Hatchback

[DonD]

I am expecting a Stinger GT1 on the 13th of Oct, perhaps a bit earlier.

I've seen pictures which appear to show that there is some non structural material in the hatchback that "seals" the hatch from the passenger compartment. It's not a structural item but I'd think makes it less drafty in the winter.

Am correct or in error? Thanks, Don

 

[RedCal]

Welcome to the hive! There is a hard cargo cover if that's what you are referring. It's easy to remove for carrying larger items

 

[DonD]

Thanks, "hard cover" is a good term for what I try to use and glad it's there.

Waiting is the pits, first delivery date was 9/27, then 10/3, then 10/10, now 10/13. Sales mgr says it could come a bit earlier but it isn't a phantom, it does exist and is what I want and it will arrive.

I had a test drive, didn't horse it around but it definitely pulled hard with only moderate throttle and no turbo lag. While I prioritize performance above mileage, the GT1 gets decent mileage, much better than the Chevy SS of mine a cretin destroyed. Don

 

[JSolo]

I wouldn't say that cover seals much of anything. With the hatch closed, it appears to be sandwiched between the hatch and some stoppers to keep it from bouncing about. If you have a fresh pizza back there, the aroma will make its way to the front in no time.

I think the main purpose is to cover up any belonging when the car is parked. Also, I bet that 24 ft³ cargo space spec is without the cover. Either way, not a huge deal. When carrying gas cans, I make sure the caps are on tight.

Biggest challenge is organizing the space so stuff doesn't fly around as you're taking that on/off ramp. I have several rectangular boxes for this purpose.

I'm unclear how it would prevent drafts? If the hatch is open and its cold, you will get cold air in the car. It may block it slightly, but it doesn't seal the passenger area from the cargo.

 

[DonD]

Yes, not going to seal anything but better than nothing at all. Don

 

[MerlintheMad]

You had an SS destroyed!? Would it be cathartic to share the experience, or too painful to remember? Welcome to the forum.

Hatch cover: sits flush all the way around when in place. The sound and air restriction is noticeable but not dramatic. And yes, the 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space is with the hatch cover removed: lower the back seats and the cargo space goes up to 40.9 cubic feet, as big as two refrigerators.

 

[RM7]

Thanks, "hard cover" is a good term for what I try to use and glad it's there.

Waiting is the pits, first delivery date was 9/27, then 10/3, then 10/10, now 10/13. Sales mgr says it could come a bit earlier but it isn't a phantom, it does exist and is what I want and it will arrive.

I had a test drive, didn't horse it around but it definitely pulled hard with only moderate throttle and no turbo lag. While I prioritize performance above mileage, the GT1 gets decent mileage, much better than the Chevy SS of mine a cretin destroyed. Don

I had an LS3 car and now an LT1 car. I've also had many turbo cars at this point. The big pushrod V8s can do decently on gas if you keep the rpms low and they have the torque to let you drive like that just fine. If you pull even moderately hard with a turbo engine, rest assured it's dumping tons and tons of gas in there to keep the cylinders cool, in addition to what's required for combustion. On the highway you'll do a bit better, but driving around town you may find it even worse. If you had an automatic SS, then that may have been sucking more gas, but with a manual you can do pretty decent.

 

[DonD]

I had an LS3 car and now an LT1 car. I've also had many turbo cars at this point. The big pushrod V8s can do decently on gas if you keep the rpms low and they have the torque to let you drive like that just fine. If you pull even moderately hard with a turbo engine, rest assured it's dumping tons and tons of gas in there to keep the cylinders cool, in addition to what's required for combustion. On the highway you'll do a bit better, but driving around town you may find it even worse. If you had an automatic SS, then that may have been sucking more gas, but with a manual you can do pretty decent.

The EPA # for the SS overall was 16mpg, vs the overall on the GT1 of 20. Don

 

[DonD]

You had an SS destroyed!? Would it be cathartic to share the experience, or too painful to remember? Welcome to the forum..

I was headed into the nearby town, one lane each direction.

A pickup towing a trailer went off the road into a ditch perpendicular to the road. Fortuitously, a cop was heading home after his shift and took control of the scene.

He waved most of the westbound traffic ahead, then signaled me to go around and head on east. Weather was sunny, the road was wet. I was up to about 40 in a 60 zone and out of the corner of my vision I saw a car coming at me head on. I braked and turned to the shoulder but it wasn't enough and he impacted my left front fender.

The cop said it was 100% the other driver's fault and I couldn't have avoided the collision and said so in the police report.

I was pissed to say the least and when I got out, the guy said he was uninsured, he was driving a beater of a 20 yr old Honda belonging to his sister.

Car went to USAA's prefered collision company, Caliber Collision, and after about 2 weeks said the bill was $9400. Then nothing for weeks. Caliber did some more work and said the car had damage to the cowl and under ICAR standards, it was not repairable. More fiddling around and then they said the parts were not available.

USAA recently settled and I got the $.

Hopefully there won't be another delay in the delivery of the Stinger GT1, supposedly arriving on 10/13. Don

 

[MerlintheMad]

Thanks for the back story. Sorry you lost your ride. The SS is a lot like the Stinger in many performance ways.