jlgolden

Our Driver's Ed cars were brand new 1989 Nissan Sentras...some 2 door, some 4 door. Additionally, we had one new Cutlass Ciera coupe...very odd. Everyone wanted to drive the Olds, since it was a much classier car than the Sentras...but alas, my group was assigned a grey Sentra sedan...boring.

GM repurchased my 2001 Oldsmobile Alero under the guidelines of Texas Lemon Law. After a lengthy, time-consuming, frustrating battle, I swore off GM and replaced that car with a 2002 Nissan. I felt stung, and I was embarrassed in front of my import-loving peers. They advised me to shop Toyota and Honda when I bought the Alero. However, I'm back to GM (and would consider any domestic brand) since the quality gains are so obvious. Additionally, some of my import-loving peers are slowly migrating into domestic products...such as a 2008 Wrangler, 2008 CTS, 2009 Avalanche, and a 2009 Challenger SRT8. The reality is that every manufacturer's product has an issue at some point.

The black Impreza pictured (in this thread) looks mean, planted, balanced, and distinctive...it is far better looking than the current model. The current Impreza 5-door looks too puffy...and it resembles a Suzuki Reno...and the 4-door is simply generic. Nothing bad...but nothing that links design with any emotion or brand recognition. If the new Toyo/Subie coupe actually makes it to production, I hope the Subie looks unique. Looks aside, we could use more (cheap...around $20K) fun cars.

OK, the Spark is wacky and edgy...and elementary school kids everywhere will adore its "surprised psycho Pokemon" face. Yes, it looks like an amusement ride cart. But really, kids, when you're a grown-up start earning a dignified living, this is NOT the car you want to be seen in. Maybe college girls will think its cool. Did they really design this car to appeal to adults? The current Aveo looks much more mature.

I think the Mahindra truck will find a willing buyer base here in the US, especially if the product is tough, capable, and has an aggressive price advantage. Our current economy is forcing many folks to re-evaluate luxury purchases (such as buying a truck that's way more capable than will ever be needed) as we are entering a new era of "cash-flow awareness" and spending restraint. That said, many truck buyers may find comfort in having more choices amongst inexpensive trucks that offer simplicity and practicality... rather than over-the-top capacity & luxury and a $500 - $600 monthly payment!

Are we sure there will be anything new at Saturn any more? I understood that GM was only guaranteeing production of Saturn models through 2012. To me, that announcement is a bittersweet forecast...as it only suggests that they are letting all of the current models run through their regular life cycle, without a commitment to continue the Saturn brand. I guess my trust is weak, as I bought a 2001 Alero (in December 2000) and 48 hours later, GM announced the phase-out of the entire Olds division. That was a political and financial mess.

I like the overall look of the Astra, the materials, fit/finish...solid door & handle operation... are wonderful... but performance is weak, and without generous discounts, it's not a particularly good dollar value. AND...I'll go back to my biggest gripes about the Astra...those two which eliminated this car from my buddy's shopping list in August: the stupid, inexcusable omission of an i-pod input jack and no XM sat radio. Now with the entire Saturn brand image and future uncertain, the Astra is a poorer value, despite discounts. Here's why: If Saturn dealers evaporate in 4 years, will and Chevy or Buick dealers want to service the "oddball" European Astra? It could mean investing in parts inventory, software for diagnostics, tech training, etc. Kinda like when Merkur went away, and Ford dealers loathed dealing with the quirks of any Scorpio or XR4Ti that came in for repair.

I'm pleased to announce that a good friend of mine has come back to the domestics! After a 2001 Ranger, then a 2005 Scion Tc, then a 2007 Mazda CX-7, then a 2008 Infiniti G37.....drum roll please....we got him into an '09 Avalanche on Monday afternoon. Nicely loaded LT with leather, rearview camera, Bose, etc. Drive-out was about $37K, representing a fantastic savings versus MSRP. I never ever imagined him in such a vehicle...especially a Chevy...but here we are now, and it's a reality. Note: his partner drives a 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew Cab. How wonderful to see them with two GM products in the driveway.

OK, a few weeks have passed and we hear more chatter regarding Pontiac models which are being eliminated...so will the G3 even make it to US dealer lots at all ??? The G3's existence is such a half-a$$ effort...but at this point, Pontiac dealers may benefit from any additional opportunity to sell something....regardless of the fact the little runts like the G3 would contribute to diminished brand image.

This new Equinox is gorgeous - both inside and out. This is the type of balanced, "almost muscular" car design that releases good endorphins and maybe even stirs a feeling of lust in my head. Oh, geez, perhaps I've said too much...I think my point was: YES I like it! I hope that the trim, finishes, and mechanical refinement are top-notch. I look forward to seeing the un-disguised GMC Terrain version.

My partner has an '07 Legacy Spec. B, and we love it's balanced, conservative, elegant appearance. But oh my...based on looks alone, this 2010 Legacy is a tough sell...especially with the GORGEOUS 2010 LaCrosse and 2010 Taurus as competitors. However, the Subaru faithful may embrace the Legacy's quirky details, and see beauty where I see disorder. Of course, if the new Legacy's pricing starts near $21K like the current model, then there's added value in the equation. I really, really hope the finished product has a prettier, more cohesive looking face.

The G3 needs to be $14,995 with all the goodies included at that price: automatic, cruise control, ABS, and alloy wheels - in other words "fully loaded" for about $15K. Now, after all the bail-out hype and re-focus on core brands...it looks like the G3 is a lame duck before it even hits the showrooms. How in the world do you woo "aware" buyers toward a G3 now? Any car on it's way out the door has serious image issues. GM, if you've given up on the Pontiac brand, and it's destined for niche duty, the G3 is a terrible fit. Spare your Pontiac salespeople their dignity and just cancel the G3 program now.

Road noise Engines that spin too high and thrash / hum at highway speed 4 speed automatics in a day of 6 speeds Gear / driveline whine "Blap blap blap blap" loud exhaust racket from Harley Davidson bikes Car speakers that distort easily when the bass is cranked up Car speakers that can't even reproduce most bass notes Shiny chrome wheels Black-out tape..with seams..surrounding exterior door frames (e.g. Honda Civic) Cheap aftermarket wheels, body kits, wind deflectors, stripes, medallions, fender vents Vinyl or cloth carriage roofs that dealers add to otherwise dignified vehicles. Dramatic, up-swept belt lines and rear quarter glass e.g. Traverse, Murano, Rogue, and the otherwise stately 1987 Mercury Cougar.

This new Equinox is gorgeous - both inside and out. This is the type of balanced, "almost muscular" car design that releases good endorphins and maybe even stirs a feeling of lust in my head. Oh, geez, perhaps I've said too much...I think my point was: YES I like it! I hope that the trim, finishes, and mechanical refinement are top-notch. I look forward to seeing the un-disguised GMC Terrain version.

The lack of an i_Pod jack kept my buddy from buying the Astra. I now know that a Vauhall part can be added...then the Saturn dealer has to use the "scan tool" to reconfigure the audio system to recognize the "AUX" input. Auxiliary socket... Vauxhall lists it as receptacle housing part # 13255833

Yeah, it sucks being on a tight budget - like my Dad - where the appealing, affordable new car choices are quite limited. Detroit's offerings for $15K failed to meet the criteria, and did not make the cut this time. If the car budget was just a tad higher, like $16500, we would have not considered an Accent. And if the budget was closer to $20K, then a Malibu or Fusion would work just fine. Geez, if Chevy would just made ABS standard on the Cobalt, I think we could have worked a deal on a base model and ended up priced exactly where we needed to be. If we could have located a properly-equipped Cobalt online - without having to mess around with a salesperson - we would have persued that route further. But why hassle with the Chevy guys who (order their inventory in a way such that they) don't want to compete with Hyundai, anyway? I'm all about buying a domestic product...if it meets your needs. My Dad is 59 years old and now disabled. He has owned lots of great cars over the years, and he's pretty sharp. He feels that it's enough of a sacrifice having to drive a bottom-feeder car...so at least he should get it with the basic safety features he's accustomed to! Looking around my nice middle-class neighborhood, where the average homeowner age is probably 35-ish years old, we mostly have full-size GM and Ford trucks & SUVs in the driveways. My household contributes to that landscape. But in the last 4 months, I see that 2 new Yaris', and a totally stripped down (but with ABS!!!) 2009 Corolla showed up in my view. Why couldn't my neighbors have purchased domestic brand cars this time? Price? Features? Perceived quality? Bad experience with the 5 year old Sunfire or Taurus that they just replaced? Lord knows. If the recession continues to squeeze people, how much increased demand for well-equipped $15K cars might we see? Detroit is more successful at serving those with bigger budgets. They grudgingly introduce cars such as the the adorable little Aveo (which would not hit its current price point if it were built in Kansas) and they put a nice marketing spin on it, and the media relations people fake a smile through the car's introduction and unveiling. Meanwhile, KIA, Hyundai, and Toyota - who seem to have done their research - are in a pretty good place... maybe because they offer small cars with a tidy look, feel, and exceptional features for the money. Detroit does bigger cars better than it does small cheapo cars. That legacy continues and is exemplified by the scenario surrounding my Dad's Hyundai purchase. I like and crave mid-size and full size vehicles...and will continue to buy domestic...as long as it appeals to me and meets my needs. God... I hope my finances never force me into a new car smaller than a Malibu, but if it did...Whew! The competition is fierce.

There were a few factors pressing the need to make a purchase and get the financing worked out, etc. within a narrow time line. So ordering a car - or waiting a few days to locate one and have it transferred to a local dealer - was not going to work. While Hyundai Motor Company (corporate) benefitted from the Accent purchase, the bigger picture is that Dad's purchase supported a local business and its operations. The Hyundai salesman got something out of it, so did the finance guy, so did the receptionist, so did the janitor. When Dad returns to the dealer for maintenance, the Hyundai technician gets additional labor hours on his time card. The American advertising agency that Hyundai pays - is able to pay its own U.S. employees - with funds generated from Hyundai sales. P.S. I already ordered an Accent cargo net from a Hyundai accessories store, which operates out of Massachusetts. It all boils down to car companies offering the right product at the right time in order to get the sale. In turn, the sale generates an immediate and future revenue stream right hear on U.S. soil. However, Marketing and Engineering are my fields of study, not economics, so I'll stop here.

Rational Car Buying Criteria or Unreasonable Expectations ? Some people must have all-wheel drive, others must have leather seats, others will only drive a Pontiac because that's the right thing to do. Whatever. So we all have motives for our purchases. ABS is valuable to my family. Period. Cars like the Cobalt, Astra, and Focus are - in many ways - more appealing than an Accent. We knew this. I scoured dealer inventories online, before we wasted any time driving around town. Every Cobalt with ABS was all still about $1000 beyond the cost cap, even with "Red Tag Event" pricing. I located ONE Focus that had the right equipment, but it was an unappealing color. The hatchback body style of the Astra (plus the added uncertainty regarding future extinction of Saturn dealerships) ruled out the Astra from day one. And really, the Accent competes more so with an Aveo than a Cobalt. Putting Aveo and Accent side by side...well...it's really Daewoo vs. Hyundai. Who wins that competition...and on what terms? We can argue different angles all day. I hope that I'm never restricted to shopping for cars in this $15K to $16K price range for ME to drive every day...but even within a "tight" budget, it's fair for a buyer to have certain criteria for his new car. Why make unneccesary sacrificies when Hyundai offered the right look, the right feel, the right features, and the right price. The Hyundai dealer even had several colors to choose from. Wow...it's starting to make sense! You stop shopping around when the right car is readily available, directly in front of you.

My biological father recently moved back to Houston, and promptly totalled a nice 2005 Corolla. In looking for a replacement vehicle, the criteria for the new car was simple: Must be new, automatic, ABS, no more than $16,500, and must be a 4 door sedan - no hatchbacks. His experience with GM and Chrysler products...in the the 1980s and 1990s..meant that those cars were NOT allowed on the shopping list. Dad's was at first fixated on looking at a 2009 Corolla or Yaris. After much pleading, I managed to get the Aveo, Cobalt, and Focus on the consideration list. But those cars are hard to find with ABS. The only Aveos with ABS had other features which jacked the price to nearly $18K...Ridiculous! Even with "Red Tag Event" pricing, these cars were waaayyy overpriced. And Cobalts and Focuses with ABS were virtually non-existent. I almost felt sick. I wanted soooo bad to get my dad into a domestic brand again. But, to make a long story short, Hyundai dealers in the Houston area have enough insight to stock about 50% of their 2009 Accents with the ABS package. The Accents are solid and stylish. Their reputation is respectable. Many others we know (including my ex) have had good experiences with Hyundai. SOLD! A brand new car with a tasteful (read: "Not Trendy") design, an awesome warranty, and purchased for a tick over $15,000. Sorry GM and Ford, but you lost out on another sale due to an options / equipment goof-up. Geez, this is 2009 we are living in...why isn't ABS just standard on everything now? I'm still a little sick that there's not a little Chevy in Dad's driveway now. When he's ready to replace the Accent in 6 or 7 years, maybe GM will be more aware and focused, and have a handle on product offerings, costs, and features.

Overall, it's a decent mid-cycle freshening...but I still think the 2010 model's tail lamps need a re-shaping. They visually conflict with the rear end's contours, creases, and seams. However, the the front end update instantly distinguishes it from previous year models...unlike the barely-altered 2009.5 Pontiac G6.

Apparently Suzuki and Mitsubishi do not need any related exposure or visibility that would result from participating in this critical auto show. Well... out of sight, out of mind...I suppose. Watch somebody else step up and fill that space...such as the Chinese automakers. Yeah, those guys may not have the finished, deliverable product for us right now, but by displaying what they DO have (in the now-vacant show space) they will push forward in making a name for themselves. Anyone on display in Detroit will certainly reach the eyes and minds of thousands of people. Thousands of everyday people - potential customers - who attend the 2009 Detroit show will come away from it with no lasting memory of a Suzuki or Mitsubishi product...further eroding those brands' awareness in the region. The Big 3 better hang in there and display all their goods...even the somewhat disappointing & outdated stuff like G3, G5, Colorado, and Equinox need to be present to keep people aware that YES...yes indeed you can still get vintage (several-year-old) design vehicles at today's prices.

I not a fan of any dramatic aftermarket modifications like big spoilers, ground effects, lift kits / lowering kits, oversize wheels, etc. But...I think these "hood windows" are cool. Is this what the next generation of cash-strapped teens will be doing with their old Civics and Accords ? I can just see it now: the kids trying to do it themselves...with a piece of plexiglass...tracing a template on the hood of the car, then trying to cut a pattern with a reciprocating saw...with the hood flexing and warping...jagged. Word of advice: Use LOTS of clear caulk & silicone adhesive, kids...I don't want your experiment flying apart on the freeway and hitting me. Geez, The starving student always needs a distraction or hobby...something to aspire to. At least this is more tasteful than those boomy bumblebee exhaust systems.

I still have places to go (work / school / groceries / errands) and I make leisure trips around town. Depending on the weather and the mission, I often take my fun & economical motorcycle instead of the thirsty Sierra. Overall, at least for the time being, I'm feeling very little economic pinch from the higher gas prices, since they crept up slowly enough for me to adapt. I'm certainly not staying home counting spare change... trying to put together enough $$ to buy gas or groceries. But don't get me wrong, it would be lovely if my Sierra got better that 18 mpg on the highway...and I sometimes feel that I'm flushing money down the toilet when I drive the truck instead of taking the moto.

Interior quality comparison: the dash top material in the Accord is hard plastic, with a cheap-looking sheen...whereas the Sebring has a rubberized textured dash top that looks (and feels) richer.

Two weeks ago, a good friend of mine needed a new car...quickly. He's not "car" guy, so overall performance is not a huge issue. Style, comfort, features and price are the top issues. Additionally, used cars were not an option. After a positive experience with his old 2001 Corolla, along with his sister's good (current) ownership experience with a 2002 Corolla, Toyotas are held in high esteem. He was initially fixated on a 2009 Camry...but the price was just a bit north of his $18,000 budget. So we did lots of online searching for pics of the kinds of cars he needed to be looking at. We then drove by several dealers (late on a Friday night) so he could see cars in person...before deciding on which ones to go back and test drive Saturday morning. He frowned at the appearance of the Cobalt and G5. Plus, a bad experience with a 1996 Sunfire ruined his perception of Pontiac. So what did he like? The Hyundai Elantra got his attention, but not as much as the Saturn Astra coupe. So we drove one...all was looking good...the interior assembly & materials were above average...and employee pricing would put the "numbers" where they need to be. But uh-oh...where in the hell are the i-pod jack... or even the satellite radio option? The dealer had no "factory accessories" to fix this problem. They suggested aftermarket mods...but who wants to start cutting & splicing a bunch of aftermarket crap in a new car? No Sale. As a music nut, I agree that if I'm spending 2 hours per day in a car, I must have MY MUSIC. Keep looking. When he saw the Chrysler Sebring sedan, it was love at first sight. He really, really likes the body style, the strakes on the hood, the various creases, etc. And the interior quality is not what people have claimed...it's no Passat but its' far nicer than the interior of a new Corolla or Accord. It has a quiet ride, an i-pod jack, Sirius sat radio, and a great warranty. Brand new. Sticker price: $21,000. Sold for $18,400 + TTL.