Unremarkable Cars (Automotive Videogames Advertising)

Here is an interesting little spot for Forza 2, the new big car/racing game for Xbox 360. Besides the some what annoying voice over, the commercial is decent. It doesn't build as much excitement for the game as it should though. Great video game commercials make the game look amazing, fun, and a must have. You should feel that your life is not as good as it could be because you do not own this game. I don't feel that way after watching it.

How's Your Interior? (Automotive)

The 8th Annual Ward's "Interior of the Year" Awards were announced today, and similar to the awards I posted yesterday, there are some major suprises. Domestics are coming back with a vengeance which is great to see, not because I root for domestics, but because it represents huge improvements in overall quality. The competition was divided into 7 different categories and then voted on by the Ward Staff and seperately the Industry at Large. The results are below. ( The Honda Fit's interior is much better than the Caliber's in my opinion)

Economy-Priced Car
Ward's Pick: Honda Fit Industry Pick: Dodge Caliber

Popular Priced Car
Ward's Pick: Saturn Aura Industry Pick: Saturn Aura

Premium Priced
Ward's Pick: Volvo S80 Industry Pick: Lincoln MKZ

Popular Priced CUV
Ward's Pick: Honda CRV Industry Pick: Saturn Outlook

Premium-Priced CUV
Ward's Pick: Cadillac SRX Indsutry Pick: Cadillac SRX

Popular-Priced Truck
Ward's Pick: Chevy Silverado Indsutry Pick: Chevy Silverado

Premium-Priced Truck
Ward's Pick: Lincoln Navigator Industry Pick: Cadillac Escalade

"In addition to the vehicle awards recognizing overall interiors, Ward’s editors designated four special achievement award winners: Jeep Wrangler (Best Brand Expression); Infiniti G35 (Best Interior Trim); Chrysler Sebring (Best Cup Holder); and Lexus LS 460L (Best Overall Comfort)."- Original Article here.

Are You Reliable or What? (Automotive)

I apologize for being a little less reliable when it comes to new posts this week. On the positive side of reliability however (what a transistion!), J.D. Power and Associates released their list of top ranked vehicles in Initial Quality, divided by segment. Some of winners are suprising, so I thought it was worth posting. Take a look.

· Subcompact car: Kia Rio/Rio5
Runners-up: Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent

· Compact car: Honda Civic
Runners-up: Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra sedan

· Compact sporty car: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Runners-up: Scion tC, Subaru Impreza

· Compact premium sporty car: Porsche Boxster
Runners-up: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

· Entry premium car: Lincoln MKZ
Runners-up: Acura TSX, Cadillac CTS

· Midsize premium car: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Runners-up: Lexus GS 350/GS 430/GS 450H; Infiniti M-Series, Volvo S80 (tie)

· Large premium car: Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (tie)
Runner-up: Lexus LS 460

· Premium sporty car: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Runners-up: Porsche 911, Lexus SC 430

· Midsize sporty car: Ford Mustang
Runners-up: Toyota Solara, Chevrolet Monte Carlo

· Midsize car: Mercury Milan
Runners-up: Honda Accord; Ford Fusion, Mitsubishi Galant (tie)

· Large car: Pontiac Grand Prix
Runners-up: Toyota Avalon; Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego (tie)

· Compact SUV: Honda CR-V
Runner-up: Nissan Xterra, Hyundai Tucson

· Midsize SUV: Toyota 4Runner
Runners-up: Toyota Highlander, Mercury Mountaineer

· Large SUV: Toyota Sequoia
Runners-up: Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon

· Midsize premium SUV: Lexus RX 350/RX 400h
Runners-up: Lincoln MKX, Lexus GX 470

· Large premium SUV: Lincoln Mark LT
Runners-up: Lincoln Navigator, Hummer H2

· Large pickup: Chevrolet Silverado Classic HD
Runners-up: Ford F-150 LD, GMC Sierra LD

· Midsize pickup: Toyota Tacoma
Runners-up: Honda Ridgeline, Dodge Dakota

· Van: Chevrolet Express
Runners-up: Kia Sedona, Ford E-Series

Tuner Garage: 2008 Scion Xb Part 1 (Automotive Aftermarket)

Updated 6/5/07

Welcome to a new reoccurring segment of Autothoughts.com I'm a big fan of performance tuning and aftermarket modification and this section will be an expression of that. I will fictionally buy a car, and then proceed to modify it with the parts I think are best for the project. I will keep a running total that will include the price of the vehicle, the price of the parts, and estimated install. I will also do my best to estimate power output, acceleration, etc based on other vehicles having similar modifications.

2008 Scion Xb Part 1

We will start with a Super White 2008 Scion XB with the 5 speed manual. It has an msrp of $15,650
Destination: $580
Options Total $2,129:
Sport Steering Wheel $279
TRD Lowering Springs $250
TRD Rear Sway Bar $250
Grand Total: $17,009

Because the Xb is so new, there are practically zero tried and true aftermarket performance parts. Engine modifications should come hard and fast because of the shared tc drive train, a very popular platform. I went with the TRD lowering springs and sway bar because of TRD's excellent reputation, and ease. The parts are included in the warranty and will offer improved performance from day 1. There is a good chance the springs may be swapped out if they do not provide the drop or ride/handling I want, but it's worth the $250 to try them out. If I do decide to switch there will be numerous 2nd gen Xb owners interested. Same goes for the sway bar.

Keep your eyes open for future installments as the specifics are chosen for the modifications below.

Future Planned Modifications Include:
Wheels and Tires
body or lip kit
turbo Kit
upgraded clutch
gauges
Qualife ATB differential
tint
aftermarket navigation and sound system
aftermarket interior
new exhaust
new intake
upgraded brakes
etc.

Why did I choose the xb?: The stock vehicle has received good reviews so far. Check out the one at edmunds.com here. The previous gen xb served as a great blank canvas, and the new generation looks to be a much better all around vehicle with the same customization potential The video