askmen.com's list of 6 overrated cars...

[mechmike0034]

http://www.askmen.com/toys/cars_150/151_car_review.html

I can't say I disagree... Their reputations are greater than the actual products...

[Airencracken]

I mostly agree. However the fuel efficiency discrepancies are due to the inappropriateness of the EPA test. Now, I'll agree that Toyota should be more vocal about this, but it's still a damn efficient car.

[mechmike0034]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_5VfwihIpo

[blueindian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_5VfwihIpo

yeah, that wasn't at all biased.

surely you don't dispute that the prius is a very effiecent car do you?

[Cubsfan]

yeah, that wasn't at all biased.
:stupid: I really wanted to punch that guy in the nose!

I found it interesting that he compared it to this car:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Lupo


From
http://www.usatoday.com/money/consumer/autos/mareview/mauto497.htm

...the lasting impressions are a beastly backache from the cheap seats and maddening frustration from the mechanical compromises necessary to achieve the car's remarkable fuel economy.

[Chgoman]

I mostly agree. However the fuel efficiency discrepancies are due to the inappropriateness of the EPA test. Now, I'll agree that Toyota should be more vocal about this, but it's still a damn efficient car.


I read an artile long ago when the Prius first came out that talked about Toyota started advertizing 'real driving' mileage on the Prius rather than EPA rated mileage, but the government came down on them because legally, they are only supposed to use official EPA numbers. Gotta love the government.

[mechmike0034]

yeah, that wasn't at all biased.

surely you don't dispute that the prius is a very effiecent car do you?

No, I don't. Whatever gave you that idea?

In fact, it can be made more efficient fuel-wise, for a rather large cost:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2006/07/01/8380233/index.htm

[sizemic1]

Funny...i never hear nor think of a Dodge Durango at all. I wonder what makes them think it's overrated, when frankly, I don't see it "rated" at all.

[guiseppewv]

Funny...i never hear nor think of a Dodge Durango at all. I wonder what makes them think it's overrated, when frankly, I don't see it "rated" at all.

:stupid:

I would have put the a benz on there as being overrated before I put that on there.

[DarkFury]

:stupid:

I would have put the a benz on there as being overrated before I put that on there.
So which Benz is overrated? Benzo's generally give you what you pay for... without all the "flash and dash" of some of their competitors.

Of course there has to be an "alternative" to the "Ultimate Driving Machine". :D

[zero2dash]

No, I don't. Whatever gave you that idea?

In fact, it can be made more efficient fuel-wise, for a rather large cost:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2006/07/01/8380233/index.htm

Reportedly, the new Prius models will have lithium-ion batteries as standard, beginning...with the '07 or '08 models I believe. What's funny is at the time of that article's writing, Toyota said (in essence) "we're looking into these ideas". Guess changing out the battery/getting rid of the nickel-cadium was one that stuck. :)

I don't really see several of those cars as being "overrated", the [Viper] SRT-10 being one of them. Considering that in buying that car, you're primarily looking for & buying a car that blows the doors off of most other cars on the road, well you get what you pay for. What's the problem here again? :heh:

They should add the Mustang to that list. God I hate Mustangs. (Except Shelby's/Fastbacks...otherwise I'd rather drive a Geo than be seen in a Mustang.) :thumbdown What is this fascination with Mustangs? Where does this unforeseen "coolness" come from in buying/driving one? :shrug:

[mechmike0034]

I don't really see several of those cars as being "overrated", the [Viper] SRT-10 being one of them. Considering that in buying that car, you're primarily looking for & buying a car that blows the doors off of most other cars on the road, well you get what you pay for. What's the problem here again? :heh:

The Z06 'Vette is faster, quicker, handles better, is more comfortable, and is about $20K cheaper...

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0511_z06_gt_viper/index.html

[guiseppewv]

So which Benz is overrated? Benzo's generally give you what you pay for... without all the "flash and dash" of some of their competitors.

Of course there has to be an "alternative" to the "Ultimate Driving Machine". :DThey are also the least reliable of all the premium brands. At least they were 2 years ago. That makes them overrated in my book.

The alternative to the Bimmer is the Lex.


The Z06 'Vette is faster, quicker, handles better, is more comfortable, and is about $20K cheaper...

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0511_z06_gt_viper/index.htmlI would say that is enough to make the Viper overrated. :)

[zero2dash]

The Z06 'Vette is faster, quicker, handles better, is more comfortable, and is about $20K cheaper...

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0511_z06_gt_viper/index.html

Hmm...I thought the Z06 was still behind the Viper; I guess Chevy finally got their stuff in gear (no pun intended). I just wish they wouldn't have went for the Viper look on it; I liked the last bodystyle on the Vette because it was more distinctive. Now it's more like a "me too" look. :shrug: WTF does it matter though, I'll never be able to afford any of 'em. :heh:

[DarkFury]

They are also the least reliable of all the premium brands. At least they were 2 years ago. That makes them overrated in my book.
Was there a report or something that stated that?

I always hear about German autos needing extensive (i.e. expensive) servicing (including BMW). But since I don't own one, I never really paid attention.

[Houdini]

Was there a report or something that stated that?

I always hear about German autos needing extensive (i.e. expensive) servicing (including BMW). But since I don't own one, I never really paid attention.

If you can do a little of the work yourself, it's actually not that bad. The parts aren't very expensive, and the engines in my experience are pretty straightforward as far as replacing stuff, etc. If you take it to a dealer for service out of warranty, though, be prepared for financial OUCH. But there are plenty of non-dealer mechanic shops that specialize in Euro Luxury/performance cars that charge WAY less for labor, etc., than the dealerships.

[guiseppewv]

Was there a report or something that stated that?

I always hear about German autos needing extensive (i.e. expensive) servicing (including BMW). But since I don't own one, I never really paid attention.

Was a JD Powers report a year or 2 ago. Mercedes ranked dead last when compared to other premium brands (e.g. acura, lex, infinity, bmw, etc...).

[Paymaster]

They should add the Mustang to that list. God I hate Mustangs. (Except Shelby's/Fastbacks...otherwise I'd rather drive a Geo than be seen in a Mustang.) :thumbdown What is this fascination with Mustangs? Where does this unforeseen "coolness" come from in buying/driving one? :shrug:

I'm with you on this one. I remember when I was growing up, I had one friend with a Ford Falcon, and one friend with a Ford Mustang. Both were the same model year (late 60s). Both cars had the exact same engine, transmission and frame, yet everyone talked about how fast the mustang was, and how slow the falcon was. It's all perception, and the perception is wrong!