I like old Mopars. The slant six, 273 commando, 318, 360, and 440 were all good power plants. 
Ford makes a good rear end, their 460 pi was a good match for it but a panned Dart with a 440 was more fun to drag.
Ford makes a good rear end, their 460 pi was a good match for it but a panned Dart with a 440 was more fun to drag.
Linflas
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2001
- 15,395
- 78
- 91
Originally posted by: Minerva
I like old Mopars. The slant six, 273 commando, 318, 360, and 440 were all good power plants.
No love for the 383?
To answer the OP no I don't think they will fold. Both of our current vehicles are domestics.
Originally posted by: Linflas
Originally posted by: Minerva
I like old Mopars. The slant six, 273 commando, 318, 360, and 440 were all good power plants.
No love for the 383?
To answer the OP no I don't think they will fold. Both of our current vehicles are domestics.
Yes of course the 383 was up there.
The slant six is worth mentioning because it's the frickin' energizer bunny.
Gothgar
Lifer
- Sep 1, 2004
- 13,429
- 1
- 0
I have never owned an American made car, not because I don't dislike them, but when the time comes to purchasing a vehicle I compare reviews, stats and test drives, and Toyota/Honda usually win...
Edit: all though, my next purchase will probably be an American made truck.
Edit: all though, my next purchase will probably be an American made truck.
I have never owned a domestic and probably never will. I just think the design is boring, and the quality/fit/finish is not up to par compared to imports. There's always a better German or Japanese alternative. You get what you pay for...
On that note, the only Domestic cars I would actually purchase, if I had no other choice:
Cadillac - STS, CTS, or Escalade
Chrysler/Dodge 300C/Charger
Chevrolet Corvette (I know it can outperform a Porsche, however I would probably still buy the Porsche over the Chevy)
For the price of these cars new, I would probably just purchase a slightly used German/Japanese car for the same price and get a better quality vehicle.
On that note, the only Domestic cars I would actually purchase, if I had no other choice:
Cadillac - STS, CTS, or Escalade
Chrysler/Dodge 300C/Charger
Chevrolet Corvette (I know it can outperform a Porsche, however I would probably still buy the Porsche over the Chevy)
For the price of these cars new, I would probably just purchase a slightly used German/Japanese car for the same price and get a better quality vehicle.
Ktulu
Diamond Member
- Dec 16, 2000
- 4,354
- 0
- 0
I don't see the domestic going anywhere with the exception of Chrysler. Their products have been severely lacking in the past year and it seems like their only claim to fame is the Hemi, which isn't even that great of an engine. However Ford and GM have been putting out some great products as of late and have some extremely well designed products coming down the pipeline. I blame most of this on people attitudes and perceptions when it comes to imports and domestics. In short it is uncool to by domestic and you are considered hip and stylish if you by an import no matter how fugly or craptastic it is.
Impending disaster? Camry and Corolla sales went up YET AGAIN in 2006. Lexus sales skyrocketed, especially the IS-series. I think Toyota is doing just fine. It's biggest competitor, Honda saw Accord and Civic sales drop. When you come to light trucks and SUVs, Chevy will still win. Toyota has already pushed its sedans to the limit and the only place to expand is to trucks and SUVs. You can't take down teh leaders in that field without investing a lot in it yourself.
radioouman
Diamond Member
- Nov 4, 2002
- 8,632
- 0
- 0
It use to be that if you were to compare the quality/price ratio that the Japanese imports would come out ahead of the domestics. I'm seeing signs that is not going to continue.
Enjoying a lot of success the Japanese automakers have upped their prices on their new cars. Example, you're going to pay a premium if you want a new Camry, Corolla, or Civic. They are overpriced compared to cars in their respective segment. Most dealers don't offer any incentives or rebates for these cars at all. Even Nissan is somewhat guilty as well with their Altima and Maxima lines, but at least they come a long way in improved styling and interior design.
The Accord is the only one of the imports that kept its price relatively stable with each successive improvements. If you want value and feature you can make a strong statement for. The Corolla is probably the worst of the bunch. There's very little improvement with each successor, interior or exterior. Bland design and overpriced should be its official motto.
The 3 domestic automakers should have taken the approach that Hyundai have taken given that they do not dominate the midsize and small sedan segment. They are going to have to offer something cheaper than their competition. There's no other way around it. Hyundai has a worst reputation than the domestics in terms of relibility and quality, but if you look at the Sonata you'd see they have come a long way. There must be an incentive to own a domestic equivalent instead of their Japanese counterpart. The Japanese already have the reputation of better reliability and value. You can't change that perception without getting your cars into people's garages. You can only do that by aggressive pricing and offer more incentives (ie 10 year warranties). Cut profit margin in favor of aiming to gain more market share in the mean time. It's an uphill battle but that's the only way.
Enjoying a lot of success the Japanese automakers have upped their prices on their new cars. Example, you're going to pay a premium if you want a new Camry, Corolla, or Civic. They are overpriced compared to cars in their respective segment. Most dealers don't offer any incentives or rebates for these cars at all. Even Nissan is somewhat guilty as well with their Altima and Maxima lines, but at least they come a long way in improved styling and interior design.
The Accord is the only one of the imports that kept its price relatively stable with each successive improvements. If you want value and feature you can make a strong statement for. The Corolla is probably the worst of the bunch. There's very little improvement with each successor, interior or exterior. Bland design and overpriced should be its official motto.
The 3 domestic automakers should have taken the approach that Hyundai have taken given that they do not dominate the midsize and small sedan segment. They are going to have to offer something cheaper than their competition. There's no other way around it. Hyundai has a worst reputation than the domestics in terms of relibility and quality, but if you look at the Sonata you'd see they have come a long way. There must be an incentive to own a domestic equivalent instead of their Japanese counterpart. The Japanese already have the reputation of better reliability and value. You can't change that perception without getting your cars into people's garages. You can only do that by aggressive pricing and offer more incentives (ie 10 year warranties). Cut profit margin in favor of aiming to gain more market share in the mean time. It's an uphill battle but that's the only way.
Ford will probably go bankrupt in their American division so they don't have to pay the heavy cost to workers and then open up a shop in China to save money.
middlehead
Diamond Member
- Jul 11, 2004
- 4,573
- 2
- 81
Currently driving an Oldsmobile and I'm starting to look around in anticipation of buying a car next year. Order of preference so far is Chevy > Pontiac > Ford > Suzuki (because my uncle runs a dealership and I know I'd get a good deal and good service).
IGBT
Lifer
- Jul 16, 2001
- 17,975
- 141
- 106
..I think it's a deliberate end run around the unions. They can't afford the beluga grandiose labor contracts so their going to ramp down market share and sell off their business when it's at the bottom. There's already talk going around that Chrysler may be sold to a Chinese mfgr.
jupiter57
Diamond Member
- Nov 18, 2001
- 4,600
- 3
- 71
The big three will never fold.
Simple economics.
Consider this: (Note: All figures pulled from thin air, only represented to make a point.)
A major automobile manufacturer posts a year ending LOSS of $3.4 Billion, this puts the idea in the general publics head that they are losing that much money, and surely can't last.
However, when all is said and done, someone somewhere will reveal that included in that loss were the "Bonuses" given to the top Execs., totaling ~$5.4 Billion.
If they are losing money, why are the executives entitled to such large bonuses?
Doesn't happen in my Company!
I should hope that the lawmakers of this country would pass legislation prohibiting this type behavior before sinking cash into them to help them stay in business. (Democrats, FTW!)
BTW: I'm strictly a General Motors man myself. No foreign autos shall darken my property.
(Not that I have anything against them, it's just my American pride and loyalty.)
Simple economics.
Consider this: (Note: All figures pulled from thin air, only represented to make a point.)
A major automobile manufacturer posts a year ending LOSS of $3.4 Billion, this puts the idea in the general publics head that they are losing that much money, and surely can't last.
However, when all is said and done, someone somewhere will reveal that included in that loss were the "Bonuses" given to the top Execs., totaling ~$5.4 Billion.
If they are losing money, why are the executives entitled to such large bonuses?
Doesn't happen in my Company!
I should hope that the lawmakers of this country would pass legislation prohibiting this type behavior before sinking cash into them to help them stay in business. (Democrats, FTW!)
BTW: I'm strictly a General Motors man myself. No foreign autos shall darken my property.
(Not that I have anything against them, it's just my American pride and loyalty.)
ya what a poor decision. You know Japanese cars are made in America with American workers too right? Probably with out unions and the quality is better.
middlehead
Diamond Member
- Jul 11, 2004
- 4,573
- 2
- 81
I know quite a few people that are well aware of this but still refuse to buy foreign cars because the profit doesn't stay here.
No, they won't fold. Its also a cycle. I expect American cars to get back on top in a few years. GM is already turning it around with all their new cars.
iversonyin
Diamond Member
- Aug 12, 2004
- 3,303
- 0
- 76
ViviTheMage
Lifer
iversonyin
Diamond Member
- Aug 12, 2004
- 3,303
- 0
- 76
WHAT KIND OF PROFIT are the Big 3 making?!
People believe in that are plain ignorant. The fact is that you can own Toyota's stock or a mutual fund that own it. The profit therefore, does flow back.
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