Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Boy, I was thinking the exact same thing from 32 1/2 years of post-college employment and a few years prior to then too!
That is why they have a Union. The UAW agreed to the work rules. Time to live with it or go look for another job. People have put up with crappy hours and weekends forever. They should be tickled they are getting OT. That is extra money in their pockets. That was the worst part about being a shop steward, was putting up with worthless whiners. Most times they were the very people not carrying their weight on the job.
How about calling VW's head unit an "unmitigated disaster"?
http://youtu.be/1iGo-FIfoXo
Give the guy credit, though, he doesn't sugar coat it for his sponsors.
"Fail. Fail. Fail."
Classic Cooley review. And it demonstrates once again the honesty in his evaluations. Just try guessing the conclusion before the video ends...
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
Fortunately only 2500 affected.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/17/2013-dodge-challenger-v6-recalled-for-electri- cal-fire-riskmodels-f/
It does, but apparently they're no slouch. I just looked up some numbers from here: http://www.zeroto60times.com/Dodge-0-60-mph-Times.html
Looks like a Challenger with the 3.6 V-6 is good for 0-60 in about 6.3 seconds. Even the Charger SXT is good for 6.5, and in the little Avenger, they're showing 6.2.
Of course, a Hemi's gonna be faster. But, any of those three listed above would be quicker than any car I've ever owned. I think my 2000 Park Ave is good for 0-60 in around 7.5 seconds. Dunno what my Ram would be. There are so many configurations that can change the weight by a significant amount, different axle ratios (mine ha s 3.21, but I think a lot of them have a 3.55). That site I posted above lists a 2013 Ram Hemi at 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. I don't think it's that fast though.
Hate to say it though, but if I bought a Challenger, I'd probably succumb to peer pressure and get the Hemi. Don't wanna be typecast driving a chick car! :shades:
That's significantly quicker than the much heralded mid 90's Impala SS. I doubt a 427 Impala SS could match a current v6 Challenger.
Sounds like they're plenty quick, but I'd want the Hemi for the sound.
I'd be happy with the 3.6 V-6 in something like a Charger, which I would view as an every day sedan. Still quick enough for most needs, but fairly easy on the fuel bill.
but, to me, something like a Challenger is more of a toy, an extravagance. Something to treat yourself to that hopefully eases midlife crisis. So in that case, you might as well go all the way!
Strangely though, some of these new, high-powered engines really don't sound all that great to me. I don't think there's anything special about the sound of the Hemi in my Ram. One of our IT guys has a V-8 Camaro convertible. Brutally fast I'm sure, but it just doesn't sound all that hot. And, one day, I even heard a fairly new Corvette start up, and it even sounded a bit underwhelming.
I think the problem is that they're too sophisticated these days, and the sound is more tame, more faked, somehow. So even if the performance is there, the sound just seems lacking. Either that, or I just got too accustomed to the sound of a 360 with no muffler.
Last year at the Chicago autoshow, Ford had a 2011 Mustang GT500 strapped to a dyno. Wow, it made the hairs on my neck stand up it sounded so good. For whatever reason, Ford has done a great job on the Mustang's sound track going all the way back to '85 or so.
My buddy with the Tundra has a dealer installed TRD dual exhaust and it sounds pretty good. But honestly it's almost to loud.
Seems like marrying the prettiest girl in town, then sleeping in separate beds at night...
It just doesn't seem natural to me, but I guess if you really want that model, and that's what's in your price range, its a logical choice...
But, I do agree that the 6-cylinder of today is a far cry from the 6-cylinder I had in my 1969 4-door Chevy Nova... By just about any standard...
I do miss the sound and low end torque of a V-8, though. A co-worker got an aftermarket exhaust on his GT, sounds great at idle, but he said the sound gets tiring on the freeway.
If I bought a new 300, I would get the V6...who wants a 14 mpg Hemi with gas at this price???
I already have one in my 2004 Ram pickup...one Hemi sucking gas is enough, thank you...
I didn't realize you still had a Ram, Bob...I thought you were Chrysler-free by now. Other than being a bit piggy with the fuel bill, has it been okay otherwise?
I bought a 2012 Ram Hemi about 6 months ago. It's rated at 14/20, which doesn't sound too bad for something that big. And, I actually did hit 20 mpg once, on a trip. But, in local driving, I've seen as bad as 12-13 mpg.
It has needed a new radiator, right front and rear calipers along with bearings and rotors, radio/CD player, drivers seatbelt, to name a few...
When we bought it, we expected my wife to put on about 8K miles yearly, and she is close to that...so, expecting the truck to last at least 120K miles, that would be about 15 years...this was a truck she would drive until the wheels fell off, so, if it lasts 150K miles, we are talking about keeping the truck forever...still in great shape (she had a wreck 6 months ago, about $2500 worth of body damage, no frame damage, fixed perfectly)...
Gets 12-13 in city, if she drives to Mississippi, gets about 19 mpg on highway...considering they are advertising 22 mpg now with a Hemi, it certainly is not worth 30 grand to get another 3 mpg, when this truck has something magical about it...IT IS PAID FOR!!!!!!!
Interior is perfect, bed has a few scratches from carrying a rototiller...the HORROR!!!...
Goodyear tires only went about 30K miles, highly dissatisfied...Edmund's "tires, tires, tires" topic recommended Michelin tires with 70K expected, some folks writing they got over 80K miles on theirs, so I bought those...smoother riding than the Goodyears (I am a fan of Goodyear whenever possible) and we will see how long they last...
Despite being made by the UAW (I had to fit that in, don't you know?) my two Big 3 vehicles have done well, both still humming after 9 years (2004-2013) and expected to go further...
Oh, my fuel pump just died in my Crown Vic...electric, mounted on TOP of the gas tank, so tank must be dropped to replace it...$692.00 later, I have a sparkling new fuel pump...I thought fuel pumps mounted to to block, had a lever to engage the camshaft, and cost $25 to buy and 3 minutes of labor to install... ...seems like technology has changed...
Next thing you know, they will try and tell me that spark plugs have platinum in them and last 100K miles...HA!!!... :P
Well, my Ram was made in Mexico, so maybe there's hope for it yet! :P
Goodyear tires only went about 30K miles, highly dissatisfied
Now that I think back on it, my old 2000 Intrepid had Goodyear tires. Eagle GA's, I think. I had 'em worn down to practically racing slicks by around 30,000 miles. I'm not sure what's on my new Ram. I'll have to check.
At the rate I've been going though, it could very well be 6-7 years before I even hit 30,000 miles. It was 6 months ago on Saturday that I bought it, and it only has something like 2070 miles on it. I've thought about trading it, right around the 5 year mark, because that's when the powertrain warranty is up. And, it should have enough value that it would make a nice down payment on a new vehicle, so I could get back into something with a full warranty for a monthly payment that's not too hideous.
But, we'll see when we get there. As you said, "paid off" is a very nice thing!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The thing that struck me the most about the vehicle was just how small it looked on the outside.
Not a bad looking ride, but perhaps its the height, coupled with sort of a "boxy" design, that gives me the impression of a vehicle that looks shorter than it probably is...
To me, it just doesn't seem to be what a Buick "should" be. Maybe a Chevy though, since they really need a small SUV, something smaller than the Equinox.
But of course it isn't - it's also sold as the Opel and Vauxhall Mokka and it's the basis of the Chevy Traxx.
Of course, its aimed at younger car buyers, and they may not care about where its made as much as it being a Buick, a traditionally "old person's" car...
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
One of GM's problems has been that they never seem to know the difference between their divisions, or where they "should" be, IMHO.
On a positive note, the old GM would've sold this car as a Chevy, Pontiac, Saturn and Saab as well. At least today, it's doing duty only as a Buick here in the US.
You make an excellent point. The old GM couldn't decide how to selectively market niche-style vehicles in many cases, so it simply sold them under every brand..shotgun approach.... Cheapening the appeal.
Still, IMO, its going to be a bit of an uphill battle trying to sell a Korean-made Buick to many in the target market (youthful buyers). There isn't any compelling reason to buy it over competing foreign makes, and the age group being targeted doesn't have the USA brand loyalty that older Buick owners have (as a % share of the Buick market). That age group has never known the US auto market when imported cars weren't the norm.
Again, IMO, a Chevrolet brand would make more sense, as I understand the Encore doesn't have certain features normally associated with LUX models. from what I've read, the Encore has power front seats where only the bottom is powered, and the seat back is manually adjustable, no push-button start or power lift gate.
It's always hard to predict how people will react, but if they look at the window sticker the country of "most parts" will be fairly evident.
I wonder how many Aveo buyers knew it was Korean built?
I don't recall that being much of a secret...I was thinking it was marketed as a 'captive import'.
I don't like big vehicles in general, but I do like nice interiors. This actually looks pretty interesting to me. I probably wouldn't buy one, but it may be worth a trip to the dealer to take a look. And that's the first time I've ever said that about a Buick. :surprise:
The 2014 CTS, one of the New York show stars, should be the next big step for the venerable brand in its move toward global credibility on the same level as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz rivals. But if past is prologue, it'll be another small step toward weaning Cadillac from less-wealthy car buyers with graveyard demographics.
"The brand hasn't done a 180. It still appeals to older buyers, and has a ways to go," says Jessica Caldwell, industry analyst at auto researcher Edmunds.com.
I don't think this status will ever change, notice how the German makes or Lexus never even mention them in their ads? Heck, even Infiniti and Acura ignore their existence...
Cadillac IMO (and I'm not alone in this) is (and probably will always be) a brand for diehard "Buy Murican" types who want something a bit more special than a Buick. And as mentioned above, their clientelle has in my years been, um...
Older...
And regarding the new CTS? Other than the sharp looking nose it's a big ol' bowl of Meh. Such a sharp and edgy snout (like the ATS) yet the back looks soft, like it was inspired by the Deville. Polar opposites IMO. I really wonder what a "V" versions is going to look like, or heck even a coupe?
Even the last one when it was revealed was nothing much of a standout. Heck I remember they parked one in the dead heart of one of the richest, upper class towns in Masachusetts and it got about as much attention as a Cavalier, it just looked to much like the first Gen.
Caddies seem to appeal to retired Navy and Marines around here. Caddies are rather a rare breed in San Diego, except the Escalade. The Caddy sedans I see invariably have half a dozen bumper sticker proclaiming allegiance to their branch of the Military.
It's those kinds of features that make a car look really dated 10 or so years later, IMHO.
Remember Opera windows? Vinyl tops? Etc. Now we will be able to add LED eyebrows to the list.
General Motors Co. (GM), seeking to boost its profit margins, says it can save as much as $200 million annually by improving resale values of its vehicles and further narrowing the gap with competitors who don’t have to spend as much to offer lease deals.