I can deal with the Yaris. The new one is improved, and no worse than any of the other gnat-like cars out there. Not what I want to drive, but not offensive.
When I sat in my friend's Prius C, I recoiled in horror when I realized it had center gauges. Just not right. I don't think I would like it in a Z8 or Mini either.
When I sat in my friend's Prius C, I recoiled in horror when I realized it had center gauges. Just not right. I don't think I would like it in a Z8 or Mini either.
LOL, yeah, I'm not a fan of the center gauges either, looks odd IMO.
Another no on center gauges. The last thing I need is making it easier for my wife to see how fast I'm going!
Meanwhile, you have to watch out in those rocky areas. That's where they are turning up natural gas all set to frack. There are towns in New York state, up along the Delaware, where the real estate is taking just a beating from this.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I keep seeing the new 2012 Camry on the roads, and one thing keeps catching my eye. A fluttering/vibrating rear bumper. First I thought this would be an isolated car, but I kept seeing that regularly over a period of few months now.
Finally I decided to make a video of it. I saw a Camry pass me by at 80mph and I whipped out my phone+camera and shot this video. Look out for the reflection in rear bumper jumping around, a clear indication of a fluttering/vibrating bumper.
Unfortunately, yesterday I saw the new Toyota highlander with the same exact issue.
Evidently it is not a safety risk, but how did it get past the engineers and the wind tunnel testing, road testing, etc? It is not even isolated to a single model now.
Begs the question: How many such details were missed in the rush to get the vehicles to production?
This is 2.5 million in the US, and is a voluntary recall.
"The driver’s side PWMS may experience a “notchy” or sticky feel during operation. If commercially available lubricants are applied to the switch in an attempt to address the “notchy” or sticky feel, melting of the switch assembly or smoke could occur and lead to a fire under some circumstances.
The “notchy” or sticky feel may be caused by an uneven application of the grease during the switch assembly process at the supplier. If the grease is not applied evenly, frequent use of the switch and normal operation may cause the grease to become carbonized and may eventually result in the deterioration of its lubricating properties."
Not a real big deal, and a supplier assembly error.
My Nissan master power window switch, made by ALPS, carboned up on me and I had to mechanically clean it a few years back. Didn't think about it being a possible fire hazard.
I sat in a previous SLK once...I kinda fit, but my line of sight was too much in the top of the windshield for me to be comfortable. Like some bikes, some cars are built for those who are 5'7"/140. Of course, those built for those who are 5'10"/350 (big SUVs and pickups, I'm looking at you) are in some ways no more comfortable.
Used car all the way. They have reached a depreciation floor, but aren't appreciating. Maybe collectible in another 20 years. Many early ones have been tarted up now, so a mint original car could become desirable.
"J.P.Morgan lowered its earnings estimates for Toyota Motor Corp. for this year and next on the assumption that the automaker's sales in China will drop 50 percent in the fourth quarter. It cut its sales estimate for Toyota in China by 15 percent in 2013."
Comments
Was just there for a funeral, some grave yards charge extra if they hit rock! Seriously.
Bad but at least nostalgic on a Z8, plain old annoying on an econobox.
LOL, yeah, I'm not a fan of the center gauges either, looks odd IMO.
Meanwhile, you have to watch out in those rocky areas. That's where they are turning up natural gas all set to frack. There are towns in New York state, up along the Delaware, where the real estate is taking just a beating from this.
Consider it mandatory.
LOL
Finally I decided to make a video of it. I saw a Camry pass me by at 80mph and I whipped out my phone+camera and shot this video. Look out for the reflection in rear bumper jumping around, a clear indication of a fluttering/vibrating bumper.
Unfortunately, yesterday I saw the new Toyota highlander with the same exact issue.
Evidently it is not a safety risk, but how did it get past the engineers and the wind tunnel testing, road testing, etc? It is not even isolated to a single model now.
Begs the question: How many such details were missed in the rush to get the vehicles to production?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_X5cpO3YQQ
But...uh, if you're filming, who is driving?
I can't believe I posted it before the Toyota hate "people" did!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AniAg1_ACN8&feature=player_embedded#!
I can't decide which is cooler, the Spyder or that flat black one.
This is 2.5 million in the US, and is a voluntary recall.
"The driver’s side PWMS may experience a “notchy” or sticky feel during operation. If commercially available lubricants are applied to the switch in an attempt to address the “notchy” or sticky feel, melting of the switch assembly or smoke could occur and lead to a fire under some circumstances.
The “notchy” or sticky feel may be caused by an uneven application of the grease during the switch assembly process at the supplier. If the grease is not applied evenly, frequent use of the switch and normal operation may cause the grease to become carbonized and may eventually result in the deterioration of its lubricating properties."
Not a real big deal, and a supplier assembly error.
NHTSA Investigates GM, Toyota Vehicles for Door Fires (cars.com)
A somewhat similar Honda issue was caused by water leaking onto the window switch.
Honda recalls Fit/Jazz cars over window fault (Reuters)
My Nissan master power window switch, made by ALPS, carboned up on me and I had to mechanically clean it a few years back. Didn't think about it being a possible fire hazard.
That car still looks like a derpy carbon fiber Pikachu from the front.
Seems like most street legal cars would only see the rear, so not a problem. :P
Too much going on with the colors. Either do the CF roof or the red wheels, both are a bit much. And why a painted black hood?
More power and aero upgrades, wonder how it'll do on the track?
The red trim and tacked on looking bits are far from elegant, for sure.
I think the FT woke them up a little, and they're realizing the value of showing their toys to enthusiasts.
I doubt I would fit, either.
Guys with helmets usually have to remove some of the bottom padding depending on spec rules.
Not as easy to leap frog the competition when lap times are already so quick.
CR called for a fix.
The Mob says it's fine as is.
They let Jeep slide for the exact same issue. Re-tuned stability control fixed both.
They also panned the new Prius c. So much so that autoblog felt the need to defend Toyota. It's in CR's top 5 cars to avoid list:
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/08/five-popular-cars-to-avoid.html
Cars.com punched back:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/cars-com-calls-out-consumer-reports-over-toyo- - ta-prius-c-v/
They were also hyper critical of the new Yaris and the Scion iQ.
Hmm...let CR or cars.com choose my car. I'll take neither.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVe13o6H5Uw
Wonder how they'll rate V vs. C-Max?
Ford actually took the title for brands, but Lincoln probably dragged them down.
Saw this on TV and I did a double-take.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OADkJgJm4Go&feature=player_embedded
Dispute rattles Japan's automakers (Detroit News)
Maybe Nissan will switch over to Renaults for that market.
Toyota's global vehicle sales up 28% through September
Both stories from the Detroit News.
Wow.
Forecast for October is +20% over last year.