Archive for July, 2008
Back in my day, Nissan Skyline GT-Rs didn’t need traction control to beat the world’s best. Those days are gone — and the newest Nissan GT-R’s clutchless computerized ethic is the evidence.
There was some confusion on the North American GT-R Owners’ Club forums regarding warranty coverage and the GT-R’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) traction control system. An ominous owner’s manual paragraph hints that mechanical failures that occur while the VDC is disabled will not be covered under warranty.
I emailed Steve Parrett, Nissan’s manager of manufacturing communications, to get to the bottom of this. His response:
Adam,
To further clarify any confusion, Nissan doesn’t “void warranty” but we can “refuse to cover” repairs if we can determine that misuse (outside of what is outlined in the Owners Manual) caused a warrantable failure or malfunction.
Regarding VDC on the GT-R, if an owner turns off the VDC and drives the car (which is contrary to what the OM states is proper use) and a malfunction or failure results (and we can determine the VDC caused the problem) then Nissan won’t cover the repairs under the warranty. The OM states that VDC should only be turned off to help if the car is stuck.
Hope this helps,
Steve Parrett
Nissan’s fear is understandable: overzealous owners could subject the GT-R’s sophisticated all-wheel-drive system to the full, unrestrained power of its engine by switching off VDC. In a car with so much power, full-tilt all-wheel-drive launches could snap drive axles, toast a differential, or cause premature wear to the gearbox.
However, in daily driving of the Nissan 350Z GT, I noted that the VDC system often kicked in too early, causing unnatural understeer. Every time I started the car, I reached to disable the VDC. Several Z owners have noted similar experiences and found their own workarounds. The point is, there are certain driving conditions in which drivers may choose to disable VDC. However, if GT-R drivers disable VDC during a responsible, prudent drive, and there is a coincidental driveline failure, a computer notes that the failure occurred while VDC was disabled and Nissan may still choose not to cover the repair — because driving the car with the VDC off is “not proper use”.
My question: if VDC is only supposed to be disabled to free a stuck vehicle, why does the system not automatically enable itself again over a certain speed? You’re not freeing a stuck vehicle at over 30mph.
Nissan has the right to protect itself against abusive owners’ warranty claims, but prudent owners also have the right not to fear warranty claim denial just because they push a (very accessible) switch. What do you think?
Many happy miles,
Adam
Late Update: Looks like someone tried tracking the GT-R with the VDC off — nice save!
July 29th, 2008
… when every good song seems to remind me of a time when things weren’t right in the auto industry — but they were right enough.
My braver side is determined to abandon the 1990s in the hopes of a better future. The courageous one looks forward to fundamental changes that are necessary to preserve the environment, stabilize the global economy, and secure the fortunes of several nations.
The strong side writes optimistic prose about how good it will be someday.
And then, unfailingly, a purple two-door RAV4 softtop will nonchalantly cruise by, reminding me of weightless coastal cruises that i either saw, or took, or wished for… but caselessly remember. The scenes are temptation enough to indulge in wistful cravings. I can’t help wanting to return to that era, if only for a drive…
Those feelings are becoming easier to control. The brave, strong, rational side understands that the era of automotive innocence has passed. The Nissan NX2000, Honda CRX, Volkswagen Corrado, and vaguely attainable Ferrari 348 are extinct — and so are the values that begat those cars.
I write in pursuit of acceptance. Indeed — it’s getting easier. There are new bastions of promise for auto enthusiasts. Discovery demands focus, impartiality — and more than an ounce of faith.
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 25th, 2008
Most new car buyers won’t admit that their expensive driveway art is flawed in any way. ExpoTV driver klutsyme wasn’t blinded by her purchase decision. She liked her first Honda Civic so much that she traded it in for a new one — but neither car was spared from honest critiques that any prospective buyer would love to hear before “taking the plunge.”
That’s the beauty of ExpoTV!
Diana’s review highlighted one issue that I particularly agree with. Combination taillamps that use red brake lamps and red turn signals don’t offer the same alert qualities that amber turn signals afford. On Houston’s fast-moving freeways, amber turn signals keep drivers apprised — especially at night.
Abroad, amber turn signals are the standard. There’s a reason why, even in the US, front turn signals are required to flash amber. Enthusiasts in the Edmunds CarSpace Forums have discussed the topic before — what are your thoughts?
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 22nd, 2008
You’ve heard the clichés. Most Hummer-hating hybrid drivers will ignore the fact that Toyota sells three different SUVs that achieve 15-mpg in mixed driving. My message is moot: snappy soundbytes have incredible staying power, and the Hummer brand has been forever tainted in the minds of those who villify Hummers for being… well, just as wasteful as the competition. Last week, GM announced that the brand was “under strategic review.” In English: up for sale. What an ironic fate for a brand that aimed to connect its buyers with nature.
What caused the crisis? Planned powertrains that could have burned earth-smart biodiesel fuel didn’t come soon enough. Moreover, the stigma of inefficiency and excess is certainly hard to shake.
The truth is, Hummers don’t spend their spare time trampling saplings. Some serve a higher purpose. Hummer Owners Prepared for Emergencies is a community of owners who use their trucks’ off-road capabilities to assist Red Cross in times of crisis. HOPE is an excellent example of how car culture can unite people from diverse backgrounds.
Not many pundits give HOPE the attention it deserves. You read about it here. Even journalism: it’s only fair.
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 18th, 2008
Natural gas is domestically abundant, available anywhere, clean-burning, and cheap. No wonder government and corporate auto fleets turned to the fuel en masse in the 1990s. Those cars have now reached retirement age, and can be found at auction. Private buyer zipadeedoodah found a retired Chevrolet Cavalier Natural Gas Vehicle, and did a great job of walking ExpoTV viewers through the positives and negatives of NGV ownership.
Today, the only NGV on the market is the Honda Civic GX. It’s essentially a stripped Civic — with a two-speaker sound system — for $24,600. That’s $2000 more than the much-better-appointed Civic Hybrid.
NGVs’ environmental strengths never seemed to outweigh the cargo-area compromises and added upfront costs that plagued the Nineties examples. Now that series hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles are on the distant horizon, NGV technology may never get the research dollars needed to overcome those problems.
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 15th, 2008
It’s hard to buy a truly bad car these days. If Expo’s three-star rating signifies an ‘average’ experience behind the wheel, on some level, ‘average’ is actually pretty good. That’s why, with heavy consideration, Kia’s Sedona minivan received a below-par score. In today’s saturated market, a car can’t simply meet a benchmark — it must excel to stand out. The Sedona was acceptable at times, but packaging failures such as the audio system and torturous second-row seats kicked it to the back of the pack.
The Sedona is not Kia’s last word.
Keep your eye on the fledgling Korean brand. While parent company Hyundai raises prices in line with lofty upmarket aspirations, I have seen evidence that Kia is after a much more realistic goal: in the next five years, I expect Kia to provide the product line that Scion always hoped to — minus the clever renegade marketing.
At the New York International Auto Show, Kia surprised audiences with a handsome two-door sports coupe concept. The KOUP’s 2-liter turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine revved onstage, flaunting 290 horsepower — a demonstration of engineering talent that finally puts powertrain first.
If the KOUP makes it to market, the assault won’t stop there. Hitting up the Vans Warped Tour? Check out a thinly-disguised version of the SOUL concept between bands. This car has pictures of the xB and xD pinned to its punching bag. If Kia gets the details right, the SOUL could be a smarter choice.
Fresh pics of Kia’s upcoming Sorento hit the web earlier this week. The leaked photos show a bold front clip design similar to the KOUP concept, suggesting that when first-time buyers are ready to trade up, they’ll have a reason to return to their original dealer.
Before I paint a starry picture, let’s point out the asterisks: Kia’s upcoming Borrego SUV uses a heavy body-on-frame design that will make its V8 engine even thirstier. In an era of tanking SUV resale values and skyrocketing gasoline costs, I’m convinced the Borrego is the wrong truck at the wrong time. And, as other manufacturers have learned, minivan stigma is a dealbreaker among buyers who would rather adopt smaller, smarter crossovers to haul their families and gear. The Sedona — and the mindset behind it — needs to go. Only then will Kia’s transformation be complete.
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 11th, 2008
Each generation of auto enthusiasts has a heyday to look back on. Motorminds my age look to the imported sport-compacts and technical wonders of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Older enthusiasts didn’t have to look past our shores. The Fifties’ avant-garde style was influenced by the race to the moon. Sixties muscle machines declared our success. Life was good for car enthusiasts — at least until the energy crisis of the 1970s.
The Seventies were generally an ugly turning point. Manufacturers’ vehement adoption of charming — if not gimmicky — technologies gave way to marginalization at every turn. Innovation took a backseat to the bottom line. That malaise persisted for over 20 years, damaging buyers’ perception of American brands and causing an entire generation of enthusiasts to look elsewhere for satisfaction.
Browse the Sterling McCall Historic Cadillac Museum, and the evidence presents itself at every turn. Confident, intricate designs of the ’50s and ’60s are flanked by “successors” that barely deserve the title. This important trip through time is a must for car enthusiasts exploring central Texas. Don’t miss your chance to experience the most comprehensive Cadillac collection on Earth. If you can’t make it in person, check out this gallery.
More importantly, don’t miss out on the happy ending to this story. In recent years, American brands seem to have realized their mistakes, and have finally restored their sense of adventure. Cadillac has charged ahead, and vehicles like the CTS Coupe Concept point to a brighter future.
But don’t take my word for it. Watch the footage and decide for yourself. Then, come back and share your thoughts — or, tour me through the heyday you treasure most.
Many happy miles,
Adam
July 2nd, 2008
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