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Comments
Regards,
OW
Good God! If people thought the UAW-built versions of those cars were bad, the Chinese-built versions are going to make a Yugo look like a Lexus in comparison! They'll be the most hideous abominations since that travesty called a 1958 Packard! I'd sooner the Big Three went extinct than have them carry on like that into the future. It would be like the future of humankind in Planet of the Apes - most are primitive mutes and the rest hideous radioactive mutants!
Here's a 1969 ad with a Cadillac that looks just like my then-girlfriend's car:
Well, there was a '61-62 Caddy in one of those Planet of the Apes movies, "Battle for the Planet of the Apes", I think. Can't remember if it was still running under its own power or horse-drawn, though.
If you wonder how they build cars, go to Wall-Mart and buy a toy for your kid that was made in China and see how long it last.
But we have plenty of our engineers over there training them.
Ironically, Cadillacs cross-town Rival, a Mercury/Lincoln dealership near where I used to live was also one of the most satisfying experiences I've ever had. Bought two pre-owned vehicles from them and had all my Fords serviced there. :shades:
Just goes to show you how tough those early '60s Cadillacs are - they can survive a nuclear war!
I don't remember the year. I was in the Cadillac dealer with my Uncle that loved his Caddies. They had one with the first fake convertible tops. I told the salesman. That has to be the ugliest car I have EVER seen. He was not moved.
I am just to practical to like sedans.
http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/files/993000/993487.html
I liked the higher trim level that used the inset quad headlights above the turn signals. The base model (Scottsdale? Cheyenne?), with the big single headlights looked like a big Chevy LUV to me. Not vomit-inducing, but sort of a wallflower.
I didn't really like it when they went to composite headlights, though. The headlight was about the same size as the turn signal below, and it gave it sort of a Wagon Queen Family Truckster look.
I thought the 1999 Silverado looked good, though. At least until they gave it that "angry appliance" mid-life restyle.
I liked the current Silverado/Sierra when they first came out, but I guess I just got tired of the style pretty quickly. I sat in one about a month ago, and was kinda disappointed. It actually felt smaller inside than my old '85 Silverado!
Exactly, what was with that change? I kind of liked the looks of my 2005 GMC. The new GM trucks since 2007 do nothing for me. They are foo foo trucks. All of the brands. I am looking to replace my current beater 99 Ranger with a 1995 vintage Ford Diesel 3/4 ton. Trying to find one with less than 200k miles. Not easy around here. The 99 Ranger V6 is a gutless gas guzzler.
The BIG 3 could have been smart instead of stupid and filed for bankruptcy 20 years ago, rather than making overpriced crap for the last 30 years. Sounds like the BIG 3 were more interested in padding their own wallets than in the customer's best interests.
I call on all Americans to boycott all of the bailout companies. If the company has received, or even just requested a government bailout/loan/handout/whatever you want to call receiving tax payer money, then I call on all Americans to boycott their products, avoid purchasing their products and/or services.
All of the goods they make will sit on the shelves or parking lots. The companies will eventually go bankrupt or the Gov't will have to REBAIL them out which in turn could lead to our Gov't going bankrupt and requiring a bailout from the Chinese so we can be the United States of China instead. The government will finally learn its lesson that bailouts will backfire and will NOT work. Chrysler was a GIGANTIC bailout failure from long ago, as they sold nothing but lemons since then, costing Americans millions in mechanics bills, and then requesting another 9 BILLION to boot this year for just another bailout yet again!
To that, I say good riddance to the bailout seeking companies as obviously my government representatives are not listening to the voice of the people when they say NO to all of the bailouts!!! Since the Senators and Congressmen won't listen to the people, maybe the gov't and bail out companies can hear our wallets when we boycott them.
No to Big 3 vehicles.
No to AIG Insurance.
No to Bailout Banks including Citigroup/Citibank.
No to bailout Investment Wall Street Firms.
BOYCOTT all of these companies and the US will be a much happier finer place in the years to come!
UAW needs to concede pay parity at the end of the day. Costs rule this plan. Reality bites. You can fight bankruptcy but without a team effort from all sides, failure is certain and bankruptcy will be the final answer.
Cerebus does not want to fund Chrysler...why should Congress loan them billions?
Does anyone smell politics as usual??
Regards,
OW
Like I wrote previously, if the product is second-rate, it gets second-rate considerations. With a capital good, good luck on your business model based on sheer patriotism to your brand.
Funny, I just heard from 62vette's barber that auto sales would receded another 11% in 2009.
My case for $200B bailout costs are warming up quite nicely, thank you very much!
Regards,
OW
If you want vindication, go after the banks who have received bailout money with no strings attached by our CongressFolk and used the money to buy other banks. The story I heard or read was the Citibank used some of the money to buy Guatamalan banks. Yup, that helps our country's credit flow problems a whole lot.
Indeed, I had thought of picking up a used something or other for the kid whenever he decides he wants something short of a Corvette for school. I may buy a new GM car. I fear stepping onto the lot because the deal might be Deal instead of No Deal and the Price Might Be Right. My real problem is knowing which I'd like to end up with, planning for the youngster as well as a vehicle that I'd like. I suspect two cars and trading one of the current ones is in the cards by tax time.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
What to do......what to do.....
Regards,
OW
Introduction
Lincoln hasn't always kept up with the competition in the luxury sedan segment. As rivals evolved with more avant-garde styling, better handing and the latest technology, Lincoln lagged behind, struggling to break free of its antiquated image. Earlier in this decade, the brand introduced its midsize LS sedan to much fanfare, but sales numbers fell short of expectations. More recently, Lincoln rolled out the entry-level MKZ sedan, but in our eyes, this model doesn't do enough to distinguish itself from its mundane Ford Fusion sibling. Now, Ford's premium division is trying again with the 2009 Lincoln MKS.
The MKS is the company's new full-size flagship. It's based on Ford's D3 platform, the same one used on the previous-generation Volvo S80 and the current-generation Ford Taurus. Given this pedigree, you're pretty much guaranteed a roomy interior and good safety scores, but we question whether it's an appropriate choice for what Lincoln identifies as its "luxury flagship." The base MKS is a front-wheel-drive sedan, but an all-wheel-drive option is available. For now, the MKS comes with just one engine: a 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. Next year, Lincoln promises a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that should produce about 340 hp.
The 2009 Lincoln MKS has some things going for it, including a bevy of standard features, an attractively laid out interior and a remarkably comfortable backseat. If these traits appeal to you, Lincon's newest sedan is worth a look. However, overall performance frankly isn't up to snuff, and the interior loses some of its luster upon closer inspection, evincing too many low-quality plastics. There are plenty of other choices to consider at this elevated price point, including the Acura TL, Lexus ES 350 and Volvo S80. The MKS also sits price-wise near the new rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Genesis, and those looking for a similar front-wheel-drive package at a lower price may find the Hyundai Azera or Toyota Avalon more to their liking. In other words, the 2009 MKS -- with a price tag of more than $45,000 when well equipped -- is up against some stiff competition.
Happy shopping!
Regards,
OW
1. Destroyed its driver's window mechanism twice to the tune of $150 each.
2. Cracked its exhaust manifold - requiring a $1000 repair.
3. Decided at 86K miles to start using a quart of oil every 400 miles - -dealer indicated that engine needed rebuilt.
At that point she swapped it for a new Ford Escape.
I bought a new Accord that was so bad, I dumped it at 20K miles. My oldest son had an new Altima that ate 4 transmissions - all under warranty. My other son bought a Nissan Sentra that was a black hole for cash after the warranty ran out. My nephew's Corrolla ate its transmission at 36K miles - requiring a $4000 repair. Sorry - not buying your "inferior" remark - based on our experience. Have I owned bad domestics - Yes - 3 of them (1 Chevy and 2 Chryslers). However, IMO, the new GM and Ford models are very competitive and reliable, and, Chrysler still has major problems.
My 2 cents worth.
OLDCEM
And somebody mentioned boycotting the big three because of the bail out. I guess you don't know that Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, most German cars, they are all subsidized by their governments. So I guess you are going to have to boycott them also. So, what are you going to drive?
1. In the 80's it was the Dodge Caravan.
2. In the 90's it was the LH cars, Intrepid, Concord, LHS.
3. In 2005 they put out the 300c, and that was a huge hit.
4. Now they have put out that amazing Dodge Challenger.
So to say they haven't put out some great cars is not true in my book.
Regards,
OW
1. In the 80's it was the Dodge Caravan.
2. In the 90's it was the LH cars, Intrepid, Concord, LHS.
3. In 2005 they put out the 300c, and that was a huge hit.
4. Now they have put out that amazing Dodge Challenger.
So to say they haven't put out some great cars is not true in my book.
Unfortunately, Chrysler has a knack for building cars that look beautiful and do just about everything right...except when it comes to reliability. The LH cars were pretty troublesome for the first few years, especially with the 3.5 OHC V-6. I think they had most of the problems licked by 1996, but their 4-speed automatic has always been a weak spot, and might still be, to this day. I've also heard that the Rams were pretty bad their first few years out, and those newer, powerful "Magnum" 5.2 and 5.9 V-8's weren't nearly as durable as the older, lower power 318 and 360.
The Neon was pretty bad as well, especially in its early years. And I don't know if they ever, truly, got it right. I've heard that the later 90's models were much improved, and especially the redesigned 2000 model. But then I've heard even they had problems.
Even the "cloud cars" were plagued with problems in the early years. I think the main culprit was transmissions, but I'm sure there were other issues as well.
As for other "got to have cars", don't forget the PT Cruiser! Essentially a Neon in a zoot suit, but it was enough for people to pay above sticker for awhile.
Hopefully they'll be around in another 5 years to pull off another "got to have" car. But I'm not holding my breath. :sick:
Oh that is absolutely probable.
The big cuts in vehicle sales (annual rates close to 10 million) did not happen til October. The first half was much higher. So for this year we may be down 10% from last year. So for the year next year will be down at least 11% from this year.
Can't resurrect Detroit all by myself though, and I already have a boatload of Fords in the livery.....
Heck you're not alone! I do my part for GM as we have 4 GM vehicles in our fleet.
I don't know if the 5-speed they use today is still the Benz unit or not. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a 300 or Charger. I'd definitely stay away from the 2.7 V-6 though. It just doesn't have the power a car this size needs. I know you'd probably want to go full bore and get the Hemi, Lemko. I'd be happy with the 3.5 V-6. More economical than the Hemi, but still quick enough for my needs.
I've got 3 GM and 4 Mopar. However, considering the newest GM is 24 years old, and the newest Mopar is 9, that's not really helping the Big 2.5 much. :sick:
I don't pay any taxes to those governments, so the automakers based in those countries have to win my business on the merits of their product rather than the influence of their lobbyists. So yeah, I'm boycotting the domestics that do take a bailout since they've chosen to extort my money rather than earn it.
So it's OK to buy from a company that extorts money, just so long as it's someone else's money? :shades:
3 problems with that:
1) The subsidies that other nations give to their automakers don't have any negative effect on me (dont use my tax money), and actually help me buy a better product for less cost.
2) The Japanese and German Automakers actually use their subsidies and gov't assistance into improving and providing a superior product. The money goes into making better cars.
3) The Big 3 only use the money to pad their own wallets and those of the lazy incompetent UAW workers. There certainly wasn't much money put into the vehicle.
perfect, perfect, great, very good, very good, very good, good, OK, and OK are the reliability ratings I give them. I still have 5 of them.
22, 22, 11, 15, 7, 20, 14, 13, 11, 10 were/are years old for each.
Only twice in 30 years was it necessary to spend as much as $325 on a repair.
203, 187, 168, 165, 158, 125, 115, 113, 111, and 25 are the miles on them now or when sold, in thousands. Only one puppy in the bunch.
For me, Buying American has meant several cars over many miles between big issues, and I consider a bill fom a shop for $300 a big issue. There is nothing from Japan that the above experience is inferior to.
Regards:
OldCEM
Given my experience with domestics, I'll give the imports a shot. I can tell you that after 45K, the 2006 330xi I leased was perfect.
So far the CR-V seems rock solid.
Regards,
OW
Regards:
OldCEM
Regards:
OldCEM