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Don’t be fooled by that new car smell. The in-dash operating system of the most sophisticated new cars runs on a “software kernel” that is at least five years old, says Derek Kuhn, vice president for sales and marketing at auto software developer QNX (BBRY), which has provided software for Mercedes-Benz (DAI), Audi (NSU), and BMW (BMW). That makes the technology about as old as that second-generation iPhone sitting unused in your bottom drawer.
Reliability is important—and boring. Swapping out your car’s OS every 18 months for a new one is not a business carmakers want to be in. There’s a reason for that: Automakers need reliability more than they need to satisfy consumer demand for the latest tech features. Yes, software updates can be downloaded onto the car’s OS, even over the air. But during the typical seven-year life span of a car, automakers fear, a major bug might knock out the software that controls everything from diagnostics to apps. “We cannot have a scenario where 300,000 cars have to go back to the dealership at once to have the SIM card replaced,” says Marcus Keith, head of project at Audi Connect.
She had the choices of a Prius, Sentra, Altima, Fusion, and Taurus. They only offer base models, so after looking everything over briefly, the Taurus seems to make the most sense. Its base price is several thousand more than the others (don't know about the Prius) and has v6 power standard. While I don't really like the Taurus, my wife likes it because it's big and she feels safe in it. So a 2013 model is on its way.
And with 48 and even 60 month car loans not being unusual anymore, how do they figure a car's life span is only seven years? Wishful thinking that people will hit the dealer lots that often?
Sales do continue to blow the doors off.
Edmunds.com Forecasts March Will Deliver Biggest Sales Month in Almost Five Years
While I agree, it's something I've been expecting.
In a related incident, I have an aftermarket Parrot hands-free Bluetooth kit in my 2009 Tacoma. When Apple came out with its latest major IOS, the battery meter immediately stopped showing the power level correctly on the display, always indicating a no-power situation, regardless of phone charge level.
When I called Parrot support to ask when I could expect a fix (seeing as how I have an iPhone 4, which is one of the more popular phones) the response I got was "never", since the hands-free unit I have is no longer in production (I bought it from Crutchfield's in 2010).
Of course, that's just a microcosm of the larger situation, which is inter-device cooperation and compatibility. Still, its exactly what the article was describing...
On the lifespan thing, I think they're referring to the average initial ownership period by the new car buyer, because that's about a 5-7 year period, depending upon make and model, before the owner trades it on a different unit.
How many people will want to buy a Cadillac with, what, a 4-cylinder engine? Shades of the failed Cimarron of years past that also had a 4-cylinder?
If Cadillac wants to sell a 4-cylinder car, should it not be priced at about the same as the world-standard Honda Accord 4-cylinder car? Seems like Cadillac is overpriced per what Consumer Reports shows as pricing. Honda is the better deal insofar as 4-cylinder cars are concerned. And, you have Honda reliability.
I dunno.... BMW is selling quite a few 328's with 4 cylinder engines. And, thats the primary market segment for the ATS. Surely, even within GM, substantial improvements have been made in 4-cylinder technology in the period between the Cimarron and the ATS.
Then again, just because BMW can make a smooth running 4-cylinder is no guarantee that GM can do the same in the ATS.
I do remember reading something about the manual transmission being below standard, but I also remember reading that it had been addressed. Of course, maybe not enough... I can't say one way or the other.
IIRC, that same engine is what powers the base model ATS.
I haven't tried BMW's new Turbo 4 pot but I've always found them to put every effort into making their engines smooth and linear thru the entire powerband. I imagine with their rep on the line, they didn't cheap out on the smaller displacement stuff. :shades:
Yeah, if you're getting stuck with a base model, I think the Taurus is probably about the best bet there. I like the Fusion better than the Taurus, but I wouldn't want the base version of it. Supposedly the new Altima has really comfortable seats, but I didn't sit in the one at the auto show long enough to really judge it.
Sentras are actually pretty big inside for a "compact" (the previous generation was, as well), but it seems odd to group it in with the Altima, Fusion, and Taurus.
That's pretty much what we determined. I don't particularly like the Taurus. But it is large, plenty powerful and a decent highway cruiser. I'll still take a decent v6 (for 2013 the Taurus has 288hp) over the other midsize 4 cyl options.
I tried to encourage my wife into at least going to test drive an Altima, but she didn't bite. Oh well, it looks like the new Taurus has a few minor improvements over her current one.
Sentras are actually pretty big inside for a "compact" (the previous generation was, as well), but it seems odd to group it in with the Altima, Fusion, and Taurus.
I agree. The only thing I can think of is some who live/work in metro areas may prefer a small car. The Sentra is definitely an odd ball among the options.
I guess it's too late to mention that the rear "control arms" that the mechanics said need replaced can have the bushings alone pressed in for replacement like on other H-bodies. Of course the whole arm was listed at about $50 when I looked it up on Rockauto.
Sorry about your bad luck. It sounds like the old saying, "When it pours, it pours."
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
China’s top automaker, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. or SAIC, is moving its U.S. office into the center of Birmingham.
Gov. Rick Snyder was among those attending the private reception in the new SAIC offices in the center on North Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham.
SAIC representatives declined to comment on the reception publicly, saying they were not allowed to speak to the media. However, they confirmed SAIC, which also is General Motors Co.’s chief partner in China, is moving from smaller office in Troy.
Owned primarily by the Shanghai city government, SAIC is one of the world’s 10 largest automakers, having built an estimated 3.64 million vehicles in 2011 and finishing just behind Honda and Fiat-Chrysler on a list of the world’s top automakers.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2012/06/12/news/local_news/doc4fd7bf938f- 28d354966365.txt
I'm thinking it's a good change to steal some Chinese tech. :shades:
I don't expect anyone to agree, because I know how preconceived notions can be, but if somebody was blindfolded and put in my Cobalt idling, you wouldn't be able to tell it was running. Seriously. 64K miles, original plugs and wires.
I don't think China is exactly innovating in terms of automotive technology just yet. Easier for them to steal or buy the ideas of others. What a Pandora's Box.
Ditto for my 1995 318ti track rat- with 135,000 miles. I 'm more than happy with a four cylinder if it has sufficient power; I'd actually prefer it to a V6 in fact. I think that the biggest hurdle that the ATS will have to surmount is Cadillac's own dealers. I'd be willing to bet that there is already more than one ATS that has been fitted with a "carriage" roof and the gold package. When Lincoln made their feeble attempt to market the LS as a BMW alternative I know for a fact that there was more than one Lincoln insider pulling his/her hair out because the dealers were pimping out every LS they received.
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
Is that still true under hard acceleration. Not trying to cause trouble, just actually curious. I've heard a lot of 4 cyls that are quiet until revved and then they sound like a washing machine.
LOL - good one Steve!!
I still have trouble confusing Marquette University down in Wisconsin with the largest city here in the UP of Michigan.
That is very true for the Subaru Outback 2.5L 4 banger. It had a horrible CVT and screamed under normal acceleration up a long 55 MPH hill. Not a chance I would consider anything with CVT. Maybe the 6 speed manual would be ok.
Better get used to it. Washington is buying 3 times as much from China as they are selling to them.
China is Washington’s largest trade partner, buying $11 billion of Washington exports and selling $31 billion of the state’s imports. In the last few years China overtook Japan as Washington’s second largest export destination, after Canada.
http://wsm.wsu.edu/s/index.php?id=977#.UViRtjfQg3U
I suppose WA sells apples and planes to our "partner".
I was merely pointing out the China connection is with the whole USA. No state is untouched. They practically own US. If the wackos in DC continue the current level of waste, there is no doubt they will own US.
And about owning, the old adage again comes up: if you owe the bank a thousand dollars, that's your problem - if you owe the bank a billion dollars, that's the bank's problem.
I think the example in Cyprus kind of shoots that theory down. Did the banks lose or did the depositors lose? If we were to default on our massive loans from China, they would just pass the loss on to the people. Governments and banks seem to be immune from losses.
I do agree as long as we continue to buy crap made in China our economy will continue it's current slide into the pit. As in the past most of those on top manage to avoid any real inconvenience.
I've driven my friends '11 Equinox with the 2.4. Sure it sounds quiet at idle, but turn on the a/c it shakes someone put a brick in a washing machine. Under heavy throttle it sounds like every GM 4cyl I've been around, crude.
Same guy has '12 Silverado extended cab LTZ. Rode around in it this weekend. God, I don't know why anyone would buy one without getting nearly for free. Cheap ugly interior and whole truck shimmied over any type of road imperfection. It doesn't feel nearly as solid as the recent Fords or Rams I've sampled. I I'll be curious to see how the '14 model is.
My Expedition needs to see the dealer. Bad miss is back under hard acceleration, sometimes the CEL will flash, sometimes it don't come on at all. Last time it did this it was a coil pack and plugs which turned into a 4 figure fiasco when 3 plugs snapped off.
Cheap (shoddy and disposable) goods are the only "trickle down"benefit seen by real people. Time to end that theory.
I think you are living in the past. China now builds world class electronics. I doubt we would be able to do any better than the Chinese building iPhone, iPads and iPods. We don't even have the technology or skills to build a decent TV anymore. We assemble parts from China and elsewhere in our cars.
We have the technology and skills to build decent electronics. What we don't have are people willing to do so for $60 a month, companies willing to cut their profit to build in the US or people willing to pay for a US built electronic item if the companies aren't willing to cut their profit.
Evidently, not in the USA.
That's a taxpayer bailout "problem", or as I like to refer to it, a "benefit".
Your observation of the Silvy's interior matches mine of the Traverse I rented. Pretty big for not enough storage. Really black and plasticky interior. It rode reasonably well, but was not what I'd call "enjoyable". I certainly wouldn't buy one, even if in the market for that size vehicle. Or perhaps the whole market of that size is this way? Somehow I doubt that.
That's a taxpayer bailout "problem", or as I like to refer to it, a "benefit".
So the revision of the line is:
"If you own the bank a thousand dollars, it's your problem. If you owe the bank a billion dollars, it's the taxpayer's problem."
We most certainly have the skills to design and build a TV, but we have an execucoward class who feels entitled to such huge margins, and a decimated real world purchasing power held by the masses (trickle down sure is working!), that would make such a TV incompatible with the market.
Encore pushes up to $30k or so, so people might care a bit more.
Then again, maybe not so much any more, given they can make decent cars in Korea nowadays.
Funny, there was an ad for the current CTS when I was scanning image of the new one, and the current one (which I always thought looked fine) suddenly seemed old.
I've heard of people picking a hybrid only because they end up pocketing the difference.
Having said that, I would have gone with the Altima or Fusion.
I've heard of people picking a hybrid only because they end up pocketing the difference.
Having said that, I would have gone with the Altima or Fusion.
Her employer provides the car and pays for everything (gas, maintenance, insurance, etc). She pays income taxes on personal use.
They gave her a choice of cars. The Taurus has the most standard features and a base price that is about $5k higher than the other choices. Since they only purchase base models with basically no options, the Taurus is the best choice (in our opinion).
Honestly, I'd prefer it if they'd pay her mileage and not provide a car. Then we'd buy a car she'd want.
Though I'll admit it's nice only having to buy and maintain one vehicle.
Base Altima also lacks a lot of the cool stuff.
Too bad they don't set a price limit and let you choose. You could probably get an Altima SV with Navi for less than a base Taurus.
That is a nice perk.
I agree.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/04/01/hyundai-sonata-suspension-ru- st-nhtsa-probe/2042197/
Starting with the $27.5k starting price for a base Taurus.
Yeah, that would be nice. I'd gladly take an extra tax hit or pay extra towards the lease rate to get what she'd want.
Got first quote on ball joints for the '98 Mustang...$440 for both. Basically $200 in labor and part markup per side. At 160500 miles, the Mustang may soon need exhaust work, head or intake gaskets, water pump, a/c, struts, and has a small rust spot on the rr wheelwell that I patched last summer. I saw a 2006 base Mustang on cargurus for $8350 with 78k miles on it that would be a nice trade up that has 5k less miles that the '98 did when we got it. But really can't complain when the car I got my son in 10th grade is still going 8 yrs later with only one shop repair for a sensor that was $150 total.