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JUST A GUESS here.
Nissan put pressure on the compact crossover class by putting a low starting price on the Rogue.
I dunno, though, low $20s is where the GTI is. Tiguan is supposed to get the same powertrain, right? But with Haldex AWD.
I have imagined a price closer to $28k for starters.
FWIW, the Touareg ain't cheap.
Loser buys virtual beer.
Cheers and a happy '08. :shades:
I'm thinking low-end Passat wagon pricing, so I'll say $24,998, which is a little more expensive than the CR-V and the RAV-4, but that's typical for European brands (your price of nearly $29k puts it in direct competition with the Acadia, etc, which I think is too risky).
$15k is too big a price gap. I imagine it'll be closer to my guesstimate.
Hey- that's kinda harsh. Everyone has an oppinion- some just deelop and voice theirs better than others.
My vehicle's CD Changer is made by Panasonic. Panasonic says they make the best product, and I want the best sound I can get, so my vehicle is the best.
After market? I'm not a fan of aftermarket.
After market? I'm not a fan of aftermarket.
Nope, not aftermarket. I have an aftermarket CD Player in my 1996 vehicle that came with a Tape Deck - It's a $199 Pioneer (bought 5 years ago) and sounds great - not bad for its price, 200 Watts, and a 4-speaker stereo - it sure beats the 50W tape deck that came with the vehicle!
Indeed. The interior pics don't make me want one, either. All the little round vents are a little too much like the Pontiac Bonneville to me.
The RAV4 has that wrong-way tail gate, which swings open to block the curb. Duh. I love that V6 (we own one) but that's not enough by itself. Visibility is also poor.
Rogue and CR-V also have visibility issues, but we'll still check them out. The DC Auto Show is coming soon. We'll be test-fitting a lot of these compact crossovers, even some mid-sizers.
Forester is a strong contender, and I love what I've seen so far from the 2009 model. We also have a Chase Subaru credit card so I'd get up to $1600 off on one of those (that's how much we should have accumulated by the time we buy). I hope it drives well.
I could use the $1600 to pay for a new windshield and to service our 2002 Legacy before we trade that in, so it would not go to waste.
But...with Subaru we'd continue to earn Subaru Bucks that we could use later for service, accessories, an extended warranty, etc. Plus our 1998 Forester was fantastic.
Let's see, the DC auto show is usually going on around now, lemme check...Jan. 23-27. They probably moved it back so that it opens after NAIAS, that way they get all of this year's stuff after Detroit does.
In the past, they were just before Detroit, but that backfired, because you ended up with all the stuff Detroit got 11 months prior. :sick:
And, on a related note, my Audi is in the shop for the third time in 3 months (some sort of tensioner belt pulley is shot), so that's generally another reason to stay away from VW/Audi, in terms of reliability (I'm not bitter ;-) )
I'll take a closer look on the 23rd, though.
I can tell just by looking at it. The Ford unit has all of the controls on the actualy unit itself, on the remote, and the important ones on the radio head unit. The Honda probably has all of the controls on the remote and I can see that only the important ones are on the unit. I don't know if you can contro any of it from the head unit though. I'd wager that the Ford unit has more dual play options as well but again, I'm guessing.
And it comes standard on certain models of the Pilot, so I'm not sure how it could be more expensive.
It comes standard on the Pilot EX-L with Rear Entertainment System trim. It has "Rear Entertainment System" in the name of the trim line so I hope it's standard on that one!
Plus- I like how narrow that unit is compared to Fords. It's more compact and takes up less space.
Right, but you give up some control with that compactness. I like to be in control! :shades:
What?! Honda is the best car company in the world! Every other auto maker should bow down-or maybe that was Toyota. I'm just kidding. There is nothing special about Honda. I think we can all agree they build decent quality respectable cars, but they aren't anybetter than a GM or Nissan of Ford product. I did say Honda tries to have the best technology out there, but that's what they do. They strive to.
I do agree 100%. But others are now catching up. Take the Ford Sync for example. I have not used it or Honda's version but from what I've read recently the Sync system is much more versatile and useful than any other mainstream make/model's version.
Good point. Also, and this is just me, but I don't think I would want to own more than one of any vehicle at the same time (two toyotas/Fords,etc.) Just so plain and boring.
Don't say I'd agree. VW interiors do look a bit nicer than GM, but I don't think agree that the build quality is better. Not anymore ergonomical either.
Isn't that system by Microsoft though? So you basically will need to reboot it at least 2x a day?
-mike
That's exactly you're giving- a guess. And I'd rather have the extra controls on the remote and the needed ones on the unit. A lot less clutter, and a smaller more streamlined unit. I say Honda wins on feesibility there.
It comes standard on the Pilot EX-L with Rear Entertainment System trim. It has "Rear Entertainment System" in the name of the trim line so I hope it's standard on that one! That trim level is exactly $1,600 more than the Pilot EX-L so I would have to assume the DVD unit is that price. The ford unit ranges from $995 to $1,295 max.
Yes- but it's an actual model, which means you get more from the overall vehicle- proabably more than a similarly priced Explorer. I'd wager you can have a Honda dealer install the unit for around 1000- maybe even less.
Take the Ford Sync for example. I have not used it or Honda's version but from what I've read recently the Sync system is much more versatile and useful than any other mainstream make/model's version.
To tell the truth, for all the advertising Ford has done, I'd think Sync would be able to move mountains. This really must be a nice feature because the Honda navigation system is awesome. I hear MyGIG is a nice system too.
Yes, but luckily it is NOT Windows!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Unfortunately I got nothing from GM. I paid them for driving this car.
Anyway I'm just sure that this vehicle is best in this class. The class- size (7-8 passenger), CUV (don't compare with a vans and SUV), ride (it best for family for long haul trips), On-Star (best system for safety, it's recognize automatically if you're in big accident and you need help.), a lot options, 08' model get more reliable, MPG (it's good for this size even if you compare to SUV).
And one more thing please, don’t compare CD player to Johnson Controls system. It's not just a CD its agronomic controls for the car, driver and passengers.
UGH! You apple lovers! You probably typed this message on your iphone :P !
A lot may depend on the model lines and trim levels we're each looking at, so it's no big deal.
You need to read my post again. ALL of the controls for the Ford unit are on the unit itself AND on the remote. The head unit controls Play/Pause, track advance, and some other basic features. Honda does not win that one which is what I've been trying to tell you! :shades:
Yes- but it's an actual model, which means you get more from the overall vehicle- proabably more than a similarly priced Explorer.
That is correct. However, comparing apples to apples you get more in a similarly priced Taurus X than you would in a Pilot. We cross-shopped the Pilot and Explorer but I wouldn't put the two in the same class necessarily.
I'd wager you can have a Honda dealer install the unit for around 1000- maybe even less.
The same goes for any other brand too. It all depends on what you want because you most likely lose some features when you do it beyone the assembly line. I also don't see a DVD unit listed on the official Honda accessories site or on their "build a Pilot" site so I wonder if they even offer one? Ford does have a dual headrest system the dealer will install for you. IIRC it's $2,000 with installation for that one and it fits any of their vehicles. I'm sure the price is negotiable like all other things at a car dealer too.
This really must be a nice feature because the Honda navigation system is awesome.
FWIW Sync has nothing to do with the nav system unless you do have a factory nav system. It works without it and lets you use voice commands for phone calls, mp3 player songs, and IIRC CD player songs and radio commands. The nav unit ties into it and gives you a nicer display. You need the nav system in a Honda to get the voice commands right? Sync is a $395 option on almost all models now and is standard on the top trims for the most part.
As a matter of fact, that's what I just did!!
I really hope the Sync system does not screw up in the Fords it is placed in. Really, Microsoft and reliability are not known to coincide!
I wonder why Mazdas don't have the Sync system? You would think Ford would share the technology across all its platforms.
I'm with thegraduate on this one, GM's interios have come a looong way. At the very least they've earned the Most Improved Player award.
Gosh, remember all that shiny gray plastic? The same-size buttons? The one single stereo across what seemed like the whole lineup?
The CTS now has the nicest interior in its class, IMHO. BMW and Mercedes could learn a thing or two from GM's french-stitched leather.
This is what I always remember as the "GM of the 90s"
My, what ten years can do for a vehicle!
I, personally, don't mind the dials for HVAC control. But automated climate control is soooooo much better. Enter a temp and let the computer do the rest.
UGH! You apple lovers! You probably typed this message on your iphone !
Nah, I'm no apple lover, but I worked as a desktop tech for 10 years so I know the horrors of MS
-mike
Remember, Ford is not like GM where they outright own their partners. Ford only has some stake in Mazda/Volvo/Jag etc. Those companies still operate by them selves.
GM outright owns Saab, Saturn etc, and does all of their engineering. That is why you see a system like "OnStar" in all their vehicles. That is not the case with Ford, hence why you only see Sync in Ford/Lincoln/Mercury
As sure of it as you are, I'm just as sure that it isn't. Obviously, there are others out there who feel the same way. The vehicle fit your needs and wants, but that doesn't make it imperative that everyone sees it as best. It fits your needs best, and that is all you may lay claim to in a valid argument.
And one more thing please, don’t compare CD player to Johnson Controls system. It's not just a CD its agronomic controls for the car, driver and passengers.
My comment was tongue-in-cheek, but I'll compare whatever I like until asked to do otherwise by an administrator, thank you. As one poster pointed out, GM isn't special for using Johnson Controls seats (just as my CD player isn't special for being supplied by Panasonic). Many companies use Johnson Controls products. Not sure what you mean by the last sentence though. I think you mean something about ergonomics, but I don't quite know what point you are trying to make (its very vague) as to if you mean the CD Player has ergonimic controls, which it does - it affects how easily I can change stations/settings without taking my eyes off the road, etc. Seats are either comfortable for long periods of time, or are not. Hopefully GMs new seats don't suffer from being too soft - past vehicles I've been in from Chevrolet, etc... lack support for long trips, although they are squishy/comfy for the first little while.
Actually you're only partially correct. Ford has 100% ownership of Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover.
They do not own 100% of Mazda but do own a majority controlling stake and as such have 100% control of Mazda.
None of these companies operate autonomously. Dearborn has quite a bit of input into their operations.
I realized that after I posted. oops!
Dearborn has quite a bit of input into their operations.
I cannot speak for Volvo / Jag / Land Rover....however, I do know that Mazda does have a lot of free reign as to doing what they want to do. Ford does get to throw their weight around from time to time.
I think it'll be good for Lincoln. In the past, Lincoln had to be slotted beneath Jaguar, and that limited what they could do. They had to save their best for Jaguar. Now Lincoln is without that limitation.
It may be worth it to keep only Volvo. Their identity is very clear (Safety) and this is a case where Ford has actually benefited from a brand they've owned.
Lincoln can fill the gap left by Jaguar, and Ford/Lincoln Trucks can occupy the slots Land Rover used to fill.
As a Ford shareholder, I wouldn't want them to try and replace those brands. I'd rather have them concentrate on improving the product to a more mass buyer appeal. I could see Lincoln becoming more "Euro" focused with some European Ford product being used to make the line an Acura/VW/3/A4/C Class competitor and the Navigator could be a poor man's Land Rover with huge investment. Lastly, make the Town Car a fleet only product.
Actually, yuo are only partially correct. Ford owns none of Jag/Land Rover.