Real Wheels

Warren Brown
Washington Post columnist
Friday, January 9, 2009 11:00 AM

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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Birmingham, Ala.: I am trying to locate an article you wrote in April of 2000 titled "Saints, Sinners and the Isuzu Trooper" -- do you know where I could obtain a copy?

Warren Brown: Good morning, Birmingham;

Wow! That's been a while. But, perhaps, maybe my talented producer can find it for us.

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washingtonpost.com: To the Alabama reader looking for the "Saints, Sinners and the Isuzu Trooper" column, I'm sorry to report that it is no longer available online. To obtain the printed version from April 13, 2000, please contact The Post's Back Copy department at 202-334-7239.

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Las Vegas, N.V.: Seeking knowledge regarding your opinion on the Chrysler automoble line -- which one most reliable, which one five star insurance rated -- which one has best mpg -- which one would have best resale value? Thanks for your response.

Warren Brown: The Chrysler Town & Country is one of the best minivans available, with a good insurance/safety rating and one of the best mpg ratings in its class. But therein lies the rub. It's a minivan, not exctly a popular class nowadays. Also, there's the RAM 1500 pickup, arguably one of the best in its class for all of th reasons you cite. But, there, again, is the rub. It's a truck. Chhysler desperately needs cars.

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Charlotte, N.C.: Hello. Very much enjoy reading your chats but cannot attend them live so I am asking this early. Two-part question. I own a 95 Subaru Legacy Outback. Been very pleased but it is showing its age with the ever increasing number of miles. Read recently that Subaru has a diesel version on sale in Europe. Suppose to go on sale in U.S. in 2010. Would that be the 2010 model year (meaning available in mid to late 2009) or actually 1 to 1.5 years from now? Or given current market conditions, are those sorts of estimates thrown out the window? Second, given diesel is new to Subaru, would they have the new design kinks worked out by the time it makes it to the U.S. or should one wait a couple years with the diesel models in the market to see how things prove out? Appreciate your comments.

Warren Brown: Hello, Charlotte:

I have no quality worries about ndiesel Subaru models. Subaru has been at this for a while, now. However, market conditions--namely U.S. gasoline prices considerably below $2 a gallon for regular uleaded--means Subaru and many other car companies probably will hold back on planned diesel introdutions in the U.S. market. New-vehicle sales are down generally. But fuel-efficient models are really getting hit as America does what America seems to do best, even in a down economy, which is to migrate to more horsepower if the price of gasoline is right.

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Warren couldn't be here today...: ...he's picking up a commission check from Rick Wagoner.

Warren Brown: Shows what you know, which apparenly is not much. To wit: Rick does not have enough money to write a check--certainly not enough to author some gratuitous payment to me. You anti-GM types all seem to suffer from the same myopia. If someone agrees with your bias, he or she is objectve. But if he or she, citing proveable facts, points out that your GM critiicism is off the mark, or otherwise unfair and erroneous, he or she is in GM's pocket. That being the case, I'll keep doing what I do. You keep doing what you do. I'm reasonably certain that both I and GM will come out ahead.

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Herndon, Va.: In your car reviews, you generally discuss mileage. Why not state what type of fuel is required - reg or hi test, etc.- then point out the cost to drive a year, or fill up the tank of the reviewed car vs competitors? For example, the Lexus/Nissan/Acura require premium fuel, which is $.30/gal more than regular. A Toyota Sequoia (sp?) V8 burning prem costs a lot more to operate than a Chev Tahoe V8 burning reg. ALSO, in your recent review of an Acura, you gave it very high styling marks, failing to note that it looks like a Malibu. Just put a bow tie on the grille crossbar...

Warren Brown: I think, Herndon, i do exctly that in every review every week. Every review gives a mileage estimate and the type f fuel used.

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Kensington, Md.: This is a comment and compliment for Warren Brown. Your columns in the past month about the hypocrisy of the attacks on the U.S. auto industry have been honest, brave and inspiring. Having worked for the UAW in Washington to more than 20 years, I am very familiar with the inaccurate criticism lodged against the Big 3 and the union, but few, if any, reporters in DC have exposed these charges to serious analysis as you have. The problem you face is one that characterizes nearly all discussions of economic policy in the US -- conventional wisdom is deeply entrenched and even though the "experts" who are routinely consulted by reporters are proven to be wrong by subsequent events, reporters go back to these same people to explain what went wrong rather than to other sources that identified problems that became serious. I worry that your column in the Automotive section on Sunday doesn't receive the attention it deserves. How about having the Post put them in the Op-Ed section, or have you write a news/analysis article for the front section about the debate over the bridge loans for the Big 3?

Thanks for your thoughtful columns, and for your regular vehicle reviews.

Warren Brown: Thank you, Kensington. Here's hoping that the truth will out.

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Adams Morgan: Hey Warren, I'm currently driving a 2001 Chevy Blazer with 89,000 miles that is going to cost me serious maintenance dollars soon. Since I live in the City but need to haul electronic gear from time to time, I'm looking for a replacement car/cargo hauler. I like the Chevy Equinox and the looks of the Ford Escape (but see that Edmunds ratings on the Ford are not thrilling). I also find the Hundai Tucson an interesting choice. Am I missing an important competitor? What is your favorite in this class of vehicle?

Warren Brown: Hello, Adams Morgan:

It sounds as if you're hauling stuff--and heavy stuff, at that--more than you're hauling people. That being the case, why not take advantage of one of the deep discounts all car companies, foreign and domestic, are offering on their mid-size suv models? The list of competitive products in that segment is long. For the most fuel-efficient models in that category, consult www.greencarjournal.com. I wouldn't worry too much about resale value, which is now up a little for those trucks because gasoline prices are down. God bless America! Yeah. But those pump prices are sure to rise again, knocking down the residual value of almost any truck you buy now. Quality? When it comes to SUVs and trucks in general--the domestics will out-haul, out-last any and all comers, which is why the comers, many of them excellent, have yet to catch up with the domestics in the truck segment.

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Washington, DC: I'd be interested in some input from you and the RWReadership. I'm a city dweller, live near metro and walk to work, but do have a car and off street parking. I drive to do things like grocery shopping and other weekend errands, see family in the 'burbs, tote the dog out for hikes and sometimes traveling for work, but really very little - maybe a max of 3k miles a year. I don't have a clear pretext to get a new car - my elderly clunker's irritatingly reliable, if very battered (on the upside, even DC taxi drivers yield when they see me coming) but large, so annoying to street park in the city when running said errands and has, like, negative pick up, so frustrating for highway driving and that creepy blind merge onto the Rock Creek parkway from Mass ave. So, I'd been thinking small hatchback - fuel efficiency would be nice, but in truth, I drive so little, gas isn't a huge part of my budget, but better performance, both speed and handling, would have an appeal. I like different aspects of the performance of the GTI, Mazda3Speed and am especially enamored of the C30. Any thoughts on clear advantages of one over the other? And any cars that would be fun to drive and small (that are not the MiniCooper) that I haven't thought of? And, although it's definitely affordable for me, is it silly to actually be contemplating a new car, when I drive so little, as I'm not really going to get much of the advantages of their warranties and such? I am definitely of the buy a car and hang onto it 'til the bitter end philosophy, rather than leasing or trading up every couple years, so I'd kind of like to deal with this choice and then not have to think about it again for a while.

Warren Brown: You, Washington, so clearly have a Volvo mentality--fuel efficiency important, but not paramount; reliability and safety (implied by the quality longevity of your clunker) of greater concern--I'd be wrong to recommend anything to you other than the funky little C30. It's your kind of car--does the job you want and provides the fun you want, but don't articulate.

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Rockville, Md.: Politics is politics and has been the same for a long time. Few ever let the facts stsand between them and a good attitude. however, something new is the immediate assumption if someone does not agree with our thoughts that they must be either stupid, mad or paid off. Glad the person did not see you as stupid or mad, but I would also object to the part about picking up a check.

Sometimes you are right.

They got to get used to that as a possibility.

Warren Brown: Wow! Thanks...I think. But because I fear the ghosts of Sr. Mary Vincent and Sr. Paul Mary, I think we'd better edit that to "Politics ARE politics...."

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Washington, DC: Since you test-drive so many cars, I think that you would be a good person to answer my question. I have a 2007 Hyundai Elantra. That year did not offer ESC or traction control as either standard or option features. Do you think ESC and traction control increase safety significantly to warrant my trading in my 2007 Elantra for an Elantra with those features, either this year (unlikely) or in the next 2-3 years (more likely)? Thank you.

Warren Brown: Yes, Washington, I do.

And I know that's costly. But, as you pointed out, I drive a lot. In fact, I'm getting ready to drive to Detroit and back. So, I see and experience a lot. And what sticks with me are that the saddest accidents are those that could have been avoided...with something like electronic stability control, which helps to keep a car or struck from going out of control and rolling over due to common steering errors. If there is any way for you to afford it, buy it. It's cheaper than a lengthy hospital stay, and preferable to an early grave. Buy it.

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When it comes to SUVs and trucks in general--the domestics will out-haul, out-last any and all comers, which is why the comers, many of them excellent, have yet to catch up with the domestics in the truck segment.: Warren,

As long as you don't mind paying $40,000 just for a truck. The Dodge Ram with the Cummins is the ULTIMATE hauler. Ford and Chevy don't have a clue on building diesels.

Warren Brown: You don't have to pay $40,000 to get a good truck, be it foreign or domestic.

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Mount Rainier, MD: Warren, I submitted this question a few weeks ago, but it never got through. Here's to second tries:

My wife and I are looking for a new vehicle. Givens are - need to seat 3 adult sized persons (my 12 year old is 5'5"), one half adult sized person (the 10 year old) and one infant car seat. Wants - stick shift; cargo/towing capacity; cruise control. Preferences - hybrid or best fuel economy possible (and diesel is ok in my book). It will be used for lots of around town driving, and 4 or 5 longer road trips per year.

Thanks!

Warren Brown: Hello, Mount Rainier. You're talking crossover utility, a segment once known as station wagons. There are many good models, although, off the top of my head, I can't think of any with stick shift. But nearly all of them hve those weird manumatics, or automatic manuals--transmissions that can be used in automatic or manual mode. If you are carrying eight people and their stuff, the GM Quartet--Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook--is hard to beat for utility and fuel economy (est. 18 mpg city, 24 mpg hwy regular unleaded). If you are carrying seven and want a bit of funky styling, the Ford Flex offers good utility and similar mileage. If you want maximum style and a very sporting attitude, try the mazda CX-7 or CX-9. Bottom line is that you don't really need a truck-based SUV here.

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Arlington VA: Warren: I have a poor credit rating. I am looking to take advantage of the paradoxical (and fun) willingness of the newly-empowered, newly-financed Bank Holding Company known as GMAC to lend me money.

-I promise that I am an excellent credit risk; I have still-lingering poor ratings from a health catastrophe that has been averted, and cleaned-up, but remains on my record].

I do, though, want to buy at GM's low-to-lowest end. I do a lot of commuting in Northern Virginia, and now view my cars in a utilitarian way. Low price and reliability are my two principal criteria; four-door model would be third criterion.

Can you identify any low-cost GM vehicles -compact to sub-compact] that you can recommend as reliable and good values?

Warren Brown: Yes, Arlington.

Chevrolet Aveo, sedan, good mileage, good quality, low cost.

Chevrolet Cobalt, sedan, same virtues.

And here's hoping that GM's financial struggles won't delay or cancel introduction of the high-mleage, nicely styled, reasonably priced Chevrolet Cruze.

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To DC City Dweller: I'd recommend the DC city dweller to buy a high quality 3-5 year old used car with relatively high mileage. A used car will cost a lot less, and in 10 years, it won't make much of a difference whether the car is 10 or 13 years old. Depending on the car, it may still have years left on the warranty left, even if the car is close to the mileage limit on the warranty. But miles of warranty don't matter to a person driving only 3,000 miles a year. A 3-5 year old Volvo will cost a lot less than a new one, even with the discounts going on at the moment.

Warren Brown: Yeah, you have a point. But, trust me, our City Dweller is a new-vehicle intender with a Volvo attitude.

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You don't have to pay $40,000 to get a good truck, be it foreign or domestic.: Warren,

Apparently you haven't seen the sticker prices on some of those trucks. When's the last time you actually WENT to a dealer ?

Warren Brown: Yes, I have.

The last time I went to a deaaler? Hmmm.

Last week in NYC, at Potamkin.

Two weeks ago on Rte. 7 in Northern Va. at Stohlman. My eldest daughter bought a car there.

Online shopping of dealerships nationwide every single day, including Sundays.

What about you?

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No, it's IS: Pretty sure you can define "politics" as a singular object there, so IS works.

Of course, that depends on what the definition of "is" is...

Warren Brown: Politics are...

Politic is, as is that which is political.

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Ashburn, VA: Sent a question last night, same question (tried to beat the noon deadline (about 11:55 am) regarding GM - 41 down to 2 - should we or shouldn't we. Forgot to include email address - jdhorders@comcast.net

If at all possible, would like to make a decision any day now (we have a 1993 SUV we're getting rid of, although we do have a Buick car we can depend on), but would like your opinion - GM or NOT?

Thanks!

Warren Brown: Hello, Ashburn:

Your question seems to be in the context of GM's survival? Should you take a chance and buy GM? Yes. GM will survive, assuming that there is any kind of meaningful rebound in the economy. If there isn't, we're all in deep doo-doo.

The Capitol Hill bailout hearings were unfortunate in the mis-information disseminated. GM's problem is neither product quality, nor product selection. GM's problem is the same one crushing the sales of Toyota and everyone else. It's consumer confidence. People are afraid to buy because of the way they've been treated in the current economic downturn. They've been fired, laid off. Their salaries have been cut, pensions eliminated. Employer-employee contracts have been voided. Investors have been outright swindled. Not many of them are in a mood to buy a car or truck.

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If you are carrying eight people and their stuff, the GM Quartet--Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook--is hard to beat for utility and fuel economy (est. 18 mpg city, 24 mpg hwy regular unleaded). : Warren,

Here we go again with the Pro GM thing. None of the foreign brands make anything in this class ? Get a grip.

Warren Brown: If you've got a gripe with GM, why not put your name to it and make it clear? Have you ever driven a Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook or GMC Acadia? I've driven all of them considerable distances, thousands of miles total. I base my opinion on that? What about you?

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Ashburn, Virginia: Your recent article about the Nissan Rouge and its behavior in highways doesn't seem fair. In fact, a lot of bias.

I drove one for 10 days in Florida, where peoplo do drive very fast and risky. The Rouge proved to be very agile and extremelly responsive, and when you change to the manual operation of the transmission, the car is very sporty. What's your point_

Warren Brown: Fair enough.

I was driving a lot in the mountains. It seemed to huff and puff more than a little up there. But, as I said, it performed admirably in the flatlands.

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Alexandria, VA: Warren- What are the prospects that GM will be forced to produce a non-pluggable version of the Volt, with more affordable NiMH batteries, in order to remain competitive (or profitable) in the advanced hybrid market? The Japanese manufacturers seem to feel lithium isn't quite ready for prime time.

Warren Brown: But the Chinese think they can beat everyone to market with affordable plug-in "lithium-iron"--that's "iron" as opposed to "ion"--models. We'll see. The Japanese might be playing the lithium-not-feasible game because they're trailing competitors in lithium battery development. I don't know. We'll see. Everybody is rewriting their product script nowadays.

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Dunn Loring, VA: Hi Warren!

We are potentially looking at getting a Kia Sedona minivan. I was wondering if you had hands-on experience with the driving difference between the "regular" and "shorty" versions. I've read the reviews that talk about the sporty handling of the "shorty" budget model, but I'm wondering whether that's only in comparison to typical minivan handling. Thanks for any insight you can share!

Warren Brown: Hello, Dunn Loring:

Yes.

Shorter wheelbase yields bumpier ride than longer wheelbase. There's a comfort factor. Drive both. Let your butt do the talking.

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Warren Brown: Happy New Year to all of you. Thank you for joining us today. Please come back next week.

Time to hit the road, Ria. Pack lunch.

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