Tag: Cars

By Lloyd Frazier

The fastest growing automotive segment is small premium crossovers.   But, the small car market is poised to lead the global industry soon.  A lot of this is due to fast growing emerging markets such as India, China and Eastern Europe.  The small car market is even starting to warm up in North America, where we love our SUV’s and trucks.  The biggest challenge in the US market was close price comparison between a compact and mid-size vehicle.  Those attitudes are beginning to change now that gasoline keeps spiking upwards.  And it helps that the new small cars are becoming more stylish in design, built safer and are feature rich.  That is why AutoRamblings has picked the small car segment for its first annual Picks and Pokes awards.

While perusing the many offerings at the Denver Auto Show last week, I had the opportunity to closely review many compacts and sub-compacts. I sat, I touched, I pretended to drive them, and not once did I steal a shifter knob.  That’s because they were all ready five fingered before I got there!  Not to get off the subject, but are we so uncivilized that the exhibitors have to remove anything that could be stolen.  It is just plain ugly to sit in a brand new, high end vehicle with all knobs and levers removed.  Not a good sales presentation.  Why don’t they just give away shifter knobs at the booths so that jackasses don’t steal them from the vehicles.  Where was I….oh, yeah….Picks and Pokes.  In case you were wondering, a Pick – GOOD!  A Poke – BAD!

Pokes

As I was gathering my thoughts and trying to decide how to present this, I came to the conclusion that comparison tables and charts are over used and boring.  Besides, most of us already know what we do or don’t like and are not usually persuaded to make conclusions based off those kinds of presentations.  I will make one observation before I get started…where the hell are the domestics?  From reviewing our Google Analytics over the past few months, I am happy to report we are growing our readership at a steady pace.  With that bit of news, folks who come back to AutoRamblings frequently know that I have a bent towards domestic automobiles.  It hurts me to say this, but GM, Ford and Chrysler are definitely lacking in viable compact and sub-compact cars.  The Ford Focus looks hopelessly outdated, even with its new skin, and the Chevy Cobalt just does nothing for me, especially after GM stopped offering the SS with a supercharger.  Chrysler only has the PT Cruiser.  It was cute at birth, but it has entered puberty and is really starting to annoy me. In case you were wondering, those were Pokes.  In keeping with typical journalistic style, I thought I would go negative right out of the gate.  Here is a list of cars I looked at, all with varied trims and accessories.  The one requirement was that it had to be either a 4 door sedan or 5 door hatch.  There was a mixed bag of base, sport, and style packages so I took that into account.  And the list is in not in any order of precedence.  You have to remember, I did not get to drive these cars, although I pretended – kid at heart.  Ratings are based on my opinion of exterior and interior qualities, safety, technology, and design – all my opinion, of course.  One thing I need to mention, most all of the cars back seat room was abysmal.  Most all needed improvement there.

The List

Mitsubishi Lancer ES, Subaru Impreza, Chevy Aveo, Toyota Corolla LE, Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Nissan Sentra, Suzuki SX4 Sport, Dodge Caliber SXT, Saturn Astra, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3 and VW Rabbit. 

I decided to mention only the top 6.  There was a two way tie for 6th.  Sounds like I’m flip-flopping doesn’t it.

Honorable Mention

There are two honorable mentions that were not part of the ratings. Honorable mention goes to Dodge Caliber because of its utilitarian usefulness and brawny, sporty appearance.  And, Suzuki SX4 Sport for its low price all-wheel drive and great head and legroom.  I would never buy either, but they may appeal to you.  I have to also mention that Suzuki is a dark horse of sorts.  They had 3 viable concepts and quality is improving.  Watch your backside Toyota and Honda.

There were a lot of cars that I did not look at simply because I was trying to stick to a certain price range.  Besides, I am really not much into European makes.  The Gemans, Brits and Italians have there own set of ups and downs.  I stuck with mostly Asian and domestics, with one German thrown in the mix because I have a history with the VW Rabbit.  When I first met my wife, she drove a 1980 Rabbit and it was a nice little car.  Since Germany is on the short list, lets get them out of the way now.  German autos are big on safety and decent transmission technology.  They also have great little diesel engines.

PICKS 

VW Rabbit – tied for 6th Place:

Exterior styling is in the middle of the pack.  Driving position was decent. Interior was soft to the touch and controls well placed. Lots of quality technological features. Nicely equipped for around $21K. Great horsepower rating.  MPG 21/29.

Nissan Sentra – tied for 6th Place:

Very Pleasing exterior design.  Interior was one of the better in design. Good specs on engine.  You could go for the CVT, but I wouldn’t.  MPG of 25/33. Nicely equipped around $18K.

Honda Fit – 5th Place (most practical/best mileage):

Unfortunately, with my cheapo camera, a couple of the Honda Fit pics did not come out well.  There were large groups of people hovering around this car.  They were surprised at the quality, comfort and practicality of this little car.  I included the picture of the stereo with its well placed, easy to find controls.  Nothing real fancy, but best of the bunch.  The interior was very nice.  And, since this is a 5 door hatch, very practical for two adults, a couple of kids and a lot of groceries. MPG ratings was best of the Picks with mpg rating of 25/36.  Well equipped, around $17K.  The 2009 model is in for some minor changes.  The only drawback of this vehicle for me, unlike the other Picks, this car is 100% Japanese parts and assembly.

Toyota Corolla – 4th Place:

Toyota re-designed the Corolla and the did a pretty decent job.  The exterior is a big improvement over last year.  The interior was spartan, but the quality touch and feel was very good.  If you wanted a spruced up version, you could get a Scion tC.  Just about the same car except for engine, drivetrain and accessories.  Corollas has grown a bit in size, too.  MPG of 27/33.  Well equipped around $20K.  Seems a bit overpriced for what you get.

Subaru Impreza – 3rd Place (highest quality interior):

This is the only all-wheel drive of the top 6 Picks.  That is why the MPG rating of 20/27 is the lowest of the pack, just behind the highest horsepower rated VW Rabbit. The Impreza model I checked out was the high end package which contained the best interior of all the others. It had a luxurious look and feel.  It also had the highest price at just over $21K.  This car is probably the best pick for us folks in Colorado that have to navigate the snow and ice in the winter.  All-wheel drive is nice to have in that situation.  Nice job Subaru!

Mazda 3 – 2nd Place (most sporty appearance):

Mazda has been really putting out some nice product in the last few years.  The Mazda 3 attests to that.  This was the sportiest exterior and interior of the bunch.  Unfortunately, all the knobs have been removed which degrades my picture.  The best driving position of all the cars for my 6′ 1″ frame.  It had a huge glove compartment.  Nice, comfortable seats.  MPG of 23/31.  Nicely equipped for around $18K.

Honda Civic – First Place (best buy overall):

Honda is one of the best engineered cars on the road. And this new, 4 door sedan is a great example of that.  The whole car felt tight as a drum.  Best, ergonomics of the bunch, just behind its sibling the Honda Fit.  This was another car people were all over.  It was placed right next to the hybrid Civic, which was really getting looked over by the crowd.  The LX I was looking at had a 5 speed automatic, MPG of 25/36, which is the same as the Fit, and just felt like quality from head to toe.  And, unlike the Fit, it is 70% American content.  This model, well equipped – $18,935.

If you want a compact car, you could not go wrong with any of the top 6 Picks.  Let’s hope this makes the domestics steaming mad and start to build some quality small cars that can actually compete with these awesome examples.

Well, that wraps up the first Annual Picks and Pokes awards for 2008.  It promises to be even better next year.  I want to personally thank all my avid readers for their support and clicks on my site.  It is really starting to get exciting.

Lloyd, signing out…

By Lloyd Frazier

Another auto show has come and gone much like cattle drives of the past.  All the new, shiny, baubles on four wheels have dazzled the citizens of Colorado and have now been rounded up and driven to another place and time to tempt others.  The show had been going on for a week.  It ended Sunday, March 30th.  I arrived on the scene on Saturday, just 10 minutes after the doors opened.  Unfortunately, I did not have my crack photographer from JJH Photography accompanying me.  He did a great job last year and was sorely missed.  I was relegated to my little 2Mb digital camera and only 2 memory chips totaling 82MB worth of pictures.  There was already a line of folks waiting to get a ticket to the extravaganza.  After getting my ticket and heading to the entrance, I noticed a Smart displayed just to the right, before going through the doors.  After getting my first look at this  little car in person, I realized it definitely is for city driving and not much else.  I would not want to forge through traffic on a busy freeway jockeying for position amongst 18 wheelers.  You would feel like a flea on a dogs butt.  As I walked toward the doors and handed over my ticket, I immediately noticed that the domestics dominated the first row, left to right.  GM on the left and Ford on the right with Chrysler just to the back of them.  It sorta resembled national borders with the Asians taking up the next row then the Europeans taking up the rear.  This year, I had a mission.  I wanted to take a look at the compacts from all manufacturers.  I sat in them, touched and felt them, lifted there front bonnets (that’s an English term matey!)  and rear decks.  I looked exclusively at 4 door sedans and and 5 door hatchbacks.  I will be giving you the AutoRamblings ratings in posts to come this week.  Sitting in, touching and taking pictures of these vehicles only gives one facet of making a purchasing decision.  A real test drive is in order before making up your mind.  Our goal at AutoRamblings is to be a source for real world testing and evaluation of automakers products for the Rocky Mountain consumer.  So, visit AutoRamblings often and click around and stay awhile.  This will show that we have a growing readership and maybe they will take notice and hand over the keys for us to take their wares through an extended test drive.  We can then give you feedback that can help you make up your mind.  One can only hope!

I had one observation this year that was not prominent in past auto shows I have attended.  Families were cramming into Civics, Corollas, and Rabbits to see if they could fit comfortably.  I heard many Moms and Dads stating that they were surprised how roomy some of these little compacts actually were.  Moms were measuring for child seat capabilities, cup holders, and cubby hole space to stash child paraphernalia. Dads were looking at performance specs and seeing if their sons and daughters could survive being in the back seat, behind him, when he adjusted the drivers seat all the way back.  One thing I will tell you right now….domestics are way behind the curve in this arena.  Asians and Europeans own this market.  Only one domestic manufacturer, GM, had anything resembling a economy compact, the Chevy Aveo.  And  it was low on my list.  Not at the bottom, but close.  Ford and Chrysler were still busy touting their trucks, SUV’s and performance cars and offered nothing of substance in the economy arena.  The Ford Focus and Chevy Cobalt were OK and Chrysler only had the PT Cruiser and Caliber to offer.  I will give them mention because they were there.

Stayed tuned for AutoRamblings first annual Picks and Pokes!

By Lloyd Frazier

Well, it looks like GM has a big hit on their hands with the new, mid-size segment, 2008 Malibu.  The Malibu’s price point, handling , eye-catching but subdued exterior, and vastly improved interior design and quality has awoken the ‘sleeper’.  The ‘sleeper’ being the American middle class.  For the last couple of decades, Americans have chosen to plunk down cash for Toyota’s and Honda’s in the mid-size segment.  Chevrolet has always held a special place in America’s heart since the first one rolled off the assembly line in 1912.  The Chevrolet brand is what really saved William Durant’s GM empire.  It has become the working man’s brand ever since.

Until the new Malibu rolled into dealer lots, in the car segment, Corvette was the only current shining star for Chevrolet.  Oh, sure, they have a terrific new Silverado to brag about.  But truck sales have waned due to sustained higher fuel prices.  The Impala is a decent car but it just doesn’t set the world on fire with its plain Jane looks and so-so equipment list.  The big question remains.  Can Malibu outsell Camry?  Ever since 1997, Camry has been inching up the sales ladder and has never looked back.  Toyota has long been perceived as the king of quality and reliability.  The resale value speaks for itself.  The Malibu still has to prove it can match the Camry in those areas.  But, as you may remember, Consumer Reports removed the Camry from its top selling list recently due to quality issues. Now is the perfect time for GM to strike back.  It has plunked 150 million bucks into advertising the new Malibu.  The savvy American consumer is starting to take another look at GM again.  GM is making ‘best of’ lists with the Cadillac CTS, Chevy Silverado, and Buick Enclave.  A mid-size car with middle class appeal is just what GM needs to round the list.  The 2008 Malibu is a solidly built car at a reasonable price.  Is it too little, too late?  If the current sales figures are any indication of the future for this new ‘Bu’, GM may be giving the Toyota Camry a run for its money. Only time will tell.

By Lloyd Frazier

This year has been a roller coaster of a ride for the US auto industry.  To end the year, GM is looking at a major recall of about 313,000 vehicles.  The recall was the result of a faulty seal on the rear axle pinion which provides power to the wheels.  The leaky seal could lead to the drivewheel jamming up and locking while the vehicle is being driven, possibly causing the driver to lose control.  Not a great way to close the year for GM here in the states.  However, they had a banner year in China, selling over 1 million vehicles. 

Daimler-Chrysler divorced the Chrysler nameplate and it was sold to a private equity firm, Cerberus, which renamed the company Chrysler, LLC.  The jury is still out as to whether Cerberus can pull Chrysler, the distant third place domestic automaker, out of its doldrums.  Cerberus says “Chrysler has ample liquidity” and “are fully funded with working capital to meet present and future needs and objectives.”  Chrysler’s revamped mini-van was supposed to be a big hit but has not pulled the numbers as was expected.  Honda’s Odyssey was the favorite family hauler for American consumers this year.  Ford and GM abandoned the mini-van market for the 2008 model year with no future plans to revive their past models.

Ford is trying to make a comeback.  They hired a new CEO, Alan Mulally, in fall of 2006.  For 2007, Mulally has started to make some needed changes at Ford.  In 2008, we will see if he is really making an impact.  Ford has relied on truck sales to keep them afloat and has not seen a payback this year.  With the overhaul of GM’s light truck line, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, taking a big bite out their share of sales, as well as Toyota’s newly redesigned Tundra,  they must rely more on their other products to keep them afloat.  The F150 gets a redesign in 2009 to hopefully recoup lost sales.  Their mid-size model failure, the Five-Hundred, was re-released as the Taurus.  The Taurus was a big success for them in the past. Ford hopes to bring back former customers to their showrooms once again.

Cars and Crossovers outsell Trucks and SUVs this year.  Trucks and SUVs have taken a big hit due to higher fuel costs.  American consumers are looking for more fuel sipping options which the domestics are having a hard time providing.  The rest of the world, especially Asia, is quickly filling the demand.  Toyota leads the pack with a well rounded lineup of cars and crossovers.  We will probably see Toyota take the crown as the #1 sales leader in 2008, here in the US and worldwide.

Toyota is very close to making their 2007 target of 200K units sold for their newly redone Tundra.  At the beginning of December, they were at 177K units sold.  They have been throwing a pile of cash and incentives on the hood to get the job done.  They may finally overtake GM for good in 2008.  They were running neck-to-neck all of 2007 with GM keeping their crown for the year.

2008 promises to be a very interesting year for the auto industry.  New manufacturers in China are set to thrust more, better quality, low-cost products on to the already  overcrowded world scene.  The domestic Big-Three have to focus on their car lineup and how to meet the demand better than they have in the past.  Reliability and fuel economy have to be their main focus for 2009 and beyond if they want to continue to be a major player in the US.  Technologies such as electric, hybrid and hydrogen will make more advancements, as well.  Stay tuned…its going to be fun to watch!