Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.
From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.
In this edition of Ask Nathan:
- Is there going to be a new Mitsubishi Lancer?
- Halogen vs LED lights in the US?
- What to do with a stupid salesperson
- Will there be a new FCA minivan?
The first question comes from a viewer who’s curious about a update or replacement of the Mitsubishi Lnacer.
Q:Hello Nathan my friend!
I was wondering, do you have any idea what Mitsubishi has planned for the Lancer? I’ve seen many theories, but nothing solid. I have a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS and it’s been the most reliable, economical car i’ve owned. It’s not fast, but it handles well. I still think it looks great, but I’ve got 150,000 miles on it and I’m thinking about replacing it with another one. Or should I wait for the next one?
Will there be a next one?
Thanks my man!
J.P.N
A: Good question and a great email! Here’s what I know: the Mitsubishi Lancer will remain in the lineup for a few more years. Yes, they will update some content, but little else. Currently, there are no plans for a replacement.
There were possibilities with various partnerships, but they never worked out.
So, if you want a Mitsubishi Lancer, you might want to consider that it’s going away with nothing solid replacing it – at least for now. Hopefully, Mitsubishi will refocus their efforts on building a replacement for the Lancer. While they’re at it, perhaps a replacement for the EVO too?
One can only hope.
Best of luck!
N
This next question comes from a viewer who’s curious about our use of LED vs halogen headlights.
Q: Dear staff of The Fast Lane Car,
Thanks for your great videos and other content on Youtube and tflcar.com. I’ve been following your channel for a long time and I have to give kudos to you. Really good quality content with good humour.
I also have a question for you in regards to lightning tech. used in the US. In pretty much every car on your reviews there still are halogen head lights mounted. Is there a reason why this old technology is still used? Here in Europe pretty much every car (excluding the lower end models) have come with bi-xenons as standard for years. Nowadays you can see LED headlights on many cars, including Audi, BMW, VW, Mercedes etc. Some high end cars even come with lazer headhights.
The difference between halogen and xenon is big and eith led, it’s even bigger as you know. So, why still halogen? Legislation or some other reason?
This question could maybe be included in Nathans Q&A series as I think this is something many of your non-US followers have been wondering.Keep up the good work and thanks for great content!
Best regards,
A.S.
Helsinki, Finland.
A: You are absolutely correct, there are very few vehicles in the North American market that sports LED headlights. It’s not a question of legislation, its (mostly) based on the expense of running a full LED system. North American automakers would rather use LED lights for driving lights.
Sadly, these look trite and somewhat lazy when you consider how good LED headlights are.
I think that, if supply meets demand AND price, our automakers will begin to use them.
Thanks for the email!
N
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This email comes from a viewer who had a terrible sales experience when she bought her new car.
Q: Hello Nathan,
I am so mad at this one dealership I just went to! I brought my boyfriend (who loves your show, by the way) because he knows cars and wanted to help me. So, after an hour wandering the lot, a saleswoman pops up and instantly becomes our best friend. I ask to see a VW Golf base model. She goes on and on about how great of a salesperson she is, compliments my clothing and proceeds to bring us to the wrong car.
When I point this out, she becomes a bit frustrated and rude.
I say, “I don’t want a TDI. I want the base model gas Golf.” She looks at me like I’m an idiot before bringing us to another TDI! Finally she gets it right and we find a regular Golf. When I begin asking her questions about performance, she looks at the sticker and reads it back to me!
Not only did she know nothing about the car, she didn’t even know what “TDI” meant! My boyfriend simply pointed this out to her and she replied with a snide remark. My boyfriend had enough and wanted to talk to the manager, but I just wanted to go home.
We left and I’m debating looking at a different car at a different dealership.
What would you do in this situation?
Sincerely,
D.D..
A: That ticks me off too. Bad salespeople not only ruin the buyer’s day, they make the brand look bad. I think your boyfriend had the right idea. The sales manager could have fixed the situation, made it right by offering discounts and disciplined his employee. Never be afraid to ask for a sales manager. I would have gone to the manager or owner of the lot/franchise and demanded their involvement.
As for looking at different cars on a different lot: hold on one sec.
Volkswagen is a good brand and, if you wanted a Golf, you should give them another chance. Call ahead and make an appointment with a salesperson, add the specifics regarding the incident. Give them one more chance to make things right. If they screw up again, then at least you were diplomatic; rip that place a new one and regale consumers with your dissatisfaction. There are several websites that can help.
It’s possible that the saleswoman you were working with was brought in at the last minute. It’s no excuse for her unprofessional attitude and lack of product knowledge, not a bit. I have a feeling she’s already out of there.
Let me know what you do!
Best of luck!
N
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This last question regarding the next Chrysler minivan.
Q: Hi TFL.
Do you think Chrysler will stop making minivans?
C.
A: Great question and we have the answer. Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) is testing their next minivan as we speak. We even caught some footage of an FCA minivan testing! So, yes, they will have an all-new minivan out pretty soon.
Cheers,
N
Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com
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Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.[Ask Nathan]
