Recent Comments:
Spy Shots: Opel Insignia five-door hatch caught {Autoblog}
May 11th 2008 8:55PM Here we go again with that unjustified comment about Americans being "averse" to hatchbacks. That's a bunch of BS. Sure, Americans are averse to stupid ugly hatchbacks, that typically originate in Europe, but hatchbacks in general are very desirable. I have NEVER heard anyone state that they wouldn't drive a hatchback. The hatches on 350Zs have never hurt sales, nor on the previous generations of the Honda Civics and Accords. I'm just trying to think of a manufacturer that makes a hatchback that's not a hot-seller that would cause Autoblog and other entities to make such ridiculous statements. I can't think of any failed attractive hatchbacks.
If it's the sawed off backend of the BMW Z cars are Mercedes hatches, sure, those are losers. But make it streamlined as this Opel, and it's a winner.
Who else thinks the Poulsen hybrid is the sleeper team to win the X Prize? {Autoblog Green}
May 8th 2008 11:47PM Sorry, but this is absurd. Notice that the manufacturer makes no real claims as to gains in efficiency? If this simple add on could make a significant difference at all, then vehicles specifically engineered with such a system (various breeds of hybrid) should have a 10 fold increase in efficiency. Sorry, but this isn't much more than a gimmick. The mounting system attached to the rear bumper simply couldn't handle the torque necessary for any serious power gain.
Spy Shots: 2010 Chevy Cobalt {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 11:41PM The big question is, will GM actually make a premium small car of this by ridding it of the crude torsion beam suspension? Anything less than fully independent suspension, front and rear, is inexcusable in this day and age.
More creative incentives: Buy a VW Routan and get $1,500 for college {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 11:39PM How about VW keeping the college fund and invest in putting something better than a solid or torsion beam rear suspension on this? VWs selection of this vehicle for their minivan has cost them a lot of respect from this reader. It looks good, but an archaic lousy suspension can't be hidden.
Mazda survey reveals pricing and packages for Mazda6 {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 11:35PM Again, why must stereos, homelink, steering wheel mounted audio controls and such be part of packages? These should all be dealer installed options. Anymore it's impossible to get the features I want in a car because the manufacturers force that stupid leather and wood grain luxoboat packages on the buyers just to get the desirable features. Sorry, but here in the heat of Texas, I don't want leather under any circumstance. And while I always want a moonroof, $1,800 is overpriced by about 50%.
And what's the obsession with the stupid seams across the front of the hood that so manufacturer's are obsessed with (i.e. Toyota in particular). Why not extend the hood another inch and a half and integrate the seam into the grill. It would probably also be cheaper to manufacture. ...and while I'm bashing, the lines from those front fenders simply don't flow with the remainder of the car. But it really doesn't matter since you continuously refuse to make this in a 2 door coupe or 2 door hatchback. And sorry, but the MX5 is too feminine and dainty and the RX8 is simply to bizarre and impractical.
Hyundai launches i800 full-size van in Europe {Autoblog}
May 8th 2008 11:27PM That's sharp for a van. Unlike most of the American steel, it has a fairly wide and stable looking track width. If that 4 cylinder can get to 60mph in anything under about 10 seconds or so, those vans would be quite the rage here in the US. Combine that interior volume with that economy and those looks, it would quickly take over that market segment. I've always been amazed at the junk vans the US manufacturers have put out and that have been attached to U-Hauls and such. Absolutely no regard for ergonomics or seating position/drivability.
I own a Hyundai Tucson and am fairly confident that such new Hyundais would have equally excellent quality.
Way to go Hyundai. Now just bring us a few more 2 door coupes and 3 door hatches in various segments to round out that portfolio.
And you thought $79,995 was crazy...GT500KR for sale on ebay for $154,991.00 {Autoblog}
May 4th 2008 9:21PM $80,000 is about twice what it's worth to begin with, let alone over $150,000. Anything with a stupid lame solid axle shouldn't command over $30,000 these days anyway. And the sheer volume of Mustang derivatives alone devalues these derivatives.
Despite rumors, next Acura NSX won't be priced around $200k {Autoblog}
May 2nd 2008 9:05PM The long delay on the new Acura NSX is undoubtedly due to executive management debating how best to add two more doors and make it a sedan. After killing off anything remotely cool in the Acura line up like the Integra, RSX, and CL, it is clear that management doesn't like 2 door coupes and hatches. That is unfortunate, since I don't like stodgy 4 door sedans, ...regardless of how much horsepower or technical gimmickry it may have. After having a 2 door hatchback Integra for 8 years, I sincerely miss the practicality of the hatch and ease of entry and exit for taller people with a 2 door vehicle (longer doors than on a sedan).
It's a similar sad story at Lexus, an obsession with 4 door people haulers even though most vehicle miles are spent with only one occupant.
What I loved about my Integra is that it had the wonderful drivetrain, suspension, and good looks without the precocious and gawdy leather, wood grain, or excessive price.
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Pontiac Vibe {Autoblog}
Apr 27th 2008 4:42PM What's unfortunate is that this comes with the lame torsion beam rear suspension.
And what's up with the pathetic gas mileage of Toyota's 2.4 liter engine? For all of Toyota's reputation for efficiency, this motor is inexcusably inefficient. The Scion TC should be getting about 10 mpg more than it is rated at (29mpg city). In fact, the larger Altima with the larger 2.5 liter 4-cylinder is rated at better mileage.
Toyota (and GM) are getting blown away by Honda when it comes to fuel efficiency for a given category of vehicle.
Bose offering full-function head unit with simple style {Autoblog}
Apr 27th 2008 4:29PM Stereos are one place where automakers are inexcusably two decades behind in the technology curve. I'm still not sure why my stereo has to dump the presets anytime the battery is disconnected. Non-volatile memory has been around for decades. Why isn't this used for presets. And since the 60's and 70's, cars have always had a problem with integrating the newest types of media, from 8-track tapes, to cassettes, to DVDs, to USB drives. In most cases, a simple mini stereo input plug would have solved the issue.
But Kudos to Ford for Sync (other than for the Microsoft partnership) and Bose for bringing out these new stereos. It's about time they became reconfigurable with simple software and modular hardware upgrades. And it especially encouraging that Bose is still using the good old round knobs which simply cannot be replaced when it comes to good ergonomics.
The stereo aftermarket should also take note and end production of the childish video arcade looking units with lighting that doesn't even match the car and the numerous dainty little buttons. The biggest annoyance with aftermarket units is the lack of a simple on/off button. Most of them use some cryptic press-and-hold "source" button for the off. Any press-and-hold feature should be outlawed in vehicles to begin with due to driver distraction. My guideline is to simply ask myself if my parents could figure out how to use the stereo. With most aftermarkets, the answer is a resounding no.
Now if we can just get manufacturers to offer stereo and similar upgrades without requiring the luxo-boat packaging from the factory. These should be dealer installable upgrades at a reasonable price. I shouldn't have to pay for leather and wood grain just to upgrade the stereo.
