Official Car Inquiries Thread

[Bullfrog]

Do you know much about the Suzuki Kizashi, Frank? From most accounts it's a fairly impressive car. however, I think only about 600 have sold in Canada since it's launch.  That's utterly dismal.

 

[moon111]

I think for a company like Suzuki to do well in North America, it's going to have to offer a very niche vehicle or get another company to rebadge their products.  I had a rebadged Chevy Sprint, and although it was a good little car, lacked any creature comforts or premise of protecting you in a crash.  Wonder if something similar to the Ariel Atom could be sold and serviced through motorcycle dealerships?

 

[Frank E]

There's a loud knocking noise in my trunk. How do I get her to stop?

Signed,
Frustrated in Milton

This is a typical issue for those that live in Milton.

It's probably her bouncing around in the trunk.  Deflate her, then put her back in the box she came in.  Should fix it.

Tired that, but she just got angry. Your mom is REALLY weird.

My mother would properly never be in Milton.

 

[Frank E]

There's a loud knocking noise in my trunk. How do I get her to stop?

Signed,
Frustrated in Milton

This is a typical issue for those that live in Milton.

It's probably her bouncing around in the trunk.  Deflate her, then put her back in the box she came in.  Should fix it.

Tired that, but she just got angry. Your mom is REALLY weird.

Frank's was better

OH NO YOU DIDN'T

Yours was so weak, I didn't think it warranted a response.  You're probably from Milton too.

 

[Frank E]

Do you know much about the Suzuki Kizashi, Frank? From most accounts it's a fairly impressive car. however, I think only about 600 have sold in Canada since it's launch.  That's utterly dismal.

It's just a weird little car.  They've gotten average reviews, but Suzuki has such a limited dealer network here in Canada.  I think there are certainly better options in that class, and it seems that the market agrees.

You should really check out the 2012 Camry.  I think it's likely the best value in that mid-size class.  The 2011 model was dry and boring...great car, but boring.

 

[skippy]

There's a loud knocking noise in my trunk. How do I get her to stop?

Signed,
Frustrated in Milton

This is a typical issue for those that live in Milton.

It's probably her bouncing around in the trunk.  Deflate her, then put her back in the box she came in.  Should fix it.

Tired that, but she just got angry. Your mom is REALLY weird.

My mother would properly never be in Milton.

There was nothing proper about it.

 

[seahawk]

What options would you consider comparable to the Ford Focus? I really like the 2010 model, but the changes that Ford made to the front of the car for the 2012 model really make it look ugly to me.

 

[Madferret]

There's a loud knocking noise in my trunk. How do I get her to stop?

Signed,
Frustrated in Milton

This is a typical issue for those that live in Milton.

It's probably her bouncing around in the trunk.  Deflate her, then put her back in the box she came in.  Should fix it.

Tired that, but she just got angry. Your mom is REALLY weird.

Frank's was better

OH NO YOU DIDN'T

Yours was so weak, I didn't think it warranted a response.  You're probably from Milton too.

All the sizzle of mine was in "promiscuous near Parliament Hill"....

 

[Bullfrog]

What options would you consider comparable to the Ford Focus? I really like the 2010 model, but the changes that Ford made to the front of the car for the 2012 model really make it look ugly to me.

Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, Mazda3, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta and Chevy Cruze are all good picks. The VW and Subaru will be more expensive though. You can never go wrong with a Corolla or Civic or 3. If I had to choose right now, I'd pick the Subaru Impreza (the new version) or the Mazda3.

 

[Bullfrog]

You should really check out the 2012 Camry.  I think it's likely the best value in that mid-size class.  The 2011 model was dry and boring...great car, but boring.

I think I might. I'll be finished paying off my car in a few months and will be ready to get another one. I've rented a 2010 Camry many times for out of town travel. Of course it performed well, but I really can't think of a less interesting car. No 'fun factor' at all.

 

[Frank E]

What options would you consider comparable to the Ford Focus? I really like the 2010 model, but the changes that Ford made to the front of the car for the 2012 model really make it look ugly to me.

Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, Mazda3, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta and Chevy Cruze are all good picks. The VW and Subaru will be more expensive though. You can never go wrong with a Corolla or Civic or 3. If I had to choose right now, I'd pick the Subaru Impreza (the new version) or the Mazda3.

You can lease a 2012 Civic right now from our Honda store for $250 a month taxes in nothing down...and it's not a cheapie base model.  They're really cheap right now.  The Hyundai is all style, but that's about it, they're having their issues. 

I think the Focus is a great car, but if you don't like how it looks, you might consider one of the Scion models.  They're fantastic cars, and nobody really knows much about them.

 

[moon111]

Just got another raise, thinking about putting it towards a vehicle.  Need something at can carry 2 adults, 4 kids minimum.  Locally, the best deal seems to be ex-minivan rentals with low km's.    My wife's minivan needs a bunch of work and I just don't have the time to fix it working out of town.  (Currently slaving away in Vaughan.)  Personally I'd like to get something like a SVT Focus or something for my own commute.  I put a SVT suspension and front brakes on my regular SE and it made it allot more fun to drive.

 

[Kessel Run]

What options would you consider comparable to the Ford Focus? I really like the 2010 model, but the changes that Ford made to the front of the car for the 2012 model really make it look ugly to me.

Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, Mazda3, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta and Chevy Cruze are all good picks. The VW and Subaru will be more expensive though. You can never go wrong with a Corolla or Civic or 3. If I had to choose right now, I'd pick the Subaru Impreza (the new version) or the Mazda3.

I drive a Subaru (on my second now) and love every minute of it.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Thought I'd post this here.....

On German driving, speeds, and the autobahn...

http://www.wheels.ca/newsFeatures/article/800928

 

[Leafaholic99]

Hey Frank,

I have an issue with my 07 Chevy cobalt ss, the remote start. Every button works, except the issue lies with the starting button. The lights on the car flash but it wont start the car. It was working fine in the summer before I hit a deer, and it may be coincidence but since then it won't remotely start the car.

I can't see anything being damaged with hitting the deer, because wouldn't the whole remote start not work if something was damaged? I took apart the fob and noticed the battery holder needs to be re soldered as it falls out quite easily, but that shouldn't be affecting the starting of the car.

I also changed the batteries in both fobs, should I try re-programing the remotes?

Suggestions?

 

[Bender]

What would you recommend: Chevy Volt or Toyota Prius?

Is a 2008 Prius a decent buy?

 

[Frank E]

Hey Frank,

I have an issue with my 07 Chevy cobalt ss, the remote start. Every button works, except the issue lies with the starting button. The lights on the car flash but it wont start the car. It was working fine in the summer before I hit a deer, and it may be coincidence but since then it won't remotely start the car.

I can't see anything being damaged with hitting the deer, because wouldn't the whole remote start not work if something was damaged? I took apart the fob and noticed the battery holder needs to be re soldered as it falls out quite easily, but that shouldn't be affecting the starting of the car.

I also changed the batteries in both fobs, should I try re-programing the remotes?

Suggestions?

Could be a lot of things.  If they did any wiring repairs on the vehicle when you had it fixed, they may have screwed that up.  Or could be as simple as the remote, as you mentioned. 

Cheapest thing to do is to get the fobs checked out first.  Did both fobs stop working at the same time?

 

[Frank E]

What would you recommend: Chevy Volt or Toyota Prius?

Is a 2008 Prius a decent buy?

I wouldn't touch a Volt just yet.  GM's record on this stuff is unknown.

The Prius is a great car, though it is pricey.  It's a statement car.

You'll spend more for it than you'll save given the fuel efficient non-hybrid alternatives available in the market.  But financial issues aside, it's a pretty neat car, and very reliable technology.

 

[Leafaholic99]

So as soon as I finish my 30 minute drive to the college this AM, my battery light came on, I assume its the alternator that's bad?

How much does this typically cost to replace? :s

Any other suggestions on what it could be?

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

So as soon as I finish my 30 minute drive to the college this AM, my battery light came on, I assume its the alternator that's bad?

How much does this typically cost to replace? :s

Any other suggestions on what it could be?

Alternator for sure. Its about 250 plus labor.