I remember some guy once saying you should buy a car in it's 3rd - 4th year after they've got the initial kinks resolved and before they start wrecking it again with value engineering cheapening.
I agree with that. But I'd say second year is best. By the third they're saving dollars.
I suspect it's something like this---most people have very little trouble but the ones that do have trouble have a LOT of it. In other words, when things go wrong in a complex system, they often go wrong in a big way.
Motor-oil maker Castrol, a division of BP, recently claimed its technicians have achieved a breakthrough in engine-lubrication design that makes it easy to change the oil in a vehicle in as little as 90 seconds.
The cleaner and quicker system, called Nexcel, must be integrated into vehicle engines at the design stage. That means it won't hit mainstream cars for another five years — about the length of time between major model changes for many automakers.
The time doesn't really bother me too much. I just want to go at least a year between changes. Even better would be the ability to treat motor oil like transmission fluid and ignore it for life.
This seems to be geared towards improving prospects of the businesses that change oil rather than the prospects of the automobile owner. The less time spent under a car means less time to observe problems, rotate tires, check brakes belts hoses etc.
I think its a big reason, plus it shows that despite all the criticism from some, most buyers are happy with their Honda or Toyota purchase. I think ToyHonda is to cars in North America as Detroit is to trucks. Yeah, Toyota puts a fair number of cars into the fleets, but their loyalty and resale lets them do it smart, in a manner that results in lowering their overhead structure.
Part of that is low cost of maintenance, lots of used and aftermarket parts, and ease of repair. I suppose the Prius could be a challenge to fix, but it doesn't seem to need fixing very often. Also, maybe the owners don't have such high expectations.
I think many people ditched their Subarus when the 2.5L engines blew their headgaskets. Subies are pretty good cars, but they aren't cheap to repair, and parts are very expensive.
I know it blows people's minds in a negative way, but my Cobalt 5-speed has been dirt cheap to run, drive, and maintain. 93K miles and 7 1/2 years, and still on the original battery and plugs and it sits out all the time...I do change the oil and I did just wax it for winter, but it looks new in and out and idles so smoothly I sometimes turn the key while it's running. At 60K-some miles it needed a thermostat, but that was covered under GM's powertrain warranty which at the time was longer than most anybody else's. I'm irritated that they've moved it down to match most everybody else's, for 2016.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
It's a great car. Drives very nicely. Only problem is when my son hit a piece of wood with metal off a flatbed semi on interstate, and he was in middle lane between other cars--couldn't dodge. It hit the transmission pan and opened a small hole. My son stopped shortly after and saw the red fluid flowing out.
I know it blows people's minds in a negative way, but my Cobalt 5-speed has been dirt cheap to run, drive, and maintain. 93K miles and 7 1/2 years, and still on the original battery and plugs and it sits out all the time...I do change the oil and I did just wax it for winter, but it looks new in and out and idles so smoothly I sometimes turn the key while it's running. At 60K-some miles it needed a thermostat, but that was covered under GM's powertrain warranty which at the time was longer than most anybody else's. I'm irritated that they've moved it down to match most everybody else's, for 2016.
Hyundai and Kia are the only companies that seem immune to the random "let's spin a wheel" and see how long our warranty shall be this year method of setting warranties. Most other companies are much more stable in their warranty periods offered.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I recall the big issue with the Cobalt was that it looked too cheap inside compared to some of the competition. Although, I think it had a handicap coming in because it still looked too much like the Cavalier on the outside.
Mine at least has cloth on the door panels and chrome rings around the instruments. I've been in cheaper-looking compacts--the Focus of that time period is one IMHO.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Mine at least has cloth on the door panels and chrome rings around the instruments. I've been in cheaper-looking compacts--the Focus of that time period is one IMHO.
I lucked out and mine has the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. I do like the heavier feel of the steering wheel. My leSabre and Malibu both have that.
I recall the big issue with the Cobalt was that it looked too cheap inside compared to some of the competition. Although, I think it had a handicap coming in because it still looked too much like the Cavalier on the outside.
Over the years I've found some hold their car analysis like their religion. They look at their brand and things are arranged a certain way on the dash and the buttons. Then they look at the others and find the first thing that feels alien compared to their home religion. They they criticize that up one side and down the other--even if it machts nichts. But as long as they found one thing, they rag on that "shortcoming" in the other brand.
I have to reach across to unlock doors and have to crank my own windows down and shift my own gears, but I do love the factory satellite radio! That, side moldings, ABS, and factory floor mats are the only extravagances I chose when I had them locate my car.
I have to admit, I'm somewhat like the person you described. For instance, Fords and Asian imports just feel totally foreign to me (no pun intended). I can hardly wait to get out of them when I drive them. LOL
Mopars, less so, but I can't explain it in rational terms. But hey, that's why we can choose here.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Ima - I wasn't saying that that the Cobalt was an awful car, just that I think it's interior and too much similarity to the previous Cavalier held its sales back and put more of them into the fleets. The interior situation was kind of a Detroit shortcoming back in those days in general compared to the imports and transplants. That is definitely changing these days though. I never really minded driving them when I got one as a rental, they accommodated my 6 footer frame better than many of the compacts did back then. .
Ironically, I just got back from BK (I'm ashamed to admit!) and I pulled it right after an immaculate navy blue two-door Pontiac G5 (Cobalt) that had the "XFE" emblem on back like mine, indicating 5-speed. The driver got out and was a lady well into her seventies I would guess. I spoke to her in line, about the car looking so clean. She said, "I try to take care of it". She said it was an '09 and she bought it new. She said "I was lucky to find a stick; that's what I wanted. I wanted a four-door but couldn't find one". I told her that for me to get the color, model, four doors, stick, ABS, side moldings and floor mats, my dealer had to go six hours away to get one, and that dealer only had it for seven days per the invoice I saw. She said she "loves" hers. I wonder what she drove before.
The shift knob in her car was nicer than mine. It was chrome at the very end.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
After looking at the Burger King mascot, anything would look good - just kidding! Once in awhile I'll see a middle aged or older woman with an old car on display. I think that's really kind of neat.
What this all probably means may be that Takata ends up in BK and that may make it even more difficult to get all the vehicles repaired. What a cluster...
Not surprising. The Camaro is a better driving car but OMG, that interior is a torture chamber. The Challenger just has too many quality control issues, seems to me.
The '16 Camaro, an all-new car, is due out any time now. It, the Malibu, and the Volt are all, all-new in the next few months. Wasn't the Mustang all-new for model-year '15? I'm thinking it was, but I don't follow that segment very closely.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
The '16 Camaro, an all-new car, is due out any time now. It, the Malibu, and the Volt are all, all-new in the next few months. Wasn't the Mustang all-new for model-year '15? I'm thinking it was, but I don't follow that segment very closely.
Correct.
2024 Ram 1500 Longhorn, 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2019 Ford Mustang GT Premium, 2016 Kia Optima SX, 2000 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
Saw my first '16 Camaro yesterday. Similar, but different. I spoke to a guy getting out of it who had taken a test-drive. I asked him if it was any less claustrophobic inside. He paused, smiled, and said, "no, not really".
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Only have had static seat time in the Camaro and Mustang, and the Mustang is better IMO. Haven't sat in the Challenger yet, to compare. It's a styling issue. GM especially likes this high belt line, which in turn gives you gun-slit windows.
Only have had static seat time in the Camaro and Mustang, and the Mustang is better IMO. Haven't sat in the Challenger yet, to compare. It's a styling issue. GM especially likes this high belt line, which in turn gives you gun-slit windows.
I test drove both a Mustang GT and a Camaro SS a couple of years ago. I like the visibility of the Mustang much better.
I thumbed through January 2016's Car and Driver and Motor Trend today. Now I can't remember which, but one guy said he drove a new BMW 3-series on the same route he next drove a '16 Camaro on. He was big enough to admit that the Camaro drove better in every way, saying he can hardly believe he said that, although he conceded those two cars wouldn't be cross-shopped.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Comments
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Do they still weigh any problem same as any other problem?
These are two relevant questions.
Interesting. Only Hondas and toyotas on this list. This has to partially explain the resale values of these vehicles.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
feel of the steering wheel. My leSabre and Malibu both have that.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
and things are arranged a certain way on the dash and the buttons. Then they look at the
others and find the first thing that feels alien compared to their home religion. They
they criticize that up one side and down the other--even if it machts nichts. But as
long as they found one thing, they rag on that "shortcoming" in the other brand.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I have to admit, I'm somewhat like the person you described. For instance, Fords and Asian imports just feel totally foreign to me (no pun intended). I can hardly wait to get out of them when I drive them. LOL
Mopars, less so, but I can't explain it in rational terms. But hey, that's why we can choose here.
The shift knob in her car was nicer than mine. It was chrome at the very end.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/money/can-takata-survive-after-this-deadly-airbag-scandal/36293678
Mustang - 106,321 Winner
Camaro - 66,833
Challenger - 57,358
2024 Ram 1500 Longhorn, 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2019 Ford Mustang GT Premium, 2016 Kia Optima SX, 2000 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
"no, not really...I mean sort of, but not really....not much....well, okay, a little....well...yeah, you can't see out of any of them".
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/12/10/crash-tests-iihs-detroit/77054872/