Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

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  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    Back in the '60s GMC had a line of large-displacement V6s, and they used the architecture of the 351ci V6 to make a 702ci V12. The block was a single casting and the crankshaft was one piece, but the heads and a good number of other parts came from the V6. GM dropped the V12 in favor of a 637ci V8 derived from the 478ci V6. This made it one of very few 60-degree V8s.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Yeah! I had my car there and andre1969 had a 1976 Pontiac LeMans in it.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,938
    Turns out I was RIGHT all along with my blasting of Chrysler in these forums for the last couple of years.

    Chrysler won't back their own cars with leases I hear from the news.

    Value of a brand new average Chrysler vehicle with zero miles is about 16,000 dollars.

    Value of a new average Chrysler vehicle with 1 to 10 miles on it is about $8,000 in my book.

    Value of a new Chrysler vehicle once it leaves the lot and is "used?" I'd say about $1,000.

    Once it has 5K miles, $1.

    Anything over 10K miles, $0. I woulnd't take it off your hands unless it was free, and i'm serious about this.
    This is the gods honest truth!

    Chrysler now agrees with me as residual values of their junk garbage vehicles is killing their cash flow!
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    First to go bankrupt, probably. Finally caught up to the value proposition.

    GM is right around the block along with FORD.

    Regards,
    OW
  • motorcity6motorcity6 Member Posts: 427
    Our giveaway Congress headed by Pelosi and Reid will run to the rescue just like they did on the oil drilling issue..However they are treating deadbeat homeowners with the "red carpet" treatment...You young folks will get to pay the bill, At 74, I lived through the best years and had a ball, made a few bucks, and really feel sorry for this great country is getting socialized by the left hand..If BHO gets in, the USA will look like Europe.

    My new auto passion is now a Bullitt Mustang...Got off the Asian kick, almost got carried away with the flight to an overseas product..Scanned some of Honda and Toyota forums, only to find misery aplenty...with the dealers not too helpful in solving problems or just plain nasty...

    I have found 3 Bullitts within 15 miles, two Black and one Highland Green..Pricing is high $32,915..However the green one is in sight, no rebates as yet, but they are down to $29,600 and we are talking.. Reminds me of my first ride at 14, 35 Ford P/U..loud, and rough riding...They are both RWD with V-8 power..73 years of progress..

    Gas mileage is not bad, no worse than the GPGT, and more fun too boot.

    All three dealers also have the Shelby Mustangs in stock, and they are sure not worth the money..

    My biggest stumbling block is the manual stick, but if the price gets sweeter, I will probably cave..
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Bullitt Mustang sounds nice! Now all you need is a black Dodge Charger Hemi to go with it!
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,938
    That you can quote any book or source on future values and residual values of vehicles, and BANKS may use them to offer Leases, but that doesn't mean Crap.

    First of all, we know that Banks don't give a damn about the future, only what will make them money RIGHT now. Banks are not a reliable source.

    Second, no one can predict the future or residual values.

    Third, it is especially hard to predict the future value of lemons :lemon:

    Fourth, any residual/resale value guide isn't worth the paper it's written on; come on people, it's all common sense!
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    I thought all the Bullit cars are green. Nice and clean looking Mustang, this Bullit. Seems like a heavy clutch in Stangs, so start working out with the left leg. ;-) Typically, the brake is a bit high in relationship to the gas pedal in most new cars. Mazda, with the MX-5 seems one of the few to get it right. As for Asian cars, just like American dealerships, some have good repair shops while others do not. Wish Ford had put the 3.5V6 with 300HP into the Stang, as that would give it HP with decent gas mileage. Our local gas is still around $4.40 per gallon -- it has come down a bit.
    Anyway, once Ford gets a different V6, an upgraded interior, and hopefully a nicer clutch, and brake which is not up too high in relationship to gas pedal height, I would say it is about a perfect car, if sold under $22K.
  • motorcity6motorcity6 Member Posts: 427
    My initial exposure to the Bullitt, was not a road test. It was a get acquainted with the interior, and the V-8 burrble, climate controls, seating, dashboard, and overall digestion of the car..Gave the sales person a chance to look at my car, handed them the sticker sheet on the car and told them to give me a rough price on the tradein value..Got the call yesterday.....

    My lovefest with the Bullitt is overlooking the steep price and the 5spd gearbox..My next approach is an out the door price...period..I am bringing my car to the closing and a check for this amount..However prior to signing any papers I will test drive bringing the salesperson on board to witness any malfunctions. No rubber peeling exercises, for the triple digit run is to uncover any out-of-balance of running gear, tire balance, or quirks of vibration.. This is a stretch of road which blends itself for a great three mile run, been there and done that before. It's only 1 mile from the dealership..If it shakes--I walk...

    My last on the floor shifting was the 59 Porsche and column shifting was a 61 Chevy..My favorite similiar car was my 71SS350 Camaro w/auto..I bought my wife an 82 Z-28 w/auto, wasn't much of a car but she liked so that was all that mattered..However being widowed I can maybe put up with the 5spd shifter..

    Gas mileage is not a concern, however getting stopped by the local law folks could be a problem after a few pops..Small towns after hours creates some strange situations and people's curiosty never stops..

    Gas is around $3.88 in Venice Fla..premium add .20, Fla this time of year is empty and when the kids go back to school inAugust the beachs will be empty..Love it!!
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    My lovefest with the Bullitt is overlooking the steep price and the 5spd gearbox..My next approach is an out the door price...period..

    Watch Bullitt movie before you go to dealer. Unless something wrong on pre-drive, you will buy the Bullitt. Interesting that the iconic cars of the movie are back. The black Charger driven by the bad guys and the green Mustang by McQueen. These were and are real American cars. Hope that both of the present iterations are built in the US.

    Had a 67 Mustang GT with high-perf package which included 289 V8 with solid lifters. Can still remember the great sounds of engine, burbling exhaust.
  • motorcity6motorcity6 Member Posts: 427
    My tradein is being priced @$3.47/# and the Bullitt is around $9.50/#, My initial offer was not accepted well, might sweeten it.

    No movies, really don't need any additional motivation, if fact I could use some downers to abort this silly plot..

    The 289 was a great powerplant and the 67 Stang was a sweetheart..

    My son in Detroit about three months ago traded his stressed out 02 SLS in on 2008 Chrysler 300 Hemi and maybe I will chase a Dodge Charger Hemi next if the Bullitt chase ends..

    At this stage anything is possible..except an Asian car..

    The Motor City is in the dumps and I spent the last 19 mos going through a foreclosure suit on land north of Detroit..I take possession Aug 1st..Maybe the [non-permissible content removed] would like to start a warehouse facility on the 60 acres. or maybe a junk yard for SUVs and other Detroit iron.

    The economy stinks, however the stock market is becoming lots of fun, the bull-bear rotation daily offers many opportunities...

    Has anyone tried this bio-fuel and crankcase additive out of Canada that is available only thru the internet..Stumbled across it yesterday and sounds interesting..or maybe just a scam..Use an ounce every ten gals of gas and a couple ounces in the crankcase at oil change time..Can't remember the name, old age is showing.....It was linked to the Gas Buddy web site..
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    if fact I could use some downers to abort this silly plot.

    A Pontiac G8 will do 9/10ths of what the Bullitt will do, for maybe 6/10ths the price?

    Bio-fuel additive? Sounds like scam central, and reminds me a bit of the "Gas Saver!!!" 0w-30 oil I saw at Wal-mart a few months ago.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    A Pontiac G8 will do 9/10ths of what the Bullitt will do, for maybe 6/10ths the price?

    Probably so for 9/10s. BUT, the Bullitt has the panache, charisma that the G8 lacks. Seems like MSRPs would be close though.
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    Isn't the Bullitt the one with the supercharger that Ford wants $45k or something for?
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    No, it is not. A very clean looking, not over the top, slightly more HP, custom looking GT, is the way I would describe the Bullit. If I got a Mustang, it would be the 2010 with the 3.5V6 and 300HP.
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Break-in @ 100+ MPH doesn't seem quite right to me -- they would allow that?

    I won't buy new cars with more than say 15 miles on them. Got a Stealth new which had been test driven and transmission ruined in the process, no doubt. No more new cars which have been played with.
  • wtd44wtd44 Member Posts: 1,208
    Where could one get a two-stage blower and torque reduction/selection unit with an overdrive behind a two clutch, fast shifting 8 speed tranny to crowbar into a hot yellow 2008 Chevy Aveo? This rig will rip the throat out of that Bullitt dog, and send the homies packin'! :P
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    Gee, I dunno. I could sell you an empty Folgers can for a muffler. That might add 5 or 6 HP ;)
  • wtd44wtd44 Member Posts: 1,208
    Actually, I'm looking forward to at least looking at a new crop of "tin can" tiny autos at the muscle car dealerships. When I was negotiating for my wife's '09 Vibe AWD, I noted that the dealer had several G8 go-fast cars available. When I further noted that the dealership had added a $5000 "market adjustment" I quit looking!
  • ClairesClaires Member Posts: 1,219
    Here are a couple links to places where off-topic discussions would be more at home:

    Ford Mustang Bullitt

    Speed Shop Tuning & Modification

    So... Buying American Cars - What Does It Mean?

    MODERATOR

    Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.

    Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review

  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Ditto. A G8 is not worth $35-37K, period. GM and their dealers WILL NEVER LEARN! If you pay that price, the first turn of the ignition looses $7K before you drive from the dealer. AND you paid an extra $560 extra tax to Uncle same for the $7K premium over the $30K promised retail price.

    You can get $15K for your used 2006 GTO that you paid $35K for 2 years ago...if you could sell it,that is, considering $4.20/gal premium gas. Buying American = steep loss.

    Regards,
    OW
  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    Our giveaway Congress headed by Pelosi and Reid will run to the rescue just like they did on the oil drilling issue..

    Yes, it's that "giveaway Congress" that has to fix our broken Capitalistic system that allowed banks to come up with fantastic balloon loans to screw poor people (don't blame THIS congress for that) and the largely unregulated Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac problems (again, not the fault of THIS congress). And our kids already have to pay for the tax breaks we were given by the last congress because our broken government can't use just the money they've acquired through the existing taxes. Where'd that budget surplus go? Oh yes, the unnecessary Bush war in Iraq.

    And it's all the fault of the Democrats...

    If/when the Big3 need help, I would hope that our government can do what they did for Chrysler a quarter century ago and just co-sign the loans. And hopefully if/when that time comes, the people in charge of the Big3 will be able to turn their troubled ships around. If there's a modern-day Lee Iacocca among the top execs today, I have yet to see him/her.
  • motorcity6motorcity6 Member Posts: 427
    You actually believe"Slick Willy" had a balanced budget!!!!! Stop drinking the Kool-Aid..Democrats do not like Capitalism, it's evil and the banks screwed everybody..Every time the left tries to fix a problem, they create a big mess.. They believed everybody is entitled to a house--no questions asked---can you afford it?, can you read? are you employed?These are not ethical questions to ask, it's not fair!!!!

    Oil prices---they look for scrapegoats instead of looking in the mirror..Big oil--evil, spectulators---evil, sue OPEC was the left's solution...

    Hudsonthedog----the left wants the country miserable, angry, and peeved before election..Global Warming is the biggest hoax ever laid before the American people. There are 1.4 billion cows and only 1 billion cars in the world..Maybe Gore should worry about fitting catalytic converters to the flatulenting herds.. The automobile is a small problem...The left has an idea that they can control the climate, really all they want to do is control your life...

    At my age it ain't my problem, for I have enjoyed the freedoms of living in this great country and the opportunities available to us..Change is gradual and some day our population will wake up to the fact that their freedoms have vanished..

    Universal Healthcare means no health care, a vast govt agency moving paper and providing nothing but lip-service..Look at Canada, Britian, and Europe...

    Keep working, for I do enjoy the SS check, for it covers my excellent health care policies, my villa maintenance fees, groceries,booze, gas,utilities, and my daily Starbucks java.,mistake I know cause it a bigtime liberal hangout..

    Still working on the Bullitt---slowly eliminating dealers due to rotten pricing quotes..Must be a vast-right wing conspiracy, Congress should pass a bill to allow everyone a car of their choice..

    Everyone enjoy the day and do what pleases you...I see the 4 day work is catching on, next will be a 32 hr work week, I believe France tried that angle and bailed out..

    Sorry I couldn't spend more time on cars this morning, not really focused on Bullitts today-yet..There are seven within 60 miles and some have been sunbathing for months under the Fla sun without a home..I love to pick on the dealers that have a few Shelbys collecting dust..End of August may be the prime time for my LOW-BIDS...Not in despair as yet.

    I did find a plain new Mustang GT-5spd tranny that can had for around 22k., many bucks lower than the Bullitt.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,494
    You do know there is an off topic forum for senseless political babble and economic cliches ...

    Good luck finding that Bullitt.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Do us a favor next time. When you have car stuff post. When you have political drivel don't.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    Buying American = steep loss.

    While in many cases this may be true, it's amazing how, from the tone of your posts, you seem to root for this, as opposed to rooting for a turnaround.
  • hudsonthedoghudsonthedog Member Posts: 552
    You actually believe"Slick Willy" had a balanced budget!!!!! Stop drinking the Kool-Aid

    And I'm sure you believe that the economy is doing as well as the Republicans would have you believe?

    Can we get back to car talk here?
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Amazing, how I wanted a turnaround, but it seems I have been dreaming of this for years.

    Now, the story must end by a complete overhauls that is just around the corner. US just does NOT make the best cars in the world and it should be. Period.

    Regards,
    OW
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Buying American = deep satisfaction.

    Heck, I have a Cadillac and a Buick, each 19 and 20 years-old. I'm in no hurry to get rid of them.

    If those imports are all that, why are you so willing to trade them so often? Are you worried some critical component will fail after three to five years? Heck, I should be able to get a Camry or Accord to last for fifty years if they are as hot as these import fanboys suggest.

    I can't understand people who seem to root for the demise of key American industries. Even if you, personally, aren't affected, your fellow citizens and surroundings are. I'd hate to be the only guy who's doing well in a neighborhood where everybody else has just lost their jobs.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    The US makes the best cars in the world that I will buy. To buy a European car, I'd have to be a rich masochist who's too proud for whips and chains and I'd have to be blind or have an impaired sense of aesthetics to buy Asian.
  • 1stpik1stpik Member Posts: 495
    "I can't understand people who seem to root for the demise of key American industries."

    Many of those industries have been rooting for OUR demise for decades. Moving factories to foreign countries so they can pay third-world wages while still selling the products for first-world prices is NOT the American way.
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Yeah, All American GM, Ford and Chrysler in Mexico. Like they really care about US loyalty. In any event, a whole bunch of US citizens are choosing NON US cars, voting with their $$$.

    Regards,
    OW
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    You have every right to buy what you want. Some choose better products than others.

    Regards,
    OW
  • wtd44wtd44 Member Posts: 1,208
    An interesting point to me is the reverse situation my most recent car purchase poses to the moving of car factories to foreign countries. It seems that GM and Toyota got together some years ago and put "sort of" a foreign car factory in Fremont, California-- mind you, GM was complicit in this. In 1997, I bit the bait and came away with a brand new Geo Prizm, which was an act of giving myself permission to buy an Americanized Toyota Corolla. It was a very good little car. And now 11 years later I have dipped into the Fremont cache again, and this time I have a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. Believe me, I never root for the demise of what was once the Big 3. I can tolerate the captive import program very readily, as well. Chrysler may provide some very appealing captive imports soon (from Nissan?). My last foray into the Chrysler captive imports was a Plymouth Sapporo (from Mitsubishi)-- another excellent little car in its time. And the seeming irony is, I have never owned a Toyota or Mitsubishi branded vehicle.
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    I don't wish for the demise of US automakers. I just don't share the love for GM that you do. You've had good luck with your GM products and mine has just been the opposite.

    The fact that up until this year, GM was producing the horrendous GrandPrix proves my point. While my wife's 07 GP has provided 30k trouble free miles, the car car is horrible in terms of fit and finish, quality, comfort, design and refinement etc. When we go somewhere we should drive the GP for the additional fuel economy, but my 07 Expedition is so much nicer to drive and ride in, I'll pay extra to not be in a torcher chamber.

    The US mfgs have a few vehicles I'd consider. Chrysler none, for GM it's be a Malibu, CTS, Corvette, and Silverado. For Ford it would be a Fusion, Mustang, F150-F350, Expedition, maybe the new MKS (it looks nice). If I was buying new I'd probably not buy any of the above, because their are to many other choices that are more appealing to me.

    When I was looking to replace my Suburban (complete junk btw), I test drove a Denali XL, Yukon XL 3/4 ton, Armada, and the Expedition. Since I didn't want to buy new I was looking at used 07's and 08's. I liked how the Armada drove/performed the best, but I couldn't find a low mileage model w/o driving 3 hours. While I like the looks and performance of the Denali (not the price), I looked at 3 used 08's that were already showing signs of build quality issues. Misaligned trim pieces, door seals that were falling down, and one had horrible brake shudder at 5k miles (I know that isn't a big deal to repair). No thanks for the prices they were still asking.

    Actually, I wasn't even considering the Expedition until I found a clean 07 EB for an attractive price. I drove it and was impressed by how refined and solid it felt, plus it had a h/d towing package that allows it to tow more than an of the 1/2 ton GMs without the bouncy 3/4 ton ride and handling (I do use my SUV to tow). Plus the majority of GM SUVs I was looking at were mfg in Mexico, the Expe was made in Michigan and I do prefer to buy domestic when possible. My Suburban was built in Mexico and it showed it.

    I've owned makes from VW, Nissan, GM including Saturn, Chrysler, and Ford. Overall the best I've owned in terms of satisfaction were from VW and Nissan and the least satisfying have been from GM. That's my experience and really all that I can go by.

    I will not stubbornly avoid GM. I will consider what they have when the next time to purchase a vehicle, but will not blindly think that GM is the only vehicle that is worth owning.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,038
    Yeah, All American GM, Ford and Chrysler in Mexico. Like they really care about US loyalty. In any event, a whole bunch of US citizens are choosing NON US cars, voting with their $$$.

    That's one thing that bothered me about the Ford Fusion. I do like the car, but when I saw on the domestic content sticker that it was made in Mexico and only around 30% US content, that just didn't set too well with me. I think I'd feel more patriotic buying a Nissan Altima that's made in the United States and is something like 60-70% US content. But, my Intrepid was built in Canada, so maybe I'm not exactly practicing what I preached. :surprise:

    Where are the Malibu and Aura built?
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    Where are the Malibu and Aura built?

    I know GM has a plant near Kansas City that bulds the Malibu.

    True about the Fusion.
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    Kansas. I wonder if they play 'Dust in the Wind' the first time you turn the ignition? :P
  • circlewcirclew Member Posts: 8,666
    Just check the new regarding the last strike by the UAW and you can find out...

    The bulk of GM's hot-selling Chevy Malibu are produced at the Fairfax plant, with a lesser number of the four-door sedan being built at the automaker's Orion plant in suburban Detroit.

    link title

    Regards,
    OW
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    A reporter with a national newspaper would like to speak with consumers who are moving away from large SUVs and trucks to smaller compact cars and also consumers who are taking advantage of the lower prices and purchased a large SUV or truck. If you are a new owner, please respond to ctalati@edmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Monday, August 4th.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    The Cadillac DTS is manufactured at GM's Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly factory in Hamtramck, Michigan.
  • 1stpik1stpik Member Posts: 495
    "Kansas. I wonder if they play 'Dust in the Wind' the first time you turn the ignition?"

    It's GM -- try "Point of No Return"

    (yes, I know the original title is "Point of KNOW Return").
  • dieselonedieselone Member Posts: 5,729
    It's GM -- try "Point of No Return"

    LOL

    Sadly it maybe true.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,038
    It's GM -- try "Point of No Return"

    For some reason I'm getting this mental image of "There's got to be a Morning After", played out just before the Poseidon otherwise known as GM rolls over and plays dead.

    Hopefully that little mental image never comes true. :surprise:
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    " I can't understand people who seem to root for the demise of key American industries"...

    I have NEVER rooted for the demise of the Big 3, per se...I have advocated that they are getting what they deserve because of, what I believe, was a vast amount of junk for 20-plus years...some folks bought creampuffs, but apparently many folks got burned, got burned badly, and got burned badly multiple times over the years 1975-2000...no, it ISN'T ancient history when you get burned by a vehicle make (take your pick, GM/Ford/Chrysler) in 1975, buy another in 1983, get burned again, and buy one more in 1992 and get burned again, this now becomes recent memory, going all the way back to 1975...

    When any manufacturer makes junk, and suffers the consequences, we all hope that they learn their lesson...we WANT them to make the best products, but, if they don't, we find it hard to take our hard-earned money and buy their product...to simply "Buy American" if it is junk literally tells them to make more of it, since we will buy anything they make, with no demand of quality...

    Buying the competitor's product has finally awakened the Big 3 to make changes in their products...why improve if you have record sales, but when you have record FALLING sales, after 30 years they finally sat up and wondered why...and they looked at Honda and Toy and Nissan and realized that their products were no longer the Sony transistor radios of the 60s with the junk moniker "made in japan"...now made in japan meant a quality product that folks preferred over the Chevy or Ford...

    It was simply chutzpah, arrogance, hubris, that kept the Big 3 in their ivory towers...they have FINALLY realized that the natives are restless and we will buy a good product if they make one...but they better make it a good one, because if it falls apart in 75K miles, we will feel burned again, and we will NEVER come back, even in 100 years from now...

    I want them to succeed, but they better have some humility and make a good car...they have been given one more chance by the buying public...if they blow it, they will become the Little 3...they will always be here, but they will become niche marketers instead of the dominant world force they once were...

    You don't reinforce a child exhibiting bad behavior, but you praise the good behavior, and you always want the child to end up well...buying junk from the Big 3 only reinforces bad quality and lets them get away with it longer...buying the other import product simply serves notice that we will not stand for poor quality anymore...do we WANT them to die???...no, but if they won't shape up, then there really is no other alternative for them, and it is totally self-imposed...

    Don't blame me, blame them...they pushed me away...
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,038
    Hey Bob, whatever ultimately happened to that Intrepid you had? I'm pulling a Ronald Reagan moment now...I can't remember. :shades: For some reason I seem to recall you trading it in because you needed a truck, but that could just be my mind making things up. Or did it end up crapping out on you?
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Hey, my old Intrepid buddy...here is what happened...I leased a 2000 Intrepid for 5 years, got a 75K lease with 75K ext warranty...good thing, because the car was fairly flawless until 72K miles, when, in the span of 3 weeks, four of five things broke that were fixed under the ext warranty...I hate to think what that would have cost me if paid from my pocket, just prior to the end of the lease...

    Lease was up in Jan 2005...so, we started looking in Nov, 2004...wife wanted a truck (country girl) so we went truck hunting...bought 2004 leftover, Dodge Ram pickup, 4 door, short bed, hemi engine ( the 4.7 and 5.7 engines had 100 HP difference, but the same 14 city/19 hwy mpg, so, after absorbing the $1000 extra cost of engine and 5 speed auto trans, we have 100 HP more for no more fueld cost than the small V8)...

    Bought truck after Thanksgiving, almost December, kept Intrepid another few weeks and gave it back...

    Intrepid performed fairly well, pretty comfortable, and avg 26-28 mpg on highway, so gas cost was admirable...

    Hemi gets 19.5 on highway, 12.9 city running (painful on wallet)...however, I swear that Hemi goes from 0 to 80 in about 2 seconds...it really is amazing how fast it gets up to interstate speeds from a standing stop...

    Oh, and the truck is HERS...make no mistake, the truck is hers...I get the Crown Vic...I do get the truck once weekly, when it is time to gas it up...:):):)...I feel lucky to drive it for an hour...it is almost like she looks at me and says..."Do ya feel lucky, punk???...well, do ya???"...with apologies to Dirty Harry...

    And I thought I ruled this house with an iron fist...:):):):):):):)
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,038
    Cool...I'm glad to hear that the Intrepid didn't turn out to be a total POS. As for mine, it's just about to turn 141,000 miles. It was pretty reliable up until 2007, when I had to sink about $2,000 into it over the course of the year. It started the year with about 128,000 miles though, and that was the first really bad year it had. Plus, I had some stuff done that the mechanic said it didn't really need. For instance, I had the transmission lines replaced, which were leaking. That's an OEM part, and not cheap. Mechanic said the leak wasn't serious enough to worry about, and I could just keep adding fluid if I wanted to, but I had it fixed. Partly because I was in a tree-huggy mood and didn't want that fluid leaking all over the place, but also partly because if the tranny ended up failing at that age/mileage, it would essentially total the car.

    I also had the hoses replaced, although the mechanic said I could probably get away with just a coolant flush. But those were the original hoses. He also put new front brakes on, using the higher-quality OEM parts, rather than the cheap $30 brakes I tended to put on the car when I'd do it myself. :blush: I also needed both bearing hubs replaced, some other part in the suspension I'm forgetting now, and had to have the a/c recharged...mechanic couldn't find a leak so he just recharged it.

    I'm into the car about $940 so far this year. Earlier on I had the spark plugs replaced, power steering fluid changed, and something else I'm forgetting now. All I remember is that the total came to about $382. Damn, that's going to bug me now until I remember what the third thing was! Then, a few months later, the car started stalling out at random, and I had to have the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors replaced, and a vacuum line fixed. That was a bit over $500. Oh, and I had to replace a headlight bulb.

    The a/c is starting to die again though, so the bleeding for 2008 is not over yet. Still, it's cheaper than a new car payment, pretty comfortable, and I've actually been able to break 32 mpg on the highway if I go easy on it.

    I've thought occasionally about getting a new car, but I'll probably hold off as long as the Trep is fairly reliable. I'm also starting to rotate through my older cars more often, to keep them from killing batteries, getting flat spots on the tires, etc, so I doubt if that Trep will see 4-5K miles this year. Hopefully it should last awhile, still.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,690
    >engines had 100 HP difference, but the same 14 city/19 hwy mpg,

    That's interesting that the two motors 4.7 and 5.7 had the same fuel mileage. A friend bought a Hemi Durango a few short years back because the salesman promised him he could return it during the first 6 months and the salesman would give him what he paid for it toward a smaller motored car... Guess what, the salesman didn't remember that when our friend went back to exchange!!!

    But the neighbor went to inner city Chicago a few weekends ago on a girl scout trip, and the transmission acted up _again_ so they went to the nearest inner city Chrysler dealer where they promptly traded it for a new Chrysler Aspen with the smaller motor. My point is he says this SUV gets much better mileage for them.

    A key point is his wife is an all the way person. She guns the car like she stole it all the time. Apparently a normal driver can get similar mileage from both motors although that seems against the laws of nature.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I would've replace the lines too, not for any ecological reasons, but I wouldn't want the embarrassment of having an incontinent car.

    I admire you for keeping the 'Trep alive like that. At 141K miles, I'd figure the car has already served me well and it's time to move on. I guess it's kind of fun seeing how far you can get it to go if you don't mind spending a little here and there to prod it along.

    You mention the crankshaft sensors. My local mechanic diagnosed that on my Park Ave as I have a lit CEL on my dashboard. The car was running fine and he told me not to bother, but now I'm getting random stall-outs. I guess it's time to get it looked at.
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