Recent Comments:
Rumormill: Ford converting North American factories to make European cars {Autoblog}
Jun 16th 2008 12:24AM Enough with this bringing Fords over and labeling them Mercurys. How about we leave Mercury with the Mercury Milan and replace the Fusion with the Euro Ford Mondeo. Keep Fords Fords everywhere, and if we're going to have a lesser-Ford in the USA, call it Mercury.
Showdown between Arnie and the Automakers set for Thursday {Autoblog}
May 6th 2008 2:35PM 1 in 8 americans live in california - that's a lot. figure the other 15 states on board and that's a significant portion of the population. on its own, CA is the 6th largest economy in the world. there's no way that any car maker could give up on CA.
However, I do think that the result of CARB proposals will be a severe restriction on the types of cars available in CA. Manufacturers simply wont be shipping us their SUVs anymore (and the limited ones they do ship will cost ridiculously marked-up prices) and we'll be sing the lion's share of ford focuses and chevy cobalts. So in that way, CA gets what it wants with mileage improvements, carmakers dont really end up changing, and the consumer just gets a whole lot less choices.
Ford stock up thanks to Kerkorian, Volvo remains "not for sale" {Autoblog}
May 6th 2008 2:23AM But what will it cost to actually bite the bullet and terminate mercury? Look at GM's costs associated with killing Olds (which they are still paying). It may be more efficient to simply keep only the sable (which as far as I can tell is the only one not promised the ax) and let the Lincoln / Merc dealerships just deal with not having any other Mercs. No?
Hockey player auctions off souped-up Sunfire for good cause [w/VIDEO] {Autoblog}
May 1st 2008 1:36PM The Sharks should buy it, drive it out onto the ice Friday for game 5, take sledge hammers to it, then auction THAT off for charity.
Not only would it be F'n awesome, but two charity orgs would get paid...
Acura prices 2009 TSX just below $30k {Autoblog}
Apr 14th 2008 7:17PM I drove the CTS and the TSX (and obviously not the MKS yet).
The CTS has a great feel to it. It's a bit bigger than I would like, as I'm more in favor of the feel of a 3-series, which is much smaller and more nimble.
The TSX drives like the Accord it is. I have little negative to say about it, but I have equally little positive to say about it either. That's my problem with these asian cars - no personality. It's an appliance method to automotive machinery. All it does is gets the job done.
Acura prices 2009 TSX just below $30k {Autoblog}
Apr 14th 2008 6:56PM Question: how to make a $40k import luxury car look like a ford focus?
Answer: 2009 TSX - the biggest waste of money since the 2008 TSX.
I swear some of these Asian car companies are DARING people not to buy their products. The public is so infatuated with this sense of reliability that they'll just buy anything it appears. Wow. I'll take the high repair bill if it means I'll ride in something with looks more akin to the new Lincoln MKS or Caddy CTS.
In the Autoblog Garage: Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE {Autoblog}
Apr 9th 2008 1:40PM I just took my girlfriend's 2.5 to Big Sur last weekend. Averaged over 30mpg going down the curvy PCH. And that was with ME driving it (stomping, quickly swerving, often passing other cars, etc). Never had a problem with gas mileage on this car.
My issue has always been the remaining perception that it's a "chick car." I always end up reminding people it's not mine. This is despite the fact I don't think the car deserves that reputation since the new Jetta was released in 2005. It's actually been a great car - luxurious, nice road manners, very smooth ride for its class, etc.
Definitely would recommend over a Civic or a Tercel. I'd say it's really between the Jetta and the Mazda3 in this class. Go with the Jetta if it's a girl as a primary owner, but I'd have gone with the 3 if it was me as the primary driver.
NYC congestion charge gets blocked by state {Autoblog}
Apr 8th 2008 4:21PM You're right: manhattan dwellers will have to pay more for their goods and services because their goods and services are delivered by trucks getting nailed with the tax. That's the cost of living in a place that has ZERO chance of expanding roads to meet an expanding population. Gridlock is all that's going to result of no regulation - and how would you like it if your delivery trucks are stuck in traffic and simply can't get to your store for deliveries?
NYC congestion charge gets blocked by state {Autoblog}
Apr 8th 2008 3:53PM All my family is on the island. I understand the impact on the people in the boroughs. The higher cost for them to get to work must necessarily work out over time in higher compensation at the lower end. Their higher compensation will have to be paid for through higher prices at restaurants, services, etc ultimately by those who live there.
As for the people living in the boroughs who make good money in the city and don't work in the service sector, they can eat this cost. They benefit from lower housing costs by not living in Manhattan at the expense of those who actually have to live there. Tough for them.
NYC congestion charge gets blocked by state {Autoblog}
Apr 8th 2008 3:30PM You two are just being silly. NYC is an expensive place. Adding a congestion fee will force people to alter their habits or pay a little more. Blaming "lack of planning" is a little silly given the roads aren't exactly going to be changing any time soon.
Raising the cost to live and do business there will ween out those who really dont seen NYC as worth the cost.
