Missed this live event? No worries! Each Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon Pacific, we'll give you the chance to chat live with a CNET editor. We'll cover a new topic each week, from cell phones to TVs. Get those burning tech questions ready! Click here for the Ask the Editors Live event calendar.
Hey, all, thanks for hanging out. Great questions today. Check the car tech podcast at podcast.cnet.com and scroll down to see the calendar for the next Ask The Editors http://forums.cnet.com/4520-12548-6748916.html -- they're all really good.
Thx.
B.C.
I should have asked this first: if you had $18,000 to spend on a new car, what would you buy (traditional sedans excluded)?
I think you can squeak into a Scion tC for that money, which might be my pick. I really like that car, especially the 1st generation. Not that great on emissions, but a nice package for a little money that feels like a more expensive car. There are many others that are worthy choices, but that is my personal pick off the top of my head.
So Diesels are coming in the next year or so. Between the cost of keeping up the new systems to get them to meet emissions control plus the extra cost of diesel fuels vs convention. How does buying one of these new one compare to buying a hybrid system?
I know both are going to use less fuel than something similar running reg. gas. But will a cost savings likely be realized in less than say 5 years?
Depends a lot on the cost of diesel in your area. Here in SF Diesel is $5.40 a gallon. That puts the math about in the same place as amortizing off the additional cost of a hybrid. But diesels are very well proven and durable -- hybrids have more issues with battery life and disposal. On the other hand, hybrids feel like much more of a long term play for the industry, especially as they get more and more electric and less combustion oriented.
do you belive that the auto industry will inflate the price of hydrogen to make it as bad as gas? i just want to say that i am a big fan
The carmakers want to sell cars, screwing up fuel prices doesn't help them in that pursuit. I've never bought into the theory they push for higher fuel prices.
if you had to choose between a toyota corolla or a honda civic what would you choose. do you like macs or PCs better (sorry about the off topice question!)
But just by a whisker. I like the Civic for it's higher HP with virtually the same MPG, and I prefer it's interior. The Corolla is a great car, too, and now offers GPS nav.
What do you think will happen to the industry? With gas prices going crazy will they start making fully decked out luxury compact cars that get awesome mileage or find a more efficient way to handle gas in mid size cars? Whats your opinion?
I do not expect a lot of lean, green luxury cars in the U.S. market. The Europeans accept them, but Americans just can't deal with a 4-cylinder 7 Series for example.
Why do we not see more Diesel's coming state side? Honda claimed to have a accord ready to go that would do 60mpg running on it. Where are things like this?
Look for an onslaught of diesels '09/'10. Accord diesel will be among them.
Ok..I've asked multiple questions here but I gotta know on this one. I am starting to think the external stand-alone Nav systems are better to get than the built-in-the-car-for-$2500. Thoughts?
I prefer portable PND's. Can't beat the price and features, and usually the interface is better. But, they look like hell all suction cupped to your windshield (illegal, BTW, in CA and MN)
I see the new Honda fuel cell vehicle (FCX?) I know Hydrogen is plentiful but what does it cost to make the compressed hydrogen these vehicles use? Is this a realistic alternative fuel source?
Hydrogen just isn't ready yet -- infrastructure is the big issue now and I'm not sure if the energy cost to create it makes sense. I just don't know -- that's a question for physicists.
How does one best use CR's car reviews? It initially gave the Nissan Versa a terrible review in the base S version mainly because of the lack of ABS. Then they reviewed the SL and gave it the top rating if it come with ABS (which they said was hard to find). Can you compare the Versa with the xD? I prefer the manual transmissions in both (I'm 65).
I like the Versa a lot. The xD is a really good car, but the styling doesn't work for me. the Versa powertrain is very smooth as I recall.
Brian love your Car Tech Podcast and What the hell! is pretty funny
FYI your reviews are the main source for ALOT of people in the market for a new car. Just incase you didn't know.
When are you guys getting around to reviewing the new X6? This has to be one of the best cars out right now as far as tech goes.
Is anyone out there currently marketing (or planning to market) a auto head unit with an integrated solid state hard drive (this would sseem to be ideal for the mobile environment) and a memory card reader?
Good question. I don't know of a pending SSD for car use from a major brand yet. They're still getting their arms wrapped around HDD in cars. And they work very well, since they are auto-specific HDD's. The benefits of SSD won't come to cars until the prices come down.
What do you think of the xD? I drove it and was VERY impressed; it seems to offer a wealth of features in the base model (I would only get the ESC as an option), and it's fun to drive as well as economical. However, Consumer Reports just previewed its review of the car and didn't like it.
The xD is one of the very few cars I didn't review xD personally, but check our review: http://reviews.cnet.com/coupe-hatchback/2008-scion-xd/4505-10867_7-32577880.html
I have a 2004 FX with the back up monitor. I love the feature but the All Around Monitor is kind of like hitting the lottery for 51 million versus 50 million. There just isn't much of a functional benefit. My gas mileage is brutal, actually got more with my 1995 Tahoe.
that the mileage is beastly. And Around View is cool, but I think it helps the hopeless driver the most!
Brian,
You are the man by the way. How come you guys haven't reviewed the 2009 Nissan Murano yet? It's an awesome ride. I was wondering how does the tech in the 08 Altima compare to the tech in the 09 Murano?
Guess what: We just slotted the new Murano for review. I'm shooting it on 7/23.
a comment and a question: I love the on-star system. great for a daughter learning to drive (e.g. the emergency button, built-in cell phone, etc.)
If you had a new teenage driver, what car would you buy?
Minimal distractions, maximum safety....
is ideal for this scenario. It does a lesser amount of eyeball distraction and still provides nav, calling and safety support.
Do you think that the Hyundai brand name has picked up and it would make sense to get a much cheaper Sonata/Elandra than the *** counterparts.
The Hyundai brand is doing better, but not where it should be. Resale is going to suffer on whatever you buy today is my hunch. Buy for present value.
Have you heard anything about the tech in the new up coming FX 35? Will it be a lot better then the 2008?
Offhand, I don't recall anything about tech in the new FX35, but Infiniti is tough these days with stuff like Around View Monitor and Lane Departure Avoidance.
not to be a problem but I can't seem to see myself in a wagon...thoughts on the Mini Cooper?
I like the Mini, but it's an acquired taste. Acquire by many, just not by me. It's a little too Elfin for my tastes. Factually, it's a very good car with pretty OK tech. Nice torquey motor, good powertrain overall.
thanks for skipping my question about the Auid. You've been extremely helpful
Hi Brian, I'm looking to buy the 2008 Audi A4 since the dealerships have some good deals on them right now. Should I wait for the new 2009 model or go for the 2008? Thanks
Hold off -- the new A4 is a very different car and based on the A5/S5 undercarriage, etc. You need to drive the new one before you make a decision. The new one is a bigger car, you may like that or want the smaller '08 on it's way out.
If you were to pick between a 335i and G37 which one would you pick.
This seems to be the battle of the day: "G vs 3" I like the 3 for its road feel and build quality, but the G is such a tech treat. Both have great, proven engines, but I seem to recall grinning just a bit more when I stomped on that twin Turbo inline 6!
For about 50K with the accessories, dont you think that a 335 is way too much over priced
Once you load it up, it does get pricey but the resale will be outstanding on that car. And there is a fundamental quality feel to a 335 I don't quite get from the Japanese competitors or even Audi. And trust me, I'm not a BMW fanboy.
Bluetooth 2, portable hard drives, WiFi, LCDs, etc….looking at today’s computer media centers and at the power of current processors and game consoles, I could think of countless things to put inside the cabin of any vehicle, and we’re not talking about cutting-edge technology here. You see some of this here and there, but all of it is aftermarket upgrades done by individuals. Nothing comes standard on today’s vehicles and add-on packages are limited and include just the low end options of GPS navigation, satellite radio or DVD players
You would think that Ford, GM and other floundering American auto companies would capitalize on the latter technologies, but year after year passes and I don’t see anything remotely close to what’s out there and available. You might see a concept car here and there that comes close, but concepts never get produced as a ‘rule of thumb’.
Is it a lack of innovation or is it their business mindset, an attempt to provide as little as possible at the highest possible price? What’s the problem?
It's always going to be hard for carmakers to be cutting edge on tech -- too many concerns about all those J.D. Power Initial Quality ratings to go out on a limb with stuff that is not utterly bulletproof.
I did not buy a ForTwo -- the transmission is a disaster. I'm surprised they brought it to the U.S. market with that balky pseudo-automatic. This market won't embrace such a crude powertrain in large numbers, even at $4.30 a gallon.
I was planning to get a Prius/Civic hybrid as the second car. At this time most of them are selling at sticker price, or in some cases even a premium of 2-3 K. Is it worth it or more just a hype. Also, is the technology mature, and servicing available in rural areas in case of breakdown.
I would not pay over sticker for a hybrid anything. The math just doesn't work out quickly enough. Wait for the current hype around oil and gas prices to cool. Priuses were selling below sticker and sitting on lots a few months ago.
I would not need a crossover but do need a backseat. So two-seaters are out. A coupe or smallish sedan is my preference.
You might want to look at a small wagon. Maybe a Jetta SportWagen TDI -- 45+ MPG diesel and great torque. Pretty good cabin tech, it's at least no slouch.
What are the best ways to increase or help fuel economy???
Thanks
1. Drive more moderately, both in acceleration and highway speed.
2. Keep tire pressure up.
3. Don't fall for gimmicks you pour in your tank or jam in your air intake! The carmakers aren't stupid, if that worked, they'd be doing it.
Hi Brian,
I am looking buy a new car. My budget is around $40K. what do u think is the best car i can get ?
I live very close to work so mileage is not a big problem . My major is preference is pickup and speed. I was looking at BMW 135i. G37 is an option i have to cross out as my room mate has one. what other options do i have ?
You could squeak into a 335i, or do really well with a G. The 1 series is a more barren car, but a great handler. Feels a bit tight inside, though. You need to drive one and see how it "prints" to you.
At about $45,000 with all the toys and accessories, would you consider the IS350 to be a value for money. Would it be a market leader in that segment of cars
In that slot I would be torn between an Infiniti G and a 3 Series. I find it hard to fault BMW's build quality and road feel or powerplant. But I like the tech in the Infiniti better -- iDrive makes me nuts.
What is the best Honda vehicle with the best fuel economy. I have the Pilot and I was wondering what the fuel economy is (or about what it is?
I'd go for a Civic, hands down if you don't need an SUV. The Civic has grown into a very nice car, but still have great MPG and excellent interior design and execution. Accords are great too, but for MPG it's a Civic: 25/36
What are your thoughts on the new Hyundai Genesis and it's tech options?
I think the Genesis could be a big car for Hyundai, but right now the MPG issue throws a lot of cars into the wind. Luxury is not on people's minds, even at a great value ratio. We haven't had a Genesis in for review yet so I can't comment on its cabin tech execution. I just expect it will be pretty solid.
Brian,
I am looking to give back my 2004 FX-35 in September when my lease ends. I am currently looking at vehicles. Can you offer suggestions of cars that offer as much or almost as much Tech inside AND about a 25-35 MPG rating. I want to lease again because I am convinced that it is best to “sit on the sidelines of the auto industry” for a couple of years.
Are you looking at another SUV/crossover or something different?
Best is a big topic, but I can tell you the three that I thought about buying after the review are the latest 3 Series, the Honda S2000 and the Hyundai Sonata! Quite different cars, but they all succeed at their mission exceptionally well.
The doctor is in! If you've got questions about tech in today's cars shoot it at me. I know there will be a lot of q's about fuels & economy.