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Comments
In the case of the Explorer that's the Limited with just about every box checked. Do it all and it cracks $50K. In reality, most are XLT's that sticker around $35K.
If I were shopping in the segment, I would buy the Mazda CX-9 over any of them.
Last fall I was and the CX-9 came in last place in our comparisons. Although an attractive vehicle, it felt dated inside.
Add 1 to the number of posts, though.
There's a good joke in there somewhere...
2 Auto CEOs walk in to a bar, Lutz orders the cheapest power window switches he can get. Toyoda says, "I'll have what he's having".
In order:
Suzuki
Mitsubishi
Mazda
They need partners now.
Suzuki -> GM
Mitsubishi -> Chrysler
Mazda -> Ford
Suzuki moved on, they were trying to get engines from VW, now they're fighting. The Kizashi is a nice chassis in search of a real engine.
Once DSM went south, that deal soured. Mitsu needs a whole new identity. I don't think the iMiev is enough to save them.
Ford sold most of Mazda, though I think they still own a small (4%?) stake.
I think all 3 are in jeopardy. Mazda has the best shot - SkyActiv looks promising and they will also have diesels.
Industry overall was up 21%, so a good sign for the economy, if they can all find buyers.
Mitsubishi was down 50%, told ya, the writing's on the wall....
But they're also into Nuclear Energy systems of all things as well.
Mitsubushi Heavy Industry
IIRC correctly, they were awarded a 15 billion dollar contract in Texas about 5 or so years ago.
I seriously think that their Auto division takes a back seat to their other ventures...
Toyota still makes industrial looms for the textile industry (that division is spelled Toyoda).
Did you know that Toyota has a housing division?
Toyota-Non-automotive Business
If I bring home a Mitsubishi it would likely be that giant 84" LCD tv from the big screen store. :shades:
A 92" screen is not twice the size of a 46 incher, it's FOUR times the area!
Having said that, as cheap as screen are, I'm not sure why cars only have 4" screen some times. That's a phone size nowadays.
Ah, a 3D documentary on the Tercel is showing on the Toyota channel at 7 tonight on channel 4763. Have to grab that one.
Our '09 is pretty much the same as the 2012 Escape.
It is less noisy than our 2004 Escape.
The road/wind noise of the Prius V reminded me of our 2004 Escape.
So true...surfing channels the other day I saw a show about people hunting Big Foot.
For 2009 model Dependability, just 72 problems reported per 100 vehicles.
Toyota won for mainstream brands.
Cadillac took 3rd, kudos to them.
Edit to add image:
Ah, that explains that TV crew I spotted eating lunch in the diner around here last Fall. :shades:
It's not just Lexus on top, Toyota and Scion are right up there too, so it's really 3 of the top 5 spots. The stock is up again today in spite of some more financial doom and gloom stories about them in the news the last week.
That said, those numbers are based on 3 years of ownership, so those are 2009 models. Will they slip?
I am surprised Infiniti is so far down, which model is the troublemaker?
Yes, good to see Cadillac as high as Toyota.
One thing that does come to mind tho is the displacement was bumped from 3.5 to 3.7 litres and I believe it lost some of it's smoothness. Maybe that was a source of some of the drop...
Not very, most powertrains are shared. They're close so that makes sense.
Or Hyundai and Kia? Weird gap for the latter
The Kia Borrego was unique, and their problem model is likely the Sedona. Hyundai had the Entourage minivan clone, but they sold in very miniscule numbers compared to the Kia, plus it was discontinued after 2008.
Since this measures 2009 models, that makes sense. The Borrego and the Sedona are the difference. Seems like newer models did OK.
Borrego was an oddball, looked old when new, nobody bought them, locally anyway I think National picked up a load of them for the fleet.
Kia had the Rondo, Sedona, Sorento, and Borrego. A tiny van, a (problematic) minivan, and two body-on-frame SUVs.
Hyundai had the Tiburon, Santa Fe, Veracruz. A RWD coupe and two crossovers.
I think (not positive) the Rio/Accent, Spectra/Elantra, and Optima/Sonata shared platforms, though even then not all their engines.
They are far more closely related now.
The only one I knew a lot about was the Sedona because I was minivan shopping in 2007, and I test drove one.
It was an OK budget choice, as you'd expect. Loaded vans were upper 20s, and at that price they felt cheap, but basic ones cost as little as $19k, and for that sort of money they seemed like a bargain.
Of course with hind sight I'm glad I didn't go cheap because they have all sorts of issues. Alignment/tire issues crept up almost right away. I stopped following the Sedona threads so not sure what else went wrong with those.
The KV7 concept looks promising so hopefully Kia can get it right for the next one. Toyota cut too many costs and my eyes hurt when I see the new Ody, plus they reserve the better drivetrain for the $40k+ Touring models only. The Dodge update went half way, let's see them go all the way like the Grand Cherokee did. To me there is no clear leader in the minivan segment now.
If mine was totalled I'm not sure what I'd get, likely a used one.
German cars are like the supermodel.
Other Japanese cars are like the hot stripper/actress.
American cars are like the Prostitute.
Which one are you most likely to catch diseases from?
P.S. I know my american car gave me the disease of STRESS.
My Japanese car gave me the power of money, resale value, and low costs of ownership.
My German car has (and still is) giving me the benefit of FUN, enjoyment, and satisfaction!
Toyota and Honda are like the fat ugly girl who's got the "nice personality," can cook, and is your Mom's best friend's daughter.
German cars are like the Vegas showgirl who will show you the time of your life before you wake-up the next morning hung-over in a trashed hotel room, with a painful new tattoo, a new wife, and an empty bank account.
American girls are like the sensible pretty girl next door.
Other Japanese cars are like the Goth chick staring off into space in the back of the classroom.
Italian cars are like the hot stripper and actress.
Chinese cars are like the crack ho.
Korean cars are like the dull frumpy girl you can't stand but settle for because you have no money, no personality, no looks, no skills, and no self-esteem.
My Buicks and Cadillacs give me the benefit of FUN, enjoyment, reliability, economy, and satisfaction!
Buick is the cougar who you KNOW is waaaaay too old for you but she's still kinda hot.
Cadillac is dressed like a show girl but she's really an understudy. Her mom used to be the standard of the world.
I noticed you left Chevy out of that sentence. I think you've stooped down to Chevy's level before if I'm not mistaken when you were a younger lad.
To continue the analogies:
MB is like the incestuous love child of a drunken german engineer who drank too much moonshine (when they are used to German beer) which made the hillbilly southern girl look irresistable (that would be Chrysler).
Audi is the college educated good looking one who went on to be a big time business success. VW is the "other" son who smokes too much dope so they have no ambition and never really try hard at anything.
That's my belly laugh for the day and I sure needed one!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That's a great comeback. Of course, I have to disagree with the premise, but you get a gold star for that one along with Lemko's star.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Volvo is the female college professor who just got a make over recently and kinda looks cute now.
Saab is that euro trash girl who you never really understood and behaves oddly. For some reason you still have a soft spot for her.
A reporter is looking to speak with someone who bought a new Honda or Toyota within the last two months. Specifically, he’s most interested in speaking with someone who intentionally held off on buying one of these vehicles last year because the dealer did not have it in stock. If you meet this criteria, please send a brief description of your experience and your contact info to pr@edmunds.com by no later than Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
That girl is probably a Maserati, though. A 1980s Maserati, a wild ride but full of issues even when young.
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Gets California Car Pool Lane Access
The Scion FR-S is her punk rock sister, who is a carnivore.
Yota Rules Consumer Reports (again)
Our brilliant benefactors at Consumer Reports have released their annual auto issue, and if Toyota was allowed to brag about it, they'd be tooting their horns over the fact that they took five of the top spots out of 10 categories. The April issue is jam-packed with car ratings for the discerning consumer, but companies aren't allowed to use those scores for commercial use. Sorry!
Toyota is the first brand to earn so many spots in nearly a decade, says Consumer Reports. Honda pulled off that feat in 2003, but doesn't have a single entry on the top picks list this year.
"Every year the competition grows tighter; in recent years as many as nine different brands have taken the top spots. Combined with the improved Camry, Toyota's ability to maintain a competitive lead among hybrids and SUVs is a big factor in its strong presence on this year's list," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports' automotive editor.