May 2011 Auto Sales

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: lexus114
Now the new CC...thats a nice car.

Agreed. I wish there was a better selection of engines available in that beautiful body though.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I don't care what anyone says and usually I don't chime in on threads like this, but the Cruze is nice. Sit in one, drive one.
I couldn't believe how nice it was. Yesterday I drove to Mt Rainier to hike/climb to Camp Muir(different story, practicing for Summiting the moutain) and the guy that went with me has an 01 BMW 330I and told me he was seriously considering trading the 330 in on the Cruze. He said it was a lot of car and it was very smooth. You can say what you want but GM did a good job on this small car.


+1

I've drive/driven GM compacts for the last 15 years or so, and the is pretty much the best I've ever seen. I would have normally bought another GM car based on price (remember the late Cavalier giveaway?), but I'd buy this one based on choice alone.

I've driven the Cruze and all other Compact makes, and I find this one still one still wins. New Focus? Loses due to the lack of sport handling I expected. Civic? New one simply does not have the magic of the last one. Elentra? Handles fine, still feels cheap. Corolla? Still a washer on wheels...

I'm still between the Cruze and Focus, but still leaning toward the Cruze..

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
The Aveo and Malibu are likely to a large purchase of a rental company or fleet sales.



Nope, believe it or not, fleet sales were down. I think the Malibu had a decent rebate going though....

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: rjundi
The Aveo and Malibu are likely to a large purchase of a rental company or fleet sales.



Nope, believe it or not, fleet sales were down. I think the Malibu had a decent rebate going though....


With the exception of the Hondas, every car on that compact and midsize list is a rental car staple.

 

[M1Accord]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: rjundi
The Aveo and Malibu are likely to a large purchase of a rental company or fleet sales.



Nope, believe it or not, fleet sales were down. I think the Malibu had a decent rebate going though....


With the exception of the Hondas, every car on that compact and midsize list is a rental car staple.


I was thinking the same exactly thing. Rental companies always get their cars at redesign period and get great group discount. I don't think I have seen a Honda as a rental. Nissan and Chevy dominate the C market at places I'd been while Toyota and Hyundai dominate the mid-size market in the same areas.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
Quote:
The Aveo and Malibu are likely to a large purchase of a rental company or fleet sales.


Nope, believe it or not, fleet sales were down. I think the Malibu had a decent rebate going though....
Not according to a couple comments on the posted link. Specifically mentions the Malibu, and I have nothing against GM, just sayin. And I know Nissan/Renault has been pushing 0% financing on Altima for a while.

One month stats in a vacuum makes it tough to get a full picture. Like to see fleet sales and sales incentives for the month.

Hyundai does seem to keep on keepin on.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: M1Accord
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: rjundi
The Aveo and Malibu are likely to a large purchase of a rental company or fleet sales.



Nope, believe it or not, fleet sales were down. I think the Malibu had a decent rebate going though....


With the exception of the Hondas, every car on that compact and midsize list is a rental car staple.


I was thinking the same exactly thing. Rental companies always get their cars at redesign period and get great group discount. I don't think I have seen a Honda as a rental. Nissan and Chevy dominate the C market at places I'd been while Toyota and Hyundai dominate the mid-size market in the same areas.

My last two trips I had a Buzzy 4 Cyl Accord. It didn't like the AC on so much while driving in San Diego.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Now the new CC...thats a nice car.

Agreed. I wish there was a better selection of engines available in that beautiful body though.


Agreed like the car a lot. I like the 2.0T and especially a manual transmission is offered.

Interestingly two of my neighbors who were MB320 & Audi A8 owners purchased this vehicle(2.0T) as a replacement. They easily could afford far more but it appealed to them.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Now the new CC...thats a nice car.

Agreed. I wish there was a better selection of engines available in that beautiful body though.


Agreed like the car a lot. I like the 2.0T and especially a manual transmission is offered.

Interestingly two of my neighbors who were MB320 & Audi A8 owners purchased this vehicle(2.0T) as a replacement. They easily could afford far more but it appealed to them.



Sharp looking car for sure. But the Jetta fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down!

 

[dishdude]

Just got back from a business trip to Indianapolis, at the National they had a CR-V and Accord there for the taking! I hopped in a Genesis

 

[Bladecutter]

I also like the CC, but just can't justify the price VW wants us to pay for the car. On top of that is the FWD layout.

The Infiniti G25 sedan would have fit my bill if it came with manual transmission, but they refuse to sell it with manual here in the USA.

So instead, I opted for a Mazda RX-8.
All the cash I saved not buying the two above cars gets spent on gasoline instead, which seems like a good trade off to me.

BC.

 

[Colt]

Fleet sales account for big numbers on some models like the Cruze and Malibu.

 

[ls1mike]

I have yet to see a Cruze on a rental lot. I travel and rent a lot.

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I have yet to see a Cruze on a rental lot. I travel and rent a lot.


Avis,Budget,Enterprise...
Just do a search.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: Colt
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
I have yet to see a Cruze on a rental lot. I travel and rent a lot.


Avis,Budget,Enterprise...
Just do a search.

How about going to the lot. The Govt uses all three of those I have tried to get a Cruze or Malibu.
I usually get stuck with A Camary, Altima(blech), The last two times an Accord, the time before that an Impreza. My last trip to San Diego was an Altima, the trip before that was a Focus, the one in March was a Camary. They may have some Malibus or Cruze but not as much as the one I listed and if they do they are popular so they are all out. I chomping at the bit to get a Malibu or Cruze. They just don't have as many as the ones I listed.

 

[rjundi]

I got a Cruze recently as rental. Nothing special, just like every other rental I have gotten.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Colt
Fleet sales account for big numbers on some models like the Cruze and Malibu.


Same here, and I have been trying to get one! I travel a lot for work and would love to try a Cruze or Elantra.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
I got a Cruze recently as rental. Nothing special, just like every other rental I have gotten.


I drove a Cruize back in late March / early April. Seemed like a competent car. It looks good and my thoughts were it would appeal to those who currently like GM and want a smaller car.

But I found the steering to be Novocain Numb and the 1.4 turbo just didn't seem to have the motivation. I went across the lot and drove a Mazda3 back to back with it as it was a Chevy and Mazda store and the Mazda was more suited to my preferences.

It seemed to be vault like quiet, which will appeal to the masses. But lacked the fun factor found in other choices. Seems Motor Trend tested a bunch of C segment cars and put it mid-pack out of 8, IIRC. Which is actually a pretty good finish for a GM in a magazine test.

So they are moving in the right direction with the Cruize. Let's see if they continue to make progress, or cheapen out the car and let others add to their lead in the market segment.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Looks like Toyota has lost its sizzle.

For now. It may very well be an issue that is strictly supply-related. It remains to be seen, what effect the redesigned Camry and RAV4 will have on the sales numbers.

Part of the reason why the domestics are doing well right now is because they have the freshest line-up in the industry. Three years from now, when the domestics' products are nearing the end of their lifecycle, will tell the real story as to whether buyers have truly changed their view of the Big 3's products-- when their product will no longer be the fresh one.
IMHO, the Corolla styling is a little stale compared to the competition.

When I bought my 2010 Corolla a few months back, I really did not shop the other makes. In hindsight, I would have given the Elantra a good look over.