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tgriffith

Will Young People Ever Buy a Buick?


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Looks good, but will young people buy it?
Looks good, but will young people buy it?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Buick today.

I know that’s not a phrase most 32-year-olds are caught uttering, but I’m conflicted about where the brand seems to be headed.

Naturally, the word “Buick” still conjures images of Florida retirees driving with their left turn signals flashing on the way to a 3 p.m. dinner at the buffet. It’s such a common scene that I sometimes wonder if 1990s-era Buicks were even equipped with right-turn signals.

So when I think of people who drive a Buick, I see old people with blue hair and a pair of knuckles poking up over the steering wheel.

But then I’ll drive past a blinged-out Buick Enclave and remember that, oh yeah, Buick does have some sweet-looking rides now. But even though the Enclave looks good, I’ve still not seen anyone younger than 60 driving one. I’d never buy a Buick for the simple reason that I’m not old enough to own one yet.

I do have to give the Lacrosse credit, because it’s following in the Enclave’s footsteps of looking more Lexus-like than traditional Buick. But until I drive one and am convinced that it’s not just another 2-ton floating cruiser, I think anyone who still works for a living will pass it over.

While Buick has always gone down the “bigger is better” path, I’m hearing rumblings of a possible new crossover based off the (get ready for this) Chevy Aveo platform.

My first instinct is to trash-talk that decision, too, but after thinking about it, it might actually be a good idea. If Buick can put together a vehicle that rivals the MINI Crossman crossover, and not just rebadge an Aveo, the brand might be on the right track to finally getting younger people behind the wheel of a Buick.

Would you consider buying a Buick before retirement age?

-tgriffith

The Cars of “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen”


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Critics have panned the new Transformers movie, but box-office receipts already total over $200 million, which is proof that folks love the giant transforming Chevrolets.

Here’s a list of the GM Transformers and their availability (just in case you want to park an autobot in your garage!):

Chevy Volt: Jolt

chevy-volt-jolt-transformers-2

Prototypes of the electric Volt are starting to turn up, and it looks like we could see a 2011 release. By the time it’s available, though, hype generated from the movie will be long gone.

Chevy Camaro: Bumblebee

camaro_chevy_bumblebee

Put your order in now! Chevy has already received 10,000 orders in front of yours, but the Camaro was the best selling American muscle car last month. Order one, and you will get it.

Chevy Stingray Concept: Sideswipe

chevrolet-stingray-concept-sideswipe

It’s doubtful anyone will ever get their right foot onto the accelerator pedal of this hot concept… it was built just for the movie. This split-window hottie is one of the coolest concepts to ever carry the Chevy name, but it’ll remain a fantasy.

Chevy Trax: Mudflap

chevy_trax_mudflap

In the movie, Mudflap and Skidz are horribly unfortunate stereotypes. In the real world, the Trax is a concept that made the auto show rounds along with the Beat and the Groove. The closest America will get anytime soon is a 2011 Chevy Spark.

Chevy Beat: Skidz

chevy-beat-skidz

This Beat is the second half of the putrid and offensive robot twins. Again, you’ll have to settle for the Spark if you want to buy one. Let’s hope the production version isn’t as offensive as the movie twins….

GMC Topkick: Ironhide

GMC_topkick_ironhide

Ironhide is perhaps the toughest of the autobots, but the Topkick and Chevy’s Kodiak will cease production at the end of this month.  The good news is that you can find used ones all over the Internet!

What about the real star of the show? Well, Megan Fox isn’t available for purchase. Ok, okay… the real star….

Optimus Prime

optimus_prime_peterbilt

He’s been a Transformers fixture since I was a kid, and lucky for us he’s remained the same through the years: Optimus is none other than a mid-’80s Peterbilt.

Have you seen the new Transformers movie? Which car would you want parked in your garage?

-tgriffith

No More Cars Allowed at the “Crossroads of the World”

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Times Square before the traffic ban
Times Square before the traffic ban

New York City has banned traffic on Broadway in the famous Times Square area.

Broadway though Times Square has always been a notoriously traffic-clogged avenue, making life as a pedestrian in the area downright dangerous. Now, rather than a source of drivers’ rage, Times Square is a pedestrian’s playground.

New York’s Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan says,

It’s good for traffic, it’s good for business and we think it’ll be a great deal of fun.

I agree. In fact, in the name of great fun, I think we should consider banning traffic in other areas, such as:

The Las Vegas Strip

It already takes just as long to drive as it takes to walk, so why not divert traffic and allow tourists full reign to bring the party to the street?

Waikiki Beach

Oh sure, tourists in rented Mustang convertibles might not like being banned from cruising Kalakaua Avenue, but making it safer for drunk tourists to stumble from hotel bars across the street to the beach is good for everyone!

Beverly Hills and Hollywood

I just want to see the reaction of SoCal socialites no longer allowed to drive their Range Rovers to Rodeo Drive. Making them take the bus would be great entertainment. I wonder if they’d still bring their Chihuahuas?

Where else should traffic be banned in order to become more pedestrian friendly?

-tgriffith

Is Ford a Foreign Car Company?


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Ford Fusion: domestic or import?
Ford Fusion: domestic or import?

So take a guess: Are drivers who own foreign cars or domestic cars happier with their purchase?

It’s no big surprise to hear that a recent poll found that 77 percent of foreign-car owners are happy with them, versus 69 percent for domestic-car owners. 

Another interesting stat: 

Sixty-one percent of foreign-car owners plan to stick with their brand when it comes time to buy or lease a new car. Only 54 percent of domestic-car owners will stick with their brand. In other words, nearly half the people who own a domestic brand won’t buy that brand again. That’s a pretty dang telling statement. 

What the poll doesn’t give us are breakdowns by brand. I have to wonder if companies in bankruptcy (or entering bankruptcy) have skewed those numbers. Maybe 80 percent of Ford owners would buy another Ford, but only 5 percent of Chrysler owners would buy another Chrysler. 

I also have to wonder if the poll took into account where cars are built. Does the Ford Fusion count as a foreign car since it’s built in Mexico? Is the Toyota Tundra domestic because it’s built in America?

These days, the only thing that makes a company foreign or domestic is the location of its board room. And consumers really don’t care much about that.

Do you care whether your car was built in the U.S. or another country? Why?

-tgriffith

Tires on New Cars: Replace After 20,000 Miles?


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Expensive car, inferior tires?
I think car manufacturers and tire makers have a deal with each other. Here’s why:

I bought a 2007 Suzuki SX4 two years ago to serve as a commuter car. Today it has 22,000 miles on it, and last week I had to replace all four tires, because the front ones were nearly bald.

I figured I just had a case of bad luck and partly blamed myself, since I failed to rotate the tires on a regular basis. But the guy at the tire shop said he’s noticing a common trend: People are coming in for new tires with about 20,000 miles on the odometer. 

I got home and started searching online, and sure enough I found forums where people complain that their new cars need new tires after only 14,000 to 20,000 miles. A guy here made it 18,000 miles with a 2007 Lexus ES 350. Same thing here on a Mercedes GL450.

What’s the deal? Are car companies cutting costs by putting inferior OEM tires on their vehicles?

While I don’t doubt that could be a possibility, I think the bigger picture is a lack of proper tire maintenance. The guy who sold me the new tires for my Suzuki recommended having them rotated every 5,000 to 6,000 miles; maybe if I had done that in the first place the originals would’ve gone another 10K or so. 

Also, please keep an eye on your tire pressure. As temperatures rise, tires that were properly inflated in cold weather could suddenly be overinflated. Measure your tire pressure “cold.” If possible, park the car in your garage overnight, and check the pressure in the morning.

Even with proper maintenance, tire life is another thing to consider when buying a new car. Check to see if the tires come with a warranty, and if not, use it as a negotiation tool to inch your price down.

When selling a car, consider doing what the guy who traded in the car my wife bought did: He felt bad getting rid of a car with used tires, so he put on brand-new 18″ Yokohamas before getting rid of it. Sweet!

If you want to learn more about tires, please read our Beginner’s Guide to Car Tires.

Has anyone else noticed a short life for tires on new cars? How many miles do you typically get out of a set of tires?

-tgriffith

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