U.S. Auto Market News and Reviews

imidazol97 · November 2015

berri said:
I remember some guy once saying you should buy a car in it's 3rd - 4th year after they've got the initial kinks resolved and before they start wrecking it again with value engineering cheapening.

I agree with that. But I'd say second year is best. By the third they're saving dollars.

stever · November 2015

dieselone said:
My question is how bad are those on the bottom? Ram doesn't look very good on the cart, but I'm pushing 50k miles on my 14 Ram.

Good point - cars are so much better than they were "back in the day".

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

I suspect it's something like this---most people have very little trouble but the ones that do have trouble have a LOT of it. In other words, when things go wrong in a complex system, they often go wrong in a big way.

circlew · November 2015

Oil change costs may be headed for steep drop

Motor-oil maker Castrol, a division of BP, recently claimed its technicians have achieved a breakthrough in engine-lubrication design that makes it easy to change the oil in a vehicle in as little as 90 seconds.

The cleaner and quicker system, called Nexcel, must be integrated into vehicle engines at the design stage. That means it won't hit mainstream cars for another five years — about the length of time between major model changes for many automakers.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/11/07/oil-change-costs-quick-lube-castrol-nexcel/74615512/

stever · November 2015

The time doesn't really bother me too much. I just want to go at least a year between changes. Even better would be the ability to treat motor oil like transmission fluid and ignore it for life.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

This seems to be geared towards improving prospects of the businesses that change oil rather than the prospects of the automobile owner. The less time spent under a car means less time to observe problems, rotate tires, check brakes belts hoses etc.

uplanderguy · November 2015

For what model years does this cover? Seems like that should be readily apparent, but it isn't to me.

Do they still weigh any problem same as any other problem?

These are two relevant questions.

uplanderguy · November 2015

The Escalade is all-new a year ago IIRC. It hasn't been the same vehicle since introduction.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

I guess it's still on the Tahoe platform?

uplanderguy · November 2015

The Tahoe and Suburban were all new at the same time. That was pretty big automotive news.

dieselone · November 2015

autoblog.com/photos/cars-owners-keep-the-longest/?icid=autoblog%7Ctrend%7Ccars-owners-keep-the-longest#slide-3683804

Interesting. Only Hondas and toyotas on this list. This has to partially explain the resale values of these vehicles.

berri · November 2015

I think its a big reason, plus it shows that despite all the criticism from some, most buyers are happy with their Honda or Toyota purchase. I think ToyHonda is to cars in North America as Detroit is to trucks. Yeah, Toyota puts a fair number of cars into the fleets, but their loyalty and resale lets them do it smart, in a manner that results in lowering their overhead structure.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

Part of that is low cost of maintenance, lots of used and aftermarket parts, and ease of repair. I suppose the Prius could be a challenge to fix, but it doesn't seem to need fixing very often. Also, maybe the owners don't have such high expectations.

dieselone · November 2015

I'm kind of surprised a Subaru wasn't on the list or maybe a pickup truck.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

I think many people ditched their Subarus when the 2.5L engines blew their headgaskets. Subies are pretty good cars, but they aren't cheap to repair, and parts are very expensive.

uplanderguy · November 2015

I know it blows people's minds in a negative way, but my Cobalt 5-speed has been dirt cheap to run, drive, and maintain. 93K miles and 7 1/2 years, and still on the original battery and plugs and it sits out all the time...I do change the oil and I did just wax it for winter, but it looks new in and out and idles so smoothly I sometimes turn the key while it's running. At 60K-some miles it needed a thermostat, but that was covered under GM's powertrain warranty which at the time was longer than most anybody else's. I'm irritated that they've moved it down to match most everybody else's, for 2016.

imidazol97 · November 2015

It's a great car. Drives very nicely. Only problem is when my son hit a piece of wood with metal off a flatbed semi on interstate, and he was in middle lane between other cars--couldn't dodge. It hit the transmission pan and opened a small hole. My son stopped shortly after and saw the red fluid flowing out.

uplanderguy · November 2015

I like the almost-zero road and tire noise from both my and my daughter's Cobalts too. Truthfully, they are quieter that way than our '11 Malibu.

andres3 · November 2015

uplanderguy said:
I know it blows people's minds in a negative way, but my Cobalt 5-speed has been dirt cheap to run, drive, and maintain. 93K miles and 7 1/2 years, and still on the original battery and plugs and it sits out all the time...I do change the oil and I did just wax it for winter, but it looks new in and out and idles so smoothly I sometimes turn the key while it's running. At 60K-some miles it needed a thermostat, but that was covered under GM's powertrain warranty which at the time was longer than most anybody else's. I'm irritated that they've moved it down to match most everybody else's, for 2016.

Hyundai and Kia are the only companies that seem immune to the random "let's spin a wheel" and see how long our warranty shall be this year method of setting warranties. Most other companies are much more stable in their warranty periods offered.

berri · November 2015

I recall the big issue with the Cobalt was that it looked too cheap inside compared to some of the competition. Although, I think it had a handicap coming in because it still looked too much like the Cavalier on the outside.

uplanderguy · November 2015

Mine at least has cloth on the door panels and chrome rings around the instruments. I've been in cheaper-looking compacts--the Focus of that time period is one IMHO.

imidazol97 · November 2015

uplanderguy said:
Mine at least has cloth on the door panels and chrome rings around the instruments. I've been in cheaper-looking compacts--the Focus of that time period is one IMHO.

I lucked out and mine has the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. I do like the heavier
feel of the steering wheel. My leSabre and Malibu both have that.

imidazol97 · November 2015

berri said:
I recall the big issue with the Cobalt was that it looked too cheap inside compared to some of the competition. Although, I think it had a handicap coming in because it still looked too much like the Cavalier on the outside.

Over the years I've found some hold their car analysis like their religion. They look at their brand
and things are arranged a certain way on the dash and the buttons. Then they look at the
others and find the first thing that feels alien compared to their home religion. They
they criticize that up one side and down the other--even if it machts nichts. But as
long as they found one thing, they rag on that "shortcoming" in the other brand.

uplanderguy · November 2015

I have to reach across to unlock doors and have to crank my own windows down and shift my own gears, but I do love the factory satellite radio! That, side moldings, ABS, and factory floor mats are the only extravagances I chose when I had them locate my car.

I have to admit, I'm somewhat like the person you described. For instance, Fords and Asian imports just feel totally foreign to me (no pun intended). I can hardly wait to get out of them when I drive them. LOL

Mopars, less so, but I can't explain it in rational terms. But hey, that's why we can choose here.

berri · November 2015

Ima - I wasn't saying that that the Cobalt was an awful car, just that I think it's interior and too much similarity to the previous Cavalier held its sales back and put more of them into the fleets. The interior situation was kind of a Detroit shortcoming back in those days in general compared to the imports and transplants. That is definitely changing these days though. I never really minded driving them when I got one as a rental, they accommodated my 6 footer frame better than many of the compacts did back then. .

uplanderguy · November 2015

Ironically, I just got back from BK (I'm ashamed to admit!) and I pulled it right after an immaculate navy blue two-door Pontiac G5 (Cobalt) that had the "XFE" emblem on back like mine, indicating 5-speed. The driver got out and was a lady well into her seventies I would guess. I spoke to her in line, about the car looking so clean. She said, "I try to take care of it". She said it was an '09 and she bought it new. She said "I was lucky to find a stick; that's what I wanted. I wanted a four-door but couldn't find one". I told her that for me to get the color, model, four doors, stick, ABS, side moldings and floor mats, my dealer had to go six hours away to get one, and that dealer only had it for seven days per the invoice I saw. She said she "loves" hers. I wonder what she drove before.

The shift knob in her car was nicer than mine. It was chrome at the very end.

berri · November 2015

After looking at the Burger King mascot, anything would look good - just kidding! Once in awhile I'll see a middle aged or older woman with an old car on display. I think that's really kind of neat.

uplanderguy · November 2015

I like to see a lady displaying an old car at a show or cruise-in, too. It's just so out-of-the-ordinary.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

Takata is apparently in deep hurt from air bag fines and from Honda pulling out on them.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/money/can-takata-survive-after-this-deadly-airbag-scandal/36293678

stever · November 2015

Toyota and Nissan have fired Takata too.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

Oh, that's right. Grim, very grim. And EPA nicked 'em 70 million (chickenfeed compared to their daily take, but still...)

stever · November 2015

I guess they have bankruptcy laws in Japan. Surprised they haven't filed, or sold out.

berri · November 2015

What this all probably means may be that Takata ends up in BK and that may make it even more difficult to get all the vehicles repaired. What a cluster...

circlew · November 2015

Pony Car Update - YTD Oct. 2015

Mustang - 106,321 Winner
Camaro - 66,833
Challenger - 57,358

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

Not surprising. The Camaro is a better driving car but OMG, that interior is a torture chamber. The Challenger just has too many quality control issues, seems to me.

uplanderguy · November 2015

The '16 Camaro, an all-new car, is due out any time now. It, the Malibu, and the Volt are all, all-new in the next few months. Wasn't the Mustang all-new for model-year '15? I'm thinking it was, but I don't follow that segment very closely.

js06gv · November 2015

uplanderguy said:
The '16 Camaro, an all-new car, is due out any time now. It, the Malibu, and the Volt are all, all-new in the next few months. Wasn't the Mustang all-new for model-year '15? I'm thinking it was, but I don't follow that segment very closely.

Correct.

uplanderguy · November 2015

The Cruze is also all-new for 2016.

uplanderguy · December 2015

Saw my first '16 Camaro yesterday. Similar, but different. I spoke to a guy getting out of it who had taken a test-drive. I asked him if it was any less claustrophobic inside. He paused, smiled, and said, "no, not really".

Michaell · December 2015

uplanderguy said:
The Cruze is also all-new for 2016.

And, I've heard that the hatchback body style will be available in the US!

Mr_Shiftright · December 2015

"no, not really...I mean sort of, but not really....not much....well, okay, a little....well...yeah, you can't see out of it".

circlew · December 2015

Is the Mustang or Challenger any better?

"no, not really...I mean sort of, but not really....not much....well, okay, a little....well...yeah, you can't see out of any of them".

Mr_Shiftright · December 2015

Only have had static seat time in the Camaro and Mustang, and the Mustang is better IMO. Haven't sat in the Challenger yet, to compare. It's a styling issue. GM especially likes this high belt line, which in turn gives you gun-slit windows.

Michaell · December 2015

Mr_Shiftright said:
Only have had static seat time in the Camaro and Mustang, and the Mustang is better IMO. Haven't sat in the Challenger yet, to compare. It's a styling issue. GM especially likes this high belt line, which in turn gives you gun-slit windows.

I test drove both a Mustang GT and a Camaro SS a couple of years ago. I like the visibility of the Mustang much better.

uplanderguy · December 2015

I thumbed through January 2016's Car and Driver and Motor Trend today. Now I can't remember which, but one guy said he drove a new BMW 3-series on the same route he next drove a '16 Camaro on. He was big enough to admit that the Camaro drove better in every way, saying he can hardly believe he said that, although he conceded those two cars wouldn't be cross-shopped.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2015

It's true. Camaro and Mustang (in certain packages) are now true sports cars.

circlew · December 2015

Detroit's Big 3 lag in car crash test survey

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/12/10/crash-tests-iihs-detroit/77054872/

berri · December 2015

When you have higher labor rates and overhead, you don't have as much cash to throw around.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2015

Yeah, you just keep it for you and your buddies

andres3 · December 2015

berri said:
When you have higher labor rates and overhead, you don't have as much cash to throw around.

You mean high bonuses, high warranty costs for shoddy parts, and then of course you don't have much cash to throw around; just the taxpayer cash

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