 

And that explains why the Epica is $20k cheaper than the Camry, though the Epica is by far a much better car. Many say Toyota is good, is reliable (of course there must be some truth in this), so demand is chalked up. So its price is artifically inflated. On the other hand, when more say chevy is Korean Daewoo (which brings upon a negative connotation in terms of branding image), those brand/image-consicous drivers will shun away from chevy, thereby decreasing demand.

 

Which brings back to my point of not necessarily bringing up that chevys are rebadged Daewoos. Not that Daewoos are no good (in fact they are good); but it will take us pains and time to explain and convince the average consumer that Daewoo is actually also good. So the simple statistical way is just to say it is a chevy, and stop there. The bow tie logo itself carries enough confidence without having to go the extra mile to convince/explain things further. Hope you get my point.

 

Hi, Are you from Alpine or Starsauto? I actually quite like Chevrolet cars, in fact, i almost got myself a Optra5 but thinking it as weird idea since my dad got an Optra. Actually to be honest, the current range in Borneo motor or for the past 10 years never excite me. I simply cannot imagine a Toyota that is made in Thailand. Abt the Epica and Camry, i will pick the Epica anytime due to exclusivity and overall package of the car. I just don't feel right to pay so much to drive a car which u can see it everywhere on the road unless it is really a premium brand.

[Acosean]

I asked for 3 quotes before committing to buying my Epica. One from Starsatuo, one from Alpine Motors, and a third one from an independent agent. So I can't be from SA or AM. And BTW I am a civil servant, so I can't/don't profit from giving the Chevrolet brand its "sales pitch" or "free advertisement".

 

Optra5 is indeed an excellent car as it has Traction Control even as a 1.6! It is also beautiful as a hatchback (not many hatchbacks are nice-looking).

 

I concur with you that it doesn't make sense to pay for a premium price when you see it everywhere on the road. But sad to say, some of my friends/relatives are still saying:

 

"So what you drive a Chevrolet Epica which matches the size and specs of a BMW 5-series? Even though it is rare and 'looks' majestic, people who know about the car pricing industry will still think that driving a Camry is more prestigous and classy than your Epica simply beause the former is a more expensive car! So you can only fool those who know nuts about cars!"

 

And indeed those who know nuts about cars feel that my ride is very luxurious. For example, my boss thought my pearl white sedan costs at least $100,000!

[Ic3boi]

hwah.. din noe so many brothers work at Vista too...

[Acosean]

Work at Vista? You mean Windows Vista?

[Carcraze]

i was there only for a short period of time (on attachment).

 

you've got PM.