Tata Nano steering failure

If we weren't car guys, we could understand the attraction of a bare-bones car with a sticker price coming in at a fraction of a conventional car's. Heck, we still do. But we know as well as you do that in order to get the pricing that low, corners probably have to be cut somewhere. And when you're dealing with a metal cage in which you sit surrounded by glass, propelled by a controlled series of explosions and managed by a complex mess of wires and electronics, you don't want to be cutting corners.

So we can't say we're entirely surprised with news of early problems with the Tata Nano. The vehicle that's anticipated to mobilize India has been launched in its domestic market prior to being exported overseas, but three customers have already reported small fires spontaneously igniting inside the vehicle, causing the automaker to launch an investigation.

The problem reportedly stems from faulty wiring in the ignition switch that has, in these three cases reported so far, caused smoke and certain parts around the steering column to melt. Two of the customers have returned their Nanos to their respective dealerships, which have repaired the problem at no charge. One buyer, however, has yet to bring his car in for repairs and has lodged a complaint with law enforcement officials.

So far, Tata isn't issuing a recall notice, but it is conducting a "pre-delivery audit" of the car's electrical systems for those still in their possession and offering to inspect those units it has already sold.

Short take: Dodge Avenger

Dodge Avenger SXT

Likes: Bold in your face styling, roomy interior, plenty of pick up power, interior somewhat of an improvement over the Stratus.

Dislikes: Styling may push some away, some blind spots from the interior out, engine is somewhat buzzy when pushed hard.

Overall: The Avenger provides a bold styled sedan to the somewhat boring mid-sized sedan segment. Although it's not the best in its class. It's still worth looking at if you don't want a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.

Five of the most over priced cars

Subaru Legacy

For 2010, Subaru redesigned the Legacy, its midsize sedan. However, there are still some 2009 models on dealer lots. Since the 2009 models are likely to have heavy discounts so dealers can make way for the 2010 models, a 2009 Legacy can seem like a good deal -- especially since its $20,795 starting price includes all-wheel drive. Currently, buyers are paying a national average price of about $19,000 for the 2009 Legacy; that's below invoice price. However, with IntelliChoice estimating the 2009 Legacy's five-year cost of ownership at $35,603, paying below invoice doesn't seem like such a deal. A better long-term value for a midsize car is the 2009 Toyota Prius. Like the Legacy, the 2009 Prius is the last model year before a 2010 redesign, so dealers may be willing to negotiate on price. The 2009 Prius starts at $22,000, but IntelliChoice says the Prius should only cost $25,365 to own over five years.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Looking for minivan? You're probably looking at the Dodge Grand Caravan. Not only is the Dodge credited with launching the minivan segment, but it's the only domestic automaker still in the minivan biz. The Grand Caravan features innovative seating arrangements, a rear-seat entertainment system and handy storage cubbies. It gets even more tempting when you consider the nearly $4,500 cash back that Dodge has been offering in some parts of the country.

But, while it's cheap at the dealership, IntelliChoice says the Grand Caravan isn't the best long-term value. Over five years the Grand Caravan will cost you $43,050 to own, when you factor in repairs, depreciation and maintenance costs. That's twice what a discounted model costs. Compare that to the Toyota Sienna minivan, which, even with its higher starting price, only costs $40,390 to own over five years, according to IntelliChoice. That value gets even better. According to pricing firm TrueCar, buyers in early October are actually paying a national average price of $23,788 for the Grand Caravan, and an average national price of $23,642 for the Sienna. That's not a huge price difference up front, but over the long haul, the Dodge Grand Caravan is one overpriced van.

Chevrolet Cobalt

The conventional wisdom is that compact car shoppers are trying to save a little cash by opting for basic transportation. The problem is, sometimes that basic transportation can end up costing more in the long run. Take the Chevrolet Cobalt. Chevy's been offering it with zero-percent financing -- and with a starting price of $14,990, it's a pretty affordable option.

Over the long term, that changes. IntelliChoice says that over five years, the Cobalt will cost about $31,916 to own. That's more than twice the national average price of $15,042 that buyers are paying for the Cobalt. For a better option, check out the Honda Civic Hybrid. Yes, it costs more up front than the Cobalt, but over five years, IntelliChoice says it only costs $26,993 to own. With car shoppers currently paying an average of about $23,000 nationally for the Civic Hybrid, that means the car's exceptionally low depreciation, fuel and maintenance costs make it a lot cheaper than the Cobalt. If you can't swing the upfront costs of the Civic Hybrid, opt for the regular Civic. In early October, the average price people are paying nationally for one is about $15,000. Plus, it has a total cost of ownership of $28,375, saving you over $4,000 as compared to the Cobalt.

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Compact SUVs are quickly becoming the station wagon for the current generation of families. They offer utility in a tidy package and many can be great values. But not all of them are. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has a base price of about $18,500, which is average for the class. Its extra-long warranty can make it seem like an excellent value. But its five year cost of ownership -- a whopping $39,434 -- tells a different story. A better value is the Toyota RAV4. It starts at about $2,000 more than the Grand Vitara, but over five years will cost you $33,336 to own according to IntelliChoice, so you'll end up saving $4,000. In some regions, Toyota is offering cash back on the RAV4 or zero-percent financing, which only adds to your savings.

Ford Explorer

Midsize SUVs are for people who need more power and space than a compact SUV can deliver. The Ford Explorer can do both, and recently Ford has been offering the 2009 Explorer with about $4,500 cash back in some regions (the 2009 and 2010 models are essentially the same, so you might as well buy the 2009 model and get the discount). Sound like a deal? Not according to IntelliChoice. The five-year cost of ownership on the Explorer is $48,280, almost twice what you'll pay at the dealership. If you opt for the Toyota Highlander instead, you'll see a total cost of ownership of $41,089 over five years, saving you about $7,000. Plus, Toyota is offering $1,000 cash back on the Highlander in some regions and zero-percent financing in others, helping you save even more

Mitsubishi i

Mitsubishi plans to roll out its i MiEV electric car around the world, including the U.S. To that end, the company showed a left-hand-drive version—which debuted at this year’s Geneva show in March—at the 2009 New York auto show.

This version of the i MiEV is strictly a prototype at this point, as evidenced by the fanciful lighting elements, including funky bubble lamps on the front bumper, sweet-looking lighted knobs in the interior, and LED headlights. None of those are likely to make it to production, but they provide an upscale, chic look to the concept. We also like the circuitry-inspired upholstery.

All i MiEVs are based on the i minicar. Compared with the Japanese market i and i MiEV, however, this concept is wider by 3.7 inches up front and 5.3 inches at the rear. Widening the car has a twofold benefit: improved handling and stability, as well as increased interior room. The front and rear overhangs are also longer, resulting in 2.1 inches of extra length. The Prototype i MiEV’s cabin has an impressive amount of headroom, and two normal adults can sit in the rear seats comfortably with decent—okay, some—space between. There is no middle seat in back, so occupancy is limited to four.

Power comes from an air-cooled, 330-volt lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the floor and a synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor, which routes 63 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Charging the batteries can be accomplished in 14 hours from a standard 110-volt outlet, or seven hours from a 220-volt source. A three-phase 220-volt quick-charge port is also built into the car, and allows for an 80-percent charge in 30 minutes. Range is 80 to 100 miles, with a top speed of 81 mph, according to Mitsubishi.

The smaller i MiEV goes on sale in Japan in the fall for the equivalent of about $30,000. At the same time, both the state of Oregon and the Portland General Electric company will begin U.S. tests of that Japanese-market car. Mitsubishi intends to be more active in the minicar and alternative-propulsion markets in the U.S., a strategy which could mean killing off some of its slower-selling conventional models such as the Endeavor SUV in favor of vehicles like the i MiEV. Word is that the i MiEV would have to be sold in the U.S. at that $30,000 price—or possibly even higher—to make it economically viable, so the non-MiEV, gasoline-fired i would have to pick up the slack volume-wise. That car would use the same basic 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine found in the rump of the Smart Fortwo and likely come in well under $20K. Mitsubishi is hoping to offer the i MiEV to U.S. consumers by 2012, if not earlier.

Ford Kuga

According to a report from Bloomberg, Ford will shift production of the Kuga small SUV from a plant in Saarlouis, Germany, to Louisville, Kentucky. Up to 80,000 American-made Kugas could be exported to Europe annually, according to the report. The Louisville plant currently builds the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer platform mates.

What we infer from the report is that the Kuga, currently not sold in the U.S., will replace the Ford Escape on our shores, although the Escape name could be retained. In July 2008, Ford announced that it would start building “small vehicles from Ford’s global C-car platform” at the Louisville plant by 2011. And at the same time, the company promised to bring six European cars based on its B- and C-platforms to the U.S. (which include models like the Euro Focus.) We think all this adds up to the Kuga replacing the aging Ford Escape sometime soon.

Nissan Micra replacement

Rumor has it that Nissan Motor Co.—purveyors of one of the cheapest cars on America’s roadways, the $10,620 Versa 1.6 sedan—wants something even simpler, smaller, and cheaper to sell in the U.S. According to Automotive News, Nissan is thinking about bringing us a microcar based on its new V platform in order to help make the architecture good for a million units worldwide.

The report says the car will be sold as a four-door sedan, five-door hatch, and an MPV, and will replace the Mini Cooper–sized Micra, which is sold in many markets around the world. The new car allegedly will be powered by a three-cylinder engine and will have a simple-to-assemble interior with about half the dashboard parts of the current Micra. It is also said to achieve a 50-percent improvement in fuel economy over the already efficient Micra. AN evidently wasn’t able to squeeze out any further details, such as the official name of the car nor when it might appear on these shores.

What we’re most curious about, however, is how the new car will fit into Nissan’s brand positioning as a pseudo-performance alternative to the industry leaders like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai. On one hand, Mini proportions could yield Mini-like handling—a good thing; on the other hand, three-cylinder engines have us thinking Smart-like acceleration—not such a good thing. In any case, the new model will certainly go a long way to help the company meet more-stringent U.S. emissions and fuel-economy standards of the future. Whether it will meet our standards is an entirely separate matter.

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