regfootball

OnStar has greatly increased its services over the past couple years.

I had a flat tire on the outskirts of Detroit about 15 years ago. I had a cell. I had Roadside. The first question they ask: where are you. How the hell did I know? I had to walk about a mile to the last exit and call them back to tell them. Good thing it was in June and it was sunny. Chock up one for OnStar.

Stolen vehicle tracking sounds great on paper, but I doubt it is all the effective. I know the police are working on convincing the OnStar people to reach into the engine computer and retard the ignition timing of an escaping vehicel during a police chase. I am of two minds about that ability, frankly.

One of my customers had a heart attack behind the wheel of his Buick on the way to his sister's in South Carolina. His wife was able to use the panic button, get the car off the road and the paramedics were there pronto. (Unfortunately, he still died, but his wife was treated for shock at the scene.)

The new generation of voice-activated cell technology is way ahead of blue tooth. I don't know about the States, but up here, you can even piggy-back your Bell air time onto your OnStar phone. Remember, this is a 3W system, not 750 mw, like most hand held cell phones.

How often does your DVD based nav system update its street addresses and places? Ever max your visa card on a vacation and need an Exxon NOW because it is the only card you haven't maxxed (try that one on the interstate in south Dakota). Most of the On Star systems couple with the DIC to give turn arrows, along with the voice over telling you to make the next left or right. I've tried to trip the OnStar guys up with the nearest Tim Hortons. They are good, very good. Your Nav system can't do that.

I think this appeals to women more so than men. A woman working alone at night, especially in urban areas or our crappy winter nights would have a lot of solace knowing that if she gets into trouble there is an advisor right there with her.

But more than all of this, what I like about OnStar, is that unlike other services, you get it free for a year (on most vehicels now), which allows you to play with it, get it out of your system and then let it lapse - unlike paying $2k for a Nav system in compeititve vehicles. Plus, if you are stuck in a bad area of Detroit, you can push the blue button, give them your credit card number (unless they already have it on file) and reinitalize the system IMMEDIATELY.

You guys are big on CHOICES. Well, Onstar is one CHOICE that Toyota and Honda don't have. I'm slowly becoming a believer. I suspect that once Toyota unveils their version later this year, OnStar will come down in price, too.

But why do people insist on paying $450 for Sync, but won't pay $450 to save their life?

first off, sync can work with your cell phone now in what is called 911 assist. aside from that, sync is more about entertainment and communications. but now they can link it to your cell for a rudimentary service like on star.

on to on star. on star needs to bring their service into the now and offer other things like live, on screen navigation in addition with the voice assist and turn by turn. why not combine on star AND full screen service? KNOCKOUT punch! then, offer on star streaming vehicle entertainment like the sirius TV in the DCX vans? on star needs to tap into streaming vehicle entertainment in addition to its emergency functions and great potential with nav. also, on star needs to link up to people's phones and media players like sync does. lastly, on star should figure out how to get internet into people's cars.

GM is REALLY missing a huge op here to evolve onstar into something TRULY fabulous. I cannot stress this enough. On star could evolve into something more phenomenal than itunes but they insist on leaving it an emergency service only basically. sad.

a buddy pointed out something with NAV today. he said many cars NAVS lack the functionality and full time use and quality of guidance that even cheap garman systems use.

why pay 2k for an in car nav when a 300 dollar unit is superior and way cheaper?

I agree completely with you on the global warming issue.

We are in a warming trend right now, which is absolutely nothing new. The amount of CO2 in our atmosphere has spiked enormously since the industrial revolution, which I do feel we need to get under control, but there is no real evidence which attributes that spike to causing an increase in average temperatures.

Most global warming advocates immediately turn to a graph showing the average surface temperature of the planet for the last half million years, and a graph overlaid showing CO2 composition of the atmosphere for the same time period (in fact, here it is). From looking at it, it is immediately apparent that the two figures correlate closely on the graph, and for most people this is all the proof they need that CO2 causes global warming trends. There are two problems with this assumption however. First, it is only showing two statistics. To properly determine that CO2 is the cause, using the scientific method, it would require that all other possible factors be taken into account, and a controlled experiment done where all other factors except for CO2 are held constant.

The second problem is that people automatically come to the conclusion that CO2 is a necessary cause of global warming. If let's say CO2 does indeed cause global warming, it is still possible that it is merely a sufficient cause. That is, while CO2 may cause global warming, there may also be other factors which cause it as well.

see, why doesn't everyone at least think about it themselves like you have?

the thing that always kills me, like we have temperature data from a million years ago. they didn't even have thermometers or weathermen with bad hair back then, much less tv to broadcast it on.

scientists can spew any 'data' they want, and think people should believe it. there is no way to know exactly the temp was on march 15, 1435 in rome. that's why any attempt to use temps past beyond 100 years or so is pure unadulterated bull$h!.

The Corolla and Prius do not make the best comparison, since they are different vehicles and different sizes. The Civic and Civic hybrid would be a better comparison, since you can compare a gasoline to a hybrid with all other factors remaining constant (you could also do a Camry to Camry hybrid comparison, but I think Toyota's hybrid system is uselessly complex anyhow).

In this case, based on well over 100 results each at www.fueleconomy.gov for combined driving, the Civic achieves 30.8mpg and the HCH achieves 44.1mpg. The HCH is $3,090 more than the automatic equipped EX. For the most part they are comparable in features although there are a few discrepancies. For example the HCH has automatic climate control while the EX has a moonroof.

The HCH makes sense depending on driving habits and your local cost of gas. The extra maintenance costs of the HCH need to be taken into account as well, although they won't be excessive, nor will they be as much as a more complex Toyota hybrid (a bit of speculation there).

EX: 389.6 gallons to travel 12k. $1,363.60 at $3.50/gallon

HCH: 272 gallons to travel 12k. $950.00 at $3.50/gallon

$413.60 saved per year. 7.5 years to recoup costs, or 90,000 miles. If gas is $4.00 where you live it changes the result, and if gas continues to rise further the hybrid makes more sense yet. However, there is the possibility that gas will not go up a lot more, and might even come back down. It's a gamble, but either way you are still using less oil by driving the hybrid version, and at least the extra money is going to an automotive company instead of an oil company.

Honda has always been of the stance that hybrids only make sense on small cars, hence they dropped the Accord hybrid (which was a performance hybrid anyway) and are releasing a new smaller hybrid vehicle similar to the Fit and a new hybrid small sports car similar to the old CRX. They believe that clean diesels are the right choice for medium sized cars like the TSX, Accord, CR-V, etc, and the V-6 diesels will go to the Odyssey, Pilot, and larger vehicles. A diesel hybrid has not been confirmed nor denied, however it would likely be very expensive.

when my buddy bought his civic 6 months ago, the spread was 7k. 24k for the hybrid vs. 17k for the civic he got.

diesel in these parts now is nearly a dollar more per gallon. its a shame, but that alone will stymie diesel i fear.

Corn allocations to ethanol is going to make the cost beef go up because cattleman cannot afford corn because its too expensive and are killing of stock right now this will show up this fall in BEEF prices.

Also the price of cotton and other goods are on the rise as well because of that.

go to GMI and read hoosier ron's thread on how actually more net land and yield ws generated for corn in 2007 compared to 06 and 05, after even increased ethanol production is figured in.

the amount of food and feed corn is increasing, even after the corn used for ethanol is accounted for.

cows should be grass fed instead of corn fed anyways.

i liked the max until they dropped the stick and put the cvt in it.

as long as this still has the cvt, then i don't want it.

saide note....most of nissans remakes have drastically improved interiors. so i expect to see big changes inside.

The Fusion, if you could take the hit in space from the 500, would be a fine choice. A Milan with a stick would be even nicer, assuming you can actually find one. As long as you're keeping the Aztek, you have a larger vehicle, why not a Focus sedan? Yeah, they're small, but if its just going to be transportation, it would be perfect, use the Aztek when you need more space. The Edge is also a fine choice, I cant wait to see what the Flex feels like. How about a Wrangler 4-door? With the hardtop, cold weather isn't an issue (I drove a hardtop on an extremely cold day) and the cheap-ass interior doesn't seem out of place. It does have Bluetooth and the lifetime powertrain warranty. The back doors are tiny and the back seat is tight for a six-footer.

I was at the auto show again today. some choices I should add to the list, some VW's (Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen -got to sit in one-, Tiguan- sat in that too, Passat and Passat wagon, and the Accord, and the Chrylser vans.

I spent a LONG time in a 300 LX cloth which i really liked. I tried to build one with cloth and AWD and it wouldn't let me and if it had the price would have went bye bye.

Back to the Fusion. I spent a lot of time in a Fusion with the sport package, and Milans with the black / metal and leather.

As far as space goes, the Fusion and Milan are pretty large inside. Just lower than my car. Which might be ok. The Fusion and Milan are nicer than the Malibu for me as far as space and seating comfort and style. With a black interior it does a nice job feeling semi teutonic like a VW or something.

So if I am forced to economize, the Fusion or Milan may be my car. New 2010 chages don't come until Jan or Feb of next year so there will be big deals to be had. Even if the new upgrades may be worth waiting for. I guess I just need more details.

I still like the other Ford products and the Edge or Flex looks appealing. I just don't think I can do another taurus, but it is a good package for me. The Taurus X has appeal, but the Flex is the same thing, with more headroom and legroom and nicer looking.

The accord is a nice size and i could see one with a stick. Yet, Accords are pricey.

Dodge vans are ok, but they really went too far trying to make them do everything.

I did get back in the focus, too. having had one for a week recently, i can attest that was livable.

There is actually some used 4 cyl, 5 speed fusions out there and I could see maybe trying to go that route if i pick fusion and the lease doesn't seem to be worth it.

i thought this car was not getting the shifter plagued tremec? is or has it been improved?

never mind, it says they shortened the throws and improved the action.

Ford Edge SEL (for you). A two-row crossover. Sharp looks, and who needs a vestigial third seat anyway?

the edge is nice, but i get a very androgynous 'this will look weird five years from now' vibe out of it.

still, it may end up being that.

funds outlook seemingly keeps decreasing each month, gas is skyrocketing, so a simple fusion manual 4 cyl seems to be jumping in as a practical option.

with all the glut of crossovers, for some reason, a simple sedan seems so refreshing lately.

there was a stunning HHR in the parking lot at work when i left tonight, though. arg.

darn snow. G8 would be THE choice, without question, if i lived in snow free climes.

recently a dealer i once bought a car from sold a 2006 saab 9-3 aero v6 / stick for about 20 grand. i think that car would get good mpg if you lay off the gas some. it's a bit small inside however. i need to get one car seat for sure in the back.

lease is up early fall.

I'm thinking about what i want to replace the 500 with.

either a people mover, basic sedan, or a sporty vehicle.

It would be nice to have an AWD vehicle.

Ford has an advantage for me for a few reasons. Dealer is excellent - one price, 2 miles away and its convenient for service and shuttles, even if the car is super reliable. I like Sync. My last 3 fords have been completely reliable and dependable.

that said, i am not closing the door on something else.

Price and mpg will likely matter and chances are good I will lease again. There is a chance I may just buy a used car too. in fact, the economy the way it is, gas prices, we could be seeing a downgrade in my list also.

currently these are likely the vehicles that I am eyeballing the most.

Ford Flex

Ford Edge

Ford Taurus / Merc Sable

Ford Taurus X

Ford Fusion / Merc Milan (manual most likely)

Pontiac G8

Chevy HHR SS manual turbo

Traverse / Outlook / Acadia

VW Routan

Cobalt SS sedan manual turbo

-used Saab 9-3 Aero v6 manual

-used van

just curious to see what others are shopping for if you are getting something this year.

at least you didn't get a toyota, or a honda for that matter. i love bikes. bmw makes good bikes. have fun with it.

which is what most people want. no, actually, the highest selling models are probably loaded 4 cylinder models, from my experience with selling Hondas anywaysd.

that kind of deal isn't good for anyone's business. people already know the camry is a solid car, and they like it even. it definitely hurts Chevy, honda, and every other midsize around. which is why we see crazy deals here for all the midsizers...

and yet no one is willing to talk about the flood of used camrys in about 2-3 years. at auctions, losing value. bringing down the value of their new ones.

basically, toyota has decided they will stop short of nothing for market share. and it works, sure. but i just see no evidence of the toyota's big resale holding up. especially with the way they are cheapening the product lately. xb, xd, camry, corolla, yaris, tundra all cheaply built mediocre stinkers.

honda, different story.

rip on it for what you can. escalade brought BIG dollars into caddy at a sorely needed time.

rip it, but the public paid huge for them.

biz, your post hit a lot of right things.

I do think the VW version will fix many of the Doge/Chry flaws with the seating. they did try to outsmart themselves.

styling is a flaw. new vans look like cargo vans. last gen looked like stretched puffy wagons.

money is tight, and chrysler knows it and is already 5k off list on these things.

still for me, as nasty as it is, i might just do a 3 year old freestar and live with the crudeness. at least the 2nd row is comfortable and i can likely find something in the 10 grand range.

That's more rear wheel drive mythology. Ride quality has more to do with wheelbase length and suspension design than which wheels are driving. The DTS and Avalon are known for their plush rides and both are FWD.

Not to get too deep into RWD vs FWD but...Even though a case for "better" handling at the limit could be made for RWD, it's mostly a perception thing in the real world. Fun-to-drive is more important from a ownership satisfaction standpoint. And fun to drive has very little to do with which wheels are driving the car. Personally I've owned both and I can tell you that my 115hp FWD Mini Cooper was way more fun than my RWD 230hp BMW 330CiC.

Chrysler's demise may well rest on abandoning the Intrepid size FWD line, focusing on RWD and Hemi's, and then tanking it on the Sebring / Avenger.

RWD may not pan out to have saved Chrysler like everyone thought when the 300 first came out.

odyssey is decent but its not isolated enough from bumps and transmissions of the road through the steering. cabin is not hush quiet. it holds the road decently. power is alright. cabin is ok. the mouse fur velour is very 80's. dash is kind of grandpa. both the toyota and nissan are worthy of a look, even if the ody may drive the most like a car.

chrysler really hosed up the 2nd and 3rd row seats on the new vans. both the swivel and go and stow and go are flawed in termed of seating comfort. they do nice tricks, but their primary function suffers because of it.

the vw routan kinda fixes the things about the grand caravan that are deal killers, the boxy upright rear, bad 2nd row seating, cheap dash.

the more loaded T&C interiors are not bad once you get in there, like I did at the auto show this past weekend. the dodge's more spartan gray interior really is not up to the task.

i'll say this, there are big deals to be had on these right now. I wouldn't get one unless it had the 4.0.

Aura.

insignia is better!

The 09 model will most likely have the 3.6 DI engine.

not according to the order guide for 09

funny how everyone that thought RWD was the big end all, RWD and Hemi focus may be the thing that sidetracked Chrysler and will ultimately kill it.

meanwhile, people scoop up fwd cars. like the old intrepid was.

And, why not give 'em (RW,BL, FH) raises and stock options while you're asking the factory labor to take it in the shorts?...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1205360636...=googlenews_wsj

Unbelievable. I couldn't make it up and have it be more offensive.

i have no issues with this, buickman. how much does nardoofie make?

Actually, people DO buy their cars like washers.....

How many people just buy that LG washer because CR says so, or beacuse their neighbors have one?

A buttload of people buy their Toyotas the same way.

Granted their "safe " choice may be a costy one....which is why the Korean automakers are doing so well.

So GM is not going to be able to sell on benchmark, or on price. So they have to be different....

Though I really agree with the mainstream comment.. That is why the Mailbu is doing better...

a friend whose pilot lease is due this summer tells me his wife (she dictates what they get even though he makes all the coin) has said they will be getting a new highlander as their next vehicle. wanna take a guess why? keep in mind she has NO clue about anything related to cars, however she does read magazines, and watch tv, and surf the net.

If they kill Pontiac, then Saturn would get the Alpha car, Jetta like interior and build quality but rear drive would set them apart from the rest. Like a BMW 128i minus some luxury and prestige. If Pontiac goes, you also use the SS Chevrolets to get performance types, and keep Buick for the slushy-floaty $27-37,000 sedans. Basically if GM picked one of the three (Buick, Pontiac or Saturn) and killed it, the remaining 2 and Chevy could fill all the gaps.

Toyota has the Corolla which has sold 32 million units since 1966. 32 million sales in 41 years is about 750,000 a year, that isn't a bad legacy.

GM can only bring so many products to market every year. 2008 was Enclave, CTS, Malibu, and G8 (I think Astra is a 2009) and all 4 of those vehicles was on a platform used in 2007 with existing engines. If they can only do 5 products per year, every brand can't get a new vehicle, and models will go for 7 years without update (9-5, H2, GMT360s). The Camaro could be on sale now, but they stopped work on Zeta in favor of GMT900s. With 8 brands they will always move slowly, because they have to spread money and resources thin.

saturn buyers don't really want RWD sedans

USA and Canada SHOULD merge. the US dems would rejoice from getting socialized medicine and higher taxes and the enrons that pump the repub machine would be ecstatic for all that oil they could profit from even more.

http://www.autoextremist.com/current/

plenty of delorenzo rant about the koreans and vw too

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/brain_diesel_dc

Diesel fumes can affect your brain, scientists say

Diesel fumes can affect your brain, scientists say Mon Mar 10, 8:04 PM ET

Inhaling diesel exhaust triggers a stress response in the brain that may have damaging long-term effects on brain function, Dutch researchers said on Tuesday.

Previous studies have found very small particles of soot, or nanoparticles, are able to travel from the nose and lodge in the brain. But this is the first time researchers have demonstrated a change in brain activity.

"We can only speculate what these effects may mean for the chronic exposure to air pollution encountered in busy cities where the levels of such soot particles can be very high," said lead researcher Paul Borm from Zuyd University.

"It is conceivable that the long-term effects of exposure to traffic nanoparticles may interfere with normal brain function and information processing."

Borm and his team put 10 volunteers in a room filled with exhaust from a diesel engine for one hour and monitored their brain waves with an electroencephalograph (EEG). The level of fumes was similar to that found on a busy road or in a garage.

After about 30 minutes, brain wave patterns displayed a stress response, suggesting changes in information processing in the brain cortex.

Further research is needed to determine the clinical effect of this stress and whether it has any long-term impact on verbal and non-verbal intelligence or memory abilities.

Still, the result appears to be another black mark for nanoparticles found in traffic fumes, which have already been linked with increased rates of respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

The study was published in the journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology and is available online at http://www.particleandfibretoxicology.com/

(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Jon Boyle)