GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda...Who will sell you your next car?

1414244464761

Comments

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    to tell you that GM would certainly not be selling me my next new car.

    If that doesn't sound like GM "cooked" it's books to make profits seem bigger, or, in GM's case, losses seem smaller, I don't know what would.

    On one hand I'm thinking GM's doomed and then, on another hand, I want them to survive so the Pontiac Solstice and GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Company of South Korea can survive and continue making the Chevrolet Aveo and Suzuki Reno, etc.

    The headache of dispatching that fledgling company's goods would hurt a lot of people for a long time. I find myself pulling for GM yet can't find enough reasons to seriously consider one of their rigs to buy. Huge pick-em-up trucks, Hummers and huge gas-guzzling SUV's are just not my cup of tea, baby.

    I will take a look at the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo sedan, a new design for 2007. They left the hatchback the same as the 2006 hatchback model, for some reason. There is probably an improvement or two in the hatchback for 2007 over the 2006 model, as automakers usually do as they learn of their vehicles' weak spots as they go along and make improvements.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I tried out the new Escalade Friday to see if it is all that much better than the 04 I briefly had. Frankly, I don't think so. The best part of it is how it looks outside, and the interior is nicer, but no nicer than the Tahoe, really. The leather is a tad nicer. The navigation is still unfathomable to me, I use the Toyota/Denso system easily and the Ford system, which is also Denso. But this Delphi system IMO, explains why Delphi is in Chapter 11.

    To the truck's defense it was Black on Black, a combination which irks me. A lighter interior would have appealed to me more, probably.

    I still prefer the Navigator inside, but the Cadillac outside now for 07. Guess I'll get the Lexus instead.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    go with the Lexus, man. I just can't see getting a GM product, for now, anyway.

    I am starting early looks at a concept from Dodge that most of you will dismiss right away because it's such a little mighty-mite, the Dodge Hornet. Supposedly selling for about $4,000 less than the lowest-priced Mini model and possessing the same 1.6L 4-cyl.that the Mini has. The Hornet will do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds and comes with a 6-speed tranny standard equipment. It's got the kind of body design that elicits double-takes(at least from types like me)and remains unusual looking. I like that sort of thing. Sounds louder than a Viper we're told in the article I read on it. Have to hear that one to believe it. Not that I've ever driven a Viper. :D

    Evidently Dodge is looking to VW to build it, I don't know if I like that. Wouldn't doubt if it gets built in Mexico, either. I like their new Caliber and I can't wait to see the new Dodge Challenger come out in that orange we've seen in the car mags. Yikes. Blows their new Charger away!

    Here's the Dodge Hornet in concept form.

    image

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • wvgasguywvgasguy Member Posts: 1,405
    swap the tires on the 'lex and the 'vette and run the tests again.

    OK, I expected that. Let's conpare it to the Cobra then, it had radials in the test and didn't do as well as the 68 Vette 427.

    The point is, when compared favorably to the most awesome sports cars of their time the Lexus still can't even be consider "sporting"?

    I'm not pushing Lexus but I think it's getting a bum rap when you only compare it to a BMW550 to determine if it should be considered as a sporting sedan.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,044
    looks to me like a starched-up xB with some late 70's Pontiac honeycomb-inspired wheels. I dunno if I like it yet, but maybe it'll grow on me?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,507
    That's exactly what I was thinking...it looks like a modded xB. But here anyway the xB has done acceptably well, so maybe the Hornet will follow suit.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,044
    I don't DIS-like the xB. I think if I were going to get a Scion, the xB would be it. The tC just guzzles too much gas IMO for its small size (might as well just get a Camry or Accord if fuel economy is your only concern), and the xA is too dainty for my tastes.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I will agree with the looking like the xB. But I will also say that while people have the right to make ugly cars I think Scion and now Dodge are abusing that privilege.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    IIRC Ford uses Delphi radio head units now (the black "bricks in almost all of their vehicles) but the new nav system they are offering is made by Pioneer.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    Maybe Dodge can chop the backend even more, and call it the Gremlin.

    If DaimlerChrysler is really on the nostalgia kick, it could offer the Hornet with a Levi's interior trim option and an "X" package.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    "IIRC Ford uses Delphi radio head units now (the black "bricks in almost all of their vehicles) but the new nav system they are offering is made by Pioneer."

    Well, that could explain why the radios in Fords have gone to hell....had to put 5 head units in my Navigator to get one that worked correctly. But as to the NAV system, the Ford unit is almost identical to the Denso unit in my Toyota - just a little less deluxe..... If it's a Pioneer, then something is being shared or cloned.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    That is my favorite Luxury car on this planet. OH MY GAWD it's cool.

    Wished Cadillac would build a car just like it for $60K :sick:

    Rocky
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    Well, that could explain why the radios in Fords have gone to hell

    Exactly. The Visteon MACH radios of old blew away the new "audiophile" units from Delphi. The MACH300 in our past Escape was much better than the BOSE unit in my Mazda6 even. I never was a big fan of BOSE anyway and the unit in the 6 isn't helping their cause. ;)

    I'm pretty sure the Pioneer nav unit is new for 2006 so your older Navigator most likely has whatever make they used before. I thought it was a Visteon unit but I really don't know for sure.
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    "The tC just guzzles too much gas IMO for its small size (might as well just get a Camry or Accord if fuel economy is your only concern),"
    It's because it shares a powerplant with the Camry. The Camry's relatively large, torquey 4 cylinder motor in a very lightweight car implies something sporty. You will notice the Celica went away when this car was introduced-because the tC is faster and much less expensive.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,044
    It's because it shares a powerplant with the Camry. The Camry's relatively large, torquey 4 cylinder motor in a very lightweight car implies something sporty.

    Still seems to me that the 2.4 in the tC should get better fuel economy. The tC is lighter than the Camry by a few hundred pounds, yet gets worse mileage, and really isn't much faster. I think 0-60 times are less than a second apart.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    The best way to turn things right-side up is easy, experts say: Keep driving the car until it's paid off.

    http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060612/OPINION03/606120393/1148/- AUTO01

    Rocky
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Not only that but keep driving the car after its paid off and make the car payments to yourself by putting them into an interest bearing account. If you can drive the car for an additional 4 years you can save up enough money to pay for your next car in cash.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    That is correct. ;)

    Rocky
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Exactly what I would have posted. It does work. After that you never have a car payment and you will find yourself getting more out of each car purchase. It is not just the US government that has too much debt it is all of us. Well most of us. Like the guy in the TV ad "I'm in debt up to my eyeballs". Sad but true. I can tell you there is nothing like paying cash for a car and telling the bank to take a hike.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...that reminds me of a girl who works for my girlfriend. She has a new Acura TL she admits she can't afford but still has and charged $500 of clothes at Banana Republic during her lunch break. Her credit rating is in the toilet. She's a pretty girl and good at her job but she's really stupid with her money.
  • hwyhobohwyhobo Member Posts: 265
    Majority of the general public is dumb, period. Just the nature of humanity. A guy I know who works for Walmart and barely makes a monthly rent payment just bought a brand-new Expedition. He is a very nice guy and all, but he doesn't even have the disposable income to pay for gas (and, man, does this pig of a vehicle suck gas). My question is, what company in their right mind would finance it at 100%? He has no chance of making the payments. I don't get it.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    If you use a little common sense anyone can live a practically debt free life (I expect people to have a home mortgage). A long time ago I got into what I considered a very serious debt problem (now that I see what others are in I realize I really didn't have the problem I thought I had back then) I worked my way out of it and for the last several years have been debt free. Now I make a little on the side helping people out of financial trouble.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Isn't Ford having a promotion where they pay for your gas for the first year? Maybe that's how he does it? Good God, if I worked at Wal-Mart, my very survival would be priority one. Rather than spending it on an Expedition, I'd use that money to go to school to earn a degree or a trade.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I caught myself before I got in too deep. I had a girlfriend back in the day who had a new Jetta, was forever late on the payments on her condo, and was $15,000 in credit card debt. She was a really nice person, but I couldn't be in a relationship with somebody who was so self-destructive. I would bring up the issue and she would say, "I don't want to you to remind me that I have a problem. I want to date somebody to forget that I have a problem!" If I had married her, she'd have dragged me down with her.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Some places make money selling the same car over and over. They sell the car at or near sticker (thousands over what its really worth) finance the vehicle, the buyer makes a few $400+ payments then defaults and the seller repos the vehicle and resells it as a very low mileage used car (or even as a demo if they are really dishonest) at an inflated price to someone who cannot get a car anywhere else. Then the cycle continues.

    A lot of those buy here/pay here car lots do that.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I caught myself before I got in too deep.

    So did I, I thought I had a problem closing in on $5k in unsecured debt, imagine what I thought when I came across the couple with $200K in credit card debt. :sick:

    I would bring up the issue and she would say, "I don't want to you to remind me that I have a problem. I want to date somebody to forget that I have a problem!" If I had married her, she'd have dragged me down with her.

    Oh I agree, you cannot get involved with someone who has that type of problem, you would be inheriting that problem.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    ...that reminds me of a girl who works for my girlfriend. She has a new Acura TL she admits she can't afford but still has and charged $500 of clothes at Banana Republic during her lunch break. Her credit rating is in the toilet. She's a pretty girl and good at her job but she's really stupid with her money."

    500$ dollars worth of clothes? Thats alot of money to spend on clothes and you have a credit card rating problem and you just bought a 30,000 dollar car? what?

    The only time I myself blow my money is down at the Jersey Shore at the boardwalk when I spend my money on those silly games on the boardwalk and thats like 3 times a year.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    If I had married her, she'd have dragged me down with her.

    I hope you dated her long enough to pay all her bills. :shades: I think I did that a couple times. Finding a woman that is good with money is more important than Love these days.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "Some places make money selling the same car over and over. They sell the car at or near sticker (thousands over what its really worth) finance the vehicle, the buyer makes a few $400+ payments then defaults and the seller repos the vehicle and resells it as a very low mileage used car (or even as a demo if they are really dishonest) at an inflated price to someone who cannot get a car anywhere else. Then the cycle continues.

    Bottom line is dealers(all car makes) should turn down these people with bad credit. I mean the salesman who is selling these people with bad credit vehicles know these people cannot afford to pay off these cars. The salesman does check your credit rating if you are going to make monthly payments on car before he(the salesman goes into negotiating a deal on the car with you.) I do know that car salesman at least in New Jersey do ask you if you have a job and how much money you make in a year I think if you are making monthly payments on a car. If you are doing a cash deal on a car with no payments I don't think the salesman bother to check to see if you have a job or not.

    As far as a car being faulsy identified as a demo or a repo it still wear and tear on the car regardless if its a demo or a repo in my opinion.

    Don't dealerships care if the people can't pay for these cars due to their bad credit rating and yet they still sell to people with bad credit. I don't understand it.

    The only sympathy I have with people who have bad credit is if you get out of marriage where the other respective spouse just rings up things on your credit card bill and you don't know about it. Than you have to go through gradually revamping you credit rating.
  • socala4socala4 Member Posts: 2,427
    imagine what I thought when I came across the couple with $200K in credit card debt.

    Wow, how is that possible???

    You would have thought that when they hit the $50k or $100k mark that bells would have started to go off. They must have had good earplugs...
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Bottom line is dealers(all car makes) should turn down these people with bad credit.

    I don't think they should turn them down, just not take advantage of them and work with them to get something they can afford.

    Don't dealerships care if the people can't pay for these cars due to their bad credit rating and yet they still sell to people with bad credit. I don't understand it.

    Bad credit does not always equate to an inability to pay. Many people get bad credit due to many things including job lose and medical bills. These people that get back on their feet have the income to make the payments but still have the bad credit for a while. It takes time to repair credit.

    The only sympathy I have with people who have bad credit is if you get out of marriage where the other respective spouse just rings up things on your credit card bill and you don't know about it. Than you have to go through gradually revamping you credit rating.

    What about people who lose their jobs for no fault of their own, or have a serious illness that takes most of their funds?

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    "I don't think they should turn them down, just not take advantage of them and work with them to get something they can afford."

    I agree.

    "Bad credit does not always equate to an inability to pay. Many people get bad credit due to many things including job lose and medical bills. These people that get back on their feet have the income to make the payments but still have the bad credit for a while. It takes time to repair credit."

    OK, I understand.

    "What about people who lose their jobs for no fault of their own, or have a serious illness that takes most of their funds?"

    Alright, nicely put. I may have forgotten a few elements on why people have bad credit.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    if the spouse that is running up the debt does it on the sly, eh? Marrying for love still is valid, but if a person loves you they won't do that. That is sad, very sad indeed. :sick:

    Does that mean that there should be a run on marrying people for their money only? Marriages of convenience they call them, right.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,507
    I think there's already been a run on that for some time. There surely is around here.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    You can kindly ask to see their credit score prior to the marriage. That would be the smart thing to do. Being blinded by love is a poor excuse to marry into horrible debt and poor money management attributes. I have done it and I had no one to blame but myself. So this is advice from one that has been there.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    "She's a pretty girl and good at her job but she's really stupid with her money."

    For now, that will get her by - girls really can get by on their looks for a long time, and if they're good at their job, that's sauce for the goose. Someday though, looks will fade, and a credit rating would be nice to have.

    However, she is probably living a life that needs an Acura to portray the level of competence and success she exudes. Like dress for success, a car is just a bigger business suit.
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    The only things to buy on time are those which may go up in value. A car, unless it is say a classic, is going to head on down. Do not run up bills on credit cards. Buy only what you can afford to pay cash for. For a backup for a job loss, have at least six months income in the bank for hard times. Hopefully the health insurance helps for medical bills, though losses can overwhelm. Impossible to cover all angles - so true. USA may be heading towards a National Health Care system some day.

    A Hyundai as a cheap commuter car, with a longer warranty, may make sense. What say you???
    -Loren
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    The only things to buy on time are those which may go up in value.

    If thats the case never borrow money to buy anything as nothing is guaranteed to go up in value. One should only buy on times those things that will either maintain a value over the loan value (or will in short order) or things that will allow you to create an inflow of revenue.

    A Hyundai as a cheap commuter car, with a longer warranty, may make sense. What say you???

    I would use the term "inexpensive" since cheap has a negative connotation.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Yes, like property which is most likely to go up.
    And yes, cheap, in this case as in inexpensive, or a prudent buy.

    We agree.

    I wonder what a Sonata Coupe would look like. I like the Tiburon, but it could be a little bigger and easier to get in and out of. Getting older and not younger, sad to say. :shades:
    Here is a question. How many people prefer the looks of the Azera to the Sonata? Fully loaded the Sonata comes close to the base Azera. Something about the Tiburon still captures my eye. Oh my aching back though.
    -Loren
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I prefer the looks of the Azera to the new Sonata. I was a big fan of the looks of the last Sonata....
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Guys, just in case y'all didn't know, there is a Sonata/Azera forum.

    Can we get back onto the topic please?
  • wvgasguywvgasguy Member Posts: 1,405
    Bottom line is dealers(all car makes) should turn down these people with bad credit.

    I don't think they should turn them down, just not take advantage of them and work with them to get something they can afford.


    The rip is the worse your credit rating (risk) the higher the rate. The local dealer has a guy that specializes in financing for people that can't afford a car. Some of the rates are in the 24% range. I'm guessing a guy in the pool hall would give you a better rate.

    They do it because they want to make money and they prey on people that have no choice (except to buy cheaper used cars).
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Yes, like property which is most likely to go up.

    While it is most likely to go up there is no guarantee. Let it be announced that the new freeway exit is right next to your property and watch the value go down. Or have a Wally world pop up behind you.

    I like to looks of the Sonata better.

    As for the Tib I am waiting the convertible.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    On topic. Buy a GM PU truck and it will retain its value long after a car of the same age is rusting in the junk yard.

    How's that for on topic. No hyundai PU trucks around here.
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Topic is:
    GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda..:Who will sell you your next car?

    The ( ... ) covers all the rest ;)

    Unless it means a car made up of all them - there parts. I think I have seen a coupla cars like that, but not around here.
    -Loren
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Agree..... Hyundai, is and should be part of this forum topic.

    Rocky
  • socala4socala4 Member Posts: 2,427
    I'm struggling between a Ferrari, Bentley and an Aston Martin. Is this the right thread for me ??? :P

    (If it helps, an Aston Martin is a Big 2.5 car...)
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Well Chrysler got me for a new one last year. A PT is pretty inexpensive. That said, I had to go with the stick due to rather unimpressive gas mileage figures. If you go automatic with a PT you best stay near a gas pump. With the small gas tank, I do a lot of stopping with the stick PT.

    Let's see what else would I consider? In the GM line maybe a used Monte Carlo, or a Cadillac Deville or CTS. In the Ford line maybe a Fusion if had like say $4K off, and had side air bags. In the Toyota line, the Camry looks kinda interesting now, but not sure the price gets out of range for the six, and the four may not be enough power. Anyone driven one? The reviews point to less than sporty, or more numb steering. Best to drive the car yourself though to really tell. And I found seat comfort is what fits the individual. Owned a car said to have poor seats, which in turn became a car I liked best for seating of all my cars.
    Honda Accord looks well made and it could be the four cylinder is enough power. Seems like Honda is the smoothest four bangers out there. The Civic Coupe is one of my new car styling favorites. Price is a little high for such a small car. Not sure I will go small car again.

    To sum it all up, I don't know who will sell me the next car.
    Heck, I considered keeping the PT and getting a toy like a used Mustang, Corvette, or say a Camaro with a V8. Did like my toy Miata, but it was so small. And I kept her outdoors, which ain't the best for any car, let alone a drop top.

    Have not driven one, but the Buick Lucerne and the LaCrosse look kinda interesting. Could trade in my PT for a Lucerne or LaCrosse top of the line, in a couple years for something like $15K to $20K. The dealerships want a lot for used CTS now, but next year when the new CTS is out, I think a used say 2004 with the best engine, may not be too expensive. Private buy may make the most sense as the dealerships seem to have a pretty wide margin on these cars - but I could be wrong.
    -Loren
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Aston Martin DB9 !!! Yeah, baby !!!
    Second choice is the Ferrari, but I would settle for a Bentley, I suppose.
    -Loren
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I am not saying that Hyundai shouldn't be part of this forum but this is not the forum to compare Sonata and Azera, period.

    For example see post 2224.
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.