Paint Complains: Has automotive paint gone down in quality?

Over the past, years, I seem to hear more gripes about thin, easily chipped paint on new cars. Toyotas, Honda, Suzuki, Subaru, etc.—I read paint complaints on various forums including Yarisworld.com, FitFreak.net, SX4club.com and others. So what gives? Has paint really gotten “thinner” as of late? Is it a different material? Is it worse quality than it used to be?

I can vouch for having a lot of rock chips on both of my newer Japanese-made cars. My 2007 Toyota Yaris liftback and my brand-spakin’-new 2009 Suzuki SX4 are both chipped up. The Yaris rarely sees gravel/sand, but has still racked up a good amount of paint chips. The SX4, which has been on gravel-covered roads multiple times in the last month (I take it skiing), looks like it’s been pelted with gravel for a year or more. My 2005 Scion xB also was pitted badly. Then again, it had a decent amount of square frontal space to get chipped.

A couple of searches on Google revealed that many (most?) auto manufacturers are now using a water-based paints instead of solvent-based finishes. The water-based paints release fewer VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, which are bad for the environment. But are these water-based finishes less durable than solvent-based coatings? Just about every Web site I’ve found has said the water-based coatings are as durable as the older solvent-based finishes.

Most cars are painted with a base coat/clear coat system. This means a colored coat of paint is laid down, and then a clear coat of paint is put on top of that. It’s the clear coat that gives cars their deep, glossy finish. According to Canadiandriver.com, most automotive clear coats are still solvent-based. However, during the auto manufacturer’s painting process, it’s the base coat that gives off the most VOCs.

So, allegedly water-based paints aren’t any less durable than solvent-based paints. So is it possible that the paint being applied to today’s cars is actually thinner than it used to be? Perhaps manufacturers aren’t putting as much paint on? There are ways to measure paint thickness using paint gauges, but I don't know if paint thicknesses have gotten progressively thinner over time.

What about this: Could it be the shapes of today’s cars that are the culprit? Lower, more rounded front ends that possibly lend themselves to being pummeled my rocks?

I don’t have an answer at this point. However, I’d like to hear from you: Does your paint chip easily? Do you know why it seems everyone complains about their new car’s paint job?

LINKS
Automotive Paint (JD Power)
Auto Tech: Automobile painting (CanadianDriver.com)

2010 Suzuki SX4 upgrades?

According to a thread on SX4Club.com by Road/Race Motorsports, the 2010 Suzuki SX4 will be getting some upgrades. According to the thread, the '10 will have a VVT (Variable Valve Timing) engine and a six-speed manual or CVT transmission.

Maybe the car will make a bit more power and have a bit better fuel economy, too! Now if they could just increase the size of the fuel tank by a couple of gallons ...

LINK
ROAD/RACE- SX4 2010s in the House (SX4club.com)

VIDEO: New Fiesta vs. Corvette

A very entertaining Top Gear video of a new Fiesta vs. a Corvette in a London shopping mall. What else can I say? I Love it!

Subcompact Supercar: Festiva Shogun

I'm sure everyone remembers the diminutive Ford Festiva (no, not the Fiesta). However, do you remember the crazy V-6-powered Festiva Shogun? Powered by the Yamaha-made Ford Taurus SHO engine, which was located in the rear, this little vehicle got up and went. Above is a neat little video from the show Jay Leno's Garage, where Jay talks about his Shogun (number 3 of 7). I'd say this car definitely qualifies as a subcompact supercar.

VIDEO: Autocar drives the Tata Nano

Here's the first drive of the Indian Tata Nano as done by Autocar.co.uk. Neat video; I love his comparison between the Model-T and the Nano, and I believe it's true! Check it out.

LINK
Autocar.co.uk

Toyota developing Yaris hybrid for Japanese and U.S. markets

According to Automotive News, Toyota has announced that they're working on a hybrid version of the Yaris to compete with lower-cost hybrids (aka the Honda Insight) that are on their way. Toyota's chief engineer told AN that the Yaris was being developed for Japan and the U.S.

Perhaps the hybrid Yaris will come in 2011 when the Yaris is expected to be redesigned? We'll see ...

LINK
Toyota Yaris Hybrid (Automotive News; subscription required)

Mazda 1 spyshots

Photo: Automedia

According to the UK's evo, this is a spy shot of the upcoming Mazda 1. However, it sure looks a lot like a Mazda 2.

Mazda had shown a pretty radical little concept car called the Kiyora at the 2008 Paris Autoshow, however, this is a far cry from the swoopy lines and crazy scissors-style doors of the Kiyora. Full story below.

LINKS
Mazda 1 Spy Shots (evo)

VIDEO: Fiesta Movement cars being made

How cool is this? A short vid on the 100 Fiesta Movement cars being made in Germany. Just think: One of those cars could make it into my driveway! (Pretty please?)

LINKS
Fiesta Movement

Tata begins taking orders for the $2,000 Nano

In case you hadn't heard, Tata Motors officially put it's tiny Nano on sale today. With a price of just $2,000 (USD), it's the least expensive new car in the world. That's a big deal, especially in Tata's home market of India, where the vehicle could take away some business from scooter and motorcycle sales. Hey—you can't put four people on a scooter. Fine ... you shouldn't put four people on a scooter.

The car is pretty impressive, but not for its driving dynamics, amazing technical features, or performance. It's amazing that Tata was able to produce a vehicle that so many people can afford, and allegedly still make money. It's all very Henry Ford-esque. A car that more people can afford to buy: Brilliant then and now.

Anyway, check out both links below—the BBC article is a good read, and the Autoblog link has the full press release and lots-o-pics.

And yes, I think I've heard all of the "Tiny Tatas" jokes I can handle for one day.

Thanks to Trenton for the tip!

LINKS
Tata Nano Launched (BBC)
Officially Official: Order books (finally) open on $2,000 Tata Nano (Autoblog)

In the snow with the Suzuki SX4 AWD (and a Thule roof rack)

We took the SX4 up to the mountain to go skiing, and this time it really got to see some snow. This is our first AWD car, and I'm really impressed. This thing went through several inches of snow without breaking a sweat. The four-wheel lock mode is really nice, too; it virtually eliminated any wheel slip in the deep stuff. I'm loving this car more and more!

FYI, I purchased the Thule roof rack (new-in-box, discontinued model 415 mounts, cross bars, pair of Flat Top 6 ski/snowboard carriers) from a great store here in Portland called ReRack (http://rerackpdx.com). They buy, sell, and trade Thule and Yakima roof racks, and they've got a lot of used and discontinued stuff at great prices with great service. They're located at 2034 NE Sandy Blvd. in Portland. If you need a complete roof rack you can e-mail them at requests@rerackpdx.com with the year, make, and model of your car and they can help you out. Highly recommended!


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VIDEO: My Fiesta Movement Entry

I do not claim it to be the best, but hey—at least I applied, right?

LINKS
Fiesta Movement
Fiesta Movement Twitter page

Most Dependable Subcompacts: JD Power releases 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study

JD Power and Associates has released its 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study. This is meant to show the number of problems experienced by the original owner of three-year-old vehicles (e.g. 2006 models).

As far as overall brands, Buick and Jaguar tied for first; Suzuki placed last. The study also broke down the top-three vehicles in each class. Here are the top three subcompacts:


1. Scion xA


2. Suzuki Aerio


3. Chevrolet Aveo


If the results are kind of odd to you in the subcompact category, keep in mind that in 2006 there weren't choices such as the Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa, or Toyota Yaris—those all appeared as 2007 models. However, the above-mentioned vehicles did beat out the '06 Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, MINI Cooper, and even Scion's own xB.

It's no surprise to see the Scion at the top of the list except that Scion was near the bottom of the overall list. But my guess is that Suzuki's low overall ranking has to do with the GM/Daewoo manufactured Reno, Verona, and Forenza, since it obviously has nothing to do with the top-ranking Aerio. Then again, the Chevrolet Aveo, which is a GM/Daewoo product, was No. 3 in the subcompact category. I'm confused.

The JD Power rankings have long been a bit of a sticky wicket since the study relies on owner-supplied "problems," and "problems" can range from a failed engine or transmission to a busted cup holder. "Problem" apparently isn't quantified too well.

LINK
2009 Vehicle Dependability Study Results (JD Power)

Autoblog drives the Kia Soul Sport

The guys over at Autoblog have done a "first drive" in the 2010 Kia Soul. It's a well-done article with a lot of content, and it's worth the read.

LINK
First Drive: 2010 Kia Soul Sport makes the scene in Miami (Autoblog)

2010 Suzuki SX4 Facelift ... for China

The Suzuki SX4 is getting a minor facelift ... in China. According the people at CarScoop.com, the Chinese-market SX4 (Which is a partnership between Changan and Suzuki) is getting the updated looks that the current SX4 in the U.S. (and apparently most other places in the world) have. Some good SX4 photos over there, too. I dig the interior's red fabric on the seats (which kind of looks like the Kia Rio5's seats) and the stereo's head unit looks pretty neat, too.


LINK
2010 SX4 and SX4 Sedan Facelift (CarScoop)
Changan Suzuki (China)

California dealer offered free Suzuki SX4 w/purchase of XL7

Suzuki of Escondido, CA offered a "buy one, get one free" deal over the weekend. On March 14, if you bought a new Suzuki XL7 SUV, the dealer was willing to give the buyer a new base-model Suzuki SX4 sedan. I believe there were only two to give away, but it was still a great deal. See the link below for the full story.

LINKS
Buy one, get one free on March 13 (North Country Times)
Suzuki of Escondido, CA

America to get plus-sized Polo?

According to Automotive News, although the U.S. will be getting the Volkswagen Polo, VW has decided to make a version for the U.S. that's a bit bigger than it's European counterpart, stating the Polo is still too small for the U.S.

Allegedly, the new Polo will come as a five-door hatch and a sedan. Sorry: No three-door option for the U.S., leaving the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent as the only new three-door subcompact options.

I'm disappointed that VW isn't going to give the Euro-market Polo a shot in the U.S. The Smart is tiny, and I'd bet the Yaris can't be that much bigger than a Polo.

LINK
REPORT: Volkswagen to sell two versions of Polo in U.S. in 2011 (Autoblog)

Video: Badass supercharged Yaris

User "PETERPOOP" over at Yarisworld.com has a badass Blitz-supercharged Yaris and he posted a video of it (there's even an HD version, too). This thing sounds pretty damn mean, if I do say so. Check it out.

Cool Toyota iQs over at OMG Pancakes

By now, if you read this blog or pay any attention to the automotive world, you're familiar with the tiny upcoming Toyota iQ.

Chops over at the Japanese car blog OMG Pancakes has a cool post about the iQ, including a few aftermarket companies have gotten a hold of the micro Toyotas. Check it out.

LINK
What's your iQ (OMG Pancakes)

First Portland-region SCCA Autocross: March 21, 22

The first Oregon-Region SCCA Solo (autocross) event is right around the corner (no pun intended). On Saturday, March 21, there's a practice day, and on Sunday, March 22, event No. 1 is scheduled. I'll probably attend one of the two days for sure. Check out the link above or below for more information.

LINKS
Oregon Region SCCA - Solo Home

Video: Twin-engined VW Lupo

From the insanity files comes a 12-cylinder Volkswagen Lupo allegedly from Croatia. The subcompact has been fitted with two VW VR6 engines and both were turbocharged. It certainly makes a beautiful sound. I'm sure it's fast as hell, too! A number of other goodies have been added as well. Check out the vids!

Edmunds ranks 10 coolest tech cars for under $20,000

Edmunds.com recently released its list of the top 10 "tech cars" for under $20,000, and half the list is composed of subcompacts.

1. 2009 Ford Focus
2. 2009 Dodge Caliber
3. 2009 Honda Fit
4. 2010 Kia Soul
5. 2009 Mini Cooper
6. 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
7. 2009 Nissan Versa
8. 2009 Scion xB
9. 2009 Suzuki SX4
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

Edmunds praised vehicles on the list for having cool "bells and whistles," while not costing an arm and a leg. They also reaffirmed that just because you're buying a smaller, less expensive car, doesn't mean you're relegated to purchasing a stripped-down econobox. Read on!

LINKS
Top 10 Cool Tech Cars for Under 20K (Edmunds.com)

Consumer Reports' best used, fuel-efficent vehicles

The most polarizing magazine on the planet Everyone's favorite magazine, Consumer Reports, has released a list of the most reliable, fuel-efficient cars you can buy used. Among those cars, two subcompacts rated No. 1 and No. 3: The 2005 Toyota Echo and 2005 Scion xB, respectively.

The complete list looks like this:

1. 2005 Toyota Echo - 31 mpg
2. 2006 Honda Civic - 30 mpg
3. 2005 Scion xB - 29 mpg
4. 2007 Toyota Corolla - 29 mpg
5. 2006 Toyota Corolla - 29 mpg
6. 2005 Toyota Matrix - 27 mpg
7. 2007 Pontiac Vibe - 27 mpg
8. 2006 Mazda 3 - 26 mpg
9. 2003 Mazda Protege - 24 mpg
10. 2004 Subaru Impreza - 22 mpg

Now, I'm not 100% sure what their criteria was for choosing these cars. I would've figured the 2007 Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris would've been on the list, too. However, they are not; perhaps their pricing remains too high. And although the Impreza is a good car, how did it make the list with 22 mpg? Was there requirement for an AWD vehicle to be on the list? Ah, the black magic that is Consumer Reports ...

LINKS
Which of Consumer Reports' picks for best used cars gets the best mileage? (Yahoo! Green)
Consumer Reports

SX4 fuel tankery

So today's random observation: All AWD Suzuki SX4s come with an 11 gallon fuel tank. However, all FWD Suzuki SX4s have a 13.2 gallon tank. I assume this is due to the AWD system taking up a bit more undercarriage space.

Thus far, we're averaging 26.1 mpg with our AWD SX4 equipped with a manual trans. The puny 11 gallon tank does require frequent refueling, but they rarely exceed eight gallons.

LINKS
Suzuki Auto (U.S.)

The Suzuki SX4's i-AWD system

Having purchased a new SX4, I was curious as to how the i-AWD worked. I knew it was a three-mode system (FWD, AWD, and AWD-lock), but didn't know much about how the system actually functioned.

I found a great thread on ClubSX4.com explaining the SX4's iAWD (you can find a link to the thread below), and in it was a link to the video above. Yes, it's in Japanese, but gives a good visual of how things work.

After reading the thread, here's how I understand Suzuki's i-AWD:

• In FWD mode, the rear wheels are not allowed to engage—it's FWD all the time.

• In "Auto" mode, the rear wheels are put on alert, and when the computer detects slippage in the front wheels, the rear wheels are engaged using an electromagnetic clutch, and as much as 50% of the power can go to the rear wheels.

• In "Lock" mode, power is split 50/50 to the front and rear differentials for use in deep snow, mud, etc.

Now two questions: Where can I get hubcaps like that, and where can I pick up the video's soundtrack?

LINK
SX4 iAWD system and how it works (ClubSX4.com)

Edmunds.com drives the Kia Soul

Edmunds.com has posted a test-drive review of the 2010 Kia Soul Sport, and it's a good read. Check it out below.

LINKS
2010 Kia Soul Sport Test Drive

Car and Driver's Chevrolet Spark video

Car and Driver has posted a brief video of the new Chevrolet Spark from the Geneva Auto Show. According to C&D, the subcompact will be slotted below the Aveo, and will have 1.0- and 1.2-liter engines, with the larger of the two destined for the U.S. and producing 83 hp. C&D also says the Spark will indeed be built in Korea by Daewoo.

With 83 hp., the Spark will have the second lowest horsepower rating of any gas-powered auto in the U.S. (the Smart is the lowest). Will consumer bite? I suspect it will depend on two things: Price and fuel economy.

The first week with our Suzuki SX4

It's been just a bit over a week with our 2009 Suzuki SX4 AWD crossover, and thus far we're very impressed. We've logged about 1,000 miles on the vehicle since we picked it up, and it's seen snow, sand, gravel, and pavement both wet and dry. We're discovering the car's pro and cons, too. Here are a few observations:

All-wheel drive is good.
The SX4 feels very sure footed on a variety of surfaces thanks to the AWD system, which is a three-mode system (FWD, auto, or lock). We had the car in the auto mode while driving up the mountain and the system worked flawlessly and effortlessly on the snow.

The next day we took a trip to the Oregon coast. We crossed the Coast Range mountains which had many gravel-coated highways, and the car felt very sure footed in the auto mode. We also drove along the beach just south of Astoria, OR. Here, I tried out the lock mode which keeps the power distribution evenly split between the front and rear axles. It also worked great; the car really got great traction in the sand.

Reasonable fuel economy, but a tiny tank.
We averaged 22 mpg going up the mountain—this is with four people in the car and a Thule roof rack with skis and two snowboards attached. It's about what we expected. The 2.0-liter engine had decent power going up Mt. Hood, not neck-snapping acceleration, but it did well.

We averaged 27 mpg on our next tank; this was going over the Coast Range mountains, driving about a 70/30 split of highway/city. We were quite impressed. Currently the car's fuel economy display says 26.3 mpg.

The one thing that's a bit annoying is the car's uber-small 11.2 gallon fuel tank. It requires frequent, albeit inexpensive, stops for gasoline. We were down to the second-to-last hash mark on the fuel gauge and put in just a tick over eight gallons. Hmmm ... maybe you can go longer on that amount of fuel then we thought. I doubt we'd be able to get 300 miles on one tank, though.

Enough power.
With it's 2.0-liter (J20A) engine and five-speed trans, the car drives very well and has decent power. It's no rocket ship, but it's got enough power for safe passing on two-lane roads. Going through mountain passes and such requires downshifts into fourth and third gears, but that was expected.

Limited interior storage.
The more time we spend in the SX4, the more we realize it's interior does not offer a ton of storage. Maybe I'm just spoiled by my Yaris, which has cubbies everywhere, but the SX4 does not have a lot of places to stash stuff. The rear cargo area is bigger than my Yaris', but unlike my little Toyota, there is no storage in the spare tire area, so things like tire chains, tool kit, and such remain in the cargo area.

Overall: Very happy.
Thus far, we love spending time in the SX4. It has a great ride, is sure-footed, and a hoot to drive. Despite the lack of abundant interior storage and it's puny gas tank, our SX4 has impressed us, especially with its traction on snow, sand, and gravel. And for an AWD vehicle, I'm not going to complain about 27 mpg.

More updates to come!

New VW Polo

The newest VW Polo, allegedly headed for the U.S. market at some time, will be debuting at the Geneva Auto Show this week, and it sure looks good! The Euro market will no doubt get all the goodies, such as the multiple engine choices, the 7-speed DSG gearbox. No word on exactly when or what options, etc., the U.S. will get.

More information on it at Autoblog.com.

LINKS
VW unleashes the goods on the new Polo (Autoblog.com)