Superbowl Sunday– LAS VEGAS sports books had a winner this Sunday but the car makers SUPERBOWL ADS were 3 for 11.
#1. DODGE CHARGER SRT. A bit sexist but certainly spot on the demographic. Not that women don’t get excited when the supercharger in the V8 6.0 liter Hemi kicks in. I know a few women who agreed the garage space is an easy throw-away to some of the items on the list. And could you pick up some milk on your way home?
#2. Audi GREEN MACHINE. It took awhile for the horsepower to kick in on this story-line, but eventually we got it. A thinking-WOman’s commercial, but really, the A4 AVANT wagon was too pedestrian for the typical Audi owner, and the cop with the Styrofoam cup was overkill. I wanted the supercharged $150K R8 back. MISSED: Mental test drive/cool factor.
#3. KIA SORENTO Clever use of the family/urban SUV with the Monkey getting a tattoo. MY test drive review of the Sorento tells alot more about this ride, but who hasn’t left their favorite toy in the back of the family car? Missed: price, warranty and weblink CTA.
#4./5.6.7. The Hyundai SONATA story got long, when all we really needed was the price. The car is good looking. The warranty is well-known. Are there any on the dealers lots yet? Hope so, cause the Call to Action could be a million dollar waste come Monday.
#8. Honda Cross-tourer animation fell far short of the hip factor one would expect from Honda. Maybe the truth is Honda is starting to show it’s age. MISSED: Price
#9. CARMAX. Really lost the focus while waiting for the animals to do something cool. Did anyone even catch the pitch? MISSED: everything.
#10. CARS.COM The guy is super-human until he gets to a car lot, really? This had so much more potential. Previous year Superbowl ads so much better. The BUDWEISER Clydesdale’s beat this one. Missed: the point.
#11. CHEVY-GM. OH yeah, lets throw our awards at the viewer as they clean-up the kitchen. The only reason this got any eyeballs was the desire to see NO QB Drew Brees make a humble acceptance speech. Missed: YAWN.
The only car company missing was Toyota with thier apology ad.
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Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
At first glance the new design on the front end of the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 doesn’t meld into the typical Dodge level of high styling. We’ve always known Chrysler makes great LOOKING stuff, but this bulbous (ford-like) grill fails to balance lines that carry the straight-edge faux billet grill into the forward pitched headlamps or flow into the wheel edge moldings of Dodges past. Square fog lamps carry the design element of the angled lamps above, with a touch of wrap in the lower bumper. The rippled hood fakes racing ducts along the right and left of the hood bump, but they are almost imperceptible in the sheet molding. The windshield sets fairly even angle but from the drivers seat appears lower, putting the rear view mirror in the driver’s visual field.
Along the side the Dodge lost its rake, perhaps to accommodate the lift and tow enthusiast’s anxious to add some serious off-road tires without the need for a leveling kit. Chrome touches on the door handles, door molding guards and rear bumper are subtle quality accents. The full 8ft long bed accompanies the crew cab making the appearance large but not awkward. The tailgate now includes a lock and a drop-down bed-step is optional. You can’t get the new in-bed cargo boxes on the 2500 or 3500 models.
As the Cummins Diesel idles you hear a definitive “CLICK” every minute or so, from under the hood. This turns out to be a top mounted throttle body controller (see youtubevideo) designed to eliminate the fateful soot build-up curse experienced by the first edition 2007-2009 Ram 2500-3500 Cummins 6.7L diesels. This unit somehow assists the DPF. I will have to visit the Dodge engineers to get more specific details, (come back later for that story).
The 350hp, 653 ft-lbs. of torque still rattle the road and will maintain the supreme position, at least until Ford releases their new diesel this summer.
One of the interesting things to note about the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Cummins is this truck DOES NOT REQUIREspecial emissions fluid, unlike the competition. The system Ford and GM diesels employ to run this fluid and service the parts associated with it; cost an estimated $1500.00 and another $1500.00 at the suggested 60,000 mile dealer recommended scheduled maintenance. This could translate into a serious cost/investment savings for the Dodge buyer.
Inside the truck, the design is typical Dodge. Fit and finish of the plastic molding to the fabrics is better, but the true luxury level is still in the Laramie. The typical Dodge truck owner is hard on hinged features, or as many suggested, the latches that hold the drop-down center cup holder and overhead visor were cheap. The 2010 flaunts hard plastic composition in both high traffic areas, almost teasinging you to bust it with your Big Gulp®.
The old Dodge favorites; desk size armrest with power outlet and under-the-seat hide-away (gun locker) still provides a seat belt for the smallest person in the rig. The overhead trip computer is now a digital display centered between the round dash gauges; tracking tow weight, sway control, oil temp and fuel among other handy items of note. The home-link is in the overhead, but the power rear sliding window button is down by the radio controls along with the NOT-a-JAKE® brake; engine brake engage button, TOW-HAUL, 110V regulator and several auxiliary plugs including an iPod input and 110V outlet. The keyless entry allows you to open the door from close proximity, but there is no push-button start/stop, you do have to stick the keyless key in the ignition. Navigation is touch-screen with the upgraded stereo/speakers/hard-drive USB input available, along with optional leather, sunroof and rear seat DVD.
The unfortunate interior design touches include the placement of the shifter on the steering column when in DRIVE, which blocks your ability to see the button used to engage/disengage the neutral, 2wd, 4wd High or 4wd Low. The Bluetooth hands-free system is still printed on the center of the dash (whether you have the feature or not), which is also counter-intuitive to the concept of distraction-free driving, since you have to engage the Bluetooth with your hands! Now really Dodge, when everyone else has figured out it belongs on the steering wheel?
The trucks’ handling is even and responsive, the ride is smooth even with an empty long-bed. Steering is sharp and the engine growls as only a Cummins can. You can feel the six speed kick in at 70 mph and the fuel economy stays in range, not like the pre-EPA days, but a solid 21 empty. In town expect 14-17 mpg, given the traffic. The Dodge engineers always insisted you had to drive the 6.7l hard. “Drive it like you stole it,” was a common phrase, but that was more to burn off the soot and keep the regen down. Now you can feel comfortable that driving it the way you want won’t leave you in a terminal cycle of dealer visits. Towing, which the 3500 can boast 13,000 lbs properly equipped, is the true strength of the Dodge Ram, and as you drive it on the freeway it almost begs to be hooked to a toy or tow.
All in all, the jury is waiting for the first batch of 2010’s to reach a 20,000 mile birthday without a check engine light or regen hiccup. The supply has been very limited, partly because of Chrysler’s financial position, the lack of demand for $40k trucks and because everyone has been warned-off the 6.7L. A slow reintroduction with the equipment modification is a good idea, along with some incentives. Once dealer inventory settles out expect to see some small rebates or interest rates, especially for fleet clients.
In the meantime I’ll continue to listen and follow the whispers on the street about the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500-3500 Cummins 6.7l diesel, hoping it really is fixed for good. I would love to welcome back Dodge Cummins loyalists, providing we can all live DPF trouble-free.
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Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
Many people are asking, including national radio show host LARS LARSON, (listen to my interview here); “Is this non-stop berating of Toyota nothing more than the current administration trying to deflect consumers to BUY AMERICAN?” I start to wonder why Transportation Secretary and NHTSA head, Ray LaHood felt it was necessary to say anything more than; “Toyota is well on their way to treating every car,” when asked by the investigating committee. A committee quickly assembled by…politicians in an election year.
Is it fair for OUR government to denounce a company that makes a product similar to the one the US TAXPAYERS just spent $70 BILLION buying? I know Chrysler and GM still owe us (the US taxpayers) money, but is this the way we want our government “marketing” the automotive industry.
Is this what we want them spending their time on?
I think astute Americans know two things for sure…
#1. If their car isn’t operating correctly they should take it to the dealership to be fixed.
#2. If the government tells them to do something, they need to ask more questions.
The truth behind the recall. Less than 1% of 1% (16) of all the cars sold last year (11 million) are involved in this recall. No deaths reported. The Toyota company has been out in front of this issue before NHTSA investigated any complaints. Toyota has done everything to maintain calm and even refrained from responding to the hyperbole caused by the government’s assault on their integrity.
LaHood says he MIS-SPOKE during the committee hearing. I learned, “Think before you speak,” in 3rd grade. What LaHood should have said was; “If YOU own one of these vehicles with this problem, take it to the dealer.” Yet when asked specifically by a Senator, “how HE would stop a car experiencing this problem, i.e. put it in neutral and press on the brake hard,” LaHood couldn’t explain what to do, and dismissed the point with “I believe that information has been disseminated”.
Of the thousands of Toyota’s sold in LAS VEGAS in the past three years, not one customer has reported an issue to his/her dealership. REALLY? Yup. As a matter of fact, the local Toyota dealers in Las Vegas have more parts available for this 15 min. fix than they have customers asking for it! Not to mention that all the affected models that were “no sale” last week are already fixed and available for immediate delivery. I am still selling Prius’ and all the other models as if nothing was happening, which is exactly my point…
Except that Toyota stock dropped huge today. Thanks Ray, I may make more money on Toyota stock than on my car deals this week.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
The word is out on a class-action lawsuit filed last week in South Carolina, on behalf of 16 plaintiffs and any other 2007-2009 Dodge Ram 2500-3500 truck owners who are suffering from constant DPF troubles.
Will Chrysler be forced to reimburse owners for the millions of dollars they have spent in “unwarranted” service dealers have claimed?
Will Chrysler be forced to buyback these trucks?
While many have been offered lifetime warranties during arbitration, how does this affect the thousands ofDodge Cummins loyalists who gave up andtraded their “lemon” trucks losing thousands in the deal?
Those interested in receiving a copy of the 33 page filing may contact me at sarahlee@mycarlady.com. Please put “LAWSUIT” in the subject line.
Good luck and subscribe to this blog to hear more about the status of the case and the latest MYCARLADY TEST DRIVE of the 2010 Dodge Cummins Diesel 6.7L.
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Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED against CHRYSLER GROUP LLC.
Finally, the day has arrived for all the unhappy 2007 – 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Cummins 6.7l Diesel owners. A Class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 16 plaintiffs’ on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, and anyone else that wants in on it. The attorney spearheading the class-action lawsuit against CHRYSLER GROUP LLC is: W. Craft Hughes.
Below you will find the key elements of the filing. You can get a pdf of the entire filing from me by emailing: sarahlee@mycarlady.com and putting “LAWSUIT” in the subject line. Once you get this information the attorney’s names and contact information will be on the document.
2. This action is brought as a class action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 on behalf of a Class, described more fully below, which includes all persons or entities domiciled or residing in any of the fifty states of the United States of America or in the District of Columbia who purchased at least one new 2007 through 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500 truck equipped with the 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine.
3. The allegations of this Complaint occurred in the Counties of Greenville and Spartanburg in the State of South Carolina in addition to other counties and states nationwide.
4. As designed and manufactured, the exhaust system of 2007 through 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine is inherently and permanently defective because it fails to effectively rid itself of diesel particulates through its regeneration process, causing soot to accumulate in the diesel particulate filter (“DPF”), turbocharger, exhaust gas recirculation (“EGR”) valve, oxygen sensors, and other associated parts. The accumulation of soot triggers the check engine light and requires those parts to be regularly replaced, repaired, or cleaned. The exhaust system occasionally manages to clean itself to the extent necessary to turn off the check engine light; however, the check engine light turns back on after soot accumulates again as a result of the exhaust system’s inherent and permanent inability to effectively rid itself of diesel particulates through its regeneration process.
5. Defendant or its corporate predecessors in interest issued to Plaintiffs and Class Members a written manufacturer’s warranty that expressly warranted that Defendant or its corporate predecessors in interest would repair, replace, or adjust any item defective in material, workmanship, or factory preparation on 2007 through 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine. The manufacturer’s warranty also expressly warranted that Defendant or its corporate predecessors in interest would repair or replace defective emission-related parts. The manufacturer’s warranty requires that all parts and labor needed for repairs, replacement, or adjustment of defective items be free of charge to Plaintiffs and Class Members.
6. Defendant or its corporate predecessors in interest breached those express warranties, as well as the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, because the defect in the exhaust system on all 2007 through 2009 Dodge Ram trucks equipped with the 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine cannot be successfully repaired or otherwise remedied through repairs, replacements, or adjustments of items on those trucks, and because Plaintiffs and Class Members have been deprived of the value of the bargain.
7. The inherent and permanent defect in the exhaust system of 2007 through 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine significantly diminished the fair market value of those trucks.
8. In addition, Defendant engaged in unfair competition and unfair and deceptive trade practices and acts in violation of state consumer protection statutes by intentionally concealing the common defect in the exhaust system from Plaintiffs and Class Members who purchased new 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the 6.7 liter Cummins turbo diesel engine after June 10, 2009, or by failing to warn them about said defect.
AND so it goes…
Good Luck, I know you have all been loyal to Dodge in the past, as have I.
I will test drive a new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Cummins 6.7L diesel this week and let you know what I think.
I’m putting a shout-out to any 2010 2500 or 3500 Cummins 6.7L diesel owners with more than 10,000 miles, who would like to comment on their fuel economy or any problems/or not, that they may be having with their new 2010 Dodge Ram Cummins. I would love to be able to endorse the Cummins diesel once again!
DISCLOSURE: I do not know this attorney personally nor the others on the filing. Hughes contacted me many months ago and I told him to let me know when he actually had a case filed. So here are pieces of the filing documents I requested before making this post. I get nothing financially from Hughes or anyone else, but I provide this as a service, just like I do when acting on behalf of MYCARLADY clients while negotiating a great car deal for them.
Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
Superbowl Sunday– LAS VEGAS sports books had a winner this Sunday but the car makers SUPERBOWL ADS were 3 for 11. 
The car is good looking. The warranty is well-known. Are there any on the dealers lots yet? Hope so, cause the Call to Action could be a million dollar waste come Monday. 
At first glance the new design on the front end of the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 doesn’t meld into the typical Dodge level of high styling. We’ve always known Chrysler makes great LOOKING stuff, but this bulbous (ford-like) grill fails to balance lines that carry the straight-edge faux billet grill into the forward pitched headlamps or flow into the wheel edge moldings of Dodges past. Square fog lamps carry the design element of the angled lamps above, with a touch of wrap in the lower bumper. The rippled hood fakes racing ducts along the right and left of the hood bump, but they are almost imperceptible in the sheet molding. The windshield sets fairly even angle but from the drivers seat appears lower, putting the rear view mirror in the driver’s visual field.
Many people are asking, including
CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED against CHRYSLER GROUP LLC.
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