By Jose Ebro Times Newspapers Staff Writer Soaring gas

By Jose Ebro Times Newspapers Staff Writer Soaring gas prices haven't stopped people from buying cars. In fact, Country Chevrolet's general manager Lisa Pulchine pointed out, "September was a record month for us!" She was reluctant to provide figures. Suffice to say, sales were "significantly more ... than the hundred or so we usually average per month." Pulchine said an equal number of used and new vehicles were being snapped up. However, she observed a 6040 ratio of trucks to cars passing out of her inventory. "That's due to the locality and the demographics. There's a preference here for sports utility vehicles over cars," Pulchine said. Tahoes and Suburbans are brisk movers. The Cavalier, which has enjoyed a solid reputation since its introduction in 1982, is the top-selling automobile. With sport coupe and four-door sedan versions, "it's a great car for teen-agers and the older set," Pulchine said. New base models start at $12,000 on up, but Country Chevrolet is offering up to $2,500 in rebates, she said. Ken Liesener, Country's sales manager for used vehicles, also observes a seasonal trend in purchases. "We re selling a lot of Blazers right now because we re coming into four-by-four season," he said. Hunters' needs and the threat of snow after a summer of record precipitation are pushing all-wheel-drive sales. See CHEVY, Page 11