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Warren Brown (washingtonpost.com)

Warren Brown talks about all your automobile issues! He has been covering the automobile industry for The Washington Post since 1982. Brown, who joined the newspaper in 1976, has what many people think is a particularly cool job: He gets to test drive all manner of cars, from top-of-the-line Mercedes sedans and the newest sports cars to Volkswagen Beetles and SUVs. His auto reviews are lively, detailed accounts of a car's good and bad points, addressing everything from a car's highway performance to its "head-turning" factor and sound system.

Brown comes online Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET to answer your questions on every aspect of the automotive industry -- from buying your dream car to the future of the internal combustion engine.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Warren Brown: Good morning, everyone. I'm sorry I couldn't connect with you last week. Some parts of Alaska are inaccessible, even to the Internet. Today, greetings from Seattle. Let's roll!

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Fairfax, Va.: Warren,

Good morning!

What do you think about the Uplander/Relay/Montana/Terraza? If you had to choose between one of those or the MPV, what would be your choice?

Thanks!

Warren Brown: The Terraza. A good crossover product from GM that serves most family transportation needs. It's being offered in a down market. That means you can bargain. GM has high incentives on many of its vehicles. Ditto Ford and DaimlerChrysler. To a lesser extent, you'll find incentives on the Asian models.

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Boston, Mass.: Hi Warren,
Looking at a used car. Came across a 2001 Saab 9-5 w/ 36,000 miles that just came off a lease. Do you have any issues w/ this car, good or bad?

Warren Brown: No issues with the 9-5, per se, Boston. But go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Check out the service bulletins on that model. Have it checked by a tech before you write the check.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Warren,
Need help picking up a entry-level luxury sedan. Seeing how nice the Chrysler 300C is, both in power train and syle I added into the mix of the Audi A4, BMW 330 and Jaguar X-type. Which one would you suggest or do you have an alternative choice?

Warren Brown: I like tfhe Chrysler 300C very much, with the Hemi engine and all. There is an interesting pricing story here, which is told in favor of the 300C when compared with the Audi A4 and the BMW 3-Series. The X-Type is good, has standard all-wheel-drive. But it does not have the 300C's power or panache. Would also suggest looking at the Ford Five Hundred. Seriously.

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Woodbridge, Va: Hello, Warren!; Thanks for taking my question. I need more passenger space but I don't want to do the minivan thing. My first question is how do you like the GMC Yukon and my second question is what's the difference between the Yukon and Yukon XL? Is it a size difference or engine difference. Don't want to shell out the $$ for new so I'm looking at a low mileage 2001 or 2002.
Thanks!;

Warren Brown: Hello, Woodbridge:
The Yukon and Yukon Denali are full-size, body-on-frame SUVs. The XL, i think, is larger. You have three different engines available--4.8-liter, 285 hp V8; 5.3-liter, 295-hp V-8; and a 6-liter, 325 hp V8. It's essentially a well-done, covered pickup truck with seeating for five to seven people. Prfactically identical to the Chevrolet Tahoe. Compare with the Ford Expedition and the soon-to-market 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, which looks and drives a lot better than the Nissan Armada.

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Rockville, Md.: Why does no one seem to notice that when a domestic automaker delays a model (such as the Ford Escape Hybrid) they are blasted by the media for being unable to compete and incompetent, but when the imports like Toyota delay a model (such as the Lexus RX400h) they are praised for having the highest regard for quality by delaying a model to make sure it is ready?

Warren Brown: Geez, Rockville. You hurt my feelings. How many times have I pointed out the same thing? Where have you been?

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North Potomac, Md.: Mr. Brown--

Why are American car manufacturers so lagging behind in the horsepower race occurring in Europe? I see 400-hp BMWs, Mercedes, Audis even Jaguars (OK, 390-hp), but for American cars what is there? Only the recently introduced Chrysler and Dodge, and the new Cadillacs. What gives?

Thanks--I always enjoys your column and comments.

Warren Brown: Lagging? What are you talking about, North Potomac? How many 500-hp Dodge Ram SRT-10 trucks, 320-hp and 400-hp cars do we need? Are you suggesting that GM go ahead and produce its 1,000-hp Cadillac?
Look, the domestics would be nuts to go all out that way for several reasons. 1. The super-horsepower rides serve a limited market. 2. Foreign car companies, especially the Japanese, can afford to boost horsepower without fear of getting into Corporate Average Fuel Economy trouble because they have lots of small cars and trucks to help keep their big rides from dragging their CAFE numbers down. 3. Imagine, if GM, Ford or Chrysler went all out in the horsepower war, the media and everyone else would be hanging "Detroit" from an environmental tree. Never mind, as pointed out by one of our earlier correspondents, that neither the media nor the environmentalists seem to care all that much about Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, or Toyota doing the same thing. Go figure.

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Dahlgren, Va.: Warren do you know anything about the after market GPS systems? Also could you recommend one. I have a BMW 528I. Thanks.

Warren Brown: Oh, yes, Dahlgren, Va. My favorites are the portables from Magellan and Garmin. Easy to use and read. Can be carried in your briefcase or installed in your car. I highly recommend taking a look at those.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Warren, thank you for hosting these chats every week, I have learend a lot of helpful info from you!
Quick question: if your current dream car is a pre-owned Lexus IS300, and you can finally afford it (barely, but it is possible), but you also love the new Mazda3, which is totally within your budget, which would you get? Or is there another option that I am missing? I just don't want to spend all of my money and end up getting the new wheels repaired every 6 months, but I want a fun, zippy little car.
What do you think?

Warren Brown: Hello, Gaithersburg.
That's easy. Get the Mazda3 and be happy. It's a wonderful little hatchback masquerading as a sports car. Tight. Handles well. Priced well. Excellent overall quality. If it makes you happier, you can buy a Lexus IS300 logo and stick it on your Mazda3.

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New York, N.Y.: Dear Warren:

I'm looking at a dark blue BMW Z3, 2002, for about $24,000 from a dealer, and the car's history checks out. Has the car depreciated as much as it's going to over the next few years (i.e. is it a good buy now)?

Warren Brown: Yeah. But, as you know, it's been superceded by the Z4 which isn't doing all that well in the marketplace. I'd squeeze the guy for another $1,000. Why not? There isn't a long line of people waiting for the Z3 nowadays.

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Baltimore, Md.: Good morning, Warren. Thank you (and your wife) for taking time out of your vacation to do these chats. What was the highlight? I've always wanted to go to Alaska and can live vicariously through you....

Warren Brown: Ah, Alaska. Everyone should visit the state. It rearranges your brains, puts things in perspective--reminds you beyond a reasonable doubt that man is only a part of nature, not the master of it.
We were extremely lucky, able to see Mt. Denali (aka Mt. Mckinley) quite clearly for three days. You can't look at that mountain in person without something cchanging inside of you as a person. That would have to be the highlight. We enjoyed the sevn-day cruise from Vancouver, B.C. to Deward, AK aboard Holland America's ms Statendam. Excellent crew, excellent service. Bring money.
Juneau, Skagway, Talkeetna, Anchorage all had their little miracles. It was worth it.

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Loudoun County, Va.: Hi there. Sent this yesterday - not sure if you got it. Any reason to stay away from a used 2000 - 2001 Cherokee (not the Grand Cherokee) with inline 6 and automatic? Need a basic, no frills, SUV with low range 4WD and don't want to spend lots of money, and don't need a huge vehicle like the Suburbans and Explorers. The Cherokees were on the market for 20 years - by 2001 they should have been trouble free, right?

Thanks!

Warren Brown: That sounds like the Cherokee Sport. Am I right? If so, it's okay. Some electical problems. Check the NHTSA site, www,nhtsa.dot.gov for any recalls and service bulletins. We have one in the family in Fayetteville, Ga. It's been running without any major problems for four years.

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Bethesda, Md.: I have a '96 Prelude that's in great shape, w/ 120K miles. Should I get out while the getting's good--sell now OR wait until my car is really old with loads more miles and not worth much on the trade in/sell? Thanks.

Warren Brown: I like that Preludse's performance. But it isn't much in a crash. Not much safety there at all. Get out.

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Staunton, Va.: Mr. Brown,

Enjoy your "car talk" and Sunday reviews. There is one new gem out there well under $20,000. Was wondering if you have had the opportunity to test drive the new Scion tC? I have had one for a month and love it.

Thanks.

Kevin

Warren Brown: That one is a gem, Kevin. I haven't driven it yet, but will do so on my return. I have driven the xA and xB extensively. Excellent overall quality, fun and craftsmanship at very good prices. I have no reason to believe the tC will be anything less.

Another $20,000 gem, I hope, will be the Pontiac Solstice roadster. I'm looking forward to that one as well.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Warren,
I hope that you're having fun in my beautiful
hometown.
I was just in Europe and drove a friend's new Alfa Romeo coupe. It was absolutely amazing and I would love to have one state side.
Is there any chance that Alfa will re-enter the US market?

Warren Brown: Hello, Washington. At this writing, there is a slight possiblity that the Alfa Romeo, in a year or two, could enter the U.S. through GM channels. It's the way of the world.

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Chantilly, Va.: I want to donate my 1990 Honda Accord. Could you help me understand the process, and possibly recommend a trustworthy charitable organization? I've heard stories of problems with title transfer delays, resulting in tickets to the previous owner. Thank you.

Warren Brown: I have a conflict of interest here, Chantilly, inasmuch as I've been doing lots of stuff for the National Kidney Foundation, which uses car donations to help fund research into and treatment of renal failure. I'd recommend working with them or other well-known groups, such as those researching cancer cures, with a track record for getting the proceeds to the cause as opposed to the pockets of the organization's administrators.
There is a move afoot in Congress to limit these donations. It seems as if our elected are concerned that the government is losing revenue that could be better spent on prosecuting wars as opposed to curing diseases.
For IRS purposes, you might want to use a used-car value rating from www.kbb.com, for example, to back up your ctax statement of the donated car's worth.

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Vienna, Va.: Warren....there were two errors in the recent write-ups. First, on the Passat 4-motion write-up, you mentioned that the Chevrolet "Echo" couldn't handle the luggage the Passat could. The Chevy Echo does not exist....did you mean the Chevy Aveo...a very small, cheap, entry-level car, or the Toyota Echo, another cheap, entry-level car?
Second, on the Equinox write-up, you mentioned the Jeep Liberty as a direct comparison to the Equinox. This is partially true...the Liberty, like the Equinox and unlike other Jeeps, is unibody, but UNLIKE the Equinox, the Liberty is a purposely-designed off-roader with a transfer case, low-range gearbox, and skid plates. The Equinox, like the RAV4, CRV, Outback, etc...., is unsuitable for all but very light off-road use. While this, of course, is your show, not mine, I just want to say that I have seen these kinds of errors quite often in your write-ups...you have to be VERY careful how you compare today's vehicles....you yourself have do doubt seen how so many people buy car-based AWD unibody machines and then try to go off-road and use them like Jeeps....often aided by deceptive TV commercials like the Subaru Paul Hogan ads. More often than not, they just end up tearing up the undercarriages and drivetrains.

Warren Brown: Hello, Vienna. The 'Chevrolet" Echo goof was corrected. A transpositional error. It's the Toyota Echo, of course. And although the Jeep Liberty is designed to go off-road, it remains very much a "crossover" softer version of Jeep as we have come to know it. Most Liberty models sold never, ever go off road. Not to mention that the run around in pretty much the same price category as the Equinox.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Hi Warren--

After reading your review of the Passat wagon last week, should I add it to my list? Is it really an able competitor to the Camry or Accord? I am concerned over reliability and lack of horsepower....

Thanks!

Warren Brown: The Passat wagon competes very well against the Camry and Accord. Quality is comparable in my estimation. VW is doing a better job, finally, of servicing the cars it sells. Horsepower? You can get a ticket in a Passat wagon just as quickly as you can in anything else.

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Hybridsare, Okla.: Warren. I love your chats and I hope you had a great vacation. Now that you're rested, let's get to work. You're views on hybrids are misguided. Taking exception at the way they're marketed makes it look like you're looking for something to bust on. Do you think that people who buy the Chevy Avalanche should be upset because the commercials make it look like people will offer them a buck to change from a truck to an SUV and that the money might come in useful in helping offset the 12 MPG you'll get in that monster? No. Hybrids are what they are - a way for people willing to pay a premium to drive a larger class of vehicle that impacts the environment in the manner of a smaller class of vehicle. I drive an Accord right now and I'm thinking about getting the Escape hybrid. I can fit my family of four and my dog and get out to the woods while getting better gas mileage with fewer emissions. The most laughable of all your anti-hybrid statements came in March or so. You mentioned that your dad was a scientist and that gave you credibility in discussing things scientifically. My dad works for the CIA. That doesn't make me a spy.

Warren Brown: Well, Hybridsare, here's hoping that it makes your dad a spy, and a good one. We sort of need those at the CIA, don't we?
You clearly misunderstand my position on hybrids. I have nothing at all against them. I gave the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic hyrbids good reviews, which they deserve as technical pieces. I was one of the first people to nominate the Prius for North American Car of the Year.
Having said that, let's get down to understanding what is real:
1. Buying a Prius or Civic Hybrid to save gasoline, that is, to ultimately save dollars at the pump, is a dicey proposition. Why? They generally cost more than comparable cars, thousands of dollars more, which means you'll have to drive them quite a while to recoup your investment.
Thus, from a fiscal viewpoint, if saving gas money is your primary goal, it would make more sense to buy a less expensive, trraditional ICE car that gets good mileage--such as that delivered by the Toyota Echo--at a considerably lower price. Understand?
2. If your primary objective is to reduce mobile source pollution, then the Prius and similar hybrids make more sense as altruistic purchases. They are cleaner at the tailpipe. BUT--there's always a but--how much cleaner are they ultimately, considering that they still use a fossil fuel engine that must work in conjunction with an electrically powered motor that requires batteries that must be manufactured, transported, eventually replaced and disposed of.
I'm simply saying that we should look at the total picture, and that in doing so we should consider a variety of possible alternatives, rather than anoint one.
That is what my Daddy taught me. What did yours teach you?

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Washington, D.C.: I hope you can sneak this in!; I'm about to purchase the car I have leased for the past 4 years. The dealership/finance company have offered me a very good price (as compared to Kelly Blue Book and the prices I see at Carmax for similar models) so I'm happy with the deal. I'm wondering, though, if you think it might be possible to negotiate for a bumper to bumper service as part of the purchase deal. The car's in great shape, but of course I'd rather have them do any minor (or, heaven forbid) major repairs that may be looming...is this something a dealership will negotiate on at this point? Thanks!;

Warren Brown: I'd forget the bumper-to-bumper service, Washington. That means buying one of those extended warranties, which could wind up costing you a bundle. If the car works, keeep it until it doesn't work any longer. The odds are in your favor, considering that you've had steady, reliable serfvice thus far.

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Arlington, Va.: Warren,

I am a little confused by your recent review of the Chevy Equinox. On one hand you point out that this vehicle and the Saturn Vue are essentially the same car/truck/whatever, but that one can get a Vue with a bigger engine for less money. Then in your purse-string notes you say that the Equinox is good value for the money.

Is there something here that I am missing? If you get more vehicle for the same money with a Vue, how is the Equinox good value?

Warren Brown: It's a matter of how you do the options, Arlington. If you get the base, or mid0level Equinox, I think you are getting a good deal. If you ad the non-driveable options, you could be cheating yourself, inasmuch as a Saturn Vue V-6 minus the gimcrackery has a better engine (a Honda V-6) at a more favorbale price.

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Monterey, Calif.: Good Morning, Warren.

I wasn't surprised, but it was still hard to imagine how Ford could have racked up the lowest NHTSA ratins for it's 2002 2-door Explorer Sport more than a decade after the public outcry over the Bronco II's rollover problems.

It's tempting to just say "don't they learn anything?" -- but I'm hoping you could provide more insight about how a car company can repeat such an obvious mistake so perfectly.

Thanks.

Warren Brown: The Explorer Sport is a relatively short wheelbase vehicle with a high center of gravity. It wuill roll faster than vehicles that have longer wheelbases and lower centers of gravity. But the NHTSA ratings are based largely on the probability of rollover. Check the actual accident stats. Are the Explorer Sports rolling over any more than any other vehicle with comparable geometry? No.
Frankly, this all gets a little silly. SUVs for years have carried clear warning labels indicating their higher propensity for rollover. Yet, people insist on diving them as if they are sports cars--and driving them drunk and unbelted, factors in a large number of SUV "rollover" deaths.
At what point are people responsible for their own actions and decisions? Where does the blame game end? Where does personal responsibility begin? Is it enough to say that the commercials are misleading people, which I think many of them are with their silly bhigh-speed runs along off-road courses. No one with any sense does off-roading that way. But, geez, do people have brains? Will a jury dismiss a murder charge because you saw a movie suggesting that you kill someone you don't like? Geez!~

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Warren Brown: Okay, good folks. I'm leaving Seattle today enroute to Atlanta for memorial services for my beloved sister, DaLinda Marie Brown-Clark, who died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. I was fortunate enough to speak with her for 30 minutes before her passing two hours later. She was at peace. She will be missed by our family, friends, and all of the people at the Atlanta University Center, where she worked for years as dean of engineering students. Her legacy lives on in her son, Richard, and hundreds of Atlanta University Center graduates.

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