Real Wheels

The Post's Warren Brown will be online to answer your questions about every aspect of the automotive industry.

Warren Brown has covered the car industry for The Washington Post since 1982.

Brown test drives all types of cars, from luxury sedans to the newest minivans and hybrids. His On Wheels auto reviews are lively, detailed accounts of cars' good and bad qualities.

Brown's Car Culture column addresses the social, political and economic trends of the industry.

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The transcript follows.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Warren,

You are the expert on Minis so I have an interesting one. A few weeks ago, my Mini started driving weird and the engine light came on. After two days the light went off. I still took it to the dealer and was told that the reason was because I filled it up with fuel that contained more than 10 percent ethanol. They told me that ideally I should use gas that has no ethanol and only 10 percent as an absolute last resort. Do you have a list of local gas stations in the Arlington/D.C. area that don't use ethanol? I don't want my baby driving funny like that again. Thanks.

Warren Brown: Good morning, Washington, D.C.

Most area gas stations use 10-percent ethanol, a formula generally compliant with the engines of most of the vehicles that use the fuel, including all things Mini. keep in mind that Minis require premium gas. I've never had a fueling problem with Minis usng premium unleaded w 10/percent ethanol.

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Warren Brown: I'd like o say this at the top: It's time for us to end the silly debate over 'socialism' versus 'capitalism.' Truth is, we've always used both in our great nation. Any one doubting that should return any and all money received through the Social Security or Medicare systems. They should forego tax breaks for home ownership, rescind tax incentives for setting up shop in "business-friendly," non-union states. Better, if they are banks or AIG, they should return all of the money they received in the Treasury Dept.'s $700-billion payout program.

I doubt that anyone will do that. And that being the case, it's time to end this foolishness over whether we sould save the American auto industry. Of course, we should. If we're going to pump billions of dollars into financial companies that do little except make money by changing it from one hand to another, we should do something to save that sector of our country that actually makes something real. It is beyond hypocritical to argue otherwise.

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Charm City, Md.: Hi Warren -- what's your opinion of the idea, which I've seen expressed online and in print in recent days, that U.S. CAFE standards have hurt domestic auto companies, and that if the government really wanted to push for more fuel efficient vehicles, they should have done away with CAFE and used European-style fuel taxes to reach this end?

The rationale behind this argument is that CAFE standards forced the Big 3 to produce small cars that lost money. I'm not sure I buy it; those same rules didn't seem to hurt a smart company like Honda. And what was stopping Detroit from paying penalties, like Volvo and BMW have in the past, in order to produce only the types of vehicles (read: SUVs, big trucks) that people wanted in the Cheap Gas Era?

Warren Brown: Hello, Charm City:

Federal corporate average fuel economy (Cafe) rules historically have been fraught with political cowardice and double standards. Our politicians have known for decades what was made painfully obvious to all of us during the recent run-up in fuel prices: If you want people to use less fuel, or to use it more wisely, price it accordingly. But we've never had the political guts to do that. Instead, our politicians found it easier to play the blame game--by forcing the car companies to raise average fuel economy without doing anything to encourage consumers to change their profligate consumption of motor fuels.

The result of that folly, as objectively measured in available numbers, was a huge increase in fuel consumption. Simple formula: Increased technical efficiency plus cheap fuel equals increased consumer demand for more driving, driving longer distances in bigger, more powerful vehicles.

It is hypocritical to blame domestic car companies for catering to that market, which we all helped to create.

It's also historically inaccurate to blame the Big Three for "just making big trucks." Truth is the Big Three were under pressure to continue rolling out those trucks from Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz...and all of those foreign-owned companies that were going after the same U.S. market, often with the assistance of tax breaks and other acts of fiscal forgiveness from state officials seeking foreign plants.

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Chicago, Ill. : Hi Warren, I am hoping you can help me. I am looking for a 6 or 7 seater vehicle that gets awesome gas mileage. So far my research has pointed me to the Mazda5 and the Hybrid Tahoe. Do you have other thoughts or suggestions? Thank you!

Warren Brown: I suppose, Chicago, it all depends on your definition of "Awesome." Your hybrid Tahoe, for example, gets 20 mpg city using regular unleaded, which is poretty good for a full-size SUV. But the seven-passenger Ford Flex gives you 24 mpg without all of the fancy gas-electric hybrid stuff. Also, there are a variety of crossover utility vehicles--the Mazda 5, CX-7 and CX-9 are good examples--that offer six to seven-passenger accommodation with 20+ MPG mileage.

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Prospective Car Buyer, Va.: Can we expect manufacturers and dealerships to offer great deals on new cars in 2009 in order to win the declining marketshare of new car buyers? My own car (fully paid off) is in its declining years, but I just opted to spend its whole bluebook value on needed repairs in order to avoid a new car payment in this turbulent economy. I'd hope my car lasts me another two or three years, but I wonder if bargain pricing may make it worth my while to upgrade to something new in a year's time?

Warren Brown: Yes.

In round numbers, for 2009, we are looking at a prospective market for 11 million new cars and trucks sold stateside. That's down from 16 million or so sold in 2007. Manufacturers for some time now have been in the process of trimming production to meet dwindling demand. But even with those production cuts, it will remain a buyer's market on the retail side. That means, yes, there will be many bargains. But the rule of common sense still applies. If your over-all budget is Chevrolet, don't buy a Cadillac because it's being offered at what appears to be a Chevrolet price. Why? Because most Cadillacs require Cadillac maintenance, which tends to be more expensive than that demanded by Chevrolet.

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Blah, blah. Get off the soap box! Federal corporate average fuel economy (Cafe) rules historically have been fraught with political cowardice and double standards. Our politicians have known for decades what was made painfully obvious to all of us during the recent run-up in fuel prices: If you want people to use less fuel, or to use it more wisely, price it accordingly. But we've never had the political guts to do that. Instead, our politicians found it easier to play the blame game -- by forcing the car companies to raise average fuel economy without doing anything to encourage consumers to change their profligate consumption of motor fuels. The result of that folly, as objectively measured in available numbers, was a huge increase in fuel consumption. Simple formula: Increased technical efficiency plus cheap fuel equals increased consumer demand for more driving, driving longer distances in bigger, more powerful vehicles. It is hypocritical to blame domestic car companies for catering to that market, which we all helped to create. It's also historically inaccurate to blame the Big Three for "just making big trucks." Truth is the Big Three were under pressure to continue rolling out those trucks from Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz...and all of those foreign-owned companies that were going after the same U.S. market, often with the assistance of tax breaks and other acts of fiscal forgiveness from state officials seeking foreign plants.

Warren Brown: Baloney.

Getting on the soap box is the only way some of us have of trying to clean up the mess we're in. Let's talk about it. If you have an opposite opinion, stop hiding behind your anonymous sarcasm and join the discussion.

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Washington, D.C.: Warren,

I'd love to buy to buy the Ford Flex for our family of 5 (3 car seats are really tight in the backseat of our Ford Escape Hybrid), but my husband thinks that we should wait it out and the Flex's gas milleage will get better and/or they'll make a hybrid version. What do you think? And is it feasible to think we could find street parking in D.C. each day for a car as big as the Flex?

Warren Brown: Hello, Washington:

I know that Ford WANTS to improve Flex mileage. But Ford will need money--and lots of it--to do that. Right now, that's a problem. But here's hoping that we will somehow see a diesel Flex, and/or a Flex hybrid.

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D.C.: Hiya Warren, when you advocate higher gasoline prices to reduce American consumption (Economics 101) do you mean to increase taxes on a per gallon basis so the actual cost of a gallon of gas is about the same as in other industrialized nations? It seems like this is a (relatively) easy way for state governments (and the federal govt) to raise capital that might be used to incentivize alternative energy development. If I am misunderstanding your point, please help me to understand. Thanks.

Warren Brown: Yes, D.C.

It's been proved beyond reasonable doubt that gasoline pricing affects consumption. Why not set a federal floor under pump prices? Doing so would support federal fuel-economy rules. If gas prices are such that they create REAL consumer support for more fuel-efficient vehicles, car companies can design and develop accordingly. That is what has happened in Europe and Asia, where fuel taxes largely determine engine displacement.

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For Chicago Gas Mileage: Just bought a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and we're getting 20-22 mpg on the highway -- only 18 in traffic.

Warren Brown: Thank you.

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Ballston, Va.: Chicago, I pity your passengers in the rear seat of a Mazda 5 if you ever rear ended at more than 10 mph. Crush zones should not be where occupants sit.

Warren Brown: Actually, Ballston, we should have that concern about nearly all vehicles with third-row seats. Nearly all of them seem to position those seats frightfully close to the rear hatch. My understanding is that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is beginning to look at this.

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Jacksonville, Fla.: Warren, what are your thoughts on the Toyota Venza? It hasn't been reviewed but I was hoping you might have an opinion. Thanks!

Warren Brown: Either I or Ria will get into it in three weeks, Jacksonville. It looks good -- another compact crossover utility model designed to compete with the likes of the Nissan Rogue, one of the best compact urban wagons now on sale. I'm going to guess that something from Toyota is just as good.

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Philadelphia, Pa.: Hi Warren! Love your chats. I need to buy a car within the next 6 months or so. I am fresh out of college and have minimal credit history (not adverse...just have only had credit card for a few months). I am ready to buy now and have been looking at new Civics, used Acura TL's, etc. My real question is, is there a "best" time of year to buy a car? I've received advice to wait after winter b/c of weather, but have gotten some rate quotes below 5% with Honda to buy sometime this month. Any thoughts/ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Warren Brown: Hello, Philadelphia:

We're in a depressed automotive market--that's depressed, not recessed. Things are very, very, very bad for nearly everybody. That makes them potentially good for you. Check your credit score. Check with your credit union, if you have one. Go for something such as the Honda Fit--or the wonderfully priced base Nissan Versa for under $10k. Try to have a 20-percent downpayment. You should be able to deal and get a bargain.

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Westminster, Md.: Station wagons -- will be in the market for one soon. Best ones? AWD would be welcome. Diesel too (I continue to dream). Family of four, plus two fair-size dogs.

Warren Brown: My immediate, top-of-mind recommendation is the Subaru Outback Limited 2.5. It's one of the best all-wheel-drive compact wagons out there. And the non-turbo 2.5 runs on regular.

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Vienna, Va.: I just want to tell "Charm City" that we have a Mazda5 with manual transmission, and our mileage is in the low 30s. We do find that if we take advantage of the famous Mazda "zoom zoom," the fuel economy plummets. It's nice to have it there when we really need it, though. It's a great car with a very flexible interior, and it's the smallest true six-seater you can get. It's only slightly bigger than our Prius and has a definitely tighter turning radius. Great car.

Warren Brown: Thank you, Vienna.

There's no free lunch... and there's no zoom-zoom without blowing a whole in your fuel budget.

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Tampa, Fla.: Why should anyone buy a car from the Big 3 if they're likely to go bankrupt? What assurance would I have that someone would be around to honor my warranty?

As for socialism, we lost that debate when we set up subsidies for agriculture. These continue year after year, regardless of how well that industry is doing. Yet I don't see a hue and cry to stop that form of socialism. It seems only unionized industries draw the outrage.

Warren Brown: Tampa:

Your question is exactly why GM and Ford are struggling so much to avoid bankruptcy, which is a very real possibility for both of them. But my hunch is that any GM, Ford or Chrysler product sold, in or out of bankruptcy, will be backed by enforceable warranties. But your comments raise another point, something I've long suspected:

That anti-union forces are using the current economic crisis to further weaken organized labor. Think about it: We give billions of dollars to financial companiies and an insurance giant that helped to create economic duress. We call that capitalism. Through state and regional economic development agencies, we pour hundreds of millions in tax incentives and other fiscal goodies into foreign-owned manufacturing entities seeking to escape the cost of organized labor in their countries and to avoid dealing with the UAW here. We call that capitalism, too.

But we whine and stomp our feet and shout "socialism" when it comes to providing federal assistance to UAW-organized, native car companies that helped us win wars, and that helped to build a viable U.S. middle class.

That stinks. That's wrong. And we as U.S. citizens should not be sitting quietly allowing this injustice -- because that is what it is -- take place.

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Jericho, VT: Hey Warren, just a quick comment: I travel pretty extensively throughout the U.S. and have the opportunity to rent several vehicles. I'm becoming increasingly impressed with the quality of the new Fords (Fusion/Flex/Taurus), the Malibu, and especially the whole Saturn line of vehicles.

What is a shocker to me lately is the quality of Toyota -- it's gone SERIOUSLY downhill in comparison. The Camry and the RAV4 especially, unless you get the models that are fully loaded. I won't even consider buying a new Camry as a result. These are for pretty much same reasons people looked down on the GM products 10 years ago, yet you don't hear much about it. I still read "Toyota is the Best!" But I disagree.

Warren Brown: The bottom line, Jericho, is that cars and trucks are designed by people. And not a single one of those people has a corner on competence, intelligence... or error.

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Alexandria, Va.: Warren -- the problem with jacking up gasoline prices to limit consumption is the devastating domino effect that it has on the price of everything else in the economy- except large-engined vehicles! I fail to understand why we consider only pricing as a way to control demand, and not other alternatives such as mandated pump limits. The latter would allow the price to remain low, while motivating drivers to conserve and select efficient vehicles, and possibly avoid spot shortages as occurred in the southeast this fall.

Warren Brown: I disagree, Alexandria. A more sensible fuel taxing policy would help to moderate consumption and increase government revenue for investment in alternative fuels and propulsion technologies. What we lack is the political will to think this through. That is what we need and what I hope an Obama-Biden administration will bring.

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Dripping Springs, Texas: Hi Warren, I hope you have time for my question as its a bit late in your chat. I'm really conflicted by the Auto Bailout, seriously, no sarcasm. I agree that saving something that makes stuff is really a good idea, and the fallout from not saving the Auto Industry seems really dangerous (5 million jobs). My conflict arises from the lack of discipline GM and the rest have displayed over the last 30 years. The foreign manufacturers did the right thing, investing in new technology and creating cars that consumers around the world want.

Are we preventing the next generation of American auto entrepreneurs their opportunity by using tax money to support the bad decisions of the American auto industry?

Warren Brown: Thank you Dripping Springs, Texas. Your question is a good one. Here's my response:

-Car companies play to market. In the United States, historically, that market has been saturated by cheap gasoline. There have been no federal attempts to change the underlying dynamic -- the developed word's cheapest gasoline -- of that market. As a result -- and ironically, because of Cafe, which further reduced driving costs and increased fuel consumption -- the U.S. market historically has demanded larger vehicles, more horsepower.

-The American Three catered to that market. But they were not alone in that wantonness. Every major car company doing business in the United States, which is just about everybody, came with their gas-guzzlers, too. That includes Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen, wll of which have done their bit to siphon gas-guzzler dollars. Even Honda was considering, and is still planning to bring in a V-8.

-It can be argued that the American Three were myopic, so intent on defending their big-truck, big-horsepower markets that they failed to think that the way they were doing business in the rest of the world could ever become how they did business at home.

-The rest of the world? Yes. Europe and Asia, where fuel supplies are short and pricey, and where GM and Ford are just as competitive as everyone else in the design and development of attractive, fuel-efficient -- including diesel -- cars and trucks.

-I strongly support a domestic car industry bailout. If we can give tax breaks to foreign car companies -- and we do, don't we, Alabama? We can help our own. What we need along with that help is an intelligent industrial and energy policy.

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Warren Brown: Thank you for joining us, today. Please come back to us next week.

Eat lunch, Ria.

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