[64SS427]

Do you guys with 150-180k on your cars just hop in them and drive 1200-1500 round trips? On say a three day weekend my one way trip to the kids is 550 miles, places with no cell service. And some of these little towns have small parts stores. So I imagine a simple break down will turn a quick turn around weekend into a 4 day weekend. Or having to have the kids come to the rescue. This is the reason im trying to convince the wife we should consider a new truck. Next trip in a couple weeks (im in texas heading home now) im getting a rental, wife's tacoma only has 70k on it but is very uncomfortable. Jim

Next month I'm taking my 180k Avalon from NorCal to Utah and back for a week in the snow. Not a bit worried about it. Did the same trip in the 01 Suburban last year with 140k on it. No problems. I like to buy vehicles from people that worry too much.

Devin

 

[Arch Stanton]

Drove my '96 Dodge Ram 1500 down from Minot to Bismarck and back. 280k on it. I'd still drive it far if I still had it. It depends on if I know the history or am familiar with the vehicle or not.

 

[langss]

Do you guys with 150-180k on your cars just hop in them and drive 1200-1500 round trips? On say a three day weekend my one way trip to the kids is 550 miles, places with no cell service. And some of these little towns have small parts stores. So I imagine a simple break down will turn a quick turn around weekend into a 4 day weekend. Or having to have the kids come to the rescue. This is the reason im trying to convince the wife we should consider a new truck. Next trip in a couple weeks (im in texas heading home now) im getting a rental, wife's tacoma only has 70k on it but is very uncomfortable. Jim

When my Wife was up north taking care of her Mother and Stepfather, I made the trip every weekend(200miles)each way in my 92 Camaro. It was also my daily driver, another 62 miles each way every day. Other than a set of tires right now and an oil change, there is no reason why I wouldn't hop in it and go anywhere. It averages 25-26 mpg on the cruse control and is comfortable enough as it sits. I understand your concern for getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, but I just checked the water, oil, transmission fluid level, tire pressure and carried some tools a spare belt, a couple of quarts of oil and kept the radio low. If you really do not trust your current ride, then by all means get a new one, but if you can avoid going into debt, I think thats a better choice. Just my .02.

 

[webbrowan]

I love window shopping for cars. More than that, I enjoy test driving cars that I don't intend to buy haha! I rationalise it saying that it'll give me a better perspective when I'm actually ready to finance a new ride down the road because then at least I'll know for sure what best fits me in terms of the driving experience and all that!

 

[Randy Mosier]

I hold no grudge toward Japanese people. I hold a grudge against people who embrace unfair trade laws which give an unfair advantage to foreign Corporations. I'd much rather own an American product because the money stays in the country. When you buy a foreign product you help a foreign country. How many jobs have to leave this country before people finally get it? Sadly it usually isn't until it's your (our job) that we get it. Then it's too late. From my perspective it's all about "fair" trade.

My 2006 Tundra was built in Indiana and since 2007, all Tundras are built in San Antonio. Tacomas have been built in San Antonio on a second line since, I think, 2010. Mercedes has a huge facility in Alabama and Kia has an assembly plant in Georgia where most of the Sorentos are built.

Since I buy used, it's a moot issue anyway but the point is, those are American workers on those assembly lines. They contribute to local economies with the pay they receive from their employers. Japanese, German, and Korean automakers came to realize decades ago that unless there were decent paying jobs, no one would be able to afford their cars. Executives of American owned companies (not just car companies) fail to understand that concept.

 

[pnugene]

My 2006 Tundra was built in Indiana and since 2007, all Tundras are built in San Antonio. Tacomas have been built in San Antonio on a second line since, I think, 2010. Mercedes has a huge facility in Alabama and Kia has an assembly plant in Georgia where most of the Sorentos are built.

Since I buy used, it's a moot issue anyway but the point is, those are American workers on those assembly lines. They contribute to local economies with the pay they receive from their employers. Japanese, German, and Korean automakers came to realize decades ago that unless there were decent paying jobs, no one would be able to afford their cars. Executives of American owned companies (not just car companies) fail to understand that concept.

Honda has a huge plant near Talladega where the Odyssey minivan, Ridgeline, Pilot, Acura MDX, and V6 engine production are located. Over 4 million vehicles since 2001. Hyundai in Montgomery, Al. produces the Sonata and Elantra and 2 types of 4 cylinder engines. Mercedes came to our state in 1997. With all the Tier 1 suppliers who've located here, foreign owned manufacturers have been a huge boost to our economy, and we are glad they're here.

 

[Stokerboats]

My 2006 Tundra was built in Indiana and since 2007, all Tundras are built in San Antonio. Tacomas have been built in San Antonio on a second line since, I think, 2010. Mercedes has a huge facility in Alabama and Kia has an assembly plant in Georgia where most of the Sorentos are built.

Since I buy used, it's a moot issue anyway but the point is, those are American workers on those assembly lines. They contribute to local economies with the pay they receive from their employers. Japanese, German, and Korean automakers came to realize decades ago that unless there were decent paying jobs, no one would be able to afford their cars. Executives of American owned companies (not just car companies) fail to understand that concept.

Yes, lets not talk about the tens of thousands of American jobs lost when people began buying imports. The money made on those cars and trucks doesn't stay in this country. There are countless backroom deals made by politicians to get those vehicles built in their respective states regardless of the overall impact on existing jobs.

 

[ZZ69chevelle]

GM builds cars all over the world. I guess they keep all their US profits here though and never invest them anywhere else in the world. The foreign vs. domestic argument is just a muddy mess now, and can't be won. I ain't kidding myself, they are all the same. I bought new Toyotas because they are reliable, and have excellent customer satisfaction, not to mention that GM p!ssed me off more times than I can remember with their lack of concern about problems I had with their stuff. It's nice to have choices.

 

[66 Bu]

Last December I bought a new 2016 Silverado LTZ 4 wheel drive and with the new 8 speed auto I have gotten a best of 23.5 miles to the gallon! And free oil changes for the first 2 years to boot! Still a lot of money for a pickup, I know...

 

[busterwivell]

Hmmm.........any thoughts about the union/non-union part of the debate? Just askin'?

 

[Stokerboats]

Hmmm.........any thoughts about the union/non-union part of the debate? Just askin'?

If there weren't unions in the USA the Import folks wouldn't pay very well. We have right to work states and not too many of them are union. As stated above, "we have choices" and my choice is to buy American as much as possible.

 

[Stokerboats]

Hmmm.........any thoughts about the union/non-union part of the debate? Just askin'?

If there weren't unions in the USA the Import folks wouldn't pay very well. We have right to work states and not too many of them are union. As stated above, "we have choices" and my choice is to buy American as much as possible. 23.5 mpg from a full sized PU is pretty impressive.

 

[Alan]

I drive my '97 S10 with 232k miles 200 to 300 miles from home consistently throughout the year. It's left me stranded once since 2003 when I bought it from my brother (he bought it new). But, I'd say it depends on your particular vehicle, whether it has a history of leaving you stranded. I've had enough bad road trip experiences growing up, I swore I'd never own or take an unreliable vehicle on a road trip. Anything can fail, even on new cars, but it's really depends on what your comfortable with going on a road trip. Rental car is good alternative to buying a new vehicle if long trips are rare.

 

[SSuper Dave]

I spent 37 years working in high end dealership service departments, and I can't tell you how many times I heard clients refer to their cars as an investment. Cars are a depreciating asset, not an investment, you can't be surprised when they lose value. The most financially responsible way to buy a car is to get a very lightly used one year old used car and drive it til its done, or you are no longer comfortable with it. Next best way is to buy a brand new car and do the same thing. If you like a new car all the time, that's fine, but you will pay for the priviledge. I had folks buy a new Lexus every year, and trade in 8,000 mile cars, they had the money and didn't care. For most of us, my way is better. As to whether stuff is overpriced, I think it is, but if you look at sales stats, lots of people disagree.
For example if a '70 Chevelle cost $3,000, and adding a/c was a $395 option, that choice added 13% to the cost of the car. Seem like a lot? By the same rule, adding a/c to a $20,000 work truck at the same 13% means the a/c would cost $2,600! Based on percentages, new cars may be cheaper.
As regards high mileage car reliability, I've had many cars with over 200K miles and gone all over the country with them without issue. The key is MAINTENANCE! Do it or have it done, don't skimp on it and that includes cleaning and detailing. My wife is currently in a 2004 Denali with 265,000 miles on it at it looks and runs like new. I'll drive it til its not worth fixing, she's happy with it as long as it stays detailed and shines. It was company maintained, has had the engine, trans and air suspension replaced in the last 100K miles, as well as being otherwise maintained.

 

[Randy Mosier]

Yes, lets not talk about the tens of thousands of American jobs lost when people began buying imports. The money made on those cars and trucks doesn't stay in this country. There are countless backroom deals made by politicians to get those vehicles built in their respective states regardless of the overall impact on existing jobs.

Just one assembly plant represents a significant investment of capital. So a substantial portion of their profits are being reinvested in this country. So who is the bad guy in all of this? Would it be American owned companies like Whirlpool who have closed down every single manufacturing plant in this country and now build all of their appliances overseas, or Japanese owned companies like Toyota and Honda who see the wisdom in investing in assembly plants here in the U.S.? It's somewhat ironic that foreign owned companies build factories here while American owned companies close theirs down and move them overseas.

Of course the profits from car sales go to Japan or Korea or Germany. That's what businesses do. They exist to make money. But they have invested an uncountable billions, maybe hundreds of billions, back into our economy. Politicians are going to what politicians have always done. But if Honda or Nissan was looking to build a factory in your congressional district, and your state or U.S. representative told them take a hike, they need not plan on running for reelection. In fact, they may even be recalled.

I'd love to see everything made in America again, but it's our own corporate moguls who need to wise up.

 

[O'Man]

Just one assembly plant represents a significant investment of capital. So a substantial portion of their profits are being reinvested in this country. So who is the bad guy in all of this? Would it be American owned companies like Whirlpool who have closed down every single manufacturing plant in this country and now build all of their appliances overseas, or Japanese owned companies like Toyota and Honda who see the wisdom in investing in assembly plants here in the U.S.? It's somewhat ironic that foreign owned companies build factories here while American owned companies close theirs down and move them overseas.

Of course the profits from car sales go to Japan or Korea or Germany. That's what businesses do. They exist to make money. But they have invested an uncountable billions, maybe hundreds of billions, back into our economy. Politicians are going to what politicians have always done. But if Honda or Nissan was looking to build a factory in your congressional district, and your state or U.S. representative told them take a hike, they need not plan on running for reelection. In fact, they may even be recalled.

I'd love to see everything made in America again, but it's our own corporate moguls who need to wise up.

Just an aside to this discussion. I live North of Atlanta in a new Sub-Division in the burbs. I often drive I-285 which goes right by the location of the FORMER GM Atlanta Assy plant. Among other things, including some large open space yet to be built upon there is a HUGE Nissan dealership. Just some fuel to keep the discussion going........

 

[Stokerboats]

I worked many years in a GM factory here in the Los Angeles area. That single factory, at times, employed over 5000 American workers who busted their arses trying to feed their kids. When that plant was shut down it was not a happy day for them. I could list a plethora of reasons for the closure, it was only one of many in this state but one thing I know for sure is there won't be a foreign vehicle with my name on the title, ever. There is a local Toyota dealer here sitting on 23 acres of property. They have 104 service bays at their store. Why would they need so many service bays if those cars are so good? I know the answer.

 

[elmo771]

How many dealers in the US also sell a foreign car line or two. It's all about the bottom line, there is no brand loyalty. I remember many years ago a GM dealer could not have a Ford or Chrysler dealership. They might be allowed sell Jeeps.

 

[HKalin]

Yeah, a lot of times and I normally followed through on them. The > made me do it.

 

[O'Man]

How many dealers in the US also sell a foreign car line or two. It's all about the bottom line, there is no brand loyalty. I remember many years ago a GM dealer could not have a Ford or Chrysler dealership. They might be allowed sell Jeeps.

It is about the bottom line and that sort of thinking is necessary if you want to stay alive in business. You can't be like the Captain of the Titanic and go down with the ship after ignoring the coming iceberg . Brand loyalty is one thing but the dealers have to sell what the customer is buying. If no customers are buying XYZ brand (or if not enough customers are not buying XYZ brand to let the business be sustainable) then survival takes precedence over loyalty. That is the only rational strategy there is.

I jumped into this thread mentioning that I consider a new Vette from time to time. I mentioned that I still don't trust 'em to step up if something big goes wrong. It has been a long time since the times I think I got screwed and I grant that things have most likely changed. That said a new loaded Vette is BIG money and I just cannot yet be comfortable with GM. I think about the treatment I got from more than one GM dealer. I got it jammed to me on two new GM cars I bought. I also saw what happened to a couple of brand new GM company cars I was assigned to drive. The company cars were new. Both had issues and when the inevitable "service department two step" started I just watched it all and and said "seen this before...Deja Vu all over again". It was not personal with the company cars because it was not my money that bought the cars in the first place. When it was my own car and my $$$ it was another story.

I do believe that nearly all GM workers bust their a$$ on the lines. I also know that I bought an LS6 Crate engine that had a connecting rod cap pounded on backwards. I also know that a bare block that I purchased had core casting material still in the water jackets...I hadda remove it myself. That water jacket clogged block was the the second block shipped into the dealer. One went back after I bitched and the Service Manager said: "Yup that goes back never ever seen one that bad get this guy another block". It is not everyone at GM....not by a long long long shot but that said the sting remains. They CERTAINLY are better now than they were just a few years ago I openly and freely admit that. I have to close with saying that I still am not ready to gamble with $60,000+ based on the experiences I have had.