Recent Comments:
Father's Day Sweepstakes, Day 3: Automoblox, of course {Autoblog}
Jun 19th 2008 1:08AM C9R!
Nissan 360: the X-by-Wire EA2 concept {Autoblog}
Apr 30th 2008 3:19PM All these systems are already on modern vehicles - there many a ton of vehicles with electric power steering - the Honda fit for one, and a lot of GM sedans. Drive by wire is standard in almost every vehicle now, and brake by wire is something Mercedes had in their E-class a few years ago. I am not worried about their reliability.
In case you folks did not notice, they fit seven seats into a long wheel base Murano here. I have an 03 Murano and there is no way I would want three rows in it. Way too cramped.
VW announces Carefree Maintenance Program for 2009 models {Autoblog}
Apr 23rd 2008 6:50PM It is amusing to call it "free maintenance" since you pay for it anyways - its built into the price of the vehicle. This sort of marketing idea makes people feel like they are getting more, but you pay for it just like people who do not have the "scheduled maintenance" coverage. I suppose it helps those who are not familiar with car maintenance to worry less.
VW planning 7-seat SUV {Autoblog}
Apr 16th 2008 12:20PM The Touareg2 is hardly large - its midsize and has two rows of seats. If anything, a larger SUV would be appropriate, but might be a tough sell with rising fuel prices. VW is rebadging a Chrysler minivan though.
Leno fears Top Gear USA may suck {Autoblog}
Mar 31st 2008 11:24AM Absolutely agree - those three make Top Gear what it is - its not just about the cars, its also about whether you like the reviewers driving it. Each of the TG reviewers has a different style yet they get along so well together, a mix of friendliness and sarcastic insults. The other Brit car show, Fifth Gear, reviews the same cars, but comes off as tedious and boring. The American car shows like Motorweek and Car and Driver are even worse since they cater to their advertisers, so I just don't see USA Top Gear coming close to the BBC version. But oh well, I'll always welcome more car shows on television.
Possible KITT reject? Wald Mercedes-Benz CL {Autoblog}
Dec 13th 2007 1:48PM This would have made a cooler KITT than the Mustang, but then KITT should be an American car. Too bad GM was so slow with bringing the Camaro out - I actually hope to see KARR as a Camaro.
Consumer Reports rates Toyota Highlander No. 1, won't recommend it {Autoblog}
Dec 7th 2007 3:31PM This is repeating info, but CR gives prerecommendations for Honda, Acura, and Subaru. Toyota, Scion, and Lexus used to also get that treatment but not anymore. For anyone who bashes CR, consider this - they are the only magazine that tests all their vehicles under the same conditions (they have their own test facility and track) using objective measurements. Now, it would be nice if we could find out how they weigh all their scores, i.e. Car and Driver style with numbers in every category. But all we get are the CR dots.
From what I can gather after reading many years of CR, there are several categories that bias their scores either higher or lower more than others. For example, ride, handling, comfort, and ergonomics appear to take priority over intangibles such as styling, market significance, and even price (ok this last one is a real quantity).
GM exceeds Malibu sales expections in the first month by, oh, 2,500 cars {Autoblog}
Nov 25th 2007 11:52PM So, are people buying the Malibu because it is such an improvement over the old one, or because it really is better than Accord/Camry? You can post all you want about how you think the market works, but the fact remains to be proven whether GM can move 20,000-30,000 Malibus a month. So far, that fact has not been proven. Nearly every new model receives an enthusiastic reception from customers, but whether it has staying power is another thing. Honda and Toyota know that whenever they introduce a new Accord or Camry, they will sell just as many of them during that month as they did of the old model.
GM exceeds Malibu sales expections in the first month by, oh, 2,500 cars {Autoblog}
Nov 25th 2007 3:04PM Wait a minute, doesn't GM sell something like 200,000 Malibus every year? To me, the Malibu is a success if the new model sells 30,000 units a month, to match Accord and Camry. Where did this silly 500 unit forecast come from? GM needs to sell 10x as many new Malibus as they did in November for the model to be on par with Accord/Camry.
From everything I read, the new Malibu is a competitive vehicle, but nothing I've read shows it to be better than the competition, only "just as good." I don't know about you, but given two "equal" vehicles, I'd pick the one with the reputation for reliability (yeah I know, Toyota is slipping, but they have never been "unreliable").
Is the 2008 Honda Accord Motor Trend's COTY? {Autoblog}
Oct 27th 2007 12:54PM Actually prior to 2000, MT had both the "car of the year" and "import car of the year," so the all domestic list was by nature a requirement for the award.
