27th Jan 2007, 16:35
Wow, GM has created the best gas guzzlers on the planet. That must be an accomplishment. Meanwhile, Toyota can't make enough Priuses and has licensed the technology.
GM's only saving grace will be the Chevy Volt if they can make it a reality and not sabotage it like they did with the EV1.
28th Jan 2007, 04:21
16:35...I weighed owned a gas guzzler as you indicate and shelling out for expensive import repairs. Wait until you get a $4000 repair for example on one repair alone on an import vehicle under 50,000 miles. I traded it in as soon as the bill was paid and picked up a new domestic. I'd rather have a V8 than a smaller harder working engine. What if you work 5 miles away and say all your friends and family are nearby? I know a guy driving an import over an hour to work every day that probably spends more on gas. I'd rather move closer to my job and buy what I would rather be happier with instead of beat to death in a bad riding import.
28th Jan 2007, 07:58
16:35 so have you rushed out then and own a brand new Prius? Or are you driving an old import and being subjective? By the way fuel expense can actually be a smaller expenditure than repairs. There should be a term defined as "repair guzzler" Lured in by economy perhaps intending to be more practical smaller, fuel economy etc, but actually getting it back as far as more maintenance than before, labor and high import parts prices. That's been my experience it took me a while to realize what economy actually is not just rushing out impulsively with a gas scare. You have to weigh actual ownership costs and how much you drive annually. In many cases you get more vehicle, nicer options and better warranty. I think it may take a while for people to live with what they bought and not just look at gas prices. My last import ran high octane 93 octane only my new larger domestic runs reg unleaded. I haven't notice a real change on my end of month credit card gas each month anyway.
28th Jan 2007, 09:16
Sorry, but this is the age of environmentalism where spewing endless amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere is no longer considered patriotic. Some countries (England) have started taxing such vehicles and that ultimately will become the norm.
Simply by starting your gas guzzler you are putting 4 times as many pollutants in the air compared to a regular car.
And given most gas guzzlers are used as commuter vehicles, this means that even more pollutants are added. The reality is about 1% of the gas guzzler market actually NEEDS their vehicles.
But whatever I say or what you say is irrelevant as the gas shocks have scared consumers and both pickups and SUVs are seeing declining sales as crossovers (Mazda CX7, Ford Edge, etc.) are now the hot place to be.
28th Jan 2007, 09:31
Bad riding import? Which would that be, a Lotus Elise?
My Chevy Aveo can cruise at 85 mph all day in total comfort.
Suggest you stop basing your posts on information from 1983.
12th Feb 2007, 15:43
Yes, let's all go out and by ugly Priuses so we can trade in safety for economy. We may all get killed in fender benders, but hey, we get 40+ miles to the gallon.
Of course Toyota's are so safe because they shove 25 air-bags into the vehicle because heaven only knows there's not enough steel to save anyone.
If you'll notice, a lot of domestic vehicles get the same crash-test rating with only air-bags in the dash/steering wheel and maybe side curtain air-bags as a Toyota with the same air-bags plus knee air-bags, leg air-bags, maybe even chest hair air-bags. If they would put half of the effort of putting metal into their vehicles as they do air-bags, they wouldn't need half of the air-bags to begin with.
Oh yeah, I guess a Tundra gets great gas mileage, too? Don't start that garbage about an F-150 getting worse mileage than a Prius or Corolla death-trap. It's inevitable when the vehicle has an extra 2000-3000 lbs of steel in the chassis.
Here's another way to look at it, a Chevy Cobalt gets better gas mileage than a Tundra or Sequoia. Some of us would rather survive a wreck than save 10 dollars at the pump. The smallest car I would ever own would be my Accord. It's around 3000lbs so it's not the lightest thing on the road, but it does get good gas mileage. I wouldn't want anything any lighter.
Also, the 2002 V6 F-150 manual with the 8ft bed I drive on my job gets probably around 20 or more miles per gallon once it's up to speed. That's not bad for a 5000lb truck. That's the magic in an engine that reaches its peak torque at 3500 rpms, the engine doesn't have to crank as fast to get the job done so it burns less gas. That's the reason mammoth diesels are so good on fuel, they only crank out about 2000 to 3000 rpms at their peak performance.
So some of us are just worried about staying alive instead of saving on gas. If you're so worried about the environment, go free a whale.
28th Mar 2007, 20:48
I bought a 2006 Silverado with a V6 engine. I noticed a slight vibration before the truck had 1000 miles on it. The dealer made some adjustments on the exhaust (cut out a 2 ft. section and added flex pipe to absorb the vibration). A vibration still exists. The dealership stated that GM is currently engineering a solution for the problem and intend to modify the motor mounts to accomodate this vibration. The dealership further stated that the cause of the problem is in the design and is due to the gear ratio of the transmission. They said that I would have been better suited buying the V8. I later ran into an individual with the same troubles while getting a cap for this truck. My concern is that the vibration will later result in transmission problems. Anyone with a similar experience? I am not here to crush Chevy... this was my third Chevy in the last 12 years and can say that I will buy another. Just wanted to share some information.
29th Mar 2007, 18:59
<<If they would put half of the effort of putting metal into their vehicles as they do air-bags, they wouldn't need half of the air-bags to begin with.>.
Gosh, if that were true highway fatalities would INCREASE as cars were made of more plastic and more safety features.
But the reality is the opposite. Highway deaths DRAMATICALLY decreased once safety devices were put in place and only INCREASED when SUVs because popular since they are incredibly unsafe.
Why these domestic defenders think they can make up facts without checking with reality is beyond me.
27th Jan 2007, 14:12
I totally agree with comment 21:54. Domestics DO get better every year. The 2007 Silverado is the best Chevy truck yet, and the Suburban the best SUV yet. Great styling, 100,000 mile warranty, total reliability...There's nothing more you could ask for in a truck or SUV. I've been the import route. Too expensive, too many repairs required.