#hatchback wagon or sedan r the other requirements

[skippitydippity]

Omgomgomg I have enough for a CAR!!!!!!! There's a blue 2015 Mazda3 i SV literally One Thousand Miles Away From Me but I'll be in that area for a few days next week........................................ It's like 1.5k over budget so I shouldn't even be thinking about it but like. FUCK

[smoothshift]

I bought a 2019 Civic Type-R (Comparisons to other vehicles inside) via /r/cars

I bought a 2019 Civic Type-R (Comparisons to other vehicles inside)

New owner of a 2019 Championship White Civic Type R. Cross shopped this car with a Camaro 2SS 1LE, Bullitt Mustang, Scat Pack Challenger Widebody, Focus RS, and Golf R.

  I'm writing this post because I don't think this is a cross-shop that happens very often (hatchbacks and performance coupes/sedans)... at least in my hunting it didn't seem to. Hopefully people googling something like this in the future will come across this post and find some helpful thoughts. My requirements were that the car fit a cello case and have Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. I'm spoiled, manufacturer infotainment systems are universally garbage compared to Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. My budget was $45k.

  I traded in my 2017 Civic Si Sedan, which I loved, because I was looking for the next step in performance. I only tracked the car a total of 14 times over the course of two years, so I definitely consider myself casual in that regard, but if you are on the fence I strongly recommend getting some track days in. It's some of the most fun I've had in my adult life.

  Cars missing from this test: G70, STI. I refuse to support not putting the manual in the top engine spec for a car, sorry G70. The STI doesn't come with Android Auto, but if that's not a requirement for you I don't blame you for picking up one of these bad boys.

  Onto the comparisons and why I chose the CTR. I'll go in reverse order from cars I felt were the worst to best... except the Camaro which is second due to GM fiat.

  Ford Mustang Bullitt

I've never been more disappointed in a car. From the outside this car is GORGEOUS. To me it is the best looking car of everything I tested. Ford designers knocked it out of the park. This immediately falls away the moment you sit down inside of one.

The interior was worse than my Civic. The seats weren't as comfortable, the buttons were harsh, and the fitment of everything seemed off. The digital dash is fantastic, though.

Then you start the car and you can almost forgive the interior quality. The sound this car makes was also the best of any car I tested. Then you go to shift and the years you've spent with a Honda shifter make you realize how spoiled you are. This way this transmission shifted was terrifying, and I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't failures related to it down the road. Having said that, press your foot on the gas and hear the engine climb to redline... you can almost forget the shifter.

The back seats could actually fit a human being in a pinch, good job there, and I was able to fit a cello case inside when folding the rear seats down. That's all the practicality I needed. Ford's version of comfort mode is great, but there is a LOT of road noise that leaks into the car. The freeway was very loud...

There's a running theme here of ecstasy and disappointment. I couldn't get over the disappointments from this fifty thousand dollar car. I expect more from such a size-able expense. For the people who prioritize looks, sound, power I don't know if there's a competitor outside the Challenger. I can see why it's the best selling pony car in America.

Driving Experience: 8/10

Practicality: 3/10

  Challenger Scat Pack Widebody

Oh man... this car is delicious. I feel like if I ended up in this car I'd move to the South and get the giant flags to attach to my car. My brain shut off when I pressed the pedal. I'm not entirely sure this car should be paired with a 6-speed, or maybe the 1st gear should be made longer. Even with the widebody this thing wants to eat your tires for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can't even imagine the Hellcat Challenger in a manual... wow. It's also an absolute boat, but it's a great boat!

The interior is... not as bad as the Mustang. Still leaves some question marks on the fitment front. The trunk is GARGANTUAN and so are the rear seats. Will your passengers have to wiggle their way into them because there's only 2 doors? Yes, but they are very usable once inside. Where's my manual Charger :< The sheer amount of space you have, and how quiet it is on the freeway gets big ups from me.

Sound system was the best out of anything I tested. Cello fits. Uconnect is great, and has AA/AC. The manual's gear ratios need to be changed, a burnout a day is not getting positive marks from me.

Driving Experience: 7/10

Practicality: 5/10

  Focus RS

This car is more than the sum of its parts. I hadn't even considered it initially due to ride quality concerns until another of my posts had someone recommend it saying it wasn't so bad.

I'm glad I got to drive it, because it's a blast! The ride quality is indeed as harsh as the reviews say, though. I live in Los Angeles, our roads are garbage (I know yours are worse Michigan). I drive clients in my car sometimes, I don't want them bouncing around too much for the drive that's mostly freeway from LAX to SFV. I'm slightly exaggerating here, but it was too much.

The interior here is nicer than the Bullitt. The sound is worse, but better than the Type R. The shifter is better than the Mustang, but maybe that's due to the engine it's paired with? I only spent 20 minutes with the car, I can't go into as much detail as with the other cars. The car feels like a track weapon, at all times. Which is crazy because it's probably slower than a Bullitt around a track, but it certainly doesn't feel like it.

Cello case fit easily, back seats could fit real humans on a road trip. Drift mode. It's a hatchback, there are perks.

Driving Experience: 8/10

Practicality: 5/10

  Golf R

I'm surprised I didn't choose this car when I consider it from just the exterior. It's professional, well put together, and a jack of all trades. Maybe I should have rated it higher somewhere but I don't know where.

The sound is subdued when it needs to be, it's comfortable on the freeway, when you floor it you grin. People can fit in the back just fine, and it checks every box neatly. How very German!

It's missing emotion? Maybe some steering feel? The car felt like it was holding back, or maybe it was the weight. I don't know. I spent almost three hours with this car. I could see myself taking this to work, taking it to the track, and being pleasantly surprised with just how capable it would be every day.

The Golf R checks all the boxes, and is capability personified. If the R wagon was here I'd have said to hell with "emotion" I'm getting the wagon... but this is just practicality on par with the Type R, while lacking some of the driving character. Or maybe if I lived up north and the AWD was super important to me.

Driving Experience: 7/10

Practicality: 7/10

  Camaro 2SS 1LE

My younger self hates me for not buying this car. Driving this car is an absolute pleasure. As I write this I almost feel regret for not buying it in spite of its shortcomings, but the axe fell. I'll write this so future buyers can save themselves from driving this, falling in love, then having to take it out back.

The sound is a tuning fork next to the ears, while maintaining comfortable noise levels on the freeway. The manual is second only to the Honda. The suspension is actually better than expected when in comfort, and the best in track mode. The pillbox you drive in isn't that bad when you have blind spot monitoring... I could not buy the 1SS 1LE version since it doesn't have the option to add this. Feels criminal. Seats are comfortable, and most of all everything is TIGHT.

Fitment of the interior is great, steering feel is precise, and you can break the back end loose on command... that's probably the greatest thing about this car, the control you feel. I can't talk about it too much, the reviewers have said it enough and they're right. To me there is no car that will give you this level of performance for so cheap. Maybe a used Corvette, but I was buying new.

To answer the question you've all been wondering: will it fit a cello in a case? No. I tried. I tried so hard. I twisted, I turned, I did every trick learned from moving couches through doorways I could think of... but I could not get the thing to fit in the car. Who designed this trunk opening? Kill them. I hate them with a burning passion. El Fin.

Decent sound system. Back seats only for small bags and people you hate. Trunk opening designed by Satan.

I can't put it anywhere but 2nd even if the scoring system I derived says it should be lower. Driving it was that good. Maybe the Driving Experience scale should be adjusted to move everything else down a point or two.

Driving Experience: 10/10

Practicality: 2/10 (+1 because you can throw a couple backpacks in the back seat with a carry on in the trunk)

  Civic Type R

When I set out to purchase the car I had ruled out the Type R because I live in SoCal and I refuse to purchase a car above MSRP. Plus, I wanted to move to an AWD or RWD platform.

To start things off, I bought a Type R for MSRP in Southern California... and from said dealer I also bought paint protection film/tinting. Full disclosure because that's not just the car for straight MSRP. These are things I was going to buy anyways and they priced them at regular local prices, which I know because I had PPF and tinting done by a local shop last go around. If you don't want these things shop around, and don't impulse buy this car. It will take a week or two of waiting, but someone will make a deal with you. Or just go out of state and buy one for MSRP. The road trip back should be a blast.

The steering is fantastic... much better than you'd expect out of a car as high seated as the Civic has gotten. You can definitely tell it's the lightest car of this group because it feels the most "chuckable". ((The Camaro isn't as "chuckable" because I reached the limits of my courage turning this thing in the canyons above SCV before it reached the limit of where it will stop turning in))

Shifting is easy and smooth, but maybe that's because it feels nearly identical to the one in the Si I've become accustomed to. It has 4 doors, the opening in the back when you lift the trunk is cavernous.

The ride in comfort mode is the largest difference from track mode (+R) to comfort out of anything I tested. +R to sport I can hardly tell that much of a difference, but when you click down into comfort some withcraft magic happens, the car gets quieter, and the road noise drops. Ride is still more bumpy than I would hope for, though... I think this comes down to how thin the tires are. Strongly considering a drop to 18" wheels with 275/35 or 255/40 tires. I won't be lowering the car because my driveway is a cliff, a common theme in Los Angeles.

It feels much more spacious than the Golf R when you sit inside it, even though the specs say that isn't true. I'm 6'2" and there's so much headroom compared to my civic sedan I had to laugh. The back seats have plenty of leg room, while being much easier to get into than something like the Challenger. Why are there only 4 seats instead of 5? Whatever. The seats are stellar, though overly bolstered if you are a wider dude. I love that when I'm wearing a helmet, the upper portion of the seat from your shoulders leans back to allow for room. With the helmet on I don't have to slouch forward like I did with the seats in my Si.

Sound system is good, but not as good as the Challenger. For spirited driving +R mode steering/suspension is great, but the Camaro and RS felt better. In comfort mode road noise is third to the Golf R and Challenger, suspension is third to the Challenger and Camaro. With the seats folded down it feels like it has more space than the Golf R even though I don't think that's quite the case.

Driving Experience: 8/10

Practicality: 7/10

  Final note: The looks are very polarizing. They must be, because you get a LOT of stares in this car and a LOT of rev bombs from other drivers. If you want attention get a Type R. Downside is, I don't want attention. Maybe more points for the Golf R should you find yourself in the market. This car is a great car, I can see why reviewers love it so damn much. I smile when I think about driving it, and I can throw a bunch of shit in it for road trips or carpool to work without issue. What more could you ask for?... Chevy SS dreams intensify

  TL;DR: Set out to buy an AWD/RWD car that can fit a cello case, has Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and costs ~$45k or less. Bought a FWD car because, to me, it's the best blend of fun driving and practicality on the market.

[likesumit]

Top Cars Under 10 Lakhs In India

India is one of the 5 largest car manufacturers in the world. Strong economic development and increasing urbanization paved the way for the growth and development of large cities, which in turn witnessed an increase in the number of four-wheel drive vehicles on the roads. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the number of cars manufactured and used in India is constantly increasing. Recently, competition in the "mid-range segment" has increased with auto giants such as Maruti, Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Mahindra introducing some amazing family-oriented cars in this segment.

In this article, we have selected the “Best Cars Under 10 Lakh In India” currently available in the market for people looking for a car for their family that will not put any pockets of their impact. The list consists of cars from various Indian and foreign brands based on their sales, performance, mileage, prices, features and most of all the preferences of the customers.

1. Maruti Alto K10 (price 3.46 - 4.30 lakhs)

Mileage: Gasoline - 24.7 km / liter CNG - 33.44 km / kg

Engine: 796 cc

An advanced version of the Maruti Alto 800, the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is currently in its eighth generation. This little box made its debut in 1979. The current Alto K10 is the advanced version of the second generation Alto that was released in 2014 with minor updates primarily on the outside and inside, and it remains mechanical as it is.

2. Maruti Celerio (price 4.20 - 5.30 lakhs)

Mileage: Gasoline - 23.1 km / liter CNG - 31.79 km / kg

Engine: 998 cc

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio was launched in the year 2014 and is currently in the top 5 selling cars in India. In 2017, some minor updates were made to this model and it now only comes with a petrol engine. Celerio has an interior with electric ORVMs, a Bluetooth music system, along with optional features of dual front airbags and ABS. Although it is a small car, it has a bold shoulder and waistline. Recommended: Top 5 Low Maintenance Cars in India

3 - Renault Kwid (Price 2.62 - 4.94 Lakhs)

Mileage: Gasoline - 25.17 km / liter

Engine: STD petrol - 799 cc | Climber variant - 999 cc

Kwid is an entry-level Renault crossover that targets the Indian market. Manufactured by the French automaker, it was introduced in 2015. It was the first car to be based on the new CMF-A platform developed by Renault and Nissan. The Renault Kwid 300 liter trunk is the largest in its class compared to competitors such as the Alto K10.

4. Ford Figo (Price 5.37 - 8.0 Lakhs)

Mileage: Diesel - 25.83 km3 | Gasoline - 17.01 kilometers per barrel

Engine: variant, diesel - 1498 cc | Gasoline variant - 1196 cc

The Figo is a compact hatchback that Ford India manufactures locally at its factories in Chennai and Sindh. It has been on the market since 2010. It was also awarded the 'Indian Car of the Year' award in 2011. Ford recently added a Wi-Fi option to all Figo versions as part of the upgrade.

5. Ford Aspire (price 5.58 - 8.54 Lakhs)

Mileage: Diesel - 25.83 km3 | Gasoline - 17.01 kilometers per barrel

Engine: variant, diesel - 1498 cc | Gasoline variant - 1196 cc

Ford Aspire is a car under four meters high specially designed for the Indian market. This compact sedan from Ford India is available in various petrol and diesel variants. In the front of the car there are headlights in the back and several parts. For safety, Ford India offers two airbags as a requirement in all variants. Inside, too, the Aspire has a lot to offer its owners in the form of a beautiful, rich dashboard and music system similar to EcoSport. You also get a Sync app that allows the driver to send the vehicle's coordinates to emergency services in the event of an accident.

Read More: Best Cars Under 10 lakh

6. Hyundai Elite i20 at a price of 5.35 - 9.35 Lakhs

Distance meter: Diesel - 22.54 km3 | Gasoline - 19.8 km / liter

Engine: variant, diesel - 1396 cc | Gasoline variant - 1368 cc

Hyundai's Elite i20 was initially launched in August 2014, and won the 2015 Car of the Year award. The new Hyundai Elite i20 receives cosmetic and feature improvements. Although under the hood, the new model also comes with the same powertrain. On the outside, the latest update to the Elite i20 includes redesigned headlights with cascading grille. Inside, it features new furnishings and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

7. Maruti Swift (Price 4.99 - 8.29 Lakhs)

Mileage: Diesel - 28.4 km3 | Gasoline - 22.0 kmpl

Engine: variant, diesel - 1248 cc | 1197 cc variable petrol

It has been 12 years since the launch of the Maruti Swift, but so far it has been one of the most successful cars sold in the Indian auto market, selling over 1.7 million units to date. Comes with a sporty look grille and new HEARTECT platform. The Swift top model comes with a touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay, navigation system and Bluetooth dialing. The car competes with the Nissan Micra, Hyundai i10, and Ford Figo, among others.

8. Maruti Dzire (price 5.56 - 9.43)

Mileage: Diesel - 28.4 km3 | Gasoline - 22.0 kmpl

Engine: variant, diesel - 1248 cc | Gasoline variant - 1197 cc

The Maruti Swift Dzire has been operating in the Indian market since 2008 as a compact sedan. The third generation (third generation of Dzire) was launched in 2017. It is based on the lightweight HEARTECT platform. In 2015, the Maruti Swift Dzire was awarded "Most Attractive Midsize Car" and "Most Reliable Midsize Car" by J.D. Energy. Maruti faced the likes of Tata Zest, Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent, the Dzire team.

9- Tata Tiago (price 3.25 - 5.85 lakhs)

Distance gauge: diesel - 27.28 km3 | Gasoline - 23.84 kmbl

Engine: variant, diesel - 1047 cc | Gasoline variant - 1199 cc

Built by Indian manufacturer Tata Motors, it follows Tata's HorizonNext design that comes with a grille and slanted taillights that resemble the brothers Tata Bolt and Tata Zest. Although Thiago looks different, he has preserved his legacy. The high-end model from Tiago comes with alloy wheels, ConnectNext Infotainment System, rear washer with windshield wiper and many other features. He competed with Maruti Celerio and Maruti Wagon R.

10. Volkswagen Polo (price 5.52 - 9.34 lakhs)

Mileage: Diesel - 20.14 km3 | Gasoline - 17.21 kmpl

Engine: variant, diesel - 1498 cc | Gasoline variant - 1197 cc

Volkswagen Polo is a car made in Germany and launched in 1975. It was sold in Europe and other countries around the world in hatchback, sedan and station wagon models. The car also won the "World Car of the Year" award in 2010. The current Polo (sixth generation) was introduced in 2017 in Berlin

[automotivetransportationresearch]

Electric Vehicle Communication Controller Market Promising Growth Opportunities and Forecast 2019-2027

The Electric Vehicle Communication Controller Market is expected to grow from USD 55 million in 2019 to USD 563 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 33.8%. The growing demand for greener transport is the major factor driving the growth of this market. Heavy investments by OEMs worldwide in research & testing applications have led to continuous advancements in electric vehicles, batteries, and charging solution equipment. In November 2018, LG Innotek developed the V2X Full Module for connected cars and autonomous vehicles. In addition to having the wireless communication ability enough for commercialization, this device can be equipped into any part of a vehicle because of its excellent durability and minimized size, enhanced from the 1st generation models. V2X helps in the sharing of information such as traffic conditions between vehicles, vehicle and infrastructure, and vehicle and pedestrians.

View Detail TOC @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/electric-vehicle-communication-controller-market-81864236.html

In the electric vehicle communication controller market, by vehicle type, the passenger car segment is estimated to be the largest. This segment includes sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), Multi-Utility Vehicles (MUVs), and other car types. The passenger car segment of the electric vehicle market is growing at a significant rate in emerging economies in the Asia Pacific region. The market growth in the region can be attributed to a rise in the GDP and population, improvement in lifestyle, increased purchasing power of consumers, and development of infrastructure. The market for EVCC is expected to grow significantly in the commercial vehicle segment as well, as these vehicles are used for transporting and delivering heavy loads over long distance and require high range and reliability. EVCC will play a crucial role in these vehicles as it will help in fast charging of the vehicle.

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=81864236

The Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the largest and fastest growing market during the forecast period. The region has witnessed several innovations, significant R&D, and technological advancements in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. It comprises some of the fastest developing economies in the world such as China, Japan, and India. The governments of these developing economies have recognized the growth potential of the electric vehicle market and, hence, have taken different initiatives to attract major OEMs to manufacture electric vehicles in domestic markets. For instance, the Government of India, to increase the adoption of electric vehicles, has announced plans for financial support—a zero-rated goods and services tax (GST) for a window of 3 years for EVs and a scheme called Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME). Market experts predict EVs would account for around 50% of the market share in China by 2025, which would drive the growth of the Asia Pacific market. China is estimated to be the largest market as it has the ability to manufacture EVs in mass volume. The increasing popularity of compact EVs will propel the market for EVCC in the future.

Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=81864236

Critical Aspects:

·  Electric vehicle manufacturers have partnered with charging solution providers for technology sharing. How will this transform the overall market?

·  How will fast-paced developments in passenger cars and commercial vehicles by leading manufacturers change the dynamics of this market?

·  The industry is focusing on automated technology. Which are the leading companies working on automated technology, and what organic and inorganic strategies have been adopted by them?

·  The report includes an analysis of your competition that includes major players in this market. The major players are Efacec (Portugal), Engie (France), Ficosa (Spain), and Vector (New Zealand), among others.  

To speak to our analyst for a discussion on the above findings, click Speak to Analyst

[robertvasquez763]

$199 Lease Deals for January 2018

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For some, leasing is the best way to get into a new car, whether for inscrutable tax reasons or for the peace of mind that comes with never being outside the warranty period. For others, it’s a treadmill of renting that results in never owning a tangible vehicular asset. What’s right for you? Hey, ask your accountant or clergyman; we’re just here to dig up the data and generate a spreadsheet.

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This isn’t a comprehensive database; instead, it’s a survey of the deals offered around the $199 price point on manufacturer websites. These are the commodity cars and trucks, the new vehicles that hit the road in huge numbers; once again, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren have failed to offer $200 lease deals. These just-under-$200 deals are seductive come-ons that manufacturers hope will lead to a lifelong addiction to leasing. They are the siren call that beckons you into a world where you always drive a new or newish vehicle and maybe a nicer vehicle than what you’d pay for outright.

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Getting the absolute best deal means putting in work beyond reading this story. It means not only researching what vehicle to lease but also doing some smart shopping for the financial products that support your acquisition. A lease is a contract, and the elements of that contract are negotiable at some level. It may be that working with a bank, leasing company, or credit union may yield an even better deal than what the factories offer; it never hurts to shop around. Keep in mind that all of these offers generally require a stellar credit rating. Those of us with lousier financial reputations can expect to pay more.

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Use our survey as a baseline for your research. Then make some calls, be honest about your financial situation and credit rating, and be prepared to shop with several financial considerations in mind: the purchase price of the new vehicle, the residual value contracted at the end of the lease, mileage allowances, and the interest rate of the money used to support the transaction.

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The $199 target price here is loose, since different regions may offer the same vehicle at lower or higher rates. The charts include calculations for the total cost of each lease: money due at signing, total monthly payments, and additional costs like lease-end disposition fees. Then we divide that total by the number of allotted miles in the lease to calculate a cost-per-mile charge, assuming full use of the agreed miles. If a manufacturer offers a $199 deal in one region, we’ll include that vehicle for all four ZIP codes from which we’re harvesting—in Southern California, Chicago, Ann Arbor, and New York City—even if the deal carries a nominal price higher or lower than $199 per month.

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Every month, the deals change. And this month, here are the highlights.

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Deal of the Month

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The Cadenza is Kia’s answer to the Toyota Avalon. In other words, it’s an answer to a question fewer and fewer buyers are asking. And that’s reflected in its sales numbers, which have been negligible. But what keeps the Cadenza obscure may be an opportunity for you.

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Shoppers in Southern California can lease a new 2017 Cadenza, currently languishing in some dealers’ inventory, for $199 a month on a two-year lease or $219 a month for three years. The buy-ins here aren’t cheap—it takes more than $3000 at signing to kick off these leases—but the Cadenza is a cushy, executive-class ride for the monthly chit of a more pedestrian Optima or the hamster-heavenly Soul. And it’s significantly less expensive than what the same car is offered for in the rest of the country.

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The Downright Cheapest

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Subaru snags the title this month thanks to offering a 2018 Impreza hatchback for only $185 a month for 42 months with absolutely nothing due at signing. This isn’t a fancy Impreza—in fact, it has a five-speed manual transmission—but at a cost of only 19 cents per mile, it’s the sort of sensible transportation that creates ardor in the hearts of people who professionally add up columns of numbers all day.

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So Dang Cheap

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When better Toyotas are built, it will be Mazda that builds them. For proof, check out the Toyota Yaris iA, which is a version of the Mazda 2 small sedan that was originally marketed by Toyota as a Scion. When Scion took its dirt nap, the iA was rebranded as a Toyota (and given the additional Yaris moniker), and it can now be found squirreled away in the dark corners of Toyota lots around the country.

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The Yaris iA is one of the best-driving small cars available for under $20,000. In the New York City region, this sweetie can be had for a ludicrously cheap $119 a month after $1999 down. Even after accounting for the $650 acquisition fee and $350 disposition fee that Toyota buries in the fine print, that still results in a totally modest 20 cents per mile on a three-year/36,000-mile lease. It’s a killer deal that you’re likely to survive.

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In other regions, Yaris iA leases are substantially more. In Southern California, for instance, it’s $219 a month after $1999 at signing. That works out to 27 cents per mile, or about 35 percent more expensive.

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Rocky Mountain High Division

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If you’re a General Motors employee, the company really wants to put you in a new Colorado pickup. Employee residents of Michigan can snag a Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 4×4 for only $199 per month after a modest $2029 at signing on a two-year, 20,000-mile lease. For everyone else, that same monthly cost can be achieved after hacking up $6409 at signing for the same truck and terms. It almost makes you want to get a job at GM. Outside Michigan, civilian deals on Colorados are even more expensive. Think $299 per month, with significant discounts for returning GM lease holders.

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Not Cheap Enough

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The three-cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is detestable headed toward awful after a stop for a 7-Eleven hot dog. But it’s even easier to despise when its lease offer is $189 per month plus $3388 at signing. That’s dang near $3400 of your money just to start driving a terrible car for three years. The very slightly less crummy Mirage G4 sedan can be had for $199 per month with $3398 up front. Have you considered Merrell hiking boots? Or taking the bus?

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Variations, Variations

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This month, Kia managed to stuff in 74 different deals on eight distinct models that all fell within our loose parameters. Our read is that those on the Sorento crossover SUV are the best, including one in the New York metro area that offers a 2017 Sorento LX for $209 per month after $2599 at signing for three years and 36,000 miles.

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Driver’s Choice

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Honda offers the sublime 205-hp, six-speed-manual-only 2017 and 2018 Civic Si in both coupe and sedan body styles for as little as $179 per month after $2999 at signing. That’s for residents of Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and all of New England. But it’s actually a better deal to pay $199 a month after only $2299 down for a 2017 model in an offer that’s good nationwide.

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The Altima’s Ascent

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Nissan has long been a keen contender in the leasing battles. So why has the featured lease on the 2017 Altima 2.5 S, offered in Southern California, shot up to $249 per month after $3849 at signing? In November, the same three-year deal was $189 per month after $3499 at signing. And in November 2016, an Altima 2.5 S was offered at $189 per month after $2899 at signing in Southern California and a measly $159 per month after a scant $1650 at signing in New York City.

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Ram uber Alles

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Driving for Uber and want to keep your costs down and your passenger capacity up? Then how about a Ram ProMaster City wagon for $199 per month after $2999 at signing in the New York City area? Fun fact with which to entertain your passengers: The ProMaster City wagon is really a Fiat Dobl�� made in Turkey and sold by a brand named after a horned goat.

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[ronakiyer-blog]

Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire vs. Stingray: Which one’s better?

Maruti Suzuki has recently introduced some new cars, which are already making heads turn. However, when buying any of the new cars, buyers often compare the features of these new models with Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire features that remain to be one of the best sedans in the price range.

Buyers are looking for fuel efficient cars often end up comparing Maruti Stingray specifications with that of Dzire. Maruti has recently launched new features like an auto gear shift and K-series engine in both these models. But both these cars have different pricing and features. A detailed comparison helps to differentiate between them better.

Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire specifications

Swift Dzire is a sedan with a powerful K series engine, with 1197cc (petrol) and 1248cc (diesel) engine capacity. This makes it perfect for highway and city drive. It has five manual transmissions, four cylinders and two fuel variants. Buyers can choose the diesel or the petrol variant as per their requirement. The petrol model gives a fuel average of 18.5kpl while the diesel model offers a mileage of 26.59kpl.

When it comes to Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire features, the car boasts of improved safety measures like ABS, EBS, rear door child lock and reverse parking sensor. Manoeuvring the car is easy with the electrical power steering. The 5-seater car has an excellent seating capacity with ample leg space for maximum comfort. The Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire specifications include a boot space of 316 litres.

Maruti Stingray Specifications

The Wagon R Stingray was introduced recently by Maruti Suzuki and is a budget friendly hatchback car. This car has an engine capacity of 998cc with three cylinders which makes it more suitable for city drive. It comes in petrol variant. The new K-series engine introduced in this model is what makes it different than the previous Wagon R models. The new engine ensures smooth gear transmission and makes the car more comfortable to drive. The car gives a mileage of 20.51kpl.

Some of the other features that set the Maruti Stingray apart includes- better safety like ABS,  driver side airbags, rear door child lock, rear wiper, washer and defogger so that cleaning the window during rough weather becomes easy. When compared to the hatchback, Stingray is spacious and offers good leg space. However, when compare to Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the hatchback has a boot space of 180 litres only.

In conclusion, both the new models launched by Maruti are fuel efficient. For someone looking for a budget friendly city car, the Wagon R stingray is a better option. However, when looking for a sedan that is ideal for long rides, the swift Dzire is more suitable.

Author Bio- Ronak iyer is an engineering student residing in delhi. During his spare time, he loved to write about his passion for cars. Through this article, he has written about the maruti cars in delhi with the hope others will share his passion. Check out his work as he compares Maruti Stingray specifications and Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire specifications offering his opinion on which care to pick while purchasing.

[automotivetransportationresearch]

Electric Vehicle Communication Controller Market Promising Growth Opportunities and Forecast 2019-2027

The Electric Vehicle Communication Controller Market is expected to grow from USD 55 million in 2019 to USD 563 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 33.8%. The growing demand for greener transport is the major factor driving the growth of this market. Heavy investments by OEMs worldwide in research & testing applications have led to continuous advancements in electric vehicles, batteries, and charging solution equipment. In November 2018, LG Innotek developed the V2X Full Module for connected cars and autonomous vehicles. In addition to having the wireless communication ability enough for commercialization, this device can be equipped into any part of a vehicle because of its excellent durability and minimized size, enhanced from the 1st generation models. V2X helps in the sharing of information such as traffic conditions between vehicles, vehicle and infrastructure, and vehicle and pedestrians.

View Detail TOC @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/electric-vehicle-communication-controller-market-81864236.html

In the electric vehicle communication controller market, by vehicle type, the passenger car segment is estimated to be the largest. This segment includes sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), Multi-Utility Vehicles (MUVs), and other car types. The passenger car segment of the electric vehicle market is growing at a significant rate in emerging economies in the Asia Pacific region. The market growth in the region can be attributed to a rise in the GDP and population, improvement in lifestyle, increased purchasing power of consumers, and development of infrastructure. The market for EVCC is expected to grow significantly in the commercial vehicle segment as well, as these vehicles are used for transporting and delivering heavy loads over long distance and require high range and reliability. EVCC will play a crucial role in these vehicles as it will help in fast charging of the vehicle.

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=81864236

The Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the largest and fastest growing market during the forecast period. The region has witnessed several innovations, significant R&D, and technological advancements in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. It comprises some of the fastest developing economies in the world such as China, Japan, and India. The governments of these developing economies have recognized the growth potential of the electric vehicle market and, hence, have taken different initiatives to attract major OEMs to manufacture electric vehicles in domestic markets. For instance, the Government of India, to increase the adoption of electric vehicles, has announced plans for financial support—a zero-rated goods and services tax (GST) for a window of 3 years for EVs and a scheme called Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME). Market experts predict EVs would account for around 50% of the market share in China by 2025, which would drive the growth of the Asia Pacific market. China is estimated to be the largest market as it has the ability to manufacture EVs in mass volume. The increasing popularity of compact EVs will propel the market for EVCC in the future.

Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=81864236

Critical Aspects:

· Electric vehicle manufacturers have partnered with charging solution providers for technology sharing. How will this transform the overall market?

· How will fast-paced developments in passenger cars and commercial vehicles by leading manufacturers change the dynamics of this market?

· The industry is focusing on automated technology. Which are the leading companies working on automated technology, and what organic and inorganic strategies have been adopted by them?

·  The report includes an analysis of your competition that includes major players in this market. The major players are Efacec (Portugal), Engie (France), Ficosa (Spain), and Vector (New Zealand), among others.  

To speak to our analyst for a discussion on the above findings, click Speak to Analyst

[automotivetransportationresearch]

Electric Vehicle Communication Controller Market Size, Share, Forecast Report - 2027

The Electric Vehicle Communication Controller Market is expected to grow from USD 55 million in 2019 to USD 563 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 33.8%. The growing demand for greener transport is the major factor driving the growth of this market. Heavy investments by OEMs worldwide in research & testing applications have led to continuous advancements in electric vehicles, batteries, and charging solution equipment. In November 2018, LG Innotek developed the V2X Full Module for connected cars and autonomous vehicles. In addition to having the wireless communication ability enough for commercialization, this device can be equipped into any part of a vehicle because of its excellent durability and minimized size, enhanced from the 1st generation models. V2X helps in the sharing of information such as traffic conditions between vehicles, vehicle and infrastructure, and vehicle and pedestrians.

View Detail TOC @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/electric-vehicle-communication-controller-market-81864236.html

In the electric vehicle communication controller market, by vehicle type, the passenger car segment is estimated to be the largest. This segment includes sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), Multi-Utility Vehicles (MUVs), and other car types. The passenger car segment of the electric vehicle market is growing at a significant rate in emerging economies in the Asia Pacific region. The market growth in the region can be attributed to a rise in the GDP and population, improvement in lifestyle, increased purchasing power of consumers, and development of infrastructure. The market for EVCC is expected to grow significantly in the commercial vehicle segment as well, as these vehicles are used for transporting and delivering heavy loads over long distance and require high range and reliability. EVCC will play a crucial role in these vehicles as it will help in fast charging of the vehicle.

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=81864236

The Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the largest and fastest growing market during the forecast period. The region has witnessed several innovations, significant R&D, and technological advancements in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. It comprises some of the fastest developing economies in the world such as China, Japan, and India. The governments of these developing economies have recognized the growth potential of the electric vehicle market and, hence, have taken different initiatives to attract major OEMs to manufacture electric vehicles in domestic markets. For instance, the Government of India, to increase the adoption of electric vehicles, has announced plans for financial support—a zero-rated goods and services tax (GST) for a window of 3 years for EVs and a scheme called Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME). Market experts predict EVs would account for around 50% of the market share in China by 2025, which would drive the growth of the Asia Pacific market. China is estimated to be the largest market as it has the ability to manufacture EVs in mass volume. The increasing popularity of compact EVs will propel the market for EVCC in the future.

Request Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=81864236

North America is a regional hub for many renowned OEMs known for delivering quality and high-performance vehicles. OEMs in North America such as Tesla and GM focus on the development of faster, cleaner, and high-performance electric vehicles. Various services offered by electric vehicle infrastructure providers have increased the adoption rate of electric vehicles in the US. These services have reduced range anxiety of electric vehicle owners. The Canadian government is investing substantially in building its electric vehicle infrastructure. For instance, in 2016, federal budget of USD 62.5 million was allocated to Natural Resources Canada to support electric infrastructure and infrastructure for alternative transportation fuels. Later, in 2017, to promote low emission vehicles and build infrastructure, an additional budget of USD 90 million was given to Natural Resources Canada.

Critical Aspects:

Electric     vehicle manufacturers have partnered with charging solution providers for     technology sharing. How will this transform the overall market?

How     will fast-paced developments in passenger cars and commercial vehicles by     leading manufacturers change the dynamics of this market?

The     industry is focusing on automated technology. Which are the leading     companies working on automated technology, and what organic and inorganic     strategies have been adopted by them?

The     report includes an analysis of your competition that includes major     players in this market. The major players are Efacec (Portugal), Engie     (France), Ficosa (Spain), and Vector (New Zealand), among others.  

To speak to our analyst for a discussion on the above findings, click Speak to Analyst

[smoothshift]

I set out to buy a Lexus and came home with a Mercedes: A Cautionary Tale for Dealerships via /r/cars

I set out to buy a Lexus and came home with a Mercedes: A Cautionary Tale for Dealerships

Just a warning: this is probably going to be kind of long, so just scroll to the bottom for closing thoughts. Here are some tl;dr pictures - absolutely gorgeous.

The Background: So about a year ago, the lease on my wife's (L) Mini Countryman was about to end, and we were looking for an upgrade. The Mini was fun enough, but it was time for something nicer. L had her heart set on a Panamera, but was also interested in the LC500. Really, the only requirements we had were: at least four seats, and it had to be interesting. No standard sedans, absolutely no SUVs, no hatchbacks or wagons. It wasn't a super long list.

First stop: Porsche. We had a fantastic experience, an awesome salesperson, and had specced out, ordered, and put a deposit down on a 2018 Panamera. Unfortunately, I had a repo on my record (long story, walked away from a car that wasn't worth finishing payments on), and even though it was about to fall off, Porsche will not give a lease to anyone with a repo on their credit report, no exceptions. Then we went to Lexus and had a... mixed experience.

Then life happened and we didn't really need a second car, so it kind of went on the back burner. Fast forward to now...

First stop, Lexus: We had the day free since the kiddo was out with friends, so we decided that this weekend was when we get a new car! First stop, a Lexus dealership that claimed to have an LC with the option we wanted: the toasted caramel interior, which is shockingly rare even though it's by far the best one.

The experience started off frustrating - why the fuck is it so difficult for dealerships to have clearly-marked drives and obvious parking areas and entrances? We pulled up and were greeted by a sales guy in a polo shirt. I only mention that as a contrast for later. The dealership itself was an inoffensive beige. So inoffensive it was offensive. Like, super grim. Low ceiling, poor lighting, cramped cubicles, weird smell, meh carpet. Again, this is in contrast to later.

They don't take us super seriously. First, he said he didn't think they had any in - there was a bright red one sitting in the showroom like 10 feet from his desk. The he says he's not sure if they have the one on the website in stock (side note: how the fuck does the website not update based on the dealership's inventory system? This is like 20 year old tech at this point. Why are car dealerships so pathetically outdated?) Finally he lead us out to the garage and showed us the car. We declined the test drive, since we've already driven the car twice, talked a little about the LC F (660HP, but $170,000 MSRP - these things are going to sit on lots until they're sold for 50% off like the NSX was.)

We get to his desk and start talking numbers. It's important to remember that Lexus set a goal of 400 - 500 units per month, and has fallen pathetically short since. The car has sold an average of 150 units per month over the last several months, and has been in a state of permanent discount. Since May of last year, there has not been a single month that they haven't been running a lease special of $4k down / $1199 per month. Our target price was $1,000 per month thanks to some other discounts. They comes back with a counter-offer: $1,700 / month, $5,000 down. The special they have going now is only on 2018 models, and the one we want is a 2019. They start with the "These are super in demand, we can't keep them on the lot." A month and a half this thing has been sitting. Flying off the lots my ass. They wouldn't budge, so we walked out. I get tough negotiating, but I have no patience with people bullshitting about how awesome they are. You sell Toyotas. And not ones that are in high demand. And you do so from a beige hell of tiny, cramped, poorly lit cubicles.

Next, Mercedes: We needed a car, so on a whim we went to MB down the street. I figured, may as well look at a CLS, since it has been reviewed positively and was in the same class as a Panamera, and was cool and funky looking. The Mercedes dealership is immaculate - amazing cars in the showroom, gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows and giant skylights, everything is spotless, there's a coffee station (Lexus had a paid cafe. I'm making a 5-figure purchase from you, and you want me to pay for your shitty coffee?), it smells nice. The sales guy is wearing a well-tailored suit and nice shoes. I'm a whore for menswear, so I notice. It's not a polo shirt and khakis. We're dressed super casual and the sales guy didn't see us pull up in the Jag, but immediately takes us seriously and starts showing us CLSes - we still want a light interior, and it's rare, so it takes a while to find it.

The sales guy is way more personable and at ease than the Lexus guy. We find a gorgeous 2019 CLS 450 in designo Diamnod White Metallic with tan and Titian red leather and an Elm inlay. Mercedes needs to cut that shit out - your cars are nice enough, you don't need to go with ridiculous names. Test drive is great, the sales guy matches our numbers pretty closely and works with us to get it where we want, people stop by in rotation and none of them can stop talking about how much they genuinely love MB. Our sales guy talks about how the day he went to AMG performance school was the happiest day of his life. Four hours later, we leave in a new CLS 450. The entire experience felt incredibly personal, pleasant, and professional - which is rare in Miami, and rarer at car dealerships. We're paying significantly less for a car that's at least as nice as the LC, and the whole experience was actually pleasant.

So Lexus, thanks, but no thanks. Never again. If I come in to buy the most expensive car on your lot and you don't try any harder than you would for a basic trying to pick up a CPO RX, that's not a good look.

The Car / TL;DR: Here it is - absolutely gorgeous.

What initially drew us to the LC was the funky futuristic shape, and the absolutely immaculate interior. The craftsmanship and details in the LC are awesome. The CLS is at least as good. Every single detail is perfect. The reading/map lights come on slowly and then provide amazing illumination. The funky LED in-car lighting seems like it should be cheesy, but it actually super cool. All the buttons are solid and made of real metal. The wood inlay is incredibly nice, and the leather is probably the best in this class (again, menswear whore married to a bag whore - we know our leather.) The infotainment isn't a touch screen, but still works very well. The car is eerily quiet - the EQ drive is weird, but in a cool way. And I'm getting 23 MPG city. The car isn't fast, per se, but surprisingly it's faster than the base Panamera, and as fast as the LC (at least in a straight line.) Overall, it's just such a nice place to be - it's comfortable, and totally different than the F-Type which constantly tries to rip your face off. The CLS just wants to chill out. And the air vent perfume system is absolutely ludicrous, but also oddly pleasant.

Just thought I'd rant for a minute, because I really wanted an LC, and the Lexus dealership totally soured me on the experience. And really, $170,000 for an LC F? Come on, guys. A 600 hp Toyota just isn't worth that much. Have you learned nothing from the LC and LFA?

[smoothshift]

My experience shopping for a family car via /r/cars

My experience shopping for a family car

Hi all. Long time lurker. Just wanted to share my recent experiences - both to simply share, and also to get some outside perspective. For context, I am in Canada.

I have pregnant wife and a dog, and we have senior parents we drive around. We have a sedan and an aging hatchback, so the latter is out and a family car is in.

I've always had a soft spot for the Ford Flex, so I decided to start there. I have no anti-minivan sentiment, so there isn't typical crossover appeal in my makeup as a consumer. I honestly like the future-classic styling.

I first drove a N/A (no ecoboost). I found it a bit weak on the throttle, but reasonable. My wife and I through the overall comfort was okay for passengers, but even at being just under 6'0, I did not find I had enough legroom as the driver. I wasn't a fan of the cargo space, which was surprisingly limited with the seats down. I drove an ecoboost for comparison sake, as I've seen it stated many times on this subreddit that folks often regret passing on it. Perhaps I just expected more, but I didn't find it to be the "SHO wagon" I craved. It was okay, and I figured we'd pass on it and stick with the N/A version. However, the more I looked over the car, the more I found I didn't like it. The fit and finish felt weak, and the doors were massive. The vehicle as a whole feels dated, and you can tell Ford is just waiting for it to pass off into the sunset as they will kill it off soon. We decided to pass and moved on.

I decided to check out the VW Alltrack. I love wagons, but I didn't get far with this one. It's just shamefully under-powered and left me craving more. Also, the style of the seat just didn't jive with me, and I kept sitting on my god damned balls. We moved pretty quick from the Alltrack to our next option.

I've always loved Volvos, so we had a look at the brand new 2019 v60. God damn, is this car a stunner, and amazingly comfortable once you're inside, but it is also super low to the ground. Getting into the drivers seat requires a bit of a trust fall, and simulating dealing with a car seat killed it for us as I've got some back issues to contend with. We learned through this process that we were looking at the wrong cars, and should entertain something physically higher.

I decided to have a look at the Subaru Ascent. The current marketing is pushing this as a true 7 seater family car, but we quickly realized this was a farce. With the 3rd row up, the trunk space is minimal. I was actually shocked at how little remained. The legroom for both the second and third row was weak, and I could not sit up straight in the third row. Kids could work there, but no adults, and if you did have a family full of kids for a weekend trip, there is no where to pack anything. We didn't even drive it, because there was no point. I really wanted to see how that 4 banger would pull that truck around, but I didn't get the chance to as I didn't want to waste the salespersons time on a car I quickly realized was not good for us.

We never considered a van up until this point because it felt like killing a fly with a sledge hammer, but I'm a practical guy, and once we started thinking about it, I got excited about the utility.

Some online searching led me to knock out the Dodge Caravan and Toyota Sienna for safety reasons. The Dodge didn't surprise me, but Toyota dragging an 8 year minivan along does/did. I was not impressed to learn that after failing drivers side small overlap tests in 2015 (I think that's when it was), they reinforced the drivers side, but not the passengers side, which has led them again to have a poor safety rating. I get that these are rare accidents, and Toyota does put a lot of electrical system assists like auto braking and that jazz to mitigate it even on the base model now, but this killed it for me. Call me paranoid, but I'd never forgive myself if something happened to my wife and I knew this was a fault. I was really excited about the AWD option, but alas, no Toyota. I never even looked at the Dodge, but I did check out the Toyota for shits and giggles. I found that it had a nice, flat entry point for the sliding door and ample room with the seat slid up to access the 3rd row. But on the negative side, the interior is really dated, and in my taste, really ugly. Comfort was fine, though.

I was left with three options. The Kia Sedona, the Honda Odyssey, and the Chyrsler Pacifica.

I first checked out the Odyssey. With the sliding door open, the entry point is not flat and flushed, and raised a bit towards the back. I could see our senior parents tripping. I also didn't like how access to the third row was poor when the second row had all 3 seats equipped. You can tilt the second row, but it kicks the sliding rails up in the air, making for a bad tripping hazard. I felt frustrated by this design and decided to leave it, look at something else, and the come back.

It was time for the Sedona. Kia sales staff were living up to the terrible stereotype, and it took half an hour to just look at one. They took me to an SXL top trim model. I don't know much about Kia and don't have any reason to dislike them. I've heard a lot of good things, but I was not impressed with my first interactions when it came to quality of materials an feel. The door was light, the plastics glossy and tacky, and the console felt super dated. I really didn't like how it had the whole car-like center console thing going with the larger shiftier. For comparison, the Odyssey has buttons and the Pacifica has a puck. Those two get a lot of flak, but in my opinion, I much prefer those to a stick in an auto tranny. The Honda's buttons are super nice as you don't have to run through gears and you just pick what you need. It's different, but it works. Anyways, I digress. I was not digging the feel, but the Kia did have some neat stuff like front facing cameras. You do get a lot of bells and whistles, but I was focused on the core. We drove it and I found the new 8 speed transmission was really jumpy and hunting. Throttle response was really lame, with a lot of lag, and I wasn't feeling it from there out. I cut the drive short. I don't think I've ever been as eager to get out of a car as I was with the Sedona. If I were riding in the second row, I'd probably dig it as those are some nice seats, but as the driver, I was miserable. I left in a bit of shock and exclaimed to my wife that I didn't understand how this car won so many accolades. Clearly, it pleases someone, but not me. It's also priced very close to everything else, so I'm not feeling the value initiative.

Next up was the Pacifica. It's fun to shit on FCA, but I recently rented a Durango and enjoyed it (I was going to look at one but we decided to shop vans and that was before we got the Durango, so alas, it never got fully considered). The fit and finish was decent, but there is a juxtaposition between really nice touches, like a beautiful dash and really nice feelings leathers, to shitty plastic center consoles and unpleasant carpets. You get to known the carpets really well with the stow and go seats, which, from an engineering and practicality standpoint, are super cool. But they cost you in comfort. You sit with your hips low to the foor, and you knees up. My wife pointed out that none of our parents could sit like that for long. I imagine you lose some interior room to this system, as this was also the only van where I hit my back on the ceiling when crawling to the third row. None the less, we took it for a rip and the pentastar engine was really delightful. It has the notorious 9-speed ZF (which is also in the Odyssey with different software unless you go for the top touring/elite trim). I actually really liked the drive, but the drivers seat is very vertical, and I felt more and more fatigue as the drive went out. Power delivery was good, it shifted smooth, and I enjoyed it, but when we took a closer look at options when we got back to the dealership, we found you had to go to the higher trims to get items that were available in the middle of the pack of other vans (blind spot, adaptive cruise, etc). The Pacifica has a really great adaptive cruise that goes right down to stop and go traffic speeds, but I didn't want to spend upwards for 50 grand for that. My wife couldn't get comfortable in the seats and tried out a vehicle with fabric trim, and that was just bad. All in all, a very mixed bag with high highs and low lows. I was also disappointed to learn there is no spare offered (maybe on the base model, I'm not sure, but not on the touring L and up that we looked at. You lose it for an inflation kit or a vacuum.

We went back to the Honda and I tore out the middle seat in the showroom. But taking that out of the second row you can slide the seats in 4 directions, which makes it easier to just keep the damn car seat in and still throw old people or a dog in the back. The second row is also a lot comfier than the Pacifica due to the lack of stow and go. I wanted to drive the 10 speed, but their only demo was an ex-l, so I went for a spin. Out of all the vans, I felt most comfortable driving the Honda as it just 'clicked' with me. The infotainment system is also my favourite out of everything I tried, and the cameras/screen were really clear. I'd spent some time in a 2014 Crosstour before, and those blind spot cameras are so blurry you can't rely on them for a quick glance, but this system would be valuable for locating blindspot cyclists and the like. Accelerating was a bit chirpy, and I spun the wheels more often than I expected to, but this was much preferred over the sleepy Sedonda. We tried to work out a deal, but I was not satisfied with a 5% discount and decided to walk, thinking I may revisit this closer to when the baby is due, and see if I can score a CPO 2018.

It's worth noting the final 3 we considered have very similar stats and offerings. Similar power output and options. I find the Pacifica and Odyssey to be my preferred from the bunch, and would likely be looking at the Chrysler more if I though I'd use the stow and go seats on the regular (would be amazing for camping trips). But passenger comfort is a bigger concern. I also don't give a fuck about the entertainment systems, so we skipped that. With USB chargers and iPads, we could see no reason to shell out thousands more for propriety systems that offer less.

So, there you have it. I did leave out some details due to length, but just wanted to share in case someone else finds my thoughts useful, and I'm also curious to know what people think about what I think.

[smoothshift]

[OC] Let's talk about CAFE, how it is killing cars in favor of crossovers, and the definition of a truck. via /r/cars

[OC] Let's talk about CAFE, how it is killing cars in favor of crossovers, and the definition of a truck.

TL;DR at bottom.

So think back to the 1970s, back when land barges were in fashion, big block v8s were used for commuters, and fuel economy wasn’t really something people thought about. In 1970, cars like the Cadillac Eldorado were flying off dealer lots, it had an 8.2 liter v8, paired with a 3 speed transmission, 221 inches long, weighing nearly 4700lbs. To put that in context, the standard Escalade is 202 inches long, and the Eldorado was a coupe! The Eldorado’s fuel economy, was, ehh, whatever. You didn’t get EPA fuel economy ratings back then, and I’m pretty sure buyers weren’t asking their friends what fuel economy they got.

Of course we all know what happened next, war broke out in the middle east in 73, leading to multiple energy crises and massive hikes in gas prices. As a result, Gerald Ford introduced Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), a law intended to reduce fuel consumption in the United States. With the introduction of CAFE, reducing fuel consumption became law, and it, alongside market demand for smaller vehicles, pushed the downsizing of full-sized vehicles, and popularized the compact vehicle segment.

So what is CAFE? It its original form, CAFE weighed the average fuel economy of all vehicles under 6000lbs, and set out fuel economy targets for each car corporation to hit. Vehicles were divided into two categories: passenger cars (sedans, coupes, hatches, wagons) and light trucks (in addition to trucks, this category included vans and SUVs). A weighted harmonic mean of the fuel economy for all the vehicles sold by a corporation (This means companies with multiple brands were treated as a single entity). Minimum CAFE averages were created for each category, and companies that cannot hit it were fined. Exemptions were given for small boutique automakers, and vehicles above 6000lbs (eventually this changed to 8500lbs).

CAFE remained mostly unchanged until the Bush administration. In the beginning of 2003, George W Bush outlined 3 goals that he hoped to achieve in his state of the union address, one of which was energy independence. Bush believed that CAFE would help achieve his goals of “energy independence for our country, while dramatically improving the environment”.

Additionally, there was the issue of the Chrysler PT cruiser. Chrysler classified the PT cruiser, an odd looking hatchback, as a light truck. They argued that if vans were considered “light trucks”, then the PT Cruiser, a hatchback that looked like a van should be able to count too (interestingly enough, Chrysler never did make a factory PT Cruiser van, but Chevy’s PT Cruiser ripoff, the HHR, did have a panel van body style). I mean, if the guy who designed the PT cruiser calls it a van, who’s the argue otherwise?

Therefore, in 2006 and 2007, the NHTSA and the Bush administration tried to reform CAFE. The reform process was really slow, and there were multiple court challenges, but overall, there were three major changes: First of all, CAFE now takes into account the footprint of the car, smaller cars have to hit higher targets than larger ones (although the footprint scaling tops out at 52 square feet, you cannot make an infinitely large car with an infinitely bad fuel economy). So yes, you can call a PT cruiser a van, but because it is a tiny van, it is expected to hit much higher fuel economy numbers than a Ford Transit. Secondly, the NHTSA is instructed to continually raise CAFE expectations to the “maximum feasible” level, whereas CAFE standards didn’t change at all since inception to 2007. Finally, automakers can now trade their CAFE credits, automakers who come in lower than the CAFE weighted average can sell their credits to those who are over (something Tesla used to their advantage I believe).

Finally, the 2009, the Obama administration and the Department of Transportation devised a new roadmap leading up to 2025, which has proved to be controversial, and is something that the current Trump administration is fighting to roll back. Under Obama era CAFE rules, full sized sedans (IE: S Class) are supposed to hit 34mpg mixed, while full sized trucks (IE: F150) need to hit 23.

Ok, so to summarize, according to the law, there are two different CAFE numbers that automakers are expected to hit: Passenger vehicles, and light trucks. Heavy duty trucks and other vehicles above 8500lbs are exempt under CAFE. Passenger vehicles are expected to hit a much higher MPG number than lights trucks are.

But what is a light truck? Well, according to the CAFE regulations, this is the official definition of light truck:

“Light-duty truck means any motor vehicle rated at 8,500 pounds GVWR or less which has a vehicle curb weight of 6,000 pounds or less and which has a basic vehicle frontal area of 45 square feet or less, which is:

(1) Designed primarily for purposes of transportation of property or is a derivation of such a vehicle, or

(2) Designed primarily for transportation of persons and has a capacity of more than 12 persons, or

(3) Available with special features enabling off-street or off-highway operation and use.”

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You have to remember that back when CAFE was created, essentially there were three types of vehicles that fit into the light truck category: Pickup trucks and pickup truck based SUVs (think Suburbans), cargo vans, and offroad focused SUVs built on their own platform (think Wrangler, G class). Over the years, vans with a passenger capacity below 12 people started appearing, like the Sienna, and Pacifica, and they were categorized as light trucks, but nobody really disputed it since they were large and were designed to transport large numbers of people.

The issue lies in the third criteria. What do you consider to be an off road feature? Is an extra 2 inches of ground clearance? Is it AWD? 4x4? All terrain tires? Hell, does simply adding a “offroad” mode that changes traction control behavior count?

Remember, CAFE was created before the crossover was. Back in the day, the “offroad” provision really only really applied to the Wrangler. But today, more and more automakers are blatantly abusing the offroad categorization, by classifying their crossovers as trucks. So yeah, a Jeep Compass is a truck, a Ford Escape is a truck, a Toyota Rav4 is a truck, hell, the Subaru Outback is technically classified as a truck.

A modern crossover gets only negligibly worse MPG than its mechanically similar sedan counterpart. For instance, a FWD Ford Edge gets 1mpg worse than the FWD Fusion (AWD models are identical), while a FWD Flex gets 2mpg worse than the mechanically identical FWD Taurus. But the thing is, a similarly sized sedan often needs to achieve up to 10mpg better than a similarly sized “truck”. For instance, in 2025, CAFE requires an average full sized sedan to achieve 34mpg mixed, while a full sized “truck” only needs to hit 23mpg. Obviously, automakers have found it much easier to hit those targets with crossovers that they categorize as light trucks than with sedans. You can drive an Explorer off the lot today that gets 20mpg, 23 is within spitting distance, while there is only a single full sized sedan on the market that can possibly get 34mpg (Avalon Hybrid), every single other full sized sedan is still far away.

You also have to consider, that every single crossover that an automaker sells helps drag up the company’s truck average. After all, those body on frame trucks are definitely doing much worse mileage wise than a crossover. So yeah, high Compass sales allows FCA to sell their highly profitable RAMs, and high Escape sales helps Ford sell F150s.

So essentially what this means is that CAFE has created a massive market distortion, where automakers would rather sell you a crossover than a sedan. This means that more R&D funding is going into crossovers, and more marketing budget is being spent pushing crossover SUVs.

Of course, this would explain a lot of the decisions that automakers have been making recently. Ford most definitely will see a sales decline by dropping sedans, as only a portion of buyers who wanted a Ford sedan would switch to a Ford crossover. However, because sedan profit margins are very low, Ford probably would rather see a smaller number of potential sedan buyers buy their crossovers instead, as every crossover sold drags up the truck CAFE average, allowing them to sell more of their highly profitable F150s and Navigators.

Similarly, this is probably why Subaru, Audi, and Buick only sell “offroad” versions of their wagons in the United States. Sure, the only real difference between an Audi Avant and an Audi Allroad is an extra inch of ground clearance and some plastic cladding, but remember, the Allroad is an offroader, which means it’s a truck, not a car, and therefore, it counts towards truck CAFE.

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TL;DR

So yeah, in conclusion, I think it is very apparent to everyone that current CAFE regulations are broken. The definition to what is a “light truck” is just too broad, and includes far too many vehicles that really stretch the definition of truck. By doing so, CAFE is pushing automakers to abandon traditional car body styles (sedan, hatch, coupe), and make everything a crossover.