Car Advice

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concept cars are such a tease. did anything really think the 2008 accord would look like this?


<img width="569" height="482" alt="" src="http://www.mobilemag.com/content/images/11135_super.jpg" />





<em>


oops... heres the real car. YAWN.</em>





<img width="400" height="249" alt="" src="http://automobiles.honda.com/images/2008/accord-sedan/exterior-gallery/gal_lg8.jpg" />
 
<p>That Tesla is awesome. Would love to drive one and see if its the real deal. When it is more fun than my SL on the drive to the Spa in Ojai I will make the jump. I got to see that 0-60 in under 4 Seconds. But for gas mileage its a winner hands down. Maybach. Oh what a ride. Love the one they have at MGM if you stay at the Skylofts. That is just the best limo I have ever enjoyed. I think its 650HP V12. Forget the gas mileage. Like 7-9 MPG. Someday these electric cars will be mainstream. But not if the Big 3 have their way. The low cost to maintain just kills the dealers profit margins. They killed the EV1 for this very reason.</p>

<p> </p>
 
The Tesla is the real deal. But batteries are and will be the biggest challenge for a long time. Unlike a gasoline engine, which can give the same or perhaps better performance after 100,000 miles, batteries degrade relativly quickly in terms of capacity and voltage. They are expensive new (the most expensive part of the Tesla) and you probably wouldn't want to trade for used ones. The technology is coming along quickly, but it still has a long way to go. At some point they will get close or achieve parity with gas engines in terms of economic and environmental impact. Electricity at $.03/mile is less than what it costs to run the best hybrid. We can all charge our cars only at night, smoothing out demand on the power grid, lowering spread energy costs and bringing gasoline down to $1/gallon.
 
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/automobiles/autoreviews/04MERCEDES.html?_r=1&oref=slogin">Review</a> of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class</p>

<p>"... Perhaps the most striking element of the latest C-Class, all new for 2008, is that it doesn’t look like a C at all; at first glance you might think you’re gazing at an E-Class that was run through the dryer, shrinking slightly in all dimensions. My wife has a 2006 E350 in the same pewter color as one of the C-Class test cars I recently drove, and when the E and C were parked nose-to-tail in our driveway it took more than a glance to tell them apart.</p>

<p>The C is an important model for Mercedes, being both its volume leader and an entry point for first-time customers. </p>

<p>The new model is offered in three distinct versions: the C300 Luxury, the C300 Sport and the C350 Sport. All have four-cam aluminum-alloy V-6 engines with four valves for each cylinder. The 3-liter engines in the 300 models produce 228 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, and the 3.5-liter unit in the 350 makes 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet. The C300 Luxury and C350 Sport come with a seven-speed automatic; a six-speed manual is standard on the C300 Sport.</p>

<p>Both Sport versions sit a half-inch lower because of their sport-tuned suspensions. They also have body modifications from the company’s AMG performance division, and dual exhausts."</p>

<p><a href="javascript:pop_me_up2('http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/11/04/automobiles/04AUTO_CA0.ready.html', '04AUTO_CA0_ready', 'width=720,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes')"><img height="130" alt="" width="190" border="0" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/11/04/automobiles/190-Mercedes-C-Class-Interi.jpg" /></a></p>
 
<p>Trooper, it is actually a giant cupholder.</p>

<p>I have been going back and forth on the new C-class. It looks nice and the commercials are pretty good but oh that Mercedes reliability (or non-reliability). If we were going to get one, it would have to be on a lease (do not want to own a MB) but I really do not want to lease.</p>
 
Irvine Commuter. Afew years back when Benz way over did the electronics in 1999-2000 some of those models really had some issues. And the Chrylsler merger did not help the quality either. But unless you get a cursed car. I have found that my 2 Mercedes have been pretty good as far as quality. I have an SL and a CL. I saw the new C-Class over at MBLN the other day. Looked a little "plastic" inside. But the doors seemed more solid and the lines are better than the previous model. Overall it looked good for the $ 30K+ entry price. I would sure buy a Benz before an American car.

My business partner is on his 4th transmisson in his Ford Exploder and it has 60,000 miles. Its cursed.
 
<p>Blt,</p>

<p>Does the U.S. still make cars? That is a surprise. I thought only the Japanese and Europeans make cars now. </p>

<p>I think the quality for MB is good for the higher level car (CL and SL) but quality falls dramatically after that (Even the E-class has its share of problems.). </p>

<p>Seriously, I have written off buying American cars until they demonstrate to me that they can make a good one. I think I would pick from Lexus (reliable and good resale), BMW (not reliable but good resale and maintenance is free for the first 4 years), Infiniti (reliable and good resale) or maybe Audi (bad reliability but good resale). Maybe Honda or Nissan (Toyota have fallen off my list too) if we wanted to go for something a little cheaper. I have even thought about getting Hyundai (low upkeep, low price, and pretty good rating) and just driving it to the ground.</p>
 
Just noticed my car got keyed on the passenger side from the rear quarter panel and half way thru the right rear door.. pretty deep as far as i can tell (gouged to white)... bad thing is i have a black car... any suggestions? i'm thinking of taking a sharpie to it but then i still owe $17000 on it and its worth about the same. anyone recommend a local paint shop? i have a 2005 chrysler 300...
 
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=6169">55mpg by 2030</a>?</p>

<p>(psst. It's called resource depletion. CAFE will be a moot point by then.) </p>
 
acpme...



actually that picture you have there is a Honda Concept. However, as many be aware, Honda makes Acura brand. The picture of the blue concept sedan is more in line with the upcoming redesign of the Acura TSX...which is based on the Honda Accord chassis with the V6 engine.



Janet...



I own a BMW myself..although it's newer 2006 330i. It's my first german car. I've been a long time import fan. Owned 8 cars previous to the BMW...all japanese makes, the last 3 being Toyotas. Yes, Toyotas and Hondas are more reliable because they are built with less technology believe it or not. BMW and most german cars tend to be "over engineered." If you look at many luxury features of Acura/Lexus/Infiniti...they build upon existing German technology and tries to re-invent the wheels. The xenon lights for example were offered by German cars ( BMW if I am correct), then all the japanese luxury brands jumped on the band wagon to offer it on its cars. Point being...BMW will always be ahead of japanese cars in regards to engineering. I don't mean in technology alone, but engine built and quality. The reason you see more "issues" with BMW and other german cars is because the computers are more accurate and alert about its changes.



I was surprised to find out that my BMW required oil change every 15k miles...not 3k miles which I was so used to. The handling and driving experience in a BMW is second to none. I've been in some great handling cars made by Subaru, Toyota, and Nissan..but BMW beats all of them IMO.



BMW is not just about status..it's about engineering, it's too bad many people have lost perspective of why BMW cost more than its counterparts. Only a true BMW owner can appreciate it.
 
And then there is <a href="http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2007/11/05/fisker-automotive-pl.html">Fiskar</a>. Mmmmm.





<img src="http://gadgets.boingboing.net/gimages/fisker-automotive-plugin-hybrid-four-door-sports-sedan.jpg" alt="" />
 
<p>iceman</p>

<p>We lease a Beamer right now and while I like the driving experience (not quite ultimate though), the interior layout of the car leaves a lot to be desired. I think that since most of my driving is done on normal streets and traffic jams, I rather have a Japanese car (i.e. Lexus) that gives me a better interior experience and more comfortable while I am in there. </p>

<p>For example, compare the RX350 with the X5. I think the X5 drives better but the interior is horrible. The screen is tiny and you still have to mess with the stupid i-drive thing. Lexus on the other has a large touchscreen with good navigation and still keeps sensible buttons on its panels. RX350 does do a weird thing while driving in low gears (I think it is the stabiltiy control) and lacks a MP3 player adapter. BMW on the other hand cannot make a decent cup holder worth its life and created this parking button to replace the standard push the shift stick all the to the top. I think BMW overthinks itself and creates technology that is simply unnecessary. Furthermore, while I admire BMW tries to be an innovator, its recent reliability problems are simply too much to ignore. I cannot afford (both in money and time) to keep taking my car back to the dealership to get it fix.</p>
 
<p>IMO BMW makes mightly fine cars, too bad everybody and their brother has one. My only issue right now is that the cars are getting bigger and bigger, handling is degrading because these cars are just too big. But i'm kinda crazy that way... I like small cars with big power. Oh well.</p>

<p>-bix</p>
 
<p>irvine commuter, i completely agree with you on the interior design. Japanese cars have much more attractive interior design. But for me...it's about the driving experience. I have to admit I am an aggressive driver and BMW actually performs well. Bear in mind, BMW is an european car. The cup holders is unique IMO...but not functional as you may argue. In europe, there aren't toomany drive-thru fast food restaurants nor is it customary to drink and eat in the vehicle. For me, this is perfect, because I never allow any beverage or food in my car with exception of bottle water. If you look at porsche ..u'll find the same inconvenience. </p>

<p>As for the X5... quality is an issue. that's y not all BMW are built equally. Not to create any controversy, but the X5 and Z4 are built here in the U.S. out in South Carolina. I am sure American workers build great cars...but I still believe european workers put more effort into details when assemblying the cars as with the japanese workers. That's my 2 cents.</p>
 
<p>iceman . .. I understand that Europeans are not big into cupholders but the U.S. is a major market (if not the major market) for BMW. The inability for BMW to properly design a cupholder for its U.S. market (at least to me) shows a lack of concern for the consumer. While there are driver (like you) who keep their car in pristine shape, most Beamer consumers are yuppie middle-aged people that use the car as a high price commute car. That is especially true for the 5 and 7 series. My view is that if BMW is going integrate a cupholder into the car, why not make it a good one. Porsche is a little different in that most (if not all) of its consumers focus on the driving experience rather than the interior amenities. It is a fun car rather than an everyday car.</p>

<p>Interesting to hear your comments about the SC plant. The guy who was trying to sell me the X5 was telling me about how great that plant was and how it even exceeded the standards of the Stuttgaart plant. </p>

<p>Additional questions for all you carphile:</p>

<p>1) Should I go to the dealer or just a mechanic to get a 5000 mile oil change for a Lexus? The dealer is going run at least $100 more but obviously there is a peace of mind issue to go along with going to the dealer. (No, Jiffy Lube is not an option).</p>

<p>2) What dealers have you guys have good experience with and which ones would you avoid like the plague?</p>
 
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