Welcome to Adam's Autos! "Where I rate autos to help YOU find an A-Rate ride!" Adam’s Autos is a creative medium dedicated to providing consumers with the appropriate information to make an informed new or used automotive purchase. Additionally, Adam’s Autos highlights and promotes local businesses, alongside a variety of today’s latest automotive trends and topics. I also discuss my own personal cars and projects. So fasten your seat belts! We're going for a ride!
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Monday, October 17, 2016
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Summer's Setting: The Buick Verano Says Adios (Quick Review)
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| From my throwback files: My tester 2013 Buick Verano. I stopped at my old elementary school to take pictures. |
Following
up my other recent posts on cars we’re saying goodbye to in the near future,
here’s another odd departure in my book: The Buick Verano. The smallest Buick
currently on sale in the United States, the Verano was introduced in the 2012
model year and filled a void in the brand’s lineup that was last occupied by
the Skylark in the 90s. It looks as if there will be a 2017 model year Verano,
although I imagine it’ll be an abbreviated run. Quick fun fact: “Verano” means
“summer” in Spanish. So now, why do I think this is an odd decision that this
model is being discontinued in North America? Because Buick’s sales figures
haven’t been bad in recent years, and the Verano is selling especially well in
Canada. The Verano’s sales did fall this year in the United States, while the
compact Encore’s sales rose. Overall, Buick’s sales as a brand fell 5.45
percent through June 2016.
I had a
chance to test drive a new 2013 Verano, and I was satisfied (though not totally blown
away) at the effort that was put into the car. Garber Buick in Saginaw, Michigan assisted me that day and has been excellent throughout the years with helping my family get the best deals possible on our new cars. I highly recommend them! My brown tester was fully loaded
with everything, and had navigation, leather, blind-spot monitoring,
push-button start, heated seats and steering wheel, Bose premium sound, and a
sunroof. The car drove smoothly and was mostly quiet overall, just what you’d
expect from a Buick. However, it wasn’t particularly sporty or quick, a stark
contrast from Buick’s other somewhat-compact sedan offering, the Regal.
Granted, my tester wasn’t the turbocharged model, which uses a version of the
2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder that’s used in the Buick Regal. But rather, it had a
decent (but noisy at high RPMs) 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 180
horsepower and gets a little over 30 mpg highway.
Even turbo
models don’t come with a sport-tuned suspension or any appearance upgrades
besides a little red “T” on the trunk that lets you know you’re driving a
special Verano. But rather, to satisfy those who want a little more “style” and
“flare” in their compact Buick, the brand introduced a Sport Touring trim for
the 2016 model year. Personally, I think it looks nice. However, if you’re
looking for the Sport Touring specific styling treatments (such as blacked out
rims, etc.) with the turbocharged engine, sorry… Not possible. Other
impressions I had of the Verano was that while the interior was comfortable up
front, the rear seat area was INCREDIBLY tight, even with the front seats moved
forward. Trunk space was fine, although the rear end might look even more
upscale by including LED stoplights and turn signals on higher trim levels.
Same goes for the front end, which would look more upscale with the addition of
LED running lights.
Setting Sail
So again, why do I think saying goodbye to the Verano is strange? Besides its sales numbers holding up well in Canada and Buick’s successful global resurgence, compact cars are very hot right now. And for years, the Verano has had a monopoly in its segment, as its next nearest competitor, the Acura ILX, doesn’t sell nearly as well as it does! I see these little Buicks all over, and I can literally go a few weeks without seeing any Acura ILXs on the road. You would think Buick would want to keep an asset like that in its lineup. Sure, you could argue the also-compact Encore SUV crossover is selling very well too. But I’m talking specifically about compact SEDANS for now. Additionally, a redesigned Verano is going on sale in China, and like most new Buicks, looks as if it’s going to be a very solid car. As I previously mentioned, in contrast to Canadian market figures, Buick’s sales in the U.S. fell some earlier this year. This puts Buick in somewhat of an ironic situation, because a new Verano could very possibly inject some new luxury spirit into a seemingly aging lineup.
So again, why do I think saying goodbye to the Verano is strange? Besides its sales numbers holding up well in Canada and Buick’s successful global resurgence, compact cars are very hot right now. And for years, the Verano has had a monopoly in its segment, as its next nearest competitor, the Acura ILX, doesn’t sell nearly as well as it does! I see these little Buicks all over, and I can literally go a few weeks without seeing any Acura ILXs on the road. You would think Buick would want to keep an asset like that in its lineup. Sure, you could argue the also-compact Encore SUV crossover is selling very well too. But I’m talking specifically about compact SEDANS for now. Additionally, a redesigned Verano is going on sale in China, and like most new Buicks, looks as if it’s going to be a very solid car. As I previously mentioned, in contrast to Canadian market figures, Buick’s sales in the U.S. fell some earlier this year. This puts Buick in somewhat of an ironic situation, because a new Verano could very possibly inject some new luxury spirit into a seemingly aging lineup.
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| The redesigned Chinese Buick Verano. Unfortunately, it appears as if we won't see it here in the United States. |
Alas, this is all mainly based on my analysis of the situation. And based on my impression,
the Verano is a decently luxurious and feature-packed sedan that should satisfy
many buyers in its segment. What is your impression of the Verano and of the
overall Buick lineup right now? Personally, Buick has become one of my
favorites brands. It’ll be interesting to see if this model is replaced or
brought back in the future after some redevelopment.
Grading
Engine
Power/Economy: B- (7 points)
Quietness:
A- (8.5 points)
Interior
Quality/Comfort: B- (6.5 points)
Driving
Dynamics: B (7.5 points)
Cargo
Capacity: B (7 points)
Overall:
36.5/50 (C)
Other
Specs:
Engines
Available: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (180 horsepower), 2.0-liter turbocharged
4-cylinder (250 horsepower)
Transmission:
6-speed automatic
Fuel
Economy Ratings: 21 city/32 highway (2.4), 21 city/30 highway (2.0 turbo)
Model
Pricing (2016): $21,990 (Base 1SV) - $29,595 (Premium Turbo)
Trim
Levels: 1SV (Base), Verano, Sport Touring, Leather, Premium Turbo
Available/Standard
Safety Systems: Blind-Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Forward
Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Various Airbags (Front, Side, Rear
Seat Side, Curtain, Knees), Tire Pressure Monitor, Advanced Brake Assist, Anti-Lock Brakes, Stability
Control, Traction Control, Rear Backup Camera, Rear Park Assist
Key Competition: Acura ILX,
Volkswagen Jetta (SEL)
Crash Test
Results:
IIHS
Offset: Good
IIHS Small
Overlap: N/A
IIHS Side:
Good
Roof
Strength: Good
Head
Restraints & Seats: Good
Star Ratings: Frontal Driver- 5 Stars Frontal Passenger- 5 Stars Front Side- 5 Stars Rear Side- 5 Stars Rollover- 4 Stars
On the Adam's Autos "Should You Buy It?" scale of "Drool, Cool, Meh, or Bleh": The Verano is "Meh"... So lease it or rent it.
Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Degenerated: Hyundai's Genesis Coupe Axed
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| There's just something about a coupe. Too bad Hyundai's never captured its fair share of the market. |
The Hyundai
Genesis Coupe is no more. In case you're curious, there’s a couple of logical reasons as to why this
sporty coupe was discontinued. For one, it was just lingering around in
Hyundai’s lineup enjoying meager sales success. It never seemed to particularly
impress anyone in the sports car world, despite the fact that it offered two solid engines: a turbo four-cylinder and a 3.8-liter V6, plus rear wheel drive. All that
being said, however, it was a much more solid effort than Hyundai’s past sporty
coupe offering, the Tiburon. One of my favorite YouTube car reviewers,
SaabKyle04, actually owned one for a few years himself. So I wouldn’t fully
fault someone for considering one, as you could likely get a great deal on one
now, plus the added security of Hyundai’s strong 10-year warranty.
Another
reason the Genesis Coupe is going away is because the Genesis brand is launching.
For those that are unfamiliar with Genesis, this is Hyundai’s new luxury car
brand. Selling the Genesis and Equus on the same lot as Accents and Elantras
when their prices can top $60,000 sets up somewhat of a paradox for buyers, as
some might not be used to seeing such expensive vehicles in a Hyundai showroom
if they haven’t been near one in the last eight years. Thus, Hyundai Motor
Company felt the need to spin-off the vehicles into their own cars. The Genesis
sedan will become the G80, the flagship Equus will become the G90, and other
models will follow in the coming years. By the year 2020, an all-new sports
coupe, compact luxury sedan, and two SUVs are reported to all be in production
under the Genesis brand. Until then, owners of the Genesis Coupe who want to
upgrade will either have to shop around or wait until the new coupe is
released.
Do you
think this new Genesis brand will be successful? While startups traditionally have a mixed success rate, the Genesis brand is a very noble effort on Hyundai's part. Especially given the public’s overall reception of the standalone Genesis car in past years. Yet, I'm curious about how Genesis branded cars will be received long-term, as they’re still going to be sold at Hyundai dealerships for the
time being. But these new cars are without a doubt sharp, so I'm looking forward to testing some myself in the future and seeing them on the roadways! Let me know what your thoughts are too.
Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.
Trending Up: Buick's Avenir
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| Buick recently announced that a new top-of-the-line trim level for their cars is coming. But it isn't Ultra, Super, or GS... |
Are you
familiar with GMC’s “Denali” line? Did you like Buick’s Avenir concept car from
the 2015 Detroit Auto Show? If so, then you may be happy to hear that Buick
intends to offer a new trim level of their cars called “Avenir” in the future.
From what I understand, this new trim would be Buick’s equivalent of GMC’s
Denali, or essentially, it would be what the “Ultra” trim level used to be in
the early 2000s at Buick. These new high-end models would feature larger
wheels, unique grilles, more premium features, and other upgrades to set them
apart from other lower trim level Buicks.
Buick has
consistently been one of the industry’s fastest growing brands, both
domestically and internationally. Thus, it makes sense to me that executives
would be looking for ways to continue this growth. Buick’s average buyer age is
on the decline, and more individuals are coming from other brands to Buick
showrooms. Buick also notes that more women are considering the brand’s cars,
and that people who buy the Enclave usually choose the two highest trim levels:
Leather and Premium. I think this is a smart strategy to further move Buick
upmarket and make them a serious contender with key competitors such as Lexus.
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| When you look at the 2015 Avenir concept car, you can immediately see where Buick's upcoming models are pulling some of their inspiration from. |
Buick has
already implemented some of their recent concept car design cues, such as their
revised 3D waterfall grille with a chrome bar going through it, into upcoming
models (see the 2017 LaCrosse, already on sale in many places). Without a
doubt, we’ll see other bits of these design cues make their way into other
upcoming Buick models. In case you were wondering, the word “Avenir” is not
simply a mashup of “avenue” and any other word. Rather, it actually means
“future” in French. Personally, I think it would’ve been great to have seen the Avenir name
used on a new flagship sedan placed above the LaCrosse in Buick’s
lineup and the “Ultra” or “Super” names brought back as the top trim for models
instead. But regardless, I’m sure that this 100+ year old brand’s future is plenty bright if
they keep down their current track.
Pricing for
the new Avenir trim level is not yet available.
Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
3-in-1 = Automotive Fun: VW's Woes, Tesla Has The Keys, & Transformers
Darn Dirty Diesel
As part of a follow up to my previous 3-in-1 article, it appears as if Volkswagen’s
diesel woes continue to plague the company’s forward progress. One lead
engineer recently plead guilty to the company's emission charges, and now, this diesel
crisis has apparently won the overall war. Well, at least in the U.S. market. Within
the last couple weeks, the company that has become world-renowned for their
“clean diesel” vehicles announced that they will be discontinuing all diesel
models in the United States.
Now, this
isn’t necessarily the most shocking thing ever, but it is a very slight
surprise. Because as many of you may know, VW basically has (well… HAD) a
monopoly on the diesel car market, to the point where they still have existing
plans to produce diesels for the North American market thru the 2019 model year
(pending some approval). However, beyond that point, VW says they’ll need to
reevaluate their U.S. powertrain lineups. Hinrich Woebcken, CEO of WW America,
has said that wherever diesel engines make sense for application, they will be
used. However, as tor the USA, VW’s diesel push is done. And besides, emission
regulations get stricter come 2019, so my guess is that we’re going to end up
seeing fewer diesel powertrains in the industry overall. Plus, the company
already owes dealers $1.2 billion in settlements, plans to implement a buyback
of unfixable vehicles, as well as provide compensation to owners. However, many
owners have stated they prefer buybacks to compensation. Not surprising, given
that buyback totals could range from roughly $12,000 to $34,000 dollars!
Starting
this fall, VW’s efforts to refocus their lineup will really begin. The biggest
buzz is all about their upcoming, still unnamed 7-passenger crossover. Its
scheduled to launch early next year and will compete with the likes of the new
2017 GMC Acadia, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and other
7-passenger crossover vehicles. Additionally, there’s a new Tiguan-based small
crossover that will come out. Fast forward even further to the 2020 model year,
and VW plans to begin introducing electric vehicles and more hybrid technology
to the U.S. to compensate for their diesel losses.
Will these upcoming models employ these new technologies effectively? Will Volkswagen ever be able to return to their former form following this crisis? All of these questions will likely have answers in the future. Read up on some more at the links below.
- http://www.autonews.com/article/20160719/OEM11/160719836/vw-done-with-diesel-push-in-u-s-exec-says?cciid=email-autonews-blast
- http://blog.caranddriver.com/cash-money-owners-of-cheaty-vw-tdi-diesels-prefer-buybacks-to-fixes/
- http://blog.caranddriver.com/volkswagen-wont-attempt-to-regain-diesel-leadership-in-u-s-many-tdi-models-may-never-return/
Tesla's Master Plan
Tesla is
always up to something. And recently, Elon Musk announced that he has come up
with a “master plan” for the brand moving forward. He intends to have Tesla
become a renewable energy enterprise, meaning the brand will end up producing
more than just electric cars. Musk intends to do this by expanding Tesla’s
portfolio to solar products and services offered by SolarCity Corporation. This
makes sense, as it was proposed that Tesla purchase SolarCity prior to this
plan, and Elon Musk owns 22% of SolarCity’s shares. Now, Tesla is moving
forward with plans to purchase SolarCity Corp. for $2.6 billion. As a result of
this move, the combined companies can reach customers of both entities more
effectively and offer customers solar panels, home battery storage systems, and
electric cars under one umbrella. Tesla also expects achieve significant cost
savings as a result of the merger, saving roughly $150 million in costs after
the first full year of joint operations.
Under
provisions of the deal, Tesla will have 93.5 percent ownership of both
companies and SolarCity 6.5 percent. This deal should be completed sometime in
the fourth quarter of business. Given how much money Tesla is burning through
in order to launch the new Model 3 sedan and the recent investigation of the
company’s Autopilot software, it seems as if this agreement couldn’t come at a
better time. If all goes as planned, Tesla should be able to provide consumers
with everything they need to “live a largely carbon-free lifestyle” according
to Musk. You can find out more on this topic by following the link below. We
shall see how this works out for both companies in due time. Until all is said
and done, we can be sure of one thing: Tesla is staying on the offensive.
Transformers Assemble In Michigan!
Like cars?
Like action movies? Do you live in Michigan? Then you might be excited to know
that a rural portion of M-52 was closed recently to film for the next movie in
the popular series, “Transformers: The Last Knight”. Many fans of the franchise
gathered around to view a chase scene that was being taped, and both Bumblebee
and Optimus Prime were visible at certain times. One of my coworkers at my
internship in Webberville, Michigan actually showed me a picture of Optimus
Prime sitting at a truck stop and going down the road! Can you imagine how
surprised many people probably were to be sitting at a light and all of a
sudden have Bumblebee or one of the other vehicles pull up next to them? Can
you say, AWESOME???
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| Optimus Prime in the flesh! Well... In the steel. |
Are you a
Transformers fan? If so, what’s your favorite movie, and also, what various cars
are you looking forward to seeing in this new movie? While it may be too late
to see the cars and actors here in Michigan, here’s a bright side: There’s less
than a year until the new film releases!
America Remembers
I was in the 2nd grade when 9/11 happened. Its a day that changed the old and young alike. I pray that God continues to bless our nation.
A Bag of Recalls
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| A few of the models affected by the latest airbag recall from General Motors. |
Although the probability of this event
happening is rare, some deaths and injuries have been reported. But it’s very
important to note: While this is GM’s largest recall of the year, this issue is
COMPLETELY UNRELATED to the ongoing, massive Takata airbag recall. If you want
to learn more about that recall, here’s a link to my prior article on it (Note!
More vehicles have been added to the recall list since this was published):
- http://www.adamsautos.org/2015/12/takata-airbag-recall-what-you-need-to.html
Here’s a list of affected vehicles
for GM’s airbag recall:
- 2014-2016: Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet SS, Chevrolet Spark EV
- 2014-2017: Chevrolet Corvette, Trax, Caprice, Silverado 1500, Buick Encore, GMC Sierra 1500
- 2015-2017: Chevrolet Tahoe & Suburban, Silverado HD, GMC Yukon & Yukon XL, Sierra HD, Cadillac Escalade & Escalade ESV
The fix for this issue is
relatively simple and requires updating software in the sensing and diagnostic
module that controls the deployment of airbags. No physical parts need to be
replaced, which is good news for owners. My advice to all owners of these cars is to go get your
vehicle checked out as soon as possible. As always, safety should never take a
back seat. You can read some more on the recall at the link below. ROLL ON!
- http://www.autonews.com/article/20160909/OEM11/160909822/gm-recalling-4-3-million-vehicles-globally-for-airbag-software-defect?cciid=email-autonews-blast
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Its My Birthday!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Rare Rides!
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| The 1953 Corvette |
What are your favorite rare cars, and which ones would you love to own someday? Comment your thoughts! And follow the link below to view the article on some of the rarest American cars to ever exist.
Until next time, ROLL ON!
- http://americaloveshorsepower.com/23-of-the-rarest-cars-from-american-auto-makers/
Summer Classic Car Show!
Hello again world! Its been a long and busy summer, but I feel so fortunate for all of the things I learned. My internship ended on an excellent note, and the same is true for my summer classes. After a much needed break and some down time, I'm ready for what my final two semesters of undergrad have in store for me! But before this final leg of my college journey begins, I have to update you all on some other things.
This Summer '16, I had the opportunity to go to an auto show in my hometown at my favorite dealership, Garber Buick. My mother has purchased multiple cars from here, so the dealer is rather special to me and fond part of my childhood. While there, I saw some very interesting rides, and even got to see the new 2016 Buick Cascada. I'm posting some of them below. What's your favorite classic or rare car? Let me know what you think!
So again, what are you favorite cars from this show? What models would you like to see come back, or which ones hold the fondest memories for you? Oldsmobiles are some of my favorite older cars, especially since my mother has owned several models. Reminisce in the comments!
Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.
Repost: Food For Thought, Upcoming Content for Your Curiosity
Howdy everyone! Here's a repost from Facebook, food for thought haha. More content coming later today.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Keeping It 200: Chrysler Delivers On Their Promise
A part of me still questions this move, but official figures do say that Chrysler 200 sales are down. Way down.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20160726/OEM01/160729899/fca-earmarks-1-5-billion-to-build-ram-1500-pickups-at-chrysler-200?cciid=email-autonews-blast
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Ding Dong, The Dart Is Dead
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| Just as quickly as it arrived, its now exiting stage left. 2016 will be the Dodge Dart's swan song. |
In a past post, I mentioned how
FCA was considering axing the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 sedans. And now, it's
official. At least for the Dart anyways. 2016 will be the final model year for
Dodge's compact sedan. For the second half of 2016, the Dart's lineup will be
simplified to just 3 trim levels: SXT Sport, Turbo, and GT Sport. Customization
options, a Dart trademark, will also be simplified and the dual-clutch
transmission that was previously available will be gone too, all in an effort
to make the Dart's transition to the big parking lot in the sky a little more comfortable.
Reviving a name from Dodge's
past, the Dart was introduced in the 2013 model year as a replacement for the
Caliber hatchback. FCA cites slow sales and a desire to want to focus more on
crossovers, trucks, and SUVs moving forward as the reason the Dart is being put
out to pasture. The related 200 sedan will likely meet a similar fate soon,
although Sergio Marchionne has expressed some interest in keeping the 200 alive
if another company will assist in producing it.
The new 200 I've noticed has
been a relatively good seller for Chrysler, despite not being
"perfect" in its segment. If you want to find out more about this
model, I tested the 200 awhile back and you'll be taken to my in-depth review
on it by following the link below:
- http://www.adamsautos.org/2015/11/2015-chrysler-200-review.html
Will you miss the modern-day
Dart? My impression of the car is that its relatively average overall. But then
again, I see them on the road fairly often seems like, and discontinuing it
(and potentially the 200 too) seems to be an odd move because this will leave
Chrysler without any offerings in the compact OR mid-sized car segments. And those
are two of the most competitive segments on the planet right now! An SRT-4
model of the Dart might have helped spice things up a little bit instead of
simply offering "appearance package" options... But hindsight is always 20/20,
right? We'll see how this move works out for the company moving forward.
More Info:
- http://www.motortrend.com/news/2016-dodge-dart-lineup-simplified-three-trim-levels/
- http://fcauthority.com/2016/07/dodge-dart-to-be-discontinued-in-september/
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Rolling Your Way: New Content! Hooray!
Hello all! Hopefully you've been enjoying this summer weather! And also staying cool some too haha. I know I have! The grind never stops!
But hey! You smell that? That's the smell of fresh, new content rolling your way soon! Stay curious! Word is we might be losing a few well-known models here in the U.S. Oh boy, oh boy... ROLL ON!
And be sure to like the Adam's Auto's Facebook page as well while you're at it!
And be sure to like the Adam's Auto's Facebook page as well while you're at it!
Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.
Monday, July 4, 2016
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! USA! USA!
Happy 4th of July to all! Its always awesome to see the American auto industry thriving. Here's hoping you enjoy this day in your rides with your families, eat some great BBQ, watch some spectacular firework displays, and enjoy everything else our nation offers us everyday! ROLL ON READERS!
Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.
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