Recent Comments:
Toyota responds to Ford's new initial quality ads {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 2:22PM another funny thing is that everyone seems to forget about all the bragging done in Toyota ad campaign for the Tundra. The entire point of the Tundra campaign was to prove this truck had finally matched or exceeded the domestic competition in towing, torque, brake disc size and hp. While they didnt mention the F150 or Silverado by name it was clear who they were talking about. Those who want to show they can compete with the leaders or perceived leaders take shots at the leader. Toyota had every right to point out where the Tundra was superior just as Ford has every right to let folks know its quality is top notch. This is hardly a mark of desperation. Doesnt anyone remember the Altima ads where they showed how the Altima could duplicate the feats of an LS400 by running with wine glasses on the hood? Its not only Ford who does this stuff.
Toyota responds to Ford's new initial quality ads {Autoblog}
May 12th 2008 10:53AM "Toyota's products are FAR from perfect, but they're still better than any of the Big 3's, except for a rebadged GM product produced by Toyota. "
according to what? If you believe in CR you will see that Ford does very well in terms of reliability. The Fusion/Milan have been recommended by CR for the last 3 years or so. People need to stop believing in unfounded hype. This idea that Toyota has nothing to wowrry about is nonsense. They wouldnt respond if they have nothing to worry about. Toyota is a maker of average vehicles that sell based on quality or resale. Nobody buys a Toyota for styling, handling, interior quaity or anything else other than resale and reliability. If Toyota thinks people may figure out that most cars are reliable they are going to get concerned. What I love about Toyota and its blind fans is that they accept whatever Toyota says and try to dismiss and negative news regarding quality. Am I the only one who notices Toyota never provides any sources to back up its claims of superior reliability in ads? Many current Toyto ads suggest you should buy Toyota due to their outstanding quality and reliability but they never provide any basis for those claims. IN terms of build and material quality its evident Toyota isnt on top. In terms of reliability they are worse than Suburu and Honda according to CR and close to even with Ford.
aslo, the comments that suggest that you can determine reliability by looking for old cars from a certain brand are totally absurd. If you live in an area where domestic vehicles are accepted you will see them on the road. I see tons of 10+ year old Buicks, Fords and Oldsmobiles on the road because large American sedans are hot property amongst young people in this area. I rarely see Accords or Altimas that are more than 10 years old but it doesnt mean those cars arent durable. Unlike old Japanese cars most of the mid 90s American vehicles I see dont have rust damage.
Chrysler criticized for $2.99 gas, Suzuki jumps on bandwagon {Autoblog}
May 7th 2008 10:07AM can anyone explain to me why the UCS and others arent upset about Toyota and Nissan offering thousands in rebates on their V8 pickups and SUVs? How is chryslers deal worse than that? shouldnt Toyota and NIssan be concentrating on making 25mpg V8 pickups instead of offering rebates on gas guzzlers?
oh never mind, they arent American brands so they shouldnt be criticized. My bad.
Chrysler to guarantee gas at $2.99 a gallon! For three years! {Autoblog}
May 6th 2008 2:49PM I am just curious as to whether or not any of you genuis' here have figured out that this program applies to almost all Chrysler products, not just SUVS and Jeeps. I have seen numerous idiotic comments on here by folks saying that you will be stuck with a gas guzzler when the program expires but you dont have to buy a gas guzzler with this. You can buy an I-4 powered Journey, Sebring, Avenger, Caliber/Compass/Patroit, etc. I know people here hate Chrysler and anything else they perceive to be as American but this isnt a bad idea. Lets just pretend Toyota came up with it and judge it on its merits. You can tell when people dont have anything substantive to say when they resort to insulting Chrysler and saying they hope they go out of business instead of evaluating the idea.
BTW, edmunds experts have said they expect more of these deals to surface to prop up sales this year. While some cars at the Japanese manufacturers are doing well their truck and SUV sales are in the dump just like the Big 3.
Maximum Bob talks about Invicta and how not to rebadge cars {Autoblog}
May 1st 2008 2:03PM "To the commenters in this blog no matter what changes the Detroit 3 does to their platforms is still badge engineering--Gotta get that straight ;)"
Exactly. People are saying "everyone else has been doing this for years" and yet Toyota still hasnt abandoned badge engineering. Nor has Ford or Chrysler. GMs epsilon cars are more different than the camry is from the ES350 or the Armada is from the QX56.
Maximum Bob talks about Invicta and how not to rebadge cars {Autoblog}
May 1st 2008 2:00PM "Wow, welcome to a decade ago. Better late then never, though it's not like most journalists, enthusiasts, and their dogs have been lamenting the whole 'slightly different grill new brand' approach GM and Ford have taken for so long."
wow, get your facts straight. Do you guys actually know anything or do you merely quote from Autoblog? Newsflash: Impala and Lacrosse are the same car but look nothing alike. DTS and Lucerne are the same car but look nothing alike. 10 years ago the STS, Lesabre and Bonneville were the same car underneath and looked NOTHING alike. Gm has been platform sharing since 05 years ago. The height of badge engineering was in the 80s when Chevys and Olds and Buicks all looked similar but had different grilles and interior trim. GM has been differentiating models on the same platform for a long time now.
Maximum Bob talks about Invicta and how not to rebadge cars {Autoblog}
May 1st 2008 1:57PM "While it's great to hear Bob talk about how GM finally "gets it" when it comes to producing common products across an empire of brands, it's something that other automakers like VW/Audi have been doing for years while the General kept feeding us "triplets" of every model it made. So kudos to GM for finally getting it, but it took 'em long enough"
This is a stupid comment. The only badge engineered vehicles GM has are the Chevy/GMC trucks/SUVS, G5/Cobalt and torrent/equinox. The W platform cars have been looking different since forever. The Lacrosse and Impala and Grand Prix are the same car underneath and look nothing alike inside or out. The G6 and Malibu look nothing alike inside or out. The 9-3 looks nothing like the Aura, Malibu or G6. GM has not just started making different cars on the same platform. Do the XLR and Vette look alike to Autoblog writers? How about the Vue and Equinox?
"Maximum Bob is so full of it.
GM will continue to badge engineer because it's the least expensive way to do it."
No they wont. None of GM's recent releases have been badge engineered. Use common sense. The CTS doesnt even share interior or exterior components with its fellow Cadillac, the STS.
Chevy offering up new Malibu with four-cylinder engine {Autoblog}
Apr 23rd 2008 11:41AM The G6 gets an optional 6 speed for the I-4 model for 2009. The hybrids continue on with the 4 speed auto for now. I dont think that will change until the next gen hybrid system comes out.
The cobalt and HHR get VVT on their 2.2L engine to gain more economy. YOu will not see a 6 speed on this generation of either vehicle. A new cobalt should be out in 2010.
Chevy offering up new Malibu with four-cylinder engine {Autoblog}
Apr 23rd 2008 11:39AM Your comments make no sense. The Malibu looks better than camry, has better materials, is quieter, cheaper and handles better. Now it gets better economy as well. More baseless complaining from an import lover. YOu people wanted GM to do better and they have but now you dont want to give them any credit. Anyone defending the camry has no credibility. The camry's interior is full of cheap touches and there is flashing visibile in numerous locations. On top of that Toyota cant seem to get rid of the noticeable gap between the trunk and rear fender.
Chevy offering up new Malibu with four-cylinder engine {Autoblog}
Apr 23rd 2008 11:36AM The 6 speed will be standard on 2LT model for 2009 and on all Aura for 2009. This change is only for late run 2008 models and it only applies to LTZ model.
The Malibu and Aura are heavier than the Camry and Accord and have more standard power than Camry. This also beats the Fusion although a new model will be out for 2009 with better economy. Bottom line is 2009 domestic sedans will get best I-4 economy.
