It's on

I guess I'm satisfied with it..

www.nextgenautoweb.com

visit it, update your links or blogrolls... I appreciate all those who have visited so far, those who provided valuable comments, and those who have made me feel like part of the community.

Thanks!

Updates and things

So, maybe you're wondering... what's up with this dude? Why isn't he updating his site? Well, I'm working on the various underpinnings of my NEW site! I decided the blogspot thing is not for me, and I want to offer more than just the blog... Anyway, wish me luck and i'll post the links and try to do some redirection when it's done.

Thanks!

Still Working on it

My new project is still a work in progress.... So no need to update the links, YET!

I got something brewing!

Yeah, this blogspot thing is alright... but I'm working on a better solution. I'll still be keeping my eyes and ears to the ground in the auto world, but I'm really focused on enhancing the site, it's functionality, and it's user friendliness. Right now, it's not too friendly.

The Scion Brand

Detroit News did an article on Toyota's Scion Brand. Scion is a brand created exclusively for the North American Market. In 2003, Scion released their xA and xB models, both of which are Japanese Domestic Models, the Toyota ist and bB respectively. Sharing the same architecture and powertrains the two models differ only in packaging. Later in 2004, they released the tC, a totally new coupe.

What really makes Scion successful is the people who buy their cars and the community that has been built around their cars. It is not so much the cars themselves that lend to the development of a community, but instead the timing of their release. Today, the Internet has allowed owners to develop communities online where geographic boundaries would otherwise make such development impossible. Other owner groups for other brands exist, but Scions seem to appeal to a more internet savvy group. Check out http://www.scionlife.com.

I'll be posting a review of the xB shortly. It is a shame that the automotive media doesn't give a lot more press to these cars. It my experience, I am very impressed with the quality of the product for the price and it's utility is unmatched in it's price range. That's for another post.

JDM Cement Mixer and More at grmotorsports.com

All the JDM (Japanese Domestic) goodies one could ask for! Grassroots Motorsports, one of the most underrated performance magazines out there, has some cool shots from the Tokyo Auto Salon. Check it out, it's extremely entertaining.

Retro Cars

We see the retro from the 60s and previous, but what's wrong with retro from the 70s?

Well, what about a retro Celica?
Check out the TA22 Celica from the 70s.

Or maybe Chevy should leap frog Ford's retro styling by bringing a second gen influenced Camaro?
Check out this guy's Gen2 Camaro

A remake of the Gen2 Camaro is a much better idea that all out copying Ford like they did in the 60s and would throw the industry for a loop. Right now, there is an expectation that Chevrolet will release a retro camaro based on the first generation models.

And I've been whining that Ford needs to base a four door off the new mustang platform, the D2C if I'm not mistaken. How about a retro falcon? Or better yet, a Galaxie. Make it a little larger, replace the panther-based Crown Victoria with it.

The Mondays

When I came into the office today, there was no news that really jumped out at me to discuss. I posted a little about a new car last week. Not too controversial. But since it's Monday, It seems that GM has had a permanent case of the Mondays. Major blahs on their end! Not too long ago I got to drive one of their Chevy Malibu's around. It was a decent little car, and I was actually impressed overall. It was suprising since the previous year Malibu was such a turd. The thing is underpowered though, compared to it's rivals, but that is supposed to change with the SS model. The SS Model has much better styling too. GM should redo the entire Malibu line up to match, it would seriously improve sales. That huge crossbar is an eyesore.
www.chevrolet.com/malibuss/

Other than that, the weekend was too short and gas prices are too high!

Thinking about a New Car

I went out last night driving through car lots looking at whats available. It looks like I'm going to be getting a car with an automatic transmission this time around. My wife can drive a stick, but she prefers to drive automatic and since I always get new cars, I figure she needs one now.

Any suggestions? Safe, fun to drive, and automatic?

Plus, does anyone know someone who could get me access to a demo model or something I could take for more than 1 hour?

The rest of the three amigos article is now there

A problem with blogger processing the HTML in the post hid the last half of it.

http://nextgenauto.blogspot.com/2005/04/is-epsilon-evil-tale-of-three-amigos.html

Bill Gates Wants Cars that Don't Crash

The Bills, Ford and Gates Get Together over Technology in Cars

Perhaps Bill should focus on getting computers that don't crash before looking into cars that don't crash. This is perhaps the most absurd thing I have ever heard. What happens when all that technology fails? I have no problem with ABS and stability control as safety cushions. But when you begin to rely on them to save you, you ultimately will depend on them for your life. Under no circumstances would I feel comfortable with a Microsoft product that would have any control over the controls of my automobile. Maybe that's just me?

I'd be happy to dumb all the cars down to their basic elements, with a creature comfort or two here and there (air conditioning and heat are nice), and invest in those elements that make a good driving experience. Drivetrain, suspension, steering, and other fun things...

Next Toyota Supercar to be Lexus

Since Lexus is now a global brand, the next sports car will undoubtable be a lexus. Compare the spy shots to the LF-A Concept. History has shown that what Lexus brings to the concept table will be ported over into production with the same style.

Is Epsilon Evil? Tale of the Three Amigos

To many, the Epsilon platform is an example of evil platform sharing by GM. The Epsilon platform is shared by the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Malibu, Saab 9-3 and a few other models not available in the US. Whether it is a seasoned journalist or a fanatic automotive internet forum user, is the attitude toward platform sharing by GM fair? Really, is platform sharing a concept that is thrown around loosely but rarely understood? I have read articles by several journalists, observed heated forum discussions, and even seen countless blog postings pointing at platform sharing, especially platform sharing by American makes, as a heinous practice.

While badge engineering is pretty superficial, platform sharing, like that of the GM Epsilon platform or even Ford's C1 platform, is much more involved from an engineering standpoint. In all honesty, the Epsilon platform cars are all different from one another. They drive differently, have very different interiors and their dimensions are significantly different. Look at this side by side comparison I worked up on Edmunds

These platform partners share similar architecture but are not simply rebadged versions of the same car. If you do a quantitive comparison of the features, specifications, and powertrains between each model, it is easy to see that they are completely different. Does anyone remember the G-body GM models like the Cutlass, Monte Carlo, and Regal? A side by side visual comparison would easily spot that they were the same basic design. It is different for the Epsilon platform.

What GM is doing is no different than what Toyota does. In the American market the Echo, Corolla, Matrix, Scion xB, and Scion xA all share the same suspension technology. In fact, the corolla and Matrix are built at the same plant on the same platform along with the Pontiac Vibe and the Scion xB and xA ride on the same platform the echo is derived from. Honda is no different. The Acura RSX and Honda Civic share the same platform. The Honda Accord, Acura TSX, and Acura TL all ride on Honda's Accord platform. Even DaimlerChrysler is guilty of the same practice. In fact, DC's platform sharing is much more on the badge engineer end of the sepctrum. What does GM continue to catch fire for this? In fact, there is probably no real way for the average consumer to tell they are based on the same platform. It is an excellent way for manufacturers to save money.

The criticism of the practices of platform sharing need to be taken in perspective of what they mean to the consumer. The automotive elite have to continue to find something to create conflict where, they may not be in the consumers mind. This is indicative of a more and more critical auto media that have lost touch with the consumer, a consumer who would benefit from objective and fair comparisons and reviews.

Oh well, Toyota would still be on top. But please, I would like some comments.