Karl has a good read up on a new Edmunds.com section called Car Audio and Electronics Center; which, as you might suspect, is geared towards the techie side of cars.
I'm in full agreement with Karl in that there are no really bad new cars out there. Even the worst car is really not that bad, especially when compared to vehicles that have come before (K-car, anyone?). That being said, what makes a customer choose one good car from another good car?
Karl states that once the practical aspects have been met (gas mileage, safety, price, comfort, etc.), it boils down to styling, ergonomics and features. Again, we're in complete agreement here. It should also be noted that with each new model announcement, the audio/infotainment aspect gets even more complex and confusing. Hopefully this new Edmunds section will help sort all this out, and make choosing the right vehicle just a bit easier.
ateixeira says:
07:25 AM, 12/ 2/08
The differences are smaller, but they're still there. I don't think automakers should focus their efforts on just the sprinkles, when you can make a better vanilla ice cream. In other words, focus on the core vehicle, not Sync.
Example: Ford has a nearly 10 year old Focus, but it has a great sound system. Inexcusable.
firstwagon says:
08:29 AM, 12/ 2/08
"Even the worst car is really not that bad, especially when compared to vehicles that have come before (K-car, anyone?). "
The K-car wasn't a bad car for it's time and it was a huge improvement over the cars it replaced.
I remember driving driving a slant 6 Volare and then test driving an 82 Reliant. The difference was incredible.
The K-car's steering was crisp and accurate (rack and pinion), the motor was strong ( same power as the slant 6 but a half tonne less weight) and the handling was very good compared to the Volare which wallowed and lurched when pushed.
While the Volare could get stuck in a light frost, the front drive K-car could effortlessly go through a foot of snow.
They may be bad compared to todays cars but todays car weren't available in 1980.
estreka says:
12:25 PM, 12/ 2/08
^ Agreed. K-cars were quite acceptable for their time. Would I go out and buy one now as a beater or a collector's item? Nah, probably not.
Great news on the blog. I can't wait to hear more.