Capitol Chevrolet Montgomery

In my job I find myself reading and watching a lot of business news throughout the day, everyday. It's a bad habit. Too much of this stuff can create fear and hysteria which causes a further contraction of the economy. A great president once warned the nation to be careful of "fear itself". We know that the only way out of this is to go back to business as usual.

I read a consumer survey the other day which found that, based on news reports, people believe that it is virtually impossible to obtain financing for a vehicle purchase. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!! Most smaller banks and the credit unions we represent have hardly missed a beat during the economic downturn. They have plenty of money to lend and their buying policies are still as strong as ever.

At Capitol Chevrolet we have a crack team of finance professionals who are linked electronically to all these sources, and their years of experience make them uniquely skilled in finding the right solution for each customer's need.

I'm going to break my bad habit of feeding my fear, and I urge you to do the same. Consult us if you have a transportation need that we can fill. We've been here 90 years and plan to be here at least 90 more.

Keep the Faith.

Dean Vette
General Manager
Capitol Chevrolet

No more guessing. No more hype. No more waiting. At long last, Chevrolet has opened the doors to its feverishly awaited 2010 Camaro sport coupe, and we've enjoyed a thorough shakedown run (in a "99%" prototype).

Let's not keep you in suspense any longer. The envelope, please: Chevy's new two-door is...very good. Very, very, very good. At the risk of inducing insider trading, now would be a good time to sell your Mustang stock.

The 99% prototype is admittedly rough around the edges-awful paint, not all parts to production shape, some interior bits held in place with tape while engineers test final pieces -- but in terms of hardware it's a "nearly done" Camaro. With minor tweaks, this is the car you'll be able to get by March.

For this early drive, Chevy served up only the base, V-6 version of its new ponycar (V-8 drives will follow in about two months), but that quickly proved no disappointment. The headline news: The "base" engine is the same DOHC, 24-valve 3.6L V-6 that serves in the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Cadillac CTS. Outfitted with variable valve timing and direct injection, this high-tech beauty will romp with more than 300 hp (final output is still TBD) and should deliver EPA city/highway fuel economy ratings of least 18/26 mpg -- though Chevy is aiming for 19/27 mpg.

Even GM loyalists must be pinching themselves. After so many years of second- or third-rate powerplants appearing in brand-new GM vehicles, seeing this superstar engine make its debut at launch time speaks volumes about the winning mindset of the New General. The development team, a dedicated cadre of Aussies well versed in building fast, rear-drive cars for GM division Holden, fought the good fight to get project money spent where it would do the most good. The result: premium engine hardware, sophisticated chassis moves, a gorgeous shape unmarred by "convenient" production compromises. You want a navigation system? Too bad -- the Holden development crew figured you'd rather they spend the money on things like surgically precise steering and bourbon-smooth six-speed transmissions (besides, all new Camaros will offer OnStar turn-by-turn route guidance).

Yes, two six-speeds will be offered with the V-6 (and, by the way, the V-8): an Aisin manual and a HydroMatic automatic with wheel-mounted manual shift buttons (the V-8 manual will be a Tremec unit). All base Camaros will be equipped with an FE2 suspension package, though chief engineer Doug Houlihan says Chevy is "considering" adding, as an option, the uprated FE3 suspension that'll be standard on V-8 cars. Base tires are 245/55R18 M+S BFGoodrich Traction T/As on 18-in. alloys; optional rubber will include 19- and 20-in. Pirellis (the latter available in summer or snow versions) plus an available 21-in. wheel-and-tire upgrade (summer only). Brakes are single-piston calipers all around, with cast-iron rotors (12.6 in.) up front and aluminum discs (12.4 in.) in back. (All Camaro V-8s will sport bigger, four-piston Brembo binders and a larger master cylinder for improved brake feel.) An optional RS package will include the 20-in. rims plus HID headlamps, a rear spoiler, and door-sill trim, among other upgrades.

Inside, the 2010 Camaro recalls the flavor of the '67 model that inspired it -- squarish primary instruments plus a rectangular four-pack of secondary gauges in the center console -- but it's far too stylish and modern to appear "retro." A thick, deep-dish steering wheel is unique to the new Camaro, another reminder of project cash well-dispensed. Seats will be trimmed in cloth or optional leather; one gripe, as on the Pontiac G8, is the lack of a power backrest adjustment (on the Camaro it's a manual ratchet). The wheel is a tilt-telescoping model, which in combo with the smartly placed pedals helps deliver a near-ideal driving position.

Buckle up, because the new Camaro runs like a cheetah escaping the zoo. The engine twirls for the 7000-rpm redline as if were born to live there, but at cruise it withdraws, like a fine personal valet, almost into invisibility. The high-pitched exhaust note is decidedly non-musclecar; it almost says "Asian tuner car." Houlihan admits that engineers are still tweaking the sound, though. The production car will likely emit a more baritone growl. Or not. Prepare to be surprised.

Chevy is currently recording 0-to-60-mph sprints of about 6.1 sec or so, but the goal is to break the six-second barrier. Give us a car, guys. We'll get you the 5.9-sec run you're after. Top speed, by the way, is an electronically limited 155 mph. Yes, with the V-6. Both transmissions are superb, the automatic responding quickly to shift-button commands and the manual smooth and slick (pedals are well-placed for heel-and-toe downshifts).

When outfitted with 18-in. wheels and tires and the V-6, the Camaro may wear a "base car" label, but you'd never know it by the drive. The hydraulic power steering delivers excellent feel, with deft off-center response and plenty of mid-corner feedback. The chassis, boasting a Mustang-crushing independent rear, powers through bends with a level of grip that simply obliterates any "base car" notions. Even pushed as hard as you'd dare on public roads, the Goodriches rarely protest or slip, instead digging in and doing their best to pry your eyeballs from your skull. Stability control steps in only mildly, catching minor missteps (ooohh, that corner was just a bit tighter than expected) without quashing useful dabs of oversteer. Body rigidity is exemplary, too. The Mustang can only dream of delivering handling at this level of performance and sophistication.

With moves like this in the entry Camaro -- base price in the mid-to-low $20s -- it's drool-inspiring to imagine what the car will do with, say, the optional 20-in. summer rubber (not to mention the mega-output V-8s with FE3 chassis tuning). What's more, even in "stripped" form the Camaro feels distinctly upmarket. Wind noise is almost nonexistent. The ride polishes off road imperfections while remaining poised to spring, catlike, to quick steering inputs. Brakes are sturdy and bite hard early into the pedal's travel. Mustang? Nah. The new Camaro feels more akin to an American Infiniti G37. And remember: Thus far, our driving has been limited to the base V-6 version.

In an era when "mega-ultra-hyped blockbuster" often means "I wasted my money on that?" the new Chevy Camaro pushes back against unfulfilled expectations. It delivers. The look is there. The performance is there. The value is there.

And, oh yes, so is the "wow."

Click here for the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Pricing and Specs.


By Arthur St. Antoine
Motortrend.com

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox -- facing stiff competition in the compact crossover segment -- will take on a more trucky look and come with a more fuel efficient engine when it is redesigned for the 2010 model year, The Detroit News reports. General Motors Corp. officially took the wraps off of the new Equinox on Sunday and will introduce the next generation family hauler at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

General Motors is making major upgrades to warranties of used vehicles it sells in the U.S. under its GM Certified program.

Brian McVeigh, general manager of GM's fleet and commercial operations,  said today that the new coverage provides 12-month or 12,000-mile "bumper-to-bumper" protection that starts when a vehicle is bought as certified.

GM previously covered certified vehicles with 3-month or 3,000-mile warranties after the new-vehicle warranty expired.

The new warranty covers defects related to materials or workmanship.  Excluded are standard wear-and-tear items such as tires and brake pads.  The changes took effect Sept. 13.

"We believe this 12/12 bumper-to-bumper warranty will grow our business as well as help reinforce our residuals," McVeigh told reporters in a conference call.

At the same time, GM increased the mileage limit of vehicles eligible for certification by 15,000 miles, to 75,000 miles. GM Certified age eligibility remains unchanged at six model years or newer.

Warranties on vehicles under this program have no deductibles and are fully transferable to new owners. Certified vehicles maintain powertrain coverage of five years or 100,000 miles from when it was sold as new.

GM Certified includes Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac used vehicles.  Please contact Internet Sales if you have questions or to find out about Capitol's CPO inventory.  Thank you!

Congratulations Capitol Chevrolet!
We were #1 in GM Certified Pre-owned vehicle sales for Alabama January 09!