If a jobbing journo discovers a glaring deficiency on a pre-production test car, they usually ask the automaker if they're gonna sort this shit out (I'm paraphrasing), mention the PR person's solemn oath and move on. If the car's been on the showroom floor for, oh, eight months, like, say, the Dodge Avenger, it's time for the excuses to stop– unless you're James Healey of USA Today. In that case, you let Chrysler answer each and every complaint. Healey: "Suspension: Lots of clunk-thunk and rumble delivered directly from the road outside to your ears inside as well as rippling through your hands on the steering wheel." Chrysler" "Shock absorber bushings were changed beginning with Sept. 27 production. Shock and strut tuning is to be changed beginning with Oct. 15 production. Dealers will perform the upgrades free for any customer whose vehicle has the suspension issues." Healey: "The four-speed automatic… shuddered, shook and stuttered trying to change gears, up or down, under light and moderate throttle." Chrysler: "The problem was fixed beginning with July production…. Dealers should update vehicles free for customers who complain." I'm not sure who should be more embarrassed by this "He said, they promised" exchange. And is that the sound of ripping paper I hear from disgruntled customers heading for their local dealer with clip in hand?

USA Today »

Source: www.thetruthaboutcars.com

Chris Shunk
Gadgets, Garage, Etc.

Anybody that lives on a busy road or has a lot of cars knows that getting vehicles in and out of the driveway can be a logistical nightmare. Traditional options for curing this problem range from widening the driveway to creating one of those horseshoe-shaped driveways. Pouring concrete can get pricey too, but an old auto show staple, the turntable, is now available as a cure for parking problems.

Turntables aren't just for locomotives and auto show displays anymore. You can have an automobile-sized turntable installed in your garage or driveway for around $8,400 and up. There are some very expensive options, too, which need a foundation of poured concrete and can cost upwards of $40,000. For the same price as the car they're spinning, these Lazy Susans had better work as advertised. Apparently some folk, however, are willing to spend a lot of dough to forgo rearranging the driveway at 5 AM. The scribes at the Wall St. Journal even found compiled a list of companies that make and install turntables.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Source: feeds.autoblog.com

Dan Roth
Podcasts, GM, Rolls Royce, UAW/Unions

Autoblog Podcast #78 is here! Our lead item is the UAW's strike during GM labor contract talks. It was a nice little picket. Two days, bing, bang, boom, we're back at the table and a deal is now pending. GM out of the way, now it's Ford and Chrysler's turn. That oughta be fun. Speaking of fun and GM, John, Sam, and Chris Shunk all went up to the "GM Collection" event and went round and round at the Milford Proving Grounds in all manner of 2008 GM vehicles. Some were great, some were not so great, though it was all fun and very informative. The guys drove a lot of cars, and thus, there's a lot to discuss. Wrapping up the 'cast, we marvel at the opulence of the $400,000 Rolls Royce Phantom Alex wheeled around for a decadent couple days. 52 minutes, 39 seconds, and we're out.

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Source: feeds.autoblog.com