15th Apr 2009, 13:14
Like I said - I don't care about Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, or any of the other rust belt states. They have been in a downward spiral for decades. I'm a Southerner and that's where my patriotism goes.
Secondly, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mercedes, BMW, and even Hyundai ALL have plants in the US. Toyota has numerous plants alone. There is a significant amount of US workers at non-domestic auto plants. So yes - I support US autoworkers, but only at companies who I feel makes a good product, and admittedly supports my home region of the country.
As mentioned before, auto manufacturing is NOT the entire Auto industry. If and when GM fails (which they are going to no matter what at this point) the economy is not going to go to heck in a handbasket.
"Since the Aveo is a virtual CLONE of the Hyundai, it's ludicrous to try and persuade anyone there is any really great difference in the two cars."
The Aveo is based off of the Daewoo Kalos using the T200 platform and a Daewoo developed engines. These were sold as the Kalos in the US prior to GM buying a chunk of Daewoo. Saying that a Daewoo is the same as a Hyundai is like saying that a Chevrolet is the same as a Ford. I too have rented these cars on business trips and I agree with the person who proclaimed them as garbage. They are. You could not pay me to own one of them either, regardess of who makes it.
"Cars are full of plastic and rubber parts that get old and brittle and are subject to breaking much more easily. Age matters a lot more than most people really want to admit. Please also be aware that modern safety standards are recommending tires be replaced when over a certain number of years old because of quite a few fatalities when low mileage, but old, tires blew out. Age does matter."
Yes, cars have plastic in them. That's nothing new. My 1955 Mercury has quite a bit actually, and it's over 50 years old. But just like qualities of steel, there are qualities of plastic. Some plastics disintegrate quickly. Others don't. Engineered plastics use things like more stable resins and UV inhibitors. Though my truck is 14 years old, all of the plastics are still just as flexible and stable as they were before.
As far as safety in regards to maintenance, well that's up the owner. I drive a lot and keep a close eye on the brake pads, tires, alignment, and whatever else needs attention. If someone else doesn't, that isn't the car manufacturer or vehicle's fault. As mentioned before, the driver of the car is the biggest safety component. Again, age is only incidental.
15th Apr 2009, 18:16
I consistently do my best to remain on topic, but here's my take on value. The most valuable vehicle is one that you really enjoy, love driving and gives you the best quality of life.
I own a full size new pickup, but no matter what I do it's a truck. What I tow with it is what makes its ownership worthwhile. Everyone is trying to save piles of money thinking that scrimping on vehicles is the solution. Not everyone can plan their breakdowns to be in their driveway and has all the tools, the manuals and the 2 1/2 hours spent under the hood. I would rather stay in my office and work that direction. I make a sizable decent income, have a new truck paid for.
It amazes me someone will have the capability to own a fun truly enjoyable car and settle for a $1000 beater. I have actually seen situations where someone will sacrifice owning a decent car, yet will redecorate, remodel their homes, new window treatments, new carpets, buy all new furniture without batting an eye every few years. And houses are flat or backward. No one ever talks about sacrificing smoking, spring water, tanning salons, multiple Blackberries, yet will sacrifice in their vehicles.
My parents always had cool cars without breaking the bank. The first I remember really well is my mom driving me to 1st-3rd grade grade in a brand new 1960 black MGA MKIII roadster every day, cost just over $2000... at 50,000 miles the engine blew and she sold it for $900. Sounds like a bad deal right? It wasn't whatsoever as she still talks about that car today and the great times she had driving me to school everyday with the top down and smiling. The money she has accumulated now is not as much joy as that car and with us together. That started me on my zest for many great cars since.
My son went to Barrett Jackson Palm Beach just last weekend and shares the family passion. Does anyone on here truly like what they own and run out to drive it? He said the parking lot (not just Valet) was loaded with beautiful great cars driven in. As exciting as what was on the auction block on stage. I have had many great cars, none of them ever treated as just a basic plain appliance attached to a checkbook. If that brings you joy, it's sad it's a $200 expense annually to you. What fun.
If you truly love a vehicle, why not attain it? I would rather have a payment if necessary and spend great time behind the wheel. Give up a little somewhere else.... maybe quit smoking? It's a lot more fun than dipping into your fat checkbook to replace money reductions caused by 2 week furloughs that have become very popular in our area lately.
15th Apr 2009, 18:25
19:50 Sorry, if you have driven the Accent, you'll have seen the obvious night and day difference between it and the Aveo. This is not even a matter of preference or opinion to anyone who's driven both. The Accent is obviously the better looking car as far as the interior at least, without question. There is no comparison in the styling, design... etc. I just couldn't believe how cheesy the Aveo is compared to the Accent, or that GM would even SELL a car that looks like that inside. It's pathetic.
16th Apr 2009, 11:21
"The most valuable vehicle is one that you really enjoy, love driving and gives you the best quality of life."
Agreed. But that will mean different things to different people. Some people want the newest, latest fashioned, fastest, most expensive car money can buy because they like the attention and exclusivity of their cars.
Then there's people like me. I want a vehicle that runs for a very long time and do so reliably so as to not hinder my financial situation on the road to retirement. Additionally, the older my vehicles get, the more proud I get. I take great pride in keeping my now aged vehicles looking new. Believe it or not I get compliments on how good they look for their age. I also take pride in the fact that they run flawlessly despite the high mileage. So for me the pride in ownership is perhaps different from someone else's.
There's no problem with buying new cars frequently or keeping them forever just the same as there's also no problem buying small or large trucks. Neither type of vehicle will fulfill everyone's idea of what is perfect.
14th Apr 2009, 23:21
Cars are full of plastic and rubber parts that get old and brittle and are subject to breaking much more easily. Age matters a lot more than most people really want to admit. Please also be aware that modern safety standards are recommending tires be replaced when over a certain number of years old because of quite a few fatalities when low mileage, but old, tires blew out. Age does matter.