One other supposed nail in GM's coffin was a strike at Delphi. GM has been moving business away from them rapidly and likewise Delphi has been getting rid of GM business. Looks like the UAW is satisfied with the plant closure plan. I think there may be an issue yet with pay of the old timers but Ron is saying he is not negotiating that away?
Out of 24,000 UAW Delphi workers 18,800 are going. Not much left to negotiate with? Out of 33,000 union workers 25,100 are going.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said this morning that negotiations with Delphi Corp., the nation’s largest manufacturer to file for bankruptcy, are finished.
Gettelfinger said the supplemental agreements negotiated in 2004 and the recent attrition plan that paid 54,500 hourly workers at General Motors Corp. and Delphi to leave should be enough. Now his staff members are in discussions with Delphi on how best to handle operations Delphi wants to close, consolidate or sale.
“If you take the supplemental agreement and the attrition package that they have in place, that puts the company where they need to be by any stretch of the imagination,” Gettelfinger said over breakfast at the UAW’s Solidarity House in Detroit. “There’s nothing else left for us to negotiate.”
Delphi plans to close or sell 21 of its 29 U.S. unionized plants and also filed a motion to cancel billions in supply contracts to GM.
Nothing to negotiate ???? What about the new temps wages and benefits ? I find that interesting !!! I'm going to have to talk to my step-dad or aunt to see whats happening ? I wouldn't rule out a strike quite yet. We will see for sure by March what happens.
BTW-Rick, and Steve, hate each other and that's why you are seeing such a rapid seperation.
Rocky
P.S. Step-dad is suppose to get a ruling in the next few weeks if he can become a millwright using his journeymens card. I'll get more details as soon as I can get em'
I think Ron sees the writing on the wall and will not be asking for much for the new guys. He is just trying to keep the old guard protected with what they had. Times are changing here. No company can keep the pay and benefits of the old days.
You can blame who you want but there is no way of stopping the onslaught of the rest of the world becoming modernized.
As far as a strike. I cannot see that happening. There is hardly any old guys left. There are only going to be 8 plants left (UAW has agreed to this). The new hires are happy making a decent wage. Do the new hires have no benefits? Any health care or 401k? Any vacation?
There are still over 8000 old workers left. That seems like plenty for 8 plants. Perhaps the new hires will be gone once the plants start closing. So maybe there will be a "disagreement" on pay and benefits for them.
I think Ron sees the writing on the wall and will not be asking for much for the new guys. He is just trying to keep the old guard protected with what they had. Times are changing here. No company can keep the pay and benefits of the old days.
Well Ron, has to realize the new out numbers the old now and the new are going to at some point want some benefits. I've already heard about the griping from my step-dad. He says his co-workers were told they would have benefits within 6 months of hire. So we will see since that day is quickly approaching.
You can blame who you want but there is no way of stopping the onslaught of the rest of the world becoming modernized.
The faster the better, because that means their standard of living will go up and we won't have to compete with slave labor any more.
As far as a strike. I cannot see that happening. There is hardly any old guys left. There are only going to be 8 plants left (UAW has agreed to this). The new hires are happy making a decent wage. Do the new hires have no benefits? Any health care or 401k? Any vacation?
Dude it's $14 bucks an hour with ZERO benefits. My aunt and step-dad have ZERO benefits right now pal. Nothing, Zero, Zilch !!!!! No vacation, no healthcare, no retirement. I see the new employees if they don't get compensated with some major pay raises to buy their own benefits, and fund their own retirements a strike at Delphi, isn't yet out of the question.
There are still over 8000 old workers left. That seems like plenty for 8 plants. Perhaps the new hires will be gone once the plants start closing. So maybe there will be a "disagreement" on pay and benefits for them.
That is true, but how many of them are going to leave there home state, is the question ???? Remember most plants aren't going to close for almost 2 years.
That's why the average car buyer is in the hole and keeps rolling negative equity from one car to the next. I remember when a 60 month note was unheard of, now it's the norm. Now there are 72-month and 84-month notes. Pretty soon we'll have mini-mortgages on Kias.
ROTFLMAO That's pretty funny pal. Boy lemko, I find a car I like alot and I was lead to believe it might be within my reach. The 07' Volvo S80, I built a few hours ago was $64K and change. I was like WHOA !!!!! :surprise: Cars are going up faster than my wages. I'd have to be rich like you to afford such a vehicle or take out a mini- mortgage
To GM, products. I can afford them. European, cars are just too expensive for my budget. Lincoln, and the MKS might fit in my budget ? But we will see. I guess right now my choice has been narrowed to the 2008' CTS-V, 2007' GMC Sierra Denali (depends on gadgets) and the 2008' Lincoln MKS. I better buy one of them before the all-new 2009' Acura TL comes out otherwise I would be tempted again. So really GM, and the domestic Fords are making cars I want and/or can afford.
Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers, talks Oct. 10, 2006 about the breakdown of talks between General Motors and Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. Gettelfinger said that GM was right to reject an alliance with the two foreign automakers that had been pushed by billionaire shareholder Kirk Kerkorian.
wow, it just hit me...on November 6 it'll be 84 months since I bought my Intrepid. I took out a 5-year loan because they were offering 0.9% at the time. As of today the car has about 124,000 miles on it. I'd hate to think of me, or anybody, still making payments on something 7 years old with 100K+ miles on it!
Honda still rates as best brand overall; Toyota falls behind in Strategic Vision poll.
DETROIT -- Toyota Motor Corp. lost some ground to the competition in an annual vehicle value survey released today.
Honda Motor Co. held onto its overall ranking as the best full-line automaker, while General Motors Corp., which won in four segments, was the only domestic automaker with any top-ranked vehicles.
Toyota, which had seven segment winners in 2005, took only three categories in this year's study by Strategic Vision Inc. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Co. gained ground, with its Kia Optima taking the top spot for medium car, the Hyundai Azera winning for larger car, and the Kia Sedona ranking as the top minivan. The Hyundai Tucson tied with GM's Saturn Vue for top-ranked small sport utility vehicle.
San Diego-based Strategic Vision surveyed more than 64,000 people who purchased new vehicles from October 2005 to March 2006. Participants were questioned after 90 days of ownership. The study, separate from Strategic Vision's quality survey, tries to capture whether consumers believe they got their money's worth and factors in emotional components.
Honda took top honors in the small car category for the Civic and in the compact pickup segment with the Ridgeline. The Accord Coupe was the top mid-specialty car, and the Pilot was the top medium crossover SUV.
"One thing about Honda that is just really clear: They have the strongest brand equity of any brand out there," said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision's automotive research group.
Honda has also done an excellent job at innovation, Edwards said. He cited the Ridgeline, which is more expensive than other compact pickups but has features such as a folding rear bench seat and a tailgate that can open either by folding down or by swinging open like a door. Such features, combined with Honda's "perceived reliability and durability," help boost the brand's value, Edwards said.
Toyota is a close second when it comes to brand equity among current owners of the company's vehicles and has done a better job than Honda at using its image to win new buyers, Edwards said. But Toyota has been moving slower than other brands when it comes to innovation, he said.
Edwards said Toyota must be careful not to become complacent.
"Everybody is looking at them and asking, where are they weak?' " he said.
GM, in addition to its tie for small SUV, had segment leaders with the Chevrolet Corvette (small specialty over $25,000), the Corvette convertible (convertible over $30,000), and the Chevrolet Silverado (heavy-duty pickup).
Edwards praised GM for focusing on improving its products and taking steps to wean itself from incentives, which erode a brand's value.
Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group had no winners in any of the categories.
Strategic Vision Inc., a San Diego-based marketing research company and consultant to automakers, released Monday the results of its annual vehicle value survey. The survey questioned more than 64,000 new vehicle owners about their experiences and whether they believe they got their money's worth. The study includes emotional responses to vehicles. The top performers by segment: -- Small car: Honda Civic -- Small multifunction: Scion xB -- Medium car: Kia Optima -- Medium multifunction: Mazda6 Wagon -- Larger car: Hyundai Azera -- Near luxury car: BMW 3--Series -- Luxury multifunction: Audi A4/S4 Avant -- Luxury car (three--way tie): Lexus LS 430, Acura RL, Audi A8 -- Small specialty under $25K: Mini Cooper -- Small specialty over $25K: Chevrolet Corvette -- Mid--specialty: Honda Accord Coupe -- Convertible under $30K: Mini Cooper Convertible -- Convertible over $30K: Chevrolet Corvette Convertible -- Minivan: Kia Sedona -- Small SUV (tie): Saturn Vue, Hyundai Tucson -- Medium crossover SUV: Honda Pilot -- Medium SUV: Nissan Xterra -- Large SUV: Nissan Armada -- Near luxury SUV: Lexus RX 330 -- Luxury SUV: Mercedes GL--Class -- Compact pickup: Honda Ridgeline -- Full--size pickup: Nissan Titan -- Heavy--duty pickup: Chevrolet Silverado -- Best model: Mini Cooper -- Most improved brand: Honda -- Best corporation (overall): Honda Motor Co. Source: Strategic Vision Inc
Just de-lurking for a while. All is well. I'm trying to do better on the union bashing ;-)
Yeah, I know could you imagine paying that long ? Not for me either !!!!
I try to limit it to four years, max. I hate making car payments. I'm even thinking of paying the Sentra off early.
This strikes me as odd: I hope something does save GM, because its midsize sedans are such good buys on the used car market. I would love to have a Malibu Maxx SS, but I have to wait until they hit the used car lots because I cannot stand having a large debt. Looks like I'm one of a very few in that department.
One other supposed nail in GM's coffin was a strike at Delphi.
Gee, you mean the union crapped in their nest again?
Delphi plans to close or sell 21 of its 29 U.S. unionized plants and also filed a motion to cancel billions in supply contracts to GM.
I wonder how Delphi would have done when spun off if it went non-union and didn't have that anchor around it's neck. Is this another example of past union greed killing the golden goose? OK, I'm ducking.
LOL, Delphi has $16 Billion in Asian Banks, and $11 Billion in European Banks. Dads plant made a $143 million last yr. alone and yes they are union. I guess I should never be amazed at some opinions I hear.
I have to wait until they hit the used car lots because I cannot stand having a large debt.
I still think that is the smart way to buy. Let someone who doesn't worry about it take the first big hit. Cars coming off 2 or 3 year lease offer good value. My last few cars have been daily rentals less than a year old and we have had no problems with them. And, yes, they are Japanese. It goes without saying that you need to choose something with good reliability, especially if 3 years old. My rentals carry MFR warranties plus one from the rental company. Car history records are usually available too. The junk goes to the auction.
Well, previous posts made it sound like they were close to belly up. Hmmm, I wonder how much higher those numbers would be without past union encumbrances. No doubt they hurt em big time. If a company is not treating employees fairly, and it cannot be resolved, there is definitely a need for a union. My issue is what greed by the unions, when they could, has done to loyal members and the companies in the end. That picture is pretty clear.
Without those hardworking union people those greedy fat-cats wouldn't be able to stuff there pockets of million dollar pay-days for all those years. It works both ways. Is a CEO, many board of directors, upper management, really worth 1, $10, $20, million a yr., and in a few rare cases a Billon Dollars ?
People like my father made a middle class income, and were and currently far from rich. I guess many people in this country, hate the fact that a high school education, and some extensive OJT, could yield a middle class wage ? They label it as greed today. Well back in the day a large sector of our population made a living this way.
Now because we've out-sourced millions of jobs to child-labor country's like China, anyone in manufactoring make more than above poverty gets ripped. :sick:
The 07' Volvo S80, I built a few hours ago was $64K and change. I was like WHOA !!!!!
Rocky, your problem is that you have champagne tastes and a Cheerwine wallet.
One of the things the domestics had going for them in the old days was that you could buy from them a pretty nice car without sinking a huge slab of cash up front. They would nickel and dime you on repairs and maintenance on the back side, but parts were cheap and systems were mechanically simple so labor wasn't too bad. European cars cost more to buy and maintain, but they came with cachet so people put up with it. Japanese cars cost more than domestics (for the same size) and were more complicated but after the mid-80s they were vastly more reliable, so the value equation worked in their favor as the domestics slid down from "nice" to "okay" to "okay ten years ago".
Well back in the day a large sector of our population made a living this way.
Be careful where you point those rose-colored glasses. What you say was true for a certain segment of the population in certain parts of the country, but there were a LOT of people left outside (by force at times) looking in.
An 84 month loan is the height of personal finance stupidity. If a person needs 84 months to pay off a car, THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT! Car dealers are like credit card companies. They prey on the stupidity of consumers and their willingness to pay astronomical amounts of interest to make a personal statement.
If you need an 84 month loan for a new car, walk right out of the dealership and start researching gently used, 3 year old GM cars. You can get a lot of car for a reasonable cost. Buicks, in particular, have a strong rep for reliability. It might not be the coolest rig around, but it'll comfortably transport you from points A to B.
ABSOLUTELY 100% right on. Many people do it to themselves.
An 84 month loan is the height of personal finance stupidity. If a person needs 84 months to pay off a car, THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT! Car dealers are like credit card companies. They prey on the stupidity of consumers and their willingness to pay astronomical amounts of interest to make a personal statement.
If you need an 84 month loan for a new car, walk right out of the dealership and start researching gently used, 3 year old GM cars. You can get a lot of car for a reasonable cost. Buicks, in particular, have a strong rep for reliability. It might not be the coolest rig around, but it'll comfortably transport you from points A to B.
on November 6 it'll be 84 months since I bought my Intrepid.
Give us a report on the history of your car. What problems have you had with it? Have you been satisfied?
Overall the car's been pretty reliable. The only warranty work I had done on it was around 35,000 miles, when the power lock actuator in the driver's door went bad. Around 51,000 miles I had the thermostat housing replaced, which was about $210. Then around 88,000 miles the oil pressure light started coming on at idle, but it was a problem with the sensor, and not the actual pressure, and it was fixed by a TSB. Oh, and new front rotors around 99,000 miles, and that's about it for the drama.
Other than that, I've tried to do the oil every 3-4,000 miles, rotate the tires every 3rd oil change (been kinda slack here though). Usually try to do the air filter and pcv valve every 15,000 miles or so, and service the tranny every 30,000 miles or so. It's going in this Monday for what should have been its 120,000 mile tranny service. Did the belts (1 serpentine, 1 v-belt) and coolant around 86,000 miles. New spark plugs at 51,000. New tires at 30,000 miles and again at 76,000. The Yokohamas that are on it now still have plenty of tread on them though. New front brakes at 39K, 69K, and 99K. New rear brakes at 51K and 102K. New battery at 105K (old one was fine, but I didn't want to take any chances).
And the latest expense? Well, on Sunday night somebody decided they needed my front wheel more than I did. I let a friend take my car to work that night, and when he came out to the parking garage, around 1:30 at night, it was sitting up on a jack, with the wheel, hubcap, AND lug nuts missing! :mad: Luckily I found another one in the junkyard on Monday, same hubcap and everything, for $70.
Oh, something else I just forgot...all four door seals shrunk up, and the power assist to the passenger-side mirror died.
Overall I've been pretty satisfied with it. I don't find it to be all that comfortable on longer trips, but I actually have that problem with most newer cars.
Rocky, your problem is that you have champagne tastes and a Cheerwine wallet.
LOL, if you call spending $50 large ones Cheerwine. :surprise: I know what ya meant.
One of the things the domestics had going for them in the old days was that you could buy from them a pretty nice car without sinking a huge slab of cash up front. They would nickel and dime you on repairs and maintenance on the back side, but parts were cheap and systems were mechanically simple so labor wasn't too bad. European cars cost more to buy and maintain, but they came with cachet so people put up with it. Japanese cars cost more than domestics (for the same size) and were more complicated but after the mid-80s they were vastly more reliable, so the value equation worked in their favor as the domestics slid down from "nice" to "okay" to "okay ten years ago".
Agree, but the Japanese aren't nearly as over-prices as their European counterparts, and BTW-GM, is catching up with both of them FINALLY !!!!
Some years ago, there was a strike at a local meat packing plant. These people were making great wages before the strike, but greed took over. So they brought in union bullies. Force was used and people were physically prevented from going to work and vehicles were damaged. These bullies created much animosity towards the local workers, and local leaders followed to the end. I don't remember the final outcome, but I don't think the union got their way. At any rate, the bullies went on to create problems elsewhere. The locals? Well many of those heading the local union lost everything they had - including their homes.
Without those hardworking union people those greedy fat-cats wouldn't be able to stuff there pockets of million dollar pay-days for all those years.
I hope you are including the greedy union leaders in that statement. Yes, compensation at the top - and athletes, is totally out of hand. Maybe there should be a cap in relationship to the wage of workers. Again, there are far too many cases where a union protects dead beats at the expense of those that carry the load.
Comments
I was hoping it would be a winner.
Rocky
P.S. Hows the Aura doing, if you know ?
Out of 24,000 UAW Delphi workers 18,800 are going. Not much left to negotiate with? Out of 33,000 union workers 25,100 are going.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said this morning that negotiations with
Delphi Corp., the nation’s largest manufacturer to file for bankruptcy, are
finished.
Gettelfinger said the supplemental agreements negotiated in 2004 and the
recent attrition plan that paid 54,500 hourly workers at General Motors
Corp. and Delphi to leave should be enough. Now his staff members are in
discussions with Delphi on how best to handle operations Delphi wants to
close, consolidate or sale.
“If you take the supplemental agreement and the attrition package that they
have in place, that puts the company where they need to be by any stretch
of the imagination,” Gettelfinger said over breakfast at the UAW’s
Solidarity House in Detroit. “There’s nothing else left for us to
negotiate.”
Delphi plans to close or sell 21 of its 29 U.S. unionized plants and also
filed a motion to cancel billions in supply contracts to GM.
Nothing to negotiate ???? What about the new temps wages and benefits ? I find that interesting !!! I'm going to have to talk to my step-dad or aunt to see whats happening ?
I wouldn't rule out a strike quite yet. We will see for sure by March what happens.
BTW-Rick, and Steve, hate each other and that's why you are seeing such a rapid seperation.
Rocky
P.S. Step-dad is suppose to get a ruling in the next few weeks if he can become a millwright using his journeymens card. I'll get more details as soon as I can get em'
You can blame who you want but there is no way of stopping the onslaught of the rest of the world becoming modernized.
As far as a strike. I cannot see that happening. There is hardly any old guys left. There are only going to be 8 plants left (UAW has agreed to this). The new hires are happy making a decent wage. Do the new hires have no benefits? Any health care or 401k? Any vacation?
There are still over 8000 old workers left. That seems like plenty for 8 plants. Perhaps the new hires will be gone once the plants start closing. So maybe there will be a "disagreement" on pay and benefits for them.
I am interested to hear how well they are selling and hope whomever hears the stats posts them on one of the forums.
Rocky
Well Ron, has to realize the new out numbers the old now and the new are going to at some point want some benefits. I've already heard about the griping from my step-dad. He says his co-workers were told they would have benefits within 6 months of hire. So we will see since that day is quickly approaching.
You can blame who you want but there is no way of stopping the onslaught of the rest of the world becoming modernized.
The faster the better, because that means their standard of living will go up and we won't have to compete with slave labor any more.
As far as a strike. I cannot see that happening. There is hardly any old guys left. There are only going to be 8 plants left (UAW has agreed to this). The new hires are happy making a decent wage. Do the new hires have no benefits? Any health care or 401k? Any vacation?
Dude it's $14 bucks an hour with ZERO benefits. My aunt and step-dad have ZERO benefits right now pal. Nothing, Zero, Zilch !!!!! No vacation, no healthcare, no retirement. I see the new employees if they don't get compensated with some major pay raises to buy their own benefits, and fund their own retirements a strike at Delphi, isn't yet out of the question.
There are still over 8000 old workers left. That seems like plenty for 8 plants. Perhaps the new hires will be gone once the plants start closing. So maybe there will be a "disagreement" on pay and benefits for them.
That is true, but how many of them are going to leave there home state, is the question ???? Remember most plants aren't going to close for almost 2 years.
Rocky
ROTFLMAO
Cars are going up faster than my wages. I'd have to be rich like you to afford such a vehicle or take out a mini- mortgage
Rocky
Turboshadow
Rocky
Rocky
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/AUTO01/610110404
Rocky
P.S. This will be something to watch !!!!
Gettelfinger could be a powerful ally for Wagoner if Kerkorian attempts a proxy fight or other action to gain control of GM.
ROTFLMAO, Ol' Rick and Ron, could join hands to close-line ol' Kerkorkians "Strong-arm" attempts on Rick.
Like there old motto: UAW-GM "teamwork that delivers"
That isn't the way Kerkorkian is seeing it. :P
Rocky
Rocky
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061010/AUTO01/610100354/1148-
Looks Wilbur bought Lears, interior division which was sold to Lear from Delphi.
Rocky
DETROIT -- Toyota Motor Corp. lost some ground to the competition in an annual vehicle value survey released today.
Honda Motor Co. held onto its overall ranking as the best full-line automaker, while General Motors Corp., which won in four segments, was the only domestic automaker with any top-ranked vehicles.
Toyota, which had seven segment winners in 2005, took only three categories in this year's study by Strategic Vision Inc. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Co. gained ground, with its Kia Optima taking the top spot for medium car, the Hyundai Azera winning for larger car, and the Kia Sedona ranking as the top minivan. The Hyundai Tucson tied with GM's Saturn Vue for top-ranked small sport utility vehicle.
San Diego-based Strategic Vision surveyed more than 64,000 people who purchased new vehicles from October 2005 to March 2006. Participants were questioned after 90 days of ownership. The study, separate from Strategic Vision's quality survey, tries to capture whether consumers believe they got their money's worth and factors in emotional components.
Honda took top honors in the small car category for the Civic and in the compact pickup segment with the Ridgeline. The Accord Coupe was the top mid-specialty car, and the Pilot was the top medium crossover SUV.
"One thing about Honda that is just really clear: They have the strongest brand equity of any brand out there," said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision's automotive research group.
Honda has also done an excellent job at innovation, Edwards said. He cited the Ridgeline, which is more expensive than other compact pickups but has features such as a folding rear bench seat and a tailgate that can open either by folding down or by swinging open like a door. Such features, combined with Honda's "perceived reliability and durability," help boost the brand's value, Edwards said.
Toyota is a close second when it comes to brand equity among current owners of the company's vehicles and has done a better job than Honda at using its image to win new buyers, Edwards said. But Toyota has been moving slower than other brands when it comes to innovation, he said.
Edwards said Toyota must be careful not to become complacent.
"Everybody is looking at them and asking, where are they weak?' " he said.
GM, in addition to its tie for small SUV, had segment leaders with the Chevrolet Corvette (small specialty over $25,000), the Corvette convertible (convertible over $30,000), and the Chevrolet Silverado (heavy-duty pickup).
Edwards praised GM for focusing on improving its products and taking steps to wean itself from incentives, which erode a brand's value.
Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group had no winners in any of the categories.
Strategic Vision Inc., a San Diego-based marketing research company and consultant to automakers, released Monday the results of its annual vehicle value survey.
The survey questioned more than 64,000 new vehicle owners about their experiences and whether they believe they got their money's worth. The study includes emotional responses to vehicles.
The top performers by segment:
-- Small car: Honda Civic
-- Small multifunction: Scion xB
-- Medium car: Kia Optima
-- Medium multifunction: Mazda6 Wagon
-- Larger car: Hyundai Azera
-- Near luxury car: BMW 3--Series
-- Luxury multifunction: Audi A4/S4 Avant
-- Luxury car (three--way tie): Lexus LS 430, Acura RL, Audi A8
-- Small specialty under $25K: Mini Cooper
-- Small specialty over $25K: Chevrolet Corvette
-- Mid--specialty: Honda Accord Coupe
-- Convertible under $30K: Mini Cooper Convertible
-- Convertible over $30K: Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
-- Minivan: Kia Sedona
-- Small SUV (tie): Saturn Vue, Hyundai Tucson
-- Medium crossover SUV: Honda Pilot
-- Medium SUV: Nissan Xterra
-- Large SUV: Nissan Armada
-- Near luxury SUV: Lexus RX 330
-- Luxury SUV: Mercedes GL--Class
-- Compact pickup: Honda Ridgeline
-- Full--size pickup: Nissan Titan
-- Heavy--duty pickup: Chevrolet Silverado
-- Best model: Mini Cooper
-- Most improved brand: Honda
-- Best corporation (overall): Honda Motor Co.
Source: Strategic Vision Inc
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061009/AUTO01/610090312/1148- /AUTO01
Rocky
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061009/AUTO02/610090318/1148- /AUTO01
Rocky
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061007/AUTO01/610070379/1148- /AUTO01
Rocky
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061007/AUTO01/610070348/1148- /AUTO01
Rocky
Just de-lurking for a while. All is well. I'm trying to do better on the union bashing ;-)
Yeah, I know could you imagine paying that long ? Not for me either !!!!
I try to limit it to four years, max. I hate making car payments. I'm even thinking of paying the Sentra off early.
This strikes me as odd: I hope something does save GM, because its midsize sedans are such good buys on the used car market. I would love to have a Malibu Maxx SS, but I have to wait until they hit the used car lots because I cannot stand having a large debt. Looks like I'm one of a very few in that department.
Rocky
Rocky
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061006/AUTO01/610060358/1148- /AUTO01
Whats wrong with the H2 and H3 with smaller Duramax's ?
Bingo !!!!
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
P.S. Detroit Free Press version.
Rocky
Gee, you mean the union crapped in their nest again?
Delphi plans to close or sell 21 of its 29 U.S. unionized plants and also filed a motion to cancel billions in supply contracts to GM.
I wonder how Delphi would have done when spun off if it went non-union and didn't have that anchor around it's neck.
Is this another example of past union greed killing the golden goose? OK, I'm ducking.
Give us a report on the history of your car. What problems have you had with it? Have you been satisfied?
Rocky
I still think that is the smart way to buy. Let someone who doesn't worry about it take the first big hit. Cars coming off 2 or 3 year lease offer good value. My last few cars have been daily rentals less than a year old and we have had no problems with them. And, yes, they are Japanese. It goes without saying that you need to choose something with good reliability, especially if 3 years old. My rentals carry MFR warranties plus one from the rental company. Car history records are usually available too. The junk goes to the auction.
And to the original statement...plood in a MB? Which one?
People like my father made a middle class income, and were and currently far from rich. I guess many people in this country, hate the fact that a high school education, and some extensive OJT, could yield a middle class wage ? They label it as greed today. Well back in the day a large sector of our population made a living this way.
Now because we've out-sourced millions of jobs to child-labor country's like China, anyone in manufactoring make more than above poverty gets ripped. :sick:
Rocky
Rocky, your problem is that you have champagne tastes and a Cheerwine wallet.
One of the things the domestics had going for them in the old days was that you could buy from them a pretty nice car without sinking a huge slab of cash up front. They would nickel and dime you on repairs and maintenance on the back side, but parts were cheap and systems were mechanically simple so labor wasn't too bad. European cars cost more to buy and maintain, but they came with cachet so people put up with it. Japanese cars cost more than domestics (for the same size) and were more complicated but after the mid-80s they were vastly more reliable, so the value equation worked in their favor as the domestics slid down from "nice" to "okay" to "okay ten years ago".
Be careful where you point those rose-colored glasses. What you say was true for a certain segment of the population in certain parts of the country, but there were a LOT of people left outside (by force at times) looking in.
You're going to have to explain the "by force" part of your statement. I have a low IQ and don't understand.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If you need an 84 month loan for a new car, walk right out of the dealership and start researching gently used, 3 year old GM cars. You can get a lot of car for a reasonable cost. Buicks, in particular, have a strong rep for reliability. It might not be the coolest rig around, but it'll comfortably transport you from points A to B.
Two words: "strike" and "scab".
An 84 month loan is the height of personal finance stupidity. If a person needs 84 months to pay off a car, THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT! Car dealers are like credit card companies. They prey on the stupidity of consumers and their willingness to pay astronomical amounts of interest to make a personal statement.
If you need an 84 month loan for a new car, walk right out of the dealership and start researching gently used, 3 year old GM cars. You can get a lot of car for a reasonable cost. Buicks, in particular, have a strong rep for reliability. It might not be the coolest rig around, but it'll comfortably transport you from points A to B.
Give us a report on the history of your car. What problems have you had with it? Have you been satisfied?
Overall the car's been pretty reliable. The only warranty work I had done on it was around 35,000 miles, when the power lock actuator in the driver's door went bad. Around 51,000 miles I had the thermostat housing replaced, which was about $210. Then around 88,000 miles the oil pressure light started coming on at idle, but it was a problem with the sensor, and not the actual pressure, and it was fixed by a TSB. Oh, and new front rotors around 99,000 miles, and that's about it for the drama.
Other than that, I've tried to do the oil every 3-4,000 miles, rotate the tires every 3rd oil change (been kinda slack here though). Usually try to do the air filter and pcv valve every 15,000 miles or so, and service the tranny every 30,000 miles or so. It's going in this Monday for what should have been its 120,000 mile tranny service. Did the belts (1 serpentine, 1 v-belt) and coolant around 86,000 miles. New spark plugs at 51,000. New tires at 30,000 miles and again at 76,000. The Yokohamas that are on it now still have plenty of tread on them though. New front brakes at 39K, 69K, and 99K. New rear brakes at 51K and 102K. New battery at 105K (old one was fine, but I didn't want to take any chances).
And the latest expense? Well, on Sunday night somebody decided they needed my front wheel more than I did. I let a friend take my car to work that night, and when he came out to the parking garage, around 1:30 at night, it was sitting up on a jack, with the wheel, hubcap, AND lug nuts missing! :mad: Luckily I found another one in the junkyard on Monday, same hubcap and everything, for $70.
Oh, something else I just forgot...all four door seals shrunk up, and the power assist to the passenger-side mirror died.
Overall I've been pretty satisfied with it. I don't find it to be all that comfortable on longer trips, but I actually have that problem with most newer cars.
LOL, if you call spending $50 large ones Cheerwine. :surprise: I know what ya meant.
One of the things the domestics had going for them in the old days was that you could buy from them a pretty nice car without sinking a huge slab of cash up front. They would nickel and dime you on repairs and maintenance on the back side, but parts were cheap and systems were mechanically simple so labor wasn't too bad. European cars cost more to buy and maintain, but they came with cachet so people put up with it. Japanese cars cost more than domestics (for the same size) and were more complicated but after the mid-80s they were vastly more reliable, so the value equation worked in their favor as the domestics slid down from "nice" to "okay" to "okay ten years ago".
Agree, but the Japanese aren't nearly as over-prices as their European counterparts, and BTW-GM, is catching up with both of them FINALLY !!!!
Rocky
I hope you are including the greedy union leaders in that statement. Yes, compensation at the top - and athletes, is totally out of hand. Maybe there should be a cap in relationship to the wage of workers. Again, there are far too many cases where a union protects dead beats at the expense of those that carry the load.