And that is why denim jackets made in America are part of an automotive forum...plus, I am quite sure that people who have worn denim jackets in the past have also owned, driven, and maintained cars, and may have even posted on Edmunds...now THAT'S on topic... :P
So, Motorcity, did Ford reply to your query of the 113 top end of the V6 mustang? Lately, I've had the hots for a Camaro or Mustang . . . kinda leaning toward the Ford, though. But, here's the conundrum: The Chevy doesn't have a driver's seat lumbar support (as far as I know), and the Ford doesn't have telescopic steering. I'm of the age where I need both! Now, I doubt I'd need to hit 113, but I've been known to exceed that a few times in the past.
Perhaps Ford is looking out for 16 year olds who get a V6 Mustang for graduation? Just a thought.
Then Ford should offer those kids getting Mustangs for graduation a "track day" rebate offer, or something to that effect. Or maybe some high performance drivers training that would teach them there is a time and a place for 113+ MPH that makes it safe to do so (depending on road and traffic conditions).
With a bit of education and training they should learn that 113+ isn't safe on your local residential road, and the limiter won't be necessary. Remember, speed is never really the cause of any accident. If speed is even a factor is usually in the context of going too fast for conditions (curve, ice, rain, tires, traffic).
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
How did you like the Employment status released Friday 6/4/10???? 41,000 private industry jobs created, 390,000 govt jobs added whoopee!!!! census takers, temp labor..The stock market loved the "Good News"..The Bears took over and sifted thru the BS..It was another great "Shorting Session". Love that feeling when the S&P sinks, I go to the bank... The funny part is that the "White House" thought it was a great economic recovery report..Kinda reminds me of the early $5 billion loan payback that GM made some 45 days ago by using a different "Credit Card".
Just remember that the UAW and Obama are big pals. They should all be happy right now!
Perhaps Ford is looking out for 16 year olds who get a V6 Mustang for graduation? Just a thought.
Then Ford should offer those kids getting Mustangs for graduation a "track day" rebate offer, or something to that effect. Or maybe some high performance drivers training that would teach them there is a time and a place for 113+ MPH that makes it safe to do so (depending on road and traffic conditions).
With Ford being so innovative lately in the cockpit, here's a great idea (Ford, are you listening?) - you know how the iPod has a setting where you can limit the max volume to protect kid's ears? How about Ford or somebody else adding to their software a setting where the owner can configure the rev limiter limit speed anywhere between say, 85 and 130 mph? Then protect the setting with a password! It is that kind of innovation that could be a great advertising feature.
>The LAST thing I'd want to see is students being taught to pass a test as opposed to the material the test covers. I think we do see this
I've tutored some students as well as serving as teacher-at-home for my own student. I agree that everything is the test. When he was in elementary, there were 5 topic tests. He got a perfect on the social studies test. The teachers didn't necessarily have it figured out to teach to the test, but he was a great memorizer.
In high school, Ohio had decided to revamp their high school tests because of the pressures from politicians. Now they're talking about a new way of testing, perhaps using the ACT to test for learning.
> too many people pulling in way too many directions, and nothing ends up getting done.
Politicians got involved after the old folk here, with large three-bedroom homes, two new cars, and winters spent in Florida started complaining about paying taxes to support someone else's kids. They're the same folks who didn't think they should pay for anything after they reached 65: it should all be free.
So now we have politicians trying to be educators. Doesn't work, at least in Ohio, the average IQ is less than the educators'.
>equal responsibility placed on the student, parents, and teachers for the student's education.
Totally agree. There is one factor that when we say teachers we should mean teachers, not administrators and know-it-alls in suits in officers in regionaal education centers and in Columbus. Let the actual classroom teachers run the show.
>".....Funny how the teachers' unions oppose merit-based pay because "testing measures are too flawed". Never mind that they expect their kids to be evaluated with tests.
I think we're blending different aspects here. Testing is an assessment. It varies. It certainly is not suitable for being a single nor part of a small group of assessments for teacher efficacy. Merit pay is a cover term for other goals in state political circles. Another comparison would be whether we can use how a neighbor's kids turn out based on your proximity to them during their growing years. Or how your brother and sister's children do because you have contact with them since they were born.
However, when using a test for a large number of students with multiple teachers, in multiple elementaries (7) in a school district, it gives a good indication of how well that district is doing for comparison with other districts.
The American education system has been used as the whipping boy for the failures of the politicians through the recent years and by political groups through those same years. It's not the education of many youngsters that is a problem, it is the social experience of many of those youngsters in a welfare-based society that will hurt our future and has already done so. That's why I see education worth discussing as part of the American cars topic.
When we moved to our little "Nothing" Town 25 miles south of Atlanta, it was known as a bedroom community. Not much going on and the stores were pretty much M&P owned.
Then a Walmart moved in. A lot of the M&Ps folded but a lot of them got the picture and started expanding their businesses. Theme being, if there is enough business for a big box store, why have the small stores remained stagnant for so long?
Teenagers suddenly had a place to work after school, at Walmart. Other stores opened near or next to Walmart for those folks that couldn't find what they wanted at Wally World. Then a K-Mart and a Target, then a Home Depot followed by a Lowes. Specialty shops for men and the same for women. Automotive Parts stores and the list goes on and on. There are two Ace Hardware stores where there used to be one. Even though there are a ton of eating franchises available, there are new eating places opening every month. The economy is doing well and thousands of people have been put to work.
The mom and Pop stores that have remained in business are doing well. Those with some drive and innovation are living better than ever. Those with a lazy streak are failing. Example: Two general clothing stores were in town. One 5-6 miles east of town and the other about 2 miles south of town.
When the big box stores moved in, the one on the south side "Trading Post" did pretty much nothing that was obvious. When we drive by there now there will likely be only one car in front. Most likely the owners. The other store "Smith and Davis" opened a larger store across the street from their original location. Their business is booming and there are several employees. Add to that dozens of other clothing stores, here now!
"...WalMart says they want to sell denim jackets for $19.99...Levi, made in America, must sell for $29.99...Levi has a simple choice, either move manufacturing to meet WM's price, or tell WM to go to H*ll...they chose to move..."
I would have paid $29 for the Levi, just to get the little red tag. But absolutely not the typical $52-$72 they were going for. Strange thing is that when I finally found it for $20, it was at a specially store. So even they were trying to gouge at their original $60+ price. I doubt seriously if they were loosing money at the $20 price.
Problem for me is that even though Levi is now made over seas, they still try to give the impression they are " Original Authentic American" products. Still trying to sell the Chinese made product for American made prices. :sick:
I just weighed the Wrangler Denim Jacket at 2# and 3 oz. The Levi jacket at 2# and 2 oz.. To my way of thinking neither is superior to the other and should sell for the same. Levi is running on a name that used to mean something and they are headed the way of the D3. :sick:
a setting where the owner can configure the rev limiter limit speed anywhere between say, 85 and 130 mph? Then protect the setting with a password! It is that kind of innovation that could be a great advertising feature.
Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes the way out of an accident is to hit the accelerator. If someone were to hit the accelerator and get unintended non-acceleration it could be disastrous (such as when passing on a 2-lane highway).
Also, I can see it now; headlines read.... A parent sues Ford because their daughter got raped by a madman who chased her down in a Honda Fit. The daughter had a Mustang, and a car chase ensued. She should have been able to LOSE and outrun the rapist, but he caught up to her and stopped her thanks to a speed limiter feature. Ford says the Parents should blame themselves for setting it at 85 MPH.....
:sick:
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes the way out of an accident is to hit the accelerator. If someone were to hit the accelerator and get unintended non-acceleration it could be disastrous (such as when passing on a 2-lane highway).
I assumed that when we say a rev limiter we really mean a speed limiter. So in your example you should have any amount of acceleration until the speed reaches the upper limit. IMHO if you need 113 mph to get out of an accident situation you are already driving too fast. :surprise:
I think you made my point...all that WalMart did was kill the M&P stores that got fat and happy with their little monopoly...those that woke up and competed can, indeed, compete...
25 miles south of Atlanta...sounds like Newnan/Moreland area to me if down I-85, and down I-75, maybe Lovejoy area???
>"25 miles south of Atlanta...sounds like Newnan/Moreland area to me if down I-85, and down I-75, maybe Lovejoy area??? "
Real close! We live in Fayetteville.
Newnan is 25 miles West of us, and Lovejoy is 9 miles East of us. Peachtree City is about halfway between Fayetteville and Newnan. About 9 miles East of Lovejoy is Stockbridge. Newnan and Stockbridge are growing in leaps and bounds as they are both easy access to X-Ways.
Interesting that Fayetteville is sandwiched about half way between I-85 and I-75 on highway 54. It was a forgotten little town in the middle of nowhere. . Then Walmart moved in and things began to happen. Don't know why they chose to build here first, in this part of the world.
But they did and were successful. Then they built one in Newnan, then Stockbridge, then PT City, and they all began to grow. The newest one is in Lovejoy, and instantly a shopping center sprang up around them as it did in the other locations.
These small towns aren't so small any more, And I personally miss that.
FWIW: my BIL has very little ambition and stuck with the same type job he started with out of High School. Stocking groceries. Several of the stores he worked at over the years closed their doors. But there was always another that needed help. Some of the stores were union. He started working at Walmart a few years ago and has better pay and bennefits than at any of the other stores.
A friend drove 18 wheelers for "True Value" hardware. He wouldn't go in a Walmart or Home Depot because of what he conceived they were doing to M&Ps. One day a friend of his told him of an opening at Walmart, driving 18 wheelers, and with pretty good pay. He applied and got the job. ( Hypocrit? :P ) He was delighted to discover he had choices as to how he worked. (Local, long distance, days) He chose 4 days on and 4 days off and intermediate runs. Me thinks 600+/- miles are about the fartherest he goes. He says Walmart's efficiency is incredible as he rarely drives "bobtail" or pulls an empty trailer more than a few miles and his last "drop" ends up very close to his home base. His pay, bennefits, and perks are much better than he ever had at his other jobs. The equipment is top notch.
Baffling to me how so many folks will condemn this American Success story. Seems I saw on TV that Walmart is the largest employer in the world.
Yet they cheer an automobile industry (B3) that "assemble" cars with parts from all over the world. Parts that may also be used in the "EVIL" imports. They gleefully clap when Toyota's acceleration problems came to light, but play down the part where the faulty gas pedals were manufactured. So Ford and GM are quietly recalling certain vehicles that use the same pedal.
We need to face the fact that we do still have a viable automotive industry that supports a lot of American workers. Doesn't make a rat's "behind" to me where the corporate profits go, as long as the American work force have a place to earn a living every day. That makes more sense, to me, than buying an American name brand that was made elsewhere by non American workers.
"Interesting that Fayetteville is sandwiched about half way between I-85 and I-75 on highway 54. It was a forgotten little town in the middle of nowhere. . Then Walmart moved in and things began to happen"...
Whenever possible, Walmart tries to buy land where it is cheap but where they see growth in the next few years...they just repeat what Disney did in Florida, over and over...plus, sometimes they buy the land and it simply goes up BECAUSE Walmart went there and now traffic comes there in greater quantities than before...that is also why you may notice that while a Walmart is being built, the local roads leading to it are often expanded from 2 to 4 lanes, or they may rebuild an interstate exit ramp from 1 lane to 3 or 4...their drawing power is amazing, and I am sick and tired of folks moaning and whining that Walmart put them out of business...your BIL's experience is common...they often do pay well, or have great benefits, EXCEPT for the lowest level workers who have the least skill and the least to offer ANY employer...let's face it, any quasi-literate person can stock Corn Flakes on the shelf, so they are barely worth the minimum wage, certainly no benefits or any other perks...
>"...let's face it, any quasi-literate person can stock Corn Flakes on the shelf, so they are barely worth the minimum wage, certainly no benefits or any other perks... "
But if they are working full time at Walmart, they do get the salary to compliment their skills, and also the perks. That is one reason Walmart often hires someone Part time. They can see how the person works out before commiting to full time employment.
They may have to figure how to place Corn Flakes and several other items on different shelves. They may also have to find an empty buggy and bring those items out of the store room. Whereas some of the folks, on some assembly lines, only have skill enough to handle one operation.
Ford has replied twice, nothing that covers the question about top end-113..I also requested that I didn't want my name/email given to a local dealer so they could start hounding me..I will probably go to a dealer in Sarasota for they handle the Shelby and one other converter..Also need an automatic, no 6 spd stick which comes with the performance pkg, $1995 up charge..or let's say all tests so far have been with the 6-stick..The suspension & brake part of the package is identical to the V-8 upgrade, with Z-rated tires..The std 2011 V-6 Mustang comes with T rated tires so that's where we get the 113-top..however no such T-rated tires on any V-8 offering..The good part of the of the performance package on the V-6 side is that one does not have to buy the premium upgraded Mustang, leather and other toys..Barebone model with cloth seats, a/c, radio, and elec windows...is all I want..today!!!!
Not a fan of the low-profile tires where the outer end of the rim is about 1-1/2" from the roadbed..One pothole and you reach for the wallet..One does find an occasional pothole in SW Florida.
Been a member of Sam' Club and Costcos since their inception from my Detroit days..Dropped the Costcos in 2003 due to no stores and from Venice the nearest one is 70 miles away..Sam's is losing it's glow and Walmart is not my mainstay..My business membership is only $35/yr, so it' no big deal, 2 stores about 20 miles away..My last trip on 4/22/10 to Sam's was $192.35 with $49.00 for Bounty, Charmin and Kleenex.., 46. on fish products, 36 on wine, 40 on razor blades, and balance on crackers,apples, fruit,and dumb things.No chicken breasts for they stopped handling Perdue, boned or plain breasts, and I don't buy Sam's private label poultry or meat products..probably getting it from Tyson, yuck!!!! or some low-cost sweat shop..road-kill!!!
Couple Sunday's ago I was looking at a Target ad and the Bounty ad caught my attention, 12pk giant-rolls=18 regular rolls, Sam's was 12 Super-rolls=22 regular rolls, I paid .22 cents more for my purchase at Sam's Club.. or 1 cent/regular roll.. Dangerous game, and not very exciting..On the flip side where Sam's Club wins is on the purchase of Charmin 36 Big-rolls=72 regular rolls versus Target's 18 Big roll=36 regular, however I had to buy twice as much to save .02 cents a roll at Sam's. Now that is building up my estate, big time, the kids will love me..
I could buy a Prius and cut my gas bill in half, but I don't seem to have any interest in pursuing that angle..Electric motors, lots of batteries, and a wee-little engine ain't my vision of motoring..Skinny little tires too boot!!!, I am going over to the Camry dealer tomorrow to have the oil changed in my friend's car, so I will look over the current Asian offerings and I am sure they will try to sell me something---2002 Camry SLE w/80k miles, a "Gold Mine" for the service dept. a belt or air filter is the usual spiel...............
"Ace is the Place", so I really want to avoid getting into Lowes or Home Depot..just another tiring trip into acres of items I don't need..Ace is small, personal, and filled with my items that I remember before the BigBox guys invaded the hardware game..
That is one reason Walmart often hires someone Part time. They can see how the person works out before commiting to full time employment
I've been in a team leadership role a few years, and I am astonished with the difference between someone who values their job and someone who really doesn't. That is why companies hire part time or even a summer intern first before committing to full time. My company has very few college new hire positions open but a ton of intern or summer positions. That's how my engineer son go his $60K/yr job, started out as a summer intern, then hired right out of college.
Just showing up to work on time sober is a big deal to some people. It's amazing! Then we start talking about having a positive or negative attitude that wears off on co-workers and surely shows up to your customers.
And, from my years of interviewing applicants for assistants in the past, I am simply amazed, no, shocked, at the uncaring attitude of some applicants...they think they are doing me a favor just showing up...those interviews go quickly, of course...
I used to give spelling and math tests to prospective applicants...it was 8th grade math and words taken from Reader's Digest (circle the word spelled correctly)...I was amazed at the misspelled words from high school graduates and their inability to do simple math...all they did was giggle while they took the test...
While I don't expect them to be as serious as the President, I do expect some seriousness...
That is why, in the future, it will be EASY for an intelligent kid/young adult to rise to the top...when they see how lackadaisical their competition is, rising to the top will be a piece of cake, as too many of our HS grads are simply lackeys...
Also, when I see how worthless/shiftless so many folks can be, I am amazed that America, as a nation, has advanced this far in the last 50 years...
Remember studies show that "interviews" are one of the worst and most useless ways to judge an applicant applying for a job. I don't know why job interviews are so popular in our culture given their lack of worth in predicting on the job performance. They are a terrible predictor. They really have no relation at all to reviewing qualifications. I learned this also in a Human Resources class I had to take in college.
That is why I liked my recent census job and how I was hired. I was told by my supervisor well after being hired, that the basic knowledge test was 100% of the basis of being hired, except for the affirmative action given to Veterans 5 pts, and disabled veterans 10pts. So a total possible 110 points with the test being 100 of them. Only the highest scoring people were hired.
Funny, I thought affirmative action/discrimination was outlawed in the US and CA years ago..... but we still do it for Veterans? Strange.... I think we should just hire the best there is for the job. I'm sorry, but I don't see how being a veteran makes you more qualified for most jobs.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
".....Politicians got involved after the old folk here, with large three-bedroom homes, two new cars, and winters spent in Florida started complaining about paying taxes to support someone else's kids. They're the same folks who didn't think they should pay for anything after they reached 65: it should all be free."
Yeah, the same snow birds who spend 4 months down there, claim they spend 6 so they can be a "Floridian" to avoid paying taxes in their home (read: REAL) state, seem to forget that there were 65 year olds 40 years ago that were paying taxes so THEIR kids could go to school. Hypocrites.
>claim they spend 6 so they can be a "Floridian" to avoid paying taxes in their home (
Many kept their residence in Ohio so they didn't have to meet more strenous Florida eyesight testing for driver licensing. But that changed several years back. I believe it had something to do with lots of publicity after an Ohio driver killed several people driving into a crowd of people.
I respect what you say, but the math test I gave them was directly related to the job skills necessary to perform their job...and their performance was often terrible, and, frankly, the personal interview just saved me the time of hiring them, only to waste my time and money, and then fire them...and, as far as not being able to spell Reader's Digest words, sorry, I learned enough about them to know they were incompetent for what I needed them to do...for another job, they may be quite good, but for a job requiring basic math and spelling skills, forget them...YOU hire them, save me the agony of wasted time...
Remember studies show that "interviews" are one of the worst and most useless ways to judge an applicant applying for a job. I don't know why job interviews are so popular in our culture given their lack of worth in predicting on the job performance. They are a terrible predictor. They really have no relation at all to reviewing qualifications. I learned this also in a Human Resources class I had to take in college.
Well based upon probably over a hundred interviews I've done for technical positions over the years, I'll disagree. Every technique weeds out people who aren't very qualified:
- bad resumes show a person doesn't have the attention to detail to make a good showing of his most important marketing document - in a job where communication is important, an interview can show you whether somebody can't competently carry on a conversation, or answer questions on the fly. It also can tell you if some of the resume qualifications are BS if you ask the right questions - the degree shows not just a person's knowledge, but a person's willingness to stick with a task that may not always be fun but will yield bigger benefits in the long haul. These are the types of people who are usually valuable on tough projects - focused, determined, willing to work hard to see the work through to the end
Perhaps interviews are not so valuable for sweeping floors or putting wheels on cars.
>Well based upon probably over a hundred interviews
We agree.
On another tact used rarely..., I recall long ago that I was shocked when I went for an interview for a different job and the person ask me to interview them. I believe now that was a little too sophisticated at that level of employment, but the ability to know in advance what questions one wants to ask about the job, employment environment, etc., and then ask those where the potential employee knows they will be in charge of the interview, is an interesting technique for determining a person's ability to think on the fly and be in charge. It wasn't appropriate for the interview I was in, but I guess the person thought they were being progressive and chic in their technique.
I think you misunderstood me. I think basic knowledge and skills tests are an excellent hiring tool to be used. I just think "job interviews" are mostly a waste of time as statistics show they are a terrible job performance predictor. When I say interview I mean the generic cliched interview questions like what are your strengths and weaknesses, and blah blah blah.
Unless the job is for a salesman or politician, interview skills on the fly or memorized (maybe good for an actor) don't really matter in a lot of jobs. Obviously they should be able to communicate, but you don't need a personal interview for that.
I agree a degree is important and shows accomplishment. I just don't know that hiring the best "talker" is going to get you far for the people who think interviews are great.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
The best hire my wife ever made was a guy who was self-taught and enthusiastic about the subject. Hired him over three other finalists who had degrees.
Not all interviewers are qualified to do that job.
Those that are qualified can be a great asset to the company.
For instance: If a potential employee seems more interested in salary, perks and bennefits than what he/she would be expected to do on the job, I would be wary. If their attention seems to stray when I'm telling them about the company expectations, I would be wary. If they don't inquire about chances for advancement, retirement and other indicators that they are looking for long term employment, I would be wary.
Of course the potential employees are interested in pay and perks, and should be. But if they don't care enough about the job required to receive those items, it would likely be a questionable hire.
Only a face to face interview can reveal many things.
Maybe if the B3 had spent more time on quality interviews, their work force would actually understand the importance of doing a quality job and not killing the goose ! Maybe the union leaders would be more concerned about keeping a crew of high quality workers.
As it is now, the B3 are, in ways, worse off than an established foreign manufacturer that recently came to these shores. Not only do the B3 have to build quality products, they need to do serious damage control from the crap they built for so many years. And they need to stop telling lies! We remember those too.
Heck, I thought of an idea of creating an agency of "professional interviewees" and using charismatic, attractive people masquerading as the people to be interviewed. This would be for people who were qualified for the job offered, but whose appearance and or social skills were lacking. Of course, the HR guy might be impressed with the dashing young man he just interviewed, hired him on Friday, and be appalled at the disgusting old toad who came in on Monday morning! :P
Downside of the whole deal is that the "Performance Pkg" is not available with the 6 spd auto...The suspension and brake upgrade with performance pkg is an attractive option but manual transmission is not my desire..since other people will probably need on occasion to drive and grind gears..
Don't want Z-rated tires for their life span is short, so I ask the dealer if the factory will furnish H-rated rubber with an upgraded suspension w/auto tranny, then tweek the top end, legally. The std V-6 2011 Stang comes with T-rated rubber so the dealer would be liable if the car was reprogrammed to a higher top end..
I am not really fond of H-rated tires for I buy T-rated high priced Michelin "Harmony" tires, inflate to high limits and don't worry about the speed and they last forever..I don't slid or drift around corners..Entry-level Michelin Pilots are okay..However when ordering tires online one may have to fudge the facts for if the car is equipped from the factory with H or higher-rated tires they will not ship a lesser rated tire..I just did very thing..
The Camaro comes with different sized tires on rear and front, so any rotation is out of question?? The fat tires on the rear and the skinny on the front..Blah!
I see where Buicks are the Chinese favorite rickshaw..check that nameplate off to never again buy............my options are diminishing...
I've bought and owned and experienced both US and Japanese makes, along with a german made vehicle now, so I've tried all relevant continents when it comes to autos.
I went from Dodge, to Honda, to Audi.
My parents owned Honda, VW, Toyota, and now Lexus. My brother's always gotten Toyota's/Lexus' .
Frankly, based on my experiences, I'd have to be delusional and psychotic to purchase another "American" vehicle over a Japanese or German one.
Also, the Dodge had major portions/parts manufactured and assembled in Mexico, so I'd avoid them at all costs too.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
To be brutally honest, based on my experiences, I'd have to be delusional, psychotic, smoking blunts the size of telephone poles, crack rocks the size of boulders, shooting up heroin with a turkey baster, snorting cocaine with an industrial vacuum cleaner, just drank the entire Jack Daniels distillery and starting on Jim Beam's, worshiping the devil, renouncing my citizenship, and have been lobotomized by having an I-beam dropped 65 stories onto the front of my skull to ever purchase a Japanese or German vehicle over an American one.
Also, the Dodge had major portions/parts manufactured and assembled in Mexico, so I'd avoid them at all costs too.
I noticed in a recent news article that well over HALF of GMs employees are employed OUTSIDE THE USA. I believe it was around 70K US employees and a total over 200K. So more like a third are employed in the US.
So other than where corporate headquarters are, it barely matters -- almost all cars sold here are American, and also not American!
Gee, that demonstrates that two brutally honest people can have totally opposite experiences with cars manufactured in the same countries. I have no doubt that either of your experiences were anything but genuine and honestly stated. But, come on, folks; NEITHER of your experiences were representative of the entire country's auto production. There are great American cars, and there are junk American cars; there are excellent Japanese cars; and there are junk Japanese cars. Those people who are discriminating and reasonably well informed about the brands of cars they buy can avoid the junk; but the uninformed or misinformed buyer is likely to get screwed regardless of what country's cars they buy: (Lemko; since all American cars are better than imports; how about trading your Cadillac for a Ford Pinto; or a Chevy Vega or Cavalier; or a Jeep Grand Cherokee; or a Cadillac with the infamous 4-6-8 motor???). And Andres; since all Japanese and German cars are better than American ones; would you trade your parents Honda for a VW Rabbit diesel (If you're not familiar with this model, it was infamous for engines blowing up in 60,000 miles), or a 1960's classic VW beetle which, although it became a cult symbol, was also known for having the oil cooler designed so that it blocked the flow of cooling air to # 2 cylinder; which led to several towns along the major highways in sweltering hot central California become known as VW graveyards in summertime.
Or, how about the brand new BMW R50 motorcycle which I proudly bought and lovingly cared for in 1964; and which subsequently went through two transmissions, two magnetos, and 5 sets of pistons in the first 18,000 miles. When it was a year old, I was able to find someone who bought it from me for $600, after I disclosed all the warranty problems I had. He eventually tore the motor down and found that the original oil pump was defective. But that still didn't account for the transmission and magneto problems.) So I will never own another BMW; but I have owned two Suzuki motorcycles that I bought new; and both of them have been absolutely trouble free; as has my Geo Metro car (built by Suzuki). Yet I have seen repeated problems with my customers' Honda drivelines, electrical systems, and brake life; so I don't recommend Hondas to people.
And then there is the wealthy neighbor that used to live next door to me; who once bought a new Porsche competition model back in the 1950s. That car was designed with an exotic roller bearing crankshaft; which had a big appeal to the technically minded. But when the engine made strange noises since day one; he eventually tore it down, and found that three of the rollers had been left out of the crankshaft bearings at the factory!!!
There is no such thing as a country which only builds good cars. There are only narrow minded, blindly loyal people who have not owned one of the many bad ones.
... or a 1960's classic VW beetle which, although it became a cult symbol, was also known for having the oil cooler designed so that it blocked the flow of cooling air to # 2 cylinder; which led to several towns along the major highways in sweltering hot central California become known as VW graveyards in summertime.
Just to nitpick, it was cylinder #3. And while I would call it a vulnerability, if you kept the valves adjusted you could easily get 100K on the engine. If the valves ever got tight then they would overheat. I got 129K on a rebuild and it was still running when I sold it after the first rebuild at 103K. This was a '66 bug.
Yet I have seen repeated problems with my customers' Honda drivelines, electrical systems, and brake life; so I don't recommend Hondas to people.
Another nitpick, you do realize that brake life is a wear and tear maintenance item, not a repair item? Complaining about brake life is a function of how it's driven too, and is similar to complaining about brake dust, something only JD Powers would stoop to.
That being said, yes, Honda does use cheap brake pads from the factory and they don't last very long (30K miles for me). The rotors were fine though. Wear and tear items are forgiveable, transmissions and head gaskets and A/C systems are not.
Also, I don't remember Lemko ever saying he's personally owned a German or Japanese vehicle. I've PERSONALLY owned from all 3 Continents. I think it's true you can get a bad Japanese car, but not so true you can get a bad Toyota or Honda. They've been pretty stellar throughout the entire line up from Tercels to Supras, or CRX's to Ridgelines.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Also, I don't remember Lemko ever saying he's personally owned a German or Japanese vehicle. I've PERSONALLY owned from all 3 Continents. I think it's true you can get a bad Japanese car, but not so true you can get a bad Toyota or Honda. They've been pretty stellar throughout the entire line up from Tercels to Supras, or CRX's to Ridgelines.
I've also personally owned from all continents. The US make was durable, but the engine and transmission were Japanese (Nissan) which probably accounts for the high drivetrain reliability. The body was US made and while durable, the assembly was by far the worst of all the vehicles. Crooked interior parts, erratic electrical, ripped soundproofing, etc. The Japanese cars have been by far the most reliable. The earlier Honda was a great handler. The latest Acura is a bit of a pig in handling but is very reliable. The German cars were very reliable (Jetta) and fairly reliable (Audi), but were very expensive to fix. The VW dealer service sucked and the Audi service was better. But the German cars were by far the most satisfying to drive.
"I think it's true you can get a bad Japanese car, but not so true you can get a bad Toyota or Honda. They've been pretty stellar throughout the entire line up from Tercels to Supras, or CRX's to Ridgelines."
Sounds like you're not familiar with the cylinder head design problems in the 1976-77 Accords: They blew head gaskets regularly; until Honda redesigned the head castings and replaced scads of engines that were damaged by this flaw.
When Toyota came out with their first DOHC 3 liter V-6 (3VZ-FE) in the 1992 Camry; there were all sorts of design problems that resulted in major engine damage. Toyota did a massive recall; which led to the dealership lots being filled with broken Camrys waiting for repairs. Whatever changes they made were apparently not enough; so they completely dropped the 3VZ-FE after its second year of production, and replaced it with the 1MZ-FE. The 3VZ-FE was probably the shortest lived engine model ever to come from a major Japanese manufacturer.
There was also a series of bad cylinder heads used on the 4 cylinder Toyota engines of the late 1980s, which developed cracks in normal use. Machine shops which were around in that era knew this problem very well.
That's what I was saying; having owned one or two cars in only one or two model years from a given country does not qualify a person as being knowledgable about the overall quality of that country's vehicles. Even with a manufacturer whose cars have the highest defect rate; any buyer has a much less than 50% chance of getting one of those defective vehicles. So you would have to personally experience at least dozens of cars from each manufacturer in a given country over a series of model years before you could get a valid sense of the level of quality of that country's vehicles. THIS IS WHY THERE IS SO MUCH DISPUTE ABOUT WHETHER CERTAIN BRANDS OF CARS ARE GOOD OR BAD. MANY BUYERS WILL NEVER SEE THE BAD ONES. SO WHEN THEY HEAR OF SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEMS WITH A CAR THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD TROUBLE WITH; THEY FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE. And that is why sources like Consumer Reports; which compiles data from hundreds of owners experiences with a given model, are far more reliable than your own experience; or the experiences of any 5 or 10 people you know.
Another way to open your eyes about quality issues with a given brand of car is to go to the Edmunds Recall and Technical Service Bulletin page (http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/select.html) and type in the year and model of a car on which you'd like to see the kind of problems the factory has identified and had to deal with. For a good example; try "2005 Honda Odyssey EX 4 door minivan with leather, Nav, and entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)" How many problems do you expect the factory would have identified on this model? (the answer is 123). On the right side of the page, after you enter the year and model, you'll see a list of factory Technical Service Bulletins. Then scroll down below the list and read the details of these problems. Try that with cars from different countries and manufacturers, and compare the number and seriousness of the issues reported. It is best to pick models which are about 3 to 5 years old; as it takes time before many issues are identified and reported.
Well, cars like Pintos, Cavaliers, and Vegas were never on my shopping list regardless of who manufactured them or their country of origin. I would've been as likely to buy one of them as I would've a Corolla or Civic.
Per the V-8-6-4, it wasn't a bad engine if you disconnected the device that enabled the V-8-6-4 function and ran it as a V-8 only. I was a great idea that came too soon. The technology just wasn't there in 1981 to make it feasible. You can tell a V-8-6-4 engine by the unusual tall valve covers which housed solenoids. Amazingly, I discovered that Cadillac still used this same engine in limousines through 1984. Now if you want to talk about a crap engine, let's talk about the HT4100! Of course, I avoided it and the Diesel because I do my research as you mentioned in your post.
"having an I-beam dropped 65 stories onto the front of my skull to ever purchase a Japanese or German vehicle over an American one."
lemko, like always, you speak in ambiguities... ...are you trying to say that Japanese and German vehicle are NOT on the top of your buying list???...you beat around the bush so much, I never really know what you are trying to communicate...NOT... :P :shades:
Comments
I guess that I'm in the wrong place. :confuse:
http://www.allamericanclothing.com/products/W31.html
$51.00, and if you make an order of over $99, shipping is free. Go for it. What do you have to lose???
Wal-Mart sells a lot of auto parts, and we use the cheap denim jackets they sell there to wipe our hands off when we're done changing the oil.
How about this for an An American Electric Car by Way of China and Japan? (NY TImes)
“We offer American technology in a car with a real rear seat and full trunk space,"
I think a Honda Fit would beat the 2011 mustang in a freeway race because of this idiocy.
Now that's just sad, pathetic. Still, it's a very nice car. Hp and mileage and looks are impressive.
Perhaps Ford is looking out for 16 year olds who get a V6 Mustang for graduation? Just a thought.
Then Ford should offer those kids getting Mustangs for graduation a "track day" rebate offer, or something to that effect. Or maybe some high performance drivers training that would teach them there is a time and a place for 113+ MPH that makes it safe to do so (depending on road and traffic conditions).
With a bit of education and training they should learn that 113+ isn't safe on your local residential road, and the limiter won't be necessary. Remember, speed is never really the cause of any accident. If speed is even a factor is usually in the context of going too fast for conditions (curve, ice, rain, tires, traffic).
Just remember that the UAW and Obama are big pals. They should all be happy right now!
Hey fintail, you are pretty young for being so cynical!
Then Ford should offer those kids getting Mustangs for graduation a "track day" rebate offer, or something to that effect. Or maybe some high performance drivers training that would teach them there is a time and a place for 113+ MPH that makes it safe to do so (depending on road and traffic conditions).
With Ford being so innovative lately in the cockpit, here's a great idea (Ford, are you listening?) - you know how the iPod has a setting where you can limit the max volume to protect kid's ears? How about Ford or somebody else adding to their software a setting where the owner can configure the rev limiter limit speed anywhere between say, 85 and 130 mph? Then protect the setting with a password! It is that kind of innovation that could be a great advertising feature.
I've tutored some students as well as serving as teacher-at-home for my own student. I agree that everything is the test. When he was in elementary, there were 5 topic tests. He got a perfect on the social studies test. The teachers didn't necessarily have it figured out to teach to the test, but he was a great memorizer.
In high school, Ohio had decided to revamp their high school tests because of the pressures from politicians. Now they're talking about a new way of testing, perhaps using the ACT to test for learning.
> too many people pulling in way too many directions, and nothing ends up getting done.
Politicians got involved after the old folk here, with large three-bedroom homes, two new cars, and winters spent in Florida started complaining about paying taxes to support someone else's kids. They're the same folks who didn't think they should pay for anything after they reached 65: it should all be free.
So now we have politicians trying to be educators. Doesn't work, at least in Ohio, the average IQ is less than the educators'.
>equal responsibility placed on the student, parents, and teachers for the student's education.
Totally agree. There is one factor that when we say teachers we should mean teachers, not administrators and know-it-alls in suits in officers in regionaal education centers and in Columbus. Let the actual classroom teachers run the show.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I think we're blending different aspects here. Testing is an assessment. It varies. It certainly is not suitable for being a single nor part of a small group of assessments for teacher efficacy. Merit pay is a cover term for other goals in state political circles. Another comparison would be whether we can use how a neighbor's kids turn out based on your proximity to them during their growing years. Or how your brother and sister's children do because you have contact with them since they were born.
However, when using a test for a large number of students with multiple teachers, in multiple elementaries (7) in a school district, it gives a good indication of how well that district is doing for comparison with other districts.
The American education system has been used as the whipping boy for the failures of the politicians through the recent years and by political groups through those same years. It's not the education of many youngsters that is a problem, it is the social experience of many of those youngsters in a welfare-based society that will hurt our future and has already done so. That's why I see education worth discussing as part of the American cars topic.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Then a Walmart moved in. A lot of the M&Ps folded but a lot of them got the picture and started expanding their businesses. Theme being, if there is enough business for a big box store, why have the small stores remained stagnant for so long?
Teenagers suddenly had a place to work after school, at Walmart. Other stores opened near or next to Walmart for those folks that couldn't find what they wanted at Wally World. Then a K-Mart and a Target, then a Home Depot followed by a Lowes. Specialty shops for men and the same for women. Automotive Parts stores and the list goes on and on. There are two Ace Hardware stores where there used to be one. Even though there are a ton of eating franchises available, there are new eating places opening every month. The economy is doing well and thousands of people have been put to work.
The mom and Pop stores that have remained in business are doing well. Those with some drive and innovation are living better than ever. Those with a lazy streak are failing. Example: Two general clothing stores were in town. One 5-6 miles east of town and the other about 2 miles south of town.
When the big box stores moved in, the one on the south side "Trading Post" did pretty much nothing that was obvious. When we drive by there now there will likely be only one car in front. Most likely the owners. The other store "Smith and Davis" opened a larger store across the street from their original location. Their business is booming and there are several employees. Add to that dozens of other clothing stores, here now!
"...WalMart says they want to sell denim jackets for $19.99...Levi, made in America, must sell for $29.99...Levi has a simple choice, either move manufacturing to meet WM's price, or tell WM to go to H*ll...they chose to move..."
I would have paid $29 for the Levi, just to get the little red tag. But absolutely not the typical $52-$72 they were going for. Strange thing is that when I finally found it for $20, it was at a specially store. So even they were trying to gouge at their original $60+ price. I doubt seriously if they were loosing money at the $20 price.
Problem for me is that even though Levi is now made over seas, they still try to give the impression they are " Original Authentic American" products. Still trying to sell the Chinese made product for American made prices. :sick:
I just weighed the Wrangler Denim Jacket at 2# and 3 oz. The Levi jacket at 2# and 2 oz.. To my way of thinking neither is superior to the other and should sell for the same. Levi is running on a name that used to mean something and they are headed the way of the D3. :sick:
Kip
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Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes the way out of an accident is to hit the accelerator. If someone were to hit the accelerator and get unintended non-acceleration it could be disastrous (such as when passing on a 2-lane highway).
Also, I can see it now; headlines read.... A parent sues Ford because their daughter got raped by a madman who chased her down in a Honda Fit. The daughter had a Mustang, and a car chase ensued. She should have been able to LOSE and outrun the rapist, but he caught up to her and stopped her thanks to a speed limiter feature. Ford says the Parents should blame themselves for setting it at 85 MPH.....
I assumed that when we say a rev limiter we really mean a speed limiter. So in your example you should have any amount of acceleration until the speed reaches the upper limit. IMHO if you need 113 mph to get out of an accident situation you are already driving too fast. :surprise:
25 miles south of Atlanta...sounds like Newnan/Moreland area to me if down I-85, and down I-75, maybe Lovejoy area???
Racing on the freeway is not good business anyway. BMW limits to 155...useless on the freeway.
Regards,
OW
Not freeways in the desert or in Europe or Montana.
Real close! We live in Fayetteville.
Newnan is 25 miles West of us, and Lovejoy is 9 miles East of us. Peachtree City is about halfway between Fayetteville and Newnan. About 9 miles East of Lovejoy is Stockbridge. Newnan and Stockbridge are growing in leaps and bounds as they are both easy access to X-Ways.
Interesting that Fayetteville is sandwiched about half way between I-85 and I-75 on highway 54. It was a forgotten little town in the middle of nowhere. . Then Walmart moved in and things began to happen. Don't know why they chose to build here first, in this part of the world.
But they did and were successful. Then they built one in Newnan, then Stockbridge, then PT City, and they all began to grow. The newest one is in Lovejoy, and instantly a shopping center sprang up around them as it did in the other locations.
These small towns aren't so small any more, And I personally miss that.
FWIW: my BIL has very little ambition and stuck with the same type job he started with out of High School. Stocking groceries. Several of the stores he worked at over the years closed their doors. But there was always another that needed help. Some of the stores were union. He started working at Walmart a few years ago and has better pay and bennefits than at any of the other stores.
A friend drove 18 wheelers for "True Value" hardware. He wouldn't go in a Walmart or Home Depot because of what he conceived they were doing to M&Ps. One day a friend of his told him of an opening at Walmart, driving 18 wheelers, and with pretty good pay. He applied and got the job. ( Hypocrit? :P ) He was delighted to discover he had choices as to how he worked. (Local, long distance, days) He chose 4 days on and 4 days off and intermediate runs. Me thinks 600+/- miles are about the fartherest he goes. He says Walmart's efficiency is incredible as he rarely drives "bobtail" or pulls an empty trailer more than a few miles and his last "drop" ends up very close to his home base. His pay, bennefits, and perks are much better than he ever had at his other jobs. The equipment is top notch.
Baffling to me how so many folks will condemn this American Success story. Seems I saw on TV that Walmart is the largest employer in the world.
Yet they cheer an automobile industry (B3) that "assemble" cars with parts from all over the world. Parts that may also be used in the "EVIL" imports. They gleefully clap when Toyota's acceleration problems came to light, but play down the part where the faulty gas pedals were manufactured. So Ford and GM are quietly recalling certain vehicles that use the same pedal.
We need to face the fact that we do still have a viable automotive industry that supports a lot of American workers. Doesn't make a rat's "behind" to me where the corporate profits go, as long as the American work force have a place to earn a living every day. That makes more sense, to me, than buying an American name brand that was made elsewhere by non American workers.
Kip
Whenever possible, Walmart tries to buy land where it is cheap but where they see growth in the next few years...they just repeat what Disney did in Florida, over and over...plus, sometimes they buy the land and it simply goes up BECAUSE Walmart went there and now traffic comes there in greater quantities than before...that is also why you may notice that while a Walmart is being built, the local roads leading to it are often expanded from 2 to 4 lanes, or they may rebuild an interstate exit ramp from 1 lane to 3 or 4...their drawing power is amazing, and I am sick and tired of folks moaning and whining that Walmart put them out of business...your BIL's experience is common...they often do pay well, or have great benefits, EXCEPT for the lowest level workers who have the least skill and the least to offer ANY employer...let's face it, any quasi-literate person can stock Corn Flakes on the shelf, so they are barely worth the minimum wage, certainly no benefits or any other perks...
But if they are working full time at Walmart, they do get the salary to compliment their skills, and also the perks. That is one reason Walmart often hires someone Part time. They can see how the person works out before commiting to full time employment.
They may have to figure how to place Corn Flakes and several other items on different shelves. They may also have to find an empty buggy and bring those items out of the store room. Whereas some of the folks, on some assembly lines, only have skill enough to handle one operation.
Kip
Not a fan of the low-profile tires where the outer end of the rim is about 1-1/2" from the roadbed..One pothole and you reach for the wallet..One does find an occasional pothole in SW Florida.
Been a member of Sam' Club and Costcos since their inception from my Detroit days..Dropped the Costcos in 2003 due to no stores and from Venice the nearest one is 70 miles away..Sam's is losing it's glow and Walmart is not my mainstay..My business membership is only $35/yr, so it' no big deal, 2 stores about 20 miles away..My last trip on 4/22/10 to Sam's was $192.35 with $49.00 for Bounty, Charmin and Kleenex.., 46. on fish products, 36 on wine, 40 on razor blades, and balance on crackers,apples, fruit,and dumb things.No chicken breasts for they stopped handling Perdue, boned or plain breasts, and I don't buy Sam's private label poultry or meat products..probably getting it from Tyson, yuck!!!! or some low-cost sweat shop..road-kill!!!
Couple Sunday's ago I was looking at a Target ad and the Bounty ad caught my attention, 12pk giant-rolls=18 regular rolls, Sam's was 12 Super-rolls=22 regular rolls, I paid .22 cents more for my purchase at Sam's Club.. or 1 cent/regular roll.. Dangerous game, and not very exciting..On the flip side where Sam's Club wins is on the purchase of Charmin 36 Big-rolls=72 regular rolls versus Target's 18 Big roll=36 regular, however I had to buy twice as much to save .02 cents a roll at Sam's. Now that is building up my estate, big time, the kids will love me..
I could buy a Prius and cut my gas bill in half, but I don't seem to have any interest in pursuing that angle..Electric motors, lots of batteries, and a wee-little engine ain't my vision of motoring..Skinny little tires too boot!!!, I am going over to the Camry dealer tomorrow to have the oil changed in my friend's car, so I will look over the current Asian offerings and I am sure they will try to sell me something---2002 Camry SLE w/80k miles, a "Gold Mine" for the service dept. a belt or air filter is the usual spiel...............
"Ace is the Place", so I really want to avoid getting into Lowes or Home Depot..just another tiring trip into acres of items I don't need..Ace is small, personal, and filled with my items that I remember before the BigBox guys invaded the hardware game..
I've been in a team leadership role a few years, and I am astonished with the difference between someone who values their job and someone who really doesn't. That is why companies hire part time or even a summer intern first before committing to full time. My company has very few college new hire positions open but a ton of intern or summer positions. That's how my engineer son go his $60K/yr job, started out as a summer intern, then hired right out of college.
Just showing up to work on time sober is a big deal to some people. It's amazing! Then we start talking about having a positive or negative attitude that wears off on co-workers and surely shows up to your customers.
I used to give spelling and math tests to prospective applicants...it was 8th grade math and words taken from Reader's Digest (circle the word spelled correctly)...I was amazed at the misspelled words from high school graduates and their inability to do simple math...all they did was giggle while they took the test...
While I don't expect them to be as serious as the President, I do expect some seriousness...
That is why, in the future, it will be EASY for an intelligent kid/young adult to rise to the top...when they see how lackadaisical their competition is, rising to the top will be a piece of cake, as too many of our HS grads are simply lackeys...
Also, when I see how worthless/shiftless so many folks can be, I am amazed that America, as a nation, has advanced this far in the last 50 years...
That is why I liked my recent census job and how I was hired. I was told by my supervisor well after being hired, that the basic knowledge test was 100% of the basis of being hired, except for the affirmative action given to Veterans 5 pts, and disabled veterans 10pts. So a total possible 110 points with the test being 100 of them. Only the highest scoring people were hired.
Funny, I thought affirmative action/discrimination was outlawed in the US and CA years ago..... but we still do it for Veterans? Strange.... I think we should just hire the best there is for the job. I'm sorry, but I don't see how being a veteran makes you more qualified for most jobs.
Yeah, the same snow birds who spend 4 months down there, claim they spend 6 so they can be a "Floridian" to avoid paying taxes in their home (read: REAL) state, seem to forget that there were 65 year olds 40 years ago that were paying taxes so THEIR kids could go to school. Hypocrites.
Many kept their residence in Ohio so they didn't have to meet more strenous Florida eyesight testing for driver licensing. But that changed several years back. I believe it had something to do with lots of publicity after an Ohio driver killed several people driving into a crowd of people.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Well based upon probably over a hundred interviews I've done for technical positions over the years, I'll disagree. Every technique weeds out people who aren't very qualified:
- bad resumes show a person doesn't have the attention to detail to make a good showing of his most important marketing document
- in a job where communication is important, an interview can show you whether somebody can't competently carry on a conversation, or answer questions on the fly. It also can tell you if some of the resume qualifications are BS if you ask the right questions
- the degree shows not just a person's knowledge, but a person's willingness to stick with a task that may not always be fun but will yield bigger benefits in the long haul. These are the types of people who are usually valuable on tough projects - focused, determined, willing to work hard to see the work through to the end
Perhaps interviews are not so valuable for sweeping floors or putting wheels on cars.
We agree.
On another tact used rarely..., I recall long ago that I was shocked when I went for an interview for a different job and the person ask me to interview them. I believe now that was a little too sophisticated at that level of employment, but the ability to know in advance what questions one wants to ask about the job, employment environment, etc., and then ask those where the potential employee knows they will be in charge of the interview, is an interesting technique for determining a person's ability to think on the fly and be in charge. It wasn't appropriate for the interview I was in, but I guess the person thought they were being progressive and chic in their technique.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Unless the job is for a salesman or politician, interview skills on the fly or memorized (maybe good for an actor) don't really matter in a lot of jobs. Obviously they should be able to communicate, but you don't need a personal interview for that.
I agree a degree is important and shows accomplishment. I just don't know that hiring the best "talker" is going to get you far for the people who think interviews are great.
But we're a bit off topic.
Baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet:
GM Hits a Homerun with Corvette Giveaway (AutoObserver)
Hey Buick is American too. Here are some inside views of the Excelle which may be sold here shortly--and produced here shortly.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/buick-excelle-gt-unveiled-92598/
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Those that are qualified can be a great asset to the company.
For instance: If a potential employee seems more interested in salary, perks and bennefits than what he/she would be expected to do on the job, I would be wary. If their attention seems to stray when I'm telling them about the company expectations, I would be wary. If they don't inquire about chances for advancement, retirement and other indicators that they are looking for long term employment, I would be wary.
Of course the potential employees are interested in pay and perks, and should be. But if they don't care enough about the job required to receive those items, it would likely be a questionable hire.
Only a face to face interview can reveal many things.
Maybe if the B3 had spent more time on quality interviews, their work force would actually understand the importance of doing a quality job and not killing the goose ! Maybe the union leaders would be more concerned about keeping a crew of high quality workers.
As it is now, the B3 are, in ways, worse off than an established foreign manufacturer that recently came to these shores. Not only do the B3 have to build quality products, they need to do serious damage control from the crap they built for so many years. And they need to stop telling lies! We remember those too.
Kip
Don't want Z-rated tires for their life span is short, so I ask the dealer if the factory will furnish H-rated rubber with an upgraded suspension w/auto tranny, then tweek the top end, legally. The std V-6 2011 Stang comes with T-rated rubber so the dealer would be liable if the car was reprogrammed to a higher top end..
I am not really fond of H-rated tires for I buy T-rated high priced Michelin "Harmony"
tires, inflate to high limits and don't worry about the speed and they last forever..I don't slid or drift around corners..Entry-level Michelin Pilots are okay..However when ordering tires online one may have to fudge the facts for if the car is equipped from the factory with H or higher-rated tires they will not ship a lesser rated tire..I just did very thing..
The Camaro comes with different sized tires on rear and front, so any rotation is out of question?? The fat tires on the rear and the skinny on the front..Blah!
I see where Buicks are the Chinese favorite rickshaw..check that nameplate off to never again buy............my options are diminishing...
I went from Dodge, to Honda, to Audi.
My parents owned Honda, VW, Toyota, and now Lexus. My brother's always gotten Toyota's/Lexus' .
Frankly, based on my experiences, I'd have to be delusional and psychotic to purchase another "American" vehicle over a Japanese or German one.
Also, the Dodge had major portions/parts manufactured and assembled in Mexico, so I'd avoid them at all costs too.
I noticed in a recent news article that well over HALF of GMs employees are employed OUTSIDE THE USA. I believe it was around 70K US employees and a total over 200K. So more like a third are employed in the US.
So other than where corporate headquarters are, it barely matters -- almost all cars sold here are American, and also not American!
Or, how about the brand new BMW R50 motorcycle which I proudly bought and lovingly cared for in 1964; and which subsequently went through two transmissions, two magnetos, and 5 sets of pistons in the first 18,000 miles. When it was a year old, I was able to find someone who bought it from me for $600, after I disclosed all the warranty problems I had. He eventually tore the motor down and found that the original oil pump was defective. But that still didn't account for the transmission and magneto problems.) So I will never own another BMW; but I have owned two Suzuki motorcycles that I bought new; and both of them have been absolutely trouble free; as has my Geo Metro car (built by Suzuki). Yet I have seen repeated problems with my customers' Honda drivelines, electrical systems, and brake life; so I don't recommend Hondas to people.
And then there is the wealthy neighbor that used to live next door to me; who once bought a new Porsche competition model back in the 1950s. That car was designed with an exotic roller bearing crankshaft; which had a big appeal to the technically minded. But when the engine made strange noises since day one; he eventually tore it down, and found that three of the rollers had been left out of the crankshaft bearings at the factory!!!
There is no such thing as a country which only builds good cars. There are only narrow minded, blindly loyal people who have not owned one of the many bad ones.
Just to nitpick, it was cylinder #3. And while I would call it a vulnerability, if you kept the valves adjusted you could easily get 100K on the engine. If the valves ever got tight then they would overheat. I got 129K on a rebuild and it was still running when I sold it after the first rebuild at 103K. This was a '66 bug.
Another nitpick, you do realize that brake life is a wear and tear maintenance item, not a repair item? Complaining about brake life is a function of how it's driven too, and is similar to complaining about brake dust, something only JD Powers would stoop to.
That being said, yes, Honda does use cheap brake pads from the factory and they don't last very long (30K miles for me). The rotors were fine though. Wear and tear items are forgiveable, transmissions and head gaskets and A/C systems are not.
Also, I don't remember Lemko ever saying he's personally owned a German or Japanese vehicle. I've PERSONALLY owned from all 3 Continents. I think it's true you can get a bad Japanese car, but not so true you can get a bad Toyota or Honda. They've been pretty stellar throughout the entire line up from Tercels to Supras, or CRX's to Ridgelines.
I've also personally owned from all continents. The US make was durable, but the engine and transmission were Japanese (Nissan) which probably accounts for the high drivetrain reliability. The body was US made and while durable, the assembly was by far the worst of all the vehicles. Crooked interior parts, erratic electrical, ripped soundproofing, etc. The Japanese cars have been by far the most reliable. The earlier Honda was a great handler. The latest Acura is a bit of a pig in handling but is very reliable. The German cars were very reliable (Jetta) and fairly reliable (Audi), but were very expensive to fix. The VW dealer service sucked and the Audi service was better. But the German cars were by far the most satisfying to drive.
Sounds like you're not familiar with the cylinder head design problems in the 1976-77 Accords: They blew head gaskets regularly; until Honda redesigned the head castings and replaced scads of engines that were damaged by this flaw.
When Toyota came out with their first DOHC 3 liter V-6 (3VZ-FE) in the 1992 Camry; there were all sorts of design problems that resulted in major engine damage. Toyota did a massive recall; which led to the dealership lots being filled with broken Camrys waiting for repairs. Whatever changes they made were apparently not enough; so they completely dropped the 3VZ-FE after its second year of production, and replaced it with the 1MZ-FE. The 3VZ-FE was probably the shortest lived engine model ever to come from a major Japanese manufacturer.
There was also a series of bad cylinder heads used on the 4 cylinder Toyota engines of the late 1980s, which developed cracks in normal use. Machine shops which were around in that era knew this problem very well.
That's what I was saying; having owned one or two cars in only one or two model years from a given country does not qualify a person as being knowledgable about the overall quality of that country's vehicles. Even with a manufacturer whose cars have the highest defect rate; any buyer has a much less than 50% chance of getting one of those defective vehicles. So you would have to personally experience at least dozens of cars from each manufacturer in a given country over a series of model years before you could get a valid sense of the level of quality of that country's vehicles. THIS IS WHY THERE IS SO MUCH DISPUTE ABOUT WHETHER CERTAIN BRANDS OF CARS ARE GOOD OR BAD. MANY BUYERS WILL NEVER SEE THE BAD ONES. SO WHEN THEY HEAR OF SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEMS WITH A CAR THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD TROUBLE WITH; THEY FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE. And that is why sources like Consumer Reports; which compiles data from hundreds of owners experiences with a given model, are far more reliable than your own experience; or the experiences of any 5 or 10 people you know.
Another way to open your eyes about quality issues with a given brand of car is to go to the Edmunds Recall and Technical Service Bulletin page (http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/select.html) and type in the year and model of a car on which you'd like to see the kind of problems the factory has identified and had to deal with. For a good example; try "2005 Honda Odyssey EX 4 door minivan with leather, Nav, and entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)" How many problems do you expect the factory would have identified on this model? (the answer is 123). On the right side of the page, after you enter the year and model, you'll see a list of factory Technical Service Bulletins. Then scroll down below the list and read the details of these problems. Try that with cars from different countries and manufacturers, and compare the number and seriousness of the issues reported. It is best to pick models which are about 3 to 5 years old; as it takes time before many issues are identified and reported.
Per the V-8-6-4, it wasn't a bad engine if you disconnected the device that enabled the V-8-6-4 function and ran it as a V-8 only. I was a great idea that came too soon. The technology just wasn't there in 1981 to make it feasible. You can tell a V-8-6-4 engine by the unusual tall valve covers which housed solenoids. Amazingly, I discovered that Cadillac still used this same engine in limousines through 1984. Now if you want to talk about a crap engine, let's talk about the HT4100! Of course, I avoided it and the Diesel because I do my research as you mentioned in your post.
lemko, like always, you speak in ambiguities...