Mercedes motors however tend to be very reliable. GM motors are fine for the US market, but i doubt they comply with the EU one (and perhaps the contrary is true).
My father owned a BMW and it was a lemon. The dealer felt so bad he sold him an extended warranty and post dated it to cover the repairs. After he passed away my step mother traded it for a plymouth.
Mercedes motors however tend to be very reliable. GM motors are fine for the US market, but i doubt they comply with the EU one (and perhaps the contrary is true).
In my experience, the 3500 (3.5L) GM V6, which is a dual overhead cam, 24valve engine, is pretty much better than the 3.2L Mercedes V6. similar power/torque, but better gasoline efficiency in city and highway driving. The problem is not the engine, but the fact that it's not put in a car that's not boring as hell. The 3800 (3.8L) GM V6 is a pushrod, 12 valve engine, and it's not as powerful as the 3500, but it gets better highway mileage, and has the durability of a mule.
The BMW 3.3L V6 in the M3 is a really great engine too, and as far as I know it's pretty durable for a race engine, but for normal driving it's silly. Thankfully, it's in the M3, which isn't a normal car.
Generally speaking, though, european cars (particularly the models for europe) have smaller engines with bigger injectors. That's good for fuel economy in the city, but for highway driving it's much better to have a bigger displacement, lower compression engine, like the GM ones. The lower compression allows for cheaper fuel and accounts for the increased reliability. The other option is just to build the engine like a tank. . . The diesel strategy.
Reliability. BMW's, and Porsches. . . . NOT RELIABLE! There are way too many people I know with overheating-prone German cars. But yes, if they're not overheating, they are good. Though they do require expensive fuel and get crappy mileage.
To be honest, it's not that my BMW engine is overheating prone just because... it's the damn thermo not doing its job. Every combustion engine car needs the fan to spin and for the coolant to circulate. I'd take my 5's straight-6 over any V6 from GM or Ford.
Vortec V8s on the other hand, oh man. The torque, hitting 90-100 mph in the Suburban (5.7L) and barely tripping over 2000 RPM. That's amazing.
Wow Eugene, I'm going to have to reverse my opinion about the new Ford GT and Mustang. The GT is definitely a better translation into today -- I was just looking at pics side by side with the original, plenty of cleaned up surfaces that you really don't notice untill you see them side by side, interesting. The new Mustang seems to have gotten a pretty serious downgrade from the show car, though it's still infinitely better than the last two generations worth of pony car garbage.
I'm not against old, one of my all time favorite car shapes is the big Jag XJ (I actually don't care for the X and S type styling, nor the squashed blob look of the current coupes) but those big sedans just look good -- at least the last two generations do. I hope they never change it too much. You have to buy something from Bentley or Rolls (at 3-4 times the cost) to get a machine in the same styling vein as the XJ sedans.
Anyway, back on topic, look at that Ford Mustang and then look at the Capri concept they came up with a few months back. I know it isn't fair, because now we have a production pic, but something about the Capri seems to me a bit more successful at looking forward and back than the Mustang.
I'm not sure it's the designers that are to blame, or the directors that just don't trust the North American buyers' aesthetic.
I doubt they do. Germans companies like BMW, and Porsche are on the top.
My mothers Chevy Celebrity is 17 years old and still going strong. She has entimental attachment to the car but i told her a few years ago that as soon as it needs a major repair she should dump it. Still waiting! Granted the car handles terribly around turns and is kinda noisy, but that engine kicks ass, also gets good gas mileage. So far its outlasted my 1986 Mazda 626 and 1989 Honda Accord.
My old 1978 Monte Carlo was the best car I ever owned. I sold it for a Mitsubishi compact because I kept getting speeding tickets and cried on the way home from the used car dealer. That Mitsubishi (Dodge Colt) was the worst car I have ever driven and regretted that decision for years. I freaking cant stand Mitsubishi (no matter what it is). Everything I have ever owned from that company-Stereo, car, VCR, has been garbage........................................... ..
Heres my quick take on the mentioned car manufacturers, then my opinion about the new Chevys (and GM)
Toyota-most reliable cars and boring
Honda-reliable, but uncomfortable (too low to ground)
Nissan-owned by a French company (Renault). Will never buy anything from them, and I think their designs are tacky.
Mitsubishi-Never again, they suck.
Mazda-My favorite Japanese brand, the new Mazda 6 is very nice. So is the Mazda 3, although kind of cramped.
Ford-owns Mazda so I give them props, but need to imrove reliability and still have nightmares from my fathers Ford Granada, which is second only to the Dodge Colt in terms of being a truly awful car.
BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagon-all of them not very reliable-Heck, Buick and Cadillac are more reliable than all of them.
OK, now for Chevy. I went to look at the Malibu for myself and as the pics show the front end is an odd design but the rest of the car is attractive. The interior is plain-they really should do the half-black thing that VW does so well. Other than that it is surprisingly comfortable. I am dissapointed that they didnt go all out with the design. With the Epsilon based suspension they could have beaten the Accord and Camry in sales if it were more attractive. Motor Trend just rated the Malibu above the Camry so they're getting there!
The Impala-I was very impressed with the confort level and fit and finish. The dashboard needs to be redesigned, but the seats are great. I also like the way it looks.
The SSR is an odd bird. Personally I think it was a waste of money to develop and they should have remade the Camaro instead.
The Chevy Cobalt. I saw a pic of their new small car and if the inside looks as good as the outside they will have a hit on their hands-finally.
Chevy Equinox. One of the nicest looking small trucks out there, when it does get out there. The interior also looks very good and I wonder why they didnt do the same for the Malibu.
Corvette. I think they did a great job on the redesign.
Pontiac GTO. The best interior ever seen in a GM car. They should take the GM of Holden and put him in charge of Pontiac.
Cadillac-on a roll. Every car they are producing is a hit and getting rave reviews. They still need to inprove the dashboards and front grills though. I also wish they'd get rid of the wreath around their crest emblem.
Saturn-what the hell is with the Ion? New interior, please. The Vue is really their only good vehicle.
Lastly, GM wants to improve market share and what would be the best thing next to producing appealing vehicles?-Increase the warranty! GM vehicles with a Hyundai warranty would fly out of the showrooms......................................... .
I'm trying to figure out what my next car's gonna be and I'm definitely gonna take a look a the malibu. Has anyone driven one? I'd love to buy an American car, but I usually hate the way they handle.
Honda-reliable, but uncomfortable (too low to ground)
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanese.
Quote:
Nissan-owned by a French company (Renault). Will never buy anything from them, and I think their designs are tacky.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanse AND French. OMG!
Quote:
Mitsubishi-Never again, they suck.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Oh look, Japanese.
Quote:
Mazda-My favorite Japanese brand, the new Mazda 6 is very nice. So is the Mazda 3, although kind of cramped.
Ford-owns Mazda so I give them props, but need to imrove reliability and still have nightmares from my fathers Ford Granada, which is second only to the Dodge Colt in terms of being a truly awful car.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have to make it look less obvious so I'm going to say I like this one Japanese brand. Ford has a large share in them so that makes it somewhat okay.
Quote:
BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagon-all of them not very reliable-Heck, Buick and Cadillac are more reliable than all of them.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Not American. Yeah, let's put Buick ahead of these Euro-pansies.
Quote:
Motor Trend just rated the Malibu above the Camry so they're getting there!
What Steve666 really meant to say: GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Quote:
Corvette. I think they did a great job on the redesign.
What Steve666 really meant to say: No true American could dislike the Corvette.
Quote:
Pontiac GTO. The best interior ever seen in a GM car. They should take the GM of Holden and put him in charge of Pontiac.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I never heard of Holden before a few months ago, but they rule now because they were really closeted Pontiacs all along. Oh wait.
Quote:
Cadillac-on a roll. Every car they are producing is a hit and getting rave reviews. They still need to inprove the dashboards and front grills though. I also wish they'd get rid of the wreath around their crest emblem.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have no aesthetic sense.
Quote:
Saturn-what the hell is with the Ion? New interior, please. The Vue is really their only good vehicle.
What Steve666 really meant to say: This looks suspiciously like a foreign car!
Very bloody nice!! Does it have the sunroof, leather interior, etc., etc.? I can't highly recommend these cars enough.
No, I think it's the low end model. Oh well. Still really nice though. He'll probably end up keeping it though, meaning I'll get the 2003 Corolla. That's also a nice car, so either way I'm in a good situation.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanse AND French. OMG!
What Steve666 really meant to say: Oh look, Japanese.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have to make it look less obvious so I'm going to say I like this one Japanese brand. Ford has a large share in them so that makes it somewhat okay.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Not American. Yeah, let's put Buick ahead of these Euro-pansies.
What Steve666 really meant to say: GOD BLESS AMERICA.
What Steve666 really meant to say: No true American could dislike the Corvette.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I never heard of Holden before a few months ago, but they rule now because they were really closeted Pontiacs all along. Oh wait.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have no aesthetic sense.
What Steve666 really meant to say: This looks suspiciously like a foreign car!
Post of the year.
PS : ten years ago, i drived a firebird in San diego : i loved it especially the automatic seat belt : wonderful gadget for a lazy man
Some of that stuff looks nice. I'm going to wait to see if Chevy has improved the fundamentals of their cars as much as they've improved the skins. I've heard way too many horror stories about their quality of construction. The Corvette can't really be compared to other Chevys, given that it's made in its own plant. It's apparently quite reliable. It's just too bad that it's a Corvette.
None of it is quite up to the designs coming out of Audi and VW and Nissan (the Altima is a beautiful car to my eye), but they're a significant improvement. I like the way they're reinterpreting the old designs for the ponycars and (finally!) forgetting the '80s.
If Chevy's tackled their issues with fit and finish and build quality they'll do well. This is the most attractive lineup I've seen from them in a while.
Comments
Originally posted by Scott
My father's BMW was a bit of a lemon.
Your father in law ?
Mercedes motors however tend to be very reliable. GM motors are fine for the US market, but i doubt they comply with the EU one (and perhaps the contrary is true).
My father owned a BMW and it was a lemon. The dealer felt so bad he sold him an extended warranty and post dated it to cover the repairs. After he passed away my step mother traded it for a plymouth.
Originally posted by Powerdoc
Your father in law ?
Mercedes motors however tend to be very reliable. GM motors are fine for the US market, but i doubt they comply with the EU one (and perhaps the contrary is true).
In my experience, the 3500 (3.5L) GM V6, which is a dual overhead cam, 24valve engine, is pretty much better than the 3.2L Mercedes V6. similar power/torque, but better gasoline efficiency in city and highway driving. The problem is not the engine, but the fact that it's not put in a car that's not boring as hell. The 3800 (3.8L) GM V6 is a pushrod, 12 valve engine, and it's not as powerful as the 3500, but it gets better highway mileage, and has the durability of a mule.
The BMW 3.3L V6 in the M3 is a really great engine too, and as far as I know it's pretty durable for a race engine, but for normal driving it's silly. Thankfully, it's in the M3, which isn't a normal car.
Generally speaking, though, european cars (particularly the models for europe) have smaller engines with bigger injectors. That's good for fuel economy in the city, but for highway driving it's much better to have a bigger displacement, lower compression engine, like the GM ones. The lower compression allows for cheaper fuel and accounts for the increased reliability. The other option is just to build the engine like a tank. . . The diesel strategy.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
Dammit, read before being silly.
Reliability. BMW's, and Porsches. . . . NOT RELIABLE! There are way too many people I know with overheating-prone German cars. But yes, if they're not overheating, they are good. Though they do require expensive fuel and get crappy mileage.
To be honest, it's not that my BMW engine is overheating prone just because... it's the damn thermo not doing its job. Every combustion engine car needs the fan to spin and for the coolant to circulate. I'd take my 5's straight-6 over any V6 from GM or Ford.
Vortec V8s on the other hand, oh man. The torque, hitting 90-100 mph in the Suburban (5.7L) and barely tripping over 2000 RPM. That's amazing.
Originally posted by Scott
Is Ford going forwards or backwards?
Take a look for yourself and ask the same question again.
Forward, definitely...even though the original concept vehicle has better detailing than the one above.
http://www.stangnet.com/mustanggtcon...pConcept06.jpg
I'm not against old, one of my all time favorite car shapes is the big Jag XJ (I actually don't care for the X and S type styling, nor the squashed blob look of the current coupes) but those big sedans just look good -- at least the last two generations do. I hope they never change it too much. You have to buy something from Bentley or Rolls (at 3-4 times the cost) to get a machine in the same styling vein as the XJ sedans.
Anyway, back on topic, look at that Ford Mustang and then look at the Capri concept they came up with a few months back. I know it isn't fair, because now we have a production pic, but something about the Capri seems to me a bit more successful at looking forward and back than the Mustang.
I'm not sure it's the designers that are to blame, or the directors that just don't trust the North American buyers' aesthetic.
Look:
See more images at this site www.pistonheads.com
Originally posted by EmAn
That's good to hear. I might be getting one of my dad's current cars, one being a 2003 Altima.
Very bloody nice!! Does it have the sunroof, leather interior, etc., etc.? I can't highly recommend these cars enough.
Originally posted by Eugene
Take a look for yourself and ask the same question again.
Forward, definitely...even though the original concept vehicle has better detailing than the one above.
http://www.stangnet.com/mustanggtcon...pConcept06.jpg
*shudders at Mustangs from the 80's*
Originally posted by Powerdoc
I doubt they do. Germans companies like BMW, and Porsche are on the top.
My mothers Chevy Celebrity is 17 years old and still going strong. She has entimental attachment to the car but i told her a few years ago that as soon as it needs a major repair she should dump it. Still waiting! Granted the car handles terribly around turns and is kinda noisy, but that engine kicks ass, also gets good gas mileage. So far its outlasted my 1986 Mazda 626 and 1989 Honda Accord.
My old 1978 Monte Carlo was the best car I ever owned. I sold it for a Mitsubishi compact because I kept getting speeding tickets and cried on the way home from the used car dealer. That Mitsubishi (Dodge Colt) was the worst car I have ever driven and regretted that decision for years. I freaking cant stand Mitsubishi (no matter what it is). Everything I have ever owned from that company-Stereo, car, VCR, has been garbage........................................... ..
Toyota-most reliable cars and boring
Honda-reliable, but uncomfortable (too low to ground)
Nissan-owned by a French company (Renault). Will never buy anything from them, and I think their designs are tacky.
Mitsubishi-Never again, they suck.
Mazda-My favorite Japanese brand, the new Mazda 6 is very nice. So is the Mazda 3, although kind of cramped.
Ford-owns Mazda so I give them props, but need to imrove reliability and still have nightmares from my fathers Ford Granada, which is second only to the Dodge Colt in terms of being a truly awful car.
BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagon-all of them not very reliable-Heck, Buick and Cadillac are more reliable than all of them.
OK, now for Chevy. I went to look at the Malibu for myself and as the pics show the front end is an odd design but the rest of the car is attractive. The interior is plain-they really should do the half-black thing that VW does so well. Other than that it is surprisingly comfortable. I am dissapointed that they didnt go all out with the design. With the Epsilon based suspension they could have beaten the Accord and Camry in sales if it were more attractive. Motor Trend just rated the Malibu above the Camry so they're getting there!
The Impala-I was very impressed with the confort level and fit and finish. The dashboard needs to be redesigned, but the seats are great. I also like the way it looks.
The SSR is an odd bird. Personally I think it was a waste of money to develop and they should have remade the Camaro instead.
The Chevy Cobalt. I saw a pic of their new small car and if the inside looks as good as the outside they will have a hit on their hands-finally.
Chevy Equinox. One of the nicest looking small trucks out there, when it does get out there. The interior also looks very good and I wonder why they didnt do the same for the Malibu.
Corvette. I think they did a great job on the redesign.
Pontiac GTO. The best interior ever seen in a GM car. They should take the GM of Holden and put him in charge of Pontiac.
Cadillac-on a roll. Every car they are producing is a hit and getting rave reviews. They still need to inprove the dashboards and front grills though. I also wish they'd get rid of the wreath around their crest emblem.
Saturn-what the hell is with the Ion? New interior, please. The Vue is really their only good vehicle.
Lastly, GM wants to improve market share and what would be the best thing next to producing appealing vehicles?-Increase the warranty! GM vehicles with a Hyundai warranty would fly out of the showrooms......................................... .
Originally posted by steve666
Toyota-most reliable cars and boring
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanese.
Honda-reliable, but uncomfortable (too low to ground)
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanese.
Nissan-owned by a French company (Renault). Will never buy anything from them, and I think their designs are tacky.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanse AND French. OMG!
Mitsubishi-Never again, they suck.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Oh look, Japanese.
Mazda-My favorite Japanese brand, the new Mazda 6 is very nice. So is the Mazda 3, although kind of cramped.
Ford-owns Mazda so I give them props, but need to imrove reliability and still have nightmares from my fathers Ford Granada, which is second only to the Dodge Colt in terms of being a truly awful car.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have to make it look less obvious so I'm going to say I like this one Japanese brand. Ford has a large share in them so that makes it somewhat okay.
BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagon-all of them not very reliable-Heck, Buick and Cadillac are more reliable than all of them.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Not American. Yeah, let's put Buick ahead of these Euro-pansies.
Motor Trend just rated the Malibu above the Camry so they're getting there!
What Steve666 really meant to say: GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Corvette. I think they did a great job on the redesign.
What Steve666 really meant to say: No true American could dislike the Corvette.
Pontiac GTO. The best interior ever seen in a GM car. They should take the GM of Holden and put him in charge of Pontiac.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I never heard of Holden before a few months ago, but they rule now because they were really closeted Pontiacs all along. Oh wait.
Cadillac-on a roll. Every car they are producing is a hit and getting rave reviews. They still need to inprove the dashboards and front grills though. I also wish they'd get rid of the wreath around their crest emblem.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have no aesthetic sense.
Saturn-what the hell is with the Ion? New interior, please. The Vue is really their only good vehicle.
What Steve666 really meant to say: This looks suspiciously like a foreign car!
Originally posted by Jim Paradise
Very bloody nice!! Does it have the sunroof, leather interior, etc., etc.? I can't highly recommend these cars enough.
No, I think it's the low end model. Oh well. Still really nice though. He'll probably end up keeping it though, meaning I'll get the 2003 Corolla. That's also a nice car, so either way I'm in a good situation.
Originally posted by Eugene
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanese.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanese.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Japanse AND French. OMG!
What Steve666 really meant to say: Oh look, Japanese.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have to make it look less obvious so I'm going to say I like this one Japanese brand. Ford has a large share in them so that makes it somewhat okay.
What Steve666 really meant to say: Not American. Yeah, let's put Buick ahead of these Euro-pansies.
What Steve666 really meant to say: GOD BLESS AMERICA.
What Steve666 really meant to say: No true American could dislike the Corvette.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I never heard of Holden before a few months ago, but they rule now because they were really closeted Pontiacs all along. Oh wait.
What Steve666 really meant to say: I have no aesthetic sense.
What Steve666 really meant to say: This looks suspiciously like a foreign car!
Post of the year.
PS : ten years ago, i drived a firebird in San diego : i loved it especially the automatic seat belt : wonderful gadget for a lazy man
Watch your asses!
None of it is quite up to the designs coming out of Audi and VW and Nissan (the Altima is a beautiful car to my eye), but they're a significant improvement. I like the way they're reinterpreting the old designs for the ponycars and (finally!) forgetting the '80s.
If Chevy's tackled their issues with fit and finish and build quality they'll do well. This is the most attractive lineup I've seen from them in a while.