Autos: A Car Buying Story
by Michael Thornessen
Generally, I wasn't too happy with the variety of models in Canada. When it comes to family cars, the choices are quite simple - you go for a mini van or, as of lately, for an SUV. No big deal. But I thought that mini van is a waste of money if you have only two kids and don't run a repair business. SUV has a fun, all-terrain drift to it, but it too is a waste if you don't use it. What I was looking for is a smaller multi-purpose, single-volume vehicle, and there aren't many of them here. Domestic makes are better in that respect than imports. I almost got to think that the selection is such that it forces you to either buy a big car or two cars.
I'm mostly saying this because I've seen plenty of such versatile models in Europe. For example, you can find a new Civic in 5 door trim - diesel!
Or a highly unusual, but apparently very versatile and practical Fiat Doblo (a wide spacious crossover) that looks somewhat like Honda Element, only it's a bit smaller and proportionally wider.
Wagons and generally single volume vehicles are very popular in Europe. Half of Fiat's fleet are such cars. And of course, the diesel option - everybody has it. I was really sorry I did not find a suitable one here.
Anyhow, that is what it is. This is my overview of different models I've looked at:
Honda Accord
I drove Accord '89 for years, and I can testify to its quality. The engine was just great, even with 230,000 km on it. Every year when I need to perform Air-Care, all I'm thinking is: "Is it going to be slightly better or slightly worse than last year?" In the first couple of years I used to drive a bit before the air-care to warm up the engine, but later abandoned that practice - it was simply unnecessary. Anyhow, Accord was my first thought, and always a backup plan: "if I don't find anything I like, I'll just buy Accord".
And the latest Accord (model 2003) was in all aspects a very good choice. Good space, good quality, safety, fuel economy, pretty much everything. It wasn't that sleek and pretty as I would hope, but that's really not big a deal. Also, it did not have the perfect safety scores (in couple of tests it had 4 out of 5) - and I was kind of expecting perfection from my favourite make. In the end, the current model was just about to be replaced, the 2008 is completely redesigned, and I was expecting major improvements with the new model. So the current model seemed somewhat an outdated choice.
Honda Civic
Haven't really thought of Civic before - to me it was a city car for singles or a first family car that you replace quickly. However, the new Civic (model from 2006) made a strong impression on me.
Pros: A lot of new features, some quite advanced. Top safety: impact-absorbing body, all 6 airbags, ABS, sensors, and all of that in the base version. Excellent fuel economy - just slightly worse than Corolla (which is top in that respect). Although a smaller car, it grew over time. The passenger space is very good even for a taller person. I even tried moving the driver seat all the way back and then sitting behind it, and it was ok. It's quite wide inside - it's no minivan, so don't expect wonders, but perfectly acceptable.
Also, the options are created reasonably, so all I had to add was AC - it had everything else. The design is sleek, the interior very pleasant, and very enjoyable for a driver. Driving a Civic (manual transmission) is just a beautiful experience.
Cons: The only flaw I found was small trunk space. Trunk is smaller than most of the cars I've looked at. Corolla has 40L bigger trunk which is not negligible especially in smaller cars. The shape of the trunk is good which means you can put in different robust pieces, but the total volume is simply small.
Honda CR-V
A completely new model (2007), bigger than before, and very nicely designed. I generally did not shoot for SUVs, but if I decided to get one, CRV would have been a serious candidate. The only flaw for me was that it doesn't come with manual transmission.
Honda Hybrid
I have also considered hybrid cars, but gave up generally for one reason: the batteries occupy a good part of the trunk space, and that was already an issue with non-hybrid models. And with the price, I decided to pass on those nice modern things this time.
Toyota Corolla
Towards Corolla, I had similar feeling as to the pre-2006 Civic - seems as a city, young/small family car, only even more than Civic. For my current situation, I was seriously considering it. What I didn't like was the way it was sold: the base model did not have ABS, only front airbags, and generally some other nice safety features were missing. Now the options are managed in such a way that if you add those things, you also get plenty of those that you don't need (e.g. sunroof), and it's not that affordable anymore.
On the other hand it had a lot to offer: good space for a smaller car, the best fuel economy, proven quality.
But I gave up on it mainly because of the lack of safety features.
Toyota Matrix
Similar to Corolla, with very similar and annoying option structure. I mean, it goes up to $28,000 if I add features I want (ABS, Airbags, AC, ...). That is because you also get leather seats, sunroof, and some other options.
Now Matrix was conceptually exactly what I wanted - a single-volume, not too big, but practical, multipurpose car. But it has been built on Corolla chassis, and to me it had a certain "incomplete" feeling to it. And almost some cheapness as well.
Toyota Camry
I did not like it very much. I mean, it seems to be a great car - it's big, spacious, amazingly soft and comfortable. It's a bit heavy which you can feel on acceleration, but again, it's a bigger car, so it's no surprise. Generally, Camry is starting to look and feel as a regular 6 cylinder large American car, which is perhaps exactly what they are trying to do. I did not like that much - I like cars such as Accord better; it's sleeker, more dynamic, a bit harder on the road, more sporty.
Anyhow, except for the fact that I did not need a big limousine-like car, I have nothing really against it.
Nissan
Nissan is an excellent car that simply did not flare any particular interest with me. This is of course just a personal taste. Altima is in particular very nice, well made and affordable car. Sentra is less so - I found it below similar sized cars. Maxima is a great full sized car - but similar to Toyota Camry it was a bit larger sedan that I'd go for.
Hyundai
Now this is a puzzle. Sonata has a beautiful and very elegant style. It looks fairly high-end by appearance. And it has excellent features and plenty of them. For example, a latest trend - Shiftronic transmission or CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) that pairs the best attributes of manual and automatic mechanisms. I've heard that the fuel economy with CVT is almost as good as in the manual one; actually Volvo claims that in one of their models, on a highway, CVT performs even better than manual. But to me, driving a car with CVT was not that impressive experience.
Hyundai obviously has a lot of latest features for a highly affordable price. And although it does look good, you can still tell that it's an affordable car. When Hyundai entered the American market it was known as the worst car - people say it would last you for about a year. But in the past 5 years they have made such a good progress, that in some independent ratings (Such as Consumer Report's) they rate better in some aspects than Honda or Toyota.
All in all, I did not spend much time on it, although I've considered both Sonata and their SUV Tucson as an option.
Mazda
I was looking mainly at Mazda 3 Sport. By the way, the name is completely misleading - for a long time I did not even consider it because I simply thought it's a sport edition not suitable for a family. But when I did looked at it, I was surprised to learn that it actually isn't - the term "sport" apparently came up only because "hatchback" was too "boring". Silly - I don't think they really thought this one through well.
Anyhow, I learned it has almost all I needed, and on test drive it felt really good. The dealer told me they sell mostly manual versions because it's a performance car. I doubt this is really true, but it is true that the car is pretty sporty - very responsive, fairly strong, and in general a pleasure to drive. Nevertheless, it has good space inside, and generally is suitable for a family.
But the trunk was small, i.e. narrow. The width of the trunk is virtually the same as the width of the trunk door. This I simply don't understand - seems as if they purposely did not use all the available space.
In addition, its crash ratings (from the tests) were not the best. And as a smaller flaw the seat covers felt a bit unpleasant.
But it is generally a very good car and I was considering it very seriously
Mazda 5 also caught my attention because it was a bigger family car, yet not a mini van. I was comparing it to Matrix. However, it looked to me that the goal with an unusual "crossover" design was not really achieved (or completed), at least to my personal taste. The third row is too small for anyone except kids to use for any longer drive. With the third row up, the trunk is too small. Although not a mini van it is still fairly heavy and "lazy" on the road.
It's generally a very interesting vehicle, worth looking at.
Subaru
Ah, Subaru...
Subaru was the most pleasant discovery for me. I didn't know much at all about this make, only a few vague facts. But after I learned a bit about it I figured that this make is simply excellent. And they have recently been gaining more and more popularity. Then I went to US for a weekend and saw that there are as many Subarus (mostly Outbacks) on the road there as there are Honda Civics in Canada. Every other person owns it!
So I explored the models a bit and figured that Forester and Outback are most appealing. Forester as a smaller and cheaper option and Outback as a bigger and more expensive. Impreza was too small and a bit too much sporty - it's a performance car used for racing. Legacy, built on the same chassis as Outback and very similar as well was ok, but Outback simply looks better.
I took Forester on a test drive - although it has older look, and is boxier, jeep-like, I liked it somewhat better than Outback. Actually this comparison is a bit like comparing apples and oranges - both look very nice and are conceptually different in exterior design. Perhaps I liked Forester a bit better exactly because it looks like a small SUV. It drives just beautifully. It's not really an SUV, because it's smaller and lower than, say CR-V, but it does feel like one because you sit higher above the road than, say, in a sedan. This gives you an excellent visibility of the road in front of you. The space was good, but not too good - in particular the shoulder and hip room is comparable to even Corolla and Civic. So two car seats and an adult can fit in the back, but it wouldn't be too comfortable on a longer, hour%u2019s long trip. Other dimensions including the trunk size are just fine.
An interesting little side feature of the Boxer engine (horizontally opposed pistons): When you turn the ignition on, Forester "shakes" just a wee bit, just as if you were sitting in a truck. This is not too noticeable, but it gives you a bit of a nice feeling of strength.
Security with Subaru vehicles is the one of the strongest points. Their cars have straight 5 on all tests (front impact, side impact and rear impact). This is not accidental - they have systematically developed this quality. They've been known in the past to put a lot of effort in security, so much that even they admitted they did it on account of the style. Thus, even the Forester that does not have the curtain airbags at all, protects rear passenger better than some vehicles that have the curtain airbags. However, I found that lack of those airbags was too serious flaw for me - as I mentioned, my first priority was safety and I did not want to compromise in that respect even a bit. Outback on the other hand has all 6 airbags, but it's also considerably more expensive.
Another security feature resulting from the engine design, i.e. the Boxer style, is that it has very low center of gravity, lower than ordinary engines. For this reason, the risk of rollover with Forester is comparable to a sedan, rather than any SUV.
Subaru vehicles are not true gas-savers. Specifications claim they spend 10.7L/100km. I drove Outback for 24 hours, and it spent 12L/100km. This is understandable; you'll never get the fuel economy from the spec, especially with brand new car. However, compared to Corolla's 7.1 or Civic 7.8, it is almost 50% more.
I didn't choose Subaru for a couple of reasons, although I was so close to buying one. Forester does not have curtain airbags, and new Forester model is planned for 2009. Outback is not cheap - with taxes and PDI and the rest of the fees it comes up to $38,000. Buying Outback in US would cost me somewhat above $30,000. Forester would be somewhat below $30,000. So, I'd have to pay good money, and wouldn't be happy with either lack of airbags or not the best fuel economy. But I think my next car might easily be a Subaru.
Volvo
No need to say it's a great make, and one of my personal favourites. However, affordable or close to affordable Volvo's (such as S40, V50) are small, and larger ones (S70, XC70) are expensive. If it wasn't for the price I think I wouldn't even analyze it - I'd just go and buy it.
Volkswagen
I know VW was always a good car - when I was a kid half of my hometown was driving VW. I know features of Golf models from Golf I to Golf IV. And I drove it a bit too. But my main interest in VW was that I was looking for a diesel car. I was disappointed to find that VW dealers in Canada do not sell plenty of diesel models. There is TDI (here and now it means Jetta TDI) - that's it.
Then I also discovered that City Golf and City Jetta are amazingly affordable - they are cheaper than Civic and Corolla. And they are good cars! I almost decided to go for one of them!
But Golf is small for a Canadian family, in particular, the trunk is too narrow - I can't even put the kid's stroller in straight, but have to incline it a bit. I started wondering how did the half of my hometown raise kids with a Golf? (And the other half of the town drove smaller cars.) But those were different times...
City Jetta is better in that respect, but not too much. It is an old Jetta model, first designed several years ago. It's still the same with all the small improvements made over the years, but nothing major.
Major redesign of Jetta went into the Jetta model (without "City") that is some 8 grand more expensive and looks more like a Passsat (actually so much so that on the road I have trouble telling Jetta from Passat). Jetta is an excellent car, has excellent security features, lots of space (very, very comfortable inside). And there is diesel (TDI) option.
Generally, an excellent option - only a summary of all features and price decided against it, and not by far at all.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Autos: A Car Buying Story
Friday, May 16, 2008
Nissan Titan 2008 Review - Test Drive & Pricing
Nissan Titan 2008 Review - Test Drive & Pricing
by Brian Lebow
The Good: Nissan's half ton grows even larger with a new long-wheelbase version and exterior styling has been updated a bit!
The Bad: Lacking powertrain options (like a V-6) or a single cab option
Overall: Though it's not as versatile as the Tundra, Silverado or F-150, the Titan has a lot going for it, including a spacious interior cab, also now available, a full 8.2-ft bed and great technology. But can it bite into the American Truck Segment that's predominantly occupied by legends like the F series truck from Ford? Nissan hopes so...
We're on the Road in the 2008 Nissan Titan
Trucks are part of our culture here in America. In certain parts of the country it's required to have a truck with a gun rack or optionally a large dog in the back, some parts of the country you can't have one without the other. In late 2003 (2004 Model Year) Nissan debuted in the segment with challenging the domestics in this typical American market segment. What's more American than good old fashioned competition?
Since 2004, the Titan has been updated, the 2008 model got even larger. The Titan's exterior was updated this year and a new PRO-4X trim level is available. Nissan's Titan is offered in four models: XE, SE, PRO-4X and LE; two cab styles - King Cab and Crew Cab; four bed lengths - 5'6" and 7' for Crew Cab, 6'6" and 8' for King Cab; 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations; and continued from last year, Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability (E85 Ethanol) as a no-cost option. That's a lot of variations, but still no regular cab or V-6 engine option is available. The newest colors available in 08 are Desert Stone and Timberline.
Powertrain/Transmission: The heart of any work truck of course is the powertrain and though the Titan offers only one option, it shoots above the average. The Powertrain consists of a 5.6-liter V-8 good for (an improved) 317-horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, with available tow/haul mode and shift on the fly 4-WD system. The five-speed automatic shifts are somewhat slow, but it's got enogh hp to compensate and the slow shifts rarely detract from the passing ability or driving experience. The 30 year segment leader F-Series trucks from Ford, have many more powertrain options, starting with the 4.2-liter V6. The Titan's shifts are sluggish, but there's power to compensate. If you regularly have heavy loads the slow shifting might be more of a consideration. For everyday 'light duty' driving, it's not an issue.
Given gas prices what they are, you can't overlook the large segment of consumers (those that don't need a work truck) turning away from larger engines. For the construction worker or those that need a serious work truck, we don't have a problem recommending the Titan. With the optional tow package, the Titan can pull up to 9,500 pounds (the Crew Cab maxes out at 9,400-lbs.) Rear and four-wheel drive models are available.
Exterior: This year the Titan got a couple of upgrades, like the extra cargo box length for the long wheelbase models. Other updates include: the new grille and headlights. The standard wheelbase bed options are: 5.5-foot cargo box (Crew Cab) or a 6.5-foot bed (King Cab), and the long wheelbase models can have the 7 or 8.2-foot bed, respectively.
The trucks lines are hard and fresh, making for a nice looking, modern truck. The Pro-4X trim level gets the Rancho shocks, more skid plates, all-terrain tires, a locking rear-differential, and Pro-4X logos. There's also Titan's available spray-on bedliner which helps prevent scratch damage and corrosion to the bed and inner tailgate surface. Thinner than drop-in bedliners or typical aftermarket spray-on applications, the Titan bedliner also maximizes bed volume. It is the first offered by any original equipment manufacturer and is covered by the Nissan warranty.
Jump Inside the Nissan Titan and find seating for five or six (depending on whether you opt for the captians chairs or bench up front). There's really a great deal to enjoy inside the Titan, you can add the Mobile Theater System for about $1450, which will quell the kids on long rides and there's the Nissan Nav System which is pretty useful on out of town trips, it'll run about $1,800. and you'll probably want to add the VDC package which also adds supplemental airbags. There's some really nice touches inside the Titan.
Safety: The Titan earned the highest possible result, "Good" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for front impact, while side impact tests have not been conducted.
Reliability Issues: Consumer Reports the Titans two wheel-drive model predicted reliability is 'worse than average', while the four wheel drive Titan was rated "Much Worse Than Average." We certainly did not experience any problems during our test drive, the vehicle was over 13,000 miles and no problems were discovered as we put the truck through it's paces.
While most trucks in the segment still offer a lap belt for the front center position (when you get the bench up front), Nissan's Titan steps up to a three point belt in this position. All-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and active front head restraints are standard. Optional equipment includes: side-impact airbags for front seats, side curtain airbags and the power-adjustable pedals.
The Way you feel Inside: This updated Titan has some nice modern amenities, things you wouldn't find in your old pick-up, like available Bluetooth connectivity, moonroof, satellite radio, heated power seats, and rear seat dvd entertainment system. The Titan has an innovative bedside storage compartment located behind the rear driver's side wheel. The bedside storage bin is designed to hold common truck items such as work gloves, rope, road flares, first aid kit or a hitch ball. It's about the size of a kids lunchbox inside. The compartment is double-sealed to help prevent the intrusion of water and dust (though the compartment is not designed to be waterproof in case of submersion) and uses the ignition key for un/locking - see photo. Also helpful is the rear sonar system that helps you back up and the extending tow mirrors with dual mirrors.
Though the Titan does have a great deal to offer, it's what's missing that stands out. The lack of a V-6 option plus you can't get it in a regular cab could be stumbling blocks for some consumers that don't need the power of a V-8 and the additional passenger space. If you do need the power and space, the reliability issues noted from Consumer Reports might be enough to make you think twice. We certainly had no issues with our nine month old test truck (a 4x4 LE), which had over 14,000 miles and performed very well.
By the numbers
The Nissan TITAN (V-8) is rated at 12 mpg city/17 highway on dual fuel, Ethanol (E85) which can be 20 -30% less expensive than gas, which you can also use to fill the largest in class 37 gallon tank.
The 2008 Nissan TITAN - MSRP Price
The 2008 Nissan Titan King Cab and Titan Crew Cab are offered in four models - XE, SE and LE, each with a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations - and PRO-4X (4WD only). Each offered with list of standard equipment including a powerful 5.6-liter Endurance V8, 5-speed automatic transmission with Tow/Haul mode, power rack-and-pinion steering and 18-inch wheels and tires.
Titan XE models are equipped with a standard 40/20/40 split front bench seat with a center seat fold-down armrest storage bin, split fold-up rear seat and three-point seat belts for five positions. XE and SE 2WD models are available with a Traction Package (standard on LE) that includes 2-wheel limited slip (ABLS) and front tow hooks. The new PRO-4X grade adds 18 x 8J alloy wheels with off-road-style center cap, largest-in-class* P275/70R18 off-road tires, body-color front and rear bumpers and grille, a lockable bedside storage box, unique interior features including unique meters and gauges, splash guards, the off-road equipment detailed above and auto on/off headlamps.
Titan SE models include standard 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and P265/70R18 tires and chrome steel center bumper, while LE models add 6-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, standard high-utility bed, leather-appointed seating, Rockford Fosgate?-powered audio system with eight speakers, dual-zone auto-climate control system and power folding mirrors with heat, power adjust, auto dim, and integrated turn signal.
Optional SE equipment packages include a Popular Package (equipped with split bench seat or bucket seats) including upgraded audio system with steering wheel audio controls, rearview mirror, temperature and UGDO, proximity sensors and adjustable pedals; and Popular Rockford Fosgate Package, which includes Popular Package contents plus premium sound Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system and, new for 2008, Bluetooth? hands-free phone system and XM? satellite radio tuner.
Other available equipment and packages include sunroof, Navigation Package with DVD-based navigation system and Utility Bed Package with C-channel tie down system, bedside storage, rear bed lighting and power point and spray-on bedliner. The Titan's Tow Package includes receiver hitch, lower final gear ratio, additional 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake prewiring, transmission temperature gauge, extending mirrors and heavy-duty battery
The 2 wheel drive King Cab XE starts at $24,390 and standard features include a six-speaker CD stereo, cruise control and air. The rear wheel drive SE starts at $26,650 and adds upgrades like remote keyless entry, allow wheels and power windows, door locks and mirrors. The Pro-4X models have off-road upgrades and start at $31,980. The LE gets 20 inch wheels, heated power seats, leather upholstery and more. Depending on configuration (2 or 4-Wheel Drive / Bed Length) you can spend up to $46,000 on a Titan when you add nav, rear seat entertainment, rear parking sensors, and other options.
Our test vehicle - the 4x4 LE - 7'3" bed - with Nav, rear seat entertainment the Tow Package, Side-Air Bag Package with VDC, Moonroof, Step Rails and Sliding Bed Extender had an MSRP of $44,900.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Car: Should You Buy New or Used
Car: Should You Buy New or Used
by Dennis James
When you decide to purchase a new car, there are many things you must take into consideration. First there is the car's make and model. There are small hatchbacks you can buy, family cars or, if you prefer, large SUVs.
It all depends on your personal needs and your budget, the bigger the car, the more it will cost and the more gas it will consume. Think about the future when buying the car, not only on your current financial position. Then what kind of car you will buy: a new one or a used car.
Both situations have their pros and cons. Buying a new vehicle has the main advantage that you will be the car's first owner. You will be the first one to drive it, it will smell like new and you can be considered the proud owner of a brand new vehicle.
Another important fact is that a new auto with a two or three year guarantee, so the manufacturer ensures you that the car will function properly this entire time. In addition, if sometimes breaks, it will be covered by the warranty and the vendor will change that faulty item free of charge.
However, all these advantages come with a price. A new car is always going to be more expensive than a used one. In addition, not only do you pay a lot more when you buy it, but also the car will loose its value very fast. In fact, a new car looses about 15% of its initial value each year. In addition, when you will want to sell it after a couple of years, you will see that you have obtained a lower price than hoped.
On the other hand, a more convenient way of purchasing a car is to buy a used one. Not everybody has the money to buy a new car and an used vehicle is the perfect solution for them.
A car is more than a luxury object nowadays, it is indeed a necessity. If you have kids, you can even go as further as to say that a car is vital. You can go anywhere you want anytime you want, you can do the shopping very conveniently and you can carry more things than before. And a used car is a great solution, especially if you can find a car in good working condition.
When it comes to buying second hand cars, there are many solutions available. While you can read the newspapers and follow those ads, you can buy a used car in a more convenient way.
Many good cars can be found in online auctions. There are many online cheap repo car sales and if you are lucky, you can even find a car up to 95% off its retail value.
Repo cars are in perfect condition but they are very cheap as these vehicles have been repossessed, for various reasons, from their initial owners. Usually these cars have traveled few miles and for the past recent years they have stayed in a garage and not on the streets. Choosing a cheap repo car can be the perfect solution for you, especially as you can be sure of the car's origin and about the fact that the car has not been hit or damaged.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Liability: How to Avoid Liability Once the Car Is Sold?
Liability: How to Avoid Liability Once the Car Is Sold?
by Khalid Mustaffa
You can no longer call the car that you have been trying to sell my car any more. Depending on how attached you were to the car, and your future plans this may be the toughest or happiest moment in the process. It is now time to kiss the car goodbye, but I am about to provide you some last minute tips that may save you some money, and future liability.
Make sure that you secure the payment; I understand how anxious you may be to get rid of the car, and go on with your plans, but remember you don’t want to end up without the car, nor the money. If you had accepted a check or money order make sure it clears. On the other hand had you used an escrow service, you should wait until you get a confirmation of money receipt.
On a different note, so long you described the car to the best of your knowledge, and did not deliberately hide information, mechanical problems or prior accidents you shouldn’t be liable for those you were not aware of. Most state laws around the nation assume that private-party sales have a built in “as-is”, however, it will only make you feel safer to get that understanding in writing, make sure that both parties sign off before the transaction is complete.
However, it is to your best interest to protect yourself in writing and include an as is statement in the bill of the sale, or have the buyer sign a paper stating that he or she is aware that you the seller are not responsible for any future breakdowns.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Ford Focus 2008 - Test Drive & Pricing
Ford Focus 2008 - Test Drive & Pricing
by Shaun Davidson
The Focus' outward looks were starkly similar to what I had driven as a rental the last number of years. Not very encouraging news for Ford, nor for the shoppers looking for different pastures. I found the styling to be ultra conservative, a should have been Focus in 2003 as opposed to today as this segment has a lot more attractive vehicles for the money. The overall impression however, is one of middle of the road, the exterior quality was just good enough for me. The rearward fascia is more noticeably different in contrast to it's predecessor. I thought Ford could of spent much more time at the clay mold to make a much more radical design. Ultimately, I could see about 700 of these at the airport terminal rental car depot on any given day.
The interior landscape was no less different than what was outside, and I was further disappointed at the lack of creativity and craftsmanship. Seating was pseudo-comfortable, if not stiffer than I liked it. Just imagine sitting in a folding card table chair, consumers will want to get up every 15 minutes to stretch. Controls were easy to use and required very little automotive education to get the general idea of the layout, it was smart simple. I give strong kudos to the Sync system, this a slick piece of hardware for the radio, one I've been especially looking forward to in automobiles. If consumers ever consider the Focus, try out the Sync, it's incredible! My cheap test model had the crank windows, automatic transmission, c/d player w/sync, a wide array of cup holders and power outlets. It was decently equipped for the money and had everything that a commuter looks for in this class. Rear seating was taught, not suv in space, but was good enough for medium sized car poolers. In the end of my interior visual inspection, it was bargain based in design with an extra surprise element that had no added elaboration.
Lastly, overall performance for the California freeways was a little too average for my tastes. The powertrain seemed like it had to work harder for me than some of my other small cars I've driven lately. The recently reviewed 2008 Hyundai Elantra felt more rigid and powerful in my interstate testing. Pricing for this model is market competitive, but only if consumers were just looking at the Focus. My test mule rounded out at just under $16k with the specified equipment. And expect anywhere from $700-900 between invoice and MSRP, but the end product will leave buyers wanting more. It was difficult to leave the Ford lot disappointed, especially when I expected such huge things for the auto company. It's a good car in need of market attention, the 2008 Ford Focus will find it's buyers no problem. I would hope Ford will not give up on a segment that sells so many cars with the gasoline situation, it is just too crucial to have a competitive economy car.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Car Buyers Bill of Rights (And Wrongs)
Car Buyers Bill of Rights (And Wrongs)
by Peter W. Robinson
On July 1st, 2006, a landmark consumer protection bill became law in California. Known as the Car Buyers Bill of Rights, this bill has been more successful at confusing the public than it has been at eliminating predatory dealer practices. In it's final realization, it is an abject example of what can happen when well-meaning consumer groups make unrealistic proposals and settle for impractical solutions. Key features of the bill include:
- Imposing a limit on the interest rate markup allowed to dealers when arranging an auto loan.
- Setting more specific criteria for cars that are to be sold as 'certified'.
- Establishing a two-day return option for buyers of used vehicles.
- Requiring dealerships to disclose to customers, in writing, their credit scores and the source of the information.
The BAD: This legislation was originally aimed at all car dealers, but the 'cooling off period' is available only to used car buyers. So, if your new car does not please you...too bad! The 'cooling off period' does not apply to new car buyers.
Being 'forced' to reveal the credit score to someone who did not check it out before trying to buy a car seems....well, let's face it: If you did not check your credit before going out to buy a CAR, either you are A) rich and don't care, or B) have perfect credit, or C) Your credit is so bad that it doesn't matter what the number is...you just want to buy a car!! A raw credit score does not mean anything whatsoever to someone who does not approve loans for a living.
The UGLY: Talk about "fine print"! Car dealers are allowed to charge for the two-day return option! In other words, instead of creating a protection for buyers who feel they have been victimized , this bill has created another profit source for the dealership!
" Mr. Jones, for only $300 you can have the peace of mind..."
For a vehicle priced at more than $10,000 , a $500 restocking fee may be charged. This is assuming that you came back within 48 hours, drove fewer than 250 miles, and were able to comply with all other provisions, stated or not. Who will go through all of that? Not many, even if they are not happy with their deal. Who will pay for the 'concept' of the right to go through all of that? Quite a few do. It is difficult for folks to consider the implications of these "only $5 dollars a month" options when they come flying at them out of the blue. "This is only to protect YOU" or " This is an option the state requires us to offer for your protection". See what I mean?
As always, the best advice is to deal with people you know and trust. The typical car buyer will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars buying cars in their lifetime. It is essential to develop relationships with the sellers of vehicles. Talk to people you know, check with the Better Business Bureau, know where and from whom you will be buying your car from before you go out to do it!. DO NOT go driving from lot to lot hoping to find a car that "speaks to you". If the car really could speak to you, it might tell you to run away.
