siegen

Everyone has concepts. Concepts don't mean anything. GM hasn't even released their good hybrids yet. So far we've been underwhelmed by a couple of mild hybrids. However this guy seems to think that GM is now the standard bearer for the industry?

Yes, a Honda fan just accused the Malibu of looking awkward.

Well, now you could make the argument that the snapping cables is a bigger safety issue than the tailgate tearing. The rusty cable is going to snap without warning when heavily loaded. The Tundra's tailgate will buckle and bend the second you start to put load on it, giving you warning to not try to load it anymore, and then kick yourself in the foot for buying a Tundra in the first place. But then again, I'm willing to bet a GM tailgate even with only one cable intact can still hold more than a brand new Tundra tailgate with both cables. As far as cost is concerned, the Tundra issue is much bigger, and it shows the cheap materials they used. GM's problem was an honest mistake, and as long as it is taken care of before hand, it wouldn't cost much at all. I think Toyota is getting plenty of negative publicity lately. I saw a negative news spot the other morning about the CR quality rankings.

I doubt 32mph is easily achievable in electric-only. Keywords: "up to 32-mph". If they offered a clean and quiet diesel, there would be no reason for a hybrid in a truck like this. Ma boss gets 20mpg city/hwy in his quad-cab extended bed diesel Sierra. Driven it several times myself (mostly when the gas Sierra is in the shop, which is too often).

Except GM, Ford, Chrysler, and Toyota are still using 4-speeds in many of their volume sellers. Not sure why Honda hasn't offered a 6 speed yet, at least on Acura models, some of which could really use it.

The front ruins it unfortunately. Not so much the Celica head lights, but the hood/bumper cutline, and the overbite grille.

That's quite intriguing. I bet CR feels a bit embarrassed by this (seems to be happening a lot lately with CR?).

Did you get the $5,500 one?

The gear split on a 6 speed auto is already tight enough, I don't think more gears is going to help at all, unless they put it into the Corvette or other vehicle capable of 200mph+. Otherwise it's just bragging rights. I think the money could be better spent in engine tech to increase fuel economy.

I don't claim to know much about rental agencies, but if there is one that tends to order more fully featured cars or upscale cars, while the other orders base model low end cars. Then I would say sales going to the higher end agency would certainly be a better sale. When someone rents a car, it's like they're test driving it. It's great advertising for the manufacturer, as long as the customer is pleased with the vehicle. Or it can have the opposite effect. As far as hurting resale value goes, it's still bad I would assume, to fleet vehicles. Corrected :AH-HA_wink:

Just like the RAV4 is killing the CR-V and "once word about the nissan rogue gets out, the crv is dead", right? Styling wise, the CR-V is not that bad, and from the perspective of a CUV buyer, it is fine apparently. It has sufficient performance for what it is.

As far as styling goes, the only thing I like about the Vue over the CR-V is the painted lower areas (Honda should paint the lowers at least on the EX trims). The head lights, tail lights, and side vents (not to mention side mirrors) on the Vue really ruin what could have been a perfect looking CUV. Well, at least the grille is nice looking.

TOV has some better images of the CR-Z. I like this one:

If the front didn't jut out like that, it might look pretty good.

It's still limited to 5 years though, like everyone else. For the person that puts above 12,000 per year on their car, it will cover longer; but for the average driver at 12k/year, the warranty is going to cover for the same period. Roadside assistance is nice though.

I thought the Jetta was a Camry/Accord competitor?

Maybe it's their resemblance to the Cobalt's and Astra's headlights that make them look like they should belong on a compact. They're bulbous; I prefer the slim look on the Camry, Accord, TL, etc. I don't really like the Altima's headlights either (and hate them on the Altima Coupe, very unfitting). The grille is just plain large, which is why it looks like it belongs on something like a crossover or SUV. That and it looks very similar to the Tahoe's grille. The Accord's grille looks nothing like the Ridgeline's grille. Different mesh pattern, different shape, chrome around the outside of the Accord grille. Now as far as whether the Accord's grille is good, I don't really think so. It doesn't fit the design of the Accord either.

The head lights look like they belong on a smaller vehicle, and the grille looks like it belongs on a crossover. For what it is, the elements all fit well, they just make the car look awkward. The tail lights are... unique.

This car is not nearly as camo'd as the TL spy shots. It's probably much closer to production. Either that or, it's a mule still using the old TSX body as a base with lots of modifications (which does not seem to be the case). There are some bulges on the front bumper and it looks a bit oddly shaped, which is probably due to the padding they've used. Or maybe there's some sensors under there. Who knows.

Wow, Yaris is down. I haven't so much as sat in one, but I've only heard that they're pretty cheap all around. Good if you want to get great mileage on the manual shift one though.

Favorite quotes: "two transmissions Autoand AUTOstick!!!!!! most cars have but 1 son!!!" "POwer windows go up and down" "still smells!!!!!!!!!" "Biggie got shot ina SONATA!!" "SPANK IT BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE SPANKS IT SON."

Solar power is the future, IMHO. The most abundant power source in our solar system is the sun after all; and the only way to get to a type II civilization is to harness the entire power of our sun. :AH-HA_wink: As solar panels get better and more mass produced, the price will come down to where even cloudy areas (like Seattle) will benefit from solar power, and it'll be cheap too. There has been experimental solar powered cars, but nothing really feasible yet. Many automakers have installed solar panels on the rooftops of their factories, which is great considering the sheer acreage of panels they can use (article). Honda has been researching and developing solar technologies for automobile use for a long time now (article), and has had a prototype home energy station that will refill a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle using just water and solar energy. Not in production phase yet, but it would certainly be the next best step after electric and fuel cell vehicles become mainstream (the power needs to come from somewhere clean too after all). Honda has their own subsidiary, Honda Soltec, devoted to researching and advancing solar technology.

They ruined it! Every generation of Impreza/WRX has gotten odder and weirder and what a lot of people would consider uglier... but that's what made it a Subaru. I would own ANY previous generation of Impreza over this bland Kia-inspired thing.