imidazol97: I assume they get paid for those clips.
No reputable news outlet "pays" Consumer Reports to report on the results of its reliability surveys, anymore than NBC, CNN and The New York Times pay the Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Sciences to report the winners of the annual Academy Awards. (ABC did pay for the privilege of broadcasting the actual ceremony, but that is different.)
Virtually everyone owns a vehicle; lots of people pay attention to what Consumer Reports has to say about those vehicles. It's a legitimate news story, so news outlets run it. Any news director worth his or her salt will see the value in running that story.
imidazol97: I've noticed through the decades that noone is allowed to quote CR's views, but they seem to allow quotes in the TV clips and radio clips they market... grin.
You are confusing the use of results in advertising with reporting the results in a news story.
Any organization is free to ban the use of its copyrighted material in advertisements.
News outlets, on the other hand, are free to report on what is contained in a publication without giving any renumeration to the original source. Consumer Reports cannot stop a news outlet from reporting on these results even it if were inclined to do so.
The reliability ratings of Consumer Reports annual survey are news - regardless of whether anyone agrees with the results. News sources - and Edmunds.com is a news source - report those results freely, and without paying Consumer Reports for doing so.
I agree it's my opinion. But it still counts! I owned several GMs. I will own again only if GM listens to my opinion.
"The Equinox got a new interior in 2005 that looks just as good as anything you'll find in the competition and it gets a 263hp/6speed combo for 2008."
Check Edmunds' True-Cost-to-Own" for Equinox. Then, check some others like Escape, CR-V, etc. You will know that Equinox is way behind the competition.
The GMC dealer I bought my 2005 Sierra from has sent me a free coupon for oil changes each time they are due. I have gotten free oil changes and periodic service on the last 4 GM trucks I have owned. It did not cost me a penny extra. I was never offered free oil changes on Toyota, Subaru or Honda vehicles I owned. Add to that replacement parts for the Japanese cars, especially Honda & Lexus are at least double that of domestic. Insurance is also higher on imported cars than domestic trucks. The bit of money you save at the pump is chump change compared to these other expenses.
I'm not going to base my car buying decisions on TCO, there are way too many variables at stake for me to believe those numbers. They are HIGHLY speculative and since they count depreciation as an ownership cost GM vehicles are usually more expensive to own than Japanese ones. Aside from that, there is no reason the Equinox isnt competitive. When people have a problem with GM products they will come up with a lot of excuses but stay away actually talking about the design and performance of the product in question. Based on space, efficiency, styling and price the Equinox is fine. Chevy added 4 wheel disc brakes, stability, navigation and changed the interior and now it will get a new top engine. That is how you upgrade a model to keep it relevant.
Poor mileage on a Toyota is "unimpressive" while on a similar model Chevy the same mileage may be described as "dismal".
Could it be they described it that way because it was the FJ Cruiser or some other mid to large size vehicle that had unimpressive fuel economy and say.... A chevy economy car that had the same mileage, but in relativity; was "dismal" for miles per gallon.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I've never seen the need for telescopic column. My power seats and flexible steering wheel adjustments on GM cars have suited me to a T.
Funny, I felt like I wanted a telescopic column even before I knew it existed or was possible. I'd say a telescopic column should be just as "standard" as Tilt steering wheels on all cars. It is just as important to me; especially now that I have a car that has a telescopic steering wheel (and wife's new Civic does too).
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
They also produced cars that were simpler in the fact that a vast majority did not have power windows or locks and other items to break a few years down the road giving a bad impression of quality to the consumer. It is easy to build a simple reliable car it is more difficult to build a complex(electronics,suspension) reliable car. Ask Mercedes.
If it's so easy to build a simple reliable car, then how come the domestics never did it? I would think if it was easy, they'd have done just that, but it has never happened to date. Honda and Toyota make pretty loaded to the teeth cars today, and they don't seem to have a problem with power locks and windows or complexities in their cars.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Your 53% you got was a good deal for you. You would not get even close to that around here 4 years 2 months later.
First of all, where is "here" for you?
You know, I didn't even consider it a good deal for me, just a fair deal. I considered it a VERY good deal for the buyer. Granted, I kept my car up in very good shape, and it was well maintained and cared for (though I never had a carport or garage to park it in). So it weathered the sun, wind, and rain of 50 months pretty well. Still drove just like new, and that's what sold it. It looked good, but did show its age with knicks and scratches, a small dent or two typical of a car that has been driven 64K+ miles in Southern California. The windshiled had a couple chips; 2 of which we're repaired. Interior was clean, exterior had some molding/trim rippling/wrinkling issues on the door/window. Had newer transmission as that was the one mechanical component that began to fail during its lifetime with me (replaced at 42K under warranty; even though Honda didn't technically warrant past 36K at the time).
Check out the '03 Accord in CR reliability study, it's spot on! The only (half) black circle you'll find is on the transmission that year, the rest is all fully red except for maybe body hardware, integrity/trim (that molding issue). CR spot on right again? How could that be? :P Why in the world does CR's data always directly match my experience?
Okay, enough of my rant.
My real question is why you think I got such a great deal, at the time (January 07) Edmunds' TMV on my Honda V6 was around 15K, so I thought I was giving the guy a big time discount as I had it on the market minimally advertised for a long time. He sure thought it was a good deal; his main questions had to do with why I was selling it at such a great price.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
If I was a vehicle interior designer, anyone who suggested carpet as a good material for a kickplate surface would be shot on sight.
Hey, it could be worse! The 1957 DeSoto Fireflite used a silver mylar film along the lower edge of the door panels!
Personally, I like carpeted lower door panels because they help dress up the interior. Without them, it creates a cheap, spartan atmosphere.
I guess you could argue that over time, the carpeting is going to get messed up, but the same holds true for metal, which will scrape, plastic, which will scrape as well, or soft-touch, which will tear.
>I guess you could argue that over time, the carpeting is going to get messed up,
I've had cars with all kinds of lower door material. I like the carpet the best. It matches the interior carpent, bringing it out onto the door. I don't think it's actually carpet grade material but I know that it doesn't get scuffed when I kick the door with my Rockports getting in and out and cleaning it means a swift brush with the vacuum or a wet hand towel to clean off anything that gets on there from hopping in and out.
Since the stations run them nightly or certain days of the week, they're not just 'news' stories. They're regular features. So you are saying that you _know_ Consumers Reports supplies those at no charge? ________________
>You are confusing the use of results in advertising with reporting
No I'm not that dumb. I understand advertising clips vs news stories or regular features bought by the stations._________
You may be confused as to the type of regular features I was describing.
quote:Which is more important, telescoping steering wheel or good output values for the oil life to preserve the engine and conserve the resources.
I'll take that question! The telescoping steering wheel. Do you really think any of those oil gauges are telling you enough about the life of your oil to go some 10,000 miles between changes? You can do so at your cars expense. I will change my oil at say 5K miles of mainly mixed driving, or 7K miles of mostly freeway driving. I can not imagine a gauge on the car knowing to actual condition of your particular oil used, and how well your filter is doing. Speaking of which, I like Purolator and Wix filters (Napa Gold), though I will likely be using whatever Honda supplies, if their oil changes are reasonable enough - I have not checked yet.
I think it is a good thing for the dealer to keep an eye on their vehicles. Mine is almost 2 years old. It has almost 9000 miles now. I do it more for a general checkup and they were both free. Gave me a chance to test drive the new trucks.
That is why their findings are flawed because it's limited to subscribers results.
The only thing flawed here is your theory that because they use subscriber results, they are flawed. Why would CR subscribers be any different from Joe Blow and Joe Schmoe? Jane Doe and John Doe? There is no evidence to back up your theory. It is a POSSIBLE theory on why they could be flawed, but unless you have data on CR's subscriber base all being biased, then it doesn't hold water.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I actually agree with you on oil change mile life. I like watching the rate of change with the different driving, with the variables of temperature, number of starts and how cold it is at start, the time the motor is driven and how the 1% steps change. I change my oil by 80% and sometimes at 50%. I value the motor more than $8 of oil which is recycled in our fair city's recycle tank.
I don't need a telescoping wheel, but some may find it fabulous-seriously-while I value something else. I may not have trouble adjusting closer to dash for steering wheel since my legs are not longer than average so I can scrunch right up if I need to. I recall that feeling when I drove a friend's new Corolla.
I know I didn't like the Fusion/500 style of tilt wheel. If it telescoped I didn't get it to work; it just tilts using the floorboard as the pivot focus.
Poor mileage on a Toyota is "unimpressive" while on a similar model Chevy the same mileage may be described as "dismal".
Could it be they described it that way because it was the FJ Cruiser or some other mid to large size vehicle that had unimpressive fuel economy and say.... A chevy economy car that had the same mileage, but in relativity; was "dismal" for miles per gallon.
No, if you read the comment is says "on a similar model". You even copied it!!!
Perhaps it is the map and cup holds molded into plastic on the lower doors now which made carpet use less desirable. I think the older Corvettes had the carpet on the lower door, if I recall correctly. Nice red color interiors on those white exterior cars. Heck, some were red or red - a bit much!
The only door I saw which made no sense at all is on my Aunts Crown Vic. The map pocket covers the speakers. Not the best for sound. :confuse:
Ya know, the more I think about it, in a way the Toyota Camry is sort of like today's version of a Oldsmobile Delta 88. That is if the Olds got a modern engine and tranny. Really it is sort of like a fast forward of what a Cutlass or 88 could have been. Handling and feel of road is about the same as the Olds 98 Regency I once owned. A 2000 Camry, for example, is about the same. Only the Toy is reliable as in not stopping when it wants to. Loren
How about the Dodge dart? That car was legendary in reliability. We had a '79 Chevy malibu that had no extra options other than A/C. It lasted 10 years and over 120K miles with no major problems until the original radiator sprung a leak and it was not worth it to fix it. The simple cars never sold really well. People in the 70's and 80's wanted power steering and electric windows on domestic vehicles. Yes the domestics were behind the curve following the 1973 Arab oil embargo and stricter emission requirements. How about the prius shutting down on the hwy or transmission surge/hesitation in the ES and Camry V6 which according to multiple forums has been going on for years. Toyota and Honda are smart in that they cut their losses on a vehicle/engine if they run into chronic problems. The Toyota 2.5 V6 was out for a short time then deep sixed. Acura befuddled me by canceling the CL. I thought it was a nice looking car and it appeared to be selling well. They claim it was for lack of sales not problems with the transmission etc.
Actually carpet is much better than plastic that scuffs. the reason it is not used anymore is mainly due to cost and once they stopped using it it went out of style.
If POWER tilt/telescoping costs me 1 cent more, it's not worth it. It is something you might use only 1 time in the entire life of the vehicle if you don't have multiple drivers driving the car.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I think carpet is the best material for this purpose. Heck, both my 1988 Buick Park Avenue and my 1989 Cadillac Brougham have carpet along the lower door interior panels and they barely show any dirt or wear after all these years.
Telescoping wheels have been around forever. My 1989 Cadillac has one and my 1975 Cadillac had one. I know they've been in Caddies at least since the early 1960s. I believe they briefly suspended the telescoping feature when airbags debuted. My Seville STS has a power tilt/telescope wheel. What's really cool is how the wheel flips up and the seat goes back to ease exit from the car. When I put the key in the ignition, the seat and wheel move into the position I set them for.
I agree....The Chinese are going to throw another wrench into the rims. I was watching Duncan Hunter (R)-California speak and he impressed me alot. Ol' Duncan talked about how U.S. company's are at a 74% disadvantage because of unfair trade and the american worker suffers.
imidazol97: Since the stations run them nightly or certain days of the week, they're not just 'news' stories. They're regular features. So you are saying that you _know_ Consumers Reports supplies those at no charge?
The better question to ask is why would the station pay to provide Consumer Reports with publicity? If any organization benefits, it is Consumer Reports,which needs to generate revenue to survive, even if its non-profit...this is publicity for the magazine.
Unless you are talking about pre-packaged segments produced by Consumer Reports and sold to the station for broadcast (much like a syndicated show, only shorter in duration, if I am understanding you correctly).
I would rather have the features I listed above than a telescoping wheel.
You can't be serious! You'd rather have a seamless airbag cover than a telescopic steering column? The airbag will never be used or seen? Unless you have a major frontal collision. I haven't had an airbag go off in my entire lifetime, and I've been driving cars since airbags became commonplace. I have used the telescopic feature in every car I've been in that has had it! Trip computer? who cares? 18" wheels.... too big for Accord. I think my '03 coupe from Accord/Honda had the split folding rear seat. Remote start; again, who cares?
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I don;t think they are bias against American Car Companies because CR always rated Buicks pretty good reliability wise even in the 2006 big issue of CR they rated the LaCrosse and Lucrene above average in reliability.
Yes, they always show up year after year as better bets on reliability. For some reason Mercury does as well.
It only puzzles me because I can't think of anything Mercury has that isn't built on the same line as a Ford. Ford seems to always rate exactly in the middle - the perfectly average in reliability make.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
"GM, is also bringing out other "value" models to the market with its new Pontiac G8. The rumor is mid $30K range for a GXP which will be loaded out will be a RWD performance value."
Pontiac is goint to sticker a car at a mid 30K price range? In my opinion the Pontiac nameplate today does not have the name to sell a mid 30K priced car.
You can't be serious! You'd rather have a seamless airbag cover than a telescopic steering column? The airbag will never be used or seen? Unless you have a major frontal collision. I haven't had an airbag go off in my entire lifetime, and I've been driving cars since airbags became commonplace.
Seamless airbag cover refers to the visible seam or lap joint on the IP over the airbag not to the airbag itself.
The old Accord, unlike most newer models, has a cover on the RH upper IP that is very visible.
And yes I would rather have 18" wheels or a split folding rear seat than a telescoping wheel.. but again that is just me and I am not the entire buying public. (and the Lacrosse does have a tele column)
looks like the UAW might unionize Toyota's plant in Kentucky I think. This would be a break for GM and the UAW needs this contract in my opinion. Toyota officials say that their employees have no interest in unionizing but I don;t know.
Imidizal 97...looks like you were right a week ago on your post about the Kentucky plant in unionizing.
In my opinion, if the UAW unionizes that plant Toyota will be very careful on what the agreements that the contract contains I think.
personally, I think they're of dubious value. On one hand, they make the dashboard look nicer because you don't have the cutout for the airbag cover. But if the airbag blows, in addition to all the other damages to the car, throw in a dashboard replacement on top of that.
Of course, if the car's totaled, it's a moot point. But in gentler accidents, it's just going to run up the cost to repair. My stepdad rear-ended someone with a '99 Altima awhile back. He said he hardly felt the impact, but it was enough to set off the airbags. And the airbag didn't even touch him, because the impact wasn't strong enough to throw him far enough forward.
Oh, that's not what I meant at all. I'm just saying that anyone running for president is going to put up some proposals that will catch your eye like his did.
Don't want to get political and I definitely don't want to talk presidential candidates with an election a year and a half away.
I'd be curious how they determine just what the Japanese advantage is. They have stronger unions in Japan than we have here and they have to ship the vehicles across teh Pacific. As MAzda learned, that's not an automatically done deal....
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
It has taken Hyundai over 20 years to get where they are now. About 400k sales annually (correct me if I am wrong). You finally have folks like me who have forgotten the Excel. the Chinese can bring their cars over here but who is going to buy them. the new car market has continually shrunk over the past 5 years. Everything I have read about the Chinese cars is they are not ready for the US market. If I am wrong, please educate me. give me some links to read. I'm always will to learn.
Personally, i don't see Americans rushing to buy Chinese cars in large quantities. Would you buy a Chinese economy car over a Fit, Accent, yaris, Versa, Corolla, Elantra, etc.? Or a Chinese midsize car over the Accord, camry, fusion, malibu, etc.?
I think some brands may suffer but I would not buy a brand new car from an unknown manufacturer over the established competition. that's me. Heck I won't even buy a Chrysler.
Comments
Plants in Canada and Mexico = plants in Japan = imports.
I would think that is more significant.
No reputable news outlet "pays" Consumer Reports to report on the results of its reliability surveys, anymore than NBC, CNN and The New York Times pay the Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Sciences to report the winners of the annual Academy Awards. (ABC did pay for the privilege of broadcasting the actual ceremony, but that is different.)
Virtually everyone owns a vehicle; lots of people pay attention to what Consumer Reports has to say about those vehicles. It's a legitimate news story, so news outlets run it. Any news director worth his or her salt will see the value in running that story.
imidazol97: I've noticed through the decades that noone is allowed to quote CR's views, but they seem to allow quotes in the TV clips and radio clips they market... grin.
You are confusing the use of results in advertising with reporting the results in a news story.
Any organization is free to ban the use of its copyrighted material in advertisements.
News outlets, on the other hand, are free to report on what is contained in a publication without giving any renumeration to the original source. Consumer Reports cannot stop a news outlet from reporting on these results even it if were inclined to do so.
The reliability ratings of Consumer Reports annual survey are news - regardless of whether anyone agrees with the results. News sources - and Edmunds.com is a news source - report those results freely, and without paying Consumer Reports for doing so.
I agree it's my opinion. But it still counts! I owned several GMs. I will own again only if GM listens to my opinion.
"The Equinox got a new interior in 2005 that looks just as good as anything you'll find in the competition and it gets a 263hp/6speed combo for 2008."
Check Edmunds' True-Cost-to-Own" for Equinox. Then, check some others like Escape, CR-V, etc. You will know that Equinox is way behind the competition.
Could it be they described it that way because it was the FJ Cruiser or some other mid to large size vehicle that had unimpressive fuel economy and say.... A chevy economy car that had the same mileage, but in relativity; was "dismal" for miles per gallon.
Funny, I felt like I wanted a telescopic column even before I knew it existed or was possible. I'd say a telescopic column should be just as "standard" as Tilt steering wheels on all cars. It is just as important to me; especially now that I have a car that has a telescopic steering wheel (and wife's new Civic does too).
:surprise: :confuse:
If I was a vehicle interior designer, anyone who suggested carpet as a good material for a kickplate surface would be shot on sight. :mad:
If it's so easy to build a simple reliable car, then how come the domestics never did it? I would think if it was easy, they'd have done just that, but it has never happened to date. Honda and Toyota make pretty loaded to the teeth cars today, and they don't seem to have a problem with power locks and windows or complexities in their cars.
First of all, where is "here" for you?
You know, I didn't even consider it a good deal for me, just a fair deal. I considered it a VERY good deal for the buyer. Granted, I kept my car up in very good shape, and it was well maintained and cared for (though I never had a carport or garage to park it in). So it weathered the sun, wind, and rain of 50 months pretty well. Still drove just like new, and that's what sold it. It looked good, but did show its age with knicks and scratches, a small dent or two typical of a car that has been driven 64K+ miles in Southern California. The windshiled had a couple chips; 2 of which we're repaired. Interior was clean, exterior had some molding/trim rippling/wrinkling issues on the door/window. Had newer transmission as that was the one mechanical component that began to fail during its lifetime with me (replaced at 42K under warranty; even though Honda didn't technically warrant past 36K at the time).
Check out the '03 Accord in CR reliability study, it's spot on! The only (half) black circle you'll find is on the transmission that year, the rest is all fully red except for maybe body hardware, integrity/trim (that molding issue). CR spot on right again? How could that be? :P
Why in the world does CR's data always directly match my experience?
Okay, enough of my rant.
My real question is why you think I got such a great deal, at the time (January 07) Edmunds' TMV on my Honda V6 was around 15K, so I thought I was giving the guy a big time discount as I had it on the market minimally advertised for a long time. He sure thought it was a good deal; his main questions had to do with why I was selling it at such a great price.
Hey, it could be worse! The 1957 DeSoto Fireflite used a silver mylar film along the lower edge of the door panels!
Personally, I like carpeted lower door panels because they help dress up the interior. Without them, it creates a cheap, spartan atmosphere.
I guess you could argue that over time, the carpeting is going to get messed up, but the same holds true for metal, which will scrape, plastic, which will scrape as well, or soft-touch, which will tear.
I've had cars with all kinds of lower door material. I like the carpet the best. It matches the interior carpent, bringing it out onto the door. I don't think it's actually carpet grade material but I know that it doesn't get scuffed when I kick the door with my Rockports getting in and out and cleaning it means a swift brush with the vacuum or a wet hand towel to clean off anything that gets on there from hopping in and out.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Since the stations run them nightly or certain days of the week, they're not just 'news' stories. They're regular features. So you are saying that you _know_ Consumers Reports supplies those at no charge? ________________
>You are confusing the use of results in advertising with reporting
No I'm not that dumb. I understand advertising clips vs news stories or regular features bought by the stations._________
You may be confused as to the type of regular features I was describing.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I'll take that question! The telescoping steering wheel. Do you really think any of those oil gauges are telling you enough about the life of your oil to go some 10,000 miles between changes? You can do so at your cars expense. I will change my oil at say 5K miles of mainly mixed driving, or 7K miles of mostly freeway driving. I can not imagine a gauge on the car knowing to actual condition of your particular oil used, and how well your filter is doing. Speaking of which, I like Purolator and Wix filters (Napa Gold), though I will likely be using whatever Honda supplies, if their oil changes are reasonable enough - I have not checked yet.
Loren
The only thing flawed here is your theory that because they use subscriber results, they are flawed. Why would CR subscribers be any different from Joe Blow and Joe Schmoe?
Jane Doe and John Doe? There is no evidence to back up your theory. It is a POSSIBLE theory on why they could be flawed, but unless you have data on CR's subscriber base all being biased, then it doesn't hold water.
I don't need a telescoping wheel, but some may find it fabulous-seriously-while I value something else. I may not have trouble adjusting closer to dash for steering wheel since my legs are not longer than average so I can scrunch right up if I need to. I recall that feeling when I drove a friend's new Corolla.
I know I didn't like the Fusion/500 style of tilt wheel. If it telescoped I didn't get it to work; it just tilts using the floorboard as the pivot focus.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Could it be they described it that way because it was the FJ Cruiser or some other mid to large size vehicle that had unimpressive fuel economy and say.... A chevy economy car that had the same mileage, but in relativity; was "dismal" for miles per gallon.
No, if you read the comment is says "on a similar model". You even copied it!!!
The only door I saw which made no sense at all is on my Aunts Crown Vic. The map pocket covers the speakers. Not the best for sound. :confuse:
Ya know, the more I think about it, in a way the Toyota Camry is sort of like today's version of a Oldsmobile Delta 88. That is if the Olds got a modern engine and tranny. Really it is sort of like a fast forward of what a Cutlass or 88 could have been. Handling and feel of road is about the same as the Olds 98 Regency I once owned. A 2000 Camry, for example, is about the same. Only the Toy is reliable as in not stopping when it wants to.
Loren
Wrong-Unless you are in dusty conditions or have a faulty motor the service cycle of the engine can give very accurate oil conditions.
with no major problems until the original radiator sprung a leak and it was not worth it to fix it. The simple cars never sold really well. People in the 70's and 80's wanted power steering and electric windows on domestic vehicles. Yes the domestics were behind the curve following the 1973 Arab oil embargo and stricter emission requirements.
How about the prius shutting down on the hwy or transmission surge/hesitation in the ES and Camry V6 which according to multiple forums has been going on for years.
Toyota and Honda are smart in that they cut their losses on a vehicle/engine if they run into chronic problems. The Toyota 2.5 V6 was out for a short time then deep sixed. Acura befuddled me by canceling the CL. I thought it was a nice looking car and it appeared to be selling well. They claim it was for lack of sales not problems with the transmission
etc.
Heck, both my 1988 Buick Park Avenue and my 1989 Cadillac Brougham have carpet along the lower door interior panels and they barely show any dirt or wear after all these years.
Actually, the 244 HP Accord would smoke the 9-3, unless you're talking 9-3 Aero.... but you didn't specify.'
Also, if Loren got the 6 speed manual Accord, then I think 33% more of your list gets left in the dust too.
Door bottom
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Rocky
The better question to ask is why would the station pay to provide Consumer Reports with publicity? If any organization benefits, it is Consumer Reports,which needs to generate revenue to survive, even if its non-profit...this is publicity for the magazine.
Unless you are talking about pre-packaged segments produced by Consumer Reports and sold to the station for broadcast (much like a syndicated show, only shorter in duration, if I am understanding you correctly).
You can't be serious!
It only puzzles me because I can't think of anything Mercury has that isn't built on the same line as a Ford. Ford seems to always rate exactly in the middle - the perfectly average in reliability make.
Pontiac is goint to sticker a car at a mid 30K price range? In my opinion the Pontiac nameplate today does not have the name to sell a mid 30K priced car.
Seamless airbag cover refers to the visible seam or lap joint on the IP over the airbag not to the airbag itself.
The old Accord, unlike most newer models, has a cover on the RH upper IP that is very visible.
http://automobiles.honda.com/models/interior_gallery.asp?ModelName=Accord+Sedan
http://www.buick.com/lacrosse/gallery_interior.jsp
And yes I would rather have 18" wheels or a split folding rear seat than a telescoping wheel.. but again that is just me and I am not the entire buying public. (and the Lacrosse does have a tele column)
I like that. Don't figure you want to go testing what the arirbag itself looks like!
Imidizal 97...looks like you were right a week ago on your post about the Kentucky plant in unionizing.
In my opinion, if the UAW unionizes that plant Toyota will be very careful on what the agreements that the contract contains I think.
Of course, if the car's totaled, it's a moot point. But in gentler accidents, it's just going to run up the cost to repair. My stepdad rear-ended someone with a '99 Altima awhile back. He said he hardly felt the impact, but it was enough to set off the airbags. And the airbag didn't even touch him, because the impact wasn't strong enough to throw him far enough forward.
I do agree, however, that the latest results are an encouraging sign.
There was similar talk from union leaders prior to the unsuccessful effort to unionize Nissan in the late 1980s.
Don't want to get political and I definitely don't want to talk presidential candidates with an election a year and a half away.
I'd be curious how they determine just what the Japanese advantage is. They have stronger unions in Japan than we have here and they have to ship the vehicles across teh Pacific. As MAzda learned, that's not an automatically done deal....
Personally, i don't see Americans rushing to buy Chinese cars in large quantities. Would you buy a Chinese economy car over a Fit, Accent, yaris, Versa, Corolla, Elantra, etc.? Or a Chinese midsize car over the Accord, camry, fusion, malibu, etc.?
I think some brands may suffer but I would not buy a brand new car from an unknown manufacturer over the established competition. that's me. Heck I won't even buy a Chrysler.