Motor Trend Magazine Redesign

YOU SAY Our Readers Talk Back
YOUR SAY...
Reader’s Thoughts on Past Issues
Big Test Inquisition
In reference to your stated Real
MPG for the Kia Optima on page
93 (“All in the Family,” July 2014), I
find it impossible to believe that the
Optima, which has had the same
powertrain (along with the Hyundai
Sonata) since 2011, achieved these
figures. I have seen multiple tests of
both those vehicles in the last few
years and they have never averaged
more than 27 mpg in mixed
driving. I think one of your testers
forgot to record a fill-up, moved a
decimal point, didn’t carry the one,
whatever. Seriously, 5 mpg more
than the Accord, a newer design
with a CVT? Four more than the
Mazda6? No way. Other than that,
a great article and issue.
DENNIS HESS
Via the Internet
Repeat Real MPG tests—both
preplanned and random—have
turned in consistent results, so we’d
have to begin manufacturing reasons
to doubt the numbers.—Ed.
In the midsize sedan test, the Accord
Sport was fastest to 60, fastest in the
quarter mile, and had the shortest
braking distance from 60 to 0. The
Accord was the most inexpensive
car of the test, thousands less
than most and $5000 less than the
second-place finisher. And your staff
votes it fourth. I guess deciding value
is dependent on what you value. I
remember when car guys like me all
thought that if it doesn’t make the car
go faster and/or handle better, it didn’t
need to be bolted to the car. When
your staff desires a car that doesn’t
have the sport suspension, it shows
what they value. Maybe the team
should be writing for PC Magazine
instead of a leading car magazine.
DARRIN ZANKL
Tampa, Florida
For our consumer-focused Big Test
comparison stories like this one, we get
into the mindset of Joe Average. In this
instance, Joe A. would be best served
with the non-Sport Accord.—Ed.
How can you rank the Kia Optima
second when the only good thing
about it is the “luxurious” features?
Anybody can fill a car with gadgets.
After describing the car as having
a soft suspension, compromised
control with lots of body roll, a
wallowing dynamic over bumps,
somewhat floaty experience, slow
steering, entire car feels lazy, a
coarse engine, transmission average,
the second-slowest acceleration and
longest braking versus competition,
but feels quicker. (Feels quicker?
Really?) But you convinced me—I am
selling my Honda, the best-driving,
fastest, firmer, quicker, safer, and
least-expensive-to-own car of the
lot, and will buy the Mazda, not the
Chrysler, to save $2 over 5 years of
ownership...atta boy!
FRANCK GIRARD
Fairfield, Connecticut
Well, when you put it that way, the 200
doesn’t look like a bad deal at all.—Ed.
Fake It ’Til You Make It
What! M Who? M-Me! Regarding
the new BMW i8 (“M Who?” July
2014), the “synthesized sound
coming through the speakers” was
an idea I presented in a letter to
Motor Trend published in July 2008.
I put forward, “how about soundeffect
chips for your audio system”
and ended with a challenge for
engineers to “consider employing
Disney Imagineers tactics.” BMW,
you’re welcome very much. Please
send me any compensation,
monetarily…or better yet, one of
the new i models.
TODD ELLIOTT
Mansfield, Massachusetts
We remember that—specifically the
suggestion the sound-effect chips
be sourced from (hold on to your
butts) Cherry Bomb. Let us all now
think about an i8 with a glasspack
exhaust note.—Ed.
It’s pretty sad when engine noise
now has to be synthesized (read:
FAKED) and pumped into the
interior via the speakers. That’s
great for the occupants inside,
but makes me wonder what folks
outside the car are hearing when
the wee little 1.5-liter three-cylinder
is high up in the rev range or at
wide-open throttle. Do tell.
WADE TAYLOR
Lawton, Oklahoma
Who cares? They’re not paying for
it. Real answer: It’s not very different
from the “fake” inside noise.—Ed.
MT Matters
I love to read the articles on your
long-term tests. It shows what it’s
like to have an auto in real life—not
the company’s facts. The engine
oil consumption of the 650i Gran
Coupe is unbelievable (“Garage,”
July 2014). So if BMW says it is
normal, no recall needed! I now
know what the “B” stands for. Keep
up the good reporting.
TERRY CYMERMAN
Via the Internet
Bibulous?—Ed.
17 MOTOR TREND.COM \ October 2014 October 2014 / MOTOR TREND.COM 18