From a CNN review of Hummer’s new H3:
Given that the H3 is particularly narrow and tall, a profile that generally maximizes the tendency to tip over, I wouldn’t take an H3 without stability control.
I like this one, too:
Visibility, especially out the side and back, is sacrificed for the sake of the tiny-windowed armored-truck look.
So even though the H3 is a lot easier to park than the H2, it still requires a lot of guesswork as cars behind you disappear from view at a distance of several feet.
Yet the author still gives the H3 a generally positive review.
A positive review. For a vehicle that you can’t see out of and has a decent chance of tipping over. I’m guessing that this guy longs for the return of the Pinto.
26 Comments
Considering this a CNN automotive review, it’s par for the course. I have yet to read one yet where I didn’t laugh out loud – twice.
Looking at his reviews, me thinks that he is moonlighting for oil companies
Yeah, today there’s an article by this guy saying “Hybrids – Don’t believe the hype!”
I own a hybrid, and have already saved more than I spent extra on the car, not counting my tax break. I’d also bet this guy moonlights for Exxon or something.
I just read “Hybrids: Don’t buy the hype” and am truly disturbed he gets a paycheck. His byline should be Rip Van Winkle.
What’s this Peter Valdes-Dapena’s email address? He needs some constructive criticism. This guy’s thinking is about 80 years behind.
rr
I agree with you guys. This character Peter Valdes-Dapena has as much sense as an eight-year old. I do not know how CNN lets somebody like that write for them. He knows absolutely zilch about automobiles. I also hate to admit the fact that he is my first cousin.
Autoblog.com just made a post about his most recent review of the Corvette z06. It’s pretty stinkin funny. I’m wondering if english is his second language.
peter.valdes-dapena@cnnmoney.com… he has actually struck again…
http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/06/Autos/tipsandadvice/hybrid_resale/index.htm
idiot… doesn’t take into consideration how hybrids don’t pollute the environment as bad as the emission spewers and gas guzzlers…..
I also agree this guy is in bed with the oil companies / auto industy.
“Fat and fast: High-performance gets big
Not too long ago, if you wanted performance you got a roadster. Now you can get it in SUVs and wagons.”
http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/carreviews/03/29/performance_everything/index.html
That’s just what we need! faster, heavier, dangerious, superfluous, shit
you can correct my spelling on that last comment if you wish :) dangerous
Recent list of seven best small cars for college left out VW Rabbit two-door hatchback, close to the best, if not the best, of the crop. I wonder if the guy does his own research or just takes the money and runs.
By the way, despite the Pinto’s bad reputation, the government’s own statistics reveal that it was above average in safety (including fuel-tank fires!), and was, of course, the first four-cylinder, four-speed manual transmission vehicle to compete with the Japanese econo-boxes and the VW bug (perhaps the most dangerous car to ever hit the highways, but I loved mine).
Wow, Micah. Way to be a racist piece of trash. Just because his last name is hispanic doesn’t mean English is his second language. I bet those white sheets look great on you in the winter time.
The title of your article of 1/23/07 is extermely misleading. Yes, there are some muscle cars. Yes, there are some currently regarded classic cars. A Hummer is neither. An Amphi-car is not a muscle car nor is it a classic. It is unique, however.
If American car maunfacturers ever got their business in order and started producing cars worth the price paid for them they’d be world power houses of industry. Instead they are pathetic, top-heavy lumps of industry waiting to topple and crash as they should.
Since 1/23/07 is tomorrow as I write this in North America, I’ll assume Richard Glass is referring to this post. I didn’t consider the title of this post to be misleading at all. It’s a fact that the author of the CNN article gave the H3 a generally positive review.
I’m far from an expert on cars of any make, so I rely on Matt (the original author of this post) and Gabe (the first commenter on this post) for auto information. I have never known either of them defend American cars. I feel the H3 is pretty much a useless vehicle for most people given its gas mileage and safety considerations. What is extremely misleading about the title of this post?
I believe that Mr. Glass actually intended to write Mr. Valdes-Dapena about his latest article.
Oh, nevermind. :)
Peter Valdes-Dapena made me cringe today…
“Premium fuel is not required… the computer will just adjust and nothing bad will happen…”
This guy apparently never heard of pinging/knocking… or engine damage for that matter…
Oh and did you know that “A/C being on is more fuel economical than rolling the windows down?”
Boy I’ve been a mechanic for 10 years and I just never knew that information.
This guy is a dumbass and his articles are going to cost people their hard earned money if they listen to him.
Justin,
Ditto. If I didn’t know better and listened to him, I might have just put regular grade gas into my car (which is turbocharged), void my warranty and destroy my engine. How I do I get a job writing about things I know nothing about?
Yes, His newest article on “Gas Saving Myths” is full of inaccuracies. Including AC incorrectness. If your driving an H3, like he seems to do, then the difference in milage is small with AC – but in a Prius its a big difference.
Also, his naivity concerning our nation’s oil companies is obsurd! The US oil and car companies want nothing more than for us to use up as much gas as needlessly as possible and make more money. They won’t go out of their way to make their gas more fuel efficient than the next guy if it means the price on the sign has to go up (not with gas prices at $4 a gallon)!
I just read his article “gas saving myths” and its ridiculous.
He states that car companies like GM if possible would include a device that adds more gas mileage and yet he does not mention the electric car they used to make??? If we were using those cars and GM had not killed the technology we would not be spending our life savings just to get to work and back.
“Sure you want to save gas, but there’s a lot of bad advice on how to do it. Some of it makes no difference, and some of it can wind up costing you.” – Peter Valdes-Dapena in 6 Gas-Saving Myths.
This moron is trying to dispel myths that have already bean proved.
I think that may be his problem, He is breathing through a paper bag, reducing oxygen to his own head.
We have all heard of fuel saving bolt-on. Some work some don’t most aren’t worth the money. However, did you know that these “amazing computer sensors or modern technology” are designed to make your car use more gas. The MAP/MAF and O2 sensors work against each other to lean out or enrich the fuel consumption. Don’t believe me look up and EFIE device.
EFIE How it works.
The O2 sensor puts out a voltage when the engine is HOT. This voltage reflects the amount of Oxygen in the exhaust. LOW voltage ( <.2 volts ) means ADD GAS, HIGH voltage ( >.8 volts ) means LESS GAS. This unit adds voltage to the O2 sensor output and does not interfere with the original signal. It fools the computer into thinking the Oxygen level is normal.
The MAP sensor senses the air pressure in the intake manifold (most map sensors are located there). More pressure = more air = ADD GAS. The 5 volt MAP sensor enhancer SUBTRACTS voltage from the signal going to the computer. Less air means less fuel.
All without sacrificing an once of power and adding anywhere from 10-40% better fuel economy.
And that is what GM, Chrysler, Ford etc… don’t want you to know about their modern vehicles. They get paid to keep that technology secret.
Re: 6 THINGS NOT TO TELL THE SALES PERSON by Peter Valdes.
Another cheap shot at car sales.. You have all the answers to get the best deal but you probably never sold a car in your life? Well the truth is the majority of the sales force out there have families; pay bills and have a life, but unfortunately there are people out there like yourself who have all the answers. Today, the customer has all the info at there finger-tips. Your advice on how to buy a car is likely to cause hostility between the customer and the salesperson.. It sounds as if you think the customer is stupid. If a person comes to the dealership, 9 times out of 10 he/she is there for the obvious reason. Should’nt the salesperson do some factfinding? I’m sick of people like you badmouthing car sales. The days of the “used car salesman” are over. Today, dealerships expect their sales people to be customer first – full disclosure and full product knowledge. In addition, the internet has become the customers best friend so ALL the information is out there. There is NOTHING to hide. With that GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT! what’s your email?
wow, i thought there was some research, and honesty required in reporting the 6 things to not tell a salesperson is so dated,unfair,deragotory,and untrue it is almost laughable. i would like to fromally request all research data and reports this nit-wit used. you may want to see if he had any business expenses while creating this fantasy and charge him back for those. i think he was laying around his apartment reading some of the bone headed stuff edmonds and cars.com post on their websites. i feel a class action slander suit coming from every sales professional in the car industry. thank you and enjoy your peace.
I just read his article on 6 things not to tell a car salesperson. It’s obvious that he’s never worked in a dealership (or sold cars). How does he get a job writing for CNN? How do we start the lawsuit?
I agree with all, If These People could work at a Dealership, or some type of retail establishment, they might change their minds on what sales professionals do every day, instead of how they can abuse us on how bad we are. Why don’t they give us some good news, or try and help everyone and keep his so called EXPERTISE comments to himeself. I’ll change jobs with him for a week so that maybe some of his articles might be just a little more or should I say Professional.
Peter Valdes-Dapena is obviously working an angle rather than doing reporting. Every article written has factually incorrect info and a clear agenda. It so blatant, I really can’t believe he still has a job….. I guess the media really is going to the dogs.
I think I just stopped visiting CNN………. If the rest of their stuff is written with the same oversight, I just don’t think I can take it seriously.
2 Trackbacks
[...] the whole story according to the stodgy old CNN dude. Hehe, I kid. Though I do wonder about his approval of the H3. Thanks to Scotty B for the [...]
[...] the whole story according to the stodgy old CNN dude. Hehe, I kid. Though I do wonder about his approval of the H3. Thanks to Scotty B for the scoopage! Microcar, Review, [...]