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#29135 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [busiris] by fezo

Dec 07, 2012 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Dec 07, 2012 5:32 pm)
I remember trying out all the vans in the early 90s and remember the dismal crash tests on the dustbusters vs. the Windstall (which we bought - it had a great crash rating which was just as well because the thing would die periodically when out and about). I think the Chyslers were in the middle then.
 
The guy selling the dustbusters was by far the most aggressive of the sales people which was funny because it was third on our list of three vans. Would that I had left well enough alone on that. Oh, well...

#29136 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [uplanderguy] by tlong

Dec 07, 2012 (6:51 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Dec 07, 2012 6:28 pm)
Um, tlong...the '97-05 aren't the 'Dustbusters'. Your video confirms my earlier post. The Venture was a European-based design IIRC. I don't believe the Dustbusters were.
 
I'm fully aware of that - my hypothesis was that if it was a redesign, then I doubt they would have been worse, so likely the earlier ones were horrible, too. But if it is as you say (where the older models were COMPLETELY different from the '97-05), then I stand corrected. But if so, then GM went from safer to more dangerous vehicles for the sake of styling. And that's not a good story, either.
 
Which case is it?

#29137 of 32000 andres3... by iluvmysephia1

Dec 07, 2012 (10:49 pm)

Technology gone wrong though.... B of A ATM's, yes, you don't need to use envelopes for deposits, but dang, it takes at least 5 times longer to do anything and everything compared to 80's era ATM's.
 
Try Wells Fargo's ATM's - never had a problem with them at all and IMHO they're pretty fast-actin', too.

#29138 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [bpizzuti] by fho2008

Dec 08, 2012 (2:58 am)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Dec 07, 2012 2:37 pm)
Dont forget the VW Golf, Jetta Sportwagen and Audi A3.

#29139 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire by uplanderguy

Dec 08, 2012 (5:22 am)

Replying to: fho2008 (Dec 08, 2012 2:58 am)
When the Dustbusters were introduced, the vast majority of cars didn't even have a single airbag, so was NHTSA even doing the offset crash test yet? I ask because I don't know.

#29140 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [fho2008] by bpizzuti

Dec 08, 2012 (6:21 am)

Replying to: fho2008 (Dec 08, 2012 2:58 am)
The A3 is a little too lux to compete in the regular compact class, but the Golf definitely does, you're right. Wasn't actually counting wagons, but I guess the Jetta SPortwagen could also qualify...then again, would both count as the same model?
 
Bottom line, GM's really going against the industry trend of offering a hatch option. I've seen the Cruze hatch, and it's fairly sweet.
 
I hear Toyota may axe the Matrix when the Corolla is redesigned, but they could also bring a Corolla hatch. With so much of their competition selling hatches they may give in. I doubt Honda will, but Honda almost doesn't need to: the Fit's got a more comfortable back seat than the Civic anyway. Then again, Honda might as well.
 
GM has the Sonic hatch, I'd love to know their actual non-fleet sales mix of hatch vs sedan on those. When you're dealing with compact and smaller cars, space efficiency is important, and hatches provide the flexibility to reconfigure for either passengers or cargo, something you can't really do with a trunk.
 
Anyway, GM's really holding tight to the antiquated notion that Americans don't buy hatcbacks. It's possible GM buyers don't buy hatches. Or it's possible Americans don't buy GM. But given Ford, Mazda, Subaru, VW, etc etc, it's pretty clear Americans DO in fact buy hatchbacks.

#29141 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [bpizzuti] by uplanderguy

Dec 08, 2012 (6:33 am)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Dec 08, 2012 6:21 am)
I detest the Gremlin-like, 'sawed off' look of the Sonic hatch. And it's a shorter car than the sedan. However, a Chevy salesman told me the hatch comfortably outsells the sedan, at least at their place.
 
I do like that subtle orange one sees on the Sonic.

#29142 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [uplanderguy] by bpizzuti

Dec 08, 2012 (7:08 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Dec 08, 2012 6:33 am)
It's not the most aerodynamic setup, they could have probably gotten an additional MPG or so highway by sloping the glass a little. Still, if it's outselling by that much maybe GM will learn a lesson. Obviously the flexibility is important to buyers in that class.

#29143 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [uplanderguy] by busiris

Dec 08, 2012 (9:20 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Dec 08, 2012 6:33 am)
I would think that a large percentage of Sonic buyers are weighing heavily the fuel efficiency, utilitarian efficiency and price of the vehicle.
 
Certainly, from a practicality POV, a hatch offers much more than a sedan/trunk in most applications.
 
My younger daughter (still in college) has a Versa hatchback, and there simply isn't any way she could cram as much stuff in her car if she owned the sedan model.

#29144 of 32000 Re: Consumer Reports continues to conspire [busiris] by dieselone

Dec 08, 2012 (10:12 am)

Replying to: busiris (Dec 08, 2012 9:20 am)
My younger daughter (still in college) has a Versa hatchback, and there simply isn't any way she could cram as much stuff in her car if she owned the sedan model.
 
No question about that. When my wife and i were in college, I had an '89 Mercury Tracer 2dr hatch and my wife had a '92 Saturn SL2. It was much easier to load up my Tracer, particularly bulky items. A hatch makes far more since, particularly if it's your only vehicle.

Messages Page 2915 of 3201

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