Recent Comments:
Toyota prices 5-door Yaris hatchback from $13,305 {Autoblog}
Aug 6th 2008 4:21PM For a $13K (to be exact 12,965) you can get a base 4-door Toyota hatch with manual five-speed transmission is not a bad deal. This car will sell. I guess they have a solid Honda fit fighter now.
BMW 335d will be released in November as 2009 model {Autoblog}
Aug 6th 2008 10:24AM i rather have 320d or 520d. I believe 520d wagon (or estate as they call it) specifically is one the most popular BMW model in Europe. kinds of makes sense since 520d wagon has more space small SUV or CUV, more economical cost and mpg, better looking, sporty, and safe.
BMW cancels plan for range-topping X7 SUV {Autoblog}
Aug 4th 2008 4:37PM Call me crazy but I would be interested in a Mini Crossman (ala 1 series suv) versus a large monster suv.
Spy Shots: Chevy Cruze shows off its interior {Autoblog}
Aug 2nd 2008 12:58PM i totally agree with you about the naming convention. i don't understand why GM does not stick to one name and try to improve it rather than just change the name sell the same old crap. Its insulting to think that changing name will trick the consumer into buying the same old crap (though I agree it has worked for them for years now).
I personally would appreciate if automaker had functional names like German brands. Specifically, a series followed by the engine size (i.e. merc e320, audi A4 2.0T, Merc C63 AMG, or BMW 528).
Busted! Indiana Mustang patrol cars nab 4,600 speeders in June {Autoblog}
Jul 30th 2008 9:36AM 4600 in a one month indicative of two problems, 1) 55 speed limit is useless and 2) most drivers are not following road signs. Both of these things are major issues in almost all states. I understand there is a lot of money in short term from writing so many violations but how does this solve the major problems (incompetent drivers and antiquated speed limits)? I am no traffic engineer or politician but I understand people need their cars in this country and without cars the economy would basically come to halt. Personally, I hate the fact what the whole traffic judicial system has become from the town's district attorney, cops, drivers, and lawyers everyone wants a piece of everyday Joe's salary. They have setup a system that entraps speeders, thens criminalizes them but the irony of it is that you can get away by paying you way out and never learning anything from it. Why not make the motor licensing process more rigorous not something that anyone can do in 15 minutes? Like almost all developed countries (esp. Germany and Japan) car licenses are require some serious training and road knowledge. Also, if everyone is more knowledge and has more practice before they get on the road speed limits can increased safely.
Ford to sharply raise lease prices on trucks and SUVs {Autoblog}
Jul 29th 2008 6:28PM High end auto manufactures like BMW and MB subsidizes leases to the max. For instance BMW's claims about highest residual value is a total joke since most of their vehicles are on a closed lease and they get back.
TechArt GT Street RS, because the Porsche GT2 isn't mean enough {Autoblog}
Jul 23rd 2008 4:27PM call me a rookie driver but how can you drive this car on the legal street road its practically scraping the road. Imagine driving this around L.A or NYC.
GM's Plan: Small cars making a big profit {Autoblog}
Jul 21st 2008 3:12PM I agree with you completely. Sadly big 3 US auto companies are totally out of touch with current buyers and have been producing crap compared to Japanese for the last 15yrs. The worst part is that they are still thinking short term and trying to come up with Volt/Cruze only when they saw success of Toyota Prius or Honda Civic/FIT. Its sad that as big as they are they have managed to completely overlook small / efficient cars sector totally up til now and now they have the nerves to blame the buyer, oil market, and other factors. For example, over the years Honda has been critized for making cars thave have "little" (according to American standards) amount of torque and HP (i.e TSX 200hp, Civic/FIT) but guess what they stick with their theory "Bigger is not alway better" and it has been paying off for them.
Also you are very much dead-on right about car tuning espcially involving young people. Basically right now any kid out there that knows anything about car that is looking for a car will go out and gets himself older Japanese car that be easily modded before GM/FORD/CHRYSLER product. Hell, Kids with little more money go for older European (VW or BMW) before they think or touch a US product. It is truly sad that US big 3 in their infinite wisdom years ago decided to ignore they next generation customer by not producing any good small cars that are cheap and easy to mod. Yes, there are exception but they are rare and aren't respected by young kids like Civic/old 3 series/VW golf are. Nobody is going to be modding or running around in an suburban in 10yrs from now. Geez old Honda Civic/Acura Integra are legends (most people will be shocked with what 15 year Acura with VTEC are sold for these days).
Honda/Acura does even need to "SELL" their cars they already have million of young buyers sold who will never look anything else beside Honda or maybe VW/BMW. Most kid who grew up in 80/90/00 will totally abandon the US brands cause they can't relate to them.
Redesigned Mitsubishi Pajero Sport coming to Moscow {Autoblog}
Jul 17th 2008 11:10AM IMHO Pajero (along with Toyota land cruiser) used to be the gold standard for a "REAL" SUV until every soccer mom wanted one. Now Mitsubishi doesn't built Pajeros like it used to. New models always seem to loose the utility for style rendering these kind of vehicles useless for any serious off-roading task. I'll take a first gen Pajero anyday over this.
Want to watch Top Gear in person? Prepare to wait 21 years {Autoblog}
Jul 16th 2008 2:10PM maybe its just me but this season (series 11) the have always have very good looking girls in the first row behind the presenters.
