6th Mar 2009, 22:28
You are 100% correct. The current state of U.S. auto makers has virtually NOTHING to do with the cars themselves. GM alone builds more 30+mpg cars than Toyota and Honda combined, and Ford's reliability is on a par with "the BEST Japanese vehicles" (MSN, Feb. 2009). It IS true that domestic auto makers (AND Japanese auto makers) helped create the snob-appeal of SUV's. And yes, SUV's and trucks have HUGE mark-ups so they are profitable. I cannot, however, blame an industry for providing what the American public keeps buying. When gas was $4 a gallon you couldn't give an SUV away. Now that it is back under $2 a gallon those with a very short memory are buying them AGAIN. In a couple of years when gas goes back to $4 a gallon they will no doubt complain and blame the auto makers.
7th Mar 2009, 13:35
"The current state of U.S. auto makers has virtually NOTHING to do with the cars themselves. GM alone builds more 30+mpg cars than Toyota and Honda combined, and Ford's reliability is on a par with "the BEST Japanese vehicles" (MSN, Feb. 2009)."
This is a very misleading statement. SOME of Ford's cars have reliability that is on par with the best Japanese vehicles, namely the Fusion. Ford trucks have always been reliable for the most part but the gas mileage is poor. Also, it is partially the automakers fault for their collapse. They saw gas costs rising but continued building large SUV's and the hybrid models delivered marginally better fuel economy than the regular models.
Anyway, I believe it is dangerous to support companies that could fold any day now. A Saturn dealership in my area just closed this week, upsetting many customers. They're very concerned about how their warranties will be handled, rightfully so. Now they have to drive 90-100 miles for comprehensive service from a dealership. Why would I purchase a 2009 Chevy Impala when next week my local dealer may close business? What sense does that make?
8th Mar 2009, 13:20
It makes a LOT of sense. You'd be helping your own citizens and you'd be getting a far better value, especially at this point. The reliability of the Impala is excellent. Also, restructuring laws for the auto industry under any form of bankruptcy require that all warranty obligations be met. Most people are not aware of that.
10th Mar 2009, 01:13
I help my citizens by being a hard-working, law-abiding, responsible person. I am skeptical of the warranty conditions. My friend has a 2006 Dodge Stratus, and the dealer where it was purchased got into trouble for fraud and money laundering, and now the warranty is up in the air.
The 2010 Taurus is beautiful, if next year I can get a well-equipped SHO version for the same performance level as, but cheaper than the Maxima I have my eye hard on, then I MAY buy a Taurus.
10th Mar 2009, 11:21
"My friend has a 2006 Dodge Stratus, and the dealer where it was purchased got into trouble for fraud and money laundering, and now the warranty is up in the air."
The warranty is from Chrysler corporation, not the dealer. Any Chrysler dealer HAS to honor the warranty. I had this issue myself with a Dodge (the dealer refused to honor the warranty) and I took it to a local Chrysler/Plymouth dealership and they took care of it without a hassle. I have found, however, that in our area Chrysler tends to deny warranty service a lot. The two brands in this area that are notorious for poor customer service are Chrysler and Toyota.
10th Mar 2009, 11:38
"10th Mar 2009, 01:13
I am skeptical of the warranty conditions. My friend has a 2006 Dodge Stratus, and the dealer where it was purchased got into trouble for fraud and money laundering, and now the warranty is up in the air."
Not true. Even if the dealer is bankrupt, the factory warranty is good at any other Chrysler dealer. If you mean that a used car dealer gave him a warranty, then that is nothing to do with the manufacturer's warranty.
26th Mar 2009, 11:42
Yes, your warranty will be covered, but like others have stated, what happens when your dealer closes and the next closest is 100 miles away? Could get expensive towing your car that far to a dealer, wouldn't you think?
This mess isn't going to have an easy solution, and yes, the car companies contributed to their own demise. It's all about mismanagement and misreading the marketplace. Gas hit almost $4 per gallon here in 2005, and then went down again. Did no one think that was going to happen again? If they'd started getting serious about hybrids and smaller cars, then they may have had some really good products out before this disaster hit last year. I'm not saying they wouldn't be in trouble now still, but they would have at least had a more viable plan for survival than a network of dealers with SUV's clogging up their lots, and everyone standing around scratching their heads trying to figure out what happened. This is what happens when greed prevails.
26th Mar 2009, 15:23
Yes, but greed on whose part? Manufacturers made SUVs because they sold like hotcakes due to huge demand from consumers who wanted a status symbol. And now they cry about how they were forced into gas-guzzling vehicles. Meanwhile, gas-thrifty cars like the Focus sat on lots, derided for being "underpowered" and "too small". Somebody needs to wake up to the reality of what actually drives this economy. Consumers brought gas guzzling SUVs and foreclosures of over leveraged McMansions upon themselves. No use crying now, just take your medicine, folks.
6th Mar 2009, 15:38
Since this an Accord review... why not everyone buy Civics and get a bare boned DX model with the logic on here. Take away that some may have a family with teenage children or adult family members where a larger vehicle makes sense.
I have owned Hondas and Acuras... quite frankly why spend $15,000 more for an Acura mid size sedan that requires 93 octane? I have owned them liked them except we had mechanical issues drivetrain oriented. But you are correct, why not buy a plain Civic as it's cheaper. The same with Toyota, buy a Corolla and not even contemplate a high priced Lexus.
Why not actually examine actual driving situations before such broad sweeping comments? If you are a solo commuter that drives an hour to work, maybe a small car makes sense. If you live a few miles from work, I maintain any vehicle is satisfactory as you are residing near your employment. I find the rationale of a small car driving great distances each way daily to work ridiculous. I have co workers that drive over an hour each way rather than ever consider moving closer. At any rate, if everyone drove a Honda Civic instead of other Hondas-Acura Models you could perhaps cookie cutter everyone.
The issue I have is many like a nicer vehicle with great performance and handling in Acuras, Trailblazer SS Models, Cayennes if you can afford one that's your prerogative. I spent a lot on gas and 93 octane running my Honda TL VTEC models and large factory tires were high, headlight bulbs etc as compared if you buy a stripped bare bone Civic. Why are there many people out there that have spent $50,000 for Honda high end Acura RL sedans, are they worth it? I guess if you like, buy and enjoy them that's your prerogative to buy what you like.