FIRST CANADIAN NISSAN GT-R DELIVERED IN ONTARIO

Just south of Toronto at the end of July, the first Canadian Nissan GT-R was delivered to Stanislaus Gonsalves by Alta Nissan. The numbers surrounding Nissan in Canada aren't difficult to grapple with. Only 150 examples of the 480-bhp GT-R will come to Canada. Every single one of the 150 GT-Rs were pre-sold. Interestingly, there are just 150 Nissan dealers in the vast nation of Canada. But you better not think each dealer receives one GT-R.

Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti, has just 29 outlets across the country. Infiniti's most expensive vehicle (by base price) is the $69,700 QX56. Nissan's GT-R adds $12,200 to that lofty pricetag. Although unfavourable, the exchange rate that sees Canadians pay the equivalent of $78,192 for their GT-Rs isn't as bad as that of the Porsche 911 Turbo. Canadians pay the equivalent of $154,410 for a car that costs Americans just $128,700.

THE NEXT GOLF & RABBIT

Pictured below is the next Volkswagen Gabbit. Engines will be slightly up on juice while using less... erm, juice. VW's Direct Shift Gearbox will be the norm, rather than the rare transmission breed. We'll hear plenty about the 'all-new' Rabbit here in North America and be much more prone to believing the marketing hype than Europeans will regarding the Golf. 

There ain't no denyin' significant improvements in the exterior design and engineering. In fact, the all-new tag will be more applicable with this German hatchback than the facelifts received by some domestic cars. True all-newness isn't actually present underneath in the places we can't see. Check out the embedded gallery below. Don't skip by this post regarding strange VW sales statistics in Canada.

BMW ADVERTISES "UNRIVALED VALUE"

You've tuned in to another game of Word Association. I say, "Hyundai" and you say, "Value". I say, "Corvette" and you say, "All-American". You're doin' fine so far.

Keep it going. I say, "Volvo" and you say, "Safety". I say, "Audi" and you say, "Quattro". I say, "BMW" and you say, "Unrivaled Value".

Say what? We are talking about the same Munich-based manufacturer of sports sedans, aren't we? Bayerische Motoren Werke, the builder of the $124,100 760Li discussed in fuel efficiency terms yesterday at AutoEnergy? Yes, apparently we are discussing the exact same company.

Indeed, we ought not judge a vehicle's value by its pricetag. Value is relative worth, merit, or importance. Relativity depends upon external conditions for its specific nature or size. Thus, one must not compare the relative value of a Hyundai Elantra (recently Driven by The Good Car Guy) with that of any BMW. Besides, BMW doesn't appear to be debating the relative value of its pricetags; but what sits behind those (dear) MSRPs.

BMW's Unrivaled Value webpage utilizes the following calculation. Well-equipped models + No-cost maintenance + Special lease and financing + Exhilarating performance + Fuel-efficient engines = BMW's 3-Series coupe. It's quite clear BMW is not referring exclusively to the 3-Series coupe.

"When comparing costs, the competition may appear to offer lower monthly payments, but that's before factoring in their true cost of ownership. This 'true cost of ownership' factors in the various charges incurred over the years for routine maintenance and premium services," says BMW's site. This American site makes use of a link - "Run the numbers" powered by AutoData - and urges you to take a closer look at its no-cost maintenance program, special lease offers, and fuel efficient engines.

Is this the end of the Ultimate Driving Machine tagline? Doubtful. For a car company whose products have forever been linked to the "I've made it" lawyers, IT execs and marketing mavens the world over, it's very interesting that the new push is towards peerless financial worth.

LCC LIGHTNING GT IMAGES

Home-based charging system isn't the kind of feature you come across in typical automotive specification sheets. Regenerative braking is becoming more common. Four 120kW brushless motors is so not representative of your new Honda Accord.

The Lightning Car Company (LCC), not to be confused with the Light Car Company, has introduced the stunning Lightning GT. Will it sell? I have no idea. Will it be expensive? Abso-bloody-lutely. Wonderfully unique from some angles and terribly unique from others, the Lightning GT should attract some attention over the next few weeks. The full gallery of photos is below.

NEWS IN THE 4-WHEELED WORLD

Ford sales, down 19% this July. You're not surprised to hear bad news coming from Dearborn. A 22.3% plummet? That'd be General Motors, and that may surprise you somewhat. 22.3% lower than last July really sucks. The Chrysler Group mourns a measly 8% descent. Surprising you may be Toyota's triad, whose sales dropped for the first time since 2004. The Japanese monster's 3.5% drop seems like terrific news in light of the individual Toyota brand facing a 10% decrease in July vehicle sales. Mazda sold 3's at a 27% higher rate this July versus last. BMW and one of its old groupies, Ford-owned Land Rover, saw gains somewhere around 20%. The automotive industry put an average of $2,524 in incentives on the hood of cars at American dealerships in July.

What to take from this story: renaming the Five-Hundred with the 'hallowed' Taurus nameplate isn't rescuing Ford from financial ruin......


Germany's Manager Magazine says BMW, caretaker of British baby Mini, can't make money on the One, Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D, their convertible equivalents, or the upcoming Clubman. But BMW's CFO had a great line, especially in light of Mini's soaring 18% improvement in the second quarter. Said Stefan Krause, "The only thing that is not mini about Mini is its profit." Right on, my German friend. GCBC just recommended your car......


One more thing about BMW. Audi, the one time runt of Germany's premium car litter, saw worldwide sales increase 9.8% in the first half of this year. Better news was found in the financial results, however. Profits rose 12.4%. BMW's recent struggle is increasing profits with its booming sales. All its investment into research - especially efforts to increase fuel efficiency - has decreased BMW's profit margins a whole 2% when comparing the first half of this year with the first half of 2006......




In Japan, the car that may become North America's Toyota Matrix has been equipped with a 3.5L V6. Punching out around 276 bhp (likely closer to 300) from a car the size of a Corolla is a wonderful thing. The Matrix has always been a GCBC recommendee, but can you image the fun you'd have in a better-looking Matrix/Vibe with that kind of power? Toyota calls the car the Blade Master G in Japan. Curious, that......


Ford could save a barrel of money by sticking with its own proposed plan for the next Fusion/Lincoln MKZ/Mazda6/Ford Edge/Mazda CX-7 & CX-9 et al. Base these vehicles on Ford of Europe's Mondeo. GCBC has rated the Mondeo favourably before......


Didn't you always want a Saab-badged Chevrolet Trailblazer? With a previous generation Corvette engine? 20 inch wheels and abysmal fuel economy? For $45,690 USD? Nope, neither did I. It's called the 9-7X Aero. If you see one, email goodcarbadcar@gmail.com. Take a pic if you can. That'd be a rare photo, indeed......


General Motors continues the methodology you just read about. Already applying stupid horsepower to cars few people care about at Saab, GM then puts its terrific 3.6L V6 into the Pontiac Torrent. Call it the Torrent GXP, place the same engine in the G6 coupe and sedan. Name them GXP as well, but detune them to the tune of -11 horsepower. What's up with that? Just make the cars good, and you won't need a re-shaped hood and super-chrome wheels, big exhaust tips and too much horsepower to sell your cars. Like you will do, Pontiac, with the G8. So hurry up with that car already......


Foreign brands outsold the three American-owned conglomerates in July. For the first time. Ever. In the 70's, General Motors; Ford; and Chrysler had 84 percent of the market. Last year they had 52%. In July of 2007, the once big 'Big Three' held just 48.1 percent. Sucks to be them.

MORGAN FREEMAN IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT

His injuries are serious but Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman seemed alert and lucid after a serious car accident in Mississippi. It would be inappropriate for The Good Car Guy to mention it otherwise; but.....

Why was the many-times-a-millionaire actor, namely Mr. Freeman, driving a 1997 Nissan Maxima? Ah, but the front-wheel drive 190bhp V6 Nissan was a pleasant drive in its day. 11-year old cars aren't the typical domain of Hollywood superstars. 40-year old Mustangs? Yes. Mid-90s Japanese sedans? Not. So. Much.

Actually, the answer is already known. Morgan Freeman was driving a family friend, Demaris Meyer, on Miss. Hwy #32 when her Maxima - with Freeman driving - flipped several times.

It's time to start recommending better driving devices to Morgan Freeman's friends if, as seems to be the case, Freeman is a chauffeur for his wife's friends. Or, perhaps Mr. Freeman could begin his new limo service with a car that suits his stature. Early suggestions are pictured below.

MUST HAVE CARS

Following up never hurts. GCBC maligned three cars in the previous post (Buick Lacrosse/Saab 9-5/Suzuki Aerio) so today we'll skip the criticism and head straight for celebration.

Lifestyles differ drastically from one individual to another. The first car mentioned could and would supply everything my family needs. Albeit, the first car seats only two comfortably. The second vehicle can squeeze in seven if need be. The third presents itself in the format of a typical family sedan..... with a turbo. All three are attainable cars for regular human beings. Attainable, but not necessarily practical. So, The Good Car Guy offers options. Herein lies the justification.



The Mini Cooper - or Cooper S or Cooper D or Mini One - are suggested purchases. On the authority of The Good Car Guy. Reasons are legion. Here come they.

1. Cool. Not a chick car, not a boy-racer, not an old man. Cross culture; cross barrier; cross socioeconomic classifications. Cool.
2. On-road dynamics. Admittedly, the steering isn't what it was on the first new Mini, but this car is just a big go-kart. Fun to own, fun to look at, but also very fun to drive.
3. Efficient transportation. Fun to drive while also economical? You bet'cha.
4. Easy to drive. Fun to drive, cheap to drive (but not buy), and easy to drive.
   

Mazda's 5, on the other hand, is relatively cheap to own; shockingly fun to drive; and more economical than just about any competitor. One of North America's two small seven-seaters, both of which base with a four-cylinder, the Mazda offers minivan living for those who don't crave boatloads of Grand Caravan space. This Mazda offers less than 160 horsepower, accepts only the short of leg in the rearmost seats, and can't hold 7 + a week of luggage. It does, nevertheless, offer these immensely positive purchase motives.

1. The 5 is the best looking minivan you can buy.
2. The 5 is up to 4 mpg better than the Honda Odyssey.
3. The 5 has lively steering. It pretty much communicates.
4. The 5 will never cause your teenagers embarrasment at the school drop-off.

But, I admit, there are those for whom a minivan - even a mini minivan like the 5 - is unnecessary or, dare I say it, unwanted. The Mini may come up short in too many categories. You want a regular car, but you can't give up the fun factor. You'd never consider a car as stand-out as the Mini. Thus, Subaru builds the Legacy GT for you. Available in wagon or sedan form, equipped every time with all-wheel drive, and ready and willing to propel you forward with 243 horsepower and almost as much torque right in the middle of the tachometer. Sweet. Need a list of reasons to present to the significant other on behalf of the Subaru? Well, would you believe a list is already prepared?

1. It's a Q-ship. The Subaru is for the mature buyer; young or old. Classy and tasteful. Neither overdone or undercooked.
2. It has 243 ponies that perform like 280.
3. A manual transmission is available and recommended.
4. The purchase of the GT Wagon positions you near the top of The Good Car Guy's good books. Especially if it's black with the manual shifter.