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Jealousy over Alan Mulally's earnings? When Alan Mulally was my boss at The Boeing Company's Everett Division, we would gossip about his boss-i-ness. But he was the boss. I mean, 'Where's the beef'?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Of course, maybe CR would get higher FE on the Fusion Hybrid than C/D did. But it's pretty amazing what can be achieved now with regular ICE powertrains on mid-sized cars... numbers that would look good even on a compact car. Will be interesting to see how the new Accord does in CR's tests. Too bad they didn't test it alongside the Altima.
I also don't think we would see that CR's Altima 2.5 with such impressive numbers if the car was loaded to..say...half to two thirds capacity, the way many of these cars will actually be going down the highway. That 44 (or 31 avg FTM) would be basically impossible for any length of time and simply not achievable in hilly country. I even wonder if it is truly representative of its potential if the A/C was on during entire review.
I am no Hybrid fan, beyond mere speculative curiosity due to my perception of real world longevity costs down the road long after wty, but I think in my example above, a hybrid or even the newer turbos tuned for economy, have the ability to more closely get the higher avg in real world use.
I feel the same way if you were to compare a regularly heavy footed driver in a CVT vs a conventional 6 speed auto. That type of driver will get higher mpg with the 6 speed.
In any case the Altima CR results look good, but the ones from C/D don't so that should tell you not to compare the two mags economy results.
If you read that report, you should have noticed that the only Sonatas and Optimas included in the EPA estimates reset are the hybrids... not the regular ICE cars.
But in real-world driving, this results in an undriveable car, so most people do what comes naturally. They give it more gas to not be a hazard or die of boredom hyper-milling along like a 90 year old man. The most incredible example of this was the original Prius, which was completely silly and had to be altered downwards. (this was before the EPA changed the ratings as well).
GM andFord are also famous for this, but because they almost always use 6 cylinder engines in their vehicles, they can get away with the car being geared wrong since there's enough torque to still be driveable without flogging it or having to down-shift constantly.
If I was getting a mid-size sedan tomorrow, it would either be the Altima, Accord, or Passat.
I like the Passat best for room, quiet, handling and restrained but tasteful styling. But I wouldn't be unhappy to drive the new Accord (previous version looks kind of dowdy to me), or the Altima or even the Malibu. The new Fusion comes with that often-used Ford technique of styling a car to actually appear smaller than it is. Some people might like that. I don't, just as I thought it was silly way back with the 1996 Taurus, which was bigger but struck Tom and Ray on Car Talk at the time as looking smaller than the 1995. I digress.
I'd buy the Fusion Hybrid in a heartbeat if I needed a new vehicle. However, unless I crash, I won't be needing one for awhile. I still think the Optima looks awesome, while the Sonata is not to my taste. Very competitive market, and some have to lose out, even if they are good cars.
Accords are pretty scarce on rental although I've seen them at Hertz and other places before. Hertz used to have a lot of Sonatas but not lately, from what I've seen. Other rental companies may have them. I don't see many Optimas at all--and I'd like to rent one of those sometime.
I'd likely favor the Altima 2.5S, Accord LX if looking for a mid-sized car right now--best blend of fuel economy, ride/handling, interior room, and interior/exterior style out there for the money, IMO. I'd also look at the Optima LX. However, local VW dealers sometimes offer a 0 down lease on the Passat for around $200, and that could be hard to passat-up... er, pass up.
For now, I'm pretty happy with my 2007 4cyl EX Accord. It has given me 20,000 trouble free miles over the past two years and still feels incredibly solid.
"If you read that report, you should have noticed that the only Sonatas and Optimas included in the EPA estimates reset are the hybrids... not the regular ICE cars."
GST responds with:
If you had read this report you would find that your report and this one vary wildly with affected cars.
See link below, and note the following additional cars involved which are NOT hybrids.
Hyundai's Elantra, Accent, Azera, Genesis, Tucson, Veloster and Santa Fe.
Kia's Sorrento, Rio, Soul, Sportage
http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/epa-audit-finds-inflated-gas-mileage-hyundai-ki- a-083359433.html
"The errors involve 13 models from the 2011 through 2013 model years, including seven Hyundais and six Kias. Window stickers will have to be changed on some versions of the following models: Hyundai's Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, Azera, Genesis, Tucson, Veloster and Santa Fe. Kia models affected include the Sorrento, Rio, Soul, Sportage and Optima Hybrid."
https://hyundaimpginfo.com/overview/affected-models
https://kiampginfo.com/overview/affected-models
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Crash tests are also manipulated in much the same way. Actually, the test itself is not necessarily manipulated, but the structure/design of the car is built in anticipation of said crashes.
If you notice the link I posted above to backy, it is interesting to note that Hyundia and Kia are taking a very responsible stance for their errors and are issuing prepaid debit cards to original owners. They are calculated to represent the difference mpg claims in 15k miles per year + an additional 15% for life of ownership of that car to original owner.
Even though it still could be a very well handled damage-control maneuver, regardless of motive of the original (potential) misrepresentation, it is being handled better than many other certain brands I can think of.
They don't have to try that hard. I believe each manufacturer performs their own tests and shares that info with the EPA (fox guarding hen house). I think the EPA only performs the odd audit.
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http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/american-suzuki-motors-files-chapter-11-will-- no-longer-sell-car/
I wonder how long it will be before Mitsubishi follows suit... most of their models have been retired, including the Galant, which at one time was considered one of the top cars in its class.
That seems like an odd audit to me.
What my original post was to convey was MOST of the testing (85% - 90%) is performed by the manufacturers, not the EPA.
Locally...a couple years ago we had a new Suzuki dealership built close to our house. Within a year they went out of business and the facility has been on the market ever since.
I believe only 2 vehicles had been flagged with invalid results in the last 10-12 years and I believe those were relatively minor.
It's easy to cheat but not easy to do it for very long without being caught.
Well, MOST of them are good at it. Some have some problems there. :sick:
Either way, not very "good".
What's up
I would say they have plenty to worry about
Built??? That isn't a word I've ever associated with a Suzuki dealership. All of the ones that I've ever seen (in GA, AL and TN), were office trailers parked on an existing parking lot (old, cracked asphalt usually) or even on gravel lot! Nothing says class like buying a car out of a trailer on an unpaved lot!
With such high-end dealer facilities, selling far more rebadged Daewoos than vehicles they engineered and built AND spending less on marketing than the local Tasty Freeze....what went wrong with such a solid business plan???
I wonder how long it will be before Mitsubishi follows suit... most of their models have been retired, including the Galant, which at one time was considered one of the top cars in its class."
I've been wondering the same thing about the Kizashis! The Kizashi is a damn good car even after several years on the market. It is easily the best car that Suzuki has ever made, but sales have never hit 7,000 in any year since it was introduced. It's a shame.
I wonder just how low prices will go during the sell-off? My bet is that the majority of the remaining inventory will be dumped into rental fleets. Enterprise and several smaller rental car companies bought Saturns and Pontiacs by the thousands when they were going out of business.
There are still some former Saab dealers trying to get rid of new 2011 models. Some can be had for as much as 50% off sticker (especially the 9-5), but they don't have a warranty and aren't considered new. Most banks won't loan on them and insurance rates for Physical Damage (Comprehensive & Collision, which pay to repair the car) have increased significantly!
I fear the same will happen with the insurance rates for Suzukis, especially the lowest volume models....well, that's all of them actually.
I feel so sorry for anyone who has bought a new Suzuki in the last year or two and financed it for 60 or 72 months! Imagine how bad it would suck to owe $20k on a car only worth $12k! If they were smart enough to get GAP coverage, it wouldn't surprise me to see an increase in "total loss" single car crashes! I can hear it now, "That brick on the accelerator was sitting in the seat before the crash, it must have fell down there during the impact....yeah, that's it..."
There are three engine choices for us here in the USA:
1.6 EcoBoost (turbo) (made in UK)
2.5 inline 4 (non-turbo) (made in Mexico)
2.0 EcoBoost ( turbo) (made in Spain)
I believe the check engine issues re just early production birthing hiccups. In other words; I would wait for a 2014 model that has all the bugs worked out. Make mine a 2.0 EcoBoost Titanium. Beautiful car inside and out.
To be honest...this was the first Suzuki dealer I seen...or ever noticed. It isn't huge, but at the time I thought it must be Suzuki trying to make a push.
I suppose the push turned into a final gasp pretty quickly...
Don't all Titanium models only come with a black interior?
Unless there is a large amount of brushed aluminum to go along with an all black interior...I just don't like it.
Many manufacturers do this on their 'sporty' models.
I get 22-24 mpg in dense suburban and city driving. Pretty good numbers for my heavy foot. Also, the 2.4 sounds really sporty and refined too. It's dual exhaust just sings, and the manual shift mode is satisfying for downshifts while decelerating to a stop instead of being hard on the brakes. The brakes are excellent though.
All of the reviews I read on the Son-Optima Hybrid said it was "unrefined and clunky". There are just too many more clutches and moving parts spinning for my money and driving style. I have seen the Optima hybrid on the road..nice looking.
I do know I like the way newer Ford dashes look, especially with the reconfigurable TFT gauge cluster display and center touch screen. It looks more expensive than mine....but not 10k better!!!
BTW, my Optima has real aluminum trim at $24,260 EX. Also has some fake Black-Zebrano wood accents that are very tasteful.
The original Samurai was very very popular in it's hey-day. It was a cheap alternative to a "real" Jeep, you could take the top off and cruise. On my honeymoon in Aruba/Caribbean they were everywhere. (1999).
I recall lots of girls in the pink and black model. Then there was the XL-7, Sidekick, XC-90 "cute Ute".
I am just gonna shut up now. They were all horrible sh#@box's.
Would love for someone who really knows what's going on to post here but everything is hush hush that I can find nothing.
I live in the DC metro area and seeing only one new Fusion strikes me as weird. I mean there are 3 large Ford dealers within 5 miles of my house. So, where are all the Fusions indeed!? There are over a million people in my County alone. Only one dude bought one?
I know it is part of a recall, but that can also work in the dealers favor. Limited availability can and will drive up the price as long as the dealer can keep recall activity quiet.
It is a very desirable car. It looks like an Aston in the front, a Jag from the side, and has a Volvo-esque dash layout. None of that will help it though if it is seen as a problem car :lemon: , especially for the price Ford has set.
I am pulling for Ford. It will kill them if this car isn't awesome.