Comments for The Autonet Blog

Comment on Don’t blame the vehicle by repo-man

repo-man — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:18:55 +0000

Vehicle type does not cause accidents driver error does and this proved costly in human life in this case. As for your comments joe you are right on .

Comment on Do you park like an ass? by RoToRo

RoToRo — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:17:27 +0000

I generally park away from the non sense at the front door. I have also been VERY tempted to key the morons that take up multiple spots just to point out that their arogance actually cost them. If your car is that precious eith park properly at the outer edge of the lot or STAY HOME.

Once while parked properly in a proper spot (instead of the fire lane) waiting for my spouse to pick up a quick item, I observed a person that obviuosly indulged in a few too many twinkies scratch the heck out the car parked next to hers because she could barely fit thru the car door. I snapped pictures of the incident with my cell phone and wrote down details of the incident along with my contact information on a scrap of paper. Waited a bit then left it for the owner of the damaged car to find on their return. The Local police called me shortly after to verify my signed statement and said this was plenty to go after the careless person (they did not need the pictures as my statement was consistant the evidence). Proof that good people can make a difference without risk of an ugly confrontation. It only takes a moment to help your fellow person and set a good example. Who knows maybe one day good deeds will become contagious.

Comment on Winter tire testing by Chuck Rosenthall

Chuck Rosenthall — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:26:16 +0000

For my experince, living in Montreal, winters can be severe. My best recomadation is the Brigstone Blizzak.

Comment on Eye of the beholder by Joseph

Joseph — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:38:40 +0000

John M… re “QUALITY”. I hate to break this to you, but your notion of quality is based more on perception than reality. Speaking from someone with 25 years in automotive, I’ve seen the ups and downs, and to be quite honest, the quality measure across all brands is pretty much on par. If you check out the JD Power CSI index, the differentials are so minute that we can pretty much call them even. The top 12 automakers have a difference of around 1-2 points between them all. So, let’s say we have Suburu at #1 with 92.7, and then Toyota with 92.5 and Ford with 92.4 (this is just an example and not from this year, but the point is still the same). You can be all the way down at #3 with 92.4, but this is not a significant difference from 92.7. Also, Marketplace just ran a show with the three worst stores for customer service: Zellers was worst, Canadian Tire was next, and WalMart was third worst. However, in a separate survey, WalMart was also rated the best. I think you should get my point here… this is all very subjective, and many satisfied vehicle owners never fill out these surveys. The American car makers are not as bad as people think… and Japanese cars are not as good as people think either (google Toyota V6 engine sludge and see how people report being treated by Toyota). I have to say that the Ford Fusion is an excellent automobile from the reports, and now it has to be the best looking car in that segment for sure!!! I am not a Ford guy by any means, but I give credit where it is due… this is what is called being impartial and objective. I’ve never been a Toyota fan, in fact I’ve always hated the brand… but they do build reliable cars… it’s just that they’re about as exciting as a box of Depends… and probably designed with their users in mind (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).

Comment on Eye of the beholder by Don

Don — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:17:25 +0000

GM cars are looking good and their quality is there . Oh John M you think Toyota quality is good then why about 2-3 years ago did they recall more vehicles then they built to the tune of almost 1.5 million vehicles. So take another look at North American.

Comment on Eye of the beholder by John M

John M — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:50:04 +0000

Honda & Toyota BOTH have production plants in North America….and Canada..

Comment on Eye of the beholder by Mike

Mike — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:21:01 +0000

It is really funny that the so called car experts are saying that the GM’s and Fords are taking off against the Toyota’s and Honda’s. The Domestic cars are NOW better than the imports in looks and quality. Give me a break…. All they did was pretty up their cars and give the owners lots of new toys to play with for a cheaper price tag (that will break and will cost you big $$$$$ to fix or replace). The imports just gave their customers reliability and options that enhance your vehicle. The car makers know who their customers are. The Domestic maker has the customer that like toys but bitch when they start to cost them money. The kind of customer that is willing to buy a lesser reliable vehicle because they threw in _____ (put you own option here) and the imports have customers that will buy a new vehicle every 12 or so years and still get serious $$$$$ when they trade their old car in. I have had both (domestic and Import) and I will stick with my Toyota’s. When I got my last Toyota the dealer asked if I wanted an extended warrantee and I said no, there is not need. He agreed with me. One final word from me is that when I go to get my Drive Clean test for my 2003 Toyota they tell me that it will pass and then smile at me when I get the passed certificate. The guy says Toyota’s NEVER fail.

Comment on Eye of the beholder by Terry J

Terry J — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:03:55 +0000

By the tone of remarks it sounds like these folks follow the car buying public….form over function. Never buy that way; always chose function over form, and if you do you will never buy a North American car. I never will and will always advise the same. Go Japanese, German,and lately Korean. You won’t be sorry.

Comment on Eye of the beholder by Bill

Bill — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:26:18 +0000

I agree quality matters along with style and for those that think Toyota has quality check the past few years they have more recalls then the Big 3 combined I don’t know why Toyota gets a free pass on quality because personally they are awful.

Comment on Eye of the beholder by Rob.

Rob. — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:42:06 +0000

It’s good to see GM and Ford Taking some design risks and offering some pretty cool looking cars. It irks me that there are still those that go on about Quality issues with GM Ford and Chrysler. I have bought GM cars all my life and so did my Dad. I never had a reliability issue ever. Heck I had a 17 year old Chev Astro Van that wouldn’t die ! You see lots of older big 3 cars still on the road, can’t say much for the off shore models.
Also it makes economic sense to support North American jobs and keep them here. I always try and support North American made items no matter what they are. Remember your job might be next to be chopped and moved to China .