My 1989 Cadillac Brougham has a center-fill tank as did many of my other cars.
I wonder if safety is the reason for that change as fuel tanks are generally in front of the rear axle these days. Plus the old way likely reduces trunk space. But yeah, I remember the fuel fill being hid behind the license plate.
Go on Taco Tuesdays, the Alpine Beer Co. I like the pulled pork tacos the best. Chicken second best. They have a variety of beers they brew that seem popular. By noon it is packed out.
Looks like Chrysler wants to expand in a RTW state and build transmissions.
Makes good sense to me. They need to shut down the plant with the pot heads re-instated and move that operation to Indiana. Michigan is such a flaky state. They don't know what they want. They are likely to try and over turn RTW. So as long as that is up in the air. I would say they are not on the radar for new companies. Except the Chinese. Who know how to deal with dissidents.
Taking my SIL out car shopping this weekend. She has a hand me down 2006 Chevy Rentabu that is literally falling apart at 120 thousand miles, last 30k of them nursed along by her dealer that her parents bought it from. The current issue is it spontaneously dies during low speed manuevers, ironically this started happening after the dealer just got finished replacing the third ISS that was clunking, also at low speeds... Over the 2 years she had it, couple of wheel bearings, afformentioned ISS's, broken sunroof, burned out lightbulbs on all but the backups and one of the rear brakelights, some sort of pin broke in the gearshift so it wouldn't shift out of reverse... ya, what a peach.
Going to test drive the new Accord, Altima and Subaru Legacy. My Subie dealer has a 2012 H6 Outback that I want her to try as well...
They can always hide the fuel filler beneath the left taillamp!
That's really cool!
I rented a Ford Focus yesterday for a business trip (should it have been grounded due to recall?).
Anyway, it was a hatchback. It had the little arrow in the dash, which was much appreciated. I went to the right side where the arrow pointed to refuel and at first I couldn't find the filler. It's well camouflaged right in front of the rt. rear taillight, and you just push the door to open it. If not for the door seams I would not have seen it. Wish I had taken a picture.
Going to test drive the new Accord, Altima and Subaru Legacy. My Subie dealer has a 2012 H6 Outback that I want her to try as well...
Dunno what her price point is, and I never thought this would be a product I'd endorse, but have her check out the new 200C/Avenger as well. They're anything BUT class-leading, but they seem like a lot of car for the money. About a month ago, I was at the dealer picking up my Ram, which was having a sliding rear window installed. They had a 200C Limited in the showroom, with an advertised price of something like $17,500. It was just the 4-cyl, and wasn't fully equipped, but at least had a sunroof and alloys. Cloth interior, but I was impressed at how nice it was. I remember checking out the Sebring/Avenger when they were redone for 2007 and thinking that they sucked. But, since the Fiat takeover, they've definitely breathed some new life into these cars.
I'm sure it'll still come up short compared to the Accord, Altima, and Legacy. But, if it's cheaper enough, might not be a bad deal.
It's too bad anything's SIL's Malibu wasn't a 2007 (same car as the '06). The wheel bearings would have been covered 'til 100K miles and through this year, free...unlike anybody else's car but Hyundai's I think.
I am in total agreement about the 200 and Avenger. My wife's good friend bought a 200 last year and is very happy with it. I don't mind the styling at all and she did very well on price--it's a loaded car. The Avenger--I'm not crazy about the shape of the window in the rear door, but that said...last time I looked at one at an auto show (and it's been a few years), I was surprised how "American" it was in parts content and assembly, and it was reasonably priced.
Sometimes, IMHO, price trumps most else. For instance, I bought my daughter a two-year-old (to the manufacturing month) PT Cruiser 2 1/2 years ago on eBay for $6,930, and it has been very reliable and inexpensive to service. Matter of fact, it's roomy inside although MPG and turning circle are nothing to write home about. I can live with those things in a car my daughter drove to school basically. Daughter's five hours away in college and the PT will be used by my younger daughter in a few months, but my wife has driven it occasionally since college started. She hurt her back on Thanksgiving Day and has been driving the PT almost exclusively since, since it has a notably higher seating position than the Malibu does, making getting in and out easier.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
How many miles does your Malibu have on it? It's been pretty good so far, hasn't it? Honestly, the only thing that keeps the current Malibu off my radar is that cramped back seat. They market it as a midsize, but in my mind it truly competes with the likes of the Dodge Dart, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, and even Chevy's own Cruze.
Locally, I don't know anybody who's bought a Malibu in recent memory, so I don't have any anecdotes to relate to.
As for the Avenger/200, I'm honestly not crazy about the styling of them. There are definitely sexier cars out there. But, at that price point, it does make them a bit more compelling.
Our Malibu has 23K miles. It's been good IMO. It had one bad tire sensor which read 9lbs. when it was full, and I had a warped hard-plastic interior piece that was down by my feet on the right side replaced (I'm fussy).
I've said this before, but I think the car is handsome, mostly in profile but also in front. The rear, meh.
It does get an honest 33 mpg at 70 mph on the highway. The six-speed feels different than other automatics I've had (never had more than four speeds before), but like anything, you get used to it.
Tires are wearing well and so are the looks of things, inside and out.
I paid about $19.1K for it after the rebate and GM card rebate, and before my trade, so I'm definitely happy at that price with it. I'm a money guy (read that as 'cheapskate') so I consider that heavily in most everything I do.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Y'all must really not like each other - trying to force people to move to DC and go to meetings all day and listen to people complain non-stop. Shame on you. :shades:
You're not thinking this through Steve. There is big campaign and lobbyist payola being a Congressman. How many millions did Rostenkowski keep after being indicted and leaving Congress? No rational economic being spends millions to get a what, 150K/yr salary? It's the power to pass legislation that helps your individual pocketbook, the lack of restrictions on Congressional insider trading and the donations you get to keep - don't you think???
I really enjoy visiting DC but do you really want to live there? Even with a limo and driver, the traffic would drive you crazy. And look at who you have to kowtow to get those funds in your PAC. Money isn't everything. :shades:
If I could helicopter into the Smithsonian for several days, I would enjoy DC. Of course I would want several SS police to protect me from the riff raff that calls that cesspool home.
Not to worry - the riff-raff seldom leave the congressional office buildings.
C'mon, set another one up for me.
“If you stopped buying everything not made in the United States, the primary victims would be poorer people throughout the world,” Black says.
Black adds that international trade is an important part of our local economy, for example, the Midwest exports a lot of meat and corn.
“You can’t have it both ways,” he says, “you can’t have a campaign that says we won’t buy anything from the rest of the world and they have to buy all our stuff, that won’t work.”
“You can’t have it both ways,” he says, “you can’t have a campaign that says we won’t buy anything from the rest of the world and they have to buy all our stuff, that won’t work.”
This is the point I've been making for a long time. People don't like imported cars, but where are the complaints about the Mideast Oil? Nobody likes to import oil, but they scream bloody murder when V8's aren't available, or when gas prices get too high. Oh, and Saudi Arabia likes Suburbans, too.
"Much has been made of consumer 3D printers like Makerbot's Replicator and the open-source RepRap. But for those not yet willing to shell out thousands of dollars for their own machine, Shapeways offers 3D printing as a mail-order service. And its new Queens, NY factory is now the biggest production facility for consumer 3D printing in the world. Just one of Shapeways' industrial 3D printers, which use lasers to fuse nylon dust, can print a thousand objects in a day, with far higher resolution than a consumer machine as well as intricate features like interlocking and nested parts. The company hopes to have more than fifty of those printers up and running within a year. And it also offers printing in materials that aren't attainable at home, like gold, silver, ceramic, sandstone and steel."
If GM was innovative, they could be printing thousands of body panels and interior parts with those puppies.
As long as GM is owned by the Federal Government, they will be against any innovation that could hurt the Unions. Not sure 3D printing is advanced enough to know out car parts as fast as the giant presses.
It is a technology that is revolutionary and will kill more jobs than it creates.
Definitely disruptive technology. GM could put printers at the dealer and you could get a tie rod made while you wait (licensing will prevent you from making it at home).
I'm going to have another me printed up in Sydney so I can avoid that long plane flight. :P
The D3 have to make cars people in other countries want. Any exports are good exports, so we should be thankful for foreign automakers building cars here for export.
3- D Printer technology is truly amazing, but as of yet, it only "prints" items in a relatively non-durable material. Great for making molds and casting pieces, but not an actual useable part.
Jay Leno has a video demonstrating how he made a casting mold for a part from one of his old cars and then used it to duplicate the original, which was a cast iron part ( IIRC) that had broken in half.
If the technology advances to the ability to make durable material pieces, it will certainly change the way manufacturing is done.
Think about it... The repair shop doesn't need to keep shelves of non-complex parts. Just call up the item you want to duplicate on the computer interface, then hit "print", and as Jackie Gleason used to say..."And away, we go!"
If I was advising someone studying to be an engineer, 3D printing would be right up there with robotics. Great fields to get into. As recent events have shown the people running the machines are not going to be high paid. Installation and Repair should be good for a while.
About 3 months ago I had the occasion to rent a Malibu (2012 model, I think) for a week.
My view (remember, this was a rental unit) was positive.
The car had 8K miles. No squeaks or rattles that I recall. The way the dash was designed gave the impression of lots of room up front (I didn't pay much attention to the back seat), but the odd thing (perhaps not the right word) to me was how the dash was a 2-tiered design, with about a 1/2" wood grain strip separating the upper and lower halves. It gave me the appearance that there was some requirement to display wood grain somewhere, somehow, and that was the answer to the requirement.
I also thought the transmission selector handle seemed out of proportion, as in large. The seats were made of a charcoal suede-type material, and the door panels were, IIRC, some sort of soft plastic finish (neatly done, good fit and finish, but overall a slightly cheap look to it).
The ride was pleasant and relatively quiet, and the front seats were comfortable enough. The trunk appeared to be spacious and useable. The 4-cylinder supplied adequate power for my driving style, and the transmission shifted smoothly.
IMO, this particular car would have been an excellent choice for someone looking for moderately priced, comfortable and roomy transportation for a basic family of 2 adults and 3 (younger) or 2 (older) children. The cabin seemed to have a suitable design/layout, with controls placed properly.
Nothing screamed "luxury", but then again, this example wasn't designed to be a luxury vehicle.
I can't speak to any reliability issues, other than I had it for a week without any service issues.
The woodgrain strip was only utilized on 2LT and LTZ models, and cheaper models with beige interior. Our 1LT has just a flat silver 'inlay' (for lack of a better word) where the rental you had had the woodgrain strip. Our interior is black cloth.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Seems pretty far fetched but the tech may be here quicker than you think. The UP needs to get busy making feedstock (i.e., cut down all the trees again, this time for cellulose).
I can see it now - my Chevy was fabbed in my garage using US sourced feedstock from a Detroit design.
That's a really interesting article. I knew that we exported, but not how much. Some of the statistics are amazing
- GM made substantially more cars in China last year than in the U.S. - 17 percent of "import" brand vehicles made in the US are exported - BMW exported 70%(!) of one plant's US production.
The article also says that Free Trade Agreements are responsible for this ability. So it's not all negative regarding those agreements. The U.S. *can* compete, if not hobbled by the unions!
- BMW exported 70%(!) of one plant's US production.
Yes, every BMW X3, X5 and X6 are made at the Spartanburg plant in SC.
Touring the plant, it's amazing to see totally separate models being assembled back-to-back, one after another, but I guess that's probably more common nowadays in auto assembly.
The woodgrain strip was only utilized on 2LT and LTZ models, and cheaper models with beige interior. Our 1LT has just a flat silver 'inlay' (for lack of a better word) where the rental you had had the woodgrain strip. Our interior is black cloth.
As I said, it was a rental, and quite often rentals aren't very representative of what an individual would find on a new car lot.
The inlay I described would not keep me from considering the car, it just struck me as a little bit of an odd design. Of course, that kind of thing isn't limited to GM.
I was actually somewhat impressed with the suede type seating surfaces. I found it rather unique, and a comfortable surface to plant yourself on...
One example of how 3D printing has influenced the arms industry is that, after the technology was used to make guns, they became more easily available. So countries have to take every possible measure to ensure that criminal gangs don't get access to the technology, because they can wreak havoc in society. Though China has a strict gun-control policy, the fact is that implementing the policy would become very difficult if it is easy for people to download gun designs and forge them with the help of 3D printing technology.
Oops!
Seems like there's a downside to everything. I seem to remember an old Twilight Zone episode "Valley of the Shadow" (IIRC) where this very thing happened. The character in the story feeds a picture of a handgun into what appears to be something like a paper copier machine and out spits a handgun.
And, that was circa 1960. Science fiction becomes science fact...
They just did that story-line on CSI recently. Pro assassin uses 3D printer to make one-use disposable gun to kill someone. Of course, they caught him anyway. :shades:
It's too bad we don't see more Focuses and Cruzes exported. Subaru's actually expanding US production, Mazda (who doesn't actually HAVE money right now) is expanding North American production.
The only ones that can't seem to export or increase demand are the ones run by the UAW. I personally don't mind unions. Unless the unions are run by criminally negligent goofballs. Which too many of them are.
Seems like there's a downside to everything. I seem to remember an old Twilight Zone episode "Valley of the Shadow" (IIRC) where this very thing happened.
As much as I've watched the Twilight Zone, that didn't sound all that familiar, but then it hit me...that was one of those ill-fated hour long episodes, wasn't it? IIRC, it involved a man and his dog in a '59 Chevy Impala convertible driving on a back road, and crashing into an invisible force field?
Correct! He wandered into a community of "exceptional citizens" that had this technology. In the end, he got booted out of the community because he didn't pass the "membership" test (by scanning and creating the handgun in an attempt to escape with one of the residents). They somehow swiped his memory and restored the events to where the accident never happened.
At least, that's how I remember it. It's been a long time since I saw it...
It's too bad we don't see more Focuses and Cruzes exported
For Ford, I think the new Focus is already being built in plants around the globe (maybe using a different badge?). Don't know about the Cruze, but is it basically an Opel like a lot of GM's other new vehicles? If that's the case, it too may be redundant to other GM global plants.
Comments
I wonder if safety is the reason for that change as fuel tanks are generally in front of the rear axle these days. Plus the old way likely reduces trunk space. But yeah, I remember the fuel fill being hid behind the license plate.
Looks like Chrysler wants to expand in a RTW state and build transmissions.
Chrysler files tax abatement request for Indiana factory (Detroit News)
http://www.alpinebeerco.com/index2.html
Makes good sense to me. They need to shut down the plant with the pot heads re-instated and move that operation to Indiana. Michigan is such a flaky state. They don't know what they want. They are likely to try and over turn RTW. So as long as that is up in the air. I would say they are not on the radar for new companies. Except the Chinese. Who know how to deal with dissidents.
I miss that feature, too. Plus, one got the added benefit of not having an unsightly fuel filler door visible.
Going to test drive the new Accord, Altima and Subaru Legacy. My Subie dealer has a 2012 H6 Outback that I want her to try as well...
That's really cool!
I rented a Ford Focus yesterday for a business trip (should it have been grounded due to recall?).
Anyway, it was a hatchback. It had the little arrow in the dash, which was much appreciated. I went to the right side where the arrow pointed to refuel and at first I couldn't find the filler. It's well camouflaged right in front of the rt. rear taillight, and you just push the door to open it. If not for the door seams I would not have seen it. Wish I had taken a picture.
Dunno what her price point is, and I never thought this would be a product I'd endorse, but have her check out the new 200C/Avenger as well. They're anything BUT class-leading, but they seem like a lot of car for the money. About a month ago, I was at the dealer picking up my Ram, which was having a sliding rear window installed. They had a 200C Limited in the showroom, with an advertised price of something like $17,500. It was just the 4-cyl, and wasn't fully equipped, but at least had a sunroof and alloys. Cloth interior, but I was impressed at how nice it was. I remember checking out the Sebring/Avenger when they were redone for 2007 and thinking that they sucked. But, since the Fiat takeover, they've definitely breathed some new life into these cars.
I'm sure it'll still come up short compared to the Accord, Altima, and Legacy. But, if it's cheaper enough, might not be a bad deal.
I am in total agreement about the 200 and Avenger. My wife's good friend bought a 200 last year and is very happy with it. I don't mind the styling at all and she did very well on price--it's a loaded car. The Avenger--I'm not crazy about the shape of the window in the rear door, but that said...last time I looked at one at an auto show (and it's been a few years), I was surprised how "American" it was in parts content and assembly, and it was reasonably priced.
Sometimes, IMHO, price trumps most else. For instance, I bought my daughter a two-year-old (to the manufacturing month) PT Cruiser 2 1/2 years ago on eBay for $6,930, and it has been very reliable and inexpensive to service. Matter of fact, it's roomy inside although MPG and turning circle are nothing to write home about. I can live with those things in a car my daughter drove to school basically. Daughter's five hours away in college and the PT will be used by my younger daughter in a few months, but my wife has driven it occasionally since college started. She hurt her back on Thanksgiving Day and has been driving the PT almost exclusively since, since it has a notably higher seating position than the Malibu does, making getting in and out easier.
Locally, I don't know anybody who's bought a Malibu in recent memory, so I don't have any anecdotes to relate to.
As for the Avenger/200, I'm honestly not crazy about the styling of them. There are definitely sexier cars out there. But, at that price point, it does make them a bit more compelling.
I've said this before, but I think the car is handsome, mostly in profile but also in front. The rear, meh.
It does get an honest 33 mpg at 70 mph on the highway. The six-speed feels different than other automatics I've had (never had more than four speeds before), but like anything, you get used to it.
Tires are wearing well and so are the looks of things, inside and out.
I paid about $19.1K for it after the rebate and GM card rebate, and before my trade, so I'm definitely happy at that price with it. I'm a money guy (read that as 'cheapskate') so I consider that heavily in most everything I do.
I'd like to install about 535 of you in Congress, lol.
Amen bro, and #536 in the White House. I'll buy you an American beer on that one.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Unless you're a whore - just kidding!
You have a deal, but don't hold your breath on that one!
C'mon, set another one up for me.
“If you stopped buying everything not made in the United States, the primary victims would be poorer people throughout the world,” Black says.
Black adds that international trade is an important part of our local economy, for example, the Midwest exports a lot of meat and corn.
“You can’t have it both ways,” he says, “you can’t have a campaign that says we won’t buy anything from the rest of the world and they have to buy all our stuff, that won’t work.”
Push to “Buy American:” Can it Help the Economy? (fox4kc.com)
Steve - you've outdone yourself!
This is the point I've been making for a long time. People don't like imported cars, but where are the complaints about the Mideast Oil? Nobody likes to import oil, but they scream bloody murder when V8's aren't available, or when gas prices get too high. Oh, and Saudi Arabia likes Suburbans, too.
If GM was innovative, they could be printing thousands of body panels and interior parts with those puppies.
Not sure 3D printing is advanced enough to know out car parts as fast as the giant presses.
It is a technology that is revolutionary and will kill more jobs than it creates.
I'm going to have another me printed up in Sydney so I can avoid that long plane flight. :P
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/12/americas-hot-export-article-import-cars- /
Jay Leno has a video demonstrating how he made a casting mold for a part from one of his old cars and then used it to duplicate the original, which was a cast iron part ( IIRC) that had broken in half.
If the technology advances to the ability to make durable material pieces, it will certainly change the way manufacturing is done.
Think about it... The repair shop doesn't need to keep shelves of non-complex parts. Just call up the item you want to duplicate on the computer interface, then hit "print", and as Jackie Gleason used to say..."And away, we go!"
My view (remember, this was a rental unit) was positive.
The car had 8K miles. No squeaks or rattles that I recall. The way the dash was designed gave the impression of lots of room up front (I didn't pay much attention to the back seat), but the odd thing (perhaps not the right word) to me was how the dash was a 2-tiered design, with about a 1/2" wood grain strip separating the upper and lower halves. It gave me the appearance that there was some requirement to display wood grain somewhere, somehow, and that was the answer to the requirement.
I also thought the transmission selector handle seemed out of proportion, as in large. The seats were made of a charcoal suede-type material, and the door panels were, IIRC, some sort of soft plastic finish (neatly done, good fit and finish, but overall a slightly cheap look to it).
The ride was pleasant and relatively quiet, and the front seats were comfortable enough. The trunk appeared to be spacious and useable. The 4-cylinder supplied adequate power for my driving style, and the transmission shifted smoothly.
IMO, this particular car would have been an excellent choice for someone looking for moderately priced, comfortable and roomy transportation for a basic family of 2 adults and 3 (younger) or 2 (older) children. The cabin seemed to have a suitable design/layout, with controls placed properly.
Nothing screamed "luxury", but then again, this example wasn't designed to be a luxury vehicle.
I can't speak to any reliability issues, other than I had it for a week without any service issues.
Titanium not durable enough for you eh?
Seems pretty far fetched but the tech may be here quicker than you think. The UP needs to get busy making feedstock (i.e., cut down all the trees again, this time for cellulose).
I can see it now - my Chevy was fabbed in my garage using US sourced feedstock from a Detroit design.
That's a really interesting article. I knew that we exported, but not how much. Some of the statistics are amazing
- GM made substantially more cars in China last year than in the U.S.
- 17 percent of "import" brand vehicles made in the US are exported
- BMW exported 70%(!) of one plant's US production.
The article also says that Free Trade Agreements are responsible for this ability. So it's not all negative regarding those agreements. The U.S. *can* compete, if not hobbled by the unions!
I wasn't aware the capability to utilize more durable materials had progressed to this point.
Live and learn...
Yes, every BMW X3, X5 and X6 are made at the Spartanburg plant in SC.
Touring the plant, it's amazing to see totally separate models being assembled back-to-back, one after another, but I guess that's probably more common nowadays in auto assembly.
The feds are pumping a bit of money into the tech to stimulate it but Obama wants to make it a cool billion. Handle 3D printing with care (Yahoo)
As I said, it was a rental, and quite often rentals aren't very representative of what an individual would find on a new car lot.
The inlay I described would not keep me from considering the car, it just struck me as a little bit of an odd design. Of course, that kind of thing isn't limited to GM.
I was actually somewhat impressed with the suede type seating surfaces. I found it rather unique, and a comfortable surface to plant yourself on...
Oops!
Seems like there's a downside to everything. I seem to remember an old Twilight Zone episode "Valley of the Shadow" (IIRC) where this very thing happened. The character in the story feeds a picture of a handgun into what appears to be something like a paper copier machine and out spits a handgun.
And, that was circa 1960. Science fiction becomes science fact...
You need one of these sticking out your blown funny car hood. :shades:
The only ones that can't seem to export or increase demand are the ones run by the UAW. I personally don't mind unions. Unless the unions are run by criminally negligent goofballs. Which too many of them are.
As much as I've watched the Twilight Zone, that didn't sound all that familiar, but then it hit me...that was one of those ill-fated hour long episodes, wasn't it? IIRC, it involved a man and his dog in a '59 Chevy Impala convertible driving on a back road, and crashing into an invisible force field?
At least, that's how I remember it. It's been a long time since I saw it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_the_Shadow
For Ford, I think the new Focus is already being built in plants around the globe (maybe using a different badge?). Don't know about the Cruze, but is it basically an Opel like a lot of GM's other new vehicles? If that's the case, it too may be redundant to other GM global plants.