Rebates can change as often as every two weeks, though most manufacturers have at least a monthly rebate period. Problem is, no one wants to barely miss a higher rebate when buying a car, either by buying a few days too early or too late. What to do? When I last bought a car, I did so at the end of the rebate… More →
Month: December 2007
The 2008s are done!
For nearly a year I’ve been entering pricing information for 2008 models as it became available. Last night I finally entered the 207th, the 2008 Toyota Sequoia, along with the new Subaru WRX STI (not a separate model in my count). There will be a 208th if Hyundai ever gets around to pricing the 2008 Azera. And a couple of… More →
If you feel yourself thinking about a different car than you came in for, walk out
Recently I’ve heard of a few cases where someone went to a car dealer intent on buying one car, and ended up driving away with another. Now, sometimes such a switch will be for the better. But, in general, if you feel yourself considering a different car than you came in for, walk out. Dealers are interested in selling what… More →
GM’s “dual mode” hybrid premium: over $9,000
Ever since I learned the details of GM’s “dual mode” hybrid system, I’ve wondered what they’re going to charge for it. The system is more advanced and generally superior to those offered by anyone else right now, including Toyota. The fuel economy benefits are clear: with this system, fuel economy increases by about 50 percent in city driving and 10… More →
Restoring confidence
GM and, to a lesser extent, Ford have been rolling out some vastly improved products. Reviews have been favorable. Yet their sales have yet to firm up. What gives? What do they have to do to regain the customers they have lost over the past few decades? In the long term, better products will do the trick. But, as the… More →
2008 Update – results in February?
For the past month or so, one of my top priorities has been getting enough owners of 2008 models enrolled to have results on a few in February. How are we doing? Below you’ll find the latest counts (updated on 12-15): Buick Enclave: 79 Other Lambdas: 31 Nissan Rogue: 36 Honda Accord: 35 Infiniti G-Series: 34 Saturn VUE: 34 Nissan… More →
The end of free maintenance
A few years ago, many European manufacturers started including free maintenance during the warranty period. For the 2008 model year, I think only BMW does. Why did they start? Why have they stopped? And what can you do to minimize the high maintenance costs on these cars? European manufacturers started including four or so years of free maintenance for at… More →
Half of the panel now active
I don’t want anyone to spend time filling out the surveys unless there’s a good chance TrueDelta will be able to use the data they provide. So we start collecting data only when 25 of a model are signed up. As a result, the percentage of the panel that was active was initially small. Actually, it was zero for nearly… More →
“No significant repairs”
Every once in a while when I follow up with a participant in TrueDelta’s Vehicle Reliability Survey, I’ll be told that the car in question required “no significant repairs.” At which point I ask, what about the insignificant ones? Unlike with Consumer Reports, every repair beyond routine maintenance and wear items (which are explicitly listed) should be reported. Even if… More →
Consumer Reports’ secret scoring system strikes again
Got my latest issue of Consumer Reports today, and they tested the Toyota Highlander, Buick Enclave, Ford Taurus X, and Subaru Tribeca. I’ve discussed before how Consumer Reports refuses to divulge how scores are calculated as a matter of “policy.” Well, while their detailed impressions of these models generally match my own, their secret scoring system yields a top place finish for the Toyota,… More →