Cloud's car stuff
 

whether or not I can get my flippin' check engine light fixed or NOT; it's clear to me . . . the writing is on the Wall . . . that it's time to think about getting a new car. But Lee! you say, your car is only 9 years old . . . and you only have 54,000 miles . . . and you still haven't learned to change the tire. Tough, I say. It's time if I can swing it. So: this is a thread for me to talk about cars and car buying. I hope you'll be patient with me, because it's likely to take me a long time.

First: What's up with all the recalls? I'm reading the car news, and there are recalls or inquiries on Hummers, Corvettes, Dodge Calibers, Toyota Sequoias, Nissan Infinitis . . . and more. My own Honda had a recall on the side airbag.

In terms of the Toyota recall, Consumer Reports says:

That may be fine, but it seems like they've been having lots of reliability trouble spots in the past few years. So maybe I should scratch Toyota off my list? And are there that many more problems? I thought cars in general were more reliable these days. Does that mean the watchdogs are doing a better job?

In Toyota, these recalls are because Toyoda took over. Then announced Toyota was at step three in a five year corporate failure process. Started demanding transparency and corporate corrections. So a year later, stuff came out.

IOW Toyota is suffering from a mismanagement problem from four and nine years ago. Toyoda is simply cleaning out the closet AND fixing problems created by his predecessor - who was an economist, who never developed a car, and who never worked outside of corporate offices.

Whereas Toyota news is this cleanup, other manufacturers (Hummer, Saturn, Chrylser) continue to have the same problems that have always had.

In about five years, view Chrysler to see if Marchionne has finallly eliminated that automaker’s #1 problem - their management. Toyoda has addressed it in Toyota. GM still is lying. Here we are half way through 2010 and the Volt - their first hybrid - is still not selling. 16 years after Clinton gave them $millions to design one, they still do not have a hybrid.

Your error code says the IACV is defective. The tech has replaced four computers - and still will not replace what would be defective - the IACV? Who is that guy’s boss? Call the Honda regional office. That is why Honda has corporate specialists whose job is to address such problems.

Thanks, TW. The light is off today. oy!

Second: Car Porn! I'm having lots of fun surfing the car manufacturers' sites, viewing the 360 views, the interiors, and all that. Not quite ready to test drive, but I'll get there. I'm just not sure what kind of car I want. For the last 18 years I've driven small Honda coupes/sedans. I miss having some cargo space-I want more versatility. So I'm focusing mainly on the small SUV/wagon sector.

I see you in a Subaru Outback Wagon
http://static.images.carracing.com/nctdi/02outback.jpg

going 30 in a 45MPH zone in front of me.

yeah; or a Forester. Outbacks are more expensive, and they pretty much look the same to me (and the Foresters are better rated).


i'm going to take this opportunity to drive a few different styles--a bigger suv, a very small car maybe, even a truck. I kind of miss having a manual transmission--even after all these years, I sometimes find my hand near the gearshift wanting to shift.

I've always really like the Element, and may look at stuff like the Scion XB etc. too; the quirkiness appeals to me.

Nope! not that old yet . . .

Do I need to make an appt for a test drive? Should I?

If you know specifically what you want to drive, it would save you some time. Then again, most dealers will make the appointment, and do nothing to prepare. ...because they don't really believe you'll show up when you say you will or that they will be free when you do arrive.

we have a Mitz Outlander , Nice little Suv-ette , plenty of room in the back
Snappy Mivec 4 cylinder , hi 20s Low 30s MPG

I woke up this morning dreaming of a black Chevy Equinox in my driveway.

I did mention car PrOn, didn't I?

The Nissan Rogue is sexier and its transmission will be a CVT, not a GM slushbox.

the Equinox is on the high end of what I might be able to afford, too. Neither the Equinox or the Rogue are "recommended." But the HHR is. And so is the Nissan Murano (too expensive), the Nissan Versa Hatchback (too small?) but not the Cube. I'm talking about the CR recommendation, which is only one criteria I'm looking at, but it's a place to start.

The CVT -- that's the transmission, right? Supposed to be good? What about going for a manual transmission? Cheaper, more fun (I don't typically drive in stop-and-go traffic), sometimes more fuel efficient, but you have to replace the clutch in 4 yrs?

Why would you have to replace the clutch?

CVT = Constant Velocity Transmission

also comes with a 10 yr 120,000 mile warranty

The manuals are fun, yes indeed, but CVT can actually be a little more efficient than manual because it always picks the right gear. Gear being the wrong word for CVT... it has thousands of gears really...

The not speeding up going down hills is pretty cool.