|
Real
Wheels
Hosted by Warren Brown
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002; 11 a.m. EST
Warren Brown 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.
Warren comes online to answer your
questions on every aspect of the automotive industry, from buying your
dream car to the future of the internal combustion engine.
The transcript follows.
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.
Real
Wheels
Hosted by Warren Brown
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002; 11 a.m. EST
Warren Brown 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.
Warren comes online to answer your
questions on every aspect of the automotive industry, from buying your
dream car to the future of the internal combustion engine.
The transcript follows.
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.
Warren Brown: Good morning, good people. Let us consider things automotive.
Alexandria Va.:
I currently own a 2000 Mercedes Benz E320. The car is great, justifying the high ranking by various reviewers (you included, I think.)
I understand that MB is planning a major revision of the E class in 2003. Any idea what the new car will be like?
Also, should I wait for a year or so after the new version is released to allow any "bugs" to be worked out?
Thanks. Hope you're feeling okay.
Warren Brown: Good Morning, Alexandria:
We will learn more about MB's E-Class plans at upcoming shows in New Orleans (dealers' meetings), New York and overseas. Will fill you in as info is gathered.
Frankly, I see no need to wait a year for a company to get the bugs out of new vehicles. Cars are made differently nowadays, referring to the process of vehicle development and manufacture. Care is taken to iron out problems in the design and development stage, BEFORE the new car gos to manufacture. That reduces the need for fixes at point of assembly, also reduces the incidence of lemons.
In the not-too-ditant past, the proccess worked, especially at America's Big Three, just the opposite of the way it works today.
Clearly, considering the mess at Ford, problems can still arise. But overall, there are fewer product difficulties.
Washington, D.C.:
Any chance my 94 Toyota will last long enough to be replaced by a fuel cell vehicle?
Warren Brown: Dear Washington:
There's always a chance. But you're looking at holding it until about 2012. Fuel-cell strategy, at least at GM, is to first build fuel-cells to power buildings, such as hospitals and schools. That helps to create the infrastructure, in terms of solid or gaseous hydrogen delivery, for smaller units to be used in cars.
The cynicism surrounding fuel cells, especially from some people in the environmental community, is ironic. It smacks of the kind of can't-doism that greeted the development of the car in the first place_along with things such as wireless telephones, et cetera.
I don't share that cynicism. I have faith in invention and innovation. The fuel-cell idea excites me.
Bethesda, Md.:
Will the new honda big suv be the same as the Acura mdx amd do you think the demand will be the same as MDX/Oddysey with markups and waits and will it be the best SUV in its class for the money?
Warren Brown: Dear Bethesda:
Honda just brought a new assembly plant online in Alabama. It's capable of producing 120,000 Odyssey models annually. That should relieve some of the pressure on Honda's assembly plant in Ontario, which is producing a mix of Odyssey minivans and MDX models. The annual capacity ther, I think, is also about 120,000 units.
How that extra capacity will affect Honda's retail pricing remains to be seen. Frankly, I'm not optimistic. Honda makes good products, but generally has a lousy attitude towards treating customers well at point of sale.
Arlington, Va.:
I need an expert opinion: Would you buy a Toyota Prius if you were car shopping in the next few months? Have you heard anything good or bad about the Prius that might make my decision easier? Thanks!
Warren Brown: Dear Arlington:
Frankly, I'm considering buyin a Prius_for urban runs only. It's not by any means a great highway car. But it makes wonderful sense in the city. The major faults I found on a recent 600-mile drive was poor handling in the front end, especially in modest to high crosswinds; and that gap between touching the brake pedal and getting the desired response_stopping_from the hydraulic brake system. It takes some getting used to. But, as I said, it's worth it to have a great city car. Keep in mind that Honda is bringing out its hybrid-electric Civic for model-year 2003.
Olney, Md.:
Warren, I like the idea of the Buick Rendezvous -- sort of a minivan that looks like an SUV. We test drove one, but weren't exactly bowled over by it. Any similar vehicles on the horizon in 2002? Also, what's the word on the VW Microbus?
Warren Brown: Dear Olney:
Many competitors to the Rendezzous, including the Isuzu Axiom (ugly exterior, beautiful interior, good road manners), the Lexus RX300/Toyota Highlander, and the Acura MDX (more minivan than SUV, though it pretends to be the latter).
VW is still playing will-he-won't-he games with the Microbus. But I suspect that it will emerge as a product for 2004, if not 2003.
Brunswick, Maine:
Have you had a chance to review the BMW 3 series XI?. Can it still perform in AWD and maintain its feel and performance?
Warren Brown: Dear Brunswick:
Drove the Xi in dry-road conditions. Performed well there. I suspect that it will do just as well, allowing for weather conditions, in snow or rain. All performance is compromised or rendered dangerously meaningless on ice, where little traction is to be found, regardlessn of vehicle layout.
Annapolis, Md.:
Have you driven the Elantra GT? How's it stack up? Are there any worthy competitors?
Thanks.
Warren Brown: Dear Annapolis:
Drove it. It's surrounded by competitors_Mazda Protege MP3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Subaru Impreza WRX, and various rice-rocket versions of the Nissan Sentra, Dodge Neon, et al. I've been saying it for at least two years, now. But people need to understand that today's Hyundai is not the Hyundai of 1986. ALL HYUNDAI CARS ARE VERY COMPETITIVE IN ALL OF THEIR RESPECTIVE VEHICLE CATEGORIES. Hyundai is a contender.
Rockville, Md.:
What do you think of the Mazda 626 with the 2.5 L V6 and a manual transmission. Is it sporty enough? Or would you suggest I opt for the VW Jetta with the 1.8L Turbo and a manual? Thanks, and it's great to have you back. Please stay healthy.
Warren Brown: Dear Rockville:
Many thanks for your good wishes. Here's wishing the same for you and yours. As for your question: If you want sporty, go with the Jetta, which truly rocks as a driver's car. If you want some sporty feel with a lot more peace of mind in the repair bay, go with the Mazda 626, which is one of the most underrated cars in the U.S. auto market.
Laurel, Md.:
What about Ford's decision to phase out Lincoln?
Warren Brown: Dear Laurel:
It's long overdue. The company needs to bite the bullet and ditch the whole Lincoln/Mercury Division, which adds very little to its Prestige vehicle group (Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo) and is woefully redundant to Ford in other vehicle lines (for example, the Mercury Mountaineer, which is little more than a Ford explorer in a rather bad tuxedo). Cut it, dump it, and put the product savings into new products, inclusing the development of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.
Bubbly in Bowie, Md.:
Hi Warren!
I attended this year's Washington Auto Show and was intrigued by the Chrysler Pacifica concept car. Correct me if I'm wrong but is this car actually going to make it to production in its current form for '03? The engine used in it (the 3.5 litre V6) seems to be the same one used in the 300M. I'm wondering if its going to be tweaked for extra performance in either the Pacifica or a newer 300M.
Warren Brown: Dear Bubbly:
(Late-morning champagne, late-morning bubble bath with candles, or a leisurely combination of both?)
DaimlerChrysler is in a sour financial mood nowadsys, which has some analyst thinking that it might back away from costly new projects such as the Pacifica. But other analysts say, and I agree, that an upturn in the economy is around the bend and that DaimlerChysler had better have something exciting and fresh on the road to attract buyers. I think that's where DCX is leaning, because well-executed new products sell. Excuses don't.
Annandale, Va.:
Take any chance you can to smack the environmentalists. You remind me of my nasty old grand dad. Anyway, I do agree with you that new tech is always exciting -- I love new stuff and innovation. But it's also healthy to be skeptical about new tech -- there could be side effects, so I personally am interested in hearing views besides what comes from the automotive press.
Warren Brown: Dear Annandale:
I'm not smacking the envionmentalists. I'm an environmentalist. I sort my garbage, recycle plastic, support the preservation of national seashore areas (especially on the Gulf Coast in the vicinity of South Padre Island, Tex.), and have long implemented a system at home to stop power losses through vampirish stand-by (always-on) electronic equipment. I even own a wonderful FreePlay radio, made in South Africa, which operates on crank power.
All of that said, I am against the political arrogance of people who claim to have all of the answers, who attack everything (such as direct-injection, fuel-saving diesel engines) that don't fit into their divine plan for envionmental salvation, and who constantly poo-poo technological innovation as just another ruse to avoid abiding by a proven ineffective law (at least in terms of controlling gasoline consumption) such as CAFE.
And lastly, I have very little patience for people who tend to look down on consumers as stupid, simply because those consumers find it better to buy bigger, more powerful vehicles in a country where cowardly politicians are afraid to add a copper cent to the cost of dirt-cheap gasoline.
Washington Prius Owner Again:
For the person asking about the Prius,
Check out the Yahoo Group Prius Owners; it's about 3000 members strong and will give you the ins & outs of the car.
Warren Brown: Thanks for that note.
SAAB lover in Northern Virginia:
Have you seen the new SAAB concept cars?
I think they are the ugliest things I have ever seem. They remind me of the BMW M-coupe. Any thoughts?
Warren Brown: Dear Saab lover:
The highly esteemed Jacques Duval, author of the Auto Guide series published by Firefly Books, bemoans Saab's styling as outdated and just plain ugly. I agree. I can't figure out what's going inside of the heads of the company's designers. Their slavish adherence to what they regard as tradition (Saabs have always looked this way) is costing their company market share.
Bethesda, Md.:
Re Elantra, I convinced my sister to buy a 2002 Elantra and 2 things. SHe is having problems with transmission immediattly and something i should have checked on, Her insurance costs are more than double what a corolla is as they say car is in worst bracket- probably because of past elantras (she is in NJ)
Warren Brown: Dear Bethesda:
You're right about the way insurance companies see things. They do it by the numbers and guilt by association.
But I'm sorry to hear that she's having transmission problems. Let's try this: Have her send me copies of her service/repair reports, along with VIN number and a short narrative of her woes. I'll take it with me to New Orleans next week, where I'm meeting with Hyundai executives and dealers, among others. Maybe, we'll get some positive action.
Send to Warren Brown, The Washington Post, 1150 15th Street NW, Washington, D/C., 20071. Have her email me at both brownw@washpost.com, or browar57@aol.com to let me know that the package is in the mail. The Anthrax Room at the Post tends to hold onto mail for a long while for screening. It's interesting how life has changed since Sept. 11.
Woodbridge, Va.:
Would you say that there is still a large quality gap between the Japanese autos and the Americans autos? I'm most interested in the Ford and Honda qualtiy differences. I've owned both and had equal success with both, is this still accurate?
Warren Brown: Dear Woodbridge:
No, I wouldn't. Here's why. Yeah, Ford got caught with its pants down, because Ford's qualiuty was down, especially on recallable matters, those involving safety and emissions.
But I'm fascinated everytime I review service bulletins and "consumer satisfaction campaigns," where many Japanese manufacturers tend to hide their silent recalls for non-safty/non-emission matters.
I'm also shocked when I review consumer complains from Japanese consumer groups about Japanese cars sold in Japan. It's eye-opening. It proves that anybody can screw up at anytime, but that some people have a talent for hiding their errors.
Vienna, Va.:
Missed you at the DC Auto Show booth.. Did you at least get to see the show? While it was good to see the 2003 Town Car, Civic Hybrid, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and Cadillac CTS, these cars SHOULD have been out on the floor unlocked instead of just up on the lousy turntables where no one could sit in them. Ford should also have had a T-Bird out on the floor but didn't. Even worse, the new Mercury Marauder, Nissan 350Z, Mazda RX-8, BMW 740, Lexus GX470, Infiniti G35, Lincoln Aviator, and MOST IMPORTANT, the Mini Cooper, were not there AT ALL. And EVEN WORSE YET, these vehicles COULD EASILY have been shown here and yet were not....and all I got was lame runaround excuses from the company reps here WHY they couldn't be shown here and why we had to wait only two weeks for the Detroit show...where they would be shown. Ridiculous. What do they take us for...a bunch of idiots? This is an insult to our intelligence...and yours. And the REAL company higher-reps didn't show up at all to deal with this...only the so-called "Product Specialists" who admitted under intense questioning from me that they could not deal with REAL questions because of their companies' lawyers...they were trained exactly what to say to customres there at the show. Warren, this in my opinion is an absolute outrage to us here in the DC area, and I think that as a responsible auto journalist you should write a whole column on the gross neglect of this region by the auto firms when it comes to show time and of the failure of the Convention Center management to REQUIRE the manufacturers to show new models here if they want to use the Convention floor.
Warren Brown: Dear Vienna:
I didn't attend the DC or Detroit shows. I was still under immuno-suppresant watch, which is being lifted with caution in terms of my ability to meet and greet. I will attend shows, beginning with the dealers' show next week in New Orleans.
Ah, the D.C. show. I can't disagree with much in your note. It is, as presently arranged, inhospitable and not a little bit insulting to guests. It's like inviting someone into your home and hiding all of the china and silver, and putting plastic on the chairs in the living room because you don't really trust or like them.
I pray that all of this will change when the show moves to the new convention center in D.C., which will be larger and equipped with better lighting and, I hope, better manners from the people who ask us to pay dollars to stop in and see what's going on.
Oakton, Va.:
Warren, I agree with you on the new Hyundais as far as fit and finish is concerned...this is not the Hyundai of the 1980's. The motors are still a little gruff, unrefined, and sluggish, but the cars are basically competitive now. Consumer Reports still rates the reliability as below average for all but the Santa Fe, though...only time will tell for the brand-new ones.
And to Hyundai's credit, did you notice that Hyundai is the ONLY manufacturer that shows off ALL of their new models HERE in Washington instead of making us wait for the Detroit Show? Take notice, other manufacturers.
Warren Brown: Dear Oakton:
That's a fair assessment. And you're right. While Hyundai steadily is improving its product quality (yes, more needs to be done) it is beginning to beat the pants of of rivals, with the possible exception of Saturn, in terms of customer handling and buyer wooing. When are automakers going to lear that we all want to be loved_which they can do by treating us well and selling appealing and reliable products at an affordable price?
Annandale, Va.:
Re: Lincoln phase-out
I wasn't aware that Ford had decided to phase out the entire line of Lincolns (I think it was just the Lincoln Continental, which isn't the image leader it was 60 years ago). Anyway, I also thought the Navigator was one of Ford's major profit vehicles ($15,000 per vehicle I seem to recall), so it would seem unlikely that Ford would phase them out if they were still selling. But I agree about the Mercury line, unfortunately.
Warren Brown: Dear Annandale:
Forgive me, I did not mean to say that Ford was phasing out the entire line of Lincolns. I'm saying that the company should drop the entire Lincoln/Mercury division, which is costly, redundant, and which adds very little to its Prestige automobile portfolio. I suspect that many Wall Street analysts are telling Ford the same thing.
Bethesda, Md.:
I disagree that Lincoln is redundant and doesn't add anything to Ford's lineup. Mercury is, for sure, but if Lincoln goes bye bye then Cadillac is left as the only American luxury make. Great for Cadillac but not so great for Ford.
Warren Brown: Dear Bethesda:
That's fair enough, and perfectly understandable. But the reality is that Jaguar, for example, is now an American car made in the UK by a U.S. based company. Ditto Volvo, Land Rover and Aston Martin, all of which are part of Ford's Prestige group which laughably includes Lincoln/Mercury. It's a global industry, replete with corporate cross-ownerships, suppliers who supply everyone and global marketing schemes. Nationalism, in that environment, is little more than romantic fiction.
Arlington, Va.:
Right ON Warren!! Couldn't agree with you more on your stance as a environmentalist. As someone who works peripherally with the car manufacturers, I see lots of promise in technologies like new diesel engines. Yet because of the bad rap from older diesel engines and the images of tailpipes belching black smoke, environmentalists have written off diesels entirely. Europeans, on the other hand, have not and enjoy CLEANER, more fuel efficient diesel products. Hopefully, we'll get to see some in the near future. That is, so long as the oil companies aren't successful in overturning EPA's new mandate for low-sulfur diesel fuel by 2007.
Warren Brown: Dear Arlington:
Amen to all of that. Wouldn't it be wonderful if reason, based on technological innovation and scientific research, could replace politics? Talk about romantic fiction....
Silver Spring, Md.:
Warren. While there were several truly new models at the show here, did you notice how many could have been shown here and were not, especially the Mini Cooper? There were many people just waiting to see this car, yet BMW refused to bring it here? Same for the Nisan 350Z. What gives?
Warren Brown: Dear Silver Spring:
As I said earlier, I didn't make this year's show. But I agree with your premise. I notice those lapses in product presentation every year; and I can't figure it out. According to industry reports, the Baltimore-Washington area is one of the hottest, most affluent, most vehicle-buying areas in the country outside of California. We deserve better.
A bright note is that the wonderful Tammy Darvish of Darcars agrees and has been working really hard to turn ours into a premier show. She needs more help. Perhaps we all should start sending her ideas and showing support for what she's trying to accomplish_more concept vehicles, more upcoming production models, overall better presentation, and more public access to the vehicles on display.
Go Tammy!
Laurel, Md.:
what above the new space age design that was in the post. you keep the same frame, and drivetrain, and take it to the dealer for a new body every so often.
Warren Brown: Dear Laurel:
Yes. you're talking about the GM Autonomy, a really neat idea, which might work. Ideally, you'll have a hydrogen fuel-cell or other alternatively powered CHASSIS. Through modular assembly you'll be able to alternate several different bodies on that chassis under the terms of your buy/lease agreement. For example, one year, you might want a sedan. The next, a wagon of some sort. The next, a sporty two door model. You simply go to your dealer and say change the body.
Benefits: It certainly could reduce production costs for manufacturers, as well as lower pollution from assembly plants, because you're not building whole new vehicles every time you turn around. Clearly, it could enhance consumer choice at a more affordable price.
Downside: Possible quality problems. Does insurance coverage change with each new body style? State and local taxes: Will changing body styles have the same effect on personal property taxes as buying an entirely new vehicle? Much remains to be seen. But it is a neat idea.
Alexandria, Va.:
Hi Warren,
A few weeks ago, my bro-in-law bought a brand new loaded Passat w/o consulting my sister, thus am I looking for ways to belittle him. I think I've overplayed the VW's are not good enough to cost $2k more than similar cars bit, so now I'm looking into what he _could_ have if it were an Audi. He says that other than all-wheel drive and trim, the engines, suspensions, and most everything else besides the rims is the same. Is this true? Shouldn't Audi's have at least a little better torque/handling for the extra dough? Is this the end of computer chip HP tweaking?
Peace, Matt
Warren Brown: Matt:
You have a strange way of seeking peace. Perhaps, you will be interested in an ambassadorial post to the Middle East?
But, fear not. If VW doesn't starighten out its service/repair problems in the United States, you'll have plenty of opportunity to gloat.
Rockville, Md.:
What is your opinion on the new rotary (renisis) engine from mazda? How about rotary's in general?
Warren Brown: Dear Rockville:
Mazda's new rotary is not supposed to have the fuel consumption/emissions problems that plagued the original. I don't know how true that is. But I applaud Mazda for trying to improve the concept. I'll have to wait to see if it works.
Washington, D.C.:
To fix or not to fix? My 1998 Camry recently suffered cosmetic damage to the rear bumper in a rear-end collision. There was no structural damage, and even the scratches are not that noticeable.
So now I need to decide if I will have it fixed. The cost would be paid by insurance, but it would still be an inconvenience. Since there are various other dings and minor scratches on the car, is it worth having a perfect bumper?
Thanks for answering and I hope you're doing well.
Warren Brown: Dear Washington:
The Camry is a good car, a reliable car, a money-in-the-bank car in terms of overall maintenance. If the damge is minor, fix it and bank the savings.
Gaithersburg, Md.:
Dear Mr. Brown,
I read your review of the Prius and was wondering if you're going to get the chance to test drive the hybrid Civic anytime soon. Is there a US "release" date for the vehicle yet? Any ideas on the pricing? For the fuel economy concious, what other models (other than the Insight) would you recommend? Thanks very much. washingtonpost.com:
Wedding Electricity With Gasoline (Post, Jan. 13, 2002)
Warren Brown: Dear Gaithersburg:
I'm looking forward to driving the gas-electric Civic, as well as upcoming models from Daimler, Chrysler, Ford, and GM. I truly believe that this is where the industry needs to go, and will spend much of my future time studying and commenting on global developments in this and other alternative-fuel technologies.
Cynicism gets us nowhere. The do-it-my-way-or-nothing-else approach of some parties gets us nowhere. Staying wedded to technologically outmoded ideas, such as the thinking that all diesels are dirty, gets us nowhere.
There is promise in innovation. Anyone who has driven a compresed-ignition, direct-injection diesel engine linked in parallel to an electric motor can attest to that.
There's a great, big wonderful world of invention out there, and I intend to explore it.
But, for now, I must go and please Frank Swoboda, my On Wheels editor who is demanding next week's column, pronto!
See you all next week. Take care. God bless.r
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
© Copyright 2002 The Washington Post Company | 
