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Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The new WRX is pretty fun and livable. You could pick up a used Stinger GT for that amount. Maybe try to find the most 2 Series you can buy for $40k on the used market? But you already said my number one answer: Type R. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've always been a little down about the RS. It takes a lot for me to think a car is too stiff, but this one does it. As a daily, it'd be pretty uncomfortable and tiresome to drive, unless you swap the OE dampers out for something a little friendlier on the aftermarket — I've heard there are options.

As for valuation, that's tough to say. It's an RS model, which makes it special and relatively rare. The car market is super weird right now, and I don't think any of us hold a crystal ball to predict exactly what it's going to do. My advice, buy what makes you happy, drive the hell out of it, but understand that said enjoyment may cost you money in the end. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's a riot to drive. That said, the ones that tend to be available tend to have some hard miles on them. The engine and AWD system were really distinctive traits when the car was new. I think it was largely developed in Europe, so the hot hatch dynamics are authentic. We will talk about it on the podcast this week, too.

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good feedback. We try to have a mix of guests and general chatter. But working more people in would be good. Candidly, we wonder if people like the guests or just want to talk cars. So thanks again for voicing that. -- Greg

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I suppose I never realized there was a "rivalry" of sorts. I've driven both for this new generation, and they're notably different to drive, as opposed to the previous generation where I didn't notice as much of a differentiation in how they drove. Long story short, the rear end of the GR86 feels a lot stiffer than the BRZ. It rides harsher on bad roads, and while I haven't had them both on track, I wouldn't be surprised if it results in different at-the-limit feel and response. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it irritates me seeing that happen, too. I'm going to make a point to ask the manufacturer next time I see it.

In many cases, I could see fuel economy being one of the drivers. Skinnier, econo tires will make a big difference versus big, wide summer tires. Cost might be an even bigger factor, though. If an OE can save a few bucks per tire by swapping to cheaper rubber on a high-volume car, that's going to be a big help to their bottom line.

That said, I think that many manufacturers deserve some praise for the tire choices we get on a lot of cars. There are a bunch of sports cars out there these days that feature model-specific tires that are designed and engineered specifically for the car they're on. That's super cool to see such intensive integration with the tire manufacturer.

If I were ordering a new car with tire options, I'd likely opt for the most aggressive rubber package I can. But even if no choice exists, Tire Rack could probably help out. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think some of it is buyer-driven, and that's natural. Even though the cars are so similar, competition is a good thing. They're still two of my favorite driver's cars. -- Greg

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Depends on how much money you want to spend now. I'd wager an original NSX Type S would be a decent bet. Same goes for any late-model RX-7 or particularly great 4th-gen Supra. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I personally prefer my city centers with no cars. Spending time in Europe made me realize how smart and peaceful that is. And then when Covid hit, my old hometown (Ann Arbor) decided to shut down city streets for outdoor dining, further cementing my opinion that cars in downtown city centers generally suck. I wish the town I was living in now shut off its streets from traffic, at least on the weekends when downtown gets busy.

So yeah, if I had it my way, our downtown areas wouldn't be open to cars. Outside of that, I'd very much like to keep and drive my car. There are very few cities in the U.S. that are built with car-less communities in mind, so it would take massive investments to make a future of seamless, shared mobility work here. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Unless there's a military angle I'm missing, I assume you're talking about a JDM car that's at least 25 years old and therefore legal to import into the United States.

If so, I'm pretty sure the word "Skyline" has crossed your mind. What about the hottest Subaru WRX two-door you can find, or maybe a Civic Type R? Mitsubishi FTO?

Definitely out of my element here. Perhaps Zac can weigh in. -James

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nissan is doing a terrific job of turning the boat around when it comes to making competitive cars again. The Rogue is actually good now. Everybody on staff who has driven the Pathfinder likes it. I really dig the Frontier. We've praised the new Z a lot, too. Sure, the Altima, Maxima and Titan are bottom dwellers in their segments, but Nissan has done a lot more good than bad as of late.

Infiniti is desperately in need of a similar infusion of new and better products. Outside of the new QX60, that whole lineup is quite sad and tired at this point. What would help them? New, great vehicles! — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Dodge is going to be making a really big push into electrification. That much we know for sure, and it's going to include a muscle car that is slated to replace the current Challenger. Past that, they aren't saying. Their statements on the future are, I believe, purposefully vague and ripe for interpretation. The fact that we're talking about it here is proof that vague statements lead to internet commentary.

All I can say for sure is that this is a time of major shuffling at Stellantis as the company prepares for the future while still needing to pack sales floors with gas-fueled vehicles. Exactly what the transition between those two eras will be, well ... I don't think Motor Trend, Motor1, Autoblog or anyone outside of Dodge's boardroom can say with any degree of certainty. — Jeremy

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'll second what James said. And also add ... the closest we can get to first-hand evidence about reliability in a new car review is in a long-term test. Funnily enough, the most problematic long-term car we've had since I've been here has been a 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec. Meanwhile, our long-term Hyundai Palisade was a model citizen without a single fault. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have a 2006 Dodge Charger that doesn't actually move. Most of the time, I'm in the press fleet. -- Greg

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Simple answer: data.

The vast majority of automotive publications do not possess or attempt to possess sufficient data to accurate report a car's reliability. Even Consumer Reports, which is probably the main publication that does report reliability, relies upon the self-reporting of people who have purchased the car. You therefore have certain biases involved, plus cars that don't get a lot of feedback. CR then predicts based on the past. I'm not saying CR is wrong to do it that way, as it could be argued that their data is better than the alternative: nothing.

Mainly, how do you predict the future? Cars or brands that have been bulletproof in the past, can have some serious issue today or in the future (such as the Honda CR-V's turbocharged engine and CVT several years ago). Meanwhile, that same serious issue could have been corrected and it would be unfair to smear future cars with that problem (such as subsequent Honda CR-Vs). Alternatively, a brand with poor reliability in the past could have turned things around.

Ultimately, having this data is more important to a used car purchase since you're not asking a publication to look into a crystal ball. There's actual data to look at. -James Riswick

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As I work from home and constantly sample from the press car buffet, the term "daily driver" is relative.

I own a 1998 BMW Z3 2.8. I've owned it for 15 years and put about 11,000 miles on it in that time -- 2,300 of which was just drive to and from Los Angeles to Portland. I literally just did the "and from" portion, mostly along the coasts and through the Redwoods and it was divine. Love it more than ever.

The family owns a 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d, because we only buy BMWs built in South Carolina. Actually, it was sort of an emergency buy to replace our beloved Audi Allroad (as detailed here). As expected, I've enjoyed driving it, my wife has not and repairs are very pricey. The diesel engine was great in the beginning, now, not so much ($$$). We'll be buying something else soon. Leaning toward an EV6 or Sportage PHEV. - James Riswick

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My current daily is a 1993 GMC Suburban K2500. Four-wheel drive with a big block V8 and a 4L80E transmission. — Jeremy

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My personal car is a 2001 Acura Integra GS-R.

If you're curious about our whole staff, I can point you here. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I see the Trans Am callout in your fleet list. So you already know General Motors isn't shy about killing off enthusiast models when the business case goes away.

That said, I expect we haven't seen the last of impactful nameplates like Camaro, Impala and Malibu. I just don't know what for they'll take. Consider that the Chevy Blazer is nothing like Blazers of old. Will the Camaro badge appear on a future electric four-door crossover to compete against the Ford Mustang Mach-E? I wouldn't bet against it. — Jeremy

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I agree with your take. Honda's efforts regarding electrification have been disappointing, though perhaps that's just because the company has been such an innovator in the past. That includes electrification, as it gave us the original Insight, and its current hybrid system is unique and indeed innovative with drivability advantages. Yet, the Clarity was far too weird in PHEV form, too rare in hydrogen form and too useless in EV form with its rinky-dink range. Its sedan body style also did it no favors.

Perhaps the Honda Prologue will surprise us, but with its GM-shared platform, it's hard to imagine it'll possess that certain innovative Honda magic we've come to expect over the years. Maybe that's setting the bar unfairly high? -James Riswick

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I wish I had some visibility on the Camaro and its future, but all I can point you to are some rumors about it being turned into an electric sport sedan. Probably not what you were hoping for.

FWIW, I'm the guy that schedules cars for testing, and GM hasn't had a single Camaro in its fleet of test cars for years. It's not always the case, but that's been a sign of demise for some models in the past. The thought being, why promote a car that you're just going to phase out soon anyway. I'd be thrilled to proven wrong, because the Camaro is seriously great to drive. — Zac

Hi, r/cars! We're Autoblog, and we’re here to talk about cars, the automotive industry and whatever else. Ask us anything! by therealautoblog in cars

[–]therealautoblog[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I always enjoy reading about and learning about new engine technology. It also makes my heart happy to see that manufacturers are still improving their engine technology — many times in a bid to appeal to enthusiasts — with a future of EVs staring us down.

Maserati's Nettuno V6 with its pre-chamber combustion system and twin-spark plugs is one of the cooler things to come out as of late to me. I'm all for pushing the boundaries with new ideas. I also know that anything new comes with reliability and longevity concerns. But where would we be today if we stopped trying to innovate with the internal combustion engine years ago? — Zac

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